Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson host NBC’s “American Song Contest,” its two-hour premiere arriving Monday. Artists representing the 50 U.S. states, five U.S. territories and Washington, D.C., will campaign to win the country’s vote for best song. Newcomers, rising and established performers are among the solo acts, duos and groups representing each location with a new original tune. The stars taking part include Macy Gray, representing Ohio; Michael Bolton, Connecticut; and Jewel, Alaska. NBC helpfully created an interactive map with artist details.
Donald Glover’s ” Atlanta” goes far afield as it returns Thursday on FX for its long-awaited third season. The action takes place mostly in Europe, with music manager Earn (Glover), rapper Alfred aka Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), Darius (LaKeith Stanfield) and Van (Zazie Beetz) on tour. The 10 episodes will be available on Hulu after debuting on FX, with past seasons also on the streaming service. Season two concluded in May 2018, but less patience will be required for the comedy’s fourth and final season: It’s already been shot and is set to to arrive in the fall.
— With Daphne and the Duke embracing their happily-ever-after in season one of “Bridgerton,” the season-two focus is on the romantic fate of Daphne’s eldest brother, Lord Anthony (Jonathan Bailey). A lovely newcomer has caught his eye, but her protective sister is proving a threat on several fronts. Another key storyline: the queen is intent on unmasking the author of the gossip sheet bedeviling society. Viewers learned who is writing under the pen name Lady Whistledown last season, withheld here for those playing catch-up before the Netflix series returns Friday, March 25.
Just in time for the Academy Awards, the Will Smith tennis drama “King Richard” arrives Thursday on HBO Max. Reinaldo Marcus Green’s film, which is nominated for six Oscars including best picture, first streamed for 30 days when it debuted simultaneously in theaters and HBO Max in November. But if you missed it then, it’s back now to help you with your Oscars prep in what’s likely to land Smith his first Academy Award. Smith’s portrayal of Richard Williams, father to Venus and Serena Williams, has been hailed as his most soulful and sensitive performance. Smith, whose co-stars include the also nominated Aunjanue Ellis, crafts an affection portrait of Williams as mentor to his five daughters in Compton, California. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr praised it noting that “it doesn’t do too much glossy revisionism on behalf of its complicated and flawed central subject.”
— AP Television Writer Lynn Elber