Friday TV: ‘Lincoln Awards’ start Memorial Day weekend
TONIGHT’S MUST-SEE: “Lincoln Awards” and “In Performance at the White House,” 9 and 10 p.m., PBS.
The long Memorial Day weekend starts, appropriately, with concerts paying tribute to soldiers. The second is a rerun, bringing stars – Willie Nelson, Mary J. Blige, John Fogerty Common and Romeo Santos – to the White House; also, Chris Daughtry performs at an air base in Japan.
Brfore that is a new event, honoring people who have helped veterans. Performers include Nick Jonas, Gavin DeGraw, Aloe Blacc and Arturo Sandoval; also, there are comments from Brian Williams (taped shortly before his troubles began), Whitney Cummings, Rob Riggle, Jerry Lewis and more.
TONIGHT’S MIGHT-SEE: “Bones,” 9 p.m., Fox.
The notion of make-believe winds through this above-average rerun. There’s the imaginary friend of Christine, whose parents (Booth and Brennan) are just-the-facts types. There’s the fortune-teller who’s the murder-victim ... and others who are suspects.
And there’s Avalon Harmonia;, the psychic invited onto the case by Angela ... to Booth’s disapproval. Zestfully played by Cyndi Lauper – who’s also the composer of “Kinky Boots,” which reaches the Wharton Center next week – she adds fun.
TONIGHT’S ALTERNATIVE: “Messengers,” 9 p.m., CW; and “Bitten,” 11 p.m., Syfy.
The good news is that these no longer share the same timeslot, forcting fantasy fans to time-shift. The bad is that “Bitten” -- a good show – has been exiled from prime time.
Tonight, as the messengers rush to find the second horseman, Erin finds that her gift comes at a cost. Then “Bitten” can breathe a bit, now that Elena and Savannah escaped Aleister and his minions. There’s even time for a moving piece of character drama, with Nick on a detour. Then things tighten again; the alpha werewolves convene, insisting that Savannah (a young witch) needs to be executed.
Other choices include:
• “Sing It On,” 11 a.m. and noon, repeating at 8 and 9 p.m., Pop. As “Pitch Perfect 2” scores in theaters, here’s a chance to catch up on the first two episodes of the reality version, watching top college groups. We see the auditions and then the Midwest regionals.
• “500 Questions,” 8 p.m., ABC. It’s the third night of the nine-day, 11-hour quiz show.
• “The Blacklist,” 8 p.m., NBC. If you missed the season finale (eight days ago), here’s another chance. Liz is being framed and Red has to intervene. Also, there may be a mole on the team.
• “Princess Bride” (1987), 8 p.m., BBC America. Rob Reiner’s offbeat gem has wonderful supporting roles, ranging from 11-year-old Fred Savage to the 7-foot Andre the Giant. It collides at 8 with two musical movies -- “Teen Beach Movie” (2013) on Disney and the “Glee” concert (2011) on FXX.
• “Hawaii Five-0,” 9 p.m., CBS. After robbing a tur bus, three women find more than they can handle. Also in this rerun, Danny scrambles to find the millions his brother – whose life is now in danger – hid.
• “Matilda” (1978), 9 p.m., ABC Family. Roald Dahl’s novels have been adapted into two gems – this one and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Danny DeVito’s superb direction captured the dark humor of a little gitl who’s mistreated everywhere ... then develops special powers.
• “Blue Bloods,” 10 p.m., CBS. When a cop learns his police partner is gay, he refuses to ride with him. The shake-up has Danny and Baez temporarily teamed with others. Also, Danny’s dad, the police commissioner, speaks out on equality; his brother Jamie seeks revenge on a pompous detective.