Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
Titans (DC Universe, Friday): This weekend is practically the second coming of Streamapocolypse—there’s so many big releases on Friday alone that we can’t choose just one for our top pick. First up is the latest TV series to be based on the 1960s Teen Titans comics, a live-action series created by Akiva Goldsman, Geoff Johns, and Greg Berlanti. The 12-part first season shows a distressed Raven (Teagan Croft) coming to Dick Grayson, a.k.a. Robin (Brenton Thwaites) for help. The pair team Starfire (Anna Diop) and Beast Boy (Ryan Potter) to stop an evil plot that threatens the world. This adaptation promises to be a bit darker than its predecessors Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go!. And since it looks as though season one will revolve largely around Raven, we can expect it to venture into supernatural horror territory. New episodes air every week on DC’s new streaming platform.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW, 9 p.m. Friday): All good things must come to an end, and creators Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna always knew that this season would mark the end of their musical comedy about the “certifiably cute and adorably obsessed” Rebecca Bunch. We’ve watched Rebecca go from a big shot Manhattan lawyer to a delusional lovesick girl chasing her summer camp ex to West Covina, California. We’ve watched her commit misguided deeds in the name of love, hurt those around her, and resist growth and accountability for her actions for as long as she could. But last season, we saw Rebecca coming to terms with her BPD and (finally) accepting responsibility for something... sort of. If last season was about Rebecca accepting her diagnosis, this season will show Rebecca learning to manage her mental health and to control its impact on her life. It was also announced that season four would bring back of fan-favorite Greg... though not quite Greg as we knew him. The role previously held by Santino Fontana, will now be taken over by Pitch Perfect’s Skylar Astin. “You know when you run into an ex and they seem almost like a completely different person? It’s a little bit that,” McKenna explains. To an outsider, it might sound “crazy”, or like a cheap cover-up. But the show has a history of bending reality to parallel the way Rebecca herself twists the truth to fit her deluded image of the world and further her desires. The 18-episode season will air weekly, as will reviewer Allison Shoemaker. While you’re waiting for its return, read Erik Adams’ interview with the creators on preparing for the final curtain call.
The Romanoffs (Amazon Prime Video, Friday): Fans and television networks alike have been holding their breath for this moment: The return of the Emmy-winning Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner to TV. Two years back, Amazon won a bidding war for the rights to Weiner’s The Romanoffs, an eight-episode anthology series about people who claim to be descended from the famously assassinated Russian royals. Each hour-long episode follows a different so-called descendent at a different location around the globe. It’s a story about identity, self creation, self-delusion, family, entitlement, and the dangers of obsessing over the past, themes almost anyone can relate to, regardless of whom they’re related to. The show also promises a strong cast, including Aaron Eckhart, Amanda Peet, Diane Lane, Kathryn Hahn, Noah Wyle, as well as Mad Men alums Christina Hendricks and John Slattery. Nick Wanserski is handling weekly coverage, but you can check out Erik Adams’ pre-air review now.
The Haunting Of Hill House (Netflix, Friday): One year ahead of the 60th anniversary of Shirley Jackson’s classic supernatural horror novel, Netflix is dropping this 10-part TV adaption just in time for Halloween. The show follows a group of siblings who grew up in America’s most famous haunted house, and who are called back together as adults after one dies by suicide. The family must now confront the ghosts of their past—and those still haunting the house— to piece together the truth about their childhood. Starring McKenna Grace, Carla Gugino, and Michiel Huisman and directed by Mike Flanagan of Oculus and the upcoming Stephen King adaptation “Doctor Sleep,” this modern take on a 1950s classic looks like a good way to get in the Halloween spirit. Don’t believe us? Check out Katie Rife’s pre-air, and check back for recaps by Emily L. Stephens.
Regular coverage
Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday, 11:30)
Wild card
The Curious Creation Of Christine McConnell (Netflix, Saturday): Something tasty this way comes with this very unusual cooking show. Artist-photographer-baker-author Christine McConnell, who drew hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers with her aesthetically spooky edible creations, is more Marilyn Munster than Martha Stewart. It’s only fitting, then, that her new cooking show would be set in a haunted mansion, in which the fictionalized version of herself resides alongside creepy puppet creatures created by Henson Alternative. Each semi-narrative episode begins with the arrival of a new guest to the house and follows McConnell as she demonstrates a wicked new craft or baking project. While most baking shows tend towards the wholesome and pristine, this one makes room for lovers of all things horror, goth, and sweet.