Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, January 27. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Lucha Underground (El Rey, 8 p.m.): In a time when WWE’s talent has never been better but has also never been more injured or creatively-malnourished, Lucha Underground has returned to say: “Hey, remember how awesome we are?” In case you don’t, you can (and should) always go back and read LaToya Ferguson’s review of the first season finale of Lucha Underground, “Ultima Lucha.” (She’ll be reviewing this season premiere, you know.) You can also watch the trailer for this season of Lucha Underground, which has motorcycles and nunchucks and Rey Mysterio and ohmygod Angelico is going to jump off of so many things this season, you guys! You know: true lucha libre.
And just as a reminder: You don’t even need to be a wrestling fan to watch and love Lucha Underground, because what’s so fascinating and different about Lucha Underground is how it’s a cinematic experience first and then a wrestling show. You know, the way Vince McMahon sees WWE, only actually accurate. As for that thing we said The Rock (the one we love, not the one who currently shows up on WWE TV) said:
[Note: El Rey, like The A.V. Club, is owned by Univision Communications]
Top pick No. 2: Pig In The City
The Challenge: Battle Of The Bloodlines / The Challenge Aftershow (MTV, 10 / 11 p.m.): “Bloodlines reunite for a grueling endurance challenge. In other events, TJ stuns the competitors with news of a location change.” Come on, guys. Are you really stunned anymore when TJ announces a location change? Come on. It’s part of the whole thing now. Come. On.
Also noted
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.): “Oliver has to learn a whole new way of life.” Hey, Arrow synopsis writer? We don’t want to tell you how to do your job, but the entire premise of Arrow on a season-to-season basis is Oliver having to learn a whole new way of life. We’re just saying. Alasdair Wilkins, on the other hand, is a stickler for routine and tradition, which is good news for those of you expecting a review of tonight’s episode.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FXX, 10 p.m.): Psst! Dennis Perkins! Over here! Guess what? “Dee Made A Smut Film.” Tell your friends!
Suits (USA, 10 p.m.): After seeing one of the latest promos for this season of Suits, your friendly neighborhood What’s On Tonight contributor’s brother pointed out that Mike Ross “seems like a lot more trouble than he’s worth.” And he was able to pick up on that after only seeing the promo and a handful of episodes from the first two seasons. However, some of us have stuck with the show while also agreeing about Mike Ross being the anchor that weighs everything and everyone down (despite being the source of show’s premise), and with that comes the viewing of the season five premiere (and the beginning of the end?), “Blowback.” The episode title kind of says it all, right?
Man Seeking Woman (FXX, 10:30 p.m.): In “Tinsel,” “Liz falls for an unavailable man.” Is it wrong that our first instinct was to say, “please don’t be Josh”? Come on—Josh just settled for a car last week. You’re telling us Liz’s “unavailable man” couldn’t possibly be her own brother? That’s a little close-minded of you, now isn’t it? What’s that? Oh. We just saw the episode promo. Never mind. By the way, Kate Kulzick would like for it to be known that she has absolutely nothing to do with this What’s On Tonight entry.
Regular coverage
Star Wars Rebels (Disney XD, 9 p.m.)
American Crime (ABC, 10 p.m.)
Younger (TV Land, 10 p.m.)
What else is on?
Uncle Grandpa (Cartoon Network, 5:30 p.m.): In “G’Day Mornin’,” “Uncle Grandpa visits Australia to stop a kangaroo from destroying the planet.” Eh, we don’t think he’s going to save the day.
2 Broke Girls (CBS, 8 p.m.): “Jackée Harry guest stars as Ruby, a jazz club owner.” That’s really all we needed to know.
American Idol (Fox, 8 p.m.): American Idol’s final H-H-H-Hollywood Week begins tonight. As the episode synopsis says, “the judges have heard auditions from all over the country, and now it’s time for the best of the best to see if they are cut out for Hollywood.” Are they really “the best of the best”? Are we really so sure about that?
Mob Wives (VH1, 8 p.m.): There doesn’t appear to be an episode synopsis for one, so we’re just going to assume someone gets whacked.
Mike & Molly (CBS, 8:30 p.m.): “Mike becomes hypervigilant after his wallet is stolen from the squad car while taking a nap.” Another week, another reason we have to say: Just leave him, Molly. You can do so much better!
Duck Dynasty (A&E, 9 / 9:30 p.m.) / Jep & Jessica: Growing The Dynasty (A&E, 10 / 10:30 p.m.): Here, have a bunch of Duck Dynasty!
Criminal Minds (CBS, 9 p.m.): Oh hey, Hart Of Dixie fans: Wilson Bethel’s a guest star in this episode! “The BAU searches for a motive and an UnSub when victims are found in truck stop restrooms along highways throughout the South.” Eek. Hopefully Wilson Bethel isn’t the killer. That could be a real mood… killer.
Tia Mowry At Home (Cooking Channel, 9 p.m.): “A beach picnic is prepared.” LEAVE NATURE ALONE, TIA!
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m.): “Dee Wallace guest stars,” reminding us all that scream queens existed before Ryan Murphy invented them. “Sam and Dean investigate a case where people are suffering violent deaths after hearing a mysterious song.” We’re guessing the solution isn’t just to give the townspeople noise-cancelling headphones, huh?
Hell’s Kitchen (Fox, 9 p.m.): See you later, Second Chance. Now, instead of Frankensteins, this time slot is providing us with… chefs. Fair trade-off? Well it’s definitely a trade-off. Hell’s Kitchen continues its 15th season as “16 Chefs Compete,” and “Chef Ramsay presents the red and blue teams with a communication challenge.” Winners get a relaxing retreat in Santa Barbara, and we assume losers will be sent off to live with Second Chance.
Property Brothers (HGTV, 9 p.m.): The Property Brothers are “Particularly Particular With Their Wish List.” At least, we think they are. The episode title doesn’t quite go into it.
Face Off (Syfy, 9 p.m.): “The remaining 12 artists team up to create a member of a long-lost race inspired by unique languages created by Game Of Thrones linguist David Peterson.” Nerd alert!
My 600-lb Life (TLC, 9 p.m.): This is “June’s Story”: “A 600-lb. woman deals with the tragic death of her son by eating, but after gastric-bypass surgery, she must face her emotional issues that drive her food addiction.”
Newlyweds: The First Year (Bravo, 10 p.m.): In case you’re going through Modern Family withdrawals, maybe you can settle for tonight’s episode of Newlyweds: The First Year, “A Very Modern Family.” Maybe.
Code Black (CBS, 10 p.m.): Tommy Dewey and Jesse Bradford are back this week, so that’s a good sign for the attractive male aspect of things. But we’re just going to warn you that this is probably a more depressing episode than usual, as “Leanne goes to a prison to finally confront the drunk driver who killed her family.”
Rev Run’s Sunday Suppers (Cooking Channel, 10 p.m.): “Justine hosts a traditional English high tea, with flaky scones, strawberry jam and finger sandwiches, in the Season 3 premiere. Meanwhile, Rev Run makes Parmesan meatball sliders just in case cucumber with herb butter and smoked salmon with creme fraiche don’t appeal to their guest.” So, um, enjoy that?
Kocktails With Khloé (FYI, 10 p.m.): Who’s koming over for kocktails this week? No idea! It’s a kurprise! Whatever.
Little Women: Atlanta (Lifetime, 10 p.m.): Little Women are taking over the world, and we’re not talking Jo and the girls. Tonight marks the series premiere of the latest Little Women spin-off, Little Women: Atlanta. “In the series premiere, the ladies go out for a night at the club, but things get heated when the twins face off against Bri and Emily. Later, the group disagrees about Minnie’s love life; and one of the women reveals her pregnancy to her father.” That will surely make sense once the episode airs and you finally know who these women are.
Rich In Faith (Oxygen, 10 / 10:30 p.m): Tonight’s first Rich In Faith episode requests “No Surprises, Please,” and oh boy: “DawnChere plans a surprise party to spread cheer to a stressed Rich, but Rich doesn’t like surprises.” What is wrong with you DawnChere?! Shouldn’t you know this about Rich?! Ugh, DawnChere. Then, in “Baby, Maybe It’s Time” (the first season finale, by the way), we get bonus Giuliana Rancic. Seriously: “A struggle with infertility is discussed when DawnChere’s friend, Giuliana Rancic, arrives.” Way to bring the mood down, GR.
Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan (Travel Channel, 10 p.m.): It’s time for things to get wild with the third season premiere of Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan. “Dom travels to Mozambique on a mission to swim with the whale shark.” Yep, that’s wild.
Teachers (TV Land, 10:30 p.m.): In “Duct Duct Goose,” “The Superintendent visits and one student causes problems. Elsewhere: Ms. Snap auditions for The Bachelor.” Well now we’re definitely interested to see how this episode title leads to this episode plot.
Watch What Happens: Live (Bravo, 11 p.m.): None of this two guest nonsense tonight. Instead, it’s all J.Lo, all the time. What’s that, Jennifer Lopez fans? What are you doing? Are you:
Max (Flix West, 7 p.m.): TV Guide Dude says it all, really: “John Cusack as a fictional, one-armed Jewish art dealer who does his best to nurture the dreams of a fellow WWI vet: Adolf Hitler (Noah Taylor). Controversial, to say the least, but first-time director Menno Meyjes deserves credit for trying.”
Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan (HBO Zone, 9 p.m.): “MY WIFE!” Ah, comedy.
Sports, sports, all type of sports
College Basketball: DePaul at Butler (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.)
College Basketball: Texas A&M at Arkansas (ESPNU, 7 p.m.)
College Basketball: St. John’s at Seton Hall (FS1, 7 p.m.)
College Basketball: Pittsburgh at Clemson (FSN, 7 p.m.)
Pro Bowl Draft (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.)
NBA Basketball: Rockets at Spurs (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
College Basketball: Tulsa at Houston (ESPNews, 8 p.m.)
Golf: Singapore Open (Golf Channel, 8 p.m.)
NHL Hockey: Flyers at Capitals (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.)
College Basketball: Loyola (Chicago) at Wichita State (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.)
College Basketball: Baylor at Oklahoma State (ESPNU, 9 p.m.)
College Basketball: Stetson at Marquette (FS1, 9 p.m.)
Australian Open: Women’s semifinals (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.)
NBA Basketball: Mavericks at Warriors (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.)
NHL Hockey: Avalanche at Kings (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.)
College Basketball: Boise State at UNLV (CBS Sports, 11 p.m.)
College Basketball: California at Utah (ESPNU, 11 p.m.)
WWE NXT (WWE Network, 8 p.m.)
Ring Of Honor (Comet TV, midnight)
In case you missed it
Brooklyn Nine-Nine: The Pontiac Bandit returned!