Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, August 20. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Happy Valley (Netflix, midnight): With the conclusion of The Killing, Netflix is now without a dreary crime drama. Enter British series Happy Valley, the story of a police sergeant who ends up investigating the man she holds responsible for her daughter’s suicide—unaware that he is also involved in a current kidnapping. Once you watch all six episodes, you can go ahead and read Genevieve Valentine’s TV Review of the entire series.
Also noted
So You Think You Can Dance (FOX, 8 p.m.): This week on So You Think You Can Dance, the Top Six (and guest judge Christina Applegate) will have to balance performing elaborate dance routines with defending themselves against the ghosts of Rudy and (the wrongfully eliminated) Tanisha. It promises to be a very spooky episode of the series, but at the same time, very emotional.
Extant (CBS, 9 p.m.): This week’s episode is on at an earlier time to accommodate it being a “two hour event.” Translation: two episodes a night for the next two weeks. Just a warning, next week’s What’s On Tonight will feature the requisite extant/extinct joke.
Regular coverage
The Bridge (FX, 10 p.m.)
TV Club Classic
Lost (Classic) (12 p.m.): Myles McNutt prepares to wrap up the first season of Lost with the last two episodes before the three part “Exodus” finale. One of those episodes is “Born To Run,” so place your bets now on how long it takes Myles to make a Springsteen reference.
Elsewhere in TV Club
1994 Week is sweeping the A.V. Club nation, and TV Club has got some things to say about the year that gave us all the OJ Simpson trial and Pulp Fiction. Emily L. Stephens’ hits the For Our Consideration beat, where she takes on The Stand and explains how the Stephen King-penned miniseries ended up falling flat on its face. But if you’re looking for something a little more ’90s kid to sink your teeth into, Erik Adams is on Memory Wipe duty, examining what exactly made All That work—and especially what didn’t.
Aw yeah, kick it:
What else is on?
Doctor Who (BBC America, all day long): After you’re done binge watching one British series, there’s a Doctor Who marathon happening that’s sure to keep you in the zone. Yes, the two shows may be completely different in tone, but depending on your opinion on current Doctor Who, the feelings of hopelessness and despair might be mutual. Season eight premieres this Saturday, so if you really need to catch up, your chance is right here.
Suits (USA, 9 p.m.): In this fourth season summer finale, “Harvey and Jessica try to protect the firm from competitors; Louis tries to balance his personal and professional affairs.” Elsewhere, Mike and Rachel get an affidavit, while Donna answers Harvey’s phone. It all must mean something more, but what? What does it all mean?
Wahlburgers (A&E, 10 p.m.): “Mark visits Hong Kong to promote a film.” Isn’t this show supposed to be about a restaurant? Or at least Bostonian hamburgers? Isn’t that why it’s titled Wahlburgers? Is Wahlburgers all a front for a pre-movie Entourage sequel, this time actually starring Mark Wahlberg? Is this what it means to be Queens Boulevard?
Franklin & Bash (TNT, 10 p.m.): After eliminating its non-’90s heartthrob supporting cast in the season premiere, this week’s Franklin & Bash promises to have more of what made Franklin & Bash so popular in the first place: Franklin and Bash being oh so Franklin and Bash. It’s like being so Raven, only with less premonitions and more Mark-Paul Gosselaar bare bottom.
Iron Man 2/X-Men Origins: Wolverine (FX, 5 p.m./7:30 p.m.): Are you in the mood for for a double feature of mediocre to terrible movies based on Marvel Comic properties? Well then, FX has got the movies.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance/Thor (FXX, 6 p.m./8 p.m.): FXX has also got the movies. It’s an epidemic.
Ocean’s Eleven (AMC, 8 p.m.): If none of those Marvel-based movies tickle your fancy—not even the fish out of water Thor, who did nothing but be at the wrong place at the wrong time in the television line-up—then perhaps the Clooney/Pitt version of Ocean’s Eleven is more up your alley. If you still want to feel like you’re partaking in some lower level Marvel/Sony movie torture though, you can pretend Topher Grace is Eddie Brock while watching.
MLB Baseball: Angels at Red Sox (ESPN2, 7 p.m.): Assuming you don’t want to deal with any of the Marvel/Sony movies this time around, there is always baseball. Supposedly it’s America’s pastime.
MLB Baseball: Padres at Dodgers (ESPN, 10 p.m.): So just forget your troubles—and that X-Men Origins: Wolverine exists—and watch as the Dodgers destroy the Padres. Er… Watch as you root for your preferred baseball team, free from any A.V. Club contributor bias.
In case you missed it
Nathan For You: Nathan For You’s second season has ended, and so has a little bit of our reason for being on Tuesday nights. John Teti gives the season the send-off it deserves. Thank you, John. And thank you, Nathan.