Happiness is a Warm TV

What to Watch on Tuesday: The CW’s ‘Black Lightning’ is a different kind of superhero show

By Brooke Cain
Skye P. Marshall, left, as Ms. Fowdy and Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce (aka Black Lightning) in the new CW series “Black Lightning.”
Skye P. Marshall, left, as Ms. Fowdy and Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce (aka Black Lightning) in the new CW series “Black Lightning.” Mark Hill Mark Hill/The CW

Black Lightning (9 p.m., The CW) – The abundance of comic-based TV shows continues with this new series starring Cress Williams as a retired superhero lured back into action when his town becomes inundated with criminal evildoers. “Black Lightning” has been praised by critics for breaking out of the generic superhero TV show mold by focusing on character-based stories over crime-fighting.

This Is Us (9 p.m., NBC) – Randall looks into William’s past and Kevin embraces a new lifestyle.

Alfred Lee Loomis in his Tower House lab, Tuxedo Park, NY.
Alfred Lee Loomis in his Tower House lab, Tuxedo Park, NY. Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

The Secret of Tuxedo Park (9 p.m., UNC-TV) – An American Experience documentary about Alfred Lee Loomis, the mysterious Wall Street tycoon turned scientist who, from his secret laboratory in Tuxedo Park outside New York City, helped the allies win World War II.

Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (10 p.m., ABC) – Kevin’s plan to help a do-gooder raise money for a dog sanctuary backfires.

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