For those who still enjoy a cable subscription, here is a selection of cable and network TV shows, movies and specials that broadcast this week, May 20-26. Details and times are subject to change.
Monday
STAX: SOULSVILLE, U.S.A. 9 p.m. on HBO. Satellite Records in Memphis (now Stax Records), which opened its doors in 1957, helped start the careers of Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave and more. This documentary series uses archival footage and interviews to look back on the relationships shared by musicians, songwriters and producers and highlights the work they all did in pushing the racial barriers of the time.
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE 9 p.m. on Fox. All season the judges Allison Holker, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and JoJo Siwa have been sharing feedback with the dancers in this competition show with episode themes including Broadway, music videos and movies — and now it is time to crown a winner.
Tuesday
THE ROOKIE 9 p.m. on ABC. This show, staring Nathan Fillion as the oldest rookie in the Los Angeles Police Department, is wrapping up its 6th season this week. The penultimate episode left things on a cliffhanger, with Dr. London on the run, potentially endangering her immunity deal. Will we have to wait a year for loose ends to be tied up?
THE GOOD DOCTOR 10 p.m. on ABC. Over the seven seasons of this show, we have really seen Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) go on a full journey. He started as a nervous young surgeon and has blossomed into a top guy in his field, a husband and a father. Highmore told Deadline that he hadn’t expected the show to run seven seasons, “but one of the things that I have always appreciated about the show — and saw as potential from the very beginning — is the opportunity for Shaun to evolve and learn and grow and change,” he said.
Wednesday
GORDON RAMSAY’S FOOD STARS 9 p.m. on Fox. When the chef Gordon Ramsay is not running his restaurant empire (Hell’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, Gotham Restaurant), he is teaming up with another restaurateur, Lisa Vanderpump (TomTom, Vanderpump á Paris, Wolf by Vanderpump) to find the next food entrepreneur. People will pitch their business ideas to Ramsay and Vanderpump and then compete to win the $250,000 prize money.
ABBOTT ELEMENTARY 9 p.m. on ABC. After the school trip the staff took to Smith Playground last episode, there is no doubt they are ready for their summer vacation. In the finale airing this week, Janine (Quinta Brunson) throws her colleagues an end-of-year party to celebrate and things naturally go awry.
GROWN-ISH 10 p.m. on Freeform. This week we are saying goodbye to the “-ish” universe. The original show, “Black-ish,” ended in 2022, and now the spinoff “Grown-ish,” which chronicled the college and post-grad life of Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi), is ending after six seasons.
HARRY POTTER MARATHON starting at 4:30 p.m. on USA. My mother recently offended me by saying I was a Hufflepuff when I know that I am Slytherin (I look great in green!). And if you too daydream about which house the sorting hat would pick for you, tune into this magical marathon. Get ready to board the Hogwarts Express at platform 9¾, pour yourself a butterbeer and summon your Acromantula to take you on a ride.
Friday
LINGO 8 p.m. on CBS. RuPaul Charles is back to hosting duty, but this time he isn’t judging drag queens but helping teams guess letters to a word in this game that is reminiscent of Wordle. This one features cash prizes, though.
Saturday
GAGA CHROMATICA BALL 8 p.m. on HBO. At Los Angeles Dodgers stadium in 2022, Lady Gaga performed some of her memorable songs (“Shallow,” “Just Dance,” and “Poker Face,” among them). This HBO special lets you relive the concert, which was also a fire show, a light show and a runway show — all wrapped in one.
Sunday
INDIANAPOLIS 500 12:30 p.m. on NBC. This seminal race is back for the 108th time this weekend, and in the countdown to the race, a number of events are planned for spectators at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. On race day, Jordin Sparks will sing the national anthem, and then it will be time to start those engines.
