Between streaming and cable, there is a seemingly endless variety of things to watch. Here is a selection of TV shows and specials that air or stream this week, March 17-23. Details and times are subject to change.
Something isn’t right?
Natalia Grace Mans was adopted from Ukraine in 2010 by an American family. By 2011, they had argued to a court that they didn’t believe Mans was a child, as they had been told, and instead was an adult woman with dwarfism. Perhaps because of its similarity to plot of the 2009 horror movie “The Orphan,” the story went viral and became the topic of podcasts, news stories and a documentary series entitled “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.” Now, a fictionalized version, “Good American Family,” is coming out this week. The show stars Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass as the adoptive parents and Imogen Faith Reid as Natalia. Streaming on Hulu on Wednesday.
The new mystery drama “The Residence” asks the question: What would happen if there was a murder at a White House state dinner? The series stars Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, a detective with the Metropolitan Police Department who is brought in to question the personnel who were around when the crime occurred. And of course, throughout all of this, interpersonal conflicts arise, people start acting shady and secrets are revealed. Streaming on Netflix on Thursday.
In the 1990s, there were a string of murders around the U.S. When the cases started getting media attention, the killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, would write letters to newspapers and police departments detailing the specifics of his crimes and signing with a smiley face, giving him the moniker “the happy face killer.” He is currently serving four consecutive life sentences. In the new series, “Happy Face,” Dennis Quaid is taking on the role of Jesperson in this fictional retelling of the terrifying and true story. Streaming on Paramount+ on Thursday.
Celebrating music.
This week, music will be celebrated at the iHeart Radio Music Awards. And though Taylor Swift finished with her Eras Tour, she continues to be top of mind — the show takes place on the two year anniversary of the start of the tour, so the show will feature a filmed performance from that first night. Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey will be honored, and LL Cool J is set to host. Monday at 8 p.m. on Fox.
In 1925, George D. Hay started a country radio broadcast WSM Barn Dance, which was renamed as the Grand Ole Opry in 1927. A platform to celebrate both longtime stars and newcomers to the genre, it is the longest running radio show. To celebrate the 100th anniversary, Blake Shelton is hosting “Opry 100,” with performances and appearances by Reba McEntire, Post Malone, Alan Jackson and many more. Wednesday at 8 p.m. on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
Let them eat cake.
The first season of the show “Marie Antoinette” followed the newlywed, played by Emilia Schüle, as she moved to Versailles and began to orient herself in her new life. In the second season, premiering this week, Antoinette and Louis XVI (Louis Cunningham) face financial struggles, constant criticism and the infamous diamond necklace affair. Sunday at 10 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).
Oscar winners come to streaming.
This month the indie movie “Anora” took home five Academy Awards, including for best picture, best director and best actress. The story follows Ani (Mikey Madison), a sex worker who impulsively marries Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a wealthy family from Russia, who she meets at her strip club. As you can imagine, things aren’t exactly happily ever after. If you didn’t catch the film in theaters or would like to relive the characters’ stressful jaunt around Brighton Beach, now is the time. Streaming on Hulu on Monday.
If my neighbors were already sick of me belting out “Defying Gravity,” things are about to get much worse for them: “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, will be available to stream this week. The movie took home two Oscars last month, and we’re roughly T-minus nine months away from part two — so it only makes sense to begin rewatching. Streaming on Peacock on Friday.
