Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, filed January 24, 2015
This week's obvious highlight is the Super Bowl, by far the biggest event America has to offer, featuring a returning champ and a team that has been clouded by deflated footballs.
But for those who don't know a pick six from a place kick, Katy Perry will roar through fireworks that is the halftime entertainment show (with an assist from Lenny Kravitz), "Let It Go" singer Idina Menzel will sing the National Anthem and Bud Light creates a live Pac Man field during the one time a year people go out of their way to watch commercials.
In a not-at-all related event, FX's misleadingly titled series "The Americans," about Russian spies in the Cold War era masquerading as the perfect suburban family, returns for a third season Wednesday.
And "The Biggest Loser," coming off its lowest-rated season to date, closes shop on Thursday amid yet more criticism from past contestants of its methodologies.
Plus, another NBC show that was never a hit but drew a very loyal following "Parenthood" ends six seasons on Tuesday. Bring the hankies. There is no show on TV quite like it, a simple family drama with less histrionics than ABC's old "Brothers and Sisters" and no gimmicks (though it was a reimagination of the Steve Martin film of yore.) Farewell, Bravermans. You will live in in our memories.
The following covers Monday, January 26 through Sunday, Feb. 1.
MONDAY
"The Bachelor" 8 p.m. ABC — Chris spends the day with eight ladies at a beach.
"Gotham " 8 p.m. Fox — Gordon suspects an inside job when the key witness in a homicide ends up dead while being held for questioning by the police.
"Celebrity Apprentice " 8 p.m. NBC — Kenya Moore is proving to be a player.
"Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials 2015" 8 p.m. CBS — Boomer Esiason and Katharine McPhee host a look at the best commercials to air during past Super Bowls.
" Night Will Fall " 9 p.m. HBO — A look at the story behind a 1945 documentary commissioned by the Allies and under the tutelage of Alfred Hitchcock that captured the atrocities in Nazi concentration camps.
"Sleepy Hollow " 9 p.m. Fox — Nick Hawley gets help from Ichabod.
" State of Affairs " 10 p.m. NBC — The team races to find a terrorist cell's missing bombs.
TUESDAY
"Parks & Recreation" 8 p.m. NBC— Ben and Leslie think the residents of Pawnee are undergoing a privacy invasion.
"Masterchef Junior" 8 p.m. Fox — Previous challenge winners compete in a pantry hunt; the cooks compete in a sushi challenge.
"Marvel's Agent Carter " 9 p.m. ABC — Chief Dooley follows a new clue that threatens Peggy's future at the SSR.
"Sons of Liberty " 9 p.m. History (miniseries finale) — The two forces clash at the Battles of Lexington and Concord; Gen. Gage attacks at Bunker Hill.
"Girlfriends Guide to Divorce " 10 p.m. Bravo — Abby must go on 10 dates in two days to research an article about her dating experiences.
"Justified " 10 p.m. FX — Raylan's investigation brings him into conflict with a paramilitary outfit.
"CSI " 10 p.m. CBS (special time) — The team investigates a death involving a vintage Rolls Royce and a chrome-covered victim.
"Sirens " 10 p.m. USA (second season debut) — After saving a landlord, Johnny finds the perfect apartment to share with Theresa.
"Cougar Town " 10:30 p.m. TBS — Jules and Grayson are determined to make it to their reservation at the hottest restaurant in town.
WEDNESDAY
"The Mentalist " 8 p.m. CBS — Jane comes up with a risky plan when Abbott is threatened by his former boss, Agent Peterson.
"American Idol " 8 p.m. Fox — San Francisco auditions.
"Top Chef " 9 p.m. Bravo — The finalists travel to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where they prepare prickly-pear dishes.
"Criminal Minds " 9 p.m. CBS — The members of the BAU team are brought back to their origins as they look at an old case.
"Empire " 9:01 p.m. Fox — Lucious tries to steal a major artist from his rival; Jamal works on composing original music.
"Duck Dynasty " 9:30 p.m. A&E — Lil' Will's football team challenges assistant coach Willie and the adults to a scrimmage.
"The Americans " 10 p.m. FX (third season debut) — Philip and Elizabeth disagree over handling orders; Stan tries a new way to mending his marriage.
"Hindsight " 10 p.m. VH1 — Lolly goes to Grumpy Rick's annual Halloween party with Jamie; Becca makes a play for Andy.
"Stalker " 10 p.m. CBS — When a stalker targets a lifeguard and her loved ones, Beth and Jack race to diffuse the threat.
"Suits " 10 p.m. USA — Jessica tries to appease Louis; Mike is buried in grunt work so he will be quit.
THURSDAY
"American Idol" 8 p.m. Fox — Eighth and final night of auditions.
"The Biggest Loser" 8 p.m. NBC (16th season finale) — The at-home winner is revealed; the grand-prize winner is announced.
"Grey's Anatomy" 8 p.m. ABC—Meredith keeps herself busy while Derek prepares for his move; Jackson and April get difficult news.
"The Big Bang Theory" 8 p.m. CBS — Sheldon asks his friends to challenge him in hope of achieving a scientific breakthrough.
"Backstrom" 9 p.m. Fox — The Special Crimes Unit helps investigate an escalating serial arsonist.
"Scandal" 9 p.m. ABC— Details of Olivia's abduction from her own home are seen from her point of view.
"How To Get Away With Murder" 10 p.m. ABC — The day after Sam's murder finds Annalise's students joining the search for her missing husband
FRIDAY
"Cold Justice " 8 p.m. TNT — Kelly and Yolanda travel to Fort Wayne, Ind., to investigate the murders of a mother and daughter.
"Constantine " 8 p.m. NBC — Ivy University students find their way to an alternate dimension -- only to be met by a killer.
"12 Monkeys " 9 p.m. Syfy — Cole's search for the location of the virus leads him to 2014, and to a devastating moment in Dr. Railly's life involving a dangerous outbreak in Haiti.
"Glee " 9 p.m. Fox — Sue tries to mend relationships; Kitty helps Rachel with her set list for the invitational.
"Hawaii Five-O " 9 p.m. CBS — A patient with a contagious and deadly strain of bird flu is kidnapped.
"Shark Tank " 9 p.m. ABC — Almond water beverage line; eco-friendly pizza box; real estate investing business.
"Wake Up Call " 9 p.m. TNT (first season finale) — A basketball team helps to re-ignite the flame of extinguished NBA star Kenny Anderson
"Banshee " 10 p.m. Cinemax — Siobhan must decide to expose Lucas or keep his secret.
"Helix " 10 p.m. Syfy — Jordan and Peter travel outside the safety of the abbey to retrieve some specimens.
WEEKEND
"Beautiful & Twisted" 8 p.m. Saturday Lifetime — Following the murder of hotel heir Ben Novack Jr. (Rob Lowe), police focus their investigation on his wife, Narcy (Paz Vega).
"Red Band Society" 9 p.m. Sunday Fox — Not a sign of confidence when a broadcast network places new episodes of one of its scripted shows on Saturday night. An unexpected return reveals a betrayal; one of the kids fights for freedom; a battle is lost.
"Kitten Bowl" noon Sunday Hallmark — If you like your football cranky and cute.
"Puppet Bowl" 3 p.m. Sunday Animal — If you like your football sweet and adorable.
"Super Bowl XLIX " 8 p.m. Sunday NBC — Can the Seattle Seahwaks repeat and can the New England Patriots get past DeflateGate. The halftime show features Katy Perry.
"Downton Abbey" 9 p.m. Sunday GPB — Rose makes a new acquaintance.
"Shameless" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime —Frank tries to retrace his steps after an epic bender to find what he did with his six-figure insurance settlement.
"House of Lies" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Marty devises a last-ditch plan when the Gage presentation falls apart.
"The Blacklist" 10:15 p.m. Sunday NBC — When Red is arrested and held at a detention facility, Liz and the task force set out to save him.
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