Olympics Opening Ceremony, Kevin & Kenan Weigh In, Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Playground,’ Elizabeth I and ‘Serpent Queen’

Let the Summer Games begin. But first, thousands of athletes from more than 200 countries participate in the traditional opening ceremony, which this year takes an unconventional route down the scenic River Seine in Paris. A flotilla four miles long with nearly 90 boats will ferry the athletes to the Trocadéro Plaza, where they’ll disembark to view the lighting of the cauldron. The first hour will be commercial-free, with commentary throughout from Olympics host Mike Tirico, joined by Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning and Today’s Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. You’ll know Team USA not just from their high-profile flag bearers—LeBron James and Coco Gauff—but from their distinctive outfits, decked out in Ralph Lauren blazers, blue jeans and white suede shoes.

Throughout the games, comedians Kevin Hart and Saturday Night Live staple Kenan Thompson weigh in on the activities and festivities with whimsical commentary. They’ll offer their views on Paris and the highs and lows of competition while conducting in-studio interviews, conversations and games. Their Highlights show is scheduled to air eight nights over the 16 days of competition, with the next installment set for Monday.

Executive producer Megan Thee Stallion is a frequent guest and observer of the sexually charged hot-body antics within the renowned Playground LA dance studio, owned and operated by Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin and actor/choreographer Kenny Wormald. The young dancers take classes and audition for A-list music stars, but the real drama takes place off the dance floor among these horny hoofers. TV’s real housewives might want to tune in to see what a real catfight looks like.

Joining the illustrious ranks of Bette Davis, Glenda Jackson, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and others who’ve assumed the iconic role of Queen Elizabeth I, Minnie Driver makes her first appearance in the juicy historical drama as the fabled English monarch. We’ll have to wait to see her cross (fictional) paths with France’s scheming Catherine de Medici (Samantha Morton), but Elizabeth is most intrigued to learn of her European neighbor’s political turmoil and sees an opportunity to gain leverage through the Bourbon’s trade proposal.

INSIDE FRIDAY TV:

• Elite (streaming on Netflix): Spain’s sexiest high school is back in session for an eighth and final season of the soapy cult thriller, with Las Encinas alums Omar (Omar Ayuso) and Nadia (Mina El Hammani) reuniting as the students prep for graduation amid another murderous scandal.
• Knox Goes Away (streaming on Max): Director Michael Keaton’s moody suspense drama makes its streaming debut (airing Saturday at 8/7c on HBO), starring Keaton as a hit man hoping to put his messy affairs in order before his encroaching dementia sets in. Co-starring Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden and James Marsden as his estranged son.
• Love After Lockup (8/7c, WE tv): The reality series’ sixth season features seven couples trying to move on after incarnation, including two (Shonta and True, Latisha and Keith) introduced in Love During Lockup.