What to watch
FRIDAY
April 12, 2024
All times Pacific. Start times can vary based on cable/satellite provider. Confirm times on your on-screen guide.
Franklin
Apple TV+ New Series
Based on Stacy Schiff’s Pulitzer Prize winner A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America, this new historical drama series starring Michael Douglas is a fascinating tell-all about a lesser-known period in Benjamin Franklin’s life that ended up being his most vital service to his country. In 1776, the charismatic 70-year-old, famous for his electrical experiments, took on a secret mission to France. His job: Convince an absolute monarchy to support and fund the American Revolution. His eight-year Gallic adventure gets underway with an undercover arrival in Paris facilitated by his closest confidant, the serious Dr. Edward Bancroft (Daniel Mays). Franklin is also accompanied by his teen grandson, Temple (A Quiet Place‘s Noah Jupe). “At the center, it’s a grandfather-grandson story,” says Emmy-winning director and executive producer Tim Van Patten. “Franklin, like any parent who has kids coming of age, must guide Temple through that tumultuous time, but in the most decadent place in the world.”
Good Times
Netflix New Series
This animated “spiritual sequel” to the classic 1974-79 live-action sitcom Good Times comes from executive producers Stephen Curry and Seth Macfarlane. The late Norman Lear, who helped develop the original series, was also involved with this project before his passing at age 101 in December (the series’ eighth episode will feature a cameo from Lear, his final role). This reboot centers on the fourth generation of the Evans family living in Apartment 17C of a Chicago housing project, dealing with modern-day issues and retaining the feel of the original. The voice cast includes J.B. Smoove, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jay Pharoah, Marsai Martin and Slink Johnson.
Dora
Paramount+ New Series
Beloved children’s character Dora the Explorer is back in this preschool series featuring all-new CG animation and imaginative character-driven storylines. It follows bilingual explorer Dora (voice of Diana Zermeño) and her best monkey friend, Boots (Asher Colton Spence), as they embark on epic adventures in a fantastical rainforest over 26 episodes, each running 11 minutes long. Guided by trustworthy Map (Anairis Quiñones), Dora and her friends must work together to overcome many obstacles while being challenged by sneaky fox Swiper (Marc Weiner). Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora the Explorer, returns here as Mami, and Mike Smith Rivera joins the cast as Papi.
S.W.A.T.
CBS, 8 p.m.
The SWAT team faces off with a family of doomsday preppers barricaded inside their fortress of a home in the new episode “Family Man.”
Fire Country
CBS, 9 p.m.
After a fire camp inmate escapes, the deputy sheriff (guest star Morena Baccarin) is called to investigate in the new episode “Alert the Sheriff.”
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog
Nat Geo, 9 p.m. Season Premiere
Dog-behavior expert Cesar Millan is back for a fourth season of giving pet parents the tools they need to teach good habits and shed bad behavior. For the first time, Cesar is also playing matchmaker for people looking to adopt, because sometimes the dog you want is not the dog you need.