TV's Best Bets
Wednesday, June 15
“So You Think You Can Dance,” 9 p.m., Fox. The 300th episode of this oft-excellent show marks a changeover. The tryouts are finished and 12 contestants move to a TV studio — a big step for a show that missed two summers during the pandemic. And there’s a new judge: Matthew Morrison was ousted, reportedly for sending a note to one of the contestants. Taking over is Leah Remini, a popular actress (“The King of Queens”), also known for strident documentaries opposing scientology. She joins JoJo Siwa and Stephen (tWitch) Boss.
“MasterChef,” 8 p.m., Fox. After three weeks of face-offs, the show has its 20 contestants. All were in previous seasons, when they were merely home cooks. Now 17 of them are in the food business; the others are a fashion designer, a consumer-insight analyst and a small-business director. Two — Shayne Wells, now 18, and Dara Yu, 20 — are from “MasterChef Junior”; they face elders, including Stephen Lee, 54 and Tommy Walton, 59. Tonight, all 20 tackle the dishes they tried during the episodes when they were ousted.
“Kung Fu,” season finale, 9 p.m., CW. It’s transition time for the mini-network. Tonight (after a new “Flash” at 8 p.m.), Nicky links with an unlikely ally, to battle Russell Tan. And on Thursday (after a new “Walker”), “Legacies” has its series finale.
“The Price is Right 50th Anniversary Special,” 8-10 p.m., CBS. When this special aired last September, the title was either an under- or overstatement. “Price” had been around for 65 years, but it was celebrating 49 of them on CBS. (Well, the 50th year was starting.) Bob Barker hosted for the first 35 CBS years, with Drew Carey in charge ever since. This special included a tribute to Barker (now 98), plus old clips, new games and larger prizes.
“Top Gun” (1986), Paramount Network. The record for slowest sequel used to be 34 years: “National Velvet” (1944), with Elizabeth Taylor, became “International Velvet” (1978), with Tatum O’Neal. That was shattered when “Top Gun,” with Tom Cruise, became “Top Gun: Maverick” with, well, Tom Cruise. (Some actors forget to age.) While the mostly terrific sequel makes zillions at the box office, we can savor the original. A strong cast delivers sharp, macho dialog, with great visuals and — something the sequel omits — strong background songs,
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Wednesday TV's Best Bets
