Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Sunday, September 25. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
Bob’s Burgers (Fox, 7:30 p.m.): You remember how a few weeks ago your What’s On Tonight correspondent was bemoaning how there was nothing new to write about? Well, this is the point where he eats his words, because fall television is upon us in full force and once again Sunday is bursting at the seams. Starting off this ridiculously busy night, Bob’s Burgers returns for season seven as the normally indomitable Louise is laid low by the flu and succumbs to a fever dream phantasmagoria. It’s a mindset Alasdair Wilkins is no stranger to, given his recent bout with What’s On Tonight madness. We say it’s his own fault for watching too much wrestling.
Once Upon A Time (ABC, 8 p.m.): Speaking of crazy fever dreams, Once Upon A Time is back. According to an ad we saw for the sixth season while watching the Emmys, this year will introduce Aladdin and Jasmine, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the Count Of Monte Cristo. They’re really straining the definition of “fairy tale,” aren’t they? And they also cast a new actor to play Jafar after introducing the character in Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, which feels unfair to Naveen Andrews and his “seductive menace.” Gwen Ihnat will check in on the premiere and will be sure to let us know how Jafar 2.0 measures up. Try not to be intimated by Andrews’ dangerous past roles, Gwen.
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, 8:30 p.m.): In the interest of sharing the wealth around the broadcast networks, NCIS: Los Angeles does the impossible and earns itself a top pick for its two-hour season eight premiere. Tonight the team is scrambling after a mole is identified in the department and a mission to Syria leaves one of its own badly injured. Maybe they’ll get lucky and it’ll turn out to be the mole who’s injured, solving two problems at once.
And now, because it must accompany any LL Cool J or shark-related reference in What’s On Tonight, here it is:
Premieres and finales
The Simpsons (Fox, 8 p.m.): It happens every fall. Leaves change colors, the temperature drops, and The Simpsons begins a new season—its freaking 28th season, no less. Tonight the town of Springfield burns down and Mr. Burns agrees to pay for the rebuilding on the condition he gets to put on a variety show. The title is “Monty Burns’ Fleeing Circus,” so Dennis Perkins is watching nervously for the giant foot to come and crush him. Well, better that than the goddamned jug band.
Poldark (PBS, 8 p.m.): Season two of the second adaptation of Winston Graham’s novels premieres with disastrous circumstances, as Capt. Ross Poldark is arrested for murder and wrecking in connection with the sinking of George Warleggan’s ship. His wife, Demelza—goddamn, this show has all the best names—attempts to influence the hanging judge. As Bob Dylan told us, the hanging judge must be wined and dined so as to be drunk when the leading actor hurries by in the costume of a monk. And while discussion of Blood On The Tracks didn’t come up in Marah Eakin’s interview with Poldark star Aidan Turner, it’s still a great read.