Casey Crafford
Malachi Kirby plays Kunta Kinte in the “Roots” remake.
In the heyday of network television, May was the do-or-die month of sweeps. That meant character deaths, births, weddings and other big events, and then a screeching halt and summer lull for TV programming. But now, with the popularity of streaming sites and cable channels, a lot of great, high-quality programs launch right on the cusp of summer. From dramatic comedies like Netflix’s Grace and Frankie to historical reboots like Roots, this month will be the start of some very good alternative programming.
Grace and Frankie
Netflix, returns May 6
Returning for a second season, Grace and Frankie is a bittersweet comedy starring the always dazzling Jane Fonda and the incomparable Lily Tomlin as a pair of unlikely friends thrown together by circumstance. This series is a gleaming example of why more programming should be focused on mature women and female friendship. So many TV execs laser in on the 18-49 demo and ignore the complex stories that can be artfully told about women over 50. The empathy and concern you feel for the Grace and Frankie characters is real. Longtime friends Fonda and Tomlin have remarkable chemistry, and the writing is sharp and wickedly funny. Also, let it be known that I learned almost all my recycling knowledge from Tomlin’s character last season, which is both funny and sad.
Chelsea
Netflix, premieres May 11
I’ll skip the sob story about how being a woman in standup comedy is grueling, challenging and sometimes no fun at all. I believe that Chelsea Handler is sort of an acquired taste. That being said, you have to give her huge props for creating her own programming in a landscape that historically does not even cast women over 40 unless they are playing someone’s mother. Handler has left E! and teamed up with Netflix to create a new talk show, a 30-minute program that will release three episodes a week (on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays). I vacillate between enjoying her comedy and being tired of it, but I’m still going to casually give this show a shot. I’m hoping that Handler digs deep on this one and takes advantage of her creative freedom to bring something new and different to the genre.
All the Way
HBO, premieres May 21
Not to make comparisons, but Bryan Cranston is the Beyoncé of male television actors. After his tour de force performance in a little show called Breaking Bad, Cranston took his talents to Broadway, and he won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Lyndon B. Johnson in All the Way, which also won the Tony for Outstanding Play and follows LBJ in his quick ascension to the presidency in the aftermath of the JFK assassination. HBO saw the huge potential for another Emmy-winning film and secured Cranston to reprise his role in this screen adaptation. Rounding out the cast are powerhouse supporting players Anthony Mackie (the Captain America films), Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), Stephen Root (NewsRadio) and Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon).
Bloodline
Netflix, returns May 27
Bloodline comes from the creators of the legal thriller Damages. The Netflix series is entering its second season and boasts a deeply impressive cast, including Ben Mendelsohn (The Dark Knight), Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights), Linda Cardellini (Freaks and Geeks), Sissy Spacek (Coal Miner’s Daughter) and Sam Shepard (Black Hawk Down). They portray the Rayburn family, who own and operate a hotel in the Florida Keys. In the first season, Mendelsohn’s character returns home suddenly and threatens to expose family secrets. Bloodline is one of those dark shows that puts me on edge, fueled by great acting performances and writing, which keep me coming back for more.
Roots
History, Lifetime and A&E (simulcast), premieres May 30
Roots instantly became a phenomenon when it hit the airwaves in 1977. The iconic miniseries starred a pre-Reading Rainbow LeVar Burton and told the story of one man’s quest for liberation from slavery. It was adapted from the Alex Haley novel of the same name and featured acting powerhouses like Ben Vereen (All That Jazz), John Amos (Good Times) and Louis Gossett Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman). Fast-forward to 2016, and the entertainment landscape is populated largely by reboots, with everything from Jurassic Park to Rocky. It seems both logical and risky to tackle a series like Roots in 2016, as the show was a huge success yet the subject matter is inherently tense. But in the age of Black Lives Matter, race is certainly still in the public vernacular. Before you watch this version, be sure to check out the original miniseries, as it is equal parts groundbreaking, moving and powerful.
So You Think You Can Dance: Next Generation
FOX, premieres May 30
Lately things have been a little off-balance for So You Think You Can Dance. With various format shakeups, including last year’s relatively unsuccessful “Stage vs. Street” season, the veteran reality competition has been losing viewers despite consistently churning out new talent. Luckily for longtime fans, the show has been given another shot, this time in the form of a Next Generation version that features contestants ages 8-13 competing for a shot to be America’s Favorite Dancer. Sia muse and former Dance Moms cast member Maddie Ziegler will join the judging panel. The 13-year-old Ziegler is probably the country’s most recognizable dancer under 18, and she is a good example of how to maximize your talent as a young performer. Sure, there are inherent issues with having a reality competition for children, but perhaps these kids can rejuvenate a program that exposed so many people to the art of dance.
