Steve Carell, Usher on ‘SNL’ finale
Tonight’s must-see
“Saturday Night Live” finale, 11:29 p.m., NBC.
This has been an odd “SNL” year. Shortened by the writers’ strike, it was sometimes so-so and occasionally hilarious. Now it ends on what could be a high note, with major stars as the host (Steve Carell) and music guest (Usher).
Tonight’s oddity
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” 9-11 p.m., Ion. On one hand, this is a splendid new approach to a classic. There’s no seething, no growling; Dougray Scott transforms by attitude alone. As Dr. Jekyll, he’s quietly unsure. As Hyde, he strides and struts with confidence; he’s charming and deadly. That much makes sense: The rest – with a young lawyer and a court case – is bizarre. Ask yourself this: If someone came to you and said he’s a mass murderer and would like to surrender, would you say you’d work on the papers and get back to him tomorrow? That’s the sort of absurd plot twist we get. Scott is brilliant; the story is not.
Other choices include
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), 4 p.m.; “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984), 6:30 p.m.; “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989), 9 p.m., Sci Fi Channel. Four days before the fourth Indiana Jones films hits theaters, we can savor the wonderful Steven Spielberg trilogy, filled with masterful filmmaking.
“Hitch” (2005), 8-11 p.m., ABC. Will Smith plays a dating consultant, teaching Kevin James how to be charming. Then the “expert” meets a woman (Eva Mendes) who makes him clumsy and giddy? There are no surprises, but “Hitch” is reasonably pleasant.
“Cold Case,” 8 p.m., CBS. Filled with music by Nirvana, this rerun has Lilly re-opening a triple murder from 1994.
“CSI:NY,” 9 p.m., CBS. In a rerun, a body has been stolen from a coroner’s van.
Sunday’s must-see
Academy of Country Music Awards, 8-11 p.m., CBS.
Here are most of Nashville’s stars in one gulp. Even Garth Brooks, semi-retired lately, was lured back with the ACM’s first Crystal Milestone Award. He’ll do a medley of his hits. All five entertainer-of-the-year nominees – Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts – will perform. So will Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert and Montgomery Gentry. Reba McEntire hosts.
Sunday’s must-see II
“Desperate Housewives” finale, 9-11 p.m., ABC.
Tonight, producers promise, the Mayfair family mystery will be solved. Is this teenager really Dylan Mayfair, or was there an identity switch? Meanwhile, police are probing Gabrielle’s drug-dealing tenant. And Lynette’s scheming stepdaughter has accused her of child abuse.
Sunday’s other choices include
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (etc.), Sci Fi. The great Steven Spielberg trilogy reruns at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m.
“The Simpsons,” 7:30 and 8 p.m., Fox. First is a rerun in which Marge befriends a bank robber. Then the season finale has Lisa become a TV star.
“The Office,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. Shelving “Monk” and “Psych,” NBC has two hourlong “Office” reruns. They deal with the Web site launch party and with Michael’s deep debt.
PBS’ “Masterpiece: Cranford”conclusion, 8-10 p.m. on KSPS channel 7; and 9-11, KCDT channel 26. The first two chapters of this beautifully acted tale were drenched in tragedy. Now the finale ties it all together beautifully. Financial crises press down on sweet Matty (Judi Dench) and cold Lady Ludlow (Fransesca Annis). Meanwhile, the young doctor has three women who feel they’re engaged to him.
“The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls,” 9-11 p.m., Sci Fi. Yes, it’s fun to view treasure-hunters and ancient Mayan mysteries. Still, this documentary – an indirect promo for the new “Indiana Jones” movie – gets way too intense about the supernatural and impending doom.