Originally posted Sunday, October 28, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
It's a busy week highlighted by the departure of Rick Grimes on "The Walking Dead" Sunday along with Julia Roberts' first big TV role on Amazon Prime in "Homecoming."
There are also several shows shot (at least in part) in Atlanta either debuting or coming back this week including “Rickey Smiley for Real” on TV One, “7 Little Johnstons” on TLC Tuesday, “Stan Against Evil” on IFC Wednesday, Bravo’s “Buying it Blind” Friday and “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” on Sunday.
The biggest show on Netflix this week is the final season of "House of Cards" minus a disgraced Kevin Spacey.
The biggest return on paid cable is Starz’ beloved “Outlander” Sunday.
And the biggest ode to synergy is ABC’s special about Mickey Mouse Sunday. ABC is owned by (you guessed it!) Disney.
This covers Monday, October 29 through Sunday, November 4, 2018.
MONDAY
"The Neighborhood" 8 p.m. CBS — Unexpected revelations are in the cards during the Johnsons and Butlers' first game night, where Gemma is prompted to rectify a past wrong and Malcolm makes a play for a fresh start with his father, Calvin.
"The Resident" 8 p.m. Fox — Halloween at Chastain proves to be just as spooky as ever when Conrad is tasked with diagnosing a young woman admitted to the hospital with extreme night terrors.
"Outside the Bubble: On the Road with Alexandra Pelosi" 8 p.m. HBO — A cross-country trip to engage in conversations with other Americans around issues such as gun rights, jobs, immigration, climate change, abortion, and race.
"Dancing With the Stars" 8 p.m. ABC — Halloween themed night and will a man finally get eliminated?
"Magnum P.I." 9 p.m. CBS — An aging tycoon asks Magnum to find his lost love who he says just recently contacted him.
"9-1-1" 9 p.m. Fox — Halloween finds the first responders racing to the rescue at a cemetery, a haunted hayride and a spooky Hollywood parade.
"Bull" 10 p.m. CBS — Bull and the TAC team help one of their own when Marissa's restaurateur husband, Greg, is charged with involuntary manslaughter after one of his employees dies in a kitchen fire allegedly caused by negligence.
"A Very Wicked Halloween" 10 p.m. NBC — A concert featuring songs from the musical "Wicked" to celebrate its 15th anniversary on Broadway.
"The Good Doctor" 10 p.m. ABC — A patient suffering from anorexia can't gain the necessary weight needed to survive heart surgery, so Claire suggests they perform an experimental surgery which Melendez strongly opposes.
TUESDAY
"The Conners" 8 p.m. ABC — It's Halloween, the favorite time of year for the Conners, but an email from the school banning certain costumes, including Mark's, sets off an argument between Dan and Darlene.
"NCIS" 8 p.m. CBS — Torres recognizes the victim of a Halloween crime scene as a friend from a training.
"7 Little Johnstons" 8 p.m. TLC (fifth season debut) — After weeks of hotel living, the Johnstons finally move into their new house, but a home repair leads to a dangerous discovery that may have the family packing their bags before they can even settle in their dream home.
"Rickey Smiley for Real" 8 p.m. TV One (fifth season debut) — A cousin with her four kids moves into Rickey's pad.
"FBI" 9 p.m. CBS — After a senator's daughter is kidnapped and held for ransom, the FBI is called in to assist with finding the child before their time limit expires.
"Black-ish" 9 p.m. ABC — The twins opt out of the family Halloween costume for fear it will hurt their social status in middle school.
"This is Us" 9 p.m. NBC —Kate struggles with Toby's depression. Randall makes time for Kevin, who obsesses about Jack's past.
"NCIS: New Orleans" 10 p.m. CBS — The NCIS team uncovers evidence of a suspect who is harvesting organs from multiple victims after Pride's assistant, Ginny Young, escapes from a kidnapper..
"The Rookie" 10 p.m. ABC — Nolan and Talia lose control of a crime scene, and then debate whether people are fundamentally good or bad and what that means for a police officer..
"New Amsterdam" 10:01 p.m. NBC — Max takes on his first annual fundraising gala at the hospital and emotions are high as some of the doctor's families join them for the event.
WEDNESDAY
"Tell Me a Story" 3:01 a.m. CBS All Access (new series) - Kevin Williamson ("Dawson's Creek") tells fables e.g. "The Three Little Pigs," "Little Red Riding Hood" with a modern-day New York twist.
"Chicago Med" 8 p.m. NBC — Dr. Manning and Dr. Halstead become skeptical of a patient's injuries when the victim of a car accident is brought into the hospital.
"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS — The bond between the "Brochachos" becomes a personal achievement for one castaway.
"Empire" 8 p.m. Fox (assuming no 7th game for the World Series, which isn't looking likely at this writing) — Lucious and Cookie prep Devon for a premiere listening party.
"Chicago Fire" 9 p.m. NBC — Halloween is in full effect for Foster and Brett, who are summoned to a home where a prank has quickly turned serious.
"Modern Family" 9 p.m. ABC — Phil learns that his real-estate class will be cancelled if any additional students drop it.
"SEAL Team" 9:01 p.m. CBS — Bravo Team is tasked with rescuing a group of American students who are being held hostage in Mumbai, and suffers life-threatening injuries.
"Criminal Minds" 10 p.m. CBS — The BAU investigates a spooky local ghost story of the "Tall Man" and the clues it provides when two people go missing in the woods of East Allegheny's Dead Man's Conservatory.
"A Million Little Things" 10 p.m. ABC— Delilah grapples with her life-changing decision; Maggie and Gary babysit Theo; and Regina finds out Rome's big secret.
"Greenleaf" 10 p.m. OWN — Grace discovers Rochelle Cross' true identity with Darius' help. Kerissa welcomes Triumph's new accountant and learns two hundred thousand dollars is missing.
"Sinking Cities" 10 p.m. GPB (new series) — The premiere of the series that explores how four major cities are preparing solutions against global warming. First up: New York.
“Stan Against Evil” 10 p.m. IFC (third season debut) —
Evie is arrested for murder and committed to a psychiatric hospital. Stan attempts to rescue her, but everyone thinks he's a demon.
THURSDAY
"The Big Bang Theory" 8 p.m CBS — Leonard is caught between a rock and a hard place when he's responsible for distributing extra grant money.
"Grey's Anatomy" 8 p.m ABC — Meredith has a patient whose family is celebrating Day of the Dead, making the doctors remember loved ones they have lost.
"The Good Place" 8:30 p.m NBC — Eleanor makes a startling discovery that tests her resolve, Tahani looks to make amends and Janet does some bonding.
"Young Sheldon" 8:30 p.m CBS — Sheldon gets into trouble with fellow child genius Paige at the science museum.
"Mom" 9:01 p.m CBS — Christy and Jill clash over a gambling debt, and Bonnie's new hobby troubles Adam.
"Murphy Brown" 9:30 p.m CBS — The "Murphy in the Morning" team gears up for their live all-day coverage of the mid-term elections, competing against Avery.
"How to Get Away With Murder" 10 p.m ABC — Annalise receives a call from Gov. Birkhead, and she's forced to weigh an interesting offer.
"Law & Order: SVU" 10 p.m NBC — The cops wrestle with an unthinkable crime when a family is murdered in their sleep.
"S.W.A.T." 10 p.m CBS — The SWAT team tries to determine the next diamond dealer to be robbed by a group of highly organized thieves executing heists across downtown Los Angeles.
FRIDAY
"House of Cards" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (sixth and final season) — Frank's dead so Claire takes over as the first female president.
"Homecoming" 3:01 a.m. Amazon (new season) — Good intentions. Erratic bosses. Mounting paranoia. Unforeseen consequences spiraling out of control. Heidi (Julia Roberts) works at Homecoming, a facility helping soldiers transition to civilian life. Years later she has started a new life, when the Department of Defense questions why she left Homecoming. Heidi realizes there's a whole other story behind the one she's been telling herself.
"MacGyver" 8 p.m. CBS — Murdoc abducts MacGyver's girlfriend, Nasha, to force Mac to help him rescue his son, Cassian, from a kidnapper.
"Blindspot" 8 p.m. NBC — A tattoo puts the team in danger when a deadly disease is released inside the FBI.
"Buying it Blind" 8 p.m. Bravo (new series) — Let three experts in Atlanta buy and renovate a house for you "blind."
"Fresh Off the Boat" 8 p.m. ABC — Louis makes it his mission to teach Eddie how to be a good driver after a police officer makes an inappropriate Asian driver stereotype comment.
"Last Man Standing" 8 p.m. Fox — Vanessa wants to board a foreign exchange student, and Mike must work overtime to impress her father.
"Cool Kids" 8:30 p.m. Fox — Tired of "Gorgeous George" and his reign as activities coordinator, Hank backs Charlie and Margaret backs Sid for the position in the upcoming election, and it instantly turns dirty.
"Hawaii Five-O" 9 p.m. CBS — McGarrett crosses the line and is arrested while investigating the death of his former SEAL buddy, who died on an aircraft carrier.
"Watergate" 9 p.m. History (new series) — President Richard Nixon is reelected in 1972, but attacks from the media and the antiwar movement goad him to take the dark path to the Watergate burglary.
"Blue Bloods" 10 p.m. CBS — Eddie and her new partner, Maya, clash with Jamie on the job when they fail to intervene in a public dispute at a convenience store.
WEEKEND
"The Perfect Mother" 8 p.m. Saturday Lifetime — When popular mother/daughter-bonding vlogger Stella Marshall finds herself on the outs with her own rebellious daughter Shay, she soon attracts the attention of a dangerous teen fan girl named Peyton who will stop at nothing to make Stella the perfect mother of her own.
"Shut Up and Dribble" 9 p.m. Saturday Showtime (new series) - Prompted by Fox News commentator Laura Ingraham's public criticism of LeBron James and other NBA players' outspokenness on the current political climate, the series' first episode plunges into a multi-generational exploration of the league's social and cultural influence across time.
“Chad Loves Michelle” 9 p.m. Saturday OWN (new series) —
Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child and Pastor Chad Johnson navigating the road from engagement to marriage.
"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 p.m. Saturday NBC — Jonah Hill hosts.
"Mickey's 90th Spectacular" 8 p.m. Sunday ABC — The 90th year anniversary of Mickey Mouse is celebrated.
"God Friended Me" 8 p.m. Sunday CBS — Miles enrolls in a marketing class to help him promote his podcast.
"Outlander" 8 p.m. Sunday Starz (fourth season debut)— Claire and Jamie Fraser try to make a home for themselves in the New World of Colonial America.
"Psycho Prom Queen" 8 p.m. Sunday Lifetime— Following the suspected suicide of her friend and fellow teacher, Julie is hired to take over the senior math class for the last few weeks of school.
"Real Housewives of Atlanta" 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo (11th season debut) — Kenya Moore and Shree Whitfield are gone. New faces forthcoming.
"The Deuce" 9 p.m. Sunday HBO (second season finale) — Candy, Harvey and Frankie get caught between competing investors.
"The Last Ship" 9 p.m. Sunday TNT — The crew of Nathan James begin preparations for what may be their most ambitious mission to date.
"Ray Donovan" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime — No matter how much he wants it to go away, Ray isn't done cleaning up the fallout from his jump.
"The Walking Dead" 9 p.m. Sunday AMC —Rick is forced to face the past as he struggles to maintain the safety of the communities and protect the future he and Carl envisioned. This is his final episode and given AMC's constant promos, this is not at all a spoiler.
"Madam Secretary" 10 p.m. Sunday CBS — Henry finds himself at the center of an international incident when he comes to the aid of an ex-girlfriend at a religious freedom conference in Thailand.
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