On this inauguration weekend, the only man on America’s mind… is Aziz Ansari
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, January 20, and Saturday, January 21. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:30 p.m., Saturday): Leading America’s way into a new year—hell, a new era—great American Aziz Ansari becomes the first Saturday Night Live host of South Asian descent. Sure, some might say that it’s shocking for a venerable and influential institution like SNL to take 42 years to elect to have someone from a people who make up nearly a quarter of Earth’s population in charge, but that’s not the sort of negativity the Ansari administration stands for. The distinguished gentleman from South Carolina has waged a particularly good-natured and hilarious, yet insightful and inclusive campaign to finally reach the hallowed halls of Studio 8H, where he is expected to receive an enthusiastic welcome from a sold-out house for his SNL debut. Ansari’s running mate and musical guest Big Sean will be onstage alongside the man to whom America turns its eyes and hopes in this momentous weekend where nothing else is happening whatsoever.
Take The 10 (Netflix, 3:01 a.m., Friday): Josh Peck and The Grand Budapest Hotel’s Tony Revolori star in this buddy road movie comedy from the “fourth Beatle” of The Lonely Island, Chester Tam. Some stoners steal music festival tickets and drugs from a guy who does not appreciate that, and things go from there. Look for lots of funny people in small roles, like Fred Armisen, Kevin Corrigan, and Tam’s buddy Andy Samberg.
Great Performances: Alicia Keyes—Landmarks Live In Concert (PBS, 9 p.m., Saturday): Filmed all over Keyes’ native New York over the past year, this special sees the singer perform at various notable city locations, finishing up with her NYC anthem ”Empire State Of Mind.”
Beaches (Lifetime, 8 p.m., Saturday): “You are the something beneath my something…” C’mon, you all know it! Anyway, Idina Menzel and Nia Long elbow aside Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey in this made-for-TV remake of the 1988 friendship weep-a-thon from late director Garry Marshall. Two women’s lifelong bond really kicks in when one of them starts not feeling well. Then, look out—song and hanky time. Lifetime is even giving us an hour-long cool-down session with Beaches: The After-Show at 10 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served in front of a cozy fire. Bring your own comfy lounge-around sweater.
U.S. Figure Skating Championships (NBC, 8 p.m., Saturday): Strap in for three solid hours of the best skaters in the world always, always twirling, twirling, twirling toward freedom!