Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, January 28. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
The Americans (FX, 10 p.m.): Finally, The Americans returns to our television screens, along with a pre-air review from Joshua Alston praising the series for being “a story so finely tuned the show feels neither like it’s burning too quickly nor holding its powder.” Last season, Philip and Elizabeth got the game-changing news that their superiors at The Centre wants them to prepare their teenage daughter, Paige, for KGB training. This season, Philip and Elizabeth’s already dysfunctional marriage is tested by their difference in opinions when it comes to how they should handle that situation. When you think about that, maybe family is the real Cold War. Reviewer Erik Adams doesn’t like it when spy mommy and spy daddy fight, so this might be a little traumatic for him.
Also noted
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.): Poor, dead Oliver Queen. At least Arsenal (which is what the episode description calls him, instead of Roy) and Diggle are around to put a stop to Laurel’s vendetta—that will probably go well. Meanwhile, Brick is still around, causing mayhem, and trying to take over The Glades. Between you and us, reviewer and part-time super-villain Alasdair Wilkins is really rooting for Brick.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FXX, 10 p.m.): In “Psycho Pete Returns,” the gang decides to give up their despicable ways and live a life of normalcy. Haha, nope. Psycho Pete is back from a mental hospital, and the gang can’t seem to agree on whether or not to have him recommitted and out of their lives or get him back into the groove of putting the “psycho” into Psycho Pete. As usual, Dennis Perkins wants it to all turn into an amazing Big Love thing, but he’s willing to settle for a happy medium.
Regular coverage
Top Chef (Bravo, 9 p.m.)
The 100 (The CW, 9 p.m.)
Empire (Fox, 9 p.m.)
Workaholics (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.)
Broad City (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.)
Man Seeking Woman (FXX, 10:30 p.m.)
Elsewhere in TV Club
For some, Super Bowl—maybe you’ve heard of it—season brings back memories of past post-Super Bowl episodes of television. For a particular set of people, that simply brings back memories of Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow in lingerie. To honor all of those memories, the latest Inventory makes note of 10 episodes of television that best capitalized the coveted time slot.
TV Club also has an Interview with Amber Benson, an actress who’s more than happy to talk about her time on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as well as… Woolly mammoths?
What else is on?
American Idol (Fox, 8 p.m.): “Auditions continue.” As you can see, the saga—much like the auditions—continues.
Baby Daddy (ABC Family, 9 p.m.): In the episode “Mugging For The Camera,” “Bonnie tries to make money by putting Emma in costumes and posting videos of online.” Proving that ABC Family truly is about “a different kind of family,” it just feels right to have a character decide to prostitute her baby granddaughter. Very funny.
Stalker (CBS, 10 p.m.): This week: “A mysterious stalker targets a female lifeguard and her loved ones.” Next week: We start playing Stalker Mad Libs.
Suits (USA, 10 p.m.): The fourth season of Suits (yes, Suits has been on for four suits-filled seasons) is back with the winter premiere, “Enough Is Enough.” Presumably, everyone in this episode will be getting “LITT UP,” and we cannot wait for that. That’s what happens when a show spends three and a half seasons having its characters treat its true protagonist like garbage.
Web Therapy (Showtime, 11 p.m.): And so it goes: the season four finale of Web Therapy, that other little-watched, star-studded Lisa Kudrow comedy brain child. Fiona has kept digging herself deeper and deeper this season, and now it’s all going to end with her own scandal dashing Kip’s political aspirations. If we’re being honest, we kind of think it serves Kip right after all these years.
A Low Down Dirty Shame (Flix East, 8 p.m.): 1994. Keenen Ivory Wayans. Do we have your attention yet? No? Well, then what exactly gets your attention these days? We’re not mind readers. Fine. You can do what you wanna do.
Rushmore (Showtime2 East, 8 p.m.): Cue the funniest joke in the history of cinema:
WWE NXT (WWE Network, 8 p.m.): Do you ever think about how the future of WWE’s particular brand of sports entertainment is doomed to be fed to its present and past? If you’re like your friendly, neighborhood What’s On Tonight contributor, then that’s all you really ever think about. But at least an hour of NXT is a good enough distraction from an otherwise depressing, demoralizing, and debilitating main product. Plus, this week, the Lucha Dragons are defending their tag team titles against the rugged tag team of Team Thick: Buddy Murphy and The Artist Formerly Known As “The Real Live Cowboy” Wesley Blake.
Australian Open: Women’s Semifinals (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.): Some nights you just need to sit back, unwind, and watch some tennis, live from Melbourne, Australia. It’s truly a very specific need, but let it never be said that it is not a need.
In case you missed it
Kroll Show: You missed Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya’s review of “another fantastic episode” of Kroll Show? How could you?