Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, September 17. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (FX, 10 p.m.): Denis Leary’s uneven attempt to rebrand himself as an aging rock star comes to an end as Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll reaches it first season finale. Gigi gets set up with a producer from the West Coast, which pleases Johnny but upsets Flash. For his part, Michael Roffman’s just ready for this show to take its final bow and hopefully straighten itself up a bit when/if it returns for an encore.
Also noted
Steven Universe (Cartoon Network, 5:30 p.m.): After discovering she’s secretly got a great singing voice, Steven encourages Sadie to perform at Beachapalooza. Eric Thurm would love to check out her set, but unfortunately FKA Twigs is performing at the same time on the other side of the beach.
Married (FX, 10:30 p.m.): Russ and Lina take a trip back to their old school where they get nostalgic for their youth and decide to party like it’s “1997.” Dennis Perkins is breaking out his rainbow-edged t-shirt, baggy chords, Oakleys Eye Jacket sunglasses, and bucket hat for the occasion.
Review (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): This week Forrest lets a Magic 8 ball make his decisions, tries to get good at procrastinating, and “faces his toughest review yet.” Considering the episode is titled, “Murder, Magic 8 Ball, Procrastination,” Emily L. Stephens has a bad feeling about this.
Regular Coverage
Documentary Now! (IFC, 10 p.m.)
Elsewhere in TV Club
Since TV Club is a little quite today as we mentally prepare ourselves for the start of fall TV, why not check out some of our site’s other content instead:
We have an interview with Bad Religion singer-songwriter Greg Graffin about his new book Population Wars: A New Perspective On Competition And Coexistence. We also chat with director Scott Crawford about his new documentary Salad Days: A Decade Of Punk In Washington, D.C. (1980-1990).
Elsewhere, Nick Wanserski explores falling in Super Mario Bros. with the help of his illustrated guide, Gwen Ihnat creates a Replacements Power Hour, and we play Pick A Choice with Anchorman star David Koechner.
What else is on?
The Real Housewives Of New York (Bravo, 8 p.m.): The fact that RHONY is airing its 100th episode tonight is only notable because we assumed this show had already aired at least one thousand episodes by now.
Jeff Dunham: Unhinged In Hollywood (NBC, 8 p.m.): Jeff Dunham comments on life as a wealthy but lost 20-something girl trying to make it as a writer in New York City. Oh wait, sorry, that’s Lena Dunham. This Dunham tells jokes with puppets.
Mat Franco’s Got Magic (NBC, 9 p.m.): Mat “Winner of America’s Got Talent Season 9” Franco performs magic tricks for both celebrities and normals across the country in this two-hour special. Neil Patrick Harris is on hand to defend his spot as America’s most beloved magician, erm, we mean to show his support.
Cosby: The Women Speak (A&E, 9 p.m.): In a special that will hopefully stay on the right side of exploitative, Bill Cosby’s accusers share their stories and offer “new insights” into the comedian’s history of sexual assault and rape.
Streamy Awards (VH1, 10 p.m.): The best in online video is honored in this televised broadcast of the 5th Annual Streamy Awards. Sit back, relax, and watch YouTube vloggers move one step closer to world domination.
Graceland (USA, 10 p.m.): Graceland’s third season comes to a close as the agents deal with the fallout of a gang war and Briggs tries to bring Ari Adamian to justice. For her final Aaron Tveit performance pick, your What’s On Tonight correspondent is getting sentimental:
Half Baked (IFC, 8 p.m.): Calling your dumb stoner comedy “Half Baked” is a surefire way to ensure critics work the phase into their negative reviews. But that didn’t stop this Dave Chapelle comedy from becoming a cult classic anyway. So revisit it tonight with or without the aid of some herbal refreshments.
The Maze Runner (HBO, 9 p.m.): Sure those ads for The Scorch Trials are ridiculous, but The Maze Runner is a surprisingly great YA adaptation that forgoes tiresome exposition in favor of genuinely thrilling action sequences. Plus the fact that it’s the rare modern YA story that doesn’t subdivide children into various houses/districts/factions is reason enough to check it out.
The Conqueror (TCM, 10 p.m.): John Wayne stars as Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan while Susan Hayward plays his Tartar love interest in this Howard Hughes flop. It would stand as a humorous example of how racist old Hollywood was, were it not for the fact that yellowface is still alive and well today.
Thursday Night Football: Denver At Kansas City (CBS, 8:25 p.m.): Don’t ask us why this game starts precisely at 8:25, just be sure not to miss those precious first five minutes by tuning in at 8:30 like a noob.
In case you missed it
Moonbeam City: Jesse Hassenger shares his thoughts on the first episode of this brand new Comedy Central animated series that mocks the ’80s with the help of impressive voice cast including Rob Lowe, Elizabeth Banks, Kate Mara, and Will Forte.