In the Person Of Interest system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups (and one crazy machine)
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, October 15. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Person Of Interest (CBS, 10 p.m.): Let it never be said that the protagonists of Person Of Interest consider themselves above the law: Tonight’s episode is titled “Reasonable Doubt,” which suggests the show’s super-powered snoop machine at least has some Law & Order episodes mixed in with all the Social Security Numbers and surveillance footage. “[DONK DONK.]” says Phil Dyess-Nugent.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC, 8 p.m.): By the look of last week’s promo spot, it’s Agents’ turn to use the “One Anonymous surrogate group per TV show” token handed out to ongoing series at the start of the fall. Oliver Sava would quibble that the Rising Tide has been an Anonymous surrogate this whole time—if his computer hadn’t been shut down under mysterious circumstances.
30 For 30 (ESPN, 8 p.m.): No Más chronicles one of the most notorious surrenders in professional sports, in which welterweight champ Roberto Durán suddenly and repeatedly requested an end to his 1980 bout with Sugar Ray Leonard. We suspect Kevin McFarland will put on a greater display of endurance.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox, 8:30 p.m.): Dean Winters takes a break from being whatever’s fucking up the lives of people without an Allstate policy to dabble in fucking up Jake Peralta’s life. It’s totally fine by Molly Eichel, so long as Winters’ character carries a pager.
New Girl (Fox, 9 p.m.): Fox’s Tuesday nights dodged the MLB playoffs bullet—the third game of the ALCS takes place this afternoon—and its shows are celebrating by bringing in guest stars pitched directly at baseball-hating comedy nerds. Baseball-loving comedy nerd Erik Adams, meanwhile, is pleased that he can enjoy Jon Lovitz’s ACTING! on New Girl without having to miss his beloved Detroit Tigers.
Trophy Wife (ABC, 9:30 p.m.): Tonight’s episode involves a temporarily homeless Meg adding to Kate and Pete’s full house, a scenario our old friend Ron Howard might call “a clear-cut situation with the promise of comedy.” Brandon Nowalk concludes: “Tell your friends.”
The Mindy Project (Fox, 9:30 p.m.): Just a reminder that Happy Endings’ Adam Pally is on The Mindy Project now, just another example of how enthusiasm for one, sadly departed television program can be transferred to another program that’s still on the air. Katherine Miller’s still waiting for Pally to transfer the chemistry he had with Casey Wilson to his dynamic with Mindy Kaling, though.
Sons Of Anarchy (FX, 10 p.m.): Withdrawing himself from 50 Shades Of Grey (thus causing fans of the source material to feel a deeper yearning for Matt Bomer), Charlie Hunnam can now fully commit himself to a separate fanbase that gets off on the suggestion of pain. Zack Handlen does not approve.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
The Biggest Loser (NBC, 8 p.m.): After a last-minute pre-emption, the weight-loss competition finally debuts its 15th season premiere. For those interested in further preempting their viewing of The Biggest Loser, Sonia Saraiya has one letter for you: F.
The Real Husbands Of Hollywood(BET, 10 p.m.): Perhaps sensing that his moment has finally arrived, Robin Thicke opted out of the second season of this returning reality show parody. So that means your free to laugh at the show without fear of cosigning the pervy vibe of “Blurred Lines.”
Catfish: The TV Show (MTV, 10 p.m.): Defying all logic and reason (beyond basic reality show requirements), season two of Catfish concludes with a special that reunites several “catfish” with those who “catfished” them. (If only the special reunited a fist with the face of the first person to use catfish as a verb.)
Gem Hunt (Travel, 10 p.m.): Despite its name, this is somehow a docuseries about globetrotting experts in precious stones, and not a game currently be played by barflies on MegaTouch machines worldwide.
The Master (Showtime, 7:30 p.m.): On a night that affords the chance to watch no less than three Friday The 13th films, perhaps your time would be better spent with Paul Thomas Anderson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and existential truths far spookier than any iteration of Jason Vorhees.
A Fistful Of Dollars (TCM, 8 p.m.): Not that your What’s On Tonight? correspondent means not to slander franchises or remakes: Sergio Leone essentially remade Yojimbo (and paid the legal price) and launched the Dollars Trilogy with this spaghetti western classic.
MLB Playoff: Game 4: Cardinals at Dodgers (TBS, 8 p.m.): If the conversation around this year’s playoffs have taught us anything, it’s that the Cards have assumed the national baseball enemy status usually reserved for the New York Yankees. And that sentiment will only spread if they put away L.A. after tonight’s game.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Regular Show: A few weeks after a Regular Show episode revolved around chimichangas, the latest involves the delivery of tortillas. Alasdair Wilkins investigates: Is this the show’s way of suggesting that both halves of its audience—stoners and children—love Mexican food?