My Top Choices for May TV

Our world has been dramatically changed over the last few months with all of us spending the bulk of our time at home, finding ways to keep ourselves busy while we stay safer at home. For those of us who love to watch TV, we are always eager to see what’s coming next.

There are a lot of viewing options on TV in May despite all that is happening, but I narrowed that long list to my top choices:

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Another teen rom-com (of sorts) will debut on Netflix on May 1. The Half Of It is about shy, straight-A student Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) who feels isolated and friendless in her remote, backwater town of Squahamish, where she makes some much-needed extra cash penning homework papers for her fellow high school students. Ellie reluctantly agrees to help the lovelorn school jock Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) write love letters to Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire), the girl they both secretly love. As all three embark on an unexpected journey of discovery, they form a complicated triangle of friendship as they come to terms with their own unexpected feelings about love and find connection in the most unlikely of places.

Over on UPtv, the family-friendly network will be airing the small screen debuts of four new(ish) movies throughout May, including:

A Moving Romance on May 3 at 7 PM. Emily (Ambyr Childers) inherits her family’s moving company and immediately butts heads with manager Scott (Keegan Allen), who thought he was being groomed to take over.

Change of Heart on May 10 at 7 PM. Straitlaced Diane (Leah Pipes) finds herself stranded at a delightful bed and breakfast where the friendly owner is keen on playing matchmaker for Diane and her handsome son. The cast includes Mackenzie Astin, Lindsay Wagner and John Ratzenberger.

Touched By Romance on May 17 at 7 PM. Young nurse Emma (Rachael Carpani) inspires a famous novelist to reconnect with her estranged son, Justin. With Justin’s arrival, Emma may just have found the companion she never thought she needed. The cast includes Sam Page, Ernie Hudson and the late Doris Roberts.

Groomzilla on May 31 at 7 PM. A newly engaged woman makes a wish that her fiancé take the planning of their wedding seriously, and to her surprise and dismay, her wish comes true. The film stars Darin Brooks and Elizabeth Rice.

Meanwhile, only one new(ish) movie will air on the Hallmark Channel:

How to Train Your Husband on May 16 at 9 PM. Jillian (Julie Gonzalo) is a successful marriage therapist and best-selling author. Her career is going just as planned but her own marriage with grad school sweetheart Justin (Jonathan Chase) isn’t as successful. Jillian is an expert in marriages and has wisdom to spare for her clients but seldom listens to her own advice. With help from her mother (Peri Gilpin) and friends Nicole and Aaron (Karla Mosley and Andre Hall), Jillian is hoping to figure out “the secrets to a happy marriage.” But when Jillian finally realizes how she’s taken Justin for granted and wants to make amends, it might be too late.

COMING TO AN END

The following dramas will be airing their season finales throughout May:

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on May 3 on NBC at 9 PM
All Rise on May 3 on CBS at 9 PM
Outlander on May 10 on Starz at 8 PM
The Rookie on May 10 on ABC at 10 PM
9-1-1 on May 11 on FOX at 8 PM
The Blacklist on May 15 on NBC at 8 PM
Mrs. America on May 27 on Hulu

THEY’RE BACK FOR MORE

The following dramas are starting new seasons during the month:

Good Witch on May 3 on the Hallmark Channel at 9 PM
The 100 on May 20 on The CW at 8 PM
Burden of Truth on May 21 on The CW at 8 PM
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on May 27 on ABC at 10 PM (This is the show’s 7th and final season)

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

There are at least two new dramas debuting in May, including:

Council of Dads on NBC – The show debuted back on March 24, but the official timeslot premiere on the new drama will air on May 7 at 9 PM after the encore presentation of the pilot at 8 PM.

The show is about what happens when Scott (Tom Everett Scott), a loving father of four has his entire life’s plan thrown into upheaval by an unexpected health scare. He calls on a few of his closest allies to step in as back-up dads for every stage of his growing family’s life. Scott assembles a trusted group of role models that includes Anthony (Clive Standen), his oldest friend; Larry (Michael O’Neill), his AA sponsor; and Oliver (J. August Richards), his surgeon and best friend to his wife, Robin (Sarah Wayne Callies). These men agree to devote themselves to supporting and guiding Scott’s amazing family through all the triumphs and challenges life has to offer – just in case he ever can’t be there to do so himself.

Stargirl – The DC series will debut on DC Universe on May 18, but will also get its network debut on The CW at 8 PM.

The series follows high school sophomore Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger) as she inspires an unlikely group of young heroes to take up the legacy of a long lost superhero team – The Justice Society of America – and stop the villains of the past. The cast includes Amy Smart, Luke Wilson, Joel McHale, Neil Jackson and Neil Hopkins [among others].

NOTE: Please keep in mind that any of the above could easily change because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check your local listings.