Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, Nov. 29. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Ringer (The CW, 9 p.m.): We love a trashy soap, TV Club readers, but Ringer was weirdly stuck in the mud for a show about a woman who takes the place of her identical twin then has to fake—among other things—a pregnancy. You can only coast on the Internet’s residual affection for Sarah Michelle Gellar so far, CW! However, the last episode a couple of weeks ago suggested that the series might finally be getting its trashy feet under it, instead of trying to take itself seriously, and Carrie Raisler’s hopes—which will inevitably be dashed—are up.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Glee (Fox, 8 p.m.): In the last episode, lesbian cheerleader Santana was outed in a political ad run by a pizza magnate (no, really). Tonight, the show deals with this emotional issue by singing Katy Perry songs. Todd VanDerWerff shakes his head.
New Girl (Fox, 9 p.m.): Tonight, the enjoyably/insufferably (pick your adverb, folks) twee Jess begins a hand bell chorus with a bunch of teenagers, because that’s something a person would ever do. Erik Adams plays low C in his hand bell chorus.
Raising Hope (Fox, 9:30 p.m.): We weren’t really expecting this show to ever go to the “Burt makes yogurt” well, since so many other shows have gone there, but at least Garrett Dillahunt will make funny faces for Phil Nugent’s amusement.
Covert Affairs (USA, 10 p.m.): An MI6 agent asks Annie to take him to the Smithsonian. We can only imagine a wacky musical montage of the characters goofing off on various exhibits ensues. Simon Abrams sits in Archie Bunker’s chair.
Parenthood (NBC, 10 p.m.): For a show that excels when it doesn’t try to force drama, this show sure has been trying to force drama a lot this season, huh? Tonight, a serious crime might befall one family, but Todd VanDerWerff’s guessing it won’t.
Sons Of Anarchy (FX, 10 p.m.): On the other hand, it seems all but certain that a serious crime will befall at least one person in tonight’s first half of the two-part season finale. Zack Handlen will break some limbs if one doesn’t.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Avatar: The Last Airbender (11 a.m.): When last we left Hayden Childs, he was ruminating over two of the more unexpectedly emotional episodes of the series. Now, it’s back to the action and quests. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The Muppet Show (1 p.m.): Erik Adams celebrates the new movie’s success with two episodes, including one featuring legendary star, Charles Aznavour. (We’re hoping Erik knows who Charles Aznavour is. We’re too tired to Google.)
The Larry Sanders Show (3 p.m.): Kyle Ryan has been to the land of the “Hankerciser 200,” and he has lived to tell about it. You don’t want to know what it is. You can only experience it, as he has. So let him tell you all about it instead.
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (CBS, 8 p.m.): Get a head start on our upcoming TV Club Advent Calendar (about which more tomorrow) by checking out this Rankin-Bass classic with misfit toys, elf dentists, and a dickish Santa Claus.
America’s Supernanny (Lifetime, 9 p.m.): At first we thought ABC had canceled Supernanny and Lifetime had picked it up and given it a more patriotic name for no real reason. Instead, this is an American version of Supernanny. For no real reason.
Scott Turow’s Innocent (TNT, 9 p.m.): TNT has resurrected the “murder mystery movie of the week” format because it can. It’s starting with a sequel to Presumed Innocent. Were the old people who make up TNT’s audience clamoring for this?
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (CBS, 10 p.m.): Somehow, CBS, middle America’s most popular network, has made a holiday tradition of showing super-hot models in skimpy attire. Not that we mind. But the network it airs on is… slightly odd.
Piranha (TMC, 9:30 p.m.): Maybe you just want to watch some monster fish devour a cast full of the best and brightest (of 1985). There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, which is why this cheesy 2010 remake of the classic cult film is on.
Scrooged (AMC, 10 p.m.): This feels a little churlish to say about a film that’s become a beloved Christmas classic for many families, but doesn’t it seem like a film starring Bill Murray as Ebenezer Scrooge should be just a bit, well, better?
NHL Hockey: Penguins at Rangers (Versus, 7:30 p.m.): Luke, the friend we pay to care about these things for us because he’s Canadian and takes these things seriously, says that Sidney Crosby hasn’t missed a beat. See if you agree tonight.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
House (Monday): We’re not sure we can say it any better than Zack Handlen’s Tweet advertising his write-up: “(Last night’s) House had a secret passageway, a gun cache, and an imaginary bear.” That sounds like TV magic to us!