The Modern Family families ride the corporate synergy express straight to Disneyland
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, May 9. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.): The “going to Disneyland” episode has a rich and noble tradition in the world of television, especially on ABC, which has sent seemingly every family sitcom it has broadcast to the Happiest Place on Earth since Disney purchased the network in the mid-‘90s. And now it’s time for the Dunphy-Pritchett-Tuckers to head there and ride on wildly rotating teacups. They’ll probably pose for photos with Mickey Mouse, and we’re willing to bet that there’s a whole thing where Phil tries to get off on Space Mountain in the middle of the ride. Donna Bowman wishes the family had gone to Shakopee’s own Valleyfair.
REGULAR COVERAGE
American Idol (Fox, 8 p.m.): We’ll be honest with you: What’s On Tonight hasn’t been paying attention to this season at all, outside of reading Claire Zulkey’s reviews. And now that the one singer Claire liked—and thus the one singer we liked—is gone, we’re not sure how we’re going to make it to the end.
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.): It’s time for the prom on this show, which means that both Axl and Sue are struggling with date-related mishaps. Well, Axl might just be upset that his little sister is going to prom at all. Will Harris is upset too because he thinks prom should be replaced with the Canadian “grad.”
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): The finale is coming up on Sunday, so we’re betting that this episode will be filled with fireworks and shenanigans. More likely, it will just have a completely predictable elimination and no shenanigans whatsoever. Carrie Raisler grades everything based entirely on the shenanigan scale.
Suburgatory (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): This whole Alicia Silverstone triangle is a little bit weird. We’ll admit that. But, then, who hasn’t fallen in love with the surrogate mother of their best friend’s future child at least once? Brandon Nowalk is always judging us for our inability to stop dating all these surrogate mothers!
America’s Next Top Model (The CW, 9 p.m.): The models are harnessed atop a Hong Kong high-rise in harsh wind and rain. We’re presuming that The CW didn’t just… leave them there, but Magaret Eby says you can never be too sure. We’re all still recovering from the time Tyra left a model on the moon.
Don’t Trust The B—— In Apartment 23 (ABC, 9:30 p.m.): Every week, the James VanderBeek plot—selling skinny jeans!—sounds more interesting to us than the June plot—selling homemade jam! Emily Guendelsberger once opened a homemade jam and skinny jeans emporium, so this one’s for her.
America’s Best Dance Crew (MTV, 10 p.m.): Emily Yoshida saw this episode filmed live, so we’re betting she’ll tell us what really goes down during those long, awkward commercial breaks. We’re guessing that all of the dancers are forced to perform endlessly until Randy Jackson is satisfied with their work.