‘Maya & Marty’
Tuesday, 10 p.m., NBC
“Saturday Night Live” executive producer Lorne Michaels is launching a six-episode variety series starring two alums, Maya Rudolph, 43, and Martin Short, 66. The dynamic duo spoke to The Post about their live-to-tape show, which is filming in the studio next to Jimmy Fallon’s late-night shebang. — RR
How did Lorne Michaels decide to put you together?
Maya Rudolph: I think Lorne’s really good at finding a good fit. Lorne’s known Marty far longer than he’s known me. He’s known me since I was 27, and he saw that DNA quality. We have the same hambone. It’s a genetic strain. He knows we both love to entertain.
How will the show play out in terms of songs and skits?
Rudolph: It’s a loose version of all of the above. I can’t help but sing, but I don’t plan to sing throughout the entire show because people will start pulling their hair out.
Martin Short: We know what tomorrow’s [taped] show will be, but not show No. 2, 3 or 4. What wins is the best comic idea.
Which guests have you lined up?
Rudolph: Jimmy Fallon, Miley Cyrus, Tom Hanks and Larry David.
Short: Show [No.] 2 is Mr. Steve Martin and Miss Tina Fey.
Will you be doing some of your famous characters such as Donatella Versace, Ed Grimley or Nelson Hepburn?
Short: [starts doing his Hepburn voice] “I’m a hot-dog vendor … I’m a hot-dog vendor!” You wouldn’t just trot them out because they were popular. If it’s a funny idea for the character, we could do them.
What’s the biggest difference between doing “Saturday Night Live” and your show?
Rudolph: “SNL” is an established format. It’s such a political platform at this point. People are getting their news there. This is more entertainment. This is more of a hang. Let’s invite people to come and hang.
AND HERE’S WHAT ELSE TO WATCH THIS WEEK:
‘Roots’
Monday through Thursday, History, A&E and Lifetime
Despite the historic legacy of this miniseries, there is now an entire generation of viewers who have never seen the epic story of Kunta Kinte, who is captured in his homeland of Gambia and transported to colonial America, where he’s sold into slavery. Throughout the series, his descendants face adversity while bearing witness and contributing to notable events in US history, including the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, slave uprisings and eventual emancipation. “Roots” has some big names in it like Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and Laurence Fishburne, but all eyes are likely to be trained on newcomer Malachi Kirby as Kinte.
‘The Night Shift’
Wednesday, 9 p.m., NBC
Season Premiere. The night-shift crew finds itself immersed in the rescue of a woman gravely injured in a car accident. While TC Callahan (Eoin Macken), Scott Clemmens (Scott Wolf) and Topher Zia (Ken Leung) deal with that crisis, Drew Alister (Brendan Fehr), serving time overseas in Afghanistan, must figure out a way around the cultural divide to treat a young Afghan woman. Recent medical school graduate Shannon Rivera (Tanaya Beatty) is eager to prove herself to the crew, but her spunky personality annoys Paul Cummings (Robert Bailey Jr.).
‘The Americans’
Wednesday, 10 p.m., FX
Now that Paige (Holly Taylor) has seen her mother, Elizabeth (Keri Russell), kill somebody in cold blood, she sees her in a new light. Plus, has Oleg (Costa Ronin) reached his breaking point with Stan (Noah Emmerich)?
‘Peaky Blinders’
Tuesday, Netflix
The third season of this acclaimed drama finds Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) at the center of an international arms deal. Tommy has to contend with a White Russian exile, a priest with a killer dog, a beautiful duchess even more manipulative than he is and a powerful entity at the heart of the British establishment. Co-starring Helen McCrory and Sam Neill.
‘Game of Thrones’
Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO
Gilly (Hannah Murray) meets Sam’s (John Bradley) family. Arya (Maisie Williams) faces a difficult choice. Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) faces off against the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce).
‘Person of Interest’
Monday, 10 p.m., CBS
The mysterious criminal mastermind known as “The Voice” returns, trapping Reese (Jim Caviezel) and Fusco (Kevin Chapman) in their precinct with armed gang members. Also, Root (Amy Acker) makes a shocking discovery.
‘The Dresser’
Monday, 9 p.m., Starz
A troupe of actors stage a production of “King Lear” in a small English village during World War II. Bombs fall, sirens wail, but the big crisis is backstage. The star of the show, known as “Sir” (Anthony Hopkins, below right, with Ian McKellen), is missing. His dresser, Norman (McKellen), frets and takes nips from his flask. Will Sir turn up in time? And if he does, will he be able to perform that night? Tea cups will tremble.
