TV picks for June 21-23: Robert Shaw, 'Mr. Iglesias,' Regina Hall, 'Highwire Live'

June 20, 2019 at 9:21PM
PBS' AMERICAN MASTERS "ROBERT SHAW - MAN OF MANY VOICES" Courtesy of Bard Wrisley, Courtesy Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Shaw is in the “American Masters” spotlight. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The music man

Jimmy Carter and Yo-Yo Ma are among those singing the praises of "Robert Shaw — Man of Many Voices," but this "American Masters" documentary doesn't avoid pointing out the late choral director's flaws, which included infidelity, alcoholism and a brutal temper. It's a three-dimensional portrait that should fascinate even those with a tin ear for classical music.

9:30 p.m. Friday, TPT, Ch. 2

Head of the class

Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias lives up to his nickname in a warm hug called "Mr. Iglesias." In the sitcom, the veteran stand-up plays a schoolteacher who uses his classroom to practice his comedy routines, much to the delight of his underdog students. Iglesias is no great actor, but neither was Gabe Kaplan, and "Welcome Back, Kotter" worked just fine. So does this.

Now streaming on Netflix

Real love

Regina Hall deserves more recognition for her recent work in "Support the Girls" and "Black Monday," but at least she gets to host "The 19th Annual BET Awards." Look for a tribute to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle and a performance by former Minnesotan Lizzo, while lifetime achievement honors will go to Tyler Perry and Mary J. Blige.

7 p.m. Sunday, BET

Walking tall

As a big-tent event, tightrope walking is holding on by a thread. "Highwire Live in Times Square With Nik Wallenda" will do its best to bring the circus act back into fashion as members of the famous Wallenda family attempt to take a 1,300-foot stroll more than 25 stories in the air. Guess there's more than one way to avoid New York traffic.

7 p.m. Sunday, KSTP, Ch. 5

Neal Justin

Regina Hall attends the premiere of "Shaft," at AMC Lincoln Square on Monday, June 10, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Hall (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Gabriel Iglesias arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Magic Mike XXL" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on June 25, 2015. (Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1174154
Iglesias (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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