NBC’s new show Heartbeat will break your heart (then expertly swap in someone else’s)

Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, March 22. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Heartbeat (ABC, 9 p.m.): In case you felt there weren’t enough maverick doctors on our TV screens, here comes Dr. Alexandra Panttiere, a heart-transplant surgeon who is, as the description promises, “as unorthodox in the OR as she is with the two men in her life.” Technically speaking, we think that last bit may be a bit of a logical double negative, as being unorthodox while (presumably) dating two men would probably involve just being really up-front and straightforward the whole time. Kind of swerving a swerve there. Anyway, we’re curious whether there are really enough heart transplants happening on a regular enough basis to build a show around, but we guess 2,000 per year is plausible enough for one doctor to do 20 or so per season, especially when we imagine there will be plenty of non-transplanting time to devote to affairs of the … oh goodness, we just realized all the terrible “heart” puns and double meanings this show is going to make. (“Dr. Panttiere, the only heart you can’t replace … is your own.”) For slightly more organized thoughts on this show, do check out Gwen Ihnat’s pre-air review, as the show premieres tonight before moving to Wednesdays starting tomorrow.
Also noted
The Flash (The CW, 8 p.m.): Both of Tuesday’s CW shows are back from hiatus, with tonight’s Flash seeing the introduction of yet another speedster who may or may not be evil but is definitely a woman, so at least that’s something new. Also, “Iris is challenged by an assignment from her new boss and is surprised when friction turns to flirtation,” just in case you or Scott Von Doviak forgot this was a CW shot.
iZombie (The CW, 9 p.m.): “A research scientist who was recently demoted at her job is murdered,” so somebody’s week has gone from bad to worse. Things at least are (hopefully) looking up for Carrie Raisler and the iZombie fans out there, as they get to go back to watching their beloved show and shaking their heads at our brazen ignorance of what is, by all accounts, a pretty good show. We’re just jerks that way!
New Girl (Fox, 8 p.m.): Erik Adams is glad to see New Girl keeping the light on for Fox’s Tuesday night sitcoms, as the rest of the block is in reruns. Tonight’s episode sees the return of Schmidt’s dad, which means Sunday’s Shameless review was a couple days early in declaring a state of “Peak Gallagher.” That’s right, behold the world’s must illustrious eyebrows…
Oh, those things are glorious. What a way to welcome Jess back to society after that jury duty stint. Speaking of which…
American Crime Story: The People Vs. O.J. Simpson (FX, 10 p.m.): “The jurors grow stir crazy after spending months away from their families and being cut off from society and the media.” Well, that sounds perfect. We’re not sure how Pilot Viruet feels about this, but we’re kind of hoping this episode starts out more or less sane, then devolves into a Ryan Murphy-infused, weirdly Kardashian-obsessed shot-for-shot remake of 12 Angry Men, just because.
Regular coverage
Marvel’s Daredevil (Netflix)
Fresh Off The Boat (ABC, 8 p.m.)
Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC, 9 p.m.)