Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, January 2. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
The Bachelor (ABC, 8 p.m.): And now for what a new year truly means: a new season of The Bachelor. Nick Viall is this season’s man on the prowl (on the prowl for love, whatever), after being the runner-up love interest on two back-to-back seasons of The Bachelorette. Why he deserves televised love after failing twice (as well as finishing in seventh/eighth place on Bachelor In Paradise) is anyone’s guess. But we’re sure this time will totally be different. Hey, speaking of different…
The Celebrity Apprentice (NBC, 8 p.m.): Oh, it’s called The Celebrity Apprentice—it’s not some lost (but much needed) Nic Cage movie. So if you’re reading this, you most likely already know what’s up with The Celebrity Apprentice. You’ll also understand why the two-hour season premiere is titled “In Here You Call Me Governor.” As for this year’s crop of “celebs,” here’s who’s on deck: Laila Ali, Brooke Burke-Charvet, Eric Dickerson, Boy George, Matt Iseman, Carrie Keagan, Carson Kressley, Lisa Leslie, Jon Lovitz, Vince Neil, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Kyle Richards, Chael Sonnen, Porsha Williams, Ricky Williams, and Carnie Wilson. And Tyra Banks is a business adviser. That’s really all you need to know, about this and in life.
Shadowhunters (Freeform, 8 p.m.): Shadowhunters is starting its second season off right with “This Guilty Blood.” Sounds scandalous to us. So what’s been going on since we last left The Institute? As it turns out, a lot, in a short span: “Only hours have passed since Jace left with Valentine and all hell has broken loose at The Institute. Alec, Isabelle and Clary are desperate to find Jace, but are quickly stopped in their tracks with the arrival of Victor Aldertree, who means business about getting the Institute back on track. But getting the New York Shadowhunters in-line with The Clave may be counterintuitive to Alec, Isabelle and Clary’s plan to rescue Jace.” Oh. We see. “Meanwhile, Jocelyn has a lot to catch up on now that she is awake.” You don’t say.
Premieres and finales
Kevin Can Wait (CBS, 8 p.m.): Kevin couldn’t wait that long, as now it’s back for its winter premiere, opening up the floodgates for the rest of CBS’ programming.
A Surrogate’s Nightmare (Lifetime, 8 p.m.): Kicking off the new year with a new Lifetime original movie? Makes sense to us. “A woman (Poppy Montgomery) acting as a surrogate for her estranged sister is put in peril when it turns out that someone doesn’t want the baby to be born. With a mysterious man tracking her every move, she must figure out who is trying to kill her… before it’s too late.” This does sound like a surrogate’s nightmare.
Antiques Roadshow (PBS, 8 p.m.): After celebrating 20 seasons recently, the Antiques Roadshow is ready to move on to lucky number 21.
Man With A Plan (CBS, 8:30 p.m.): CBS’ Matt LeBlanc comedy returns for its winter premiere tonight with “A Dinner Gone Wrong.” Is it possible the dinner goes wrong because LeBlanc’s Adam decides to prepare it, which is clearly an absurd thing for a father to do? Let’s all find out together.
Kids Baking Championship (Food Channel, 8 p.m.): As we all know: Kids should be neither seen nor heard. Unless they’re competing against each other in food-related scenarios, that is. “Life Is A Carnival” in the third season premiere of Kids Baking Championship: “Valerie and Duff task the bakers with making carnival-themed cupcakes, but they have to incorporate classic carnival treats like kettle corn, frozen bananas and cotton candy.”
MasterChef (Fox, 8 p.m.): Aww yeah, it’s a MasterChef Celebrity Showdown. In this two hour-long competition (for charity!), Kal Penn, Cheryl Hines, Jordana Brewster, Anthony Anderson, and more compete under MasterChef rules. “The special will also feature the first ever battle royale between MasterChef judges Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi, with Ramsay teaming up with Anderson to face off against Tosi and Jordana Brewster.”
2 Broke Girls (CBS, 9 p.m.): After the fall finale’s road trip, 2 Broke Girls returns for its winter premiere, “And The Riverboat Runs Through It.” That must have been one hell of a road trip.
Beyond (Freeform, 9/10 p.m.): Beyond is a new series premiering with two back-to-back episodes (“Pilot” and “Tempus Fugit”). Here’s what else we know: “Holden Matthews wakes up from a 12-year coma to discover he’s now part of something he doesn’t understand.” The question is: Is the something he’s part of simply 2017? Probably not, because that’s not as fun as a full-blown conspiracy. Speaking of 2017 though, with this series, Freeform will be dropping the entire series (all 10 episodes) on streaming services immediately, for the first time. You’d think a network specifically branded for “Becomers” would have been earlier on that one, but maybe they’re still recovering from changing their name to Freeform. We know we still are.
Teen Mom 2 (MTV, 9 p.m.): Just how many seasons does a Teen Mom series need in order to officially move up to be a Teen Mom 3 or Teen Mom 4…? These moms aren’t getting any younger.
The Odd Couple (CBS, 9:30 p.m.): The Odd Couple returns for with some bro antics, as if there are any other kind. In “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Oscar arranges for Felix to replace him on any cultural outing that Charlotte has planned.” That sounds like a sure-fire way to get dumped, but since we’re not a part of said odd coupling, maybe that’s just how things get done in certain realities.
Scorpion (CBS, 10 p.m.): Like the rest of its CBS brethren, Scorpion returns tonight. We are so looking forward to finding out how these geniuses bungle everything up for themselves this week. Never change, Scorpion.
The Wall (NBC, 10 p.m.): After that special preview, The Wall is here for real this time. Are you excited? We’re assuming at least Chris and Katie (the episode’s titular contestants) are, and Chris Hardwick will certainly make everyone feel like he is. Plinko’s… er… The Wall’s a very exciting game, you guys.
Regular coverage
WWE Monday Night RAW (USA, 8 p.m.)
Streaming pick
The O.C., “The Countdown” (Amazon Video/Google Play/Hulu/iTunes): We’re still in a New Year’s state of mind. Plus, what better way to start 2017 than with the reminder of Oliver, who is at least better than Johnny on every single level.
