Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, May 20. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
WWE NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable (WWE Network, 8 p.m.): TV Club sports entertainment coverage expands with the introduction of NXT to the A.V. Club Universe. Tonight marks the latest live NXT TakeOver special—in a month where the WWE Network is free, by the way—which is guaranteed to be the best WWE has to offer for weeks (maybe even months). The main event is part of a story 15 years in the making, as long time best friends and rivals Kevin Owens (father of Owen Owens) and Sami Zayn (protegé of El Generico) face-off in a NXT Championship rematch. LaToya Ferguson begins her weekly coverage of WWE NXT with this event, because sometimes dreams do come true.
Regular coverage
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): “It’s A Fickle, Fickle Game,” and it’s also the two-hour, 30th season (there have been 30 seasons of Survivor, you see) finale of Survivor. In case that’s not enough of the 30-season reality competition for you, it’s all topped off with the reunion special at 10 p.m. Carrie Raisler is well aware that Survivor is a fickle, fickle game, but is the fickleness something she would like to see lead to a type of reunion? You’ll find out.
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m): In the Modern Family sixth season finale, “American Skyper,” Phil attempts to find a way to attend Alex’s graduation party “via Skype and a robotic vessel” while stuck in Seattle for a business trip. Gwen Ihnat hasn’t been able to relay her reviews of Modern Family via Skype and a robotic vessel yet, but this might be her chance.
Black-ish (ABC, 9:30 p.m): Off the top of our heads, we’re guessing that Black-ish’s first season finale, “Pops’ Pops’ Pops,” will finally get to the bottom of the constant Black-ish question: “Where’s Pops?” According to the synopsis, that’s not really the case—“the Johnsons take a trip into 1920s Harlem when Pops tells them the history of their family”—but it’s still a Pops-heavy Black-ish season finale, so we (along with Joshua Alston) are looking forward it.
Also noted
Grace And Frankie (Netflix)
Big Time In Hollywood, FL (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.)
Elsewhere in TV Club
As the Late Show With David Letterman comes to an end tonight, you might need something to soften the blow. Look no further than Noel Murray’s Inventory of 10 David Letterman Top Ten Lists.
TV Club Classic
Lost (Classic) (1 p.m.): Get ready for the next four weeks of Lost coverage. They’re going to be a doozy. Starting with “The Brig” today, Myles McNutt will be joined by Noel Murray for the final four episodes of Lost season three.
What else is on?
500 Questions (ABC, 8 p.m.): Want to watch a show where geniuses face off to try and answer 500 questions? Well, someone has to want to watch that, right? This is the series premiere of such a show.
Killer Hornets From Hell (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.): This is an Animal Planet “special presentation,” specifically for people who like to have nightmares.
MasterChef (Fox, 8 p.m): For every show that ends tonight, it appears another one will be returning or making its debut. MasterChef is one of those returning shows, with its two-hour sixth season premiere. The first hour is dedicated to the Top 40, while the second is the Top 22. Winner gets a cookbook deal and a $250,000 grand prize.
The Mysteries Of Laura (NBC, 8 p.m.): In The Mysteries Of Laura’s season finale, “The Mystery Of The Corner Store Crossfire”, Laura and the rest of the team are on the hunt for her ex-husband/boss Jake’s shooter. We can only assume that said shooting was during the corner store crossfire.
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m.): The 10th season finale is titled “Brother’s Keeper,” even though we’re pretty sure that Supernatural has used that episode title at least thrice this season. Here, “Dean makes a shocking decision regarding the Mark of Cain that would change not only his life, but Sam’s too.” That’s also a synopsis that Supernatural has definitely used at least thrice this season.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC, 9 p.m.): With the season finale, “Surrendering Noah,” there have now been 16 full seasons of Law & Order: SVU.
Chicago P.D. (NBC, 10 p.m.): Season two of Chicago P.D. ends with Voight and the rest of the Intelligence team coming “to the aid of Commander Perry’s nephew after he gets involved with a corrupt narcotics unit.” It also ends with visions of Dick Wolf fully taking over NBC on the horizon. NBC: We Peacock Wolf.
Late Show With David Letterman (CBS, 11:35 p.m.): In case you missed it above, it’s the series finale of the Late Show With David Letterman. What’s going to happen? We don’t know. You’ve got to watch to find out.
The Parent Trap (MTV, 7 p.m.): What ever happened to Lindsay Lohan’s twin?
Sports, sports, all type of sports
MLB Baseball: Rangers at Red Sox (ESPN, 7 p.m.)
MLS Soccer: Sporting KC vs. New England (ESPN 2, 8 p.m.)
MLB Baseball: Diamondbacks at Marlins (Fox Sports Network, 7 p.m.)
Stanley Cup Playoff: Game 3: Rangers at Lightning (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.)
NBA Playoff: Game 1: Cavaliers at Hawks (TNT, 8:30 p.m.)
Lucha Underground (El Rey, 8 p.m.)
In case you missed it
The Flash: In the season one finale, “Fast Enough,” The Flash finally ran fast enough. Spoiler alert.
