Apple TV+ launches a series-length adaptation of “Time Bandits,” the surreal comedy time-travel movie Terry Gilliam directed in 1981.
As in the original, Kevin (Kal-El Tuck) is a precocious young boy besotted with history, much to the chagrin of his parents and bratty sister. They would vastly prefer that he behave in a “normal” manner, and show interest in his iPhone, shopping and sports.
Like most outcasts, Kevin spends a great deal of time alone in his bedroom with his nose in book. Armed with his own intelligence and curiosity, he doesn’t feel slighted or alone. He doesn’t dwell on the fact that his passions are lost on his family. He’s always got better things to think about.
His fortress of solitude is invaded by much commotion when his closet door becomes a portal to a time-traveling band of confused adventurers. Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”) is their self-appointed leader, Penelope. But this is not a group of followers.
The time-travelers have stolen, or borrowed, a celestial map from the “Supreme Being,” an angry disembodied head. He wants his map back, and his hot pursuit drives their flights through history as much as any innate curiosity.
Except for some exceptionally loud noise coming from his bedroom, his parents remain oblivious (or indifferent) to the violent activity. In the first episode, this includes a battle between Saxons and Vikings, a Chinese pirate adventure and a trip to Stonehenge’s initial construction, where Kevin discovers that a Druid gift shop was always part of the plan.
The lingering appeal of Gilliam’s works and that of his fellow Monty Python troupers is obvious. They were brilliant, original, cerebral and audacious, and very much of their time. This remake remains reverent to a fault. Opening credits seem shot through with the cheesy special effects of another era.
The banter between bandits tries to evoke the irreverent chatter of Python sketches, but it all seems rather futile. With the exception of children who will be encouraged to watch this by their Python-obsessed parents and grandparents, everyone who watches this “Time Bandits” has already seen the original and probably knows it by heart.
Some might argue that “Time Bandits” is as worthy of adaptation as any other nerd-culture touchstone. But unlike “Doctor Who,” “Star Trek” and the whole darn Marvel Universe, the Python body of work was intended to be iconoclastic as well as ridiculous. It’s ironic, or at least paradoxical, that the most atheistic group of comics has somehow become sacred.
The folks behind this “Time Bandits” really should have rewatched “Fawlty Towers” and the countless efforts to remake it. Failures all.
— The four-part documentary series “Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose” (9 p.m., HBO, TV-14) unfolds tonight and tomorrow. It profiles one of the greatest and most divisive players in MLB history and discusses his lifelong suspension for gambling in the light of a current climate awash with opportunities to bet on sports.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— A prisoner may be slipping into dementia on “Chicago Med” (8 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14).
— Toxic wastes swamp the kidney clinic on “Chicago Fire” (9 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14).
— A country club duffer makes his last chip shot on “The Real CSI: Miami” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
— Deja vu on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14).
— “Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine: A NOVA Special Presentation” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings) looks at the impact of warming oceans.
CULT CHOICE
Sterling Hayden stars in the 1956 thriller “The Killing” (8 p.m., TCM, TV-14) about a “perfect” horse track heist that goes south. The first of a nightlong festival of films directed by Stanley Kubrick, including “Paths of Glory” (9:30 p.m., TV-PG), “A Clockwork Orange” (11:15 p.m., TV-MA) and “Barry Lyndon” (1:45 a.m.).
SERIES NOTES
“The Price Is Right at Night” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-G) … The two-hour season finale of “Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) … “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) … “Big Brother” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) … “Claim to Fame” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) … “Shark Tank” (10 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG).
LATE NIGHT
Melinda French Gates and Saoirse-Monica Jackson are booked on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Matt Damon, Josh Hartnett and HARDY on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Whoopi Goldberg and Abby Elliott visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) … Taylor Tomlinson hosts Dustin Nickerson, Reggie Watts and Irene Tu on “After Midnight” (12:35 a.m., CBS).
