By Zach Johnson
There’s a lot to watch this week—and you won’t want to miss a minute! The fun begins Monday with the season finale of Cosmos: Possible Worlds on National Geographic. Then, in honor of Earth Day, National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD are presenting two brand-new specials, Born Wild: The Next Generation and Jane Goodall: The Hope. From April 23–25, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ will be providing multinetwork coverage of the 2020 NFL Draft. Finally, on Friday, the third season of Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure will drop on Disney+, giving families something new to binge-watch together!
Cosmos: Possible Worlds—Monday, April 20, at 8 p.m. on National Geographic
Young Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson first discovered their passion for science at the New York World’s Fairs of the past. And so, in the season finale of the imaginative series, “Seven Wonders of the New World,” audiences will get to visit the dazzling pavilions of the 2039 New York World’s Fair, where problems currently considered intractable may have been solved through public commitment and scientific imagination.
Born Wild: The Next Generation—Wednesday, April 22, at 8 p.m. on National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the one-hour television event, hosted by Disney Legend Robin Roberts, will present stories of hope and offer a revealing look at our planet’s next generation of baby animals and their ecosystems, which face daunting environmental changes. Featuring National Geographic Explorers and photographers, actor Chris Hemsworth, and ABC News correspondents, the special will take viewers on a journey to stunning, breathtaking environments—like Australia, California, Canada, Hawaii, Minnesota, Sri Lanka, and Kenya—to witness and celebrate the diversity and splendor of charismatic baby animals, their families, and their habitats. The special will make its broadcast network debut Saturday, April 25, at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Jane Goodall: The Hope—Wednesday, April 22, at 9 p.m. on National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD
This two-hour special is the story of Dr. Jane Goodall, a global icon in animal welfare and conservation. The documentary celebrates Dr. Goodall’s four decades of advocacy work for chimpanzees and depicts the next chapter for generations to come. Picking up where National Geographic Documentary Films’ award-winning JANE left off in 2017, the special follows Dr. Goodall throughout her robust travels, capturing her relentless commitment and determination to spread a message of hope. The film offers an intimate perspective of her pivotal transformation from scientist to inspirational activist and shows the harrowing obstacles she has faced throughout her remarkable career. Featuring an extensive collection of photographs and footage that spans over seven decades, the documentary illustrates how Dr. Goodall’s passion for wildlife and unshakable drive have persevered, making her one of the most important figures in wildlife conservation who has galvanized a future generation to create lasting change.
2020 NFL Draft—Thursday, April 23, at 8 p.m.; Friday, April 24, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, April 25, at 12 p.m. on ABC and ESPN
ESPN and NFL Network will offer a singular presentation of the NFL Draft across both networks, while ABC will present its own telecasts for Rounds 1–3 Thursday and Friday, in addition to simulcasting the ESPN and NFL Network telecasts of Rounds 4–7 Saturday. The 2020 NFL Draft will also serve as a three-day virtual fundraiser benefitting six charities that are battling the spread of COVID-19 and bringing relief to millions in need.
ABC’s unique prime-time telecasts of the NFL Draft on April 23 and 24 will be led by hosts Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer, and Maria Taylor and feature NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay; college football analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, and David Pollack; and correspondent/feature reporter Tom Rinaldi. Trey Wingo will host ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage all three days, with ESPN analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Louis Riddick, and Booger McFarland making remote appearances. NFL Network host Rich Eisen, Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, and Pro Football Hall of Famers Michael Irvin and Kurt Warner will contribute remotely all three days. ESPN NFL host Suzy Kolber will conduct remote interviews with NFL draftees, and ESPN Senior NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will be featured remotely all three days.
ESPN reporters covering the draft remotely for the networks will include Josina Anderson (Vikings, Redskins, Browns, 49ers), Jeff Darlington (Dolphins, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Chiefs), Dan Graziano (Packers, Lions, Chargers, Panthers, Raiders), Sal Paolantonio (Giants, Ravens, Eagles, Jets), Mike Reiss (Patriots), Dianna Russini (Titans, Bengals, Saints, Falcons), and Ed Werder (Broncos, Seahawks, Cowboys, Cardinals).
Disney’s Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure (Season 3)—Thursday, April 23, on Disney+
The latest season of Disney Channel’s animated series starts streaming this week! Follow along as Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), Flynn Ryder (voice of Zachary Levi), Lance (voice of James Monroe Iglehart as Lance), Shorty (voice of Paul F. Tompkins), and Varian (voice of Jeremy Jordan) band together to save Corona and its people—including Rapunzel’s parents, King Frederic (voice of Clancy Brown) and Queen Arianna (voice of Julie Bowen)—after being betrayed by Cassandra (Eden Espinoza).
The music is by Academy Award®-winning Disney Legend Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. Joining the talented voice cast in guest voice roles for season three are Sean Giambrone as a teenage Eugene; Khary Payton as the new age thug Kai; Chris Diamantopoulos as a budding Flynn Rider; Betsy Sodaro as the memory-stealing witch Clementine; Artemis Pebdani as the werewolf hunter Creighton; Gina Torres as the rival Queen of Ingvarr; and Tara Fitzgerald as Zhan Tiri, an ancient demon sorceress.
