Welcome (back) to the 1980s! "Physical," streaming on Apple TV+, becomes the latest series to marinate in the beige decor of the Reagan years, following a trail blazed by "Stranger Things," "The Americans," "The Goldbergs," "Halt and Catch Fire" and "G.L.O.W."
Rose Byrne stars as Sheila Rubin, an attractive but deeply insecure mother and wife who transforms herself into an aerobics instructor and then a lifestyle guru videotape star over the course of the 10-episode series.
Husband Danny (Rory Scovel) is first seen as a vain college professor trying to coax Sheila into a threesome with a seemingly willing co-ed. Little does he know that the young student he hopes to seduce is really there to tell him he’s about to be fired. Not to give too much away, but over the course of "Physical," Danny channels his boundless egotism to greener pastures: local politics.
"Physical" hopes to gain comedic traction through use of extensive interior monologues. We overhear Sheila’s thoughts as she stares at herself in the mirror examining every blemish and imperfection or when she exchanges pleasantries with an overweight mom while screaming inside about how disgusting she looks.
Far from providing satirical depth, these thought bubbles merely amplify her dreary self-absorption. There seems to be little else on her mind except her weight, looks and insecurity. Rather than worrying about her kids or taking joy in their accomplishments, motherhood is mentioned merely as a reason for her to fret about postpartum weight.
In satirizing this era’s Spandex feminism, the writers of "Physical" have created a straw man, or straw woman in Sheila, someone too shallow and boring to endure for 10 episodes. At least by the mid-1980s, she’ll have a Sony Walkman to drown out all of her vapid musings.
— Originally celebrated in Galveston and long seen as a Texas or regional phenomenon, the Juneteenth holiday recalls June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers informed slaves of their emancipation, signed into law some two years earlier by President Abraham Lincoln.
The holiday has gathered more national resonance in recent years as more Americans commemorate events long swept under the rug of official history. "Juneteenth: Together We Triumph — A Soul of a Nation Special Event" (9 p.m., ABC) presents musical performances and an interview with former President Barack Obama.
In the documentary "Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer" (9 p.m., National Geographic), a historian recalls a racially motivated massacre in 1919 and points to evidence of other acts of terrorism.
— Set on the Italian Riviera, the Pixar animated feature "Luca" follows a young boy making the most of summer, the sun and the sea. Streaming today on Disney+.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— The 2021 U.S. Open golf championship (7 p.m., NBC).
— Scheduled on U.S. Olympic Trials (NBC): swimming (9 p.m.); track & field (10 p.m.).
— Department store designers create a marketing scavenger hunt in the 2020 romance "On the 12th Date of Christmas" (8 p.m., Hallmark, TV-G). There are only 191 shopping days left!
— "Great Performances at the Met" (9 p.m., PBS, TV-G, check local listings) presents popular soprano Anna Netrebko.
— Frank takes Baker’s assault very personally on "Blue Bloods" (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
— TCM anticipates a weekend of weddings and Father’s Day with the 1991 remake of "Father of the Bride" (10:15 p.m., TCM, TV-PG), starring Steve Martin.
CULT CHOICE
— A policeman (Nicolas Cage) keeps his promise to split his lottery winnings with a kind-hearted waitress (Bridget Fonda) much to the chagrin of his sour wife (Rosie Perez) in the 1994 romantic comedy "It Could Happen to You" (7:15 p.m., Starz Encore). Based on a true story. The script’s working title was "Cop Gives Waitress $2 Million Tip!" Far more memorable, in my opinion.
SERIES NOTES
On two helpings of "Magnum P.I." (CBS, r, TV-14): a spy’s past (8 p.m.); martial arts (9 p.m.) … "WWE Friday Night SmackDown" (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) … Luke Wilson hosts "Emergency Call" (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14) … A disturbing glance at the future on "Charmed" (8 p.m. CW, TV-PG) … Fallon is all business on "Dynasty" (9 p.m. CW, TV-PG).
LATE NIGHT
Jimmy Fallon welcomes Kevin Hart, Chrissy Metz and St. Vincent on "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m., NBC, r) … Aidy Bryant, Katie Thurston and John Mayer appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" (11:35 p.m., ABC, r).
John Krasinski, Donny Deutsch and dodie visit "Late Night With Seth Meyers" (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) … Jodie Foster and Holly Humberstone appear on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).
