Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, August 13. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Rectify (Sundance, 10 p.m.): Who doesn’t love a good road trip? It’s a time for adventure, freedom, and good ole shenanigans. Unless, of course, that road trip is tied to a state mandated banishment that was part of a plea deal in a murder case. And your road trip partner is your mom. Nevertheless, Brandon Nowalk is sure Daniel’s gloomy jaunt will still be riveting in its own special Rectify way. The “extended” third season finale also promises that the investigations into the murders of Hanna Dean and George Melton will move forward because Rectify is nothing if not a ball of sunshine.
Also noted
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp (Netflix, 12 p.m.): After the climatic performance of Electro/City, the counselors relax at the “Staff Party.” Andy and Katie deal with their smoldering onstage chemistry, Lindsay works on her article, and Ben shows off his alter ego: DJ Ski Mask. Let’s hope Joshua Alston has a soft spot for schedule-mandated ski mask humor.
Review (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): For this week’s reviews, Forrest tries to get falsely accused of a crime, sleep with a high school teacher, and live life as a little person. Emily L. Stephens hopes he somehow manages to do all three at once.
Comedy Bang! Bang! (IFC, 10:30 p.m.): And after checking out Emily L. Stephen’s Review review, read her thoughts on this other Thursday evening comedy. Tom Lennon stops by Comedy Bang! Bang! on a stressful night as Scott Aukerman’s editors go on strike and he has to shoot his show in one take. Emily will be screaming, “We’ll do it live!” as she watches.
Regular Coverage
Under The Dome (CBS, 10 p.m.)
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (FX, 10 p.m.)
Married (FX, 10:30 p.m.)
TV Club Classic
Futurama (10 a.m.): Fry loses a nose but finds Big Foot in “Spanish Fry.” Then things get musical as Zack Handlen reaches the end of Futurama’s fourth season and the final episode of its Fox tenure. In “The Devil’s Hands Are Idle Playthings” the devil makes a deal, Fry writes an opera, and we all get an excuse to shout, “Your music is bad, and you should feel bad!” (As if we needed one.)
Elsewhere in TV Club
We round out our expansive list of all the in-jokes and references in Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp, including taking a deeper look at DJ Ski Mask. As Marah Eakin explains:
As was widely reported, Bradley Cooper was only on-set for one day of Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp’s filming, making every scene he’s in a precious gem. Using a dumb gag and a reasonable body double, though, Wain and Showalter found a way to get Cooper’s Ben into more scenes, assigning him the role of “DJ Ski Mask.” All it takes is Cooper saying that’s who he’ll be at the party combined with one shot of him taking off the mask, and viewers are led to believe that’s him messing around on the ones and twos in every shot, never mind that it’s totally not.
And be sure to check out the first half of our list right here.
What else is on?
Regular Show (Cartoon Network, 7:30 p.m.): After a disastrous mishap, Maellard gives Benson and Rigby an ultimatum: Either one of them resigns or they’re both fired. Since the idea of Benson and Rigby going on job interviews together sounds fun, we’re hoping for the latter.
The Astronaut Wives Club (ABC, 8 p.m.): The Astronaut Wives Club continues to barrel forward in time with an episode set circa 1968. The original Mercury 7 wives deal with their shifting place in the world while NASA prepares to launch Apollo 8.
The Seventies (CNN, 9 p.m.): CNN wraps up this docu-series with an episode focused on music. Those who believe disco never died should definitely tune in for this one.
Maron (IFC, 10 p.m.): It’s the third season finale of Maron. He injures his back before the start of his new talk show and doesn’t react well to the Oxycontin his doctor prescribes. Thankfully, Andy Richter and Ken Marino are around to keep him in check.
The Princess Bride (ABC Family, 7 p.m.): There’s a seemingly endless number of famous quotes we could use for this blurb. But we’re going to go with this helpful bit of advice: “Never get involved in a land war in Asia.”
Bye Bye Birdie (TCM, 8 p.m.): “Kids,” offer “One Last Kiss” as you shout, “‘Bye Bye Birdie.’” Then “Put On A Happy Face” because we’re “Honestly Sincere” that we got “A Lot Of Livin’ To Do.”
CFL Football: Edmonton at Montreal (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.): Canadian football: It’s just like American football only more polite and with better health care.
In case you missed it
Mr. Robot: The Dark Army is ready to meet with Elliot, and Alex McCown is ready to meet with the Dark Army.