What to Watch This Week: May 23 to 28

From a deliciously evil Disney villain to amazing musical reveals, we round up the top 10 shows to watch this week

1. American Idol – Sunday, May 23, 5 p.m. & 8 p.m., ABC; 8 p.m., City | Season Finale

Following weeks of soulful performances, celebrity guest stars and sage advice from some of the biggest names in the music biz, a winner will at last be crowned in the season-19 finale. Will they become a Carrie Underwood-esque sensation, or tumble down more of a Nick Fradiani career path?

2. Master of None – Sunday, May 23, Netflix | Season Premiere

Back in 2018, Master of None star/co-creator Aziz Ansari was basking in adulation for his Netflix hit, having just won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Dev, a struggling actor making his way in NYC. Then, during the height of the #MeToo movement, a woman shared her account of a date with Ansari, which she claimed ended with sex that was not exactly consensual (Ansari apologized, but claimed to have a far different recollection). As a result, plans for a third season were put on ice, with Ansari ultimately addressing the allegations in his 2019 standup comedy special. With the new season finally here, the focus has shifted from Dev to his best friend Denise (Lena Waithe), chronicling her relationship with partner Alicia (Naomi Ackie). “Fleeting romantic highs meet crushing personal losses while existential questions of love and living are raised,” notes Netflix’s synopsis of the new season, which “delivers an evolution of the series that remains tethered to previous seasons while breaking new storytelling ground of its own.”

3. The Voice – Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25, 8 p.m., CTV2 & NBC | Season Finale

From one sing-off to another, NBC’s answer to American Idol wraps season 20 this week, as we get to see which contestant croons victorious—and, far more importantly, which coach gets to lord bragging rights over the others till the show returns next fall, when Ariana Grande will make her judging debut.

4. Mike Tyson: The Knockout – Tuesday, May 25, 8 p.m., ABC | Series Premiere

You may think you already know all there is to know about Mike Tyson, given that there’ve been plenty of programs devoted to the former heatvyweight champ’s life and times, not least of which is James Toback’s 2008 documentary Tyson.

Still, given that ABC has set aside four hours of their primetime schedule across the next two weeks to shine a spotlight on the so-called “Baddest Man on the Planet,” it’s reasonable to presume Mike Tyson: The Knockout will provide some insight that those previous programs have not.

Of course, it won’t all be positive, since it’d be hard for any look into Tyson’s past to avoid the accusations of domestic abuse made against him by ex-wife Robin Givens, not to mention his 1992 rape conviction. And even outside of that, the man’s certainly battled plenty of personal demons over the years.

This miniseries also includes new interviews with actor and boxing enthusiast Rosie Perez, former president of HBO Sports Ross Greenburg, ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap and those in Tyson’s inner circle, along with exclusive ABC News archival material and previously unaired interview footage.

And in part two, which airs next Tuesday, Tyson himself sits down with ABC News’ Byron Pitts to reflect on the past and reckon with his mistakes. Emotional rollercoaster ride, ahoy!

5. This Is Us – Tuesday, May 25, 10 p.m., CTV & NBC | Season Finale

The Pearson clan has been through a lot these past few months, what with all the baby drama, family secrets and, of course, the pandemic. But now, season five caps off with a touch of happiness and heartache in the wake of Kevin and Madison’s fateful bachelor/bachelorette parties.

6. The Masked Singer – Wednesday, May 26, 8 p.m., CTV & Fox | Season Finale

When season five of this over-the-top musical guessing game debuted, it promised a new and improved iteration full of game-changing moments. Well, the marketing team wasn’t kidding, because “game-changing” is certainly an apt way to describe the way this year has played out.

From Kermit the Frog inhabiting a giant snail costume, to beloved character actor Danny Trejo kicking over garbage cans as the Raccoon, to host Nick Cannon returning from his COVID-related break in total style as the Bulldog, this year has been bananas.

Add in Wildcard contestants and a clue-giving rooster with his own theme song, and the producers have pulled out all the stops. Now, it all wraps as one singer takes home the trophy, and every last incognito star is unmasked.

7. Crime Scene Kitchen – Wednesday, May 26, 9:02 p.m., Fox | Series Premiere

If you love to cook along at home to shows like MasterChef, or you’re positively tickled by the epic fails on Nailed It!, then this new series will probably agree with your palate. Unlike other culinary battles, in which some sort of challenge is clearly laid out for the competitors, Fox’s latest experiment turns the entire genre on its head.

In each episode, bakers must decode what kind of dessert was made in a particular culinary “crime scene” solely by examining the clues left behind. We’re talking crumbs, flour trails and other elusive recipe markers. Then, they must use all the intel they’ve gathered to recreate the dearly departed dessert.

Snarktastic host Joel McHale (late of Community and The Soup) is there to help them along, offering his own deductive reasonings and witticisms. But in the end, the casework of these kitchen sleuths will be judged by chef Curtis Stone and cake artist Yolanda Gampp, the show’s requisite celebrity experts.

Who will rise to the occasion and who will flop faster than an undercooked soufflé? Tune in, find out.

8. 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards – Thursday, May 27, 8 p.m., Fox

Broadcast from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the eighth edition of this award show celebrates the year’s most-played songs on iHeartRadio stations. Hosted this year by Usher, scheduled performers include The Weeknd with guest Ariana Grande, Silk Sonic (the new group featuring Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak), Dan and Shay and Doja Cat, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Lil Nas X presenting Elton John with the 2021 iHeartRadio Icon Award.

9. Cruella – Friday, May 28, Disney+

Available for Disney+ subscribers who shell out a few extra bucks for the Premiere Access package, this live-action 101 Dalmatians prequel delves into the backstory of how an aspiring fashion designer transformed into puppy-hating villainess Cruella de Vil, portrayed by Emma Stone.

10. Lucifier – Friday, May 28, Netflix

In the second half of this penultimate season, Lucifer (Tom Ellis) faces a big condundrum when the Almighty comes down to Earth, played by Dennis Haysbert of 24 and Allstate Insurance commercial fame. Secrets will be revealed, heroic sacrifices will be made and the world will never be the same.