‘Vampire Lestat’ Rocks, Tony Awards Sing, Celebrating Earth, Wind & Fire, CNN Travels ‘This Land’

SUNDAY: Driven by a monstrous ego as much as bloodlust, the charismatic Lestat de Lioncourt (a mesmerizing Sam Reid) commands the spotlight in the rebranded continuation of Anne Rice‘s “Vampire Chronicles” that began with the sensational Interview with the Vampire. Tackling the second novel, The Vampire Lestat finds the bad-boy bloodsucker reveling in fame as a debauched rock star as he reflects on his turbulent 265-year history when he’s not levitating atop mosh pits and draining eager groupies. Each episode features new songs by series composer Daniel Hart, but the show truly sings when it plumbs Rice’s erotic mythology, which includes Lestat’s incestuous bond with his undead mother, Gabrielle (the terrific Jennifer Ehle). Along for the ride on the tour bus: Interview author Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), now a vampire himself, filming a documentary about Lestat’s depraved life on the road.

SUNDAY: Singing and flying vampires are also on display in this annual celebration of Broadway, with a tuneful version of 1987’s The Lost Boys among the nominees for Best Musical. This year’s showstoppers also include revivals of The Rocky Horror Show (featuring Luke Evans as Frank-N-Furter), the fabulously reimagined Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and Lincoln Center’s acclaimed staging of Ragtime. Pink hosts the ceremony and takes part in a 30th anniversary tribute to the still-running Chicago revival, joined by Queen Latifah (Oscar-nominated for the movie version), Dancing with the Stars‘ Julianne Hough, reality star Whitney Leavitt, and Tony winners Alex Newell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Adrienne Warren (Broadway’s Tina Turner). Other highlights include an opening production number featuring some 170 Broadway performers, a 15th anniversary reunion of the original cast of The Book of Mormon, a 50th anniversary tribute to A Chorus Line featuring Rachel Zegler, performances from all of the nominated musicals (including the stage version of Apple TV’s Schmigadoon!) and an In Memoriam segment led by Hamilton alum Leslie Odom Jr. performing “Without You” from Rent. The show can be livestreamed on Paramount+, with an Act One pre-show, hosted by Tituss Burgess and Laura Benanti, streaming on Pluto TV starting at 6:35 pm/ET.

SUNDAY: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s (Summer of Soul) loving documentary pays tribute to the shining stars of the influential R&B band, celebrating their legacy while exploring the evolution and ambitions of late founding member Maurice White, who declares in archival footage, “I wanted to reach a universal audience, to evolve consciousness through the music and change the world.” Mission accomplished, as artists including Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson responded to their dynamic inspiration. Wonder is among the celebrities singing the band’s praises, along with Lionel Richie, H.E.R., Flea, and former first couple Barack and Michelle Obama.

SUNDAY: TV’s exploration of America’s past in this 250th anniversary year continues with a series tracking the nation’s expansion from coast to coast and beyond. The six-episode docuseries (two episodes weekly) features interviews with descendants of those associated with the history of America’s “manifest destiny” pursuit, opening with the Louisiana Purchase and continuing with an hour about the settlers who pushed West to the frontier of California.

SUNDAY: Amid all the tumult over the recent upheavals at 60 Minutes, let’s not forget this gem of a weekly broadcast, also on Sundays, that the new powers that be at CBS had better not mess with. Hosted by Jane Pauley, this oasis of civility is a true treasure, and this week’s lineup is no exception. Segments include Seth Doane in Barcelona with an update on the dazzling La Sagrada Familia cathedral, TCM‘s Ben Mankiewicz interviewing Steven Spielberg (Disclosure Day), Mo Rocca going backstage with the Ragtime revival, Alina Cho touring a Buckingham Palace exhibit on Queen Elizabeth II‘s wardrobe, and much more.

INSIDE WEEKEND TV:

• French Open Finals (Saturday and Sunday, 9 am/ET, TNT, truTV, streaming on HBO Max): The women’s final on Saturday pits qualifier Maja Chwalinska against No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva. Sunday’s final is a showdown between No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev and No. 10 Flavio Cobolli.
• U.S. Women’s Open (Saturday, 5 pm/ET, USA Network): Coverage of the third round from California’s Riviera Country Club begins on USA and moves to NBC at 7 pm/ET. Sunday’s final round begins at 3 pm/ET on NBCSN and continues on NBC at 5 pm/ET, with all events livestreamed on Peacock.
• Stanley Cup Finals (Saturday, 8 pm/ET, ABC): With the series tied at 1-1, the Knights welcome the Carolina Hurricanes to Las Vegas for Game 3.
• The Greek Aisle (Saturday, 8/7c, Hallmark Channel): Nikki DeLoach stars in a Mediterranean romance as Georgia, who travels to scenic Corfu to accept an inheritance, only to learn that she must marry another heir (Apostolis Totsikas) to qualify.
• Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery (Saturday, 8/7c, Lifetime): Faith is tested in a drama starring Erica Campbell as a famous Christian feminist whose reputation and marriage are threatened by blackmail over an extramarital affair.
• Wild Spring (Saturday, 8/7c, BBC America): The world awakens in a nature series depicting animal life across the globe experiencing the season of renewal.
• Monaco Grand Prix (Sunday, 7:50 am/ET, streaming on Apple TV): The Formula 1 race in Monte Carlo is livestreamed and can also be experienced in IMAX in special screenings in more than 50 locations nationwide.
• The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper (Sunday, 8/7c, CNN): Sara Sidner reports “UFC at the White House” in advance of the elaborate cage match scheduled for June 14 on the White House’s South Lawn, exploring the sport’s rise in popularity and its embrace by the current administration.
• 100 Cooks (Sunday, 9/8c, Food Network): America’s Got Talent‘s Terry Crews hosts a competition featuring 100 home cooks facing rapid-fire challenges, with 26 eliminated in the first night, as a prize pot that starts at $100,000 could grow to a $250,000 grand prize for the ultimate winner.
• Best of the World with Antoni Porowski (Sunday, 9/8c, National Geographic): A four-part travelogue opens with memorable visits to Mexico City and Paris, including a behind-the-scenes look at the Moulin Rouge.