Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, December 30. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Mozart In The Jungle (Amazon, midnight): In his pre-air review for the second season of Amazon’s Mozart In The Jungle, Vikram Murthi (who also reviewed the entire first season) noted that the show “plays some passionate new notes in its confident second season.” Now you can all see for yourselves, all thanks to the magic of streaming services. If you haven’t gotten a chance to watch Mozart In The Jungle yet, now you’re super behind. New York! Symphony orchestra! Behind-the-scenes! Classical music! It’s all there for you to binge watch, so just hurry up and do it. If you are caught up: Go ahead and take your time.
Top pick No. 2: Their First Assignment
The Challenge: Battle Of The Bloodlines (MTV, 10 / 11 p.m.): Two episodes of The Challenge. No waiting. Yes, you asked for it—someone asked for it—and now you’re going to get it. “A House Divided” and “Dirty Little Secret,” back-to-back. Veterans! Rookies! Run-ins! Lack of communication! Loyalty! This is what The Challenge is all about people!
Also noted
Team Ninja Warrior (Esquire Network, 11 p.m.): Here, have a preview of the newest season (well, spin-off) of American Ninja Warrior, Team Ninja Warrior. We’re assuming it’s like standard American Ninja Warrior… but with teams. You’re welcome.
Elsewhere in TV Club
What do we got? We got pre-air reviews! Fox, we’re coming for you… brotha. Danette Chavez’s pre-air review of the animated show Bordertown addresses the series’ lack of focus, even going as far as to call it “a poor echo of Family Guy.” Over in the live-action side of things, Noel Murray’s pre-air review of Cooper Barrett’s Guide To Surviving Life succinctly describes the “bro comedy” as “blah.” So get excited for the return of network TV, guys!
If you want something more positive on your New Year’s Eve Eve reading list, then try this Inventory about… batteries. We promise it’s much more in-depth (and fun) than it sounds!
What else is on?
I Get That A Lot (CBS, 8 p.m.): Oh, this is still a show? We could have sworn it was a show on Fox circa 2003 that competed with ABC’s Are You Hot? But apparently it’s— Well, it’s not. It was a show on CBS in 2010, 2012, and 2013, actually; there was really no regularity with which the show existed, it appears. Anyway, this “one-hour special presentation” of I Get That A Lot continues the totally hilarious adventures of “popular celebrities pranking everyday people.” Kristin Chenoweth! Guy Fieri! Rita Ora! Aaron Rodgers! Alex Trebek! Cody Simpson! Stupid “everyday people!”
My Fat Saved My Life (TLC, 8 p.m.): “People who escaped death because of their weight, including a person who fell from a tall building and another who was shot, are profiled.” Yep, sounds like a show on TLC.
Alaskan Bush People (Discovery Channel, 9 p.m.): The Alaskan Bush People fourth season finale is “Alarmed & Dangerous,” and this week, “Browntown receives visitors.” That’s a poop joke posing as a synopsis, right?