Worth Watching: HGTV’s ‘Brady Renovation,’ New ‘Jeopardy,’ Kelly Clarkson Joins Daytime
A selective critical checklist of notable Monday TV:
A Very Brady Renovation (9/8c, HGTV): Here’s the crazy story … of how the original six Brady “kids”—now fully mature—reunite and join with HGTV stars to take over an actual house (used for exterior shots of the fake Brady Bunch home) and gut the property to create an interior replica of the kitschy ’70s rooms imprinted on generations of TV fans. An inspired mashup of TV nostalgia and extreme-makeover renovation TV, the project begins with the Property Brothers (Jonathan and Drew) working with Maureen McCormick (Marcia) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) to replicate the living room, entryway and iconic staircase—which means lowering the main floor, because the actual house is a split-level, not the two-story structure imagined on Paramount soundstages. There’s more fun to be had in tracking down props from the set, including a horse statue, some requiring crowdsourcing to lifelong Brady fans. And digital printing comes in handy for wallpaper and upholstery, because much like the Brady show itself, they don’t make furniture the way they used to. (For better or worse.)
Jeopardy! (syndicated, check local listings): To the relief of his millions of fans, an “on the mend” Alex Trebek returns to the podium to lead the revered quiz show into its 36th season, with current six-time champion Jason Zuffranieri, a New Mexico math teacher, hoping to further his run (and purse of $137,300) after the summer break. Mark your calendar for some special dates: Oct. 4, when Jeopardy! marks its 8,000-episode milestone; and Nov. 4-15, with the return of record-setting (for individual wins) contestant James Holzhauer as a participant in the annual Tournament of Champions.
Lip Sync to the Rescue (8/7c, CBS): Inspired by the social-media video craze #LipSyncChallenge, this special showcases the top 30 videos featuring first responders across the country who perform elaborate lip-syncs to hit tunes. More than 11 million votes have been cast to determine a top 10, and viewers can vote live on Twitter to select a winner. The triumphant department gets $100,000, and the runner-up $50,000, to take back to their communities. Cedric the Entertainer hosts, with a special appearance by country-music star Luke Bryan, who pays a visit to the Saratoga (N.Y.) County deputy sheriff’s office with a Nashville video producer to give these local heroes a do-over.
Can They Talk: (check local listings): Hoping to make a splash in the competitive daytime-talk arena, The Kelly Clarkson Show is an upbeat showcase for the original American Idol winner and Grammy-winning pop star. Her opening-day guest was supposed to be Kevin Hart, but after being sidelined by his car accident, Dwayne Johnson interrupted his honeymoon in Kauai to step in. … The more issue-driven Tamron Hall features the former NBC News host, who left the network when her portion of the Today show was replaced by the short-lived Megyn Kelly hour. … Changes afoot on CBS’s The Talk in its 10th season, as Marie Osmond joins the hosting panel following Sara Gilbert’s departure. On a newly renovated set, Osmond joins Sheryl Underwood, Eve, Carrie Ann Inaba and, revealing her own recent facelift, Sharon Osbourne.
Inside Monday TV: All week long through Friday, nostalgia channel Decades turns over a 90-minute daytime block, starting at 2 pm/1c, to salute the late Valerie Harper, with specially selected episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and spinoff Rhoda, all featuring Harper’s beloved character of Rhoda Morgenstern. … No eliminations the week before the finale, as the final four contestants (Gino, Bailey, Sophie and Mariah) perform for America’s vote on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance (8/7c). … Much is revealed in the season finale of ABC’s Grand Hotel (10/9c), as Danny’s (Lincoln Younes) true identity is exposed, and we learn what really happened with the MIA Sky (Arielle Kebbel).
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