Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Blackadder (3 p.m., Friday): We have to come right out and say it: This is a pretty slow weekend for TV premieres. So instead of making our Top Pick a Lifetime Original Movie, we wanted to remind you that Kate Kulzick is currently working her way through this excellent British historical comedy. This week she reaches Blackadder’s fourth, final, and arguably best season. Set on the Western Front during the First World War, Blackadder explores the horrors of Trench Warfare through an anti-war, satirical lens. In just three weeks Kate will be saying “Goodbyeee” to her Blackadder TV Club Classic Coverage, so now’s the perfect time to join her on the show’s last “big push.”
Also noted
The Knick (Cinemax, 10 p.m., Friday): Edwards tries to show off an operating technique he picked up in Paris in an episode delightfully titled “Mr. Paris Shoes.” Despite the quirky nomenclature, the episode also centers on racism, cadavers, and an outbreak of typhoid fever. Brandon Nowalk is only slightly disappointed.
Outlander (Starz, 9 p.m., Saturday): After a slow but promising start, Outlander explores its historical setting in more detail in the show’s second episode. Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya just hopes progressive, female-driven sex scenes (like the one in the premiere) become the show’s norm in 18th century Scotland too.
Katt Williams: Priceless (HBO, 10 p.m., Saturday): Comedian Katt Williams had an infamously rough year in 2012 involving charges of assault and his subsequent retirement. Two years later, Williams is back in a new Spike Lee-directed comedy special for HBO.
Regular coverage
The Legend Of Korra (Nick.com, 12 p.m., Friday)
TV CLUB CLASSIC
The Twilight Zone (1 p.m., Saturday): This week’s Twilight Zone episodes feature aliens wearing leather jackets, super computers, and love—which gives Zack Handlen some new ideas for his erotic fiction novel.
Elsewhere in TV Club
The A.V. Club staff share our Robin Williams stories (and TV Club editor Erik Adams shares the best Halloween costume in existence). Then in a brand new Random Roles, Manhattan actor Daniel Stern talks The Wonder Years, Home Alone, and Joe Pesci’s singing skills.
What else is on?
How To Build A Better Boy (Disney, 8 p.m., Friday): Disney debuts a gender-flipped riff on Weird Science. Best friends and tech gurus Gabby and Mae create a “high-definition” boyfriend for Mae. According to the TV Guide Channel, he then “comes to life as an advance robotic soldier who puts the girls in danger from a top secret military branch.”
Four Weddings (TLC, 9 p.m., Friday): Four Weddings returns for a sixth season. This TLC shows eschews the funeral and focuses on four brides throwing competitive weddings with the aim of winning a honeymoon.
Funniest Wins (TBS, 10 p.m., Friday): As has long been prophesied in this show’s title, the funniest will finally take his/her rightful place as winner of all that is funny in this season finale. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Doctor Who: The Ultimate Companion (BBC America, 9 p.m., Saturday): Doctor Who debuts its brand new Doctor next Saturday, but this week BBC America takes a look at the Doctor’s companions.
Wingmen (OWN, 10 p.m., Saturday): This punnily titled show follows two South Carolina best friends who run a “stuffed chicken wings” food truck.
Too Cute! (Animal Planet, 8 p.m., Saturday): We have to give a shout out to this adorable show’s fifth season premiere in honor of our dear departed (from the site, not life!) Todd VanDerWerff.
Stick It (ABC Family, 9 p.m., Friday): Written and directed by Bring It On writer Jessica Bendinger, this 2006 comedy has a surprisingly powerful message of female empowerment and sisterhood. Too bad the rest of it is kind of bland.
Braveheart (IFC, 8 p.m., Friday): Get into the Outlander mood with another Scottish epic. Best not to think about Mel Gibson’s personal prejudices while watching him fight against tyranny as William Wallace.
True Grit (AMC, 6 p.m., Saturday): Those who enjoyed the 2010 remake of this Western can check out the 1969 original, which features John Wayne’s sole Oscar-winning performance.
MLB Baseball: Cubs at Mets (WGN, 7 p.m., Friday): The Chicago-located A.V. Club staff keeps careful track of the Cubs’ home and away games lest a Wrigley Field traffic jam hinder our ability to produce pop culture snark in a timely manner.
Youth Olympic Games: Opening Ceremony (NBC Sports, 6 p.m., Saturday): Nanjing, China hosts the second Youth Olympic Summer Games. Athletes ages 14-18 spend two weeks competing and it all starts with tonight’s Opening Ceremony.
In case you missed it
Battlestar Galactica: Sonia Saraiya flies her Viper all the way back to the Battlestar Galactica’s initial miniseries to fill in our gaps in coverage. So say we all.