What’s on TV this week: the presidential debate and the CMA party
For those who still have a cable subscription, here is a selection of cable and network TV shows, movies and specials airing this week, June 24 through 30. Details and times are subject to change.
Monday
BEAT BOBBY FLAY from 9pm on Food. Nowadays there is literally every type of cooking show you can imagine on television. But rarely in one of those programs does a world-renowned chef flex his cooking muscles alongside the contestants. That’s exactly what Bobby Flay does here. In each episode, two chefs compete to cook something Flay has chosen. The chef who wins that round gets to compete against Flay himself, this time with the contestant’s signature dish.
Tuesday
CMA PARTY 8:00 p.m. on ABC. This year’s country music extravaganza took place in early June and is now coming to the small screen. Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde are set to host the special, which will feature performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Big & Rich, Clint Black, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Post Malone and more.
A SOUTH: PORTRAIT OF THE PSYCH UNITY 9pm on HBO. The 2020 Netflix documentary series “Lenox Hill” brought viewers into that hospital’s neurosurgery department. This HBO series may be even more intimate, this time taking viewers to a hospital where students are being treated for serious mental health issues. This series highlights the experience, from admission to discharge, at one of these hospitals and the frustrating limitations of the American healthcare system.
Wednesday
REAL CSI: MIAMI 10pm on CBS. If you’ve ever dreamed that one of the “CSI” franchise shows was more realistic, you’re in luck. This new series is a reality show inspired by the Crime Scene Investigation unit that has featured in countless dramas. The cameras follow investigators to real crime scenes and then outline the forensic process of finding suspects.
Thursday
NHL PRIZES 7pm on ESPN. The hockey season is over and now it’s time for the players to get their flowers. Takes place on the Fontainebleau in Las Vegasand broadcast live, players will accept awards for Most Valuable Player, Outstanding Goalkeeper, Outstanding Defender, Outstanding Rookie and more. Time to crack open a cold one and celly!
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 9:00 PM on various channels. The campaign season has begun with this first broadcast of the presidential debate. CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate, and there will be no live studio audience. It will be decided by a coin toss: President Biden will appear on stage right, and former President Donald J. Trump will have the final say in the debate. Additionally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. failed to qualify for the debate, so it will be just Trump and Biden on stage.
Friday
HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (2003) on Bravo. “All the other girls dreamed of being Ben’s partner, they’d be Ben’s partner, ooooohhh.” Every time I watch this 2000s rom-com, this personal rendition of Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” gets stuck in my head. It’s annoying, but that’s the point. Andi (Kate Hudson) is on a magazine assignment to get a guy to dump her in 10 days. Ben (Matthew McConaughey) makes a bet with his coworkers that he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days. After much cringe-inducing and very awkward moments, the film naturally ends in romance.
Saturday
SOUL (2020) 8:10pm on Freeform. If you had a good cry watching “Inside Out 2,” and you need another one, check out this Pixar film about Joe, a high school jazz teacher who ends up in another realm and explores his passions. “In about 100 joyful, poignant minutes,” AO Scott wrote in his review for The New York Times, “the film tackles a number of questions that have plagued many of us since childhood. Why do I exist? What is the point of life? What comes next?”
Sunday
THE BET 8:00 PM on BET. This is the year of Usher’s resurgence (although he never really went away): he performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, has a Las Vegas residency and is now being honored with BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Ice Spice, Lauryn Hill, Tyla and Shaboozey will perform at the award show, with Taraji P. Henson returning as host.
WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL 9pm on Bravo. It’s hard to believe that what started as a web show has grown into a tentpole for Bravo programming, with host Andy Cohen leading guests through games like “Plead the Fifth” and “Shag, Marry, Kill.” The show is celebrating 15 years with plenty of familiar faces and memories.
