Reboots of ‘Cops’ and ‘Tracey Ullman’ on tap
Is the new documentary “Live PD” (9 p.m., A&E, TV-14) a provocative series for our times, or a reboot of “Cops,” the granddaddy of reality television? “Live” uses dash cams and handheld cameras to capture six different urban and rural police forces around the country on a typical Friday night. “Live” will also invite viewer feedback via social media.
“Live” arrives at a time when many are calling for more transparency from police forces. For all of the predictability that it gathered over the decades, “Cops” most often portrayed police officers in a sympathetic light, offering viewers a realistic look at the difficulty of their job and the unpredictable situations and out-of-control people they had to contend with on an everyday basis.
TRACEY TRIES AGAIN
Is Tracey Ullman the most influential person in TV history? No, absolutely not. But her Fox series “The Tracey Ullman Show,” which aired from 1987 to 1990, was the launching pad for “The Simpsons,” the longest-running and arguably best comedy in television history.
Ullman’s Fox series was also famously low-rated. Back when there were only 88 network shows to rank, hers was consistently 88th.
Watching the “new” HBO series “Tracey Ullman’s Show” (11 p.m., HBO, TV-MA) offers a gentle reminder of why she never caught fire on this side of the Atlantic.
“Ullman” showcases her great talent for mimicry. In the very first sketch, she’s seen as Dame Judi Dench, taking advantage of her acclaim as a “national treasure” to go on a shoplifting spree in a down-market liquor store. Ullman later imitates German Chancellor Angela Merkel, playing the world leader as an arrogant celebrity obsessed with her status as a sex symbol. Other clever bits include Ullman as an old hippie who’s returned from Thailand after serving decades on drug charges.
There’s also a very smart musical number about the decline of public libraries, buffeted by both Kindles and budget cuts. Unfortunately, most of the jokes are spoken and sung in Welsh and require familiarity with British politics and personalities.
Nothing ages faster than topical comedy. “Ullman” feels like it has been on the shelf for some time. Jokes mention Alan Rickman, who has been dead for 10 months, as well as David Cameron, who has been out of power since the Brexit vote this summer.
Ullman fans will certainly find this amusing. The real question is why this unabashedly overseas comedy isn’t on BBC America or streaming on Acorn, the home to popular British television series. It seems like an uninspired bit of filler for a premium channel like HBO.
MURRAY HONORED
Bill Murray receives the Mark Twain Prize (9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) for humor. Lisa Loopner would be so proud. You can perfectly understand why the recipient won’t be watching this tonight. Murray will be too busy rooting on his Chicago Cubs against the Cleveland Indians in the third game of the World Series (8 p.m., Fox).
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
Not to be confused with the new Dan Brown thriller, the documentary “Into the Inferno” (streaming today on Netflix) takes viewers to some of the planet’s most active volcanoes. Werner Herzog (“Grizzly Man”) directs.
“Caught on Camera With Nick Cannon” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) showcases young filmmakers.
Linus defends his unorthodox beliefs in the 1966 special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-G).
A young entrepreneur offers a new twist on the potato on “Shark Tank” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
Athletic support on “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).
Danny has doubts about a so-called accident on “Blue Bloods” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
Mac settles an old score on the season finale of “Quarry” (10 p.m., Cinemax, TV-MA).
A wrench and a rope prove sufficient on “MacGyver” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
Enzo becomes a target on “The Vampire Diaries” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14).
Nobody predicted a medium’s murder on Halloween on “Hawaii Five-0” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
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A two-hour “Dateline” (9 p.m., NBC). “20/20” (10 p.m., ABC).