Neal Justin's TV picks for Nov. 20-22: 'The Man in the High Castle,' 'Jessica Jones,' 'Kander & Ebb,' Maureen O'Hara
"Marvel's Jessica Jones" may officially be joining TV's ever expanding superhero family, but its undeniable appeal owes more to Sam Spade than Spider-Man. Krysten Ritter, who specializes in sympathetic mean girls, plays the title character, slumming as a private detective after succumbing to her Kryptonite: a manipulative mind controller portrayed with unabashed self-satisfaction by David Tennant of "Dr. Who." The cast treats the dime-novel dialogue ("I don't flirt. I just say what I want.") with such richness that you won't miss the explosions that often deafen other shows in the genre. Now streaming on Netflix.
Altered states
Philip K. Dick long ago won a spot on the Mount Rushmore of science fiction, with his novels inspiring such blockbusters as "Blade Runner." But Hollywood avoided adapting one of his earliest works, "The Man in the High Castle," no doubt because the enemy wasn't overly advanced machines, but the German and Japanese governments, which he imagined had defeated the Allies in World War II and taken over the United States. Kudos to Amazon for boldly taking on this daunting twist that takes history through the twilight zone. Now streaming on amazonoriginals.com
Big ginger
Maureen O'Hara's long hiatus from Hollywood films means that her catalog isn't as thick as fans would like, but the actress, who died last month at the age of 95, gave us enough screen time to merit a 24-hour tribute on TCM, starting with 1939's "Jamaica Inn" (5 a.m. Friday). Those unacquainted with the fiery actress should focus on 1952's' "The Quiet Man" (9:15 p.m. Friday), politically incorrect but still amusing thanks to the chemistry between O'Hara and John Wayne.
Start spreading the news
Kate Baldwin is one of six stage veterans who bring humor and pathos to Broadway classics in "First You Dream — The Music of Kander & Ebb," a stripped-down production showcasing numbers from "Chicago," "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and other less heralded musicals. 9 p.m. TPT, Ch. 2, Friday
Neal Justin
about the writer
Tim Walz appears to learn of Taylor Swift endorsement on live TV