TV picks for Aug. 31-Sept. 2: 'Jack Ryan,' Gretchen Carlson, 'Dinner For Two,' 'Ozark'

August 30, 2018 at 8:11PM
Jessica Miglio/Netflix
Jason Bateman and Laura Linney in Season 2 of "Ozark."
Jason Bateman and Laura Linney return for Season 2 of “Ozark.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Hear her roar

This "Breaking Big" episode featuring Gretchen Carlson was taped before calls for her resignation as a Miss America chairwoman, but this half-hour profile shows that the Anoka native may be able to stand the heat. Carlson's parents coo over their daughter, especially when looking back at the time she soloed with the Minnesota Orchestra. But the former Fox News anchor performs best when facing questions about her decision to accuse Roger Ailes of sexual harassment.

8:30 p.m. Friday, TPT Life

A bottle of red

"Dinner for Two" starts off by serving viewers a "Ghost"-like love story with Tristan "Mack" Wilds romancing his deceased wife over grub. But just as you get ready to start humming the chorus of "Unchained Melody," the movie turns into a public-service announcement about alcohol abuse. It's a noble effort, but you may end up feeling like Mom sneaked broccoli into the chocolate mousse.

6 p.m. Sunday, TV One

He's the boss

John Krasinski stands tall as the latest leading man to inhabit "Jack Ryan," but the real tough guy to watch in this complex but engaging series is Wendell Pierce, a character actor who has been searching nearly a decade for a role as memorable as his seen-it-all detective Bunk Moreland in "The Wire." This is it. As a CIA supervisor struggling with his Muslim faith and a humiliating demotion, Pierce steals every scene he's in, a crime even Ryan can't prevent.

Now streaming on Amazon Prime

The Missouri breaks

When Emmy nominations were announced last month, "Ozark" wound up with four, including two for actor and director Jason Bateman. The "Arrested Development" star is once again behind the camera for the first two episodes of Season 2, which will go a long way in determining whether this drama is worthy of the early praise or simply "Breaking Bad Lite."

Now streaming on Netflix

Neal Justin

FILE - In this March 31, 2016 file photo, Wendell Pierce, a cast member in "Confirmation," poses at the premiere of the HBO film in Los Angeles. Pierce's home was destroyed by flooding in Baton Rouge, La., 11 years after his childhood home was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The 52-year-old Louisiana native revealed the news Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, on Twitter. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
Pierce (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
FILE- In this Oct. 17, 2017 file photo, Gretchen Carlson participates in the BUILD Speaker Series to discuss her book "Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Back Your Power" at AOL Studios, in New York. Miss America chairwoman Carlson has struck back against the reigning Miss America, saying Cara Mundís allegations that Carlson and others have bullied and silenced her has led to the loss of $75,000 in scholarship money for this yearís contestants. In a Twitter post late Sunday night, Aug
Carlson (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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