Here’s everything you need to know about the world of television for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026:
PRODUCTION NOTES
My apologies for the lateness of today's newsletter. They are likely to be running a bit late all week as I wade through my seemingly never-ending task of moving subscribers onto Beehiiv.
PBS ANNOUNCES ITS SUMMER 2026 PROGRAMMING GUIDE
There are some really promising sounding new programs premiering this summer on PBS. But the fact that the government funding cutbacks meant that American Experience is being forced to air reruns during the country's 250th birthday is pretty depressing.
But here is a rundown of summer highlights, along with some short loglines:
Grantchester Season Eleven Premiere (Sundays, June 14th – August 2nd)
In the transformative summer of 1963, Alphy (Rishi Nair) reconnects with his estranged mother and questions his faith. Geordie (Robson Green) faces a promotion that could end his crime-solving partnership with Alphy, and Cathy’s (Kacey Ainsworth) career soars. As Leonard (Al Weaver) discovers his paternal side and Miss Scott (Melissa Johns) faces a life-changing event, the Grantchester family must face love, loss, and forgiveness one last time.
Independent Lens: Assembly (Monday, June 22nd)
Artist Rashaad Newsome prepares to showcase “Assembly,” a groundbreaking exhibit at New York’s Park Avenue Armory. By blending visual art, performance, and artificial intelligence, the project centers the global evolution of vogue while honoring Black and queer resistance and calling for a more liberated future.
Declarations: Black America And The American Revolution (Monday, June 29th)
Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Founders declared that “…all men are created equal... with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” However, in 1776, as a new nation was on the brink of war against the British Empire, these truths weren’t so evident to the population of enslaved and freed Black people. This is a documentary that follows the stories of enslaved and eventually freed Black Americans who believed, exercised, and fought for these tenets of democracy for themselves, their families, and their community.
America Made In Virginia: 250 Years Together (Saturday, July 4th)
In commemoration of America’s Independence, America Made In Virginia: 250 Years Together, will broadcast live from Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. Produced in partnership with VA250 and timed to coincide with the nation’s Semiquincentennial, the two-hour special will blend live performance, music, historic interpretation, and large-scale visual spectacle in a celebration of the ideas, people, and defining moments that gave rise to the United States. Rooted in Virginia’s central role as the birthplace of the nation, this inspiring national event connects the country’s founding directly to the present day, offering a powerful reflection on America’s past, present, and future.
Independent Lens: True North - Canadian Myths And Black Power (Monday, July 6th)
Through rare archival footage and firsthand accounts, “True North” revisits 1968 Montreal, where Black liberation movements converged at the Congress of Black Writers. As student protests ignited the Sir George Williams Affair, Black youth faced violent repression, unfolding a powerful chapter of the global Black Power era.
Breaking The Deadlock: Episode 5 (Tuesday, July 7th)
The Emmy Award-nominated GBH series returns with a new episode marking America’s 250th anniversary. The program will bring together a politically diverse panel to reckon with dilemmas around key founding principles: freedom of speech and protest, and the power of the vote, with the goal of finding common ground through civil discourse.
The American Southwest (Wednesday, July 8th)
The American Southwest is a wild and unforgettable journey down the mighty Colorado River. Narrated by Quannah Chasinghorse, the film beautifully showcases the region’s abundant wildlife, confronts the ecological impacts of dams and river depletion, and boldly advocates for increased water and wildlife conservation. The Fin and Fur Films production travels through legendary landscapes from the viewpoint of some of the Southwest’s most charming characters, such as wetland-building beavers, bugling bull elk, and desert-adapted rattlesnakes. Made in association with Natives Outdoors, The American Southwest highlights the region’s deep cultural history and the crucial need to better manage the river for both wildlife and society to thrive.
Independent Lens: "Flood" (Monday, July 13th)
Returning home to California’s Inland Empire, filmmaker Katy Scoggin seeks to reconnect with her estranged father, who works as an elementary science teacher. He is the only evangelical left in the family, and as they face their differences on faith, family and belonging, their journey becomes a portrait of empathy and resilience. Together, they find new ways to listen and bridge divides.
Once Upon A Time In Space (Tuesdays, July 14th – August 4th)
From the makers of the multi-award-winning Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland comes a landmark documentary series telling the human stories behind one of our most extraordinary endeavors: the exploration of space. Moving beyond scientific achievement, the series examines the personal experiences of astronauts, cosmonauts, ground-based participants and the loved ones left behind, alongside insights from leading figures in space exploration, including Charles Bolden, Anna Lee Fisher, Mike Mullane, Terry Virts, Sergei Zalyotin, Michael Foale, and Alexander Lazutkin, among others. Through powerful first-hand testimony and intimate, unseen archive, a complex portrait of humanity emerges – one that lays bare both our fragility and boundless curiosity. Across four episodes, Once Upon A Time In Space traces the defining landmarks of our spacefaring history, from the birth of the shuttle and the pioneering Space Station Mir to the rise of commercial spaceflight.
Great Performances At The Met: Eugene Onegin (Friday, August 21st)
Soprano Asmik Grigorian returns to the Met as Tatiana, the lovestruck young heroine in Tchaikovsky’s opera adaptation of Pushkin’s novel. Baritone Igor Golovatenko reprises his portrayal of Onegin, who realizes his affection for her all too late. Tony Award winner Deborah Warner directs.
American Masters: Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World (Tuesday, August 25th)
Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Mary Oliver. Shaped by a solitary childhood and rising literary fame, Oliver published more than 30 collections of poetry and essays on nature, beauty, and the journey towards love. Notable voices like Stephen Colbert, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Buscemi, Lucy Dacus and more share how Oliver’s work resonates today.
Great Performances: Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2026 (Friday, August 28th)
The beloved annual concert performed from Schönbrunn Palace Park by Vienna Philharmonic is conducted by Lorenzo Viotti and features renowned bass-baritone Bryn Terfel as guest artist.
SPEAKING OF PBS
In July, I am planning on posting a number of features on my website and in this newsletter celebrating 56 years of PBS. It was founded in 1969 and officially began broadcasting on October 5th, 1970. So I suppose technically July might be 55 years?
Regardless, I want to highlight the many ways PBS has changed America for the better. Because the network has a rich history of airing influential programming. And also, screw the people who defunded the network and caused so much upheaval. More details to come, as I am still navigating what I can cover. I can't make it to the PBS archives to dig through their records, but I have accumulated a lot of ideas already. I think it should be fun.
IF YOU THINK THIS SHOW IDEA SOUNDS FAMILIAR, YOU ARE NOT WRONG
The Food Network announced the premiere today of the new series Food Network's Top 10 today and if you have been watching the network for any length of time, you'll realize it is literally the exact same premise of older shows that have been airing on the network for decades. Here is the official logline of the "new" show, which premieres on Monday, May 25th:
With opinions everywhere about where to find the best bites, Food Network cuts through the noise with Food Network’s Top 10—a new series delivering definitive, crave-worthy rankings of the can’t miss dishes across America. Award-winning chefs break down the bites that are truly worth the hype, the splurge, and even a road trip. Each episode counts down the Top 10 in a craveable category—from Brunch and BBQ to Burgers—serving up expert insight, insider intel, saucy secrets, and plenty of hot takes along the way.
Hand-picked by a panel of acclaimed chefs, the rankings are driven by firsthand experience, expertise, and passionate debate about what makes a truly great dish. The series kicks off with America’s most sought-after Pizza, spotlighting ten Nonna-approved slices across the country—from perfectly blistered woodfired pies in Los Angeles to a square Detroit-style standout with East Coast flair, plus a bold twist on tradition in Brooklyn. Counting down the best slices in America are chefs Eric Adjepong, Adrienne Cheatham, Esther Choi, Alessandra Ciuffo, Rocco DiSpirito, Amanda Freitag, Yolanda Gampp, Duff Goldman, Owen Han, Antonia Lofaso, Jeff Mauro, Kelsey Murphy, Tue Nguyen, Ayesha Nurdjaja, Damaris Phillips, Joe Sasto, Jet Tila, and Andrew Zimmern. From iconic institutions to hidden neighborhood gems, every pie on the list delivers serious culinary clout.
Thanks goodness that chefs such as Jet Tila and Antonia Lofaso will finally get a little airtime on the network.
ODDS AND SODS
* The true crime documentary The Many Lives Of Benjamin Kyle premieres Monday, May 25th on Investigation Discovery. Here is the official logline: "In August 2004, a naked and injured man was found behind a Burger King in rural Georgia. Claiming to suffer from a rare form of amnesia, he called himself Benjaman Kyle. In 2014, with the help of filmmakers Shannon and Eric Evangelista, he set out to piece together his forgotten life. But as cracks in his story emerged, producers uncovered realities that revealed disturbing inconsistencies in his past, revealing three cold cases and a possible connection to a powerful Midwestern crime family. As new evidence surfaces, the producers face mounting threats, placing one of their own in danger and revealing the devastating cost that can come with chasing the truth."
Season two of Worst Ex Ever premieres Wednesday, May 6th on Netflix.
As part of its ongoing program to be less of a news channel, CNN is premiering the special America Laughs with Matt Friend this Friday. In a statement, Friend said, “We are in an increasingly divided country and world. For my show with CNN, I aim to poke fun at everyone and allow room for all to laugh in a Johnny Carson spirit. For decades, from Sid Caesar and Carson to Norm Macdonald and Bill Maher, comedians have helped us reflect on public life in America. As Aristophanes said, ‘Comedy is allied to justice.’ This is going to be a truly fun, unpredictable night of impressions, satire, and surprises, and I can’t wait for people to see it.”
My humble opinion is that everytime I hear someone doing late night comedy in the spirit of Johnny Carson, what they really mean is that they are going to pick a political side and pretend to be middle of the road. But we shall see on Friday.
* Season two of Devil May Cry premieres Tuesday, May 12th on Netflix. Here is the official logline: "A war between worlds ignites as Dante must battle the only force that mirrors his own: his estranged twin brother Vergil. In Devil May Cry season two, Dante must confront his own devils and the feeling of family he lost as a child. With the reemergence of Vergil, will Dante lay to rest old demons or fall victim to them?"
TUESDAY, APRIL 21ST:
* Bear Grylls Is Running Wild Series Premiere (Fox)
* Death In Paradise Season Fifteen Premiere (BritBox)
* Farmer Wants A Wife Season Four Premiere (Fox)
* Unchosen Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Untold: The Shooting At Hawthorne Hill (Netflix)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22ND:
* Criminal Record Season Two Premiere (Apple TV)
* Hulk Hogan: Real American (Netflix)
* Lainey Wilson: Keepin' Country Cool (Netflix)
* Nova: Rain Bombs (PBS)
* Orangutan (Disney+)
* Santita Series Premiere (Netflix)
* SisterS (Acorn TV/AMC+/IFC)
* Sold Out On You Series Premiere (Netflix)
* This Is A Gardening Show Series Premiere (Netflix)
THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD:
* After The Flood Season Two Premiere (BritBox)
* Flunked Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Half Man Series Premiere (HBO)
* Last One Laughing: Italy Season Premiere (Prime Video)
* Running Point (Netflix)
* Stranger Things: Tales From '85 Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries Series Premiere (Up tv)
* Yiya Murano: Death At Tea Time (Netflix)
SEE YOU WEDNESDAY!