Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, November 16. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
South Park (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): It’s the 15th season finale, bringing to a close a season that’s included any number of all-time classics that made it something of a “return to form” season for the venerable cartoon. Sure, not every episode works anymore—what show that’s 15 has episodes that work every week?—but any show that can turn out stuff as good as “You’re Getting Old” and “Broadway Bro Down” is a show we’ll keep paying attention to. Tonight, Ryan McGee mourns as Kenny is tossed into the foster care system—but mostly, he mourns for Cartman, forced to find a new kid to mock as the poorest kid in school. Poor Cartman.
REGULAR COVERAGE
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.): Norm Macdonald pops up as “Uncle Rusty,” while Sue and Frankie are cast in a community theater production of The Wizard Of Oz. Will Harris congratulates the ABC comedies on not making this night Thanksgiving night and taking next week off like certain other networks might.
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): This week promises yet another shocking twist, but at this point in the season, doesn’t everything pretty much start becoming less and less shocking with every week? Carrie Raisler will try to feign interest as the show plays out the string.
Up All Night (NBC, 8 p.m.): Reagan’s got a new assistant played by Molly Shannon, so we can expect lots of Saturday Night Live-esque tomfoolery from her and Maya Rudolph. Who are we kidding? They’ll just tell some “funny” “jokes” to each other. Erik Adams will chuckle politely.
The X Factor (Fox, 8 p.m.): This show is sort of like the NCIS of 18-49-year-olds, in that we know a lot of you are watching it, but we don’t know anyone who actually does. Try asking your friends if they prefer “Drew” or “Astro.” See how far you get. Emily Yoshida attends the taping. No, really!
Suburgatory (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): Tessa has her Sweet Sixteen, which means we can expect the show to really stick it to a bloated satirical target that’s really had it coming for a while. Or, y’know, all of the most predictable jokes will be made, and Ryan McGee will quietly be consumed by fury.
America’s Next Top Model (The CW, 9 p.m.): This episode is called “Exploring Greece.” Here’s a fun thought experiment because we have nothing else to say: Pitch possible storylines for an episode of this show called “Exploring Grease.” Maybe we can persuade Margaret Eby to pick the best one.
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.): This episode boasts “Directed by Fred Savage” right in the plot description, as though someone’s going to hear that and say, “Oh, I’ve really enjoyed his work on Party Down and Happy Endings. I should check that out.” (That person is Donna Bowman.)