CRITIC’S CORNER
NFL PRESEASON FOOTBALL NBC, 8 ET/5 PT Sports-haters who thought it was safe to return to NBC once the Olympics ended, at least until fall, are in for a surprise: As far as the NFL is concerned, fall is already here. Still, if nothing else, at least people who complained about NBC tape-delaying Olympic events for replay in primetime can be satisfied that the network is back to live sportscasting with this game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST CW, 9 ET/PT It’s nights like this that drive those looking for new scripted programs to Netflix and Amazon. Granted, if you’re looking for a comedy, you do have FX’s reliably entertaining Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (10 ET/PT). But those looking for a drama are left with USA’s Queen of the South (10 ET/PT) and this soon-to-conclude CW clunker. This week, Vincent and Cat ponder whether they need to live on the run. Considering they only have two episodes left after this, they’d better decide quickly.
AN UNDEFEATED CONVERSATION: ATHLETES, RESPONSIBILITY AND VIOLENCE ESPN, 9:30 ET/PT Jemele Hill anchors this 90-minute town hall, scheduled to be taped in Chicago on Thursday afternoon. Among those planning to join this discussion on guns, violence, sports stars and law enforcement are Isiah Thomas; Chicago White Sox Executive Vice President Kenny Williams; history professor Elizabeth Todd-Breland; and Stephanie Brown, a Chicago mother who lost her son to gun violence.