Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, January 16. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
Regular Show (Cartoon Network, 6 p.m.): The time has come—Regular Show… In Space is blasting off for good. And it’s doing so with an hour’s worth of farewell episodes in the form of “Cheer Up Pops” and the “A Regular Show Epic Final Battle.” “Cheer Up Pops” is just as simple as it sounds, as “the guys want to cheer up Pops.” Pretty regular, right? As for that epic final battle… “An epic final battle begins.” Then, “an epic final battle comes to its dramatic conclusion, and the fate of the universe is decided.” We’re really going to miss Regular Show’s ability to sell itself. So long, Regular Show. We hope your universe’s fate doesn’t suck.
Gotham (Fox, 8 p.m.): You’re probably wondering: How are things going for prepubescent Batman? “Falcone wants Gordon dead after learning that he shot Mario; Gordon and Bullock trail a Jerome fanatic who’s plotting to bring his idol back to life; Penguin sits for a major TV interview; and Selina’s mother returns to Gotham.” So Gotham is still a pretty Mad City, and given that synopsis, you must still be wondering how things are going for baby Bruce Wayne. At least this leaves an opening for reviewer Kyle Fowle to fill in the blanks with his own original Gotham fanfiction in this week’s Gotham discussion post.
The Odd Couple (CBS, 9:30 p.m.): The title of this week’s The Odd Couple is “Batman Vs. The Penguin,” and with a title like that, it should make an obvious choice after an episode of Gotham. “Oscar matches wits against a penguin in a TV segment that tests who is better at predicting the winners of hockey games.” But where does Batman come in? You see, if it were baseball instead of hockey, one would assume a “Batman”/”bat man” situation would ensue. This just sounds like false advertising. And yet, The Odd Couple has achieved top pick status this week. You win again, Matthew Perry.
Premieres and finales
Howie Mandel All-Star Comedy Gala (The CW, 8 p.m.): Looking for laughs? Then you should check out this comedy gala, recorded at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. See? “Laughs” are even in the title of the festival. And it’s not just Howie Mandel: “The special features stand-up performances by Jay Pharoah, Iliza Shlesinger, Russell Peters and JB Smoove, as well as many others.”
The Young Pope (HBO, 9 p.m.): No Young Pope jokes to see here; this is just a heads up that the series sees its time slot premiere tonight with “Second Episode.” As for the episode itself: “Sofia (Cécile De France), the Vatican’s marketing director, receives a surprise directive as Lenny (Jude Law) prepares for his first public appearance.” Like we said, no Young Pope jokes to see here.
The Story of God With Morgan Freeman (NatGeo, 9 p.m.): The Morgan Freeman-hosted series returns for its second season tonight, with “The Chosen One”: “Those believed to be chosen to lead their believers are examined.” But what about those believed to be too young a pope?
Yep, this is where the Young Pope jokes went.
Summer House (Bravo, 10 p.m.): “Summer House brings together a group of nine friends who work hard making their money and building their résumés during the week, but on the weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day, they share a summer house to let loose in a big way that speaks to their exclusive, high-end lifestyle.” That’s right, the cast members of Bravo’s newest reality series definitely work hard… but they also play hard. In fact, Work Hard, Play Hard is possibly a better title than the generic Summer House. Or Revenge. That would be a good title, too.
Food: Fact Or Fiction? (Cooking Channel, 10 p.m.): As usual, we’re still under the belief food is fact, but Cooking Channel is still wondering about that one with the season two finale of Food: Fact Or Fiction?. In the episode, “Up In The Air”: “Host Michael McKean explores why airline food has a bad rap; what makes astronauts crave spicy flavors; and the remarkable story behind a contraband corned beef sandwich in space.” That’s right, experts (well, Michael McKean) are finally asking the big question: What is the deal with airline food?
Meet The Putmans (TLC, 10 p.m.): Want to Meet The Putmans? Well, if you turn on TLC at 10 p.m., we’ll consider that a yes. But before you do that, here’s what you should know: “A series following three generations of one family—25 people in all—who live together in the same house and share everything from pooling their finances to raising their children.” Oh. It’s a show about an actual nightmare. What an unassuming title.
Big Fan (ABC, 10/10:30 p.m.): Big Fan finishes up its less big winter season with two more back-to-back episodes, dedicated to Kim Kardashian West and Kristen Bell. “Among Kim Kardashian West’s millions of followers around the world, three are chosen to battle it out to be crowned her #1 super fan.” Then, “Kristen Bell meets some of her biggest fans, but only one will win a “Frozen” experience of a lifetime.” Considering the fact your friendly neighborhood What’s On Tonight contributor watched every single episode of House Of Lies, she’s actually a bit disappointed she wasn’t even contacted for this second episode. Apparently, Frozen is more the marker of superfandom in this case. Whatever you say, posers.
Regular coverage
WWE Monday Night RAW (USA, 8 p.m.)
Lucifer (Fox, 9 p.m.)
Timeless (NBC, 10 p.m.)
Streaming pick
Justice League (Amazon Video/Google Play/iTunes/Netflix): We’ve got Batman on the brain, alright? And since Hulu’s Batman & Bill documentary isn’t scheduled to drop until May, we figured we’d suggest a different superhero documentary, Justice League.