Are you ready for ‘Dynasty’ without the huge shoulder pads?
Dynasty
Wednesday, 9 p.m., The CW
Series premiere. Can the glittering dinosaur that is “Dynasty” be revived? “Gossip Girl” creators Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz have adhered to the original greed-is-good principle of the series but reduced the age difference between the generations of Carringtons and changed the gender and ethnicity of some core characters. Cristal (Nathalie Kelley), the new bride of global energy mogul Blake Carrington (Grant Show), is only a few years older than his daughter Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies)and Hispanic. Cristal’s nephew Sammy Joe (Rafael de la Fuente) was her niece in the original and was played by Heather Locklear.
Savage spoke to The Post about the show’s rebirth for millennials.
What were the challenges in retooling this show for a generation that may not have seen the original?
CBS was in control of the option to remake the show. When they were exploring the possibility of doing it again, it was too great an opportunity to pass up. We needed to make changes to how the story was put together, using those core characters, for the audience now.
Was it tough to convince Grant Show to step into John Forsythe’s shoes as Blake Carrington?
Not at all. He really got how iconic that character was and wasn’t afraid of the fact that there was an aspect of Blake that was villainous.
Sammy Jo is a man this time. Why?
When we were pitching ways we could update the characters, one of the things that writer Sallie Patrick pitched is that Sammy Jo could be a guy. I was like, “Heather Locklear is my spirit animal.” Then I came around and saw how smart and fun it would be.”
In the original “Dynasty,” Krystle was basically a good person. Your Cristal seems mean. What’s up with that?
She’s not mean. She’s feisty! She’s not taking crap from Blake’s daughter or anybody else. When we were reframing the show and decided on a younger Cristal, we gave her an important job at Blake’s company and interesting secrets. Our Cristal has a little of Alexis’ DNA from the beginning.
So will there be an Alexis at some point?
There will be an actual Alexis.
And here’s what else to watch this week:
This Is Us
Tuesday, 9 p.m., NBC
Kate (Chrissy Metz) visits Kevin (Justin Hartley) on the set of his movie. Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) get exciting news. Rebecca (Mandy Moore) tries to reconnect with Jack (Milo Ventimiglia).
The Mayor
Tuesday, 9:30 p.m., ABC
Courtney (Brandon Micheal Hall, inset) makes his first mayoral appearance at his old elementary school and discovers that its music program, which helped changed his life, is in danger of being eliminated. Val (Lea Michele) educates Courtney about how he needs to “work the system” in order to provide the school with funding, and they work together to outsmart Councilman Ed Gunt (David Spade).
Me, Myself & I
Monday, 9:30 p.m., CBS
Young Alex (Jack Dylan Grazer) gives away his most prized possession — a signed Michael Jordan rookie card — to impress some girl. Also, mid-life Alex (Bobby Moynihan) struggles to find the money to take his daughter, Abby (Skylar Gray), on a trip with her friends.
The Deuce
Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO
Looking for a new way to make a living, Bobby (Chris Bauer) tries to change Vincent’s (James Franco) mind about mobster Rudy’s (Michael Rispoli) offer. Darlene (Dominique Fishback) returns from a trip home with a new girl. Roughed up by a john, Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal, in her best episode thus far) contemplates a career change.
The Good Doctor
Monday, 10 p.m., ABC
Dr. Neil Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez) grapples with a dishonest patient, which may cost him a chance at life-saving surgery. Meanwhile, Dr. Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas) must learn how to communicate with Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) as they race back to St. Bonaventure Hospital with a donated organ.
Will & Grace
Thursday, 9 p.m., NBC
Grace (Debra Messing, below right) is shocked to find that the emergency contact called by her doctor’s office is ex-husband Leo (Harry Connick Jr., below center with Laura Kightlinger), not Will (Eric McCormack). Jack (Sean Hayes) takes on a new job he never expected to love. Karen (Megan Mullally) befriends a girl in The Bronx.