Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, January 16. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Workaholics/Kroll Show (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): Over the course of its two-and-a-half seasons, Workaholics has become one of Comedy Central’s most reliably funny hits, and tonight’s midseason premiére—in which the guys try to prove they’re the funniest people in their office—promises even more wacky hijinks. Now, Comedy Central’s hoping to use it to launch another new comedy show, this one an often hilarious (though uneven) sketch series from Nick Kroll. Kevin McFarland judges which Workaholic is funniest, then Erik Adams lets you know whether Kroll Show is worth it.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.): Have (abs) you been missing (abs) the unique and special properties (abs) that make this show a must-see for so many viewers (abs), a number that grows with every new (abs) episode? Alasdair Wilkins can’t wait to take you into the world of DC Comics, and the world of abs.
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.): Mike and Frankie are fans of unique sitcom episode structures, so they decide to spend each day of a three-day weekend with a different one of their children. We’re most looking forward to seeing Neil Flynn at a sci-fi convention. Will Harris recommends Dan Simmons’ Hyperion.
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.): Our adventures in substitution for Donna Bowman—still unable to cover the show thanks to basketball—as Phil Dyess-Nugent drops in to unleash his particular brand of delight all over an episode about Manny turning 14. That kid’s turning 14? We must be dying soon.
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m.): Have you been wanting more time with Castiel, everybody’s favorite good-looking dude? Well, this episode promises a bunch of it, as the show returns from its winter hiatus. Phil Dyess-Nugent may not look like Misha Collins right now, but once he takes off his shirt, look out!
Suburgatory (ABC, 9:30 p.m.): Fred Shay starts hiding out in the Altmans’ basement after a career setback. Hey, it’s okay Fred. We’ve had career setbacks, and we’ve hidden in the basements of our next-door neighbors, too. Brandon Nowalk is actually still living in his neighbors’ basement even as we speak!
American Horror Story (FX, 10 p.m.): It wouldn’t be a Ryan Murphy joint if the series hadn’t wrapped up something like 99 percent of its storylines with two episodes left to go. Really, all Todd VanDerWerff has left is wondering what gloriously ripe dialogue Dylan McDermott will get to shout. Will it be enough?
Nashville (ABC, 10 p.m.): Rayna and Juliette prepare to share billing in a San Diego concert, says the TV Guide summary, and we’re hopeful that this might finally start to gain a little narrative structure. Even if it doesn’t, Todd VanDerWerff will be fine with a little song and dance, a little seltzer down your pants.
Top Chef (Bravo, 10 p.m.): Like Christmas, Halloween, or the annual celebration of the running of the bulls, “Restaurant Wars” has become a tradition that brings the children of the world great delight. Emily Withrow prepares for another year of things going wrong, people yelling, and things falling apart.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
American Idol (Fox, 8 p.m.): The granddaddy of all singing competition reality shows returns with three new judges, lots of preseason controversy, and a general sense of disappointment surrounding the fact you know a generic white guy is going to win. Caroline Framke will check in with the show on Thursday.
The Neighbors (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): Enough people have tried to convince us that we need to check in with this show again—and the pie the cast served at the TCA winter press tour was so delicious!—that we might just check in on it again. Not tonight, though. Tonight sounds like the end of War Of The Worlds.
Big Rich Atlanta (Style, 9 p.m.): Here is a show about Atlanta socialites and their mothers, because that’s the kind of thing you’ve been wishing the cable industrial complex would give to you. It’s a spinoff of Big Rich Texas, which we know you loved, and we know you can’t wait for Big Rich Des Moines.
Ghost Mine (Syfy, 10 p.m.): A new reality show that adheres to Syfy’s dictate of, “Take another popular reality show, then see if you can’t shove a ghost in there,” this series involves a bunch of friends who decide to start digging for gold in a haaaaaaaunted mine. Dennis Perkins digs for review gold himself.
The Three Stooges (HBO, 8:30 p.m.): The Farrelly brothers—directors of There’s Something About Mary, Kingpin, Dumb And Dumber, and every movie they made after those three—had this in development so long that it was sort of disappointing to see it actually come out and end all the weird casting rumors.
Suez (TCM, 9:15 p.m.): This is a “slow account of the building of the Suez Canal with historical distortions,” says TV Guide, and we’re more than happy to take it. After all, who would want an account of the building of the Suez Canal that didn’t include camel-vs.-camel warfare? Not us, certainly!
NBA Basketball: Rockets at Mavericks (ESPN, 8 p.m.): Two of Texas’ three basketball teams meet in Dallas for a Battle To The Death. Fun things you can look out for: If O.J. Mayo has as good a game against the Rockets as the last time the two teams met. Or you can just enjoy calling him O.J. Mayo, a fun name.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Justified (Tuesday): In case you didn’t know, Justified is back. Did you hear that Justified is back? And that Raylan and Boyd and Art and Ava and the whole gang—okay, not Winona, but that’s okay—are all back in Harlan and having general hootenannies? Well, Noel Murray heard, and he has some thoughts.