Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, February 19 & Saturday, February 20. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Love (Netflix, 3:01 a.m., Friday): Co-created by Judd Apatow and real-life couple Paul Rust and Lesley Arfin, this new Netflix series follows Aziz Ansari’s Master Of None in the “redefining the rom-com as wry, self-sabotaging battleground” genre. Starring Rust and Gillian Jacobs as a mismatched pair of friends warily circling each other as they search for, yes, love. In his pre-air review, Erik Adams, yes, pretty much loves Love, praising its thoughtful, deliberate approach to the couple’s relationship, and saying, of Jacobs and Rust’s performances:
The leads keep the fuse lit, Jacobs employing the intensity, vulnerability, and crack comedic timing that made her a Community standout, and Rust finding his character in one of the sharpest representations of Midwestern Nice ever seen on TV.
And while Erik is looking to Love for more of a one-time thing, Molly Eichel’s in for the duration, with her episodic reviews starting on Monday.
Also noted
Cooked (Netflix, 3:01 a.m., Friday): This four-episode documentary series examines why we humans feel the need to cook things. Sure, it’s because it makes literally everything taste better, especially when covered in melted cheese, but the series, based on the book by author Michael Pollan, boasts an impressive array of documentarians behind the camera, including Alex Gibney (Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, Taxi to the Dark Side, and Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room). Our Ryan Vlastelica is whipping up a review for you, and other cooking metaphors.
Sleepy Hollow (Fox, 8 p.m., Friday): Abbie’s back from tree-purgatory, or whatever that place was where she went ever-so-slightly insane. Now she and Ichabod just have to contend with the usual—you know, like The Kindred, a centuries-old Frankenstien-type guy sewn together from dead Revolutionary War soldiers by Benjamin Franklin himself. That sort of thing should be old hat, since they’ve met him before, but now he’s evil. Wait, he wasn’t evil before? Zack Handlen says that’s what you get for judging reanimated corpse-monsters by their appearance.
The Vampire Diaries (CW, 8 p.m., Friday): Shockingly, Caroline’s supernatural pregnancy is not going smoothly. Meanwhile, Damon’s attempts to head off a legendary vampire slayer inadvertently put everyone he cares about right in her stake-hairs. Carrie Raisler’s advice to Caroline: Don’t go to Damon for help with that whole pregnancy deal.
Grimm (NBC, 9 p.m., Friday): It’s Nick vs. the Black Claw! Honestly, has NBC considered just changing the show’s name to Nick Vs. The Black Claw? Just lean into the cheesiness and really go for it? We haven’t run this idea by Les Chappell yet, although, from what we hear, he’s been pushing for The P(ortland) Files, or possibly Monster-Men In Cool City.
Childrens Hospital (Adult Swim, 11 p.m., Friday): In this version of this enduringly bananas series’ continuity, Childrens Hospital started on a 1950s variety show. LaToya Ferguson has, once again, strapped herself in for whatever.
Elsewhere in TV Club
In this week’s AVQ&A, your favorite AV Clubbers look deep within themselves, take a deep breath, and pick the actors they think should play them in the biopic of their lives. (Spoiler: Even we’re shocked how many times The Breakfast Club’s John Kapelos popped up. Huh.) Then, comic, actor, and new Tom Servo in the MST3k revival Baron Vaughn answers our 11 Questions. And, no, Marah Eakin did not abandon the standard questions and just ask him, “How awesome is it that you’re the new Tom Servo?” eleven times. Fairly certain. After that, Erik Adams talks to Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch in a Walkthrough about the end of the animated series, and bringing in Kyle MacLachlan to help close out yet another supernatural show set in the Pacific Northwest. And, considering the religious undertones in this week’s horror flick The Witch, Katie Rife‘s Watch This looks back at 1971’s The Devils, where director Ken Russell still stands tall as the all-time champion censor-baiter. Finally, on Saturday, look for Ryan Vlastelica to bravely take on the eerie parallels between a certain self-aggrandizing, blowhard presidential candidate (it’s Trump) and one of the greatest films of all time. (Strangely, it’s not Jaws—you’ll have to read Ryan’s For Our Consideration to find out.)
What else is on
Kimbo Slice: The Truth (Spike, 7:30 p.m., Friday): The truth: Not very good at hitting people.
The Amazing Race (CBS, 8 p.m., Friday): The social media types in this season’s race live-tweet their progress through Cartagena, Colombia, only to get on the wrong bus and wind up running from an enraged Danny DeVito. (Anyone?)
Last Man Standing (ABC, 8 p.m., Friday): Tim Allen’s dad tries to break up his daughter’s band because rock is for men. (Just guessing, but he’s got a whole “adorable MRA” thing going on.)
Caught On Camera With Nick Cannon (NBC, 8 p.m., Friday): In this show cobbled together from surveillance footage, Big Brother is real, and he’s Nick Cannon.
Shark Tank (NBC, 8:30 p.m., Friday): “A former soap-opera villainess from Sherman Oaks, California, shows off her stylish and sun-safe one-piece swimsuit.” Some sample dialogue: “Oh, hello, Mark Cuban. I’d love to show you my designs. Meet me at the boathouse at midnight, and don’t worry about my husband—he’s on a business trip with his executive secretary and won’t be back for a week. And don’t worry about that kerosine smell—my frequently shirtless gardener Hector was tinkering with the heater earlier in the day. You’ll be fine.”
Dr. Ken (ABC, 8 p.m., Friday): A wedding gives Ken an opportunity to show of his dance moves—or is it really a BEAR DANCE!!??
Hawaii Five-O (CBS, 9 p.m., Friday): Danno’s mother is questioned by the FBI, leaving Scott Caan’s copper to toss and turn at the thought of being told “Book ‘er, Danno” while his mother stares at him with such great disappointment.
The Originals (CW, 9 p.m., Friday): “Aurora uses Freya as bait to lure Klaus and Elijah into a dangerous trap.” Which is exactly the sort of thing vampires would do, really.
American Masters (PBS, 9 p.m., Friday): “Carole King: Natural Woman” celebrates the legendary singer and songwriter.
Second Chance (Fox, 9 p.m., Friday): “A killer is on the loose who maims and mangles his victims beyond recognition.” “Man,” says on of the detectives on the case, ”It’s almost like the killer had to have some sort of superhuman strength or something,” while Pritchard shifts uncomfortably on his artificially young feet.
Pixels (Starz, 9 p.m., Friday): Don’t waste your Dinklage, Pixels.
Alonzo Bodden: Historically Incorrect (Showtime, 9 p.m., Friday): In this standup special, the Last Comic Standing winner and Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me! favorite takes on various ways that the winners of history have made themselves all shiny and sweet-smelling as well.
The Rap Game (Lifetime, 10 p.m., Friday): Maybe these aspiring rappers can be as good as this one day:
Blue Bloods (CBS, 10 p.m., Friday): Erin is plagued with guilt after a man she frees kills a cop. The Blue Bloods lesson, as always—the police are blameless, holy creatures. Just let them arrest everybody.
Bluegrass Underground (PBS, 10 p.m., Friday): Quick question: do you like any of the following? Vince Gill, Widespread Panic, Lucinda Williams, Johnnyswim, Lee Ann Womack, Andrew Bird, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jason Isbell, Mike Farris and the McCrary Sisters, or Davina and the Vagabonds? Well, then this music special is your baby.
Vice (HBO, 11 p.m., Friday): This episode of the newsmagazine series is called “Right To Die,” so, you know, get your popcorn.
Animals (HBO, 11:30 p.m., Friday): The lowliest (and chattiest) animals in NYC continue to kvetch just like the miserable humans who look own on them in this amusing animated HBO series. This week—cats! (Voiced by the likes of Eric André, Adam Scott, Molly Shannon, Justin Roiland, and Neil Casey.
Mythbusters (Discovery, 8 p.m., Saturday): Can gummy bears be used as rocket fuel? Apparently the Mythbusters guys are just accepting premises from sixth graders now.
Pregnant At 17 (Lifetime, 8 p.m., Saturday): Wait, wait, hear Lifetime out. She is 17, and she is pregnant in this Lifetime movie. But… she’s also the mistress of a suburban lady’s husband… and she’s being pursued by an evil dude from her past. Man, that’s like three Lifetime movies all bundled up into one! Pace yourself, Lifetime.
Definitely Divorcing (TV One, 8 p.m., Saturday): In this TV One original comedy (because that’s a thing), Columbus Short and Robin Givens lead a group of coworkers who are all considering breaking up their marriages, while giving each other the side-eye.
You’re Next (Syfy, 9 p.m., Saturday): The home invasion by creepy masked figures horror thriller to end all home invasion by creepy masked figures horror thrillers. Suck it, The Strangers, The Purge, and those Burger King commercials!
Black Sails (Starz, 9 p.m., Saturday): Yarrr. (There may not be a synopsis for this episode yet.) But, yarrrr.
Beowulf (Esquire, 10 p.m., Saturday): Again, not too much info on this new episode, but we have been promised monsters.
And now… sport
Men’s College Basketball: Richmond At VCU (ESPN2, 7 p.m., Friday)
NBA Basketball: Pacers At Thunder (ESPN, 8 p.m., Friday)
NBA Basketball: Celtics At Jazz (ESPN, 10:30 p.m., Friday)
Men’s College Basketball: Xavier At Georgetown (Fox, noon, Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Miami At North Carolina (CBS, 1 p.m., Saturday)
World Of X Games (ABC, 2 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Baylor At Texas (ESPN, 2 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Pittsburgh At Syracuse (ESPN2, 2 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Butler At Villanova (Fox, 2:30 p.m., Saturday)
PGA Golf: Northern Trust Open (CBS, 3 p.m., Saturday)
Skiing: FIS World Cup (NBC, 3 p.m., Saturday)
College Hockey: Ohio State at Penn State (ESPNU, 3 p.m., Saturday):
Colgate Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular (ABC, 3 p.m., Saturday)
Figure Skating: Four Continents Championships (NBC, 4 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Kansas at Kansas State (ESPN2, 6 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Kentucky At Texas A&M (ESPN, 6:30 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Notre Dame At Georgia Tech (ESPN2, 8 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Purdue At Indiana (ESPN, 8:30 p.m., Saturday)
NBA Basketball: Warriors At Clippers (ABC, 8:30 p.m., Saturday)
In case you missed it
Mom: Noel Murray felt strongly enough about this hilarious and devastating episode of the Allison Janney-Anna Faris sitcom to get us to do a one-off review. If his evaluation of how well the show balances comedy and tragedy is any indication, then perhaps it’s due to come back into the regular rotation.