WEDNESDAY’S BEST PICKS
8 PM $ Survivor Previous “Survivor” editions traditionally have lasted 39 days, but as the show returns to Fiji for Season 41, its 18 new castaways must gear up for a 26-day game, which host Jeff Probst describes as “much more dangerous.” He’s not talking primarily about risks to life and limb, but rather to the much faster pace, which forces the players to make bigger decisions. In addition to former NFL athlete Danny McCray, this year’s castaways roster includes a neurosurgeon, a rancher, a pastor, a flight attendant and several college students.
8 PM _ The Masked Singer Preceded earlier this month by a half-hour preview special, this hit reality competition series officially launches Season 6 tonight and Tuesday, with host Nick Cannon welcoming returning panelists Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy and Robin Thicke. Confirmed as guest panelists are will.i.am, Joel McHale, Leslie Jordan and Cheryl
Hines. There’s a significant change in the show’s basic format, though, with just two featured groups of contestants, Group A and Group B. The winner of Group A will face off against the Group B winner in the season finale. 8:30 PM * The Wonder Years Inspired by the Emmy-winning coming-of-age sitcom of the same title that ran on ABC from 1988 to 1993, this new comedy series follows Black 12-year-old Dean Williams (Elisha “EJ” Williams) as he and his middle-class family go through life in late 1960s-era Montgomery, Ala. Dulé Hill and former Tony Award nominee Saycon Sengbloh (Broadway’s “Eclipsed”) play Dean’s parents; Don Cheadle narrates the show as the voice of adult Dean.
9 PM _ Alter Ego Singers from all walks of life get a chance to be seen as the stars they’ve always wanted to be in this new reality competition series, in which the performers assume the physical appearance of motioncapture avatars as they perform their numbers. It’s a combination of talent and technology, with the performances judged by a panel of judges that include Alanis Morissette, Nick Lachey, Canadian singer-songwriter Grimes, and will.i.am. Rocsi Diaz is the host.
9 PM * The Conners The cast works without a net as they open Season 4 with a live premiere (for both the East and West Coasts) entitled “Trucking Live in Front of a Fully Vaccinated Studio Audience.” Story details haven’t been revealed, but one facet of the episode includes viewers at home (chosen via a recent sweepstakes), who will participate virtually during the episode, as a Conner family member calls each winner for advice on how to deal with a given situation. John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf and Sara Gilbert star. 9:31 PM * Home Economics After scoring glowing reviews and solid ratings during its freshman season, this sharp sitcom returns for Season 2, which opens as Connor (Jimmy Tatro) invites his extended family to a San Francisco 49ers game, where he plans to close his latest business deal. Desperate to demonstrate his knowledge of football, Tom (Topher Grace) gets an ill-advised chance to showcase his skills in front of the entire crowd at Levi’s Stadium. That goes about as well as you might expect.
10 PM * A Million Little Things Art reflected life in Season 3, as the global pandemic took an emotional toll on many of this drama’s main characters. As Season 4 opens, though, look for the group of friends to reunite in uplifting, aspirational ways as they resume their old pattern of pulling together in the face of challenges. Emerging from her shattered marriage, Katherine (Grace Park) continues her journey of self-discovery, with Maggie (Allison Miller) likewise reaching new heights in her mission to help people.
David Giuntoli, Romany Malco and James Roday Rodriguez also return.
10 PM ( CNBC) Jay Leno’s Garage Host Jay Leno returns with 12 new episodes to launch Season 6 of this unscripted automotive series, which features appearances by several of Leno’s celebrity friends. Leno starts the season premiere, “Big Dreams,” by kicking Drew Carey’s soccer dreams into high gear with a wacky round of “car soccer.”