Around the remote: Chuck Barney’s best bets for May 29-June 5
DON’T MISS: “Roots” – Attempting to remake or “re-imagine” a pop-cultural landmark often leads to disaster. But this well-cast and handsomely crafted update of the 1977 miniseries about one American family’s tumultuous journey through slavery earns our respect. The four-night, eight-hour event can be difficult to watch at times, but ultimately it’s an inspiring testament to the resilience of the human spirit. 9 p.m. Monday, History Channel, A&E and Lifetime.
Other bets
SUNDAY: “The Carmichael Show” is at its best when it embraces hot-button topics. So it’s only fitting that the hilariously provocative sitcom devotes its Season 2 finale to Donald Trump. 8 p.m., NBC.
SUNDAY: Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise co-host the “National Memorial Day Concert,” an annual salute to our military heroes. Performers include Trace Adkins, the Beach Boys, Renee Fleming and Katharine McPhee. 8 p.m. KSPS/KCDT.
MONDAY: It’s time to bust some moves as “So You Think You Can Dance” swings back into action. For its 13th season, the show features a younger generation of contestants – between the ages of 8 and 13. 8 p.m., Fox.
MONDAY: Acting legends Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins shine in the funny and touching TV film “The Dresser.” It goes backstage on a ragtag production of “King Lear” during World War II as bombs fall and sirens wail. 9 p.m., Starz.
TUESDAY: Warning: Sharp barbs ahead. Caustic Brit Simon Cowell joins the judges panel for the 13th season of “America’s Got Talent.” Up first are the auditions. 8 p.m., NBC.
WEDNESDAY: Forty talented home cooks are set to throw down as “MasterChef” returns. Among the contestants are three firefighters, a pro poker player, a lifeguard, a private investigator and Miss San Diego 2015. 8 p.m., Fox.
WEDNESDAY: “Cleverman” is a new genre drama set in Australia’s near future. It follows a group of extraordinary creatures from ancient mythology who battle for survival in a world where humans feel increasingly threatened by them. 10 p.m., Sundance TV.
THURSDAY: As the fourth and final season of “Beauty and the Beast” begins, Vincent (Jay Ryan) and Cat’s (Kristin Kreuk) honeymoon gets cut short when they learn that someone is trying to expose the identities of the beasts. 8 p.m., The CW.
SATURDAY: “Ms. Matched” is a silly-sweet TV film about a woman (Alexa PenaVega) who plans extravagant fairy tale weddings for her clients, but has no romance in her own life. Something tells us that’s about to change. 9 p.m., Hallmark.