Supernatural ‘Midnight, Texas’ arrives on NBC
Fans of the lurid and supernatural might book a trip to “Midnight, Texas” (10 p.m. NBC, TV-14). This midseason drama, exiled to the summer months, is based on the “Midnight, Texas” series of fantasy novels by Charlaine Harris, author of the “The Southern Vampire Mysteries,” the basis for HBO’s “True Blood.”
Francois Arnaud stars as Manfred Bernardo, a psychic on the lam who escapes to the small Texas town. There he encounters a vampire (Peter Mensah), a witch (Parisa Fitz-Henley) and other exotics, as well as a pawn-shop owner (Dylan Bruce) and a preacher (Yul Vazquez).
We’re shown early on that Manfred is the real deal when it comes to communicating with the dead. His problem seems to be that they often manifest themselves to him without asking permission. They appear sometimes as a pillar of smoke, but just as often as a bloody mess. Manfred’s talents come in handy when the bloated body of a local man’s fiancee washes up in the river.
“Midnight” bolsters its gruesome plot lines with adequate special effects. Still, questions abound. Harris’ novels may be better than mere television at explaining all the “rules” of this supernatural free-for-all. It’s hard to watch “Midnight” without wondering why some dead talk to Manfred and not others. Why doesn’t the local vampire chomp on Manfred’s neck? And why, in a world, or afterworld, where every conceivable thing can happen, should we care about anything?
The freakiest thing about “Midnight, Texas” is that it takes place in a dusty, remote rural town where everybody seems to be under 40.
COSMIC DO-OVER
A touch of magic allows a local news producer (Paula Patton, “Warcraft”) a cosmic do-over and a chance to prevent a string of murders in the summer series “Somewhere Between” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14). Not made available for review.
FOR ANGLOPHILES
› Is there anything left to say about Britain’s Princess Diana, who died 20 years ago on Aug. 31, 1997? As the title implies, the documentary “Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy” (10 p.m., HBO) was produced in cooperation with her sons, Prince Harry and Prince William. It includes photographs from a scrapbook that Diana had compiled.
Her sons share their earliest memories of their mother, their final conversations with her before her fatal accident and their memories of coping with her loss, experiencing private grief in the public spotlight when they were just young men.
Like most royal utterances, their observations tend to be more guarded than revealing. A sample of Prince William’s recollections: “She was very informal and really enjoyed the laughter and the fun.”
› Anglophiles in search of something more quotable might consult “David Starkey’s The Churchills,” a documentary miniseries now streaming on Acorn.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
› Jesse makes a deal on “Preacher” (9 p.m., AMC, TV-MA).
› A gondola descends on “Scorpion” (10 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› Josh tries to impress his ex on “Loaded” (10:05 p.m., AMC, TV-MA).
› Marlowe offers access to his decadent scene on “Will” (10 p.m., TNT, TV-MA).
› The children turn 13 on “Kate Plus 8” (10 p.m., TLC, TV-PG).
› Ozzie tries to stage a reunion on the second-season premiere of “People of Earth” (10:30 p.m., TBS).
› Tempted by the Piano Man on “Kevin Can Wait” (8 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-PG).
› L.A. Qualifiers of “American Ninja Warrior” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
› Callbacks continue on “So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› The guys meet Rachel’s family on “The Bachelorette” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
› Roulette returns on “Supergirl” (8 p.m., CW, repeat, TV-PG).
› First dates on “Man With a Plan” (8:30 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-PG).
› Accidents will happen on “Mom” (9 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› Unusual talents compete on “Superhuman” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-PG).
› On two episodes of “Whose
Line Is It Anyway?” (CW, TV-14), Brad Sherwood (9 p.m.), Joey Fatone (9:30 p.m., repeat).
› To serve and protect on “Life in Pieces” (9:30 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-PG).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.