Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Orange Is The New Black (Netflix, 12 a.m., Friday): Cancel your weekend plans, stock up on provisions, and prepare to binge watch Orange Is The New Black. The entire second season of this women’s prison dramedy hits Netflix Friday at midnight. Truly devoted fans should be able to finish all 13 episodes by Saturday afternoon. We’ll have a review of the entire season up shortly there after, while brave soul Myles McNutt will be taking the slow path and watching the show two episodes at a time. His review of the first two episodes goes live Friday with new reviews every Tuesday starting June 10.
ALSO NOTED
Orphan Black (BBC America, 9 p.m., Saturday): This entry in Orphan Black’s phenomenal second season promises a “new player” and lots of Felix. Caroline Framke is going to have to paint this to come to terms with it.
ELSEWHERE IN TV CLUB
Our AVQ&A asks: “What premise do you wish was explored by someone else?” Aaron Sorkin and Star Trek pop up on the list. We also have 11 Questions for former SNL cast member and busy TV guest star Jenny Slate. And over on her column Cameron Esposito shares how Amy Poehler has impacted her career—even though they don’t know each other.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Blackadder (3 p.m., Friday): After a hugely popular Roundtable on Blackadder, Kate Kulzick had a “cunning plan” to cover this British historical sitcom for TV Club Classic. She’ll follow the show through the Elizabethan era, the Regency period, and World War One. But first, her coverage kicks off with the Medieval-set first series.
The Twilight Zone (1 p.m., Saturday): There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension where Todd VanDerWerff and Zack Handlen return to share their thoughts on The Twilight Zone’s fifth and final season. You’ve just crossed over into TV Club Classic’s summer schedule.
Doctor Who (Classic) (3 p.m., Saturday): Christopher Bahn takes a look at the final story in Doctor Who’s “Trial Of A Time Lord” serial. The Doctor defeats his “Ultimate Foe,” but unfortunately the actor playing him was not able to do the same. The BBC fired Colin Baker after this episode.
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
Brian Williams Reporting: Journey To Normandy (NBC, 8 p.m., Friday): June 6th marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, and TV has decided to mark the occasion in a myriad of specials. First up, Brian Williams looks back on the historic WWII battle for NBC.
History Special: D-Day in HD (History, 9 p.m., Friday): Elsewhere the History Channel stops reporting on aliens long enough to chronicle the Normandy landing in HD.
America’s Secret D-Day Disaster (Smithsonian Channel, 11p.m., Friday): And finally the Smithsonian Channel rounds out coverage with the story of a live-fire rehearsal of the invasion that ended in tragedy.
Say Yes To The Dress: Atlanta: (TLC, 9:30 p.m., Friday): Even TLC is getting in on the military action this week. The seventh season premiere of Say Yes To The Dress: Atlanta features a beauty-queen-turned-solider as well as a bride shopping for an impromptu wedding the day before her fiancé is deployed to Afghanistan.
Looking For Mr. Right (Hallmark, 9 p.m., Saturday): A romance novelist has to find an “ideal boyfriend” for publicity purposes. Will she accidentally find one an unexpected place? All signs point to yes.
Power (Starz, 9 p.m., Saturday): This 50 Cent-produced drama about a nightclub owner/drug kingpin debuts on Starz. Feel free to speculate on whether 50 Cent’s horrendous opening pitch was actually an elaborate publicity stunt.
The Breakfast Club (ABC Family, 7 p.m., Friday): Those who aren’t interested in binge watching Orange Is The New Black may prefer this ’80s movie marathon instead. Kick things off with the criminal, athlete, brain, basket case, and princess of the Breakfast Club.
Pretty In Pink (ABC Family, 9 p.m., Friday): Then watch Molly Ringwald fall a few pegs on the socio-economic scale in this tale of class prejudices.
St. Elmo’s Fire (TVGN, 7 p.m., Saturday): And round things off on Saturday with a post-collegiate—and not that great—Brat Pack film.
X Games Austin (EPSN, 8 p.m., Friday): We’ve heard of skateboarding, of course, but the other showcased sport—Motor X—is a mystery to us. Categories include “Best Whip,” “Step Up,” and presumably “Wolverine” and “Professor X.”
NHL Hockey: Stanley Cup Final (NBC, 8 p.m., Saturday): The New York Rangers face off against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 2 of the championship series. The Kings are favored to win, but more importantly, Lord Of The Rings’ Aragorn was a Ranger who became a King. Coincidence?!?!?!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Friday Night Lights: Sonia Saraiya talks powderpuff football, racist coaches, and the unfairness inherent in the world of high school football.