ABC really hopes you can't figure out what the B---- in Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23 stands for
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, April 11. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Don’t Trust The B—— In Apartment 23 (ABC, 9:30 p.m.): Despite a somewhat—okay, completely—awkward title, ABC seems high on this comedy of surrealistic life in the big city. Emily Guendelsberger and Erik Adams have seen the first three, and while neither is ready to say, “It’s the next Parks And Recreation!” or even “It’s the next The Middle!” both see some signs that this has a lot of potential to be a very fun show. That said, we’d probably watch anything starring Krysten Ritter, though we’d never have said that before she was on Breaking Bad. The power of Bryan Cranston!
REGULAR COVERAGE
American Idol (Fox, 8 p.m.): We’re down to the last seven on this show, and everybody’s waiting for the teenage girls of America to start mercilessly eliminating the talented women of the field, in favor of yet another guy who has slight facial hair and plays a guitar. Claire Zulkey shakes her head in shame.
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.): We’ll bet you forgot this show—and all of the other ABC comedies—existed, huh? Tonight, Frankie gets inspired by a church sermon to fulfill her own destiny, but will her family help or hinder her in that desire? People accidentally thwarting God’s will? Will Harris approves heartily!
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): This week’s episode summary: “Another castaway is voted out of the game.” You don’t say! We were going to bet that this was the episode where Probst declared everybody a winner and gave everybody a nice, tasty juicebox. Carrie Raisler could use a juicebox. Can you grab one?
Best Friends Forever (NBC, 8:30 p.m.): You guys seemed enthusiastic enough about this show, and Jessica Jardine was ready and willing to cover it until it’s inevitably canceled, so consider this your space to talk about this pleasant-enough show about people who are sometimes awful to each other.
Suburgatory (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): Dalia entering therapy sounds like a promising development, in terms of comedy, but, then, we’re still laughing about her whole “lesbian catering venture” rant from two months ago. Brandon Nowalk thinks Gabriel Byrne should play her frequently moody therapist.
America’s Next Top Model (The CW, 9 p.m.): Everybody liked the “create your own viral video” challenge from last season so much that the producers have apparently resurrected it, this time asking the models to make and star in their own music videos. Margaret Eby crosses her fingers in anticipation.
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.): ABC’s putting together a subtle theme night, since The Middle obviously echoes Malcolm In The Middle, Don’t Trust… stars one of Bryan Cranston’s old co-stars, and Cranston directed this episode. Donna Bowman’s going to work hard to tie her Breaking Bad pal into Suburgatory.
Psych (USA, 10 p.m.): In the sixth season finale, Shawn and Gus investigate a case that’s decades old when a corpse appears 20 years after that person went missing. Kevin McFarland will take this occasion to let you all know his copious theories on the death of the Somerton Man. Tamun Shud, Kevin.
South Park (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): We always love episodes about Butters because, well, What’s On Tonight identifies a little too heavily with the nerdy little guy, so we’re pleased to hear tonight’s episode focuses on him and Cartman. Ryan McGee wishes the show would do more Towelie episodes.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Avatar: The Last Airbender (11 a.m.): Check out Hayden Childs’ reviews of the latest two episodes of this show, as you wait for Legend Of Korra to debut this weekend, though most of you have probably already watched the first two episodes online, haven’t you? Cheaters! Wait for the rest of us!
WHAT ELSE IS ON
Sold! (History Channel, 9 p.m.): What says “history” more than “shows about auctioneers”? Honestly, nothing does, outside of the following list of proper names: Napoleon. Billy the Kid. Socrates. Sigmund Freud. Genghis Khan. Joan of Arc. Abraham Lincoln. Beethoven. Princess Joanna. Princess Elizabeth.
America Revealed (PBS, 10 p.m.): PBS, in its really-rather-cute insistence that you’d like to utilize your television to learn stuff, takes a look at all of the intricate networks and systems that keep America running in this four-part, heavily promoted miniseries. Tonight, the series looks at the food system.
Baggage Battles (Travel Channel, 10 p.m.): Proving that it’s second only to TruTV in terms of “channels that will pretty much just copy other channels’ reality hits,” Travel Channel remakes Storage Wars, only with unclaimed luggage. Renowned Storage Wars super-fan Erik Adams checks out what’s in the bags.
Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew (MTV, 10 p.m.): It’s time for another season of one of TV’s most entertaining and joyous reality shows. Emily Yoshida drops in for the premiere, which we’re all hoping features much more talent than we’ve gotten this season on The Voice. Yuck.
A Town Called Panic (Sundance, 8 p.m.): If you haven’t seen this charming stop-motion animated film about a Cowboy, an Indian, and a Horse, you owe it to yourself to check it out this evening. It’s super short, and Sundance Channel is giving you a couple of chances to check it out. DVR it! Now!
The Lion In Winter (TCM, 9 p.m.): TCM’s in a Peter O’Toole kind of mood this evening, as it opens the night with a celebration of the old man’s work, then checks out one of his most famous films, this Oscar-winning adaptation of the play about King Henry II and Queen Eleanor (played by Katherine Hepburn).
Stanley Cup Playoff: Game 1: Red Wings at Predators (CNBC, 8 p.m.): The sun is high in the sky, the days are getting longer, and the weather’s getting warmer, which means there’s never a better time for playoff hockey! Tonight, we’re all reminded that Nashville possesses a team, one that’s actually good.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Glee (Tuesday): Guess what, everybody? Glee’s back! We’re judging from your rapturous silence that you’re just contemplating how your life has been fulfilled with its return. We’re guessing you weren’t like Todd VanDerWerff, who just kind of groaned and rolled his eyes at the prospect of its re-emergence.