Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, August 12, and Saturday, August 13. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
The Great British Baking Show (PBS, 9 p.m., Friday): As Kate Kulzick put it in her recent FOC, this enduringly watchable cooking competition series is built on “unwavering faith, this belief in the decency and inherent kindness of other people.” That, plus the fact that the 12 contestants are making cookies and bread and the like, might sound dull, but anyone who delves into this show knows there’s a bracing humanity and sweetness (or savoriness) to the proceedings that’s pretty irresistible. In tonight’s season finale, only three of the 12 amateur bakers (Tamal, Ian, and Nadiya) remain to face the exacting yet fair gaze of judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. No backstabbing, no viperish confessionals about the other contestants, just three people making some cakes. It’s riveting. And no spoilers from those who know the outcome (the show’s been broadcast in England already, where it’s known as the Great British Bake Off), but if fan favorite Nadiya doesn’t win, we here at What’s On Tonight are going to start throwing scones all over this place. (Actually we won’t—Paul and Mary would be so disappointed in us.)
Premieres and finales
BoJack Horseman (Netflix, Saturday): The third season comes to a close. Sure, you binged this entire shockingly intense and funny animated series the day it came out, but this is the end of Les Chappell’s equally outstanding reviews for the season. Recent episodes have ended on, as Les has said, a series of gut-punches, as BoJack systematically destroyed personal and professional relationships like, well, a runaway horse-person. Is there a real turning point in sight for the most self-destructive has-been horse actor the world has ever seen, or just another string of booze-soaked landmines he keeps leaving for himself to step on? Only Les knows. Unless you’ve watched it already, but, still, read Les’ reviews, which remain, as ever, outstanding.
The Get Down (Netflix, 3:01 a.m., Friday): Director Baz Luhrmann never does anything small, like this sprawling, 12-episode series about the birth of hip-hop from the garbage-strewn streets of New York. A great-looking cast of young faces and old pros (Giancarlo Esposito, Jimmy Smits, Yolonda Ross) aims to anchor Luhrman’s signature stylistic excesses, while the period music is certain to be entertaining. (Mamoudou Athie co-stars as Grandmaster Flash, to give you an idea.) In his season preview, however, Joshua Alston is less than enthused, calling the show beautiful, but boring.