Last Week Tonight returns, and not a moment too soon

By Allison Shoemaker | February 17, 2019 | 6:00am

TV Lists What's On Tonight

Last Week Tonight returns, and not a moment too soon

Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Sunday, February 17. All times are Eastern.

Top pick

Last Week Tonight (HBO, 11 p.m.): 2019 has been pretty freakin’ rough, and this week positively bonkers. There’s no shortage of late night programming, and even the most milquetoast of such programs can’t help being a little political right now—but even in that crowded landscape, Last Week Tonight stands out. What the topic of the first week will be, we don’t know, but there are two certainties: It’ll be smart, and this guy will do most of the talking.

Regular coverage

Supergirl (The CW, 8 p.m.)
The Simpsons (Fox, 8 p.m.)
Bob’s Burgers (Fox, 8:30 p.m.)
Charmed (The CW, 9 p.m.)
True Detective (HBO, 9 p.m.)
Shameless (Showtime, 9 p.m.)
The Walking Dead (AMC, 9 p.m.)

Wild card

Counterpart (Starz, 8 p.m., season (or series?) finale): News broke this week that this series, which stars not one but two J.K. Simmonses, was canceled over at Starz. Nowadays cancellation isn’t necessarily a death knell for a show, especially one with a devoted following, and series creator Justin Marks has tweeted that the series’ studio was hoping to “find a way to keep the dream alive.” But for now, it’s farewell. If you’re not in the mood for trippy sci-fi with loads of great actors, there’s also a two-hour Elvis All-Star Tribute (NBC, 9 p.m.), which will feature performances from Alessia Cara, John Fogerty, John Legend, Josh Groban, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, and Carrie Underwood, all of whom will also be played by J.K. Simmons.