American Dad is our latest reminder of the relentless march of time as it hits 150 episodes
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Sunday, May 5. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
American Dad (Fox, 9:30 p.m.): Did you know that American Dad is hitting its 150th episode tonight because we sure didn’t! We may not have seen much of this show, but we always appreciate an episode of television that features negotiating with an evil alien emperor to get off a slave spaceship. Kevin McFarland can't even tell you how many times he's had to do that.
REGULAR COVERAGE
The Amazing Race (CBS, 8 pm): The teams’ first leg is making them go “Irish bog snorkeling,” which is apparently a real activity and not just on our shortlist for Celtic cover bands. Then, the second leg takes them to D.C. to scour monuments for clues. Scott Von Doviak knew it was only a matter of time before The Amazing Race became National Treasure.
Once Upon a Time (ABC, 8 pm): One day, this show will run out of Disney characters to mess with, but tonight’s introduction of Wendy Darling means today is not that day. But if this means we’re going to keep getting more of this show’s hilariously hot Captain Hook on our screens, we can’t be too mad. Oliver Sava hopes the inevitable introduction of Tigerlily won’t be too culturally insensitive.
The Simpsons (Fox, 8 p.m.): Sonny Rollins crashes Springfield, Bart takes care of Grandpa, and Moe makes his own whiskey. Robert David Sullivan can't believe this is the first time in twenty-four years that The Simpsons has called an episode "Whiskey Business."
Bob’s Burgers (Fox, 8:30 p.m.): This is Louise Belcher’s world and we’re just living in it, so it’s a safe bet that Bob attempting to chaperone her class will end in some kind of hostile takeover. Pilot Viruet would join the bunny-eared rebellion in a heartbeat.
Family Guy (Fox, 9 p.m.): Peter and the rest of Quahog’s morally depraved alcoholic men rally to save The Clam after the owner is killed, and Meg gets a job at the funeral parlor. We’re sure the two incidents are unrelated, but Kevin McFarland is keeping his eye on everyone’s least favorite Griffin just in case.
Game Of Thrones (HBO, 9 p.m.): We want to believe that “Jon Snow prepares for a dangerous climb with the Wildings” is some sort of euphemism, but it looks like this might actually be some old school rock climbing. Also, Twyin continues to try and solve problems by marrying them off. David Sims and Todd VanDerWerff think that should go just swimmingly!
Revenge (ABC, 9 pm): TV Guide tells us that tonight, "Emily adjusts to being Daniel's fiancée again and plans her next move." If Carrie Raisler had never seen Revenge before, she would almost think that sounds quaint.
The Borgias (Showtime, 10 p.m.): Someone calls for a motherflipping crusade tonight, but we’re most excited about finding out what a “banquet of chestnuts” is. Les Chappell questions our priorities.
Mad Men (AMC, 10 p.m.): All we’re getting about tonight’s episode is that Pete has an “awkward run-in with a client.” We’re pretty sure every run-in Pete has is an awkward one, but Todd VanDerWerff would expect no less from the President of the Howdy Doody Circus Army.
Veep (HBO, 10 p.m.): An embarrassing picture of Selina leaks, Jonah gets even more all-powerless with an “executive parking space,” and Gary brings his girlfriend to meet the parents – er, VP. Robert David Sullivan knows the fastest way to her heart is a cinnamon mocha and a new variation on “fucking dildo.”
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Farscape (11 a.m.): We hear that one of tonight’s episode features the ship getting split into three different dimensions; one makes you nauseous, one makes you deaf, and the other makes you laugh at everything. We’d ask why someone’s feeding a spaceship LSD, but that’s Alasdair Wilkins’ job.
The Simpsons (Classic) (3 p.m.): With Nathan Rabin sailing off into the West with Tasha, Genevieve, and the Bagginses, it is time for a new order in Simpsons classic land. Todd VanDerWerff fills in for a couple of weeks while everybody waits for a more permanent solution.
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (CNN, 9 pm): Tonight, Bourdain is going to Quebec for poutine and beaver hunting. We know, we know — phrasing!
The Bletchley Circle (PBS, 10 pm): We know British television is all about getting off by being withholding, so we’re only sort of blindsided by tonight being the season one finale of this British spy drama already.
The Mentalist (CBS, 10 pm): In the fifth season finale, Jane narrows down his list of Red John suspects to…seven?! This show’s going to be on until we die, isn’t it?
Red Widow (ABC, 10 pm): Despite an onslaught of ads in the beginning, Red Widow is leaving us with a whimper rather than a bang. Still, the episode summary promises that someone will atone for their sins, so that’s always a good time.
Fever Pitch (E!, 8 pm): We know this is where we’re supposed to make a joke about Jimmy Fallon’s “acting” or something something not another Drew Barrymore rom-com something, but some of us are so damn charmed by this surprisingly funny Red Sox romance that we’re just going to say you could do a lot worse. (See: above)
Iron Man 2 (FX, 8 pm): We’d say you could watch this if you wanted to catch up before seeing Iron Man 3, but we’re not delusional. We know you’ve already seen it, and would only watch this second installment to remember just how far we’ve come.
NBA Playoff: Second Round: Knicks vs. Pacers (3:30 pm, ABC): Having no stake in basketball, we were hoping for another Celtics vs. Knicks game so we could make an easy Boston vs. New York sports rivalry reference so…um…here’s a game that is on. Should be grand!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Smash (NBC, 8 pm., Saturday): This episode was apparently perplexingly stupid even for Smash. Come for the F grade, stay for another chapter of Todd VanDerWerff’s whodunit in the Stray Observations!