Around the Remote: Burns’ new documentary dives into country music
DON’T MISS: “Country Music” – Ken Burns is at it again. The filmmaker known for his epic documentary projects takes a deep dive into the history of a uniquely American art form. The eight-night, 16 1/2 hour opus charts the evolution of country music from its tangled roots in ballads, blues and hymns performed in small settings to its worldwide popularity. Along the way, it profiles the trailblazing artists who shaped the genre and serves up interviews with more than 80 artists – all while delivering some emotionally powerful human stories of triumph and tragedy. You might want to have the tissues handy. (8 p.m. Sunday, KSPS and KCDT).
Other bets
MONDAY: A fresh crop of celebrities, including former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, supermodel Christie Brinkley and actor James Van Der Beek, is ready to rumba as “Dancing With the Stars” returns. For the first time, their pro partners will be revealed on premiere night. (8 p.m., ABC).
MONDAY: While one dance show debuts, another wraps up. After another action-packed season, “So You Think You Can Dance” crowns its latest winner during a glitzy, two-hour finale. (8 p.m., Fox).
TUESDAY: Finally, there’s a female host in late night on a major broadcast network. “A Little Late With Lilly Singh” is a new half-hour series that has the Canadian YouTube star and comedienne presiding over a half hour of in-studio interviews and pre-taped sketches. (1:35 a.m., NBC).
TUESDAY: “College Football 150: The American Game” is an 11-episode documentary series that delves through the 150-year history of college football. The production recalls not only the great players and games, but also the various elements that have made the sport an integral component of the national landscape. (4 p.m., ESPN).
WEDNESDAY: They stood the heat and didn’t get out of the kitchen. Now the three Season 10 finalists on “MasterChef” duke it out one more time to determine a champion. The challenge: Execute a stand-out, three-course meal for the judges. (8 p.m., Fox).
WEDNESDAY: All summer we’ve been watching singers, dancers, magicians, beat boxers, various animal acts and more parade across the “America’s Got Talent” stage. Now it’s time to get down to business and crown a winner during a two-hour season finale. (8 p.m., NBC).
THURSDAY: One night before the Crawleys and company make their debut on the big screen comes “Return to Downton Abbey: A Grand Event.” Hosted by Derek Hough and filmed at Highclere Castle in England, it’s a special that offers an inside look at the feature film and interviews cast members about what made the period series so appealing to millions. (8 p.m., NBC).
FRIDAY: “Criminal” is a new and extremely stripped-down police procedural. The action is confined exclusively to those tense moments during an interrogation and the conflict between the cops and the prime suspect. No car chases. No gun battles. Just heated discussions. (Netflix).
SATURDAY: OK, so they don’ t get the big headlines and magazine covers, but winners of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards deserve some of your love, too. Television’s behind-the-scenes wizards are honored in Los Angeles. (8 p.m., FXX).