Kicking off a ‘Mad’ dash to the finish
Don’t miss
“Mad Men”: Peggy Lee’s haunting cover of “Is That All There Is?” gets prominent play in the first of seven final episodes, as one of television’s greatest shows goes into the stretch drive. It’s a fitting lament for damaged ad man Don Draper (Jon Hamm), who must be wondering what life has left to offer after years of reckless behavior and existential angst. We’re eager to see if he will change his ways or just “break out the booze and have a ball.” 10 p.m. Sunday, AMC.
Other bets
SUNDAY: “Sinatra: All or Nothing at All” commemorates what would have been the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra with a two-part documentary that examines the life, music and career of the iconic entertainer. Includes: archived interviews and footage of his 1971 retirement concert in Los Angeles. 8 p.m., HBO.
SUNDAY: It’s the greatest story ever told, but “A.D. The Bible Continues” promises to tell it more expansively. The epic 12-part miniseries from producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey chronicles the two turbulent decades after the crucifixion of Jesus and the birth of the early Christian church. 9 p.m., NBC.
SUNDAY: “Wolf Hall” is a sumptuous new production under the “Masterpiece” banner. It’s a historical drama about the slyly ambitious Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance), who connives his way through King Henry VIII’s (Damian Lewis) court. 9 p.m., KSPS; 10 p.m., KCDT.
MONDAY: In the Season 1 finale of the “Breaking Bad” prequel, “Better Call Saul,” Jimmy seizes the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend. Of course, Jimmy could use a lot more friends – and not the Walter White type. 10 p.m., AMC.
TUESDAY: Die-hard TV fans should snuggle up to “Behind the Story With the Paley Center.” It’s a nonfiction series that delves into the inner workings of some of prime time’s best shows. Up first: “Parks and Recreation.” 8 p.m., Sundance.
TUESDAY: Kyle Howard and Kat Foster headline the comedy series “Your Family or Mine.” They play a young couple juggling the demands of both their families. The cast includes Richard Dreyfuss and JoBeth Williams. 10 p.m., TBS.
WEDNESDAY: Things get real on “Blackish” when Bow reconnects with some college pals and invites them to a fancy dinner party. Turns out that one of them appeared on “The Real World,” which has the kids wanting to film their own reality show. 9:31 p.m., ABC.
THURSDAY: Billy Crystal and Josh Gad play fictionalized versions of themselves in “The Comedians.” It’s a show about two funny, but very different guys, trying to make a funny show, that, let’s hope, will indeed be funny. 10 p.m., FX.
THURSDAY: “Louie” is the kind of offbeat sitcom that finds hilarity in the most mundane of storylines. To wit: In tonight’s season premiere, our rumpled leading man (Louis C.K.) attends a potluck dinner. Start laughing. 10:30 p.m., FX.
FRIDAY: Hallelujah! On “Shark Tank,” a mom from Atlanta allegedly has the solution to a problem that has plagued mankind for ages: the dreaded lost pacifier. 9 p.m., ABC.
SATURDAY: The season may be over for “Empire,” but Cookie – Taraji P. Henson – is bringing her big personality to “Saturday Night Live” as this week’s host. The musical guest is Mumford & Sons. 11:29 p.m., NBC.