Enlightened has become one of our favorites, so check it out before its inevitable cancellation
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, Nov. 28. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Enlightened (HBO, 9:30 p.m.): This is a fairly quiet week for TV, as most of the networks quietly begin to shut down operations until mid-January, when they’ll roar back to life after the holiday break. So that means it’s as good a time as any to catch up with shows you might have abandoned or never even given a shot to in the first place. Shows like Enlightened, which has turned into one of the fall’s best new programs and a funny, moving portrayal of a woman trying to change her life in increments. Erik Adams hopes you’ll drop by to talk about it with him.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Terra Nova (Fox, 8 p.m.): Taylor and Mira are forced to team up when they’re stalked by something greater than either of them: a giant goddamn dinosaur. Rowan Kaiser says it’s about time, even if he knows that nobody’s getting eaten.
Bored To Death (HBO, 9 p.m.): It’s season finale time? Already? Well, with Ted Danson being off on C.S.I. and the show’s abysmal ratings, this just might turn into an ad hoc series finale. David Sims would be sad about that.
House (Fox, 9 p.m.): “Foreman’s lack of romantic activity intrigues Taub and Chase,” reads the episode summary for this one, and doesn’t that just sound like the most effective use of all of those characters? Zack Handlen’s flush with anticipation.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Scrubs (11 a.m.): Hey, remember when NBC forced the show to incorporate Sean Hayes for no real reason as a way to boost the series’ profile early in its run? Well, Myles McNutt didn’t either, but he’s surprised the episode wasn’t all that annoying.
Justice League (1 p.m.): Oliver Sava is psyched for this episode to focus on Wonder Woman, because he runs around his apartment, punching the air and singing “Wonder Woman!” like in the theme song. We’re so glad we installed those cameras.
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
Top Gear Top 40 (BBC America, 8 p.m.): The super-fun car talk show Top Gear has assembled a list of its top 40 challenges ever, and the countdown begins tonight. This sounds like a great introduction to the show/a good way to kill an evening.
The Sing-Off (NBC, 8 p.m.): NBC moved this little reality show out of the holiday season—where it had thrived—to the regular season—where it flopped. But with as little on tonight as there is, why not check out the season finale anyway?
The Closer/Rizzoli & Isles (TNT, 9 p.m.): Technically, The Closer is in its final season, but it sure seems like it’s going to be running into the distant future. And then there’s Rizzoli & Isles, cable’s number one show, or so we’re told. Gross.
American Pickers (History, 9 p.m.): We don’t have a clue what this has to do with “history,” but we’re guessing History Channel stopped caring about that when it sold its soul to the devil in exchange for the absurdly popular Pawn Stars and this.
Doctor Zhivago (TCM, 8 p.m.): Nine times out of 10, when some old person says, “Why don’t they make them like that anymore?” they’re referring to this, which is problematic but also very, very large, so you always know you’re watching a MOVIE.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (IFC, 8 p.m.): Does this film adaptation gut Stephen Sondheim’s terrific stage musical? Or does it get down to the show’s macabre little heart through paring down the story? Watch and decide.
Monday Night Football: Giants at Saints (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.): Here are two teams who are both doing pretty well but probably could be doing better. Anyway, the Saints are 4-0 at home this season, so you can guess how this one will turn out.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Walking Dead (Sunday): AMC’s zombie series went away for the next couple of months with an episode that ended with one hell of a twist. It was enough to get Zack Handlen somewhat vaguely excited for what might be coming next.