Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Sunday, August 28. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
The Night Of (HBO, 9 p.m.): The trial of Naz Khan potentially comes to an end tonight in the series finale, where his attorney Stone finds himself wrapped up in his own controversy. With tonight’s episode called “The Call Of The Wild,” Alasdair Wilkins wouldn’t be surprised if Naz winds up calling a wolf as a witness for the defense. Actually, anything would surprise him at this point, given the way the trial’s going after last week: “…the justice system requires neither side to offer anything so specific, and indeed they aren’t incentivized to try. All the prosecution and defense are there to do is paint an overall picture of guilt or innocence—or, more accurately, non-guilt—and a whole lot of vague gesturing and insinuating is all just fine in pursuit of the chosen goal.” It may all come down to some kind of dermatology though, given that’s where the show seems distressingly comfortable.
The Strain (FX, 10 p.m.): A third season of torment falls on the citizens of New York as the strigoi invasion of The Strain returns tonight. One person to escape this torment is our own Kyle Fowle, as we’ve dropped regular coverage of the series due to low readership and the show’s frustrating inability to either stay on the rails or be entertaining when it goes off them. As Kyle said of the finale: “There’s still no attention paid to character, no consistency to their actions and dialogue, and the supposed empathy and pathos… are completely unearned.” Plus, tonight’s premiere looks to focus on Zach’s abduction as a central point, and we all know that Zach is the worst. Short of turning him into a strigoi juice box within the first five minutes of the episode, this arc looks like it’ll be a real slog.
Roadies (Showtime, 10 p.m.): In the mix of renewals handed out to Showtime series during the Television Critics Association summer press tour, Showtime boss David Nevins was coy about the future of Roadies, stating that any decisions wouldn’t come until the end of its run. Given the lackluster reception of Cameron Crowe’s return to the music business by both critics and actual roadies, there’s even money that tonight’s finale with “a star-studded lineup coming together for a rock legend’s memorial” could be the final episode. Get your lighters or lighter-related smartphone apps up in the air for tribute.
Premieres and finales
I Miss Downton Abbey! (PBS, 8 p.m.): PBS clearly wishes it still had its flagship drama around, so much so that it’s putting out a retrospective eight months after the final episode aired. Personally, your What’s On Tonight correspondent thinks that it wore out its welcome at least two seasons prior to the ending, though perhaps people have been really missing those terrifying Grantham children pictured in the final promotional images.
The Great Food Truck Race (Food Network, 9 p.m.): Remember the days when we had to come up with something witty to say every week about this show? Well, it’s time for a blast from the past as season seven premieres tonight. This season it’s a family affair with all six teams based on family units, one of which is headed up by Vinny Guadagnino of Jersey Shore. No word if their truck will follow the format of The Show With Vinny and only cater to famous people who are happy to stop by Vinny’s house for an authentic Italian meal with his family. (Given that only lasted one season, there obviously weren’t too many of those.)