Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, April 13. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): Everyone knows the best part of politics is the psychological warfare—we watch Scandal, after all—and it turns out that this season of Survivor knows that the best. In “It’s Psychological Warfare,” well, it’s all pretty obvious: “A separation in tribes leads to the ultimate sabotage. Also, a schoolyard pick draws a line in the sand at a tough reward challenge.” Carrie Raisler knows a thing or two about sabotage, but we’re not at liberty to discuss that.
Schitt’s Creek (Pop, 8 p.m.): Schitt’s Creek is taking politics to the local level in this week’s episode, “Moira Vs. Town Council.” “Moira decides to spiff up the town,” and that should be easy. We mean, the town’s called Schitt’s Creek, not Shit’s Creek—there’s totally hope, right?
Heartbeat: Is not on tonight. But you know it would be a top pick if it were. It’s basically the Lucifer of medical procedurals. It’s also the West Wing (politics!) of medical procedurals. You’re everywhere and nowhere, Heartbeat!
Premieres and finales
Catastrophe (Amazon): Well that was quick. The Catastrophe season two finale (well, Molly Eichel’s review) is finally here, and… It’s just not enough! Everything’s the worst. This is the true catastrophe. Come on Sharon and Rob, you can give us some more episodes. We won’t get spoiled by too much of a good thing. We promise.
Strong (NBC, 9/10 p.m.): Debuting the night before John Cena’s somewhat similar reality competition is NBC’s Strong. Executive produced by Sylvester Stallone (his friends call him Sly!), “10 women competitors, each looking to reach their full potential by getting physically and mentally strong, and 10 elite male trainers from around the country arrive at the ‘STRONG’ compound to train and compete together in epic strength and conditioning challenges.” This is what’s going on in Heartbeat’s place. For two hours.
Face Off (Syfy, 9 p.m.): Here comes “Sinister Showdown Part 2,” the 10th season finale of Face Off. “Season 10 ends with the three finalists and their teams working on the makeup for short horror films before one of them is crowned the champion.” Definitely sounds like a sinister showdown, so good job on the episode title, Face Off.
Donnie Loves Jenny (A&E, 10 p.m.): In the third (THIRD!) season finale of Donnie Loves Jenny, “Jenny’s birthday approaches, but she isn’t happy about getting older, so Donnie tries to take her mind off of it.” We wonder if he takes her mind off of it by making her watch three seasons of Donnie Loves Jenny. We’re not quite sure how that would work, but it’s still a guess.
The Last Panthers (Sundance, 10 p.m.): You like jewel heists? Then The Last Panthers is for you: It’s “a crime drama about European jewel thieves” that “begins with a heist in Marseilles that bears the earmarks of a notorious gang thought to be out of the business.” You don’t really care too much about jewel heists? Well do you care about David Bowie? Of course you do! Well, Bowie’s “Blackstar” is The Last Panthers’ theme song. In conclusion: David Bowie supported jewel heists, and you should too!
In addition to the late Bowie, The Last Panthers features Samantha Morton and Tahar Rahim as, respectively, the insurance investigator and the lead detective butting heads during the search for the missing diamonds. Watch as those heads butt in the exclusive clip below, then check back for Brandon Nowalk’s review of the premiere—just don’t obstruct his investigation!
Regular coverage
The Path (Hulu, midnight)
The Goldbergs/The Middle (ABC, 8/8:30 p.m.)
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.)
Empire (Fox, 9 p.m.)
Black-ish (ABC, 9:30 p.m.)
Broad City (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.)
The Americans (FX, 10 p.m.)
Streaming pick
Body Politic, “Unaired Pilot” (YouTube): When it comes to the political theme we’re going with in this latest edition of What’s On Tonight, we have plenty of options for a streaming pick. We’ve chosen not to highlight any of them and instead go with an unaired pilot for the deceased network known as The WB, Body Politic. Created by The 100’s Jason Rothenberg and Zoo’s Bill Robinson in 2009, Body Politic was “a look at Washington politics through the eyes of up-and-coming staffers.” It also starred Minka Kelly, Jason Dohring, Gabrielle Union, Brian Austin Green, Jay Hernandez, Jenny Wade, and Tim Matheson. Those are some names! Watch the pilot in four parts on YouTube, so you can say you’ve seen one more failed WB pilot than other people.