Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, January 7. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Bunheads (ABC Family, 9 p.m.): You acted like it was so funny, but Bunheads made our top 30 shows on TV for 2012, and it deserved to be there, dammit! Here’s a chance to see whether you agree or not by settling down in sunny Paradise, California, with Sutton Foster, Kelly Bishop, and all the wacky teenage girls that call this show their own. Erik Adams has been working on all of his positions and all his other ballet terms, so he’s ready to let you all know that a “bunhead” refers to a ballerina (because her hair is in a bun), not somebody with a bun for a head. Though that would be cool, too.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 7:30 p.m.): Hey, remember that whole thing where Jake and the Rainicorn were going to have children together? Well, apparently it’s been enough time for the Lady to have given birth, and Oliver Sava can’t wait to meet the rainbow puppies, soon to become gay icons.
Regular Show (Cartoon Network, 8 p.m.): “TGI Tuesday,” says TV Guide’s episode description for this one, so we can only assume that the bird thing and the raccoon thing got a job at a theme restaurant where the theme is going to a boring office job. Alasdair Wilkins would eat at that restaurant every day.
Switched At Birth (ABC Family, 8 p.m.): Carrie Raisler would like you to know that if you enjoy watching this show—and she knows some of you folks are out there—you should definitely maybe check out her coverage of the second season premiére, lest her lovely write-ups be taken away from you too soon!
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Batman: The Animated Series (1 p.m.): The Joker hangs out with Harley Quinn, sure, but also with The Penguin and Poison Ivy. The Riddler wanted to come along, but for some reason, everybody was pretending Batman Forever didn’t exist. Oliver Sava thinks animated Joker made the right call.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
The Bachelor/The Biggest Loser (ABC/NBC, 8 p.m.): Two of the biggest, longest running reality franchises return to fill the gap between seasons of Dancing With The Stars and The Voice, respectively. Find love or lose weight tonight. Or maybe do both on The Biggest Bachelor, airing on A.V. Club TV!
Black Ink Crew (VH1, 9 p.m.): This new reality show is about a tattoo shop in Harlem, so the title gets an eye roll for worst title pun of the new year. If you were in the market for a new tattoo show, though, here’s another one, and at least it brings some diversity to the “tattoo parlor reality show” genre.
Deception (NBC, 10 p.m.): A young police officer goes undercover in a rich family her mother used to work for when one of the family’s daughters is murdered, as NBC frantically tries to find its own Revenge. Todd VanDerWerff has watched three episodes of this thing, and now he wants revenge.
The Staircase (Sundance, 10 p.m.): If you’ve never seen this documentary series about a deeply fascinating murder case, you’re missing out. It’s one of the great TV achievements of the last decade, and it’s reairing because two new episodes will be airing later this year. Here’s the way to get caught up.
Juliet Of The Spirits (TCM, 8 p.m.): Frederico Fellini is one of the greatest directors of all time, and this film, about a bored housewife who has visions of alternate lives, is one of his very best films. (Not the best, but way up there.) We hope you watch, even if we made it sound like an Italian film of Scrubs.
Titanic (HBO2, 8 p.m.): Near. Far. Wherever you are. You could watch Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio meet a giant iceberg and see everything that happens after, all over again. Or you could just make fun of the film and act like you were above it all back in 1998 down in comments. We’ll wait.
BCS Championship Game: Notre Dame vs. Alabama (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.): Two offenses that rely heavily on running games meet an opposing defense that’s really good at stopping the run, in a championship game where something has to give. And the winner gets a big trophy! How can you not like that?
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Revenge (Sunday): With a Sunday where ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and PBS were all new, TV is most assuredly back after its extended holiday hiatus. Carrie Raisler hopes you joined her and Emily Thorne for a fun-filled evening of ruining other people’s lives, but even if you didn’t, celebrate the return of TV. TV!