Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, April 7. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
Daredevil (Netflix, 12 p.m.): Daredevil switches into party mode as Matt and Elektra sneak into a swanky corporate event to do some James Bond-worthy espionage. Elsewhere Nelson & Murdock follow-up on the Frank Castle case, which, as Black Widow would say, seems a little bit less like a party. “Regrets Only” was one of Caroline Siede’s favorite episodes during her binge-review, but we’ll have to wait and see whether Oliver Sava is so easily won over by bowties and debates about legal jurisdiction.
American Idol (Fox, 8 p.m.): It’s the end of a pop culture era: 14 years after Kelly Clarkson won the first season, American Idol crowns its final winner tonight. While viewers will no doubt be waiting with bated breath to see which of the final three contestants (household names Trent Harmon, La’Porsha Renae, and Dalton Rapattoni) claims the last-ever American Idol title, perhaps more importantly, the two-hour series finale will also double as a farewell celebration honoring the show’s legacy. That means Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, and Clarkson herself are set to perform, while fan-favorite William Hung and former co-host Brian Dunkleman will reportedly be appearing as well. Hopefully Fox will also use this opportunity to announce its upcoming musical event, From Justin To Kelly: Live!
DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow (The CW, 8 p.m.): Remember when the Republican presidential race was dominated by discussions of whether or not the candidates would kill baby Hitler? Well Legends Of Tomorrow is asking its own version of that question tonight as the team are offered the opportunity to assassinate a future ruthless dictator when he’s only 14 years old. The group is split on whether or not it’s kosher to kill a kid, lending a whole new level to the familiar “should a superhero kill?” debate. And since Oliver Sava has spent plenty of time grappling with that very question in his Daredevil reviews, he’s just the man to weigh in on “Progeny.”
Premieres and finales
The Odd Couple (CBS, 8:30 p.m.): According to the TV Guide episode description, “In the Season 2 premiere, Oscar and Felix start obsessively eavesdropping on their bickering neighbors. But being nice guys, they decide to help save the couple’s marriage.” Unless we’re missing the joke, we’re pretty sure that proves TV Guide isn’t quite up to date on the current cultural implications of the term “nice guys.”
2016 WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony (USA, 10 p.m.): Your Thursday What’s On Tonight correspondent has mostly stayed out of the WWE-themed fray in which her colleagues are so often embroiled. But just to make sure she stays on everyone’s good side, she’s going to go ahead and recommend this WWE Hall Of Fame Ceremony tonight. Sting (the wrestler, not the musician), The Godfather (the wrestler, not the movie), and The Fabulous Freebirds (the wrestlers who were in fact based on the song) are just a few of the performers welcomed into the Hall Of Fame. Meanwhile the night’s celebrity inductee is Snoop Dogg, whose love of wrestling is apparently second only to his love of Game Of Thrones:
Regular Coverage
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 8 p.m.)
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8 p.m.)
Scandal (ABC, 9 p.m.)
The 100 (The CW, 9 p.m.)
The Catch (ABC, 10 p.m.)
Archer (FX, 10 p.m.)
Vikings (History Channel, 10 p.m.)
Streaming pick
Star Trek: The Next Generation, “Measure Of A Man” (Netflix): This week’s episode of Legends Of Tomorrow continues a proud tradition of genre shows engaging in ethical debates. And few have done it better than Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “Measure Of A Man.” Captain Jean Luc Picard must prove that his android crew member Data deserves the same basic rights as a human. And he does so with the dignity and gravitas only Patrick Stewart can provide.