Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Sunday, Jan. 22. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Shameless (Showtime, 9 p.m.): We’ve really been enjoying this season of Shameless, but Joshua Alston is slightly less enamored than we are. That’s okay! We can all disagree reasonably here at TV Club! We’ll just log out, re-log in anonymously, and post comments asking why, exactly, he thinks he can get away with picking that grade? WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?! Ahem. Anyway, football has taken a lot of your favorite shows away tonight, so why not give this a try. Are you a What’s On Tonight? Or a Joshua Alston? YOU MUST CHOOSE.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Once Upon A Time (ABC, 8 p.m.): This episode is entitled “7:15 A.M.,” which suggests that something important will happen at that particular time of day. Oliver Sava will have to fill us in. We’re almost always asleep when that time rolls around.
Downton Abbey (PBS, 9 p.m.): Matthew and William embark on a perilous mission behind enemy lines, but what you’re really going to be talking about is when Mrs. Bird starts a soup kitchen. Oh, that Mrs. Bird! Meredith Blake finds her magical.
American Idol (Fox, 10 p.m. (approximately)): Fox used to use the post-NFC Championship slot to debut its new dramas, but this year, we’re getting yet another hour of auditions. Hope the game doesn’t go into overtime, Claire Zulkey!
Angry Boys (HBO, 10 p.m.): Before covering Idol, Claire will use her powers of time travel to check out the latest episodes of this series. Actually, she’s just got screeners because HBO is nice like that. Fox isn’t though. Fox is too fond of awful singing.
House Of Lies (Showtime, 10 p.m.): The summary for this half-hour show has more subplots mentioned than the summary for Downton Abbey, a show notoriously fond of subplots. Rowan Kaiser’s fingers will tire from covering all 5,000 of them.
Pan Am (ABC, 10 p.m.): Erik Adams knows—as do we all—that this show isn’t long for this world, but that can’t mean that we don’t get excited when we hear tonight’s episode is all about Collette showing a handsome new friend around Rome. Collette!
Californication (Showtime, 10:30 p.m.): This show is also weirdly plot-heavy tonight, which suggests that’s a Showtime thing or something. Kenny Herzog wonders when we’ll get time for smarmy David Duchovny or naked Evan Handler.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Doctor Who (Classic) (11 a.m.): The latest serial to be tackled by Christopher Bahn has what just might be the Doctor Who-viest episode name in the history of Doctor Who-vy names: “Mawdryn Undead.” What does it mean? Who knows! It’s awesome!
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
Little People, Big World: Zach’s First Love (TLC, 8 p.m.): In this all new special, everybody’s worried Zach lacks motivation, but a new girl changes his outlook on things! How convenient, in terms of finding dramatically satisfying narratives!
Ax Men (History, 9 p.m.): We’ve always enjoyed the “blue collar jobs” reality shows, but this one’s never been our favorite. We’re not sure why that is. Maybe it’s just that there’s nothing all that interesting about hanging out in a forest. Boring!
Prime Suspect (NBC, 9 p.m.): NBC’s burning off the final two episodes of this remake of the British cop drama, and if we thought any of you would watch them, we’d write about it. Instead, we’re just going to hold a funeral for Maria Bello’s hat.
Chef Roble & Co. (Bravo, 10 p.m.): Bravo’s latest in a long string of food shows concludes its first season with a gay wedding and a special appearance by Rachel Dratch. Coincidentally, that’s also how Undercover Boss will be closing out its season.
Gran Torino (TNT, 8 p.m.): One would think the male audience will be watching football this evening, but TNT’s making a play for them anyway with this surprise hit in which an old Clint Eastwood unleashes payback on neighborhood gangs.
Murders In The Rue Morgue/The Black Cat (TCM, 8 p.m.): If you’re in the mood for some nicely atmospheric Edgar Allan Poe adaptations, TCM has your back with these two films, both of which were produced in the 1930s but are still a lot of fun.
NFL Playoffs: Ravens at Patriots/Giants at 49ers (CBS, 3 p.m./Fox, 6:30 p.m.): We’re as surprised as anybody that the Packers didn’t make it here. Poor Aaron Rodgers! That said, we’re all in it for the 49ers at this point. To Indianapolis!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Drew Peterson: Untouchable (Saturday): Marcus Gilmer covered the debut of this new Lifetime “true crime” movie that will hopefully become famous for a.) being utterly ridiculous and b.) forcing Rob Lowe to wear a terrible, terrible mustache.