Welcome to the weekend edition of What’s On. Here are the big things happening on TV from Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19. All times are Eastern. [Note: The weekly edition of What’s On publishes on Sundays.]
1. André Holland leads The Big Cigar
Apple TV+, Friday, 12:01 a.m.: In the biographical drama The Big Cigar, André Holland plays Huey P. Newton, the founder of the political Black Panther party. To escape the FBI and go into hiding in Cuba in 1974, he turns to Hollywood producer Bert Schneider (Alessandro Nivola) for help. The cast includes Tiffany Boone, P.J. Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Glynn Turman, and Moses Ingram. Here’s a bit from The A.V. Club’s review:
As a history lesson, one that time and time again reminds us that American law enforcement has been a weapon bludgeoned against those trying to break apart the status quo, The Big Cigar feels particularly timely.
2. Jake Gyllenhaal closes out Saturday Night Live season 49
NBC, Saturday, 11:30 p.m.: Saturday Night Live taps Jake Gyllenhaal to host its 49th season finale. The actor, who leads Apple TV+’s upcoming legal drama Presumed Innocent, is joined by musical guest Sabrina Carpenter. Here’s hoping she gives “Espresso,” a.k.a. the song of the summer, a fun spin at Studio 8H. The A.V. Club’s recap publishes on Sunday.
3. Netflix’s latest documentary drills down on policing
Netflix, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: Yance Ford directs Power, which looks at the history of policing in America, covering everything from the Civil Rights movement to wrongful deaths. The doc features interviews and commentary from historians, police officers, and others about the state of law and order and who holds the real power in the U.S. today.
4. Get ready for the animated musical Thelma The Unicorn
Netflix, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: Based on the book series of the same name, Thelma The Unicorn tells the tale of a pony trying to achieve her dream of becoming a singer. The film’s voice cast boasts Brittany Howard, Will Forte, Zach Galifianakis, Fred Armisen, Jemaine Clement, and Edi Patterson.
5. The 8 Show gives off Squid Game vibes
Netflix, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: South Korean drama The 8 Show capitalizes on the Squid Game formula by putting its eight main characters in a drastic situation. Here, regular folks are invited to participate in a reality series where, if they can survive for 100 days in a small, concrete-walled studio, they’ll nab 44.8 billion won. What could go wrong?