‘Signed’ and ‘Sharp’ emphasize talent scouts
Can you call a talent show “amateur hour” when so much emphasis is placed on professional producers? Two new series arrive with an accent on mentors, highlighting the need for established professionals to discover, develop and market skilled amateurs.
“Signed” (9 p.m., VH1, TV-14) puts its own spin on the talent show. Three moguls — rapper, entrepreneur and hip-hop artist Rick Ross; recording artist and songwriter The-Dream; and manager Lenny S. — will listen to live auditions from raw talent and decide who is worthy of their professional attention.
On the surface, this differs little from series like “American Idol” or “The Voice.” But “Signed” dispenses with the spectacle of a large audience and takes place in an Atlanta recording studio, the moguls’ home turf. Each man sees something different in promising performers, and they seem to agree only on the easily dismissed.
The behavior of the young talent and their rivalries with each other reflect nothing we haven’t seen on reality shows dating back to “The Real World.” Look for sad cases in need of a miracle, outrageous diva antics and everything in between.
Given the focus on musical production, “Signed” should get more interesting once the moguls get to work — building a song in the studio, one layer at a time.
FROM SONG TO DANCE
A very different kind of mentor “stars” on “So Sharp” (10 p.m., Lifetime, TV-PG). The series follows Todd Sharp, the coach of the University of Louisville Ladybirds dance team, as he helps the women attempt to repeat as collegiate champions. With the national competition only 10 weeks away, Todd seeks to shake up his team with a physically demanding routine, lest they become complacent.
WHITTAKER’S OLD GIG
A new witness’s testimony throws the case into chaos on “Broadchurch” (10 p.m., BBC America, TV-14). BBC announced last week that Jodie Whittaker has been named to play the 13th Doctor and the first female lead in the beloved fantasy series “Doctor Who.” Whittaker has starred on all three seasons of “Broadchurch” as Beth, the bereaved mother of the boy killed in season one who has been hired by the police as a victims’ services counselor in season three.
Whittaker is not the only connection between “Broadchurch” and “Doctor Who.” David Tennant (who plays Hardy) starred as the 10th Doctor between 2005 and 2010.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
› A 72-year-old pole dancer from China performs on the season finale of “Little Big Shots: Forever Young” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
› More hat than cattle on “MasterChef” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› Released in 1958 to little fanfare, the Alfred Hitchcock mystery “Vertigo” (8 p.m., TCM) has recently topped some critics’ lists as the best movie of all time, knocking “Citizen Kane” from its usual spot.
› Two teams duke it out on “The F Word With Gordon Ramsay” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› Darius faces several ticking clocks on “Salvation” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› On two episodes of “The Carmichael Show” (NBC, TV-PG), too close for comfort (9 p.m.), depression (9:30 p.m., repeat).
› Kate’s illness cast a shadow on Christmas on “This Is Us” (10 p.m., NBC, repeat, TV-14).
› Franklin and Leon confront a thief on “Snowfall” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).
› Slink unleashes a demon on “Blood Drive” (10 p.m., Syfy, TV-MA).
› Stuck inside on “Big Brother” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› On two episodes of “The Goldbergs” (ABC, repeat, TV-PG), deleted files (8 p.m.), answering machine rivals (10:30 p.m.).
› Prometheus strikes on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, repeat, TV-14).
› J.J. bickers with Kenneth on “Speechless” (8:30 p.m., ABC, repeat, TV-PG).
› On two episodes of “Modern Family” (ABC, repeat, TV-PG), first impressions (9 p.m.), school dance drama (10 p.m.).
› Making a deal with a demon on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., CW, repeat, TV-14).
› Viv’s port in a storm on “American Housewife” (9:30 p.m., ABC, repeat, TV-PG).
› Acid attacks on “Criminal Minds” (10 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.