Here’s what’s up in the world of television for Thursday, June 19. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Rectify (Sundance, 9 p.m.): It’s back, baby: Season two of this quiet, empathetic drama about former convict Daniel Holden and, you know, divine grace returns tonight. Todd VanDerWerff raved about the episodes he saw in his pre-air review, here; Erik Adams will return to his weekly scheduling duties tonight. We here at What’s On Tonight will meanwhile try to find some words that rhyme with “rectify.”
ALSO NOTED
Fourth Annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards (The CW, 8 p.m.): Wait, which critics?! We didn’t choose anything! WHY WASN’T WHAT’S ON TONIGHT INVITED?
Defiance (Syfy, 8 p.m.): This drama returns for its second season tonight with the characters taking an excursion to “New Chicago.” Tell them not to eat the chicken. Rowan Kaiser will return to his weekly reviewing of this show, and he, too implores you to not eat the chicken.
Dominion (Syfy, 9 p.m.): And Defiance is the lead-in to this new show, airing its pilot tonight. Kate Kulzick reviewed the pilot for us and found it tolerable; tonight, you see for yourself.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 7 p.m.)
Regular Show (Cartoon Network, 7:30 p.m.)
Comedy Bang! Bang! (IFC, 10:30 p.m.)
SOME OTHER STUFF THAT IS ON
Gang Related (Fox, 9 p.m.)
Undateable (NBC, 9 p.m.)
Maron (IFC, 10 p.m.)
The Challenge (MTV, 10 p.m.)
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1 p.m.): The Monty Python boys strike back, and Zack Handlen will be there to block their hurled fruit with his body. He is hoping they don’t bring a coconut.
Friday Night Lights (3 p.m.): The show takes a few days off from football to delve into the drama of Dillon in the lull before the State semifinals. Sonia Saraiya feels like she’s reviewing a soap opera, in a good way.
ELSEWHERE IN TV CLUB
Did you watch the Fargo finale? How about that there True Detective? Maybe you have Opinions on those two. Todd VanDerWerff prefers Noah Hawley’s take on the Coen brothers’ film; Sonia Saraiya prefers Nic Pizzolatto’s novelistic noir. Today, they duke it out, aggressively comparing two anthology series that probably defy comparison. Because life calls for these fights.
Speaking of useless, arbitrary comparisons, have you checked out the Tournament Of Episodes yet? Hannibal is going up against Broad City today, which is just weird.
And over in TV Reviews, Caroline Framke looks at BBC America’s first original comedy, Almost Royal, while Genevieve Valentine takes on their upcoming The Musketeers. Both have pretty priceless promo photos.
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
The American Bible Challenge (GSN, 8 p.m.): Week six. Seriously? Seriously.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (TLC, 9 p.m.): Season four premiere, titled “3 Generations & 1 Pork Rind.” Sugar Bear takes over the housework when June goes to work at a bakery.
Rookie Blue (ABC, 9 p.m.): Two-hour, fifth-season premiere. Andy and Dov are caught in a holdup. They don’t escape for something approaching two hours, probably.
I Love The 2000s (VH1, 9 p.m.): Episodes five and six cover 2004 and 2005. Years so long ago that they grow misty and dim in memory. It brings a tear to our eyes, as we stare into the fog of time. *bagpipes begin to play*
Campus Killer: Santa Barbara (A&E, 10 p.m.): Topical! A&E’s special presentation on the mass shooting at Santa Barbara, because nothing says “Thursday night” like “exploitative programming about a murderer a month after the massacre.”
Kate Plus 8 (TLC, 10 p.m.): Hourlong special titled “The Sextuplets Turn 10.” Remember these people?
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Six Feet Under: John Teti takes on episode three of the fourth season, after taking off last week.