Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, July 28. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
BoJack Horseman (Netflix, 4 p.m.): Les Chappell continues working his way through BoJack Horseman’s much beloved third season. Today he tackles a real doozy: the season’s fourth episode, “Fish Out Of Water.” Set at the underwater Pacific Ocean Film Festival, the episode is almost entirely silent. Unable to speak to the fish around him, Bojack has to learn to communicate in other ways instead as he tries to return a lost baby seahorse to its father. Les can’t wait to dive in to this one.
Steven Universe (Cartoon Network, 7 p.m.): Steven and Greg rent a boat to surprise Lapis Lazuli. It’s all part of Steven’s plan to help Lapis get her water-loving mojo back after spending so much time fused with Jasper and trapped at the bottom of the ocean. Eric Thurm was particularly fond of the last Lapis-centric episode, “Barn Mates” so hopefully “Alone At Sea” will be a worthy follow-up. And, come to think of it, it would also make a nice double feature with BoJack Horseman’s own water-centric episode.
Democratic National Convention (Multiple channels, 8 p.m.): A week after Donald Trump tried to convince Americans that they are living in a hellish dystopia only he can fix, Hillary Clinton will get to make her own argument as to why the country should vote for her. She’ll take the stage in the final speech of the Democratic National Convention after being introduced by her daughter, Chelsea Clinton. Her historic speech will mark the first time a woman has accepted the presidential nomination of a major party, which makes it worth watching whether you’re with her or not.
Premieres and finales
Ozark Sharks (Syfy, 9 p.m.): Syfy is back at it again with the great whites. The latest shark-themed offering from the chanel centers on a family whose “picturesque family vacation to the Ozarks” is interrupted by a massive bull shark attack. There have actually been reports of bull sharks swimming up the Mississippi River before, but we’re betting scientific accuracy isn’t at the top of Ozark Sharks’ priorities.
Ripper Street (BBC America, 10 p.m.): If there’s one area in which TV offers true diversity, it’s the breadth of stories about men killing women. From present day to the distant past, television has committed to exploring every way in which women have been/could be brutalized. And tonight Ripper Street returns for a fourth season of even more Victorian murders! Set three years after the last season, Detective Inspector Edmund Reid (Matthew Macfadyen a.k.a. Mr. Darcy) is drawn away from his retirement to deal with trouble in Whitechapel. Meanwhile Detective Inspector Bennet Drake (Jerome Flynn a.k.a. Bronn) has been promoted to head inspector.
Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): Comedy Central’s “four-night thunderdome of comedy” kicks off tonight. “The world’s most venomous comedians” compete in one-on-one standoffs and a panel of judges decides which one moves forward. “Roastmaster general” Jeff Ross hosts the proceedings with help from “referee” Brian Moses. In describing the “dangerous” series via a press release, Ross explains, “Think Fight Club for comedians where anything goes… It’s the Olympics of insults and sometimes feelings get hurt.” Oh boy.
Streaming pick
Parks And Recreation, “The Debate” (Netflix): Even those who aren’t fond of Hillary Clinton themselves can enjoy imaging how thrilled Leslie Knope would be to watch her officially accept the Democratic nomination. And it’s worth pointing out that “The Debate,” in which go-getter Knope faces off against Paul Rudd’s dumb rich-kid Bobby Newport during their city council race, may offer a very prescient look at the next four months of American politics.