Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, October 14, and Saturday, October 15, 2011. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Fringe (Fox, 9 p.m., Friday): Olivia Dunham’s apartment is invaded by a weird, blue, ghost-like thing, which either means that the “Where’s Peter?” arc is about to gain a bunch of momentum or that she’s being haunted by Boo Berry. Noel Murray will have the details. (And since it’s not November sweeps, we’re thinking that Boo Berry thing is far more likely.)
REGULAR COVERAGE
A Gifted Man (CBS, 8 p.m., Friday): Come for the discussion of whether this new supernatural medical drama can blend its myriad odd elements. Stay for the latest installment of Todd VanDerWerff’s “Frank Fisticuffs” series.
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m., Friday): Sam and Dean take on an irate Egyptian god, who’s escaped and started wreaking havoc. Could it be… Fruity Yummy Mummy? Zack Handlen lets us know.
Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:30 p.m., Saturday): Hollywood hasn’t figured out how to utilize Anna Faris, so it’s hard to believe Saturday Night Live would have. David Sims lets us know how Faris and musical guest Drake fare.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel (1 p.m., Friday): Where’s Firefly? Well, when these two episodes aired, it had just been canceled, so Joss Whedon added Nathan Fillion to Buffy and Gina Torres to Angel. Noel Murray reports who wins when Buffy goes up against Count Chocula. (Yes. We’re committing to this gag.)
The Twilight Zone (1 p.m., Saturday): Experimental spaceship crews disappearing? Salesmen selling people just what they need? Ironic twists? There’s only one place we could be, and that’s Shakopee, Minnesota, home of ValleyFair. (Zack Handlen, on the other hand, is in The Twilight Zone.)
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
The Dead Files (Travel, 10 p.m., Friday): Amy and Steve—whoever they are—travel to a small town to visit a house filled with possessed dolls. Unless it’s Mitchel, South Dakota’s Enchanted World Doll Museum, this seems like a terrible, terrible idea for a vacation.
Hairy Bikers (History, 10 p.m., Friday): We send out a weekly e-mail about what’s debuting, asking our writers which shows they would like to drop in on. When Phil Nugent saw the title of this show, he volunteered so quickly, his eyes nearly bugged out of his head. Over e-mail!
Iron Man and Wolverine (G4, 11 p.m., Friday): Simon Abrams wasn’t too fond of the debut of these two anime series, but now that it’s the series finale, maybe the shows have grown some? (We wouldn’t know. We gave up. Let us know if you think they’ve pulled it together.)
Transformers: Prime (Hub, 8:30 p.m., Saturday): Here’s another season finale for a show we’ve completely ignored. Considering our friend DJ, the guy who always calls us to say things like, “DUDES, YOU’VE GOTTA CHECK OUT TRANSFORMERS: PRIME” hasn’t called, we feel secure in this decision.
Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said?/Margaret Cho: Cho Dependent (Comedy Central/Showtime, 10 p.m., Saturday): Those of you looking for a stand-up special to watch tonight will have both of these TV debuts as options. Maybe they’ll help you stop crying. Maybe?
Puppies Vs. Babies (Animal Planet, 10 p.m., Saturday): Animal Planet, clearly in “Fuck it!” mode, has put on a show where babies and puppies battle each other in gladiatorial… an audience vote-off?! Oh, fuck this! (Screener-permitting, Meredith Blake will let us know who wins. We’re pullin’ puppies.)
Taken (FX, 9 p.m., Friday): Well, sir. If it’s killin’ folk you want, then Liam Neeson will be the guy to kill them folk. Liam Neeson or short-lived, fruit-based werewolf Fruit Brute, mascot of a ‘70s cereal very few people have eaten. But this movie’s the one with Liam Neeson. If that’s what yer lookin’ fer.
Zombieland (Starz, 7:30 p.m., Saturday): We found this clever, comedic take on the zombie apocalypse an enjoyable good time, and if you’re looking for something to watch before heading out on the town (or, let’s be serious here, watching another movie), this is short, sweet, and to the point. Also, America’s sweetheart Emma Stone!
The Bicycle Thief (TCM, 8 p.m., Saturday): Or you could watch the Italian neo-realist classic and totally hold your cultural superiority over those saps watching Zombieland. Who were they listening to when they turned on that one? You’re much smarter and better than them.
Gun It With Benny Spies (Versus, 9 p.m., Friday): Some guy named Benny Spies takes us on a road trip in which we shoot at things. Or, if you’re from extreme rural Nebraska, you might call this, “Thanksgiving Vacation.” (Be thankful we didn’t go with the incredibly esoteric Barney Google and Snuffy Smith gag we had for this one.)
2011 Supercross: The Greatest Season Ever (Speed, 9 p.m., Saturday): What made 2011 the greatest season ever for Supercross? Well, we could tell you, but wouldn’t it just be easier to tune in to this and figure out just what put the “super” in “supercross”? Probably. And less effort for us, too!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Office (Thursday): Is Andy Bernard just a way for The Office’s writers to stick as close as possible to old Michael Scott stories or a breath of fresh air for the show? Myles McNutt lays out his problems with Andy as manager in detail. (Also: Frankenberry. THAT’S HOW YOU DO A RUNNING JOKE, EVERYBODY!)