Trace Adkins is on familiar turf in ‘Monarch’
Keeps Trace Adkins more than a little bit country
In his biggest acting commitment yet, country music star Trace Adkins is playing in a world he knows well.
Premiering Sunday, Sept. 11, before it settles into its regular slot Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Fox drama series “Monarch” casts the singer of such hits as “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” and “You’re Gonna Miss This” opposite Oscar winner Susan Sarandon as the couple heading a hugely popular performing family. Others are eager to succeed them, though, making one of the couple’s children (Anna Friel) intent on keeping her clan’s entertainment-business status secure. Joshua Sasse, Beth Ditto, Broadway’s Faith Prince and Sarandon’s daughter Eva Amurri also are in the cast.
“They contacted me and wanted me to audition,” the friendly, deep-voiced Adkins recalls, “so I did that, and things moved pretty quickly after that. It was something I was certainly interested in, and I liked what I heard, so I signed on.”
Anyone familiar with Adkins’ persona will recognize it in his “Monarch” role of country titan Albie Roman, just as he does: “I said to them, ‘So you want me to be me, right? That’s pretty much what I’m seeing here. I think I can do that.’ ”
With Shania Twain, Little Big Town, Martina McBride and Tanya Tucker slated to appear during “Monarch’s” first season, Adkins likes working with highpowered co-stars. He notes, “Somebody said, ‘It must make you nervous to do scenes with Susan Sarandon.’ Of course, it did in the beginning, then I realized that it’s so easy to do a scene with an actor of that caliber. You know you’re going to get everything you need, and you just try to hang on.”
Though “Monarch” (delayed from last season) is fictional, first “Celebrity Apprentice” winner Adkins has been in country music long enough – 2021 marked the 25th anniversary of his first album – to have seen things that inspired the show. “Certainly, some of the bureaucracy is stuff I’ve had to wrestle with in my career,” he allows, “but I’ve tried to keep my life as drama-free as possible, so in that respect, Albie’s got a lot more on his plate than I ever have.”
Having had roles in such movies as “The Lincoln Lawyer” and “I Can Only Imagine,” Adkins (whose latest album, “The Way I Wanna Go,” features his collaborations with everyone from Blake Shelton to Stevie Wonder) is familiar with acting, but “Monarch” is his first job in that profession sizable enough for him to rearrange his music schedule.
“I’m just really happy that this came along,” he maintains. “I feel that you need to challenge yourself and continue to grow, and do things that make you a little nervous.”
Saturday Movie: Superintelligence 4:10 p.m. on HBO
Carol Peters (Melissa McCarthy) is used to being ordinary. So when her home appliances start heckling her, she thinks she’s losing her mind. But instead she’s being observed by the world’s first super intelligence, who’s selected her for observation. As the A.I. decides to save, enslave or destroy humanity, it’s up to Carol to prove that people are worth saving. James Corden, Bobby Cannavale, Brian Tyree Henry and Sam Richardson star in this 2020 comedy.
Movie: Stolen by Their Father 8 p.m. on CHBC, GLBBC
Adapted from Lizbeth Meredith’s memoir “Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters,” this 2022 docudrama stars Sarah Drew (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as Meredith, who reluctantly allows her two young daughters to spend a non-custodial visit with their father (Kimonas Kouris). A few days later, she discovers her abusive ex-husband has kidnapped the girls and spirited them away to Greece. Lizbeth spends the next two years desperately searching for her daughters, despite dire threats from her ex.
Sunday Alex vs America 3 p.m. on FOOD; 6 p.m. on FOOD; 2 a.m. on FOOD
If you like your food made in a centrifuge and then finished off in a rotary evaporator, the Season 2 finale “Alex vs. Modernist Cuisine,” has your name on it. Host Eric Adjepong welcomes three modernist cuisine experts from New Jersey, Colorado and South Carolina as they attempt to stretch the boundaries of food as we know them. Judges Byron Gomez Chacon and Marcel Vigneron will decide if they succeed in out-cooking Chef Alex Guarnaschelli.
Monarch 5 p.m. on FOX; 8 p.m. on KCPQ, FOX; 9:01 p.m. on KCPQ
The reigning King of Country Music Albie Roman (Trace Adkins), and his very talented and tough wife, Queen of Country Music Dottie (Susan Sarandon), have created a dynasty. And while the Roman name is synonymous with authenticity, the origins of their success aren’t. When their reign as royalty is jeopardized, heir to the crown Nicolette “Nicky” Roman (Anna Friel) will do whatever it takes to protect her family’s legacy in the series premiere “Stop at Nothing.”
9/11: Missing Carmen Rivera 5 p.m. on NGC; 8 p.m. on NGC
After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, thousands of people descended on New York City searching for missing relatives, partners, and friends. One man kept searching months later, when all hope had gone: Luis Rivera, a circulation manager for The New York Times. This new special examines the hope and the heartbreak of one man clinging to the belief his wife Carmen was still alive.
The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family 8 p.m. on KCTS
Sometimes you’ve got to be careful what you wish for. Anne (Rafaelle Cohen) makes her play for — and wins — the biggest prize in the kingdom when Henry breaks with the Catholic Church, overturning 1000 years of history, making Anne his queen. But when she fails to provide a male heir, Anne is arrested and tried on charges of treason, adultery and incest with her brother George (Sam Retford). Both are executed. But the Boleyn legacy lives on in the Season 1 finale “The Fall.” Shelley Conn narrates.
Canadian Country Music Association Awards 2022 9 p.m. on CHBC, GLBBC
If you’ve got a twang in your heart and a dog in your truck you’ve probably got a hankering for the 2022 Canadian Country Music Association Awards live from Calgary. Among the expected performers are Jade Eagleson, High Valley, Brett Kissel featuring 98 Degrees, MacKenzie Porter, Dallas Smith and Tenille Townes. In fact, Townes leads all nominations with seven and is also co-hosting the event with Blanco Brown.
Monday 74th Emmy Awards 5 p.m. on KING, NBC; 8 p.m. on CTVBC, KING
It’s time to celebrate the best of the best on television! And while “Succession” rules the roost with 25 nominations, “Ted Lasso” and “The White Lotus” also came to play with 20 nominations each. But this could also be a big year for “Hacks” and “Only Murders in the
Building” as they each scored 17 nominations. From Outstanding Drama Series to Outstanding Comedy Series, the categories are stacked, making this year’s awards mustsee television. Kenan Thompson of “SNL” hosts.
Murdoch Mysteries 8 p.m. on CBUT
If the medium gives you bad news, you need to reconsider your plans. In the Season 16 premiere episode “Sometimes They Come Back (Part 1),” Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris) bails on his marriage plans after a prophecy. And in a perfect example of taking your work home with you, Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) investigates the bizarre murder of two gravediggers. Helene Joy, Thomas Craig, Lachlan Murdoch and Daniel Maslany also star.
The North Water 9 p.m. on CBUT
Patrick Sumner (Jack O’Connell), a disgraced ex-army surgeon, joins The Volunteer in 1859 as a ship’s doctor, hoping to escape his past in the difficulty of an Arctic whaling trip. But the danger of the elements is matched by the aggression of the crew, with harpooner Drax (Colin Farrell) a distinctly brutal force of nature. As the true purpose of the expedition becomes clear, confrontation between the two men erupts, taking them far from solid ground and beyond the safe moorings of civilization in the series premiere “Behold the Man.”
Tuesday Academy of Country Music Honors 8 p.m. on KCPQ, FOX
Marking its return to television, the all-star event dubbed the “Country Music industry’s favorite night” will recognize several honorees, including Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Shania Twain, Morgan Wallen, and ACM Film Award recipient “Yellowstone.” Reigning ACM Female Artist of the Year and four-time ACM Award winner Carly Pearce returns as host and will also perform, as will Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Jordan Davis, Vince Gill, Ashley Gorley, Mickey Guyton, Wynonna Judd, Avril Lavigne, Little Big Town, Lainey Wilson and more.
Strays 8:30 p.m. on CBUT
The shelter’s thriving, the employees are gelling, and Hamilton is finally feeling like home for Shannon Ross (Nicole Power). But her life gets turned upside down by the arrival of an abrasive and handsome new neighbor. Another hitch in Shannon’s plans is a new board member who seems to be grooming Joy (Tina Jung) to take Shannon’s place. Meanwhile, Joy tries to hide a new relationship, Kristian (Frank Cox-O’Connell) seeks to finally get promoted and Nikki (Nikki Duval) starts a side-hustle on the Season 2 premiere “Friends & Neighbours.”
Comedy Night With Rick Mercer 9 p.m. on CBUT
If you’ve been missing the genius of Rick Mercer, your wait is finally over. The premiere of this eight-episode series features an incredible lineup of Canada’s most hilarious and diverse comedians from the JFL stage as they share the boards with the legend himself. The series also features never-before-seen conversations between Mercer and some of today’s most impressive Canadian comedy talent, including Sophie Buddle, D.J.
Demers, Dakota Ray Hebert and Dave Merheje, among others.
Facing Suicide 9 p.m. on KCTS
Suicide has become an American healthcare catastrophe. Combining the poignant personal stories of people impacted by suicide with profiles of scientists at the forefront of research, this new special reveals new insights into one of America’s most pressing mental health crises. Shining a light on this difficult topic can destigmatize suicide while revealing that there is help, as well as hope, for those at risk and their loved ones.
Devils 9 p.m. on CW
In this new episode an incident outside a private Mayfair bank seems to create a once in a lifetime opportunity to discover the creator of Bitcoin. Meanwhile, it’s a race against time for Dominic (Patrick Dempsey) and the Chinese, with Massimo (Alessandro Borghi) caught in the middle and beginning to question the decisions he has made until now. Could Dominic actually be the one behind everything? And now that every move he makes is being surveilled, will he lead the killers straight to the evidence they are searching for?
Wednesday MasterChef 8 p.m. on CTVBC, KCPQ, FOX
After a season of spectacular dishes and horrifying flameouts, Gordon Ramsey has whittled the contestants down to the final three. The remaining home cooks must battle the clock to complete their final entree and whip up a gourmet dessert with some assistance from former judge Christina Tosi of the world famous Milk Bar. Then, with the help of judges Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich, a new champion is crowned, walking away with the $250,000 in the all-new season finale episode “Finale Part 2 — Special Guest Christina Tosi.”
Password 8 p.m. on KING, NBC
Done. Ending. Last. One. Did you figure it out? It’s the Season 1 finale of everyone’s new favorite old game show. Host Keke Palmer has nailed it from the podium and executive producer and guest celeb Jimmy Fallon continues to bring his sense of humor as contestants try to guess their way to cash prizes worth up to $25,000. Yvette Nicole Brown, Joel McHale and Chrissy Metz are also expected to join in on the fun.
The Challenge: USA 9 p.m. on CTVBC, KIRO, CBS
This season has been an absolute gauntlet of difficult — and occasionally painful — challenges and we’ve seen a swath of reality stars go down swinging. Now, the last remaining players are left scrambling to secure spots in this two-hour Season 1 finale “Home of the Brave.” It remains to be seen who will survive the over-the-top challenges while host T.J. Lavin doles out twists and turns in an effort to keep the last players off balance. Only the truly deserving earns the crown and $500,000.
War of the Worlds 9 p.m. on CBUT
Set in present-day France and the U.K., the Season 3 premiere picks up as the war between the survivors and aliens faces a breaking point while a terrifying phenomenon grips countless people across the globe. But with human survival at stake, one survivor sets out to investigate, forming a tentative partnership with an unlikely hero. The pair will need to use every resource they have available to face an opposition more dangerous than ever. Gabriel Byrne, Molly Windsor, Ernest Kingsley Junior, Madeleine Worrall and Oliver Hembrough star.
America’s Got Talent 9 p.m. on KING, NBC
Just when you think this show can’t get any better, they deliver an ending so dynamic you’re left speechless. And if past seasons have taught us anything, this Season 17 finale will leave everyone from Simon Cowell to Sofia Vergara with mouths agape. Will the winner be a singer or magician this time around? Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Terry Crews also appear.
Thursday Atlanta 7 p.m. on FX; 8:15 p.m. on FX; 10 p.m. on FX
It seems like things are getting to be a little too much in the ATL for Earn (Donald Glover). Maybe Miami would be a safer option. In the Season 4 premiere “The Most Atlanta,” he considers getting away from it all and leaving the exes “on read” Another new episode “The Homeliest Little Horse” immediately follows and finds all grown men being petty beyond their weight class. And therapy is only a suggestion if you already know what’s wrong with you.
Dragons’ Den 8 p.m. on CBUT
Are you ready for the next big thing? The dragons are. We get a frontrow seat as the country’s top business moguls wheel and deal with entrepreneurs who dare enter The Den in this Season 17 premiere. Who’ll have an idea that will get the dragons roaring? Globally recognized business and cybersecurity leader Robert Herjavec returns after a decade away from The Den, joining Arlene Dickinson, Michele Romanow, Manjit Minhas, Vincenzo Guzzo and Wes Hall.
Bump 8 p.m. on CW
Dom (Angus Sampson) starts thinking about his life when an unfortunate disaster brings unexpected benefits and a new sense of hope in the new episode “Driftwood.” Meanwhile, Santi’s (Carlos Sanson Jr.) sense of rejection leads him back to Vince (Ioane Saula) for a day out of school, which doesn’t end well — nor does it help clarify his relationship with Oly (Nathalie Morris). Without Santi, Oly bonds with Bernardita (Claudia Di Giusti) and is drawn in closer to their family, but her presence upsets Santi, igniting a scuffle with a highly-wound Matias (Ricardo Scheihing-Vasquez).
Friday The Passionate Eye 8 p.m. on CBUT
The season premiere “Into the Weeds,” follows former groundskeeper Dewayne “Lee” Johnson and his fight against Monsanto Company. Johnson’s case was the first to go to trial in a series of lawsuits involving tens of thousands of plaintiffs who claim that Monsanto’s weed killer Roundup caused their cancer. The documentary follows the groundbreaking trial, including the release of the Monsanto Papers — internal documents which reveal that, for decades, Monsanto had been influencing studies about glyphosate’s potential to cause cancer.
Los Espookys 8 p.m. on HBO; 10:30 p.m. on HBO
More fantastic. More mysterious. More Espookier than before. That’s what we can expect for the Season 2 premiere of this bilingual comedy. It’s taken three years to get here, but the wait is worth it when we hear Tico (Fred Armisen) say “Go to the cemetery. Dig up the coffin. Look at the corpse.” This season the gang will be looking into the case of the slain beauty queen and we can expect Renaldo (Bernardo Velasco), Ursula (Cassandra Ciangherotti), Tati (Ana Fabrega) and Andres (Julio Torres) to appreciate the horror.
That Damn Michael Che 10:30 p.m. on COM; 2:30 a.m. on COM; 5:30 a.m. on COM
With the Season 2 finale “Ballad of a Thin Man,” Michael Che leaves it all on the dance floor. Among this episode’s sketches: Che puts his career on the line to produce his uncle’s screenplay; a dad tries to kickstart the next viral dance craze; a couple uses their imaginations in the bedroom; and a business owner deals with a sudden deluge of mental health days. Cecily Strong, Colin Quinn, Ellen Cleghorne and Heidi Gardner also star.