TV picks for May 26-28: 'Ellen DeGeneres Show,' 'Dino Dana,' Jacques Pepin, Memorial Day Concert

May 26, 2017 at 4:35PM
Kevin Berne images/PBS
Jacques PÈpin on the set of Jacques PÈpin Heart and Soul.
Master chef Jacques Pepin gets the “American Masters” treatment. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Best of the best

If the host of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" has a livelier bounce to her step this week, it's because her daytime talker has lasted 14 seasons, a milestone being celebrated with clip specials, starting with the 2016-17 season's funniest moments. Several episodes next week will feature more of DeGeneres' favorite things.

4 p.m. Fri., WCCO, Ch. 4

Dino-mite!

Big Bird used to suffer all kinds of grief for playing with "imaginary" friend Mr. Snuffleupagus. No such ridicule is directed toward the young heroine in "Dino Dana," who is wholly encouraged by those around her to get into all kinds of scraps with prehistoric creatures, even though no one else can see them. Preschoolers will be enthralled.

Now streaming on Amazon Prime

What's cooking

Last week's documentary on James Beard was just an appetizer. "Jacques Pepin: American Masters" profiles another master chef who helped marry culture and cooking. The one-hour film is followed by a repeat of a 2004 look at Julia Child.

8 p.m. Fri., TPT, Ch. 2

Lawn party

TV tough guys Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna and Laurence Fishburne help salute the troops in the National Memorial Day Concert from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Congress is expected to break from bickering to listen to Renee Fleming.

7 p.m. Sun., TPT, Ch. 2

Neal Justin

FILE - In this March 2, 2014 file photo, Ellen DeGeneres appears backstage during the Oscars in Los Angeles. DeGeneres made history 20 years ago as the first prime-time lead on network TV to come out, capturing the hearts of supporters gay and straight amid a swirl of hate mail, death threats and, ultimately, dark times on and off the screen. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
DeGeneres (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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