Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, February 26 & Saturday, February 27. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Fuller House (Netflix, 3:01 a.m., Friday): Netflix has listened, people, to the calls of those of you who genuinely loved this oft-cloying family sitcom and the perhaps much larger number who appreciate it ironically. And, thus we are treated to this sequel/spinoff series where the next generation of the inescapably adorable Tanner family is now ruled over by a trio of goofy woman-children, rather than goofy man-children. Most of the stars are back, as Candace Cameron Bure’s D.J. Tanner—now a widowed veterinarian—enlists her sister Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and best pal Kimmy (Andrea Barber) to help raise her three cutesy sons. Sensing the parallels, are you? Well, don’t worry, as original wacky trio Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Dave Coulier promise to pop by, along with almost everyone but the Olsen twins who, oddly, seem to have better things to do. So sate your nostalgia starting in the wee hours of Friday—and check out Joshua Alston’s pre-air review which may or may not contain the phrase “The show isn’t just bad, it borders on the obscene.” So, perhaps read that first. (And, if you really just can’t get enough Joey, check out Will Harris’ typically excellent Random Roles with Dave Coulier.)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword Of Destiny (Netflix, 3:01 a.m., Friday): Sure, we can talk about all the things this Netflix original movie sequel doesn’t have (original film director Ang Lee, stars Zhang Ziyi and Chow Yun-fat), but it can still boast the amazing Michelle Yeoh, returning as super-warrior Yu Shu Lien, guardian of the fabled Green Destiny sword. And genre legend Donnie Yen is on board too, as well as Yuen Woo-ping, the master fight co-ordinator from the first film (as well as the Kill Bill and Matrix movies), who’s stepping into the director’s role. Can it equal the balletic, violent majesty of the first film? Well, no, not really. But those are a lot of promising pieces for a solid new chapter, so here’s hoping.
Also noted
Sleepy Hollow (Fox, 8 p.m., Friday): “Jenny confronts her father, which dredges up some unsavory family history. Meanwhile, Atticus Nevins returns to Sleepy Hollow and presents the FBI with a dangerous set of challenges.” Since none of that synopsis mentions Ichabod or Abbie, we’re tempted to tell you to just skip this episode, but it’s still worth it to keep up with Zack Handlen’s reviews. Plus, they’re probably in there somewhere.
The Vampire Diaries (CW, 8 p.m., Friday): There’s a vampire slayer in town and all the vampires are, understandably, sort of jittery. Stefan and Enzo come up with plans to lure her to New Orleans instead, because screw those New Orleans vampires, right? Carrie Raisler is back on the vampire beat, hoping that all this peril will snap the season into shape.
Childrens Hospital (Adult Swim, 11 p.m., Friday): Everyone’s hyped up for the Doctor of the Year convention, making guest reviewer Brandon Nowalk both excited and a little queasy, as he knows full well what the CH crew gets up to even when they’re operating at only workaday insanity levels. (And if you’re missing regular reviewer LaToya Ferguson, re-read her review of last week’s episode, which she called one of the best in the show’s history.)
Elsewhere in TV Club
In this week’s AVQ&A, and in preparation for the big annual Oscar disappointment, your favorite AV Clubbers pick their favorite Oscar memories of all time. None of which—SPOILER—include Forrest Gump beating Pulp Fiction.
Then, look for Marah Eakin’s Random Roles with 227 and Sister, Sister star Jackée Harry. (In related news, there’s a 227 marathon happening this weekend—check out the “what else is on” section for details.)
After that, why not pop over to the film section for Gwen Ihnat’s Watch This feature about Hitchcock’s great, perennially overlooked Shadow Of A Doubt, whose tale of the evil lurking beneath small town America, according to Gwen, foreshadows a certain David Lynch film on the same topic.
What else is on
Theo Von: No Offense (Netflix, 3:01 a.m., Friday): The standup, Road Rules star, and Louisiana native gets his own stand-up special.
The Amazing Race (CBS, 8 p.m., Friday): The contestants ares still in Cartagena, Colombia, and since we wasted our Romancing The Stone joke last week, we’re all out of ideas. So—how you guys doin’?
Last Man Standing (ABC, 8 p.m., Friday): Tim Allen’s Mike “covets his deceased neighbor’s miniature tank collection, but it’s already been sold by the man’s widow.” Because women just don’t understand a real man’s deep, abiding love of toy replicas of deadly weaponry, right fellas? Anyone? Is this thing on?
Caught On Camera With Nick Cannon (NBC, 8 p.m., Friday): Videos include “Daredevils,” “Road Rage,” “Humans Are Crazy,” “Viral Videos Real or Fake” and “Brace Yourself.” We are bracing ourselves, because humans are, indeed, pretty crazy.
Inside Out (Starz, 8 p.m., Friday): [Sob.] Bing Bong.
Shark Tank (ABC, 9 p.m., Friday): A brother and sister who call themselves the “Ice Siblings” make a pitch and are not summarily ejected for being silly people, so they’re in the running.
Dr. Ken (ABC, 8 p.m., Friday): Therapist Allison’s in a moral and professional pickle when she realizes she knows something incriminating about Molly’s new boyfriend. Thankfully, she can go to Ken for the sort of calm, rational counsel he’s renowned for. Well, good luck, anyway, Allison.
Hawaii Five-O (CBS, 9 p.m., Friday): “Sang Min, Five-0’s sketchy longtime confidential informant, is accused of murder.” Which point out the pitfalls of having a sketchy confidential informant rather than a garden variety confidential informant.
The Originals (CW, 9 p.m., Friday): As seen in this week’s The Vampire Diaries entry, a vampire slayer is lured to New Orleans, which makes former TVD/current The Originals protagonist Klaus genuinely pissed. “If you’re going to spin me off, then howsabout keeping your vampire slayers in your own backyard? Yeah, thanks.”
In Performance At The White House (PBS, 9 p.m., Friday): This week, celebrating the music of Ray Charles. Sounds like a good excuse for an embedded Ray Charles clip!
Second Chance (Fox, 9 p.m., Friday): Prichard has to hold his tongue when Duval’s sister starts dating a jerk he went to high school with, since Pritchard is all young and hunky now and they guy would be very, very confused at any objections he might raise. Also, there’s a prison break, so it’s not going to be all awkward family dinners.
American Masters (PBS, 10 p.m., Friday): Celebrating the music of Fats Domino. Sounds like time for another clip!
The Rap Game (Lifetime, 10 p.m., Friday): One of the contestants is named Li’l Poopy, so I think we all know who we’re rooting for to win this rap reality competition series.
Vice (HBO, 11 p.m., Friday): Tonight’s episode of the newsmagazine show is entitled “Beating Blindness & White Collar Weed,” which would make an awesome 1970s drive-in double feature.
Animals (HBO, 11:30 p.m., Friday): In this week’s episode, “Dogs,” canines of New York are voiced by the likes of Aziz Ansari, Rory Scovel, Kumail Nanjiani, and Lauren Lapkus, guaranteeing that these dogs will be funnier than your dog. Unless your dog can do that thing where he covers his eyes with his paws whenever you do something embarrassing. Nothing can compete with that one.
227 Marathon (Logo, 2:27 p.m.): Get revved up for Marah Eakin’s Random Roles with Jackée with this 10-episode block of 1980s sitcom goodness, starring Jackée, Marla Gibbs, and the great Helen Martin, among others.
2016 Independent Spirit Awards (IFC, 5 p.m., Saturday): Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani host this awards show honoring the best independent films of the year. Or the “smart person Oscars,” if you will.
Mythbusters (Discovery, 8 p.m., Saturday): “The guys respond to fan questions and requests.” Sample question: “Was it fun to blow that thing up?” Sample request: “Please blow that thing up.”
Suicide Note (Lifetime, 8 p.m., Saturday): After a college student’s roommate supposedly commits suicide, she valiantly forgoes the apocryphal guaranteed all-As when she suspects that it was actually—wait for it—murder! (It’s a Lifetime movie—it was murder.)
Blue Bloods (CBS, 10 p.m., Friday): A judge may have gone bad, so Tom Selleck’s cop brood swings into action, as is their wont.
Black Sails (Starz, 9 p.m., Saturday): As ever, Starz is pretty stingy with the pirate-type details for this series about pirates, so we’re going to go ahead and predict that this week’s episode is something about pirates doing pirate things. Let’s see if the episode title gives any hints—nope, all just Roman numerals. Well, this one’s called “XXIV,” so we’ve got that much, anyway. Pirates!
Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards (Own, 10 p.m., Saturday): “Tracee Ellis Ross, Debbie Allen and entertainment attorney Nina Shaw are honored at the ninth annual awards gala, which salutes African-American women in film and TV.” Look for appearances by Shonda Rhimes and Oprah naturally, plus a musical performance by Leon Bridges.
Trevor Noah: African American (Comedy Central, 10 p.m., Saturday): The Daily Show host’s 2013 comedy special, from the heady days right before he landed his late-night gig.
Beowulf (Esquire, 10 p.m., Saturday): “Iron miner Greff is attacked by a troll and Beowulf soon learns that the trolls have been deprived of the salt that is usually fed to them to keep them placid.” Finally, the weekly synopses mention some damn monsters! We want monsters, Beowulf.
And now… sport
College Hockey: Boston University at Notre Dame (NBCSP, 7:30 p.m., Friday)
NBA Basketball: Bulls At Hawks (ESPN, 8 p.m., Friday)
Men’s College Basketball: Rider At Monmouth (ESPN2, 9 p.m., Friday)
Bellator MMA Live (Spike, 9 p.m., Friday)
Women’s College Basketball: Xavier at Villanova (FS1, 9 p.m., Friday)
NBA Basketball: Grizzlies At Lakers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m., Friday)
Men’s College Basketball: Villanova At Marquette (Fox, 2 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Oklahoma At Texas (CBS, 2 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Arizona At Utah (ESPN, 2 p.m., Saturday)
PGA Tour Golf: Honda Classic (NBC, 3 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Maryland At Purdue (ESPN, 4 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Kentucky At Vanderbilt (CBS, 4 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: North Carolina At Virginia (ESPN, 6:30 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Gonzaga At BYU (ESPN2, 8 p.m., Saturday)
NHL Hockey: Red Wings At Avalanche (NBC, 8 p.m., Saturday)
NBA Basketball: Warriors At Thunder (ABC, 8:30 p.m., Saturday)
Men’s College Basketball: Florida At FSU (ESPN, 9 p.m., Saturday)
In case you missed it
You, Me And The Apocalypse: Emily L. Stephens says things are back on track. To the end of the world. Dammit, Emily.