Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, January 4. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FXX, 10 p.m.): 11 seasons was a big deal, but now with 12? It’s a whole new ball game. A black ball game. In the 12th season premiere, “The Gang Turns Black,” It’s Always Sunny finally cuts out the middleman known as blackface: “After an electric heating blanket shorts out while the gang watches The Wiz they look in the mirror and realize they’ve turned black. They have to figure out how to get back to being themselves by going through all the classic body switch movie shenanigans they encounter.” The ghost of FX’s Black. White. (and reviewer Dennis Perkins) knows what it will be watching tonight.
Man Seeking Woman (FXX, 10:30 p.m.): Wait a minute. While we’re happy to have Man Seeking Woman back, it looks like something has changed. The man… is no longer seeking a woman? What? The season premiere, “Futon,” begins the tale of a man who has found a woman (and vice versa): “Josh and Lucy (Katie Findlay) fall in love but struggle with their living situation.” Is a futon part of that living situation struggle? Some things, you just have to wait for Danette Chavez’s review (and the episode) to find out.
Nova (PBS, 9 p.m.): 44 seasons is a really big deal, especially on public broadcasting (thanks to viewers like you), so fine, we take back everything we said about It’s Always Sunny. It’s not that impressive, especially since Nova’s 44th season premiere is all about “Vampire Sky Tombs.” This probably isn’t even half as cool as it sounds, is it? “Unearth secrets buried in the world’s highest tombs, tucked in Himalayan caves.” Alright, still cool, but real-life vampires are probably not the secrets.
Premieres and finales
The Goldbergs (ABC, 8 p.m.): “O Captain! My Captain!” It‘s an ode to Dead Poets Society! “Beverly substitutes for Barry’s chemistry class in hopes to inspire students in the same way as Mr. Keating from Dead Poets Society, much to Barry’s embarrassment.”
Lethal Weapon (Fox, 8 p.m.): Since “silent disco” and “millennial ‘designer drug’ dealer” are a part of this week’s episode synopsis, it’s probably for the best to just skip this episode. You could watch Damon Wayans Sr. complain about millennials for the majority of the hour, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Blindspot (NBC, 8 p.m.): Blindspot is back with an even blinder spot, since it’s realized one series regular with amnesia is nothing compared to two series regulars with amnesia. “Patterson is missing… and a newly amnesiac Roman is on the loose. Jane and Weller must race Shepherd—and the clock—to find them before it’s too late.” Who will end up with amnesia next?!?
Unsung (TV One, 8 p.m.): Unsung kicks off its 10th season with a spotlight on girl group SWV, and we’ve already got “Weak” stuck in our head.
Speechless (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): Speechless’ first season winter premiere is a “R-o-Road T-r-Trip,” baby. “The family goes on an annual impromptu family road trip, but Ray has something in store, which angers Maya when she finds out what it is.” Why must you have something in store, Ray? That can’t possibly be in the annual impromptu family road trip spirit, man.