Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Grimm (NBC, 9 p.m., Friday): We don’t talk about this show a lot at T.V. Club, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like it, and as it heads into the final two episodes of its third season—a fourth has already been ordered—it seems like as good a time as any to highlight its nice blend of supernatural procedural action and overarching mythology. Also, it has Silas Weir Mitchell in it, and we always enjoy his wacky good times. Anyway, jumping on to a show when it has two episodes left in its season is usually a weird time to sample something, but we think you should try it anyway. Kevin McFarland agrees.
ALSO NOTED
Hannibal (NBC, 10 p.m., Friday): You might think that tonight’s Hannibal has spoiled one of its juiciest reveals in the “next week on” preview, but you haven’t seen anything yet. What was in that trailer comes pretty much from the teaser. Molly Eichel is sworn to secrecy.
Orphan Black (BBC America, 9 p.m., Saturday): Caroline Framke e-mailed us about this episode and said it was some nauseatingly tense stuff. We’re inclined to agree. You won’t believe who wins when all of the clones get together and have a dance-off for $5,000! (The answer is Alison. It’s always Alison.)
Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:30 p.m., Saturday): Renowned funny lady Charlize Theron hosts, and now we need to know what Dennis Perkins thinks of Young Adult, which we really adored but which a lot of people apparently think is insulting to Midwesterners or something.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Babylon 5 (Friday, 11 a.m.): The Babylon 5 book club gathers again, as Rowan Kaiser takes us through another group of season four episodes. Which ones? We don’t know. What are they about? We also don’t know that. But we do know they take place in outer space. So.
ELSEWHERE IN TV CLUB
We have a couple of TV Reviews of ABC shows for you to ponder. First, John Teti will tell you all about how Shark Tank got so good by aping Ronald Reagan. Then, Joshua Alston makes the argument that Revenge has gotten back to what it does best in season three—not that anybody has noticed.
If it’s Friday, that must mean it’s time for Will Harris to offer up some Random Roles with one of our finest actors. This time, the subject is Timothy Dalton, who stars in Showtime’s upcoming Penny Dreadful (we like it!). What does he think about being Timothy Dalton? Read on and find out!
WHAT ELSE IS ON
24: Live Another Day (Fox, 8 p.m., Friday): Miss the two-hour premiere of Fox’s reboot of the Jack Bauer Power Hour? Well, here’s your chance to catch up. And don’t forget to read Zack Handlen’s review!
Say Yes To The Dress (TLC, 9 p.m., Friday): Sonia Saraiya has some thoughts on this show coming for you next week, but before you read that article, you should prepare for the exam by watching this week’s doubleheader of new episodes.
The Writers’ Room (Sundance, 9 p.m. Friday): This week’s episode takes us deep into the bowels of Sons Of Anarchy central, which we imagine to be filled with various voodoo dolls of TV critics.
Vice (HBO, 11 p.m., Friday): You know how sometimes there are these shows that you know are probably pretty good, but you’ve just never watched an episode? That’s how we feel about this HBO newsmagazine, which the network picked up for two more seasons earlier this week.
The Good Sister (Lifetime, 8 p.m., Saturday): A man trying to repair his marriage is seduced by the evil twin sister he never knew his wife had. Damn. If we had known about this sooner, we would have sent out an alert for Carrie Raisler not just to cover it but to devote a whole week of articles to it.
My Cat From Hell (Animal Planet, 8 p.m., Saturday): The name of this episode is “Surprise Cat Attack!” which sort of sounds like that one X-Files episode.
Picnic At Hanging Rock (TCM, 8 p.m., Friday): Do you have a teenage daughter? Maybe don’t watch this one with her, okay? Or especially don’t watch it if she’s out on a school trip in the wilderness? That seems like a really specific thing to have going on in your life right now, though.
Tangled (Disney Channel, 8 p.m., Friday): We’re just oddly tickled by the thought of a double feature featuring this and Picnic At Hanging Rock for some reason. Don’t ask us why.
This Means War (FX, 8 p.m., Saturday): This costly attempt to do a weird action movie/romantic comedy mash-up was a huge flop. If you’re into that sort of thing—and Reese Witherspoon’s attempts to remain relevant—then this might be the movie for you.
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Game 5: Penguins at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7 p.m., Friday): Begin your conspiracy theories about how the NHL is screwing over the Rangers to help out Sidney Crosby now! (We find the thought of any sports league screwing over a team from New York sort of ridiculous.)
NBA Playoff: Game 3: Heat at Nets (ABC, 8:15 p.m., Saturday): It really seems like the Heat might just cruise through the playoffs without encountering significant opposition until the finals, doesn’t it? That kind of sucks.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Vampire Diaries (Thursday): With just one episode left in the season, Carrie Raisler offers her thoughts on how the fifth season started out with promise, then got lost in a miasma of bad decisions and weird character choices. Oh well. Can’t win ‘em all, Vampire Diaries.
TALES OF THE FIERI BEAST
This week: The Fieri Beast Rises
Diners, Drive-Ins, And Dives/Guy’s Grocery Games (Food Network, Friday/Saturday, 10 p.m./8 p.m.): “All of the signs are in place,” said Dr. Praetorius, of the Innsmouth Institute of Learning. “The word ‘comfort food’ has been appearing more and more often in print, and look here, Byron.” He gestured for his assistant to approach across the cobbled chamber. “If we use these cutouts to reveal the words on this page of the Innsmouth Beacon…” He placed the opaque sheet of construction paper with the tiny holes cut into it over the other sheet. “Donkey sauce!” breathed Byron quietly, reading the letters left over. “You fool!” Praetorius cried. “You’ve summoned him!” Beyond the moon, in the darkness between the stars, a fearful cry: “MEEEEEEAT PIIIIIIES!”