Got nowhere to go this Memorial Day weekend? Don’t worry. There’s plenty of amazing television on tap this weekend. Here’s some of the best stuff you can catch on the tube over the next three days, from movie marathons to new TV premieres.
“Roots”
In 1977, LeVar Burton earned critical acclaim as Kunta Kinte in the TV adaptation of Alex Haley’s powerful novel on slavery and the oppression of black men and women in America. Now A&E, Lifetime and History are simulcasting a new version of “Roots” starting Monday, featuring Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, and Anna Paquin.
Race cars of all kinds
Memorial Day Sunday is the most sacred of all days for gearheads. Formula 1 is hosting its marquee race, the Monaco Grand Prix (NBC, 8 a.m. ET). Over in Charlotte, NASCAR is holding its longest race, the Coca-Cola 600 (Fox, 6 p.m. ET.) And then there’s the 100th running of the America’s most famous race, the Indianapolis 500 (ABC, noon ET).
TCM War Movie Marathon
“Alice Through The Looking Glass” and “X-Men: Apocalypse” aren’t getting rave reviews, so this is a good weekend for cinephiles to stay home and enjoy some classics. Turner Classic Movies is playing the greatest war films of all time all weekend long, including “The Longest Day,” “Bridge on the River Kwai,” and “Patton.”
“Saving Private Ryan”
One war film that you won’t see on TCM, probably because it’s still too recent, is Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg‘s WWII masterpiece. Don’t worry. The History Channel will be showing it Monday evening at 5 p.m. ET, following a whole day of their best WWII programming.
Mythbusters
Earlier this year, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage finally called it quits after a decade of making scientific skepticism fun. Now the Science Channel is looking back at their legendary TV show with a weekend-long marathon of the experiments that busted — but sometimes confirmed — long-standing myths and Hollywood stunts.
Stanley Cup Final
On Monday, the final battle for the NHL championship begins between the San Jose Sharks and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Sharks, after a quarter-century of futility, have reached the Final for the first time ever. The Pens, meanwhile, are looking to etch their names on the Cup for the fourth time in franchise history and the first time since 2009. Face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
“Game of Thrones”
Margaery Tyrell has done well holding up as a prisoner of the Faith Militant, but now it is time for her to take her penance walk. On Sunday (HBO, 9 p.m.), rescue may be on the way from an unlikely source. Her bitter rival, Cersei, has made an uneasy truce between the Lannisters and Tyrells in an attempt to knock the High Sparrow from his perch.
Disney Channel Original Movie Marathon
For you 90s kids out there, Disney has a stroll down memory lane all weekend with classics like “Halloweentown,” “Johnny Tsunami,” and “Kim Possible.” Oh, and the “High School Musical” movies, too, because Zac Efron finally shed his squeaky-clean teen image with the “Neighbors” films and needs to be reeled back in.
NBA Conference Finals
This weekend, we will find out who will advance to the NBA Finals. The Warriors are trying to fight out of a 3-1 hole against the Thunder to keep their historic title defense alive, while LeBron James is trying to reach his sixth straight Finals as the Cavs face the Raptors. (TNT/ESPN, Game 6 Fri./Sat.; Game 7 if nec. Sun./Mon.)
French Open
Rafael Nadal, king of clay court tennis, has pulled out of Roland Garros with a wrist injury. That means the second week of the tournament is wide open, with Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka leading the pack while the Williams sisters keep on keepin’ on in the women’s division (NBC, Noon-3 p.m. ET, Sat/Sun).
WWE Monday Night Raw
WWE’s biggest star, John Cena, is returning to the ring Monday after several months on the shelf with injuries. Combine that with a plethora of new stars like Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, AJ Styles and Charlotte, and you have a “Raw” that’s more revitalized than it has been in years (USA, 8 p.m. ET).
