Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
The Legend Of Korra (Nickelodeon, 11 a.m., Saturday): A teenage girl arrives in a dangerous, mysterious city and attempts to fulfill her dream of becoming a bender in this sequel series to Nickelodeon’s highly-acclaimed Avatar: The Last Airbender. If you’ve got Korra fever, we’ve got Emily Guendelsberger’s review of the first two episodes going up later today, and then we’ve also got an interview with the show’s producers and creative masterminds. And fear ye not. We’re going to be covering every episode of this new series. Unfortunately, What’s On Tonight knows nothing about the series, so we don’t have an appropriate sign-off. “Bend on”? That just sounds dumb.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Fringe (Fox, 9 p.m., Friday): It’s always a good time when Walter travels to the other universe, which is exactly what he’s going to do in this promising-sounding episode. Noel Murray once crossed over to the other universe, but all he found, disappointingly, was that Mello Yello outsold Mountain Dew.
Grimm (NBC, 9 p.m., Friday): We here at What’s On Tonight dropped out of this show early on, trusting that Kevin McFarland would let us know if it ever became a must-see. But every time we read an episode summary for it, we are less and less able to figure out what the hell is going on. Help?
Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:30 p.m., Saturday): Gotye continues his conquest of all media by appearing as the musical guest in this week’s episode. David Sims, meanwhile, is far more excited for the guest hosting job by Josh Brolin because there’s nothing he’s more excited for than Men In Black 3.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Veronica Mars (11 a.m., Friday): Veronica finally figures out who killed Dean O’Dell in the episode that marks the end of the show’s last long-form mystery ever. After this, it would all be standalone cases, lost fourth seasons set in the FBI, and bitter tears from Rowan Kaiser, as he wished for more Kristen Bell.
Angel (1 p.m., Friday): It’s a day of milestones for TV Club Classic, as Noel Murray covers Angel’s 100th episode, which features Charisma Carpenter’s final appearance as Cordelia Chase. Sniff, sniff. But that means he’s just one week away from “Smile Time,” and we all know how great that will be, don’t we?
The Adventures Of Pete & Pete (3 p.m., Friday): Adam West appears in this week’s episode, and he’s playing neither a superhero or a mayor of a cartoon city. Honestly, what does that say about Hollywood typecasting and its non-existence? Marah Eakin is sad that she, herself, will soon reach this series’ end.
The Twilight Zone (1 p.m., Saturday): Todd VanDerWerff wonders who the hell had the funny idea to give him an episode called “Mr. Dingle, The Strong.” Well, at least it features Burgess Meredith, which means it’ll be good for at least one thing. But “Mr. Dingle”? C’mon, Rod Serling. That’s embarrassing!
WHAT ELSE IS ON
Cartoon Planet (Cartoon Network, 8 p.m., Friday): Apparently, Cartoon Network has started burning off its massive library of classic cartoons by giving them an hour’s slot on Friday nights, and having Brak and Space Ghost “host” the program. We’re ashamed to let you know how happy this makes us.
ACM Presents: Lionel Richie And Friends—In Concert (CBS, 9 p.m., Friday): The variety show may be dead and buried, but CBS is going to make it 1975 again through science or magic, dammit, and it’s doing whatever it takes. That means reviving the variety special format, apparently. With Lionel Richie!
Art In The 21st Century (PBS, 9 p.m., Friday): If you watch this show, you can discuss movements in modern art with your friends like you know something about what you’re talking about. And since your friends almost certainly won’t, you can feel super smart. Isn’t that what friendship’s all about?
Magic City (Starz, 10 p.m., Friday): Just a reminder that Starz’s latest attempt to become the next HBO or Showtime airs its second episode tonight, after airing its pilot for the past two weeks. We’re hoping you like the mafia and Judaism and hotels, because that’s what you’re getting out of this one.
Titanic (ABC, 8 p.m., Saturday): Once, ABC thought co-producing this miniseries about the famous sinking ship with the BBC must have seemed like a good idea, but given the way the network’s burning off three-quarters of it on a Saturday, they must have reconsidered. Scott Von Doviak looks into it.
Being Human (BBC America, 9 p.m., Saturday): After struggling through the most recent season of the American remake, Phil Dyess-Nugent returns to the original for its latest finale, after having been unimpressed by the season premiere. Has his mind changed? You’ll have to read and find out!
Alive (Flix, 8 p.m., Friday): Potentially “fun” game to play: Invite a friend over to watch this one with you, then sip slowly at a glass of water, sketchpad in lap, and draw them made entirely out of food, like you were a starving cartoon character having hallucinations. Guaranteed laughs for the whole family!
Casablanca (TCM, 8 p.m., Friday): Of course, if you’re looking for a movie to watch tonight, it will be hard to top this one, which is arguably one of the very greatest movies ever made. Certainly better than The Master Of Disguise, Date Movie, or Enough, all of which are among your alternate options.
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade/Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (Syfy, 6 p.m., Saturday): We know that Crystal Skull is now shorthand for “Something everybody was excited for that sucked,” but we challenge you to watch these two in a row and say it’s that much worse than Crusade.
NBA Basketball: Suns at Rockets (ESPN, 8 p.m., Friday): Just because our first love, baseball, returned this week doesn’t mean we can’t still pretend to care about other sports! Why, here’s a basketball game, and the Rockets feature the excellently named Goran Dragic, who sounds like a dark wizard.
Bowling: NCAA women’s championship (ESPNU, 8 p.m., Saturday): We love the obscure sports this network drags out of the closet after basketball and football are both over. And, honestly, we used to love watching bowling on the old TV when it was on every Saturday afternoon. Let’s roll!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
30 Rock (Thursday): With this review, Nathan Rabin resigns his post as 30 Rock reviewer, handing it over to Meredith Blake. Having covered the series regularly since its second season and TV Club’s inception, Nathan now also relinquishes the longevity record to Donna Bowman, who now bears it alone for her How I Met Your Mother reviews. The more you know!