By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, originally filed Saturday, February 28, 2015
On Thursday, ABC is trying out a very serious show that is more cable-like than anything you typically see on a broadcast network called "American Crime" starring Felicity Huffman and Timothy Hutton.
It features a family broken over the death of their son and the suspects, many people of color. It tackles hot-button issues such as race, religion and the police. And John Ridley, who wrote "12 Years a Slave," created it.
Speaking of darkness and crime, Fox's 'The Following" returns Monday for its third season. And on the same night as "American Crime," USA is trying to break out of a bit of a slump in terms of hit dramas with "Dig," an ambitious conspiracy thriller set at an archaeological dig in Jerusalem.
And on Wednesday, CBS is going for something far more conventional than either USA or ABC: yet another spin-off of "CSI." This one focuses on cyber-crimes and features the unlikely trio of James Van Der Beek ("Dawson's Creek"), former rap star Bow Wow and "Boyhood" Oscar winner Patricia Arquette.
Netflix features a much lighter show starring Ellie Kempner ("The Office") called "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" out on Friday.
MONDAY
"The Bachelor" 8 p.m. ABC — The rejected women face Chris Soules.
"The Voice " 8 p.m. NBC — Christina Aguilera returns as a judge.
"Gotham " 8 p.m. Fox — Gordon seeks information about the controversy involving Loeb.
"Mike & Molly " 8:30 p.m. CBS — The not-so-retiring Peggy suddenly announces she's leaving her job.
"The Following " 9 p.m. Fox (third season debut) — Joe Carroll is on death row and his followers are no more, but a fresh series of brutal killings reopens old wounds for Ryan Hardy.
"Life Flight " 9 p.m. Lifetime (new series) — Docudrama focusing on the trauma teams at a Houston medical center who attend to patients brought in by Life Flight helicopter paramedics.
" Better Call Saul " 10 p.m. AMC — When his efforts to drum up new business are interrupted by alarming news, Jimmy is pressured to make a difficult choice.
" The Night Shift " 10 p.m. NBC — The night shift is tested when a rancher accidentally shoots his wife.
TUESDAY
"Fresh Off the Boat" 8 p.m. ABC — Vandals cause trouble for the Huangs. Meanwhile, Eddie tries to get the attention of a girl he likes.
"Hell's Kitchen" 8 p.m. Fox (14th season debut) — "T" Gregoire is an Atlanta line cook on the show.
"Marvel's Agent of Carter " 9 p.m. ABC — In the wake of the war with Hydra, surprising ramifications surface and put the team's solidarity at risk. Meanwhile, Hydra's actions could unearth a traitor at S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Rizzoli & Isles " 9 p.m. TNT — A clothing designer is found poisoned and his wife reported missing, bringing the squad together with a gung-ho private detective to investigate. Elsewhere, Jane enlists Maura to help Angela with her finances.
"Born in the Wild " 10 p.m. Lifetime (new series) — Parents choose to experience childbirth in nature. In the opener, a couple plan an unassisted outdoor birth in Alaska 150 miles from the nearest hospital.
Warning about this trailer below. It's probably more explicit than you'd expect:
"Chicago Fire " 10 p.m. NBC — The interim chief makes a tactical error during an apartment fire, stirring up tensions and putting careers in jeopardy.
"Justified " 10 p.m. FX — Raylan is distracted by a visit from his baby daughter. Meanwhile, Boyd takes Ava on a hunting trip.
"Sirens " 10 p.m. USA — A car crash at a firehouse releases an unusual passenger; and Billy accompanies Theresa and Maeve to a sample sale.
"Cougar Town " 10:30 p.m. TBS — Jules is afraid that her dad is lonely, so she enlists Grayson to be his new best friend. Meanwhile, Laurie helps Andy improve his social status; and Travis and Ellie have a heart-to-heart chat in the Winebulance.
WEDNESDAY
"American Idol " 8 p.m. Fox — The top 8 guys perform. Early favorites: Clark Beckham, Qaasim Middlton, Nick Fradiani.
"Return to Selma " 8 p.m. WSB — Anchor Fred Blankmanship joins Rep. John Lewis in Selma to relive the events of 50 years ago.
"Survivor " 8 p.m. CBS — White Collar castaways strip down and embrace their free-spirited no-collar tendencies.
"Criminal Minds " 9 p.m CBS — Two guards at a privatized maximum security prison in Texas are murdered.
"Modern Family " 9 p.m. ABC — Jay and Claire shoot a commercial for Pritchett Closets.
"Empire " 9:01 p.m. Fox — Cookie declares war on Anika after discovering the big, backstabbing secret that her ex-husband's girlfriend has been keeping.
"Black-ish " 9:30 p.m. ABC — Dre plans an amazing vow renewal to celebrate his 15 years of marriage to Bow.
"The Americans " 10 p.m. FX — Elizabeth takes family matters into her own hands.
"Hindsight "10 p.m. VH1 — Lolly hosts a party in a bid to get over Kevin.
"Broadchurch "10 p.m. BBCA (second season debut) — Joe Miller entering a surprising plea to murder charges that sends shock waves through the town.
"CSI: Cyber " 10 p.m. CBS (new series) — Oscar winner Patricia Arquette, James Van Der Beek and Bow Wow star in this modern spin-off.
"Suits " 10 p.m. USA (fourth season finale) — Cahill needs help from Harvey in order to make his case against Woodall and Forstma.
"Conan " 11 p.m. TBS — Conan O'Brien visits Cuba.
THURSDAY
"American Idol" 8 p.m. Fox — The top 8 women perform.
"Grey's Anatomy" 8 p.m. ABC — Amelia operates on Dr. Herman as Stephanie assists her and a crowd of doctors observe.
"The Slap" 8 p.m. NBC — Manolis believes he's the only one who can save the family and he sets out to convince Aisha to forgive Harry.
"The Big Bang Theory" 8 p.m. CBS — There's trouble in paradise when Amy discovers Sheldon signed up for a one-way mission to colonize Mars.
"The Blacklist" 9 p.m. NBC — Red gets entangled in a dangerous game with a wealthy family whose fortune was illegally amassed.
"Scandal" 9 p.m. ABC — An unfortunate event occurs in Washington, D.C., and it becomes the focal point of national news.
"Mom" 9:31 p.m. CBS — Christy and Bonnie are stunned when they discover how prison has transformed their friend Regina (Octavia Spencer).
"American Crime " 10 p.m. ABC(new series) — A home invasion leaves a war veteran dead and his wife seriously injured, but the ensuing investigation creates more questions than answers as a seemingly cut-and-dried case is anything but, a fact that the deceased man's divorced parents come to realize when they arrive to bury their son.
"Dig " 10 p.m. USA (new series) — FBI agent Peter Connelly unearths an international mystery while investigating the murder of a young American in Jerusalem.
"Elementary " 10 p.m. CBS — Holmes is implicated in the murder of a woman who was killed during the height of his drug addiction.
FRIDAY
"The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — From creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, this half-hour single-camera comedy series stars Ellie Kemper as Kimmy, who escapes a doomsday cult and decides to reclaim her life and start over in New York City
"Shark Tank " 8 p.m. ABC (special time) — Everything pitched to the Sharks is made in the U.S.
"The Amazing Race " 8 p.m. CBS — The race continues in Thailand.
"Glee " 9 p.m. Fox — After Dalton Academy burns down, the Warblers are singing a new tune as they consider teaming with New Directions.
"In An Instant " 9 p.m. ABC (new series) — The show accounts the world's most harrowing tales of survival, it brings them to life with breathtaking dramatizations of the moment before and after life was forever changed.
"Hawaii Five-O " 9 p.m. CBS — Danny and Chin are arrested for deadly past transgressions.
"Banshee " 10 p.m. Cinemax — Lucas ponders his future and recalls his history with Job.
"Say Yes to the Dress " 10 p.m. TLC (13th season debut) — Comedian Kathy Griffin has a surprise for her former assistant.
"Vice " 11 p.m. HBO (third season debut) — Aareport on climate change that features a visit to Antarctica to observe melting glaciers.
WEEKEND
"The Good Witch" 8 p.m. Saturday Hallmark — The Heritage Festival is held. Meanwhile, a frightened young woman stays at Grey House, and an elderly resident who's returned to town seems to know something about her; and Grace tries to assist Nick, but she gets caught up in his lies.
"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 p.m. Saturday NBC — Chris Hemsworth hosts.
"Night of Too Many Stars" 8 p.m. Sunday Comedy Central — Jon Stewart hosts this biennial fund-raiser for autism charities from New York City's Beacon Theatre. This year's performers include Bill Burr, Louis C.K., Jon Hamm, John Oliver, Paul Rudd and Amy Schumer.
"Girls" 9 p.m. Sunday HBO — Jessa gives Shoshanna advice on the art of seduction.
"The Good Wife" 9 p.m. Sunday CBS — Alicia prepares for a key interview that could have a big impact on the outcome of the race for State's Attorney.
"The Last Man on Earth" 9:30 p.m. Sunday Fox — Phil settles into his new mansion in Tucson, but his days of living alone are not without their surprises.
"Secrets and Lies" 9 p.m. Sunday ABC — Ben struggles to keep his family together after a damaging revelation is made public right before the holidays.
"The Walking Dead" 9 p.m. Sunday AMC — Rick and the group continue to acclimate to their new surroundings.
"Battle Creek" 10 p.m. Sunday CBS — Milt and Russ go undercover as distillers to solve the murder of a victim drowned in maple syrup.
"Who Do You Think You Are?" 10 p.m. Sunday Lifetime (sixth season debut) — Julie Chen travels to China to visit her maternal grandfather's birthplace and chart his career as a successful businessman.
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