What to Watch the Week of May 5: The Sweetest Animal Love Story on NatGeo, Plus Palm Royale 's Explosive Finale

Getty Images; National Geographic; Netflix; Apple TV+; Design by Channing Smith

When it comes to what to watch this week, I bet a story about a man and a wild otter named Molly was not on your bingo card, and you know what, it wasn't even on mine. But then I watched an advance screener of Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, which premieres on National Geographic this Monday (and streams on Disney+ and Hulu on Tuesday), and couldn't get enough of this gorgeous tale of love, companionship, and selflessness.

It's about a couple in the remote Scottish islands of Shetland who discover that a wild otter is in need of their help if she's going to survive. The husband, Billy, forms quite the bond nurturing the young mammal, and as the old adage goes, not only does he rescue her, but she rescues him. I cried, I laughed, and I immediately felt compelled to tell you and everyone else about it. Check out the trailer below as well as this adorable photo of Molly in a playpen that Billy made for her.

Monday is also special for another reason: the Met Gala. The theme this year is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” and the exhibition will be structured around approximately 50 historically significant and aesthetically beautiful pieces that are far too fragile ever to be worn again. Expect lots of ethereal and dreamy looks, which we'll be bringing to you all night long. And in case you're wondering who will be attending, here's a list of everyone we know so far.

Later in the week (Wednesday, to be exact), Palm Royale closes out its highly entertaining—and totally off-the-wall—first season. Apple TV+ hasn't officially renewed it for a second season yet, but how could you not want each and every one of those actors back? Plus, there's a lot that's about to go down at the Beach Ball, which will almost certainly warrant a “To Be Continued…”

“Everyone is there, even people that maybe weren't invited,” Kaia Gerber (who plays Mitzi) tells me. “The costumes are unbelievable. The set is unbelievable. And Kristen Wiig gives a performance that I cannot believe I had a front row to.” (Having seen the episode, I can attest.) Gerber is tight-lipped on what happens, but does tease this: “We really go out with a bang.”

They sure do. (And check back next Wednesday, as Gerber talks about all the shocking reveals.)

Also this week: Netflix's Mother of the Bride, which stars Brooke Shields, Benjamin Bratt, and more. It doesn't break the mold by any means, but it's a sweet and cute rom-com that my mom and I enjoyed watching together. Plus, it's basically a glossy brochure for where to book your next vacation (Phuket, Thailand, thank you very much).

There's also the premieres of Doctor Who, Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, Maxton Hall, Dark Matter, and more. And after five seasons, Bob Hearts Abishola signs off over on CBS. Take a look at the full list below, and I'll see you back here next Sunday for the long-awaited third season premiere of Bridgerton (I'll be talking to showrunner Jess Brownell this week to give you the lowdown), and the series finale of Young Sheldon as Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik reprise their Big Bang roles.

Sunday, May 5

American Idol (ABC): It's Adele night on Idol as multiplatinum superstar Ciara serves as guest mentor for the top seven. Meghan Trainor returns to perform, and America votes live for the top five. 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT

Monday, May 6

Met Gala 2024 (YouTube): Fashion's biggest night of the year, and we'll be covering it all in real time. Gwendoline Christie, La La Anthony, and Ashley Graham will host the live stream and interview attendees as they arrive. Streaming

Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story (National Geographic, and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the next day): Here's the official synopsis: When a wild otter in desperate need of help washes up on his jetty in the remote Scottish islands of Shetland, Billy, his wife Susan, and their devoted sheepdog, Jade, find themselves with a unique new member of their family. Streaming

Bob Hearts Abishola (CBS/Paramount+): The comedy series signs off for good in the series finale, titled “Find Your Bench.” According to the press release, we'll move ahead seven years and see that a lot has changed for Bob, Abishola, and their loved ones as they reflect on how far they've come and consider what's important as they head into the future. 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, 7:30 p.m. CT and streaming on Paramount+

Tuesday, May 7

The Art of Small Talk (audiobook): Casey Wilson and Jessica St. Clair combine their signature humor with thoughtful advice and guidance on small talk in this six-hour audiobook (with guest appearances from Amy Poehler, June Diane Raphael, and others). They'll share seven simple rules for how to engage in small talk to achieve the connectedness we all crave. Sign us up. Listen here

Wednesday, May 8

Palm Royale (Apple TV+): The season one finale ends with a bang—and the Beach Ball. Streaming

Abbott Elementary (ABC): Titled “Mother's Day,” Barbara invites Gregory to her family’s Mother’s Day brunch. Jacob scrambles to figure out how to organize a school field trip. 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT and streaming the next day on Hulu

Dark Matter (Apple TV+): The nine-episode sci-fi thriller, based on the best-selling novel by Blake Crouch, stars Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo Okeniyi, and Oakes Fegley. The series follows Jason Dessen (Edgerton)—a physicist, professor, and family man—who is abducted during a walk home into an alternate version of his life. He must get back to his true family and save them from the most terrifying, unbeatable foe imaginable: himself. Two episodes streaming at launch, followed by one a week every Wednesday

Busy This Week (QVC+): Busy Philipps hosts this new half-hour show featuring celeb appearances, retail therapy, and more. Streaming at 10 p.m ET/9 p.m. CT

Thursday, May 9

Mother of the Bride (Netflix): Brooke Shields, Miranda Cosgrove, Sean Teale, Chad Michael Murray, Rachael Harris, and Benjamin Bratt star in this sweet, gorgeous, and totally predictable (but that's the point, right?) rom-com about new love and second chances. Here's the synopsis: “Lana (Shield)’s daughter Emma (Cosgrove) returns from abroad and drops a bombshell: She's getting married. In Thailand. In a month! Things only get worse when Lana learns that the man (Bratt) who captured Emma's heart is the son of the man who broke hers years ago.” Streaming

Young Sheldon (CBS/Paramount+): Titled “A Little Snip and Teaching Old Dogs,” George Sr. is worried that Mary wants another baby so he decides to get a vasectomy behind her back. Oy. Meanwhile, Drs. Linkletter and Sturgis go to Sheldon for science tutoring. And speaking of Sheldon, he worries about losing his childhood home.

Then, a second new episode airs immediately after, which will set up the final two episodes next week. If I have one piece of advice to offer, it's this: watch these episodes—and next weeks—in real time, or as close to it as possible. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and streaming on Paramount+ with two back-to-back episodes

Grey's Anatomy (ABC): Titled, “She Used to Be Mine,” an unexpectedly complex case brings back painful memories for Simone. Jules and Blue make a high-stakes bet on who can finish their procedure log first. Also, Richard suspects Winston is avoiding him. 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT and streaming the next day on Hulu

Station 19 (ABC): In “Give it All,” the crew responds to a call at a local park, only to have their assumptions challenged by the Tulalip Tribe when they arrive. Meanwhile, Maya confronts her past, and Carina goes on the offense. 10:01 p.m. ET/PT, 9 p.m. CT

Pretty Little Liars: Summer School (Max): The Liars are back! Per the press release, “Our PLLs are facing a fate worse than death: summer school. But Millwood High isn’t the only thing getting in the way of their fun summer jobs and new, dreamy love interests. A new villain (who may or may not have a connection to A) has come to town and is going to put them all to the test. Starring the next generation of PLLs (Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles, and Maia Reficco), PLL: Summer School teams friendship against the horrors of high school, dating, and maybe a few serial killers along the way.” Streaming

Love Undercover (Peacock): Five sports stars leave their lavish lives behind and take on secret identities to date several single women in Los Angeles, who have no clue about their fame overseas. The show features Premier League stars Jamie O’Hara (36, United Kingdom), Ryan Babel (36, Netherlands) and Lloyd Jones (27,United Kingdom) as well as Olympic gold medalist, Marco Fabián (33, Mexico), and soccer royalty Sebastián Fassi (29, Mexico). Streaming

Maxton Hall (Prime Video): Here's what we know: Based on the best-selling novel Save Me by Mona Kasten, the six-episode German series tells the modern love story of James Beaufort and Ruby Bell, an upper-class boy and a working-class girl in a world of glamour, prestige, secrets, and drama. All episodes streaming at launch

Friday, May 10

Blue Bloods (CBS/Paramount+): Will Hochman returns as Joe Hill in the newest episode, titled “Two of a Kind.” Danny gets involved when Sean becomes the latest victim in a series of robberies on Sean’s college campus. Also, Erin grows suspicious of an overworked attorney who she believes isn’t acting in his client’s best interest. Meanwhile, Eddie and her partner, Badillo, investigate an apartment burglary in which the tenants suspect their landlord, and Frank is livid when he learns Jamie and his grandson, Joe, were in a physical altercation in public. 10 p.m ET/PT, 9 p.m. CT

Doctor Who (Disney+): Per the official press release, “This season follows the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) through infinite adventures across time and space in the TARDIS. From the Regency era in England to war-torn futures, the duo champion the forces of good while encountering incredible friends and dangerous foes.” Streaming

Jessica Radloff is the Glamour senior West Coast editor and author of the NYT best-selling book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series.

Originally Appeared on Glamour