What to watch this weekend September 20, 2024: TV awards contenders

Hot on the heels of an impressive showing at the Emmys, FX is hoping its newest anthology series, the uniquely American drama “American Sports Story,” will capture viewers’ attention in much the same way. The first installment is based on the podcast “Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.” from The Boston Globe’s award-winning Spotlight team and Wondery. It traces Hernandez’s (Josh Rivera) rise and fall, from his days as a high school standout in Bristol, Conn., to his death in prison in 2017, two years after being convicted of murder. 

Across 10 riveting episodes — the first two of which are streaming on Hulu — the series explores Hernandez’s troubled life and career, and the issues that influenced and came to define it, including the commodification of brown and Black athletes and the reckless disregard for player safety. It’s an indictment of one of America’s biggest cultural institutions, and although one might not be eager to revisit this particular tragedy, especially given how recently it unfolded, it’s worth it for Rivera’s layered performance (with a special shout-out to Norbert Leo Butz’s humorous interpretation of then-Patriots head coach Bill Belichick). So even if you’re not a fan of football, “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” is the awards contender to watch this weekend.

More from GoldDerby

• Is Joey Graziadei the best 'Bachelor' ever on 'Dancing with the Stars'? Watch his sexy rumba and decide for yourself

• Ilona Maher is redefining femininity on 'Dancing with the Stars': Watch her electrifying salsa

• 'Dancing with the Stars' Oscars Night recap: Who was award-worthy, and who was sent home in double elimination? [Updating Live Blog]

SEE Experts slugfest: Our ridiculously early 2025 Emmy predictions

However, if your interests lie elsewhere, other contenders include:

• “Agatha All Along”: To date, the genre-defying limited series “WandaVision” remains the high point of Marvel’s Disney+ experiment, the only series to earn multiple above-the-line Emmy nominations. Marvel is hoping this long-gestating spin-off featuring the villainous witch Agatha Harkness (Emmy nominee Kathryn Hahn) will follow in its footsteps. The nine-episode series, which also hails from “WandaVision’s” Jac Schaeffer, finds Agatha eager to regain her powers after spending three years trapped in a spell cast by Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen), so she sets out with her new coven to traverse the Witches Road in order to make it happen. The cast also includes Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata and Debra Jo Rupp. The first two episodes are now streaming on Disney+.

• “The Penguin”: Straight from Marvel right into DC! Don’t tell the comic book gods. In this long-gestating limited series featuring a villainous character introduced elsewhere, Colin Farrell reprises his role as the Penguin (known in the show as Oswald “Oz” Cobb rather than the traditional Oswald Cobblepot) from Matt Reeves’ 2022 film “The Batman.” The show, which also stars Cristin Milioti, picks up not long after the events of the movie, and finds Oz making a grab for Gotham’s underworld following the death of Carmine Falcone. The series premiere is now streaming on Max.

• “A Very Royal Scandal”: A spiritual successor of sorts to the Emmy-winning limited series “A Very English Scandal” and “A Very British Scandal,” this three-parter dramatizes the infamous 2019 “Newsnight” interview involving Prince Andrew, Duke of York in which he was questioned about his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Ruth Wilson portrays journalist Emily Maitlis (who is also an executive producer), while Michael Sheen steps into the shoes of the disgraced royal. All three episodes are now streaming on Prime Video.

PREDICTthe 2025 Golden Globe nominees by Dec. 9

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Don’t miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

Best of GoldDerby

• 'Saturday Night Live' Season 50 cast photos for 'SNL' 2024-25

• Every Emmy winner for Best Drama Series: From 'Shōgun' to 'Pulitzer Prize Playhouse'

• 2024 News and Documentary Emmy winners list: The best in nonfiction media awarded on September 25-26

Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.