It’s a big day in politics as by the end of the fourteen Democratic primaries in fourteen key states, we will probably know… almost nothing more about who will be the next President once we get rid of Trump. JASON’S PICK: Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis … Continue reading What To Watch: 03/03/2020
It’s the return of the glitz and the glamour of the Fox line-up, but that’s not where our eyes are (nor upon where we rec your gaze turns). We’re going with a pair of favorite comedies and a soon-to-be-cult-classic sci-fi. BRAD’S PICK Deadly … Continue reading What To Watch: 03/13/2019
It’s a modern new age feelgoodery … and that means a lot of shows debuting which oftentimes thrive on their ability to make viewers feel bad. Yesterday, beloved sobfest This Is Us came back. Today, the new TIU debuts, as does a promising new semi-sit com starring SNL alumnus Taran … Continue reading What to Watch: 09/26/2018
Today’s slate of recommendations are all over the place, so you’re bound to find something you like. Katherine even dove back to roughly a decade before the time of televisions being widely available for her choice. Yes, we’d do that for you! BRAD’S PICK: The … Continue reading What to Watch: 05/23/2018
Samantha Bee addresses the absolutely abominable tragedy that is Trump’s abandonment of our own people in Puerto Rico, a spry spin-off ends an impressive first season, Zach Braff starts a start-up farm (with Tiya Sircar, aka The Good Place‘s Vicky), the universe surrounding Superman’s home planet continues to … Continue reading What to Watch: 03/28/2018
If you see Kiefer Sutherland looking worried in either DC, LA, or NYC, run the other way in a mad dash (or run and hide behind him): either way, something terrorist is about to go down. We also recommend staying out of colonial Roanoke.
JASON’S PICK:
Designated Survivor [ABC, 10p]
While admittedly high concept and familiar territory for Sutherland, I can’t help but be intrigued by the promise of this reflective thriller debuting tonight.
NAVANI’S PICK:
Mr. Robot [USA, 10p]
I had theories, oh so many theories and alas I am completely stumped now. Can’t tell what is even real anymore. Kudos, Sam Esmail. Hopefully tonight we will figure out if Tyrell is really alive and what phase 2 is.
KATHERINE’S PICK:
The Goldbergs [ABC, 8p]
In the season 4 premiere, the Goldberg kids end up in a Breakfast Club-style Saturday detention hall, overseen by substitute teacher Beverly.
BRAD’S PICK:
American Horror Story [FX, 10p]
Now that we know that the new season of AHS is a pseudo documentary that deals with the mystery of the lost colony of Roanoke set against a back drop southern racism, it’s time to delve deeper into the horror as a biracial couple (Sarah Paulson and Cuba Gooding, Jr.) adjust to living in a haunted house surrounded by racist hillbillies.
ALSO ON TAP TONIGHT:
With an episode that spares nothing on action, Arrow, The CW’s original little quirky superhero show that could takes this sweeps month night with its fourth season’s penultimate episode. Other than critical catnip, The Americans (and even that venerated show has an off night reviews-wise, at least by its standards), it’s a night of a hundred mehs. Blackish offers up a great premise for its finale — a message-driven Good Times parody, Laurence Fishburne as John Amos, etc. — but the grades don’t match the genius. Even Nashville can’t pull sympathy raves as it gets set to sail into oblivion. There IS one thing we can count on — Empire comes in dead last. Empire!
Arrow rests its success on a simple premise, an affable dark hero, and action. As Vulture‘s Jenny Raftery elegantly states “‘Lost in the Flood’ perfectly encapsulates everything that drew me into Arrow in the first place: great performances, stellar stunts, witty dialogue, weighty themes, and a surprise death.” Alasdair Wilkins at AV Club is a bit less glowing, but gives the episode credit as “the perfect setup for next week’s finale.”
The Americans – 8.5
Blackish – 7.0
Supernatural – 6.8
The Last Panthers – 6.5
Nashville – 6.5
Empire – 6.0
We’re more than midway through sweeps and there’s tons of stretch-running goin’ on — but there’s also cool, off-the-beaten-path stuff. We’ve put together what we think is a nice mix here, so let’s get started.
NAVANI’S PICK:
Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives [Showtime, 9p]
Relive the golden era of hip-hop in this documentary that chronicles the rise of two radio legends who introduced NYC to the likes of Biggie, Nas, Jay Z, Eminem and the hilarious, quirky friendship that fueled it all.
KATHERINE’S PICK:
Genius by Stephen Hawking [PBS, 9p]
This documentary series, narrated by Stephen Hawking, “challenges ordinary people to think like great scientists.” Tonight Hawking examines the genius behind the DeLoreans, atomic clocks, a giant black hole, and…New York City. (We’re all geniuses here.)
JASON’S PICK:
Modern Family [ABC, 9p]
Against my better judgment — I’ve been burned before — I’m gonna go with the season-ending farce of the often problematic Emmy-owner. The promos say they do “amazing” season finales, and would a voiceover lie to a person? Claire can’t bring herself to fire a bad closet company employee, among other plots too numerous to mention (there may even be an unprecedented G-plot).
ALSO ON TAP TONIGHT:
Let’s just sweep into a sweeps month Wednesday.
NAVANI’S PICK:
Chelsea [Netflix]
Chelsea Handler returns to Netflix, and who knows just what she’ll say next?
KATHERINE’S PICK:
Nashville [ABC, 10p]
This show is totally off-the-rails, and I threw in the towel, but Juliette is going to meet Kesha. (The moment is probably Blink And You Miss It.) Shake some sense into her, Kesha!
JASON’S PICK:
The Middle [ABC, 8p]
Frankie Heck goes a bit too far — like she do — using technology to enforce a curfew on her college-age kids, while Brick tries to find the valedictorian who somehow isn’t him. It’s the Heck wheelhouse defined.
ALSO ON TAP TONIGHT:
It’s always hard to tell how close to reality IS comedian and most famous podcast host Marc Maron’s telediary about the neuroses which consume him — almost literally as season four starts and he succumbs to a relapse. His return headlines a busy night featuring … Continue reading What to Watch: 05/04/2016
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