What To Watch: Schoolhouse Rock! Special, Wakanda Forever On Disney+, The Ark On Syfy And More
On TV this Wednesday: Schoolhouse Rock! turns 50, the Black Panther sequel arrives on streaming and The Ark prepares for liftoff. Here are 10 programs to keep on your radar; all times are Eastern. (Also check out our Oscar Nominees streaming guide, weekly TVLine-Up of premieres and finales, plus our monthly streaming guide.)
Showtimes for February 1, 2023
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Streaming premiere: Letitia Wright and newly minted Oscar nominee Angela Bassett star in the highly emotional sequel, which accounts for the death of franchise lead Chadwick Boseman.
The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals
Series premiere: The UK's best professional pastry chefs aim to impress with their finest confections.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Season 2 premiere: A man from Suga Mama's past catches up to her; Penny explores her rebellious side.
Sam & Kate
Streaming premiere: Thirtysomething Sam (played by Jake Hoffman) returns to his hometown and falls for local woman Kate (Schuyler Fisk); simultaneously, his father (Dustin Hoffman) falls for Kate's mother (Sissy Spacek). (Watch trailer.)
Name That Tune
First up, American Idol Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks faces Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken (and hopefully they wave Hi to Randy). Later, Glee's Amber Riley takes on former costar Chris Colfer.
Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Special
Black Eyed Peas, Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert, Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen, Julianne Hough, The Muppets and Fortune Feimster, Ne-Yo, Raven Symoné and Kal Penn, and Retta perform; Ryan Seacrest hosts.
Lingo
Lingo skills are tested when Midwestern brothers face off with Southern sisters, and a mom-daughter duo goes up against an in-law team.
The Ark
Series premiere: One-hundred years in the future, planetary colonization missions have begun as a necessity to help secure the survival of the human race; Christie Burke (Maid), Richard Fleeshman (The Sandman) and Reece Ritchie (The Outpost) star.
Soul of a Nation Presents: Black in Vegas
The hour-long special explores the history of Black entertainers in Sin City ― such musical acts as Usher, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men, Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson, and comedians Marsha Warfield, George Wallace and Eddie Griffin.
grown-ish
Junior has a herpes scare; Aaron meets an impressive activist who teaches him to use corporate resources for community good.