Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, November 18. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Almost Human (Fox, 8 p.m.): Fox is so excited by its new science-fiction cop show that it's given it a two-night premiere. The series' pilot debuted last night; now the second episode debuts tonight, to monopolize both your Sunday and Monday nights, because what did you have better to do, anyway? J.J. Abrams helms this original series in which Karl Urban plays a hard-bitten cop in the future and Michael Ealy plays his partner, Dorian—an android programmed to feel human emotions. Last night Kevin McFarland wasn't too thrilled about the pilot, but tonight the show gets another chance to impress him—and us.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 7 p.m.): Jake is kidnapped and thrown into a pit! This is just like The Dark Knight Rises, except probably the pit won't be totally just a metaphor for the Kafkaesque prison of self! Oliver Sava once woke up as a unicorn, and it was way less depressing than The Metamorphosis.
Regular Show (Cartoon Network, 7:30 p.m.): Muscle Man wants to win a bodybuilding competition. This does not seem like a good idea. On the other hand, will The Rock be there? Alasdair Wilkins reminds us that his name is actually Dwayne Johnson.
How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 8 p.m.): Barney is trying to get his parents back together, which has led to some excruciating promos in which he dumps water on them as they're having dinner and then tries to persuade them to disrobe. We're alarmed by what sounds like mature content for tonight's episode. Donna Bowman, naturally, is not alarmed in the slightest.
Sleepy Hollow (Fox, 9 p.m.): The gang goes to confront the headless horseman, and along the way, Ichabod learns the horseman's true motivations. Is it to find his head? We assume it is to find his head. What else would you do, as a headless horseman? Zack Handlen would probably use it to scare kids in the neighborhood, because they're always loitering on his lawn, and that's his lawn, goddammit.
Mom (CBS, 9:30 p.m.): This show has been getting better and better, much to our chagrin (we enjoyed making fun of the dichotomous titles) and tonight's episode looks like it'll be doing some emotional heavy lifting: Bonnie loses her job, and Christy has to support her. It sounds moving. Todd VanDerWerff might even cry.
Hostages (CBS, 10 p.m.): Ellen finds out (as does the audience) that Duncan's comatose wife is the president's daughter?! Which—wait—why—what?! Sonia Saraiya is torn between an A and an F.
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
Steven Universe (Cartoon Network, 8 p.m.): We're still keeping an eye on this new animated show. Tonight, Steven uses a gem that brings clothing to life, which sounds a little bit like a nightmare we once had.
The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills (Bravo, 8 p.m.): "Carlton" hosts a "luncheon" at her "Gothic" "mansion." "Drama" ensues.
The Voice (NBC, 9 p.m.): After an hourlong recap episode, this live episode of The Voice will last until 11 p.m. and features performances from all top 10 artists. Four chairs with giant red buttons also star.
Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley (HBO, 9 p.m.): Goldberg directs this profile of Jackie "Moms" Mabley, a vaudeville star born in 1894. Mabley was the first female comedian to perform at the Apollo Theatre and later appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Molly Eichel weighed in on it for us.
Extreme Cheapskates (TLC, marathon): The show follows couples and individuals who have found innovative but drastic cost-cutting mechanisms. One couple shares a toothbrush, and another woman plans her daughter's wedding for less than $1,000.
Angels And Demons (AMC, 8 p.m.): Tom Hanks does that thing again where he plays a nondescript guy in a charming but ultimately purely Hanksian way. Tom Hanks stars as Tom Hanks playing Tom Hanks. With Tom Hanks and also the pope maybe.
Ratatouille (Reelz, 8:10 p.m.): A rat dreams of being a chef in this computer-animated Disney film. Rated R for excessive cuteness.
Monday Night Football: Patriots At Panthers (ESPN, 8:25 p.m.): Long ago, in the earliest days of our fair nation, the minutemen threw tea off of a boat and then sailed the boat to South America where they found some panthers and then were like hey, let's kill these panthers so we can tell Captain Belichek we did good! Did they succeed? We'll never know. But we will watch football.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Hello Ladies: This new show wrapped up its freshman season with a finale that got a little sweet and gushy, but in a way the show desperately needed. Molly Eichel wraps her season-long reviews with this A-minus review.