Jon Hein’s TV Picks — Week of October 4, 2021

Jon Hein knows TV. In the late 1990s, he coined the phrase "Jump the Shark" when he founded the site of the same name. Since then, he's written about television everywhere from The New York Times to TV Guide. In his column for Primetimer, he shares his thoughts on what's new and good on TV and the shows on his radar for the coming week.

Did Princess Diana just pass away? If you turn on your TV, it certainly feels that way.

1997. That's when Lady Di was taken from us in a tragic car crash. 24 years ago. Elton rewrote "Candle In The Wind". The world mourned. Even the Queen was forced to honor her fallen nemesis.

Apparently everyone on the planet hasn't gotten enough of this wronged royal. It started earlier this year with the most recent season of The Crown and an Emmy nominated performance by Emma Corwin. You couldn't help but sympathize with the troubled young lady who became a princess yet suffered at almost every turn of her life.

More recently, the keyboardist from Bon Jovi helped create Diana: The Musical which you can watch now on Netflix before seeing it on Broadway (COVID permitting). Yes, Lady Di is on Broadway with plenty of singing and dancing.

But that's not all. Kristen Stewart will star in Spencer on movie screens everywhere next month. She certainly looks the part and will bring plenty of intrigue capturing the late royal's essence.

And this Sunday, CNN will take its turn in the ring with its own Diana docuseries at 9pm. The six-part event claims to reveal the person behind the princess with footage and interviews to reframe her legacy.

Don't all of these versions of Diana's life claim to do just that?

I get the royal family fascination, but Diana's saga is so much more. She was a real-life Cinderella to most of the world. A blonde beauty with a gorgeous smile who charmed Prince Charles (so we thought) and anyone in her presence. She was the commoner, the "one of us", who gained entrance into Buckingham Palace and wouldn't accept the status quo.

This all took place decades ago, but broadcast networks keep cranking out the specials. How many times can this story be told? We all know how it turns out in the end. Even Elton John grew tired of "Candle In The Wind" after the thousandth time it was played almost 25 years ago.

Prince Harry and Prince William have always had to deal with their late mother as a ratings grabber. This can't be easy for them, or maybe they've simply grown immune to it. A television documentary is one thing, but a Broadway musical? I'll tune in for the so-bad-its-good factor, but part of me is already cringing.

Diana Spencer left this world too soon. The CNN documentary does a good job chronicling her life and the legacy she left behind.

Now maybe it's time we leave Lady Di alone… just as she originally requested.

THIS WEEK’S SPTINAFOBYMB!
(Shows Premiering That I'm Not A Fan Of But You Might Be!)

Escape The Undertaker (NETFLIX) – Wrestling trio The New Day look to survive a night at The Undertaker’s house in this interactive WWE themed special. Something tells me they'll make it. Debuts Tuesday.

Among The Stars (DISNEY+) – Six-part docuseries follows an astronaut repairing a multi-billion dollar spectrometer. Premieres Wednesday.

One Of Us Is Lying (PEACOCK) – Pretty little liars have a cruel summer! Starts Thursday.

Justin Bieber: Our World (AMAZON) – It's his world...we're just living in it. Arrives Friday.

Madame X (PARARMOUNT+) – It used to be Madonna's world - her Libson show from 2020 premieres Friday.

Legends Of The Hidden Temple (CW) – Olmec is back! This time it's in the jungle. Debuts Sunday at 8pm.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS
The best stand-up comedian and a return to the scene of the crime…

Dave Chappelle - The Closer (NETFLIX)
Tuesday, October 5th

No one is doing it better right now than Mr. Chappelle. He continues to tell it like it is in this sixth special for Netflix. Dave is harsh, but sometimes it hurts to hear the truth.

CSI: Vegas (CBS)
Wednesday, October 6th 9pm

The original CSI series is returning, and the franchise has been so successful that CBS feels compelled to attach the city of origin to its title. It all started in Las Vegas, folks. This should be called CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: The One That Begat All The Others.

William Petersen, Jorja Fox, Wallace Langham and Paul Guilfoyle reprise their roles in the blood spatter crime scene investigation that started the craze. Naturally they'll be joined by the new breed of investigators who need to be taught by the master. The original was a game changer - let's hope this one can live up to the hype.

If you love or hate my picks, I'd love to hear from you.

Get vaccinated. Stay healthy and safe!