Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, September 2. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
The Carmichael Show (NBC, 9 p.m.): We here at TV Club enjoy it when a new show pleasantly surprises us, and that’s what we got with last week’s premiere of The Carmichael Show. Surely you read Molly Eichel’s piece on the new series. So since you’ve done that and watched the first two episodes, you’re ready to watch this week’s episodes, “Kale” and “Gender.” In “Kale,” “Jerrod’s attempts to encourage his parents to lead a healthier lifestyle backfires,” leading to a Carmichael family debate “about health, death, and who will lead the family” as Jerrod’s parents parents age. Then, in “Gender,” Jerrod’s mentee reveals a secret about his sexuality, which leads to a family discussion about gender roles. It’s bizarre NBC is airing a smart, multi-camera sitcom that’s having serious conversations on a weekly basis, in the summer, right? Just checking.
Also noted
Key & Peele (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): Back when this current season of Key & Peele was still the second half of season four, this would have been episode 20. Thus the episode title “The 420 Special.” The last 420 special LaToya Ferguson reviewed was Reggie Watts’ exit from Comedy Bang! Bang!, so Key & Peele has to bring it.
Mr. Robot (USA, 10 p.m.): Let’s try this again. This episode was the Top pick last week, and we had a lot to say about it. We’re sure that since the finale was pushed back to this week, Alex McCown has even more to say about it.
Elsewhere in TV Club
Brandon Nowalk’s For Our Consideration piece is all about the sexual world of Yahoo’s Other Space, from the reversed gender roles in the futuristic setting of the show to the concept of bisexuality in science fiction in general.
What else is on?
Young & Hungry (ABC Family, 8 p.m.): This week on Young & Hungry, we’re “Young & Unemployed.” Based on the very little we know about this show, it feels like Gabi ends up unemployed (in addition to her already being young) at least every other episode, and then she has 20-plus minutes to figure that whole mess out. So we’re going to go out on a limb and guess that’s what happens here. Don’t correct us—we won’t believe you.
America’s Next Top Model (The CW, 8 p.m.): America’s Next Top Model has really been giving MasterChef a run for its money with its episode titles in its 22nd season (or cycle—it all means the same thing). This week, it’s “The Guy Who Gets A Hickey,” and if that doesn’t make you even a little bit intrigued by what America’s Next Top Model is strutting this week, you’re lying to yourself. Just go watch MasterChef.
MasterChef (Fox, 8 p.m): “Return Of The Champions.” See what we mean? MasterChef has given up the puns, and we are sick of it. Why waste this when you can have a mac and cheese-based episode titled “Return Of The Mac” with special guest judges Mark Morrison (or the cast of Entourage)?
Kevin From Work (ABC Family, 8:30 p.m.): This week, “Kevin comes up with a list of house rules to encourage Roxie to be more responsible.” If you’ve been watching and think there’s no possible way this could work out in Kevin’s favor, you’re right!
Extant (CBS, 9 p.m.): Only Extant will give you an episode of television titled “Zugzwang.” Extant!
Steampunk’d (GSN, 9 p.m.): Episode of three of Steampunk’d is here, continuing the important work of finding America’s “most talented and versatile steampunk designer.” So important.
Taylor Swift: America’s Sweetheart (Reelz, 9 p.m.): We thought this was the movie America’s Sweethearts at first, but then we saw the pre-colon part. So this exists.
Ghost Hunters (Syfy, 9 p.m.): Ghost Hunters came back for its tenth season last week, and this week… It’s Ghost Hunters. We’re pretty sure the same thing has happened every week for the previous nine seasons and won’t change with this current season.
Leah Remini: It’s All Relative (TLC, 9 p.m.): Believe it or not, the one-hour second season finale of Leah Remini: It’s All Relative is not the most irrationally long television episode on tonight. Chalk it up to the show usually doing two back-to-back half-hour episodes anyway. In this season finale, “That’s Life,” “Vicki meets with a medium and has a life-altering experience.” Meanwhile, Leah doesn’t seem to get that her daughter Sofia is growing up, which sounds pretty relative to us. Also, “the family anxiously awaits and update on Trish’s health.” Let’s be honest: This is just another two episodes, but they’re calling it one, right?
Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles (Bravo, 9 p.m.): The honor of most irrationally long television episode on tonight goes to Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles’ 75-minute eighth season premiere (at a special time!). “Josh Flagg is determined to stay on top, vying for an $8 million listing from a long lost high school ‘friend.’ Josh Altman promises a busy young millionaire that he will find him the perfect house in just one day. British transplants James Harris and David Parnes get creative to sell a $5.75 million dollar hillside modern.” These are all reasons to watch this show, we suppose.
Wahlburgers/Donnie Loves Jenny (A&E, 9:30/10 p.m.): It’s the fourth and second season finales of Wahlburgers and Donnie Loves Jenny, respectively. In Wahlburgers, “Big A” uses Mark’s dating skills for a Cyrano type situation. Mark Walhberg: Just like Cyrano de Bergerac. Then, in Donnie Loves Jenny, for some reason, “New Orleans performer Big Freedia encourages Donnie to return to Chicago for Evan’s birthday.” We suppose Mark was too busy getting his Cyrano on to be the one to encourage his brother.
Celebrity Wife Swap (ABC, 10 p.m.): The fourth season finale of Celebrity Wife Swap sees celebrities Robert Carradine and Terrell Owens swap wives. That should just be how most seasons of television end.
Last Comic Standing (NBC, 10 p.m.): 10 comics are still standing, and this week, they’re being paired up to take part in five head to head showdowns. The five winners of those showdowns will then continue to stand for next week’s finale. Then we really will see who the last comic standing is.
The Jim Gaffigan Show (TV Land, 10 p.m.): This week in Gaffigan marital bliss, “Jim is called superdad in a magazine, and although Jeannie is happy for Jim, she is upset that there is no mention of her.” We’ve got to say we’re on the side of the woman who popped out all those Gaffigan kids. But we really wonder how Macaulay Culkin feels about all of this.
Million Dollar Listing: San Francisco (Bravo, 10:15 p.m.): If you’re not all Million Dollar Listing’d out with the previous 75 minutes, then enjoy the normal-sized first season finale of the Million Dollar Listing: San Francisco. In “I Don’t Have Time For This, Tiny Man!” none of the listing plots live up to that episode title.
The Exes (TV Land, 11 p.m.): The Exes is also on tonight.
America’s Sweethearts (FX Movies, 2 a.m.): There it is. If you’re reading this What’s On Tonight as it drops, then America’s Sweethearts is on in an hour. If not, nuts to you, McGillicutty.
Four Brothers (Spike TV, 8:04 p.m.): Here, have some more Mark “Cyrano” Wahlberg.
Sports, sports, all type of sports
U.S. Open Tennis: Second-round play (ESPN/ESPN2, 1/6 p.m.)
MLB Baseball: Nationals at Cardinals (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
WWE NXT (WWE Network, 8 p.m.)
Impact Wrestling (Destination America, 9 p.m.)
Ring Of Honor (Destination America, 11 p.m.)
In case you missed it
Drunk History: Drunk History’s third season premiere took it to “New Jersey,” and Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya’s A review of the episode shows why that was such a good idea.