CBS puts an old ‘Bull’ out to pasture
“Bull” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14) ends its run tonight. After six seasons, the jury procedural drama based on the career of TV personality Dr. Phil was not so much a victim of dwindling ratings but of bad publicity stemming from toxic circumstances.
The series had faced very public accusations against its star, Michael Weatherly, by one-time cast member Eliza Dushku (“Buffy,” “Angel”). Her accusations resulted in a large settlement from the network, but also saw her character written off the series.
Once Weatherly announced his intentions to move on to other projects, CBS decided to end the show.
Two other series concluding their seasons tonight will return next year. ABC announced the renewal of “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14) for a 19th season some months back. Ellen Pompeo will return as well.
Fox has given a green light to season two of “Welcome to Flatch” (9 p.m., TV-14), a strenuously unamusing mockumentary series about life in a small town.
› While network series close up shop, A&E’s popular true-crime series “Accused: Guilty or Innocent?” (9 p.m., TV-14) returns for a third season. Every installment of “Accused” involves defendants accused of a serious crime who either claim innocence or believe their action(s) were justified. The show unfolds from the point of view of the accused, following them from the moment of the incident and through the investigation, arrest, defense preparation and trial.
In tonight’s season opener, a military veteran is accused of shooting a man he found trespassing on his property. He claims his actions were necessary. But the fact that the victim was shot in the back doesn’t help his story.
Driven by the popularity of murder-obsessed podcasts, the nonfiction true-crime genre has exploded. Makers of scripted series have taken note. HBO Max’s stellar new adaptation of “The Staircase,” starring Colin Firth, Toni Collette, Michael Stuhlbarg, Parker Posey and Juliette Binoche, continues to drop new episodes. “Only Murders in the Building,” Hulu’s deliciously silly sendup of the true-crime podcast phenomenon, will return for a second season on June 28.
In addition to the starring trio — Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez — “Murders” continues to attract impressive guest stars and supporting players. Season two’s cast will include Amy Schumer, who plays a daft variation on herself, as well as Shirley MacLaine (“Downton Abbey”) and Cara Delevingne (“Carnival Row”).
› AMC+ and Sundance Now begin streaming “The Dreamers,” about Palestinian friends caught up in a criminal conspiracy in Tel Aviv.