American Horror Story proceeds with plan to reveal everyone's a famous historical figure—even you
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, November 14. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
American Horror Story (FX, 10 p.m.): Last week, everyone’s favorite sober and serious polemic about the battle to treat mental illness in the 1960s took an unexpected turn, as one character was confirmed to be possessed by the devil and another revealed herself to be Anne Frank. Tonight, in “I Am Anne Frank, Part 2,” we can only assume that both of these things will be revealed to be delusions, at least assuming this is the sober and serious show we think it is. Todd VanDerWerff knows that this episode is much more likely to end with a Sasquatch crashing through the wall and yelling, “Let’s party!”
REGULAR COVERAGE
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.): When bank robbers threaten the city, Oliver starts to wonder if maybe he shouldn’t abandon his precious list and start helping others in need, perhaps because he’s realized he’s on a superhero show. Alasdair Wilkins once realized he was on a superhero show and saved six kittens.
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.): Just as all of them celebrated Halloween a week early, it’s time for the ABC sitcoms to get you hungry for a big turkey dinner eight days before you can do anything about it. Unless you’re Canadian, in which case, you’re probably ready for Canadian Easter next week. Will Harris sure is!
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): There’s a “priceless” reward offered on tonight’s episode. We’re hoping it’s not a <Price Is Right announcer voice>neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew caaaar!</Price Is Right announcer voice> because we don’t know how you’d do awesome stunts on the beach. Carrie Raisler would like to try.
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.): Manny and Luke go along with Claire and Alex on a getaway, but they become preoccupied with meeting girls, instead of attending Alex’s academic decathlon sessions or whatever. Donna Bowman can remember when they were just young boys adept with punchlines.
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m.): The description for this episode contains the phrase “demon bomb,” so Phil Dyess-Nugent is cautiously optimistic that we’re going to see demons flying everywhere after it goes off. He once built a demon bomb in his backyard, but it rained overnight, and the fuse got wet. Too bad!
Suburgatory (ABC, 9:30 p.m.): Say what you will about this show, but it’s doing a terrific job with the “Tessa finds out more about her mother” arc, especially when playing the fraught emotions she and her father have around the woman. Brandon Nowalk is sure Thanksgiving will provide ample supply of same.
Nashville (ABC, 10 p.m.): So, uh… when is something going to happen on this show. Todd VanDerWerff is willing to hang in there for the Rayna/Deacon stuff, and he’s happy to watch the musical sequences, but he thought there would be plot movement and less in the way of people looking at each other.
Top Chef (Bravo, 10 p.m.): This season is set in Seattle, and that means that we have to watch the chefs go to the Space Needle, because that’s the only thing anybody knows about Seattle. Emily Withrow just hopes we get an episode where the chefs have to enter into combat with the Pike Place fish throwers.
Key & Peele (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.): If there’s one thing this show has had too little of, it’s sketches about Darius Rucker, of Hootie and the Blowfish. Steve Heisler is happy to sing you all the Hootie hits, from “Hold My Hand” to “Only Wanna Be With You” to, uh, “Hold My Hand”?
TV CLUB CLASSIC
The Sopranos (1 p.m.): If there’s an episode of the final batch that fans don’t really like, it’s this one. Todd VanDerWerff hasn’t seen Tony’s gambling bender since it first aired, but it’s written by Matt Weiner, of Mad Men fame, so, c’mon, how bad could it be? He supposes we’ll all find out together.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
Whitney (NBC, 8 p.m.): Look, we didn’t much like this show last season. We even put it on our “10 worst” list, when clearly Whitney Cummings’ other sitcom deserved it more. (We were still high on hope at that time. Blame Obama.) But we’re happy to give it another shot. We’re just won’t write about it.
Duck Dynasty (A&E, 10 p.m.): Last week, the ratings for this were higher than American Horror Story’s ratings, yet you never hear anybody talking about how excited they are for a brand new Duck Dynasty. Tonight, somebody named “Si” gets a samurai sword, and we’re half-tempted to tune in to see that.
Eddie Murphy: One Night Only (Spike, 10 p.m.): Spike’s gathered a bunch of Eddie Murphy’s contemporaries and people inspired by his work to pay tribute to him, and we’re not entirely sure what that all means. Is Eddie Murphy going to be there? Is this a roast? What the hell is going on, Spike?
Hell On The Highway (National Geographic, 10 p.m.): Look, it might truly be the most dangerous highway in America or whatever, but making a show about the tow truck drivers who have to work there doesn’t strike us as the most exciting reality show premise ever. Who really wants towing action?
JFK (Reelz, 8 p.m.): No sooner does Showtime debut Oliver Stone’s new, awesomely insane documentary series than Reelz decides to re-air his classic, compulsively watchable, completely bullshit claptrap concoction about Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories. Coincidence?! We think not!
Ratatouille (Disney, 8 p.m.): One of the sweetest and most wondrous of Pixar films just happens to be about rats who like to cook. If you can get past the disgust you might feel at seeing rodents in a kitchen, we guarantee you’ll enjoy this lovely little ode to the creation—and criticism—of beautiful things.
NBA Basketball: Grizzlies at Thunder (ESPN, 8 p.m.): The Thunder, with their exciting, young team, became one of the country’s favorites last year, thanks to their improbable playoff run. This year, they’ve got an impressive early 6-2 record, but Memphis is 5-1. This should be a nice match-up.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Raising Hope (Tuesday): Phil Dyess-Nugent wants to know if Burt and Virginia are bad parents. Sure, they seem to fit almost every possible definition of that phrase, but they’ve also raised a level-headed son, and they seem capable of solving most any problem through the thorough application of love. Aw.