TV this week: Patricia Arquette shines in ‘The Act’ on Hulu
Chuck Barney’s TV and streaming picks for March 17-23
DON’T MISS: “The Act” — Patricia Arquette, who recently earned raves for her work in “Escape at Dannemora,” delivers another standout performance in this stranger-than-fiction true crime story that made headlines in 2015. She plays Dee Dee Blanchard, the overprotective mother of Gypsy (Joey King), a girl who essentially becomes a prisoner in her own home. The relationship becomes combative when Gypsy pushes for her independence and, ultimately, it leads to murder. The cast also includes Chloë Sevigny and AnnaSophia Robb. (Wednesday, Hulu).
Other bets:
SUNDAY: As Season 4 of “Billions” begins, everyone is out for revenge and no one is safe. Longtime rivals Bobby Axelrod and Chuck Rhoades have come together to form an uneasy alliance aimed at crushing their rivals who betrayed them. (9 p.m., Showtime).
SUNDAY: You might want to keep the lights on while watching “Very Scary People.” Hosted by Donnie Wahlberg, it’s a six-episode series that recalls the twisted lives of heinous predators such as John Wayne Gacy, Charles Manson and Jim Jones. (9 p.m., HLN).
MONDAY: “The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley” is a riveting documentary that recounts the spectacular rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes. Touted as “the next Steve Jobs, she became the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire at the head of Theranos, a company that promised to revolutionize healthcare. It didn’t work out that way. (9 p.m., HBO).
MONDAY: Marcia Clark, known for her unsuccessful prosecution of O.J. Simpson, is an executive producer on “The Fix.” It’s a legal drama that follows a retired prosecutor who, eight years after a devastating courtroom defeat, returns to the Los Angeles DA’s office for a second chance at justice. (10 p.m., ABC).
MONDAY: “The D.L. Hughley Talk Show” has the outspoken comedian diving head-first into the hot topics of the day, dishing on the news, entertainment, pop culture and social media. Jasmine Sanders joins the fun as his co-host. (11 p.m., TV One).
TUESDAY: Hosted by Rob Lowe, the new game show “Mental Samurai” is described as a “brain scrambling roller coaster event unlike anything seen before.” Um, we’ll stick to the couch and watch from afar. (9 p.m., Fox).
WEDNESDAY: “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists,” a spinoff of the popular series, takes viewers to the seemingly idyllic college town of Beacon Heights. Of course, someone snaps and kills someone, and a juicy mystery begins to unfold. (8 p.m., Freeform).
THURSDAY: The end is near for “Gotham.” On the precipice of the city’s reunification, Gordon and Bruce find themselves face-to-face with a newly transformed Eduardo, and discover the real mastermind behind the current chaos. (8 p.m., Fox).
FRIDAY: “The Dirt” is a new, “unflinching” biopic about the monster highs and savage lows of the dysfunctional rock band Mötley Crüe. Here’s hoping it will kickstart your heart. (Netflix).
SATURDAY: Don’t ask us to explain what a triple axel is. We just like watching people who can pull it off. There should be a few during the 2019 World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama City, Japan. (8 p.m., NBC).
Contact Chuck Barney at cbarney@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/chuckbarney and Facebook.com/bayareanewsgroup.chuckbarney.