Here’s everything you need to know about the world of television for Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026:
PRODUCTION NOTES
My apologies for the very late newsletter today. I had some family things to take care of before I could get to work.
On the upside, thank you to everyone who passed along the Global TV Awards website and voted for some of their favorites. A bit more than 14,000 people have voted in the first 36 hours, so I think my stretch goal of 100,000 voters might be a little low.
A REMINDER WHY YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING PBS
PBS was at the top of people's minds in the TV industry when Republicans defunded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which led to a number of high-profile cutbacks at local stations and on some of the best known PBS shows.
But as the months of passed, the news cycle has moved on and while the funding cuts are still on people's minds, there are new outrages to focus on. Which I suppose is to be expected.
Unfortunately, what has gotten lost in all of this turmoil is that PBS continues to air some incredible programming. And I don't think it's an exaggeration to say much of it is stuff that wouldn't/couldn't be made anywhere else.
This week is a perfect example of that, with PBS rolling out a murderers row of unique public service and history programming - all of worthwhile and entertaining. It is also programming that likely won't receive a ton of attention in the press and I'd like to highlight some of them here and at least put them on your radar.
Tonight is the premiere of Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History, hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. The four-episode series examines the complex relationship between blacks and Jews in America. Both groups suffered their prejudice and violence. But there was also a great of mutual distrust between the two groups that sometimes prevented them for working together. I am a bit of history geek and there were so many surprising things I learned over the four hours.
Also tonight, Frontline premieres the episode "Contaminated: The Carpet Industry's Toxic Legacy," which is a co-production with the Associated Press, Al.com, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Post and Courier. The special examines how carpet mills contaminated Southern communities with forever chemicals, known as PFAS. You likely can imagine some of the issues that were discovered, but you'll find the industry's lack of accountability over the problems infuriating.
Tomorrow, Nature premieres the five-part mini-series "Parenthood," which examines how different species handle the challenges of parenthood. I haven't watched the entire series yet, so I will just pass along this official logline of the episodes: "The challenges of raising young are common to all life on Earth. From heart-warming dedication to remarkable patience, parenting strategies across the natural world are awe-inspiring, and many are similar to our own experience. Filmed over three years on 6 continents and in 23 countries, this five-part series, narrated by David Attenborough, tells the stories of astonishing animal behaviors shaped by the world the animals inhabit. Each habitat has its own unique challenges, but as the world changes rapidly around them, some parents are having to adapt to a world shaped by humans. The stakes couldn’t be higher – success for all parents ensures the future of life on our planet."
Also, Nova premieres its episode "Can Dogs Talk" tomorrow, which examines whether or not dogs who have supposedly been trained to "talk" with their owners are actually communicating or just responding to their owners. I didn't have a strong feeling about the issue one way or the other before watching this, but now I have so many more questions. It's a great example of what Nova does so well: taking what might seem like a niche scientific question and providing the context that makes it feel vital and worth examining.
Also on Wednesday is a new episode of one of my favorite shows, Secrets Of The Dead. In the episode "The Quest For Camelot," Professor Mark Horton travels across Europe examining medieval texts and archaeological sites in an attempt to put those old Arthurian legends in some sort of historical context. You won't be surprised to learn that he doesn't have any definitive answers, but the hour does provide some reasons to look at the legend of King Arthur in a new way.
With the never-ending stream of new programming, it can be easy to sleep on the great work that is happening at PBS. It's not programming that is sexy to write about and it can be difficult to convince an editor to spend money on a piece about Independent Lens instead of yet another think piece about The Pitt. But like a lot of the global TV programming that is being released in the United States, PBS programming deserves more attention than it is receiving. And these are the kinds of shows you would definitely miss if they disappeared due to lack of funding. Funding which is in part driven by attention from the press and the viewers.
IT'S APPLE TV PRESS DAY IN L.A. ALTHOUGH 'PRESS DAY' IS DOING A LOT OF WORK HERE
Apple TV is having a press day for its current and upcoming shows today and you'll likely see a lot of what passes now for news coming out of the event. New release dates, fresh trailers, some quotes the trades will build a story around.
On the one hand, it would be great to attend the event and see some of my TV critic peers. But the event is so carefully structured - you apparently have to ask questions via an app - that it isn't worth the investment for me to fly into L.A. for the day in order to not be able to ask questions or speak to anyone directly.
All of this careful press choreography certainly protects the talent from any uncomfortable questions. And it provides some earned press as various people post pictures of themselves drinking out of a Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters cup. But I will be shocked if anything substantial comes out of this event.
I am hearing that the room has quite a few influencers and everyone is allowed to take video of cast and crew entering or exiting the stage. But not the panels themselves. So it is a bit like the SDCC, except worse.
Say what you will about the flaws of the old Television Critics Association tours (and I certainly was a critic at times). Those events allowed actually conversations and reporting to happen and provided a more useful level of press coverage for readers. There is a reason why so many of the stories in the Hollywood trades are based around some bit of casting news or comment someone made on a podcast. Much of the other opportunities for reporting have been stripped away as the various streamers and studios limit TV industry reporters' access to talent. Or only offer brief windows to talk which don't allow for any real conversation.
I battle on a daily basis the efforts by networks and streamers to turn my job into one of an independent stenographer. Premiere dates and trailers are fine and that information is useful and has its place. But that doesn't qualify as reporting and now, more than ever, that's what the industry needs in order to remain relevant to consumers.
ODDS AND SODS
* Netflix has ordered a second season of Finding Her Edge.
* The limited series Imperfect Women premieres Wednesday, March 18th on Apple TV. It stars Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara. Here is the official logline: "Based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, “Imperfect Women” examines a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women. The unconventional thriller explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that alter our lives irrevocably. As the investigation unfolds, so does the truth about how even the closest friendships may not be what they seem."
* Season two of L:ucky premieres Wednesday, July 15th on Apple TV.
* CBS News has pulled a rerun of a 60 Minutes segment by physician and longevity researcher Peter Attia after revelations that his name appears in more than 1,700 documents in the latest release of the Epstein files.
* The Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz film Outcome will premiere Friday, April 10th on Apple TV. Here is the official logline: "Outcome centers on Reef Hawk (Reeves), a beloved Hollywood star who must dive into the depths of his hidden demons after he is extorted with a mysterious video that’s sure to shatter his image and end his career. With the support of his lifelong besties Kyle (Diaz) and Xander (Bomer), along with his crisis lawyer Ira (Hill), Reef embarks on a soul-searching journey to make amends with anyone he could have possibly wronged in hopes of identifying the blackmailer."
* American Idol will begin streaming live on Disney+ on Monday, March 30th. It will be continue to be available the next day on Hulu.
* The series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed will premiere Wednesday, May 20th on Apple TV. Here is the official logline: "The dark comedy thriller follows newly divorced mom Paula (Tatiana Maslany) as she falls down a dangerous rabbit hole of blackmail, murder and youth soccer. Convinced that she witnessed a crime – while simultaneously struggling through a custody battle and an identity crisis – Paula begins her own investigation, one that could unravel a greater conspiracy while also holding the keys to rebuilding her family and sense of self."
TED SARANDOS APPEARS IN A SENATE HEARING
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos appeared in front a Senate committee today to explain/defend Netflix's planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and for the most part, it was the political theater you would expect, given the Senate has no role in approving the merger.
Several conservative Senators railed against Netflix's programming, accusing it of having a "pro-trans" agenda and having the "wokest content in the history of the world." But several Democratic Senators weren't much more helpful, including Cory Booker, who kept trying to figure out a way to get Sarandos to criticize Donald Trump's role in approving the merger.
Sen. Josh Hawley did get Ted Sarandos to commit to a 45-day theatrical window under oath. Although I suspect that still won't make critics of the deal happy.
Overall, it was a real waste of time. There are few executives more polished and able to stay on message than Ted Sarandos. So the idea that some Senator on either side could trip him seemed extremely unlikely.
TWEET OF THE DAY
WHAT'S COMING TODAY AND TOMORROW
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD:
* Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History (PBS)
* Even If This Love Disappears Tonight (Netflix)
* Father Brown Season Thirteen Premiere (BritBox)
* Frontline: Contaminated: The Carpet Industry's Toxic Legacy (PBS)
* Grace (BritBox)
* MLK, Jr Beloved Community Awards (BET)
* Mo Gilligan: In The Moment (Netflix)
* Summer House Season Premiere (Bravo)
* The Turpins: A New House Of Horror (ABC)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH:
* Assisted Living Season Premiere (BET)
* House Of Payne (BET)
* Is It Cake? Valentines Special (Netflix)
* Nature: Parenthood (PBS)
* Nova: Can Dogs Talk? (PBS)
* Relationship Goals (Prime Video)
* The Coach Vick Experience Series Premiere (BET)
* The Investigation Of Lucy Letby (Netflix)
* The Muppet Show Special (ABC)
* We Call It Imagineering (Disney+)
SEE YOU THIS WEDNESDAY!