Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, October 9. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
New Girl (Fox, 9 p.m.): Within the world of New Girl, Max Greenfield’s Schmidt is, to borrow a phrase, the worst—but that’s part of what makes the character such a goddamn delight to viewers of the show. But even Erik Adams’ affection for good ol’ Schmidty could be strained by an episode where Greenfield is tasked with impressing his young, über-hip neighbors. Or it could make the guy even funnier—either way, he should probably leave the whale belt for another episode.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Raising Hope (Fox, 8 p.m.): In a move that would be “classic” Raising Hope if the episode title wasn’t decided upon weeks ago, the first episode of a two-parter called “Throw Maw Maw From The House” debuts a day after news of the Danny DeVito-Rhea Perlman divorce broke. Phil Dyess-Nugent is too broken up over the whole thing to cry “too soon!”
The Voice (NBC, 8 p.m.): Speaking of “too soon”: A pre-rehab appearance by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong is incorporated into the first two battle episodes of the current Voice season, and Caroline Framke won’t read anything into any stray giggles or seemingly zonked-out advice from the frontman.
Ben And Kate (Fox, 8:30 p.m.): The Fox siblings find the instructions from an unfinished scavenger hunt, and they find an additional six episodes! At least that’s how Molly Eichel likes to think the cast and crew found out about the pick-up.
Go On (NBC, 9 p.m.): Between offering advice about romance (to Lauren) and coping (to Danny), we would say Ryan is stretching himself thin—if he wasn’t also compulsively eating to deal with his own grief. Sonia Saraiya refuses to cope with wordplay like that.
Frontline (PBS, 9 p.m.): Hey, have you heard about this crazy “presidential election”? There’s these two guys, one of whom is already the president of the United States, but both want the job. Farihah Zaman’s looking into this Frontline special on the phenomenon, and she’ll report back with her findings on these mysterious Barack Obama and Mitt Romney characters.
The Mindy Project (Fox, 9:30 p.m.): To answer a common question stemming from The Mindy Project’s second episode: Yes, the show takes place in New York, and this week’s episodic love interest—a lawyer for the New York Knicks—proves it. Real-life New Yorker David Sims remains skeptical.
Vegas (CBS, 10 p.m.): Chicago pays a visit to the Savoy—namely the gangster father of Savino’s new count room manager. If he had to pick one target for Michael Chiklis’ fists this week, Phil Dyess-Nugent would bet on The Mob Daddy.
Parenthood (NBC, 10 p.m.): Kristina finally shares the news of her [spoiler alert for something the character, Adam, and Amber have known for several weeks] cancer diagnosis with the rest of the Bravermans. Todd VanDerWerff will provide the necessary, complimentary Kleenex.
Sons Of Anarchy (FX, 10 p.m.): A terse synopsis reveals that “SAMCRO explores new business opportunities” this week. You’ll be as surprised as Zack Handlen by the sight of Jax manning the Sons’ new lemonade stand.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Dawson’s Creek (11 a.m.): A major death to a minor character conjures lessons and feelings about faith, mourning, and the legacies we leave behind. And, Brandon Nowalk supposes, about dockside safety.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition (Lifetime, 9 p.m.): If there are two people who young, impressionable, ambitious young minds should be exposed to, it’s definitely Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller and Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin. You do, of course, realize that this is going to end very, very badly.
Amber Behind Bars (MTV, 10 p.m.): More from Teen Mom’s never-ending—seriously, there’s another wrap-up special airing tonight—parade of human misery, this time checking in with Amber Portwood, a.k.a. “The one who chose five years in prison over court-ordered rehab.” Oof.
It Gets Better 2 (MTV, 11 p.m.): In a move to immediately wash the stench of Amber Behind Bars off its back, MTV follows up that special with a second hour of Dan Savage and Terry Miller’s public service to the LGBT youth of America.
Mash Up (Comedy Central, 12:30 a.m.): Comedy Central gave T.J. Miller a half-hour to fill with stand-up, sketch comedy, and animation, and it’s exactly as insane as you’d expect. YEAH, STEVE HEISLER! DENVER!
Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life (Flix, 8 p.m.): The Pythons wrap 120 minutes of sketch-based silliness around themes of life and death—and it would’ve all held together, were it not for that wafer-thin dinner mint.
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (The CW, 9 p.m.): What began as a way for Joss Whedon to keep himself, his brothers, and their friends occupied during the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike grew into an on- and offline phenomena, spurring constant rumors of a sequel and this network television debut. Now The Evil League of Evil has to take the doctor seriously!
MLB Playoff: Game 3: Tigers at Athletics (TBS, 9 p.m.): What was supposed to be a quick detour on the way to the ALCS has quickly turned into an elimination scenario for the A’s, who must win tonight to keep alive their series against Detroit.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Titanic: Blood And Steel: You can determine if this miniseries is going to be worth it based on two superficial factors: Chris Noth’s horrible fake mustache, and the fact that Phil Dyess-Nugent’s preferred abbreviation for the title is Titanic: B & S.