What's on TV this week—American Horror Stories starts, and Our Flag Means Death ends

Plus, a doc on the Wiggles, Zainab Johnson's comedy special, and more

By Saloni Gajjar  |  October 22, 2023 | 12:00pm
TV Lists Murray Cook
What's on TV this week—American Horror Stories starts, and Our Flag Means Death ends
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American Horror Stories; Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby in Our Flag Means Death Photo: FX; Nicola Dove/Max

Welcome to What’s On, our weekly picks of must-watch shows. Here’s what you need to watch from Sunday, October 22 to Thursday, October 26. All times are Eastern. [Note: The weekend edition of What’s On drops on Fridays.]

The biggies

American Horror Stories (FX on Hulu, Thursday, 12:01 a.m.)

American Horror Stories: Huluween Event | Official Trailer | FX

Get ready to celebrate “Huluween” with American Horror Stories, the anthology series from Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk that’s a companion series to American Horror Story, which recently wrapped its first half of season 12. Stories returns for season three with four episodes, just in time for Halloween. Each installment features a different director and ensemble, with the likes of Reid Scott, Havana Rose Liu, Lisa Rinna, Jessica Barden, and Rob Yang popping up this time around.

Our Flag Means Death (Max, Thursday, 3:01 a.m.)

Our Flag Means Death Season 2 | Official Trailer | Max

Aw, it’s time to bid our favorite gay pirates goodbye. David Jenkins’ Our Flag Means Death ends its second season with episode eight. Set in the 17th century, the comedy follows the unexpected romance between gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and Blackbeard (Taika Waititi). Season two follows their slow-burn reunion across its installments, while the rest of their fascinating crew goes on exciting adventures. Look for The A.V. Club’s recap and an interview with Jenkins on Thursday.

Hidden gems

Hot Potato: The Story Of The Wiggles (Prime Video, Tuesday, 12:01 a.m.)

Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles | Official Trailer | Prime Video

Sally Aitken directs Hot Potato, a documentary about the popular ’90s band The Wiggles, whose children’s music led them to global fame. The film dives into their success and sits down with members Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Greg Page, and Jeff Fatt.

Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder. (Peacock, Tuesday, 3:01 a.m.)

Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder. | Official Trailer | Peacock Original

Peacock attempts to deliver its own Wild Wild Country with the docuseries Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder. The three-episode project delves into the surprising story of a group of Hare Krishnas, their late Indian spiritual leader, and an American guru who tried to replace him, as well as the crimes that led to an FBI investigation.

Life On Our Planet (Netflix, Wednesday, 3:01 a.m.)

Life on Our Planet | Official Trailer | Netflix

Morgan Freeman narrates Life On Our Planet, an eight-part nature docuseries that focuses on how major natural events lead to the rise and fall of various species and ecosystems over time. Co-produced by Steven Spielberg, Life On Our Planet uses modern-day technology to reexamine extinct creatures from millennia ago.

More good stuff

A.K.A. Mr. Chow (HBO, Sunday, 9 p.m.)

a.k.a Mr. Chow | Official Trailer | HBO

A documentary directed by Nick Hooker, A.K.A. Mr. Chow unpacks how the noted restaurateur, after facing severe trauma and prejudice over the years, reinvented himself as a painter and artist against all odds.

Zainab Johnson: Hijabs Off (Prime Video, Tuesday, 12:01 a.m.)

Zainab Johnson: Hijabs Off – Official Trailer | Prime Video

Upload’s extremely funny Zainab Johnson drops her first comedy special, Hijabs Off, in which she talks about her identity as a Black Muslim American, growing up in Harlem with 12 siblings, and embarking on a Hollywood career.

Can’t miss recaps

The Morning Show (Apple TV+, Wednesday, 12:01 a.m.)

Our Flag Means Death (Max, Thursday, 3:01 a.m., season two finale)

Loki (Disney+, Thursday, 9 p.m.)

Gen V (Prime Video, Friday, 12:01 a.m.)

The Great British Bake Off (Netflix, Friday, 3:01 a.m.)

Arriving now

Fear The Walking Dead (AMC, Sunday, 9 p.m., season eight fall premiere)

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills (Bravo, Wednesday, 8 p.m., season 13 premiere)

Ending soon

Invasion (Apple TV+, Wednesday, 12:01 a.m., season two finale)

Chucky (Syfy, SYFY/USA, Wednesday, 9 p.m., season three fall finale)

 
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