Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, November 11. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Person Of Interest (CBS, 10 p.m.): Our long national nightmare is finally at an end: Yes, I have at last bowed to the overwhelming popular demand by making Person Of Interest tonight’s top pick. It’s a richly deserved, long overdue accolade for one of network television’s most consistently thrilling shows, even if Supernatural is airing its 200th episode tonight, and that’s kind of a big … no, stay strong, Alasdair! Listen to the commenters! Person Of Interest it is! But, since I don’t know that much about the show, let’s turn to reviewer Alexa Planje for all you need to get up to speed:
“POI is good and its reviewer is super insightful. The End.”
Yep, that all checks out. Now go watch tonight’s episode! I’m trying to keep the commenters happy. (I know, I know, talk about a fool’s errand. But still!)
Also noted
Selfie (ABC, 8 p.m.): Because it wouldn’t be autumn without ABC unceremoniously canceling a show with a terrible title just as said show was starting to get good, Selfie is now officially a dead show walking. But that shouldn’t stop you from joining Karen Gillan, John Cho, and TV Club’s own Brandon Nowalk for one of our last few reviews. Let’s give this show the glorious, multi-week Viking funeral it deserves!
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m.): As previously mentioned, Supernatural has reached the 200-episode mark, and, as is so often the case on Supernatural, this is an occasion to go as mind-meltingly meta and self-referential as humanly possible. To wit: “Sam and Dean investigate the disappearance of a teacher and are stunned to learn that the victim’s school is putting on a musical based on their lives.”
New Girl (Fox, 9 p.m.): While we’re looking at plot synopses, let me share this doozy: “Nick feigns being gay so that Jess’ new boyfriend might feel less threatened; and Coach is annoyed at Winston for working his “Long Game” on two attractive neighbors. Meanwhile, Schmidt is bummed to learn Cece is contemplating breast-reduction surgery.” You know, on just about any other show, those plotlines sound like the makings of a triple-barreled disaster. On New Girl? Eh, it’ll probably all be pretty charming instead of crass. Well, charmingly crass, as is New Girl’s way. Erik Adams nods sagely.
Benched (USA, 10:30 p.m.): For the last couple of weeks, I kind of forgot to include Benched in these listings, mostly for lame reasons like “10:30 after some Georgia reality show is a really weird time to air a sitcom” and “Man, USA is way down at the bottom of TV Guide’s channel listings.” But I remembered it this week, so go ahead and watch Benched too, please. Emily L. Stephens thanks you.
Regular coverage
The Flash (The CW, 8 p.m.)
Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC, 9 p.m.)
The Mindy Project (Fox, 9:30 p.m.)
Hey, how long is Sons Of Anarchy overrunning this week?
Sons Of Anarchy (FX, 10 p.m.): My attempts at helpful service journalism for all you manual DVR-setters out there have been stymied by the fact that Sons Of Anarchy apparently just makes up how long its time slot will be for a given episode. For instance: TV Guide claims tonight’s episode runs until 12:30 a.m., meaning it’s theoretically 150 minutes long with commercials. But … nah, probably not, especially since the late-night reruns are only running in 96-minute slots. Then again, tonight’s episode description simply promises “Love is in the air for SAMCRO,” and if anything would need a full 150 minutes to sort out, it’s obviously that…
TV Club Classic
30 Rock (3 p.m.): Erik Adams returns to his coverage of 30 Rock’s first season, and at least one of today’s episodes represents the show at its very best. But then, how could fireworks on television possibly go wrong?
Elsewhere in TV Club
Sesame Street week rolls on with a serious treat for readers, as Mythbuster Adam Savage pens a reflection on the work of his father, who provided animations for both Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Later today, Cameron Sheetz picks another bit of vintage Sesame Street music. The Oinker Sisters are involved!
(All that said, am I the only one who never really watched Sesame Street? Don’t tell anyone though. Probably best to keep that one to myself.)
What else is on?
30 For 30 (ESPN, 8 p.m.): We won’t be covering tonight’s installment, but I’ve still got to recommend taking a gander at Rand University, a profile of legendary wide receiver Randy Moss’ hardscrabble background in Rand, West Virginia, and his journey to collegiate stardom at Marshall. Hopefully there will be time to reminisce about his legendary look at the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Navy SEALS: Their Untold Story (PBS, 9 p.m.): Veterans Day doesn’t apparently make for a ton of extra military-themed programming, but there is this two-hour PBS special, which traces the history of the Navy SEALS back to its World War II origins, with a special focus on its role in the Normandy Invasion.
White Collar Brawlers (Esquire TV, 10 p.m.): “A preppy Rhode Islander challenges a Newport playboy, when he learns the guy asked his sister out behind his back.” This mostly just sounds fascinating from an anthropological perspective. If we don’t get a serious deep dive into the intersectional rivalries between Rhode Island’s myriad subcultures, I will be sorely disappointed.
Friends Of The People (truTV, 10 p.m.): Tonight’s episode is called “Hustle Gods” and the entire description reads, “Urkel’s ascent to stardom; a quirky dunk contest; getting stuff for free; a big race.” Between the show title, the episode name, and that description, I still have not the foggiest idea what this is all about. Sounds spectacular, though.
The Fighting Sullivans/Pride Of The Marines (TCM, 8 p.m./10 p.m.): For those looking to commemorate Veterans Day, there are at least quite a few war movie marathon options. TCM offers these two films made toward the end of World War II, while John Wayne leads The Green Berets into action at 5:30 p.m. on AMC.
Wreck-It Ralph (Encore, 8 p.m.): Leaving aside the fact that this charming homage to all things video games could have been just 90 minutes of animated, oversize John C. Reilly reading the phonebook and I probably still would have been on board, let’s take a moment to look at all the classic television Rich Moore directed before helming this movie. Seriously, this is the Simpsons director responsible for “Lisa’s Substitute,” “Bart The Murderer,” “Flaming Moe’s,” “A Streetcar Named Marge,” “Itchy And Scratchy: The Movie,” “Marge Vs. The Monorail,” and “Cape Feare,” not to mention Futurama’s series-best entry “Roswell That Ends Well.” Plus, as any DVD commentary aficionado knows, he has the most pleasant monotone in the animation game.
College Football: Toledo at Northern Illinois (ESPN, 8 p.m.): Last week’s inaugural MACtion was a bit of a disappointment, I’ll admit, but I’ve got a good feeling about this week’s chances for mid-major craziness. Northern Illinois’ athletic director has even written this handy note so that you can miss work the next day!
In case you missed it
Gravity Falls/Star Wars Rebels: Have you had a chance to sample either of Disney XD’s fine Monday night offerings? Yes, Kevin Johnson is here to explain why Star Wars Rebels is picking up steam, while Alasdair Wilkins is just happy another Gravity Falls episode escaped into the wild.