By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Sunday, May 24, 2015
Several new and returning reality series and games shows pop up this week.
Notably, NBC on Monday brings back "American Ninja Warrior" paired with "The Island," about a bunch of survivalists trying to make it work on an isolated island minus any luxuries or any challenges to get said luxuries. (This is NOT "Survivor.") On Tuesday, "America's Got Talent" returns on NBC while Fox resurrects "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" ABC brings back "Extreme Weight Loss" that night.
Wednesday features two more new reality shows: CBS's 'The Briefcase" on Wednesday and Fox's "Bullseye."
And David Duchovny comes back to broadcast TV after a long stint on Showtime's "Californication" with "Aquarius" Thursday on NBC.
On Saturday, HBO plays highlights from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Notable season finales include "Louie" on FX Thursday and Starz' "Outlander" on Saturday .
Two miniseries appear, one about Texas revolution against Mexico in the 1800s on History, and another about Marilyn Monroe on Lifetime.
Among shows with Atlanta connections, OWN is airing a special "Dance Crash" about a local choreographer Saturday night that may or may not become a series. On Sunday, AMC is bringing back "Halt and Catch Fire" for a second season. The series is shot in Atlanta but set in Dallas in the mid-1980s.
This covers Monday, May 25, 2015 through Sunday, May 31, 2015.
MONDAY
"American Ninja Warrior" 8 p.m. NBC (seventh season debut) — Mini Silk Slider, Spin Cycle and Hourglass Drop are among the challenges.
"The Bachelorette " 9 p.m. ABC — Kaitlyn Bristowe was chosen by the guys.
"Grace of Monaco " 9 p.m. Lifetime — Two years in the life of Grace Kelly.
" Texas Rising " 9 p.m. History (miniseries debut) — Chronicling the Texas Revolution against Mexico in the 1830s.
"Guilty Pleasures " 10 p.m. Food (new series) — Food Network stars reveal their ooey-gooey obsessions.
"The Island " 10 p.m. NBC (new series) — Fourteen men try to live a month on an island with no prizes and no camera crews. They shoot their adventure themselves.
"Teen Mom " 10 p.m. MTV (11th season finale) — Matt's intentions are questioned by Amber's family.
"Turn " 10 p.m. AMC — Caleb sails a one-man submersible into New York Harbor.
TUESDAY
"Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" 8 p.m. Fox (fourth season debut) — Jeff Foxworthy returns after a six-year break from Fox with a doozy of a first episode!
"America's Got Talent" 8 p.m. NBC (11th season debut) — The judges from last year are back.
"iZombie " 9 p.m. the CW — Someone close to Major dies of an apparent suicide.
" Deadliest Catch " 9 p.m. Discovery — Sig gives Jake a lesson in being a boat captain on the Northwestern.
" Extreme Weight Loss " 9 p.m. ABC (fifth season debut) — Twin brothers, former high-school basketball players each weigh in at almost 400 pounds.
" Hell's Kitchen " 9 p.m. Fox — The Top 5 chefs must prepare small plates for diners attending a private symphony performance, with the winner receiving a helicopter tour of Los Angeles.
"I Can Do That " 10 p.m. NBC (new series) — Celebrities such as Atlanta's Ciara and Cheryle Burke try to do stuff like Penn & Teller-type magic and basketball tricks they've never tried before.
"Younger " 10 p.m. NBC — A bedbug scare creates some unusual sleeping arrangements for Liza.
"Finding Carter " 10 p.m. MTV — Carter and Max take a road trip after receiving unexpected news about Lori.
"Inside Amy Schumer" 10:30 p.m. Comedy — Amy rides a mechanical bull; swipes a credit card; and defends Bill Cosby.
WEDNESDAY
"Masterchef " 8 p.m. Fox — A mystery-box challenge finds the Top 22 chefs using 20 common ingredients to prepare a dish for the judges.
"The Briefcase " 8 p.m. CBS (new series) — Keep a briefcase filled with $101,000 for themselves or share it with another hard-working family facing financial difficulty.
"Breaking News: 35 Years of CNN " 9 p.m. CNN — From the day Ronald Reagan was shot and the crumbling of the Berlin Wall to Anita Hill's fight on Capitol Hill and the Arab Spring, this special will showcase more than 35 of the most iconic, defining and pivotal moments in recent history.
"Bullseye " 9 p.m. Fox (new series) — Four men and four women compete in a series of extreme physical challenges in which they literally aim themselves at the target for a $50,000 prize.
"IHeartRadio Country Festival " 9 p.m. NBC — Slated performers include Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Brantley Gilbert, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley, Justin Moore and the Band Perry.
"C elebrity Wife Swap " 10 p.m. ABC — Verne Troyer swaps with Atlanta's Hines Ward.
THURSDAY
"Wayward Pines" 9 p.m. Fox — Ethan and Beverly seek clues to figure out how Secret Service agent Bill Evans' body landed in an abandoned house.
"Aquarius" 9 p.m. NBC (new series) — David Duchovny plays a homicide detective in L.A. in 1967.
"Hoarders: Family Secrets" 9 p.m. Lifetime (new series) — In the opener, an intervention is staged for a Massachusetts family.
"The Comedians " 10 p.m. FX — Billy has a strange encounter with a homeless man.
"Lost in Transmission " 10 p.m. History — A 1972 Toyota FJ that hasn't been driven in 20 years is restored.
"Lip Sync Battle " 10 p.m. Spike (first season finale) — Queen Latifah and Marlon Wayans go head-to-head.
"Louie " 10:30 p.m. FX (fifth season finale) — Louie is still working on the road.
FRIDAY
"Cold Justice " 8 p.m. TNT— The murder of a college student is investigated.
"Nightingale" 8 p.m. HBO — A man's mental health deteriorates at a rapid pace after an unspeakable tragedy inside his mother's home on a quiet suburban street.
"Marriage Boot Camp" 9 p.m. WE (fifth season debut) — Reality stars such as Kendra Wilkinson join the show to save their relationships or marriages.
"Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse " 9 p.m. OWN — Marcus and Angela receive a certified letter that claims Marcus is behind on child support for an unknown child.
"Bitten " 11 p.m. Syfy — Having possessed Clay's body, Aleister returns to Stonehaven to lay the groundwork for his plan to abduct Savannah
WEEKEND
"2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony" 8 p.m. Saturdya HBO — Among the inductees: Ringo Starr, Bill Withers; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Lou Reed and Green Day.
"The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" 8 p.m. Saturday Lifetime — Marilyn Monroe's private life, including her relationship with her mentally ill mom, is dramatized. (Part two airs at 8 p.m. Sunday)
"Outlander" 8 p.m. Saturday Starz (first season finale) — A risky escape attempt is engineered to free Jamie
"Dance Crash" 10 p.m. Saturday OWN — Atlanta choreographer Brandee Evans overhauls an undisciplined high-school dance team in an attempt to turn it into a championship-caliber squad.
"The Critics Choice Television Awards" 8 p.m. A&E — HBO leads with 27 nominations.
"Kandi's Ski Trip" 8 p.m. Bravo — Part two of three parts.
"Game of Thrones" 9 p.m. Sunday HBO — Arya makes progress in her training.
"Nurse Jackie" 9 p.m. Showtime— As the hospital begins the process of shutting down, Dr. Prince asks Jackie to help keep an ICU patient with a brain tumor from giving up his fight to live.
"A.D.: The Bible Continues" 9 p.m. Sunday NBC — Saul returns.
"Halt and Catch Fire" 10 p.m. Sunday AMC (second season debut) — Cameron and Donna's fledgling gaming company, Mutiny, finds itself at a crossroads.
"Penny Dreadful" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime— Hecate returns to her mother with a gift.
"Veep" 10 p.m. Sunday HBO — The Families First bill is headed for failure.
"The Greg Gutfield Show" 10 p.m. Sunday Fox News (new series) — The program will be a multi-faceted comedic hour, with parodies on current events, conversation on key issues and signature monologues showcasing Gutfeld's eclectic humor.
