By Rick Gables
NBC goes Country with its special Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Grand Ole Opry, airing on Tuesday, Nov. 26, from 9 to 11 p.m. ET/PT. This is a celebration of Parton’s 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It will feature performances from Parton and her superstar friends, Dierks Bentley, Emmylou Harris, Chris Janson, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Margo Price, Hank Williams Jr., and others. “I’m so thrilled to be celebrating my 50-year anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry,” Parton said. “We hope to entertain a broader audience on what the Grand Ole Opry is and what it means to me. We have some special treats, surprises and great performances by some very talented artists and I’m looking so forward to sharing it with you.”
Rare maps are used to investigate mysteries in the new Science Channel series Unexplained and Unexplored, premiering Sunday, Nov. 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Did the Mayan Empire relocate to America? How did Meriwether Lewis really die? Where did the Ark of the Covenant end up after being smuggled out of Jerusalem? Explorers Justin Fornal and Emiliano Ruprah use historical maps as well as modern imaging techniques to examine these and other mysteries. In the premiere episode, Justin and Emiliano use an unusual map in an attempt to solve the legend of California’s Ghost Ship. Other episodes will investigate whether the Knights Templar secretly brought their treasure to the New World a century before Columbus’ voyage to America. Also looked at are clues in maps left behind by the ancient Egyptians that may help lead Justin and Emiliano to the location of the legendary land of Punt, so revered by the pharaohs, it was known as the Land of the Gods.
Bravo dives back into the dating pool with its reboot of the iconic series Blind Date, premiering Monday, Nov. 18, at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. In the age of social media where preconceived notions dominate and dating apps thrive on a swipe left or right, hopeful singles looking to form a true connection take the ultimate plunge when they embark on a blind date. Comedian Nikki Glaser guides viewers through each encounter with hilarious commentary. Cameras follow these daters’ every move and their dates range from awkward, to fun, to cringeworthy in the best way possible. Blind Date first debuted in 1999 and ran for 10 successful syndicated seasons, airing 1440 episodes in total.
