Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Sunday, November 17. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Doctor Who (1 p.m.): As it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the venerable British science-fiction series is more popular than ever. To test that hypothesis, we’ve taken Alasdair Wilkins off the Farscape beat and placed him in a TARDIS of his very own, setting the course for 2005 and the start of the Ninth Doctor era (and the series modern-era reboot). He’ll review every episode of that Who’s first three seasons—provided the show’s popularity holds out beyond this golden anniversary celebration.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Once Upon A Time (ABC, 8 p.m.): What sort of spell was cast on this show’s moral compass to make Peter Pan a bad guy? Gwen Ihnat always had a bad feeling about that kid—just can’t trust people who make tunics a staple of their wardrobe.
Almost Human (Fox, 8 p.m.): The new J.J. Abrams-produced future-cop show makes its debut. Todd VanDerWerff has the pre-air review, Kevin McFarland checks in after the premiere—can you tell which is the human and which is the robot? (Trick question: They’re both robots.)
Revenge (ABC, 9 p.m.): Carrie Raisler cordially invites you to the bridal shower of Emily Thorne. The bride is registered at Bed, Wrath, And Beyond and Spite & Barrel.
The Walking Dead (AMC, 9 p.m.): Did you see that thing that happened at the end of last week’s episode? You know… that thing? Well now the show will explain how it came to be. Which is good for Zack Handlen, because he doesn’t like to be treated like a man who’s only seeing part of the picture.
The Simpsons (Fox, 9 p.m.): Homer helps deliver a baby, growing attached to the kid and giving Maggie a rival who’s not Baby Gerald. Dennis Perkins warms up his fist for additional angry shaking.
Boardwalk Empire (HBO, 9 p.m.): Chalky goes to Delaware, presumably to check out the World Championship Punkin Chunkin. If Genevieve Valentine can think of anything else that happens in Delaware, we’ll make that our guess for what Chalky’s doing there.
Homeland (Showtime, 9 p.m.): In “A Red Wheel Barrow,” Carrie and Quinn are hot on the trail of a Langley bombing suspect. If that suspect turns out to be a red wheelbarrow, Todd VanDerWerff won’t be surprised in the least.
The Good Wife (CBS, 9:30 p.m.): One month after the split, Florrick, Agos, And Associates can finally do some casework that doesn’t require tiptoeing around Will or Diane. David Sims, however, will not be tiptoed around—either step to him while stomping around or don’t step to him at all.
Family Guy (Fox, 9:30 p.m.): Italy welcomes the Griffins with a less-than-warm embrace. Not that Eric Thurm can blame the nation: He wouldn’t want to hug Chris either.
Eastbound & Down (HBO, 10 p.m.): Kenny Powers makes his last stand, and Scott Von Doviak prepares to salute an American hero in his review of the series finale.
Masters Of Sex (Showtime, 10 p.m.): The study reaches the point where it’s not effective if it’s not being filmed, which causes certain… complications. Sonia Saraiya can’t see where Masters and Johnson would run into any problems—just dress that footage up with some period angst and compelling character drama and you’ve got yourself a prestige cable show.
Hello Ladies (HBO, 10:30 p.m.): The first season concludes with Stewart over the moon about an upcoming date—which might not happen if he doesn’t shut up about it. Fitting, seeing as Molly Eichel is unsure if she’ll ever see another episode of Hello Ladies.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
The Simpsons (Classic) (3 p.m.): And for many years, we shall speak of the great conflict between Springfield and Shelbyville, a brutal war started over such a simple object: A lemon tree. David Sims understands, though, because nobody steals a lemon from David Sims, let alone a whole tree of the things.
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
Letters To Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy (TLC, 9 p.m.): Kennedymania just keeps rolling on—though the Doctor Who anniversary gives it a run for its money this week. (Perhaps the Doctor is undergoing an attempt to prevent the assassination?)
Freaks Of Nature( Weather, 10 p.m.): Introducing “Ice Proof Man,” the makings of a shitty superhero—but just the right amount of weird to kick off a Weather Channel series.
The Drama Queen(E!, 11 p.m.): Lou Costello’s granddaughter manages talent in Hollywood. Who’s auditioning first. That’s what we want to know. No: The person who’s auditioning first, Who. I don’t know! No, I. Dunno’s on second, Who’s on first. THAT’S WHAT WE’RE ASKING!
Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell(FXX, 11 p.m.): The best-of “mixtape” of this past week’s shows must function as the de facto series finale. Farewell, sweet Totally Biased: We’d only just begun (getting worked up into a frothy rage).
Gran Torino (TNT, 8 p.m.): Clint Eastwood directs and stars in “Get Off My Lawn: The Movie.”
Life Of Pi (MoreMAX, 9 p.m.): Give a look to last year’s acclaimed special effects showcase and keep this broadcast in mind when confronted with the question “Do I need Gravity on Blu-ray?”
Sunday Night Football: Kansas City at Denver (NBC, 8:20 p.m.): If any team has a chance of upsetting the undefeated Chiefs, it’s the 8-1 Broncos. Or the 1972 Miami Dolphins. But Doctor Who fever probably doesn’t extend far enough to make that happen.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Challenger Disaster (Saturday): The Science Channel’s first foray into scripted programming doesn’t exploit its central tragedy, and it even manages to tie into the network’s mission statement. Who saw that coming? Maybe Zack Handlen?