Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, March 10. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Portlandia (IFC, 10 p.m.): Back when Portlandia premiered in 2011 it wasn’t quite as popular to openly embrace feminism, so the show was actually pretty ahead of the curve in introducing Women and Women First bookstore owners Candace and Toni. But oh how times have changed! You can’t open the internet these days without hearing about feminism, and Portlandia is evolving with the times: Last year the show skewered clueless male allies in “Doug Becomes A Feminist” and tonight Portland is named the country’s foremost feminist city. Portland even welcomes a Femimart, a superstore that sells products just for women (you know, lady blenders, lady blankets, and lady leaf blowers). Elsewhere, Candace becomes a national feminist celebrity, while Toni fears Portland is just using feminism to make a profit. Thankfully, Les Chappell is just the man to sort it all out!
Also noted
El Chapo & Sean Penn: Bungle In The Jungle (Reelz, 9 p.m.): Is it a little weird to give a cutesy rhyming title to a documentary about a murderous drug lord? Probably. But that won’t stop Reelz! This hour-long documentary examines that time Sean Penn sat down with El Chapo (a.k.a Joaquín Guzmán) for a one-on-one interview. According to early reports, El Chapo & Sean Penn argues it was actually director Oliver Stone who pushed for the interview with the hopes of obtaining film rights to the drug lord’s story, potentially for $6 million.
Scandal (ABC, 9 p.m.): After a week off, Scandal returns with more… scandal! Several Secret Service agents seek help from Olivia’s team after they wind up with a dead girl in their hotel room. Elsewhere Jake divulges some secrets and Abby tries to keep Fitz in line. In last week’s review, Gwen Ihnat noted, “I will be goddamned if I can find anyone left on Scandal to care about.” But surely an episode called “The Fish Rots From The Head” can bring some humanity back to the show, right? Right?!?
How To Get Away With Murder (ABC, 10 p.m.): An assistant DA questions the Keating 5 about the night Emily Sinclair died. The flashbacks, meanwhile, focus on Annalise’s strategy in the Mahoney case. Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya called last week’s episode one of the “most exciting in weeks” so let’s hope that trend continues tonight.
Baskets (FX, 10 p.m.): Have you been keeping up with Baskets? If not, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon of this bittersweet Zach Galifianakis show about a failed professional clown. According to Vikram Murthi, “the best Baskets episodes really do somehow find a sweet spot between comedy and drama that elevates both the characters and the narrative to the sublime.” In tonight’s episode, Chip joins a book club but becomes frustrated when no one wants to eat his sugar pie.
Regular Coverage
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8 p.m.)
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 8 p.m.):
DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow (The CW, 8 p.m.)
The 100 (The CW, 9 p.m.)
Elementary (CBS, 10 p.m.)
Vikings (History Channel, 10 p.m.)
Workaholics (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.)
Idiotsitter (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.)
Elsewhere in TV Club
In a brand new Random Roles, the legendary Mary Steenburgen chats about her eclectic career, her relationship with Ted Danson, and her current role on The Last Man On Earth. Then in a new For Our Consideration dropping at 11 a.m., Paul Scheer talks us through his new female-centric sketch series Party Over Here, which debuts on Fox on Sunday.
What else is on?
You, Me, And The Apocalypse (NBC, 8 p.m.): For those who haven’t heard, we’re stopping regular coverage of You, Me, And The Apocalypse, although Emily L. Stephens fantastic reviews are still available for those just catching up (and she’ll be back to review the finale in three weeks). Tonight Father Jude and Sister Celine are faced with an unexpected challenge in Malta.
The CNN Republican Debate (CNN, 8:30 p.m.): Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and John Kasich debate and/or yell at one another at the University of Miami. Jake Tapper and Dana Bash host the shindig.
Colony (USA, 10 p.m.): In the penultimate episode of Colony, Will wants to get his family out from under occupation. Elsewhere Katie and Broussard plot a major operation. Given that the episode is called “Zero Day,” we’re betting that some crazy shit is about to go down.
Prey (BBC America, 11 p.m.): The six-episode season of Prey is divided into two separate storylines and the first comes to a close tonight. John Simms’ Detective Constable Farrow discovers the truth behind the brutal murders he’s accused of committing.
Dark Net (Showtime, 11 p.m.): The first season finale of this Internet-centric docuseries centers on online harassment, 3-D printed guns, and a Hasidic Jew tempted by the World Wide Web.
Join Or Die With Craig Ferguson (History Channel, 11 p.m.): Julie Bowen, Dan Levy, and Professor Laila Lalami debate history’s worst tyrant. Those who have long dreamed of watching a Modern Family actor discuss Pol Pot should be sure to tune in.
The Fifth Element (SyFy, 6:30 p.m.): “Big bada boom.”
Point Break (Starz, 9 p.m.): Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, and Gary Busey grapple with surfing, crime, law enforcement, and sky diving in this 1991 Kathryn Bigelow action classic.
The French Line (TCM, 9:45 p.m.): A 1954 musical starring Jane Russell as a millionairess looking for love. Naturally, she travels to Paris and switches places with a model so she can find romance incognito.
ACC Basketball Tournament (ESPN, 7 p.m.): As of press time, tonight’s round of ACC games feature TBA vs. Virginia at 7 p.m. and TBA vs. Miami at 9 p.m. Sounds like an exhausting night for those TBA players.
In case you missed it
The Carmichael Show: Creator/star Jerrod Carmichael proves that multi-camera sitcoms don’t need to feel old-fashioned. Joshua Alston kicks off weekly coverage of The Carmichael Show’s second season.