Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, September 30. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Code Black (CBS, 10 p.m.): There are two premieres tonight for shows all about the kind on professions that children dream of. On CBS, Code Black takes on the childhood dream of being a doctor, as Marcia Gay Harden teaches us all why it’s actually the most depressing career path possible. As Residency Director Dr. Leanne Rorish, Harden “puts her four new first year residents to work immediately on their first day at Angels Memorial Hospital, in the busiest, most notorious hospital ER in the nation.” And just in case you thought this show wouldn’t tick every possible box of expected medical procedural show “-isms”: “Also working in the ER is Dr. Neal Hudson, an excellent physician who sometimes disagrees with Leanne’s ‘cowboy’ approach.” That’s right. At 11 a.m., you can read Joshua Alston’s pre-air review of the series, which confirms that the show is “nothing new” but also says the show remembers a time “when medical dramas weren’t all tarted up.” So make of that what you will.
Chicago P.D. (NBC, 10 p.m.): The other childhood dream of the night is that of being a cop, and Chicago P.D. is back to make any child possibly watching question said dreams. Except for the one weird kid who went as Vic Mackey for Halloween. But you shouldn’t be hanging around him anyway—he’s a different kind of kid. In the third season premiere, Intelligence go after Bokeem Woodbine’s Derek Keyes, who just so happens to be “number one on Chicago’s Most Wanted list and heroin kingpin.” See? Keep the kids away and have them watch Code Black instead. The worst that can happen is they become doctors who play by their own rules but still get results.
Also noted
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): “Survivor MacGyver” is the name of this episode, which confuses us. Isn’t every episode technically Survivor MacGyver? What is going on, Carrie Raisler? And when will we have “Survivor Hart To Hart”?
Empire (Fox, 9 p.m.): “Cookie and her cohorts decide to start their own small record label, but it’s off to a bumpy start as everyone has different visions for the new label.” This week’s episode of Empire is tasked with outdoing the season premiere’s Cookie in a gorilla costume scene, and it will try to do so with the help of guest stars Ludacris and Kelly Rowland. Joshua Alston shall see if that does the trick, but if the episode doesn’t do shot-for-shot remakes of “Act A Fool” and “Dilemma,” then it’s really going to be an uphill battle.
The League (FXX, 10 p.m.): The League is taking on Deflategate, you guys. Shelby Fero has been waiting for this one. We all have.
You’re The Worst (FXX, 10:30 p.m.): “Edgar discovers the magic of improv comedy.” Vikram Murthi is sold.
Regular coverage
The Middle (ABC 8 p.m.) / The Goldbergs (ABC, 8:30 p.m.)
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.)