Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, October 21. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
You’re The Worst (FXX, 10:30 p.m.): From the pilot’s opening moments, You’re The Worst has always been a brutally honest show. A darkly funny show, but still, a brutally honest show. So, what better way to get characters to be brutally honest than to have them do it while stuck in the same space together? TV Guide boils that all down to its simplest terms—“Gretchen opens up to Jimmy and a mouse invades his house”—but you’ve really got to read between the lines. Or read other episode synopses, but those are kind of spoilery. What we will tell you is that the episode is co-written by showrunner Stephen Falk and Philippe Iujvidin, which means this is probably a pretty big episode. Reviewer Vikram Murthi just so happens to live for pretty big episodes.
Also noted
Casual (Hulu): “Valerie breaks Alex’s rules on casual sex.” Valerie. This isn’t called Not Casual or Anti-Casual. It’s called Casual. What are you doing, Valerie? Valerie. Allison Shoemaker gets it.
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.) / The Goldbergs (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): This week on The Middle, Sue finally gets real. No, she doesn’t audition for The Real World (though we’re now oddly interested in such a spec episode). “Sue invites Brick to visit her at college, but she loses him after running into the handsome Abercrombie guy.” That might just be the most realistic moment Sue has ever had. Then, on The Goldbergs, “Lainey asks Erica for help teaching Barry to be more secure in their relationship, but ends up with a boyfriend who’s dressed like Boy George at school.” We… We can’t wait. Will Harris can’t wait either, because how can you not be excited?
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): “One castaway embraces a new, more personal style of play, while another player risks ruining a good thing by going against her own alliance.” That first castaway sounds like they’re going easy breezy, keeping it cazsh, which is one way to approach a game called Survivor. That second castaway merely sounds like a doofus. Thankfully, Carrie Raisler will be around to classify these castaways properly.
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.): This week’s Modern Family synopsis has a lot going on in it, but it also features the line “Mitchell and Cameron can’t agree,” so you can probably fill in the blanks yourself. LaToya Ferguson will be filling in for Kyle Fowle this week, and we have it on good authority that she’s considering making her review a Modern Family Mad Libs type of thing.
Black-ish (ABC, 9:30 p.m.): It’s funny how Black-ish can turn a trip to church and Dre and Bow’s decision to say “yes” to things more into a reason for outright anarchy. But that’s what happens in “Churched,” when “Jack and Diane discover they were never baptized and decide to do whatever they want.” LaToya Ferguson remembers the time she decided that never being baptized was a good enough reason to do whatever she wants. And now she’s here!
Regular coverage
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.)
Empire (Fox, 9 p.m.)
Star Wars Rebels (Disney XD, 9:30 p.m.)
South Park (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.)
American Horror Story: Hotel (FX, 10 p.m.)
The League (FXX, 10 p.m.)
Moonbeam City (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.)
Elsewhere in TV Club
When we shouted for somebody to save us, the only person who responded was new kid on the block Cory Barker. And in doing so, we got this TV Club 10 piece about Smallville out of the whole deal. Sure, there is a certain What’s On Tonight contributor who is slightly jealous of the fact that she wasn’t the one take on this endeavor, but she’s perfectly aware how season six Clark Kent that is of her to feel that way.
Also, keeping with the Unconventional Families Week theme, we have an Inventory dedicated to keeping a strange family secret. Smallville definitely fit that bill, now didn’t it?
Pick a side: The Munsters or The Addams Family? John Teti and Katie Rife plead their case for each show, respectively, but it’s up to you to decide in this Family Feud.
What else is on?
Teen Titans Go! (Cartoon Network, 6:30 p.m.): “Robin tries to teach life lessons by reading the gang fairy tales.” Oh Robin. That’s all we have to say about that.
Rosewood (Fox, 8 p.m.): “Rosewood and Villa make it their mission to seek justice for a murder victim who is an ex-con with ties to a Little Haiti gang.” Without any knowledge of what this show actually is about, what do you think this show is about? If you say you think there’s a doctor involved, we know you’re cheating.
The Mysteries Of Laura (NBC, 8 p.m.): “The Mystery Of The Watery Grave” sounds more like an episode of Are You Afraid Of The Dark? than The Mysteries Of Laura—’90s kid shows were twisted—but we suppose we have to take MomCop/CopMom’s word for it.
Criminal Minds (CBS, 9 p.m.): “Three restaurant workers are killed during a robbery in Las Vegas, N.M., and it prompts the BAU to reopen a cold case that occurred in the town six years earlier.” First of all, without acknowledging there being a “N.M.” in the synopsis, it’s pretty strange to see Las Vegas be called a “town.” Second of all, there’s apparently a Las Vegas in New Mexico.
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m.): “Rowena tries to consolidate her power to protect herself from the Winchesters, while Sam and Dean search for a missing baby connected to the Darkness. Meanwhile, Castiel struggles to heal; and Crowley tries to find a way to use the Darkness for his own personal gain.” Fun game to play at home: Replace “the Darkness” with any recent Supernatural villain.
Kingdom (DirecTV, 9 p.m.): “Alvey deals with Ryan’s reckless decisions and Lisa introduces her newest fighter, Alicia, to Navy St. Nate gears up for his return to the cage. Jay meets a photographer, Laura, who presents professional and personal opportunities.” Our professional opinion? Don’t trust new people.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC, 9 p.m.): “A violinist is raped by her colleague, who doesn’t remember committing the crime and claims he was drugged and robbed by a hired escort.” Nope.
Nashville (ABC, 10 p.m.): “Maddie and Colt get a taste of freedom while joining Luke on tour.” We’re already dreading the episode. “Gunnar wants Kevin and Will to help him find a new girlfriend.” Not getting any better. “Meanwhile, Rayna’s artists keep her very busy.” We’ll believe that one when we see it, and even then, we probably won’t believe it.
Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles (Bravo, 10 p.m.): “The Brits struggle to seal the deal on a sentimental seller’s home when NBA star Kris Humphries shows interest. The sports theme continues when Josh Altman pitches a listing to baseball player Brian Wilson. Also, a woman seeks her Los Angeles dream home.” We’re beginning to think this show is a figment of someone’s imagination. We’re just not sure whose.
Code Black (CBS, 10 p.m.): Sure, there’s a plot in this week’s episode of Code Black, but with an episode title like “Sometimes It’s A Zebra,” we’re honestly hoping it’s a shot-for-shot remake of any episode of Zoo.
Jay Leno’s Garage (CNBC, 10 p.m.): After you’re done watching Black-ish, you can see Laurence Fishburne again on the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage. By the way, you’re totally watching Black-ish, right?
Are You The One? (MTV, 10 p.m.): “Housemates become upset when they learn their crush is moving on.” Honestly, we’re more upset with the grammar situation in this description. “Chuck gets busy with another non-match,” and that’s what the housemates should really be upset about. You’re doing this show wrong, Chuck!
Chicago P.D. (NBC, 10 p.m.): “Platt tasks Burgess and Roman with handling a high-society dognapping case.” If this is what counts as a “fun” episode of Chicago P.D., then we suppose we’ll take it.
Suddenly Royal (TLC, 10 p.m.): “The Howes’ six weeks are up, but they take one more chance to gauge local support by hosting a royal garden party.” We’ve already given this show three strikes, but it is ending its first season tonight, so we figured we’d give it a little attention. But this is where the attention ends!
Couples Therapy (VH1, 10 p.m.): Hey, you want to know a super great way to test compatibility? Here: Use a DNA expert! Take notes, Are You The One?! This apparently has something to do with couples therapy—the episode is called “Gene Therapy,” after all—and not couples destruction. Apparently.
Watch What Happens: Live (Bravo, 11 p.m.): Robin Thicke and Ron Howard are definitely two people who exist.
All The President’s Men (TCM, 9:45 p.m.): Redford. Hoffman. You’re welcome.
Sports, sports, all type of sports
MLB Playoff: Game 5: Royals at Blue Jays (FS1, 4 p.m.)
Women’s Volleyball: Texas at Kansas State (ESPNU, 7 p.m.)
NHL Hockey: Flyers at Bruins (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.)
NBA Preseason Basketball: Wizards at Heat (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
CrossFit Games: Day 2 in Carson, Cal. (ESPN2, 8 p.m.)
MLB Playoff: Game 4: Mets at Cubs (TBS, 8 p.m.)
Women’s Volleyball: Georgia at Auburn (ESPNU, 9 p.m.)
Golf: World Long Drive Championship (Golf Channel, 9 p.m.)
Women’s International Friendly Soccer: U.S. vs. Brazil (ESPN2, 10 p.m.)
WWE NXT (WWE Network, 8 p.m.)
Impact Wrestling (Destination America, 9 p.m.)
Ring Of Honor (Destination America, 11 p.m.)
In case you missed it
Drunk History: Shots! And history. But shots!