Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, October 20. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again (Fox, 8 p.m.): Do you like things you’re already familiar with packaged in slightly different ways? Then, boy, does Fox have a musical for you! Following up the game-changing (cinematically at least) Grease Live, Fox puts a new spin on the live musical format by making it, well, not live. Instead The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again is a pre-taped special featuring the likes of Adam Lambert, Victoria Justice, Annaleigh Ashford, Christina Millian, and even a cameo from original star Tim Curry himself. But the biggest selling point is the fact that Orange Is The New Black star Laverne Cox will be stepping into the platformed heels of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Unfortunately, in her pre-air review, Esther Zuckerman found the production a little too wholesome to offer much of interest to either Rocky Horror purists or newbies. But then again, that might make it the perfect thing for those who want to offer their snarky takes on Twitter.
The Good Place (NBC, 8:30 p.m.): Last week’s Good Place took a turn for the serious: Ted Danson’s angelic Michael blames himself for all the mishaps that have occurred since Eleanor mistakenly arrived in The Good Place. And as punishment, he plans to offer himself up as a human piñata for an eternity of beatings. Will Eleanor step up to help him avoid that fate? Dennis Perkins sure hopes so, if only to ensure plenty more Michael-Eleanor karaoke scenes in the future. Come to think of it, those two would absolutely nail “Dammit Janet.”
How To Get Away With Murder (ABC, 10 p.m.): According to the TV Guide description of this episode, “The mystery about the flyers calling Annalise a killer takes a shocking turn.” The idea of a plot about flyers taking a “shocking turn” is honestly way more intriguing than the idea of more murder drama (were they printed at an illegal black-site Kinko’s?!?). Of course since this is HTGAWM, there’s more murder intrigue as well. Frank comes face-to-face with Bonnie after his shocking action last week. Oh, Mary J. Blige stops by as a guest star! The Grammy winner is set to play Annalise’s hair stylist and Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya really hopes that leads to some awkward singing moments to rival whatever’s happening over on The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Premieres and finales
Teen Titans Go! (Cartoon Network, 6 p.m.): Seasons are weird on Cartoon Network. Although Teen Titans Go! has been steadily airing throughout the fall, it technically had its third season finale last week and kicks off its fourth season tonight. For all intents and purposes, though, the show returns at the same Titan-time, same Titan-place. In “Shrimps And Prime Rib,” the gang forgets how to be superheroes just as the Brain sets out to take over the world. We hate it when that happens.
CMT Artists Of The Year (CMT, 9 p.m.): Yeehaw, everybody! CMT gathers together the best and brightest country stars to salute the genre. Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Shania Twain, and Kelsea Ballerini are just some of the night’s honorees. In fact, given just how many country-music celebrities are slated to attend, it has us wondering whether CMT has some kind of designated-survivor situation à la the president’s State Of The Union address. And, more importantly, is the CMT designated survivor Kiefer Sutherland? After all, not only is he already ABC’s Designated Survivor, but the dude actually released a country album this year, too. Sounds like he’s definitely the whiskey-lovin‘ man for the job.
Project Runway: Fashion Startup (Lifetime, 10:30 p.m.): Following All Stars, Under The Gunn, Threads, Junior, and Project Accessory, Lifetime attempts to launch yet another Project Runway spinoff series. This one borrows heavily from the Shark Tank formula as aspiring fashion and beauty entrepreneurs pitch ideas to a panel of four experts. Designer Rebecca Minkoff, Birchbox CEO Katia Beauchamp, fashion fortune hunter Gary Wassner, and plus-size-fashion maven Christine Hunsicker can then choose whether or not to fund the project. The fact that all of the potential business ideas have to be fashion-related sounds somewhat limiting, but maybe we just need Fashion Startup to open our eyes to the breadth of fashion merchandising.
Regular Coverage
Legends Of Tomorrow (The CW, 8 p.m.)
Better Things (FX, 10 p.m.)
Falling Water (USA, 10 p.m.)
Streaming pick
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Netflix): We’ve got two tie-ins for today’s streaming recommendation. For one thing, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s satirical, musical-loving vibe makes it a perfect—albeit slightly unexpected—companion piece for the Rocky Horror Picture Show remake. And for another, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend returns for a second season tomorrow night. Which means that if you really commit to the whole no-sleeping thing, you can definitely fit in all 18 episodes of the first season before then. Just remember: If you start seeing Dream Ghosts, it’s time to wake yourself up before you start the next episode.