‘Tangled: The Series’ launches on Disney
Fresh from the mega-blockbuster reboot of “Beauty and the Beast,” Disney repackages another property. “Tangled: The Series” (6:30 p.m., Disney) follows Rapunzel as she prepares to assume her role as Princess of Corona and introduces the characters she meets along the way, including heartthrob Eugene, faithful horse Maximus and best girlfriend Cassandra.
As in the 2010 animated film, Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi provide the voices of Rapunzel and Eugene. Listen for songs from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, who also contributed to the film.
“Tangled” offers viewers a certain trifecta: a prince charming, the ascent to royalty and an overriding obsession with hair.
Never underestimate the power of hairdos to create and all but define television series. “Friends” became an instant hit because of its smart writing and engaging ensemble cast. But in the early going, fans seemed most obsessed about Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) and her shifting hairstyles. More than 20 years later, checkout counter tabloids still can’t stop obsessing about Aniston, cruelly clucking with gossipy insinuation that a woman with such powerful hair has not produced an heir.
A few years later, Felicity” debuted on the WB and starred Keri Russell. Created by J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves, this tale of a charming college student captivated viewers and received rapturous critical praise at a time when most WB shows were dismissed.
Much affection for “Felicity” seemed rooted in Russell’s ringlets. When her character lopped off her locks at the start of her sophomore year (also the show’s sophomore season), “Felicity” lost viewers and much of its allure.
“Tangled” may have moved beyond the “let down your hair” stage of Rapunzel’s fairy tale, but even a cartoon coiffure can speak volumes about its character’s power and ability to attract viewers.
» Also aimed at young female viewers, “An American Girl Story — Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance” begins streaming on Amazon Prime. Bedecked with bicentennial year fashions, furniture and accessories, “Balance” concerns San Francisco-based best friends Ivy Ling (Nina Lu) and Julie Albright (Hannah Nordberg) as they share dreams of gymnastic greatness against the backdrop of Ivy’s tradition-bound family and the static from Julie’s parents’ divorce.
“Balance” is the third “American Girl” special to stream on Amazon, joining “An American Girl Story — Melody 1963: Love Has to Win” and “An American Girl Story — Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas.”
» Also streaming today is the third season of “Grace and Frankie,” the Netflix comedy series starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
Netflix also begins streaming the first season of the Mexican-based original political melodrama “Ingobernable.”
Other highlights
» A dark force seeks Diana on “Grimm” (7 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).
» A bleak vision of the future on “Sleepy Hollow” (8 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
» Entrepreneurs bet on algae on “Shark Tank” (8 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).
Kevin McDonough can be reached at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.