Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, April 2. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.): After last week’s wonderfully enjoyable episode—particularly that lovely little subplot about Sue and the prom—we’re once again high on this show (not that we were ever “low” on it). And now the show has hauled out an episode named “The Smell,” which is all about Frankie having to teach Brick about personal hygiene when he starts to smell funny. Parenthood explored this territory last season, so that means we’re only about 11 other shows doing this away from having an Inventory called “What smells?!” Will Harris remembers an episode of I Dream Of Jeannie about this very thing!
ALSO NOTED
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.): We’re glad that this show ditched the outright camp of the ‘60s Batman series, but would it kill everybody involved to have the theme song become a straight cover of that series’ theme song? Alasdair Wilkins is already shout-singing “Arrow!” to himself.
Suburgatory (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): We’re writing this on Sunday night, which means we totally just made top pick based on episode title. Which means that this one, named “The Ballad Of Piggy Duckworth” just missed the cut. Brandon Nowalk—whom we’re not calling B-No, like Adventure Time’s B-MO, is sad.
Workaholics (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): Dennis Perkins hasn’t been so excited about this season of the show, which he thinks has lost much of what made it fun in the first place. Many of you disagree with him. Oh well. Y’all can argue about it.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.)
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.)
The Americans (FX, 10 p.m.)
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Band Of Brothers (1 p.m.): Todd VanDerWerff begins his journey through HBO’s classic miniseries adaptation of Stephen Ambrose’s terrific nonfiction story of the men of Easy Company. It’s the show that brought us Damien Lewis! Who doesn’t love Damien Lewis and his tiny little mouth?
ELSEWHERE IN TV CLUB
Ready for HBO’s big premiere Sunday? You will be after reading our TV Reviews section the next couple of days. Our thoughts on Game Of Thrones, season four, will be up tomorrow, but for now, enjoy Brandon Nowalk on season three of Veep and Todd VanDerWerff on the debut of Silicon Valley.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
Dark Minds (Investigation Discovery, 8 p.m.): Investigation Discovery—the channel you’re always horrified to discover your grandma watches so much of—launches yet another fucking show about fucking murderers. This one begins with the tale of brutal serial killer Israel Keyes.
Worst Thing I Ever Posted (E!, 8 p.m.): Perhaps this new series about celebrities’ social media follies will reveal which Oscar-nominated actor was responsible for the deluge of Cookie Monster clones in comments a while back. Because we’re not telling!
Doll & Em (HBO, 10 p.m.): And just like that, HBO’s British import is all wrapped up. Some of our writers were really into it; some of our writers really weren’t into it. We here at What’s On Tonight central never watched it, because we were too busy mainlining Cutthroat Kitchen.
TripTank (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.): Erik Adams kinda liked Comedy Central’s latest animated extravaganza when he reviewed it a couple of days ago. Will you like it as well? You’re probably going to have to watch it to find out, huh?
The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift (Spike, 7:30 p.m.): The film that makes the Fast And The Furious chronology all whackadoodle airs tonight, so if you’re in the mood for people drifting through Tokyo, now’s your big chance to get all caught up.
The Ladykillers (TCM, 8 p.m.): We weren’t sure if this was the Alec Guinness vehicle or the one the Coen brothers made with Tom Hanks, but it turns out to be the former after we checked. Phew. (Actually, the Coen brothers one isn’t too bad, all things considered.)
MLB Baseball: Phillies at Rangers (ESPN2, 8 p.m.): America’s pastime is back, and it’s been shunted to ESPN2 until basketball is over probably! And tonight’s game features the radioactive disaster area that is the 2014 Philadelphia Phillies! Hooray for baseball!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
House Of Cards (Tuesday): You may have missed it, but Scott Von Doviak concluded his run through the second season of House Of Cards by taking a look at that finale, which concludes with some truly awesome television—and does a lot of stupid bullshit on the way there.