Ben And Kate stakes Fox’s claim on your Tuesday night
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, September 25. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Ben And Kate (Fox, 8:30 p.m.): This fall doesn’t offer much in the way of good comedy pilots, but the first episode of this funny, riff-heavy show about a mismatched pair of siblings would stand out even in a crowd of stellar sitcom starters. Oscar-winner Nat Faxon is Ben, Dakota Johnson is Kate, and Erik Adams and Molly Eichel (the latter of whom will cover the show regularly) are the writers offering their opinions on the show that could make Tuesday nights on Fox the most enticing comedy bloc on the dial.
REGULAR COVERAGE
New Girl (Fox, 8/9 p.m.): Of course, Fox’s Tuesday-night revolution wouldn’t have been possible without one of 2011’s biggest hits, the surprisingly sharp New Girl. The network’s betting it all with a double-barreled première, which has Erik Adams brushing up on the rules of True American.
The Voice (NBC, 8 p.m.): NBC’s stranglehold on Mondays and Tuesdays could begin to slip now that other networks are airing fresh content. Until its power is truly challenged, however, The Voice will continue lulling Caroline Framke into a false sense of security with never-ending auditions.
Go On (NBC, 9 p.m.): With a National Hockey League lockout underway, this may be the most hockey you see in primetime until the new year. Sonia Saraiya can’t wait to see Matthew Perry get decked by nine-time NHL all-star Jeremy Roenick.
Frontline (PBS, 9 p.m.): A two-hour Frontline documents the education of four at-risk Houston high-schoolers, and the subject of Frontline once again defies the What’s On Tonight? “Synospis/joke/jokey conclusion with reference to author” format. Rowan Kaiser takes this stuff very, very seriously.
The Mindy Project (Fox, 9:30 p.m.): Having expatriated from The Office, Mindy Kaling sets up an OB/GYN/rom-com allusion shop at Fox. Todd VanDerWerff and David Sims are torn on whether or not men and women can truly be friends, but they’ll try to keep that out of their discussion of the show.
Vegas (CBS, 10 p.m.): Contrary to popular ad campaigns, what happens in Las Vegas doesn’t always stay in Las Vegas—otherwise, Todd VanDerWerff and Phil Dyess-Nugent wouldn’t be looking at this elegantly constructed period piece about Vegas’ final days as a mob-run holdover from the Wild West.
Parenthood (NBC, 10 p.m.): Aw, come on, Parenthood—please don’t turn Lauren Graham into the new Debra Barone. Feel free, however, to tickle Todd VanDerWerff’s funny bone by making Ray Romano say things that sound like an exasperated, Everybody Loves Raymond-era “Debra!” Here’s one: “No, I don’t know why a U.K. crosswalk is called a zebra.” Zebra!