Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Saturday Night College Football (ABC, 8 p.m., Saturday): College football returns to TV with a brand new rebooted structure (geek translation: it’s like what Christopher Nolan did to Batman). Evolved from college basketball’s NCAA tournament, college football will now feature a four team playoff for the national championship while still incorporating the iconic bowl system. After easing back from the offseason over the past few days, college football kicks into high gear this weekend as it takes over television across multiple channels. There are seven games on Friday and a whopping 60 games taking place on Saturday. ABC launches its 9th season of college football coverage with a match-up between two top teams: Florida State vs. Oklahoma State. For those looking to brush up on recent big themes in the sport check out the following topics: Pros and cons of neutral-site games; lack of turn out in the student sections; and the ongoing debate about whether college football players should be considered employees (a question that won’t be answered until mid-December).
ALSO NOTED
Doctor Who (BBC America, 9 p.m., Saturday): After getting the introduction to the 12th Doctor out of the way in last week’s season premiere, Doctor Who gets Dalek-centric in “Into The Dalek.” More importantly: Companion Clara wears pants for the first time in the show’s history! Alasdair Wilkins is shocked and delighted.
Intruders (BBC America, 10 p.m., Saturday): Last week’s premiere was a lot of set-up with little in the way of concrete answers. Thankfully Genevieve Valentine is sticking around to interpret the show’s symbolism, conspiracies, and questionable usage of female characters.
Outlander (Starz, 9 p.m., Saturday): Claire tries to escape her 18th century captivity this week. Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya wonders why anyone would want to leave a historical period with fashion-forward circle scarves.
REGULAR COVERAGE
The Knick (Cinemax, 10 p.m., Friday)
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Blackadder (3 p.m., Friday): Kate Kulzick checks in on the middle pair of episodes in Blackadder’s fourth season. George gets a new look and a very interesting proposition this week.
The Twilight Zone (1 p.m., Saturday): An ageless woman and a prophetic TV take center stage in this week’s Twilight Zone double header. Watching The Twilight Zone has taught Zack Handlen to fear just about everything from the past, present, and future.
ELSEWHERE IN TV CLUB
Caroline Siede boldy goes where no one has gone before with an epic Primer to the expansive Star Trek universe. Always curious about the franchise but never knew where to start? Consider this your newbie guide!
Elsewhere our writers weigh in on songs they love save for one cringe-worthy lyric. Guest columnist Cameron Esposito talks about her first Conan appearance and what the experience taught her about building a joke. And while he’s not a TV Club writer, we have to give a shout-out to David Anthony who ate an entire Arby’s Meat Mountain (composed of bacon, roast beef, cheddar cheese, Angus steak, brisket, corned beef, Swiss cheese, ham, turkey, and two chicken tenders) and lived to tell the tale.
Then on Saturday, one of our Staff Picks includes the soundtrack to a hot new period TV drama.
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
George Strait: The Cowboy Rides Away (CMT, 7 p.m., Friday): CMT documents George Strait’s final concert. Filmed in Dallas, Texas the show features appearances from Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Kenny Chesney and Strait’s son Bubba.
Jonah From Tonga (HBO, 10 p.m., Friday): Despite being mostly not funny and definitely racist, Chris Lilley’s Summer Heights High spin-off show continues to air on HBO. Tonight’s penultimate episode features Tongan Jonah (Lilley in brownface) becoming the leader of a gang.
Please Like Me (Pivot, 10:30 p.m., Friday): Like Chris Lilley, Josh Thomas is an Australian man who created and stars in his own TV show. Unlike, Lilley, Thomas does so without using offensive racial minstrelsy! This week Josh goes on a terrible date and manages not to wear brownface while doing it.
Unforgettable (CBS, 8 p.m., Saturday): A few weeks ago extended coverage of the PGA Golf Championship pushed Unforgettable and Reckless from the schedule. To get things back to normal, CBS is airing new episodes of both shows on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. On Unforgettable Carrie and Al investigate an elite prep school…
Reckless (CBS, 9 p.m., Saturday): …Meanwhile on Reckless a sex tape goes public.
Raiders Of The Lost Art (Ovation, 7 p.m., Saturday): We can’t resist a good (or bad) pun so props to Ovation for making us begrudgingly say “huh” when we read this title.
Jurassic Park (AMC, 5 p.m., Friday): In addition to his long directing career, Richard Attenborough is equally beloved for his turn as John Hammond in Jurassic Park. The 72-year old Attenborough passed away last week so add this film to your marathon of his work.
Avatar (FX, 8 p.m., Friday): After seeing a green Zoe Saldana in Guardians Of The Galaxy, revisit a blue Zoe Saldana in Avatar.
How To Marry A Millionaire (TCM, 8 p.m., Saturday): Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and Laruen Bacall are three gold diggers in this 1953 romantic comedy. It was the first film to be photographed in the CinemaScope wide-screen process, which is presumably a step in snagging a millionaire interested in aspect ratio.
MLS Soccer: Kansas City vs. Houston (NBC Sports, 8 p.m., Friday): For those looking for non-football sports this weekend, NBC Sports offers an MLS match-up between the Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo.
NASCAR Racing: Nationwide Series in Atlanta (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m., Saturday): Meanwhile ESPN2 devotes some screentime to NASCAR Racing at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Georgia.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Defiance: With this week’s Defiance season finale we bid adieu not just to the show’s second season, but also to stalwart TV reviewer Rowan Kaiser who is moving on to a full-time gig at Winter Is Coming. All together now: “King in the North! King in the North!”