TV picks for May 10-12: 'The Seven-Ups,' Wu-Tang Clan, Cynthia Erivo, 'United Shades of America'

May 9, 2019 at 8:59PM
Cynthia Erivo and the cast of “The Color Purple” perform at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York. Erivo won the award for best actress in a musical for her role in the production. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
“Live From Lincoln Center” shines its spotlight on Cynthia Erivo and other Broadway favorites. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

No speed limit

When it comes to cinematic car chases, you can't do much better than this gritty triple feature that kicks off with 1973's "The Seven-Ups" and then really kicks into high gear with 1971's "The French Connection" and 1968's "Bullitt."

7 p.m. Friday, TCM

Royal launchpad

It may seem a bit cocky for the hip-hop artists in "Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men" to be interviewed while sitting in thrones, but this four-part docuseries makes a solid case that the influential group deserves the royal treatment. Method Man and RZA are among the members looking back at their career, warts and all.

8 p.m. Friday, Showtime

The world's their stage

"Live From Lincoln Center" gives its regards to Broadway with three weeks of show tunes from some of theater's brightest new stars, starting with Cynthia Erivo, who won a Tony for her breakthrough role in "The Color Purple." Future installments feature Megan Hilty, who is joined by a couple of former "Wicked" co-stars, and Annaleigh Ashford who duets with guest star Jake Gyllenhaal.

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

Food for thought

"United Shades of America" lives up to its mission to expose viewers to misunderstood and underappreciated cultures with an episode devoted entirely to St. Paul's Hmong community. Host W. Kamau Bell talks politics with Hmong-American leaders at Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe, samples food at the Hmongtown Marketplace and visits the home of Union Kitchen chef Yia Vang in this appetizing hour.

9 p.m. Sunday, CNN

Neal Justin

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2016 file photo, comedian W. Kamau Bell poses for a portrait to promote the series, "United Shades of America", during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Bell's series, premiers Sunday at 10 p.m. EDT on CNN. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
Bell (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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