Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, July 11. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
Hip Hop Honors (VH1, 9 p.m.): VH1’s Hip Hop Honors makes its return tonight (and it’s live!), after a six-year hiatus. The theme? “All Hail The Queens.” Queen Latifah. Missy Elliott. Salt-N-Pepa (with DJ Spinderella, of course). Lil’ Kim. Eve (as the host). Two hours of LADIES! Rapping ladies, even.
BrainDead (CBS, 10 p.m.): This is only the fourth episode of BrainDead, but with episode titles like this—“Wake Up Grassroots: The Nine Virtues Of Participatory Democracy, And How We Can Keep America Great By Encouraging An Informed Electorate”—we’re already exhausted enough to feel like this is the fourth season. At least it gives us reason to post this video:
As for the content of the episode itself: “Laurel and Rochelle try to persuade Laurel’s friend Abby (Brooke Bloom) to get an MRI so they can uncover the real cause of the strange behavior taking over Washington, D.C. Also, Luke attempts to reopen the government through a secret deal with the Republicans.”
The Making Of The Mob: Chicago (AMC, 10 p.m.): We know you Mob Doctor fans (you Mobbies) have felt a hole in your hearts (and Monday schedule) ever since its cancellation, but now AMC has you covered with a new Monday night mob show. “The eight-episode docu-drama chronicles the rise and fall of iconic gangster Al Capone, as well as the story of his successors, collectively known as The Chicago Outfit.” Mobbies!
Premieres and finales
Cupcake Wars (Food Network, 8 p.m.): Ah, it’s wartime. Cupcake wartime. Cupcake Wars: the noblest of all the wars, indeed. Tonight marks the ninth season summer premiere of the Food Network pastry competition, with “Celebrity: Cheerleader Cupcakes.” And let us tell you, Cupcake Wars has a flexible definition of celebrity, “as Perez Hilton, Audrina Patridge, Lea Thompson and Nick Young battle for cupcake dominance and compete to have their cupcakes at the center of a party celebrating the nation’s champion cheerleaders and their coaches.”
DB Cooper (History Channel, 9/10 p.m.): They say crime doesn’t pay, but then how do you explain both (and there are probably more we missed) of tonight’s documentaries about criminals? The last two episodes of this four-part series are tonight, and we’re pretty sure it’s going to end with the reveal of who D.B. Cooper really was. Otherwise, what’s the point of another D.B. Cooper special, History Channel? (Though, we suppose it’s not another Nostradamus or Hitler special, so maybe we should just count our blessings.)
Food’s Greatest Hits (Cooking Channel, 10/10:30 p.m.): This is something new. “From pancake breakfasts and diner burgers to carnival corn dogs and ice cream sundaes, the new 14-episode series Food’s Greatest Hits explores the history and fun facts behind iconic food classics, topped off with a team of tasters sampling some unique, modern spins on these favorites.” First up, Food’s Greatest Hits appeases Liz Lemon by getting “Super Cheesy.” Then, “Carnival Eats” gets all the marks to watch Food’s Greatest Hits. Both bring on on the diabetes.
Running Wild With Bear Grylls (NBC, 10 p.m.): Julianne Hough shall run wild with Bear Grylls tonight in the third season premiere of Running Wild With Bear Grylls. Apparently they’re going to the African savanna, which makes this one too easy, but hey, that’s on Hough… Pro-tip: Going to Africa doesn’t mean one has to try to blend in, so please no blackface. Please.
Regular coverage
WWE Monday Night RAW (USA, 8 p.m.)
UnREAL (Lifetime, 10 p.m.)
Streaming pick
Hellcats, “A World Full Of Strangers” (CW Seed): Blame “Cheerleader Cupcakes” for this suggestion. Better yet, blame Perez Hilton.