Letterman, Carlin and SNL's Season 47 Finale Bring Weekend Laughs

It's set to be comedy-themed weekend on TV, headlined by six new episodes of David Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Judd Apaptow's HBO documentary George Carlin’s American Dream, and SNL's Season 47 finale, hosted by Natasha Lyonne.

Plus: Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons embrace sci-fi in Night Sky, Apple bows bilingual thriller Now and Then, The New York Times Presents examines Elon Musk’s Crash Course in a timely documentary, and more. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy on TV this weekend:

FRIDAY MAY 20

My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman: Complete fourth season. Dave sits down with Will Smith, Cardi B, Kevin Durant, Billie Eilish, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Ryan Reynolds in six new episodes of his Netflix talk show. Smith's episode was filmed prior to this year's Oscars, so there will be no discussion of him slapping Chris Rock. Watch preview. Streaming on Netflix

George Carlin’s American Dream: Documentary premiere (Part 1). Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio chart the life and career of George Carlin, one of the most influential stand-up comics of all time, in a two-part documentary. Part 1 airs tonight, followed by Part 2 tomorrow. Read our review. 8:00 PM ET on HBO

Night Sky: Complete first season. Years ago, Irene (Sissy Spacek) and Franklin York (J.K. Simmons) discovered a chamber in their backyard leading to a strange, deserted planet. They’ve carefully guarded the secret ever since, but when an enigmatic young man enters their lives, they learn that the mystifying chamber is more significant than they ever imagined. Read our review. Streaming on Prime Video

Now and Then: Series premiere. The lives of a group of college best friends were forever changed after a celebratory weekend culminated in one of their deaths. Now, 20 years later, the remaining five are reluctantly reunited by a threat that puts their seemingly perfect worlds at risk. The bilingual thriller's ensemble cast includes Academy Award nominees Marina de Tavira and Rosie Perez and Emmy Award winner Željko Ivanek. Read our review. Streaming on Apple TV+

The New York Times Presents: Season 2 premiere. FX kicks off a new season of its NYT docuseries with an episode titled "Elon Musk’s Crash Course," examining Musk’s self-driving car technology and his efforts to quash government safety investigations. The documentary features interviews with former Tesla employees, who speak out against Musk promoting what they believe to be a dangerous self-driving program. Watch trailer. 10:00 PM ET on FX and Streaming on FX on Hulu

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Season 7 premiere. Eight previous winners will compete for a $200,000 prize and the title of Queen of All Queens. Primetimer's Joe Reid sizes up the contenders. Streaming on Paramount+

The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks: Original documentary. Hot on the heels of last week's release of its new Kids in the Hall revival series, Amazon charts the journey of the legendary comedy troupe in a two-part documentary. Watch trailer. Streaming on Prime Video

The Valet: Original film. When a paparazzi snaps a photo of movie star Olivia (Samara Weaving) with her married lover (Max Greenfield), she enlists the hard-working valet, Antonio (Eugene Derbez), who appears in the same photo, to pose as her new boyfriend to cover up the potential scandal. Watch trailer. Streaming on Hulu

Love Death and Robots: Complete Volume 3. David Fincher makes his first foray into animation in a new season of the anthology series, featuring nine new robot stories. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Pause With Sam Jay: Season 2 premiere. Watch trailer. 11:00 PM ET on HBO

NHL Playoffs: ESPN offers two Round 2 matchups tonight:

• New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT
• Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames 10:30 PM ET/7:30 PM PT

NBA Playoffs: The Golden State Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT on TNT

SATURDAY MAY 21

Saturday Night Live: Season 47 finale. Natasha Lyonne makes her SNL hosting debut in the final episode of the season. With musical guest Japanese Breakfast. Live coast to coast at 11:30 PM ET/8:30 PM PT on NBC

George Carlin’s American Dream: Documentary finale (Part 2). The HBO documentary reflects on Carlin’s 2008 death and his enduring legacy in its second and final installment. 8:00 PM ET on HBO

Planet Earth: Dynasties II: Special presentation. Sir David Attenborough introduces a new cast of animal characters — elephants, cheetahs, pumas, and hyenas — in this sequel to his 2018 documentary about unbelievable animal families. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on BBC America

Disappearance in Yellowstone: TV movie. After her car breaks down in the middle of Yellowstone National Park, Jessie ventures out in search of a mechanic, but when they return, she discovers her 17-year-old daughter, who was locked inside, has disappeared. 8:00 PM ET on Lifetime

Romance to the Rescue: TV movie. A woman (Andrea Brooks) enters her dog in an agility show, but she quickly finds herself falling for her dog trainer (Marcus Rosner). Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Hallmark Channel

U.S. Football League: NBC offers two USFL Week 6 games today:

• Tampa Bay Bandits at Philadelphia Stars 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT
• Michigan Panthers at Birmingham Stallions 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT

Major League Soccer: Nashville SC hosts Atlanta United FC in a primetime matchup. 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT on FOX

NHL Playoffs: The St. Louis Blues get home-ice advantage against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3. 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT on TNT

NBA Playoffs: The action moves to Boston for Game 3 as the Celtics host the Miami Heat. 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT on ABC

SUNDAY MAY 22

American Idol: Season 20 finale. The final three contestants perform one last time in hopes of being named the next American Idol and winning a record deal with Hollywood Records. The grand finale runs for three hours, with the winner announced in the final minutes. 8:00 PM ET on ABC

The Simpsons: Season 33 finale. After Bart (Nancy Cartwright) humiliates him at church, Homer (Dan Castellaneta) finally teaches his son to admire his dad — until a visit from a magical, singing janitor (guest voice star Hugh Jackman) changes everything they thought they knew. 8:00 PM ET on FOX

When Calls the Heart: Season 9 finale. Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) worries about her relationship with Lucas (Chris McNally), while Bill (Jack Wagner) helps Gowen (Martin Cummins) in the fallout of the mine explosion. Watch preview. 8:00 PM ET on Hallmark Channel

Gaslit: New episode. Martha (Julia Roberts) finally speaks out, putting a strain on her marriage. Meanwhile, as the FBI closes in, John Dean (Dan Stevens) is forced to come clean to Mo (Betty Gilpin) on their Camp David honeymoon. 8:00 PM ET on Starz

The Great North: Season 2 finale. The Tobins spend Father’s Day weekend at an RV park and uncover the identity of the Fiend of Family Land. Also: Moon (Aparna Nancherla) meets a skunk, and Judy (Jenny Slate) thinks she's found a new love. 8:30 PM ET on FOX

I Love That For You: New episode. Patricia (Jenifer Lewis) announces plans for an SVN cancer charity weekend that leaves Joanna (Vanessa Bayer) panicking. Meanwhile, Jackie (Molly Shannon) wants control over “Beautiful You,” but Patricia’s mind is elsewhere. 8:30 PM ET on Showtime

NCIS: Los Angeles: Season 13 finale. As the NCIS team hunts for a crew that robbeds a Los Angeles casino with military-grade power, Kensi (Daniela Ruah) and Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) learn exciting news regarding the adoption, and Callen (Chris O’Donnell) takes a big step in his relationship with Anna (Bar Paly). Watch preview. 9:00 PM ET on CBS

Bob’s Burgers: Season 12 finale. Tina (Dan Mintz) is on a mission that could get her into a lot of trouble, but when her family reads her erotic friend fiction and finds out what she’s up to, they set out to stop her. With guest voice star Will Forte. 9:00 PM ET on FOX

The First Lady: New episode. Eleanor (Gillian Anderson) moves Hick (Lily Rabe) into the White House, while Franklin (Kiefer Sutherland) has the FBI spy on her. Betty (Michelle Pfeiffer) works to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which aggravates her husbamd's staff. Michelle (Viola Davis) pushes Barack (OT Fagbenle) to support marriage equality despite his reelection concerns. 9:00 PM ET on Showtime

Family Guy: Season 19 finale. Peter (Seth MacFarlane) attends a business conference in Atlantic City with Preston (Peter Macon). Meanwhile, Stewie (MacFarlane) helps Chris (Seth Green) prepare for his role in Adam West High's rendition of “Romeo and Juliet.” 9:30 PM ET on FOX

S.W.A.T.: Season 5 finale. When control of a university chemistry lab is seized, the SWAT team races to thwart a devastating terror attack. Watch preview. 10:00 PM ET on CBS

Barry: New episode. After failing to reconcile with Cousineau (Stephen Root), Barry (Bill Hader) seeks comfort in the theater. Watch preview. 10:00 PM ET on HBO

Major League Baseball: Start and end the day with MLB action:

• St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates 11:30 AM ET/8:30 PM AT on Peacock
• Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT on ESPN

U.S. Football League: Week 6 concludes with two games:

• Pittsburgh Maulers at New Orleans Breakers 12:00 PM ET/9:00 AM PT on FS1
• Houston Gamblers at New Jersey Generals 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT on FOX

NHL Playoffs: Hockey fans have three games to choose from today:

• Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning 1:30 PM ET/10:30 AM PT on TNT
• Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT on ESPN
• Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT on ESPN2

Indianapolis 500 Qualifying: The first 12 grid positions for the 2022 Indy 500, which takes place next Sunday, will be determined over two hours of live qualifying action. 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT on NBC

NBA Playoffs: The Dallas Mavericks get home-court advantage against the Golden State Warriors in Game 3. 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT on TNT

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.