Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, December 29. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Branson Famous (TruTV, 10 p.m.): How do you inject life into the tedious boilerplate of talking heads, arguments, and exposition that make up the foundation of a standard reality show? Well, by having them sung directly into the camera of course! We imagine that’s what the initial pitch for Branson Famous—billed as television’s first reality musical—was, and it’s all as ridiculous as it sounds. Ignatiy Vishnevetsky bravely takes on the first episode, which “falls in the uncanny valley of reality TV fakeness.” We have our doubts about this particular new entry into the ever-growing catalogue of reality series the world could probably do without, but we’re not totally opposed to other reality shows following suit and doing special musical episodes. Real Housewives Of Atlanta: The Musical? Sign us up.
Elsewhere in TV Club
Were the most anticipated pop culture moments of 2014 worth the wait? The A.V. Club weighs in with this Inventory, which looks at TV series that defied sophomore slumps, the Veronica Mars movie, Broad City, and the other things we anxiously awaited this year.
What else is on? (Not much)
Mike & Molly (CBS, 8:30 p.m.): We’re in that very weird time of the TV offseason, when Christmas specials have come to a close and midseason premieres still haven’t fully started yet. But that apparently doesn’t faze Mike & Molly, which is still inexplicably airing new episodes among the otherwise desolate TV landscape. This week, Carl invites Victoria on what is supposed to be a strictly men-only fishing trip. Uh-oh! Gender roles!
Vanderpump Rules (Bravo, 9 p.m.): No, this sadly isn’t a musical episode. But it does promise a bachelorette bash in Miami and a boozy VIP weekend in San Diego and probably at least three drinks thrown in people’s faces.
Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (ABC, 8 p.m.): Charlie has to write a book report on Leo Tolstoy’s War And Peace, but his friends’ big new year’s party temporarily distracts him. Hopefully your New Year’s celebrations go a little more like Linus’ than poor Charlie’s.
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (ABC, 9 p.m.): Well, apparently holiday specials between Christmas and New Year’s are still a thing, as evidenced by ABC’s airing of this 1976 sequel to Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.
27 Dresses (Lifetime, 8 p.m.): We know you’re all very sad that State Of Affairs has no new episode on tonight, but you can still get your dose of Katherine Heigl with 27 Dresses. Okay yeah, so Heigl is probably the worst part of this romantic comedy, which also stars James Marsden, Malin Akerman, and Judy Greer. But that’s sort of Heigl’s thing.
You’ve Got Mail (TLC, 7 p.m.): Or you can opt for this far superior romantic comedy and laugh at all of the outdated parts of its plot. Online chat rooms! Book stores! AOL!
Bowls, bowls, all kinds of bowls
Liberty Bowl: Texas A&M vs. West Virginia (ESPN, 2 p.m.)
Russell Athletic Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Clemson (ESPN, 5:30 p.m.)
Texas Bowl: Arkansas vs. Texas (ESPN, 9 p.m)
In case you missed it
Mozart In The Jungle: Vikram Murthi continues TV Club coverage of the new Amazon original series about New York’s colorful classical music scene.