Choose a blog

What to Watch on Wednesday: A 'Modern Family' boys night out

Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium (8pm, UNC-TV) - Billy Joel performs at NYC's Shea Stadium in 2008, singing his big hits and sharing the stage with Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and Tony Bennett.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The remaining finalists compete. The big question: will Garner's Scotty McCreery ever sing anything other than a country song?

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Luke's friendship with a curmudgeonly neighbor (Philip Baker Hall) worries Claire and Phil. Also, Jay (Ed O'Neill) tries to get out of a symphony concert with Gloria and Manny, but winds up with Mitchell and Cameron on a night out with their friends -- while Haley babysits Lily. Nathan Lane guest stars.

Mr. Sunshine (9:30pm, ABC) - This Matthew Perry sitcom has been spotty, but I'm sticking for now. Tonight, Ben teams with Alonzo to play tennis great Jimmy Connors and actor Fred Savage in a celebrity tennis tournament. Ben reveals his past with Alice to Alonzo, and a careless act on Crystal's part inadvertently brings her closer to her son, Roman.

Justified (10pm, FX) - The FBI flags the $100 bill that Winona had stolen, and Raylan does what he can to protect her. Meanwhile, the coal company hires Boyd to provide security at a civil trial in which the company is being sued by the family of a dead anti-mining activist.

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The three remaining chefs fashion challenges for their fellow contestants in the season's final Quickfire. Then, they must cook a supper for celebrity chefs Masaharu Morimoto, Wolfgang Puck, and Michelle Bernstein. One chef is eliminated and the finale will be next week. After the last two eliminations, I no longer care who wins.

Hot in Cleveland (10pm, TV Land) - In the season finale, Elka learns the outcome of the criminal charges against her. Amy Sedaris guest stars as the first lady of Ohio.

What to Watch on Wednesday: Scotty picks his favorite, Taiwan takes on Sheen

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The Season 10 finalist (yes, that includes Scotty McCreery, left) perform songs by their favorite artists. What are the odds Scotty chooses Josh Turner?

Mr. Sunshine (9:30pm, ABC) - All of the other ABC sitcoms are repeats tonight, but on 'Mr. Sunshine,' Roman has no place to stay so Ben reluctantly takes him in, and Crystal dislikes an ice-dancing group performing at the arena.

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (10pm, CBS) - A sniper murders Chicagoans and when the team hunts the killer, the killer targets Mick.

Hot in Cleveland (10pm, TV Land) - Joy pins her greencard hopes on a homeless man (Jon Lovitz). Meanwhile, Melanie dates a basketball coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers who's still reeling from LeBron James' departure, and Victoria lands a job on a local news program.

Justified (10pm, FX) - A state task force probing organized crime in Harlan County borrows Raylan to figure out who's cashing Walt McCready's benefit checks. Also, Boyd gets involved in a mine payroll scheme, and Mags Bennett shows her evil side.  

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The final five head to the Bahamas where each participates in a culinary duel against the person who won on their previous season of 'Top Chef."

Charlie Sheen's Winningest Moments (10:30pm, Spike) - A half-hour special featuring a countdown of Sheen's most "winning" moments recreated through Taiwanese animation.

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Criminal Minds' spinoff debuts, 'Survivor' returns

Survivor: Redemption Island (8pm, CBS) - The 22nd season begins with 18 castaways, including Russell Hantz and "Boston" Rob Mariano, arriving in Nicaragua and learning that ousted players are sent to Redemption Island where they live in exile and are given a chance to re-enter the game if they can defeat other banished players in head-to-head competitions.

Quadrangle (9pm, HBO2) - A documentary about two couples who fall in love and move their families in together in 1969 New York. Fascinating. Read more.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Cameron is upset when Fizbo the clown is cut from the guest list for Lily's princess-themed birthday party, but the invitees do include Mitchell's mom (Shelly Long), who shows up with Claire's high school boyfriend (Matt Dillon).

Mr. Sunshine (9:30pm, ABC) - Nick Jonas plays a teen idol scheduled to perform at the Sunshine Arena. Kathy Najimy also guest stars.

Law & Order: SVU (10pm, NBC) - The host of a TV show that spotlights predators receives threats to her safety, and this reawakens her hunt for her sister's abductor. Debra Messing ("Will & Grace") guest stars.

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (10pm, CBS) - The premiere episode of the "Criminal Minds" spinoff series that follows an elite group of the Behavioral Analysis Unit using unique and aggressive methods to hunt criminals. Stars Forest Whitaker and Janeane Garofalo.

Justified (10pm, FX) - Raylan and Tim transport a pregnant federal prisoner to a doctor's appointment, but things don't go as planned. Meanwhile, young Loretta McCready learns that she'll now be living with Mags Bennett, and Boyd Crowder tries to go straight, taking a job in a coal mine.

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The chefs bake cookies in an effort to impress Sesame Street residents Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Telly.

What to Watch on Wednesday: ABC sitcoms fling arrows at your heart

Celebration of Gospel (8pm, BET) - A repeat of last week's blockbuster gospel music special hosted by Steve Harvey and featuring a duet between Kim Burrell and Whitney Houston.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Phil and Claire once again assume their alter egos (Clive and Juliana) for their annual Valentine's Day rendezvous. Also, Jay encounters obstacles trying to surprise Gloria, and Cameron and Mitchell dispute an admirer's intentions. "The Middle" (8pm) and "Better With You" (8:30pm) also have Valentine's themed episodes tonight.

Human Target (9pm, Fox) - In the second season finale, Chance digs into the past of Ilsa's deceased husband, but the unsavory details of lies and deceit he discovers may cause irreparable damage to the team.

Reagan (9pm, History) - Another documentary about former President Ronald Reagan, this one focusing on pivotal periods in his life, including his presidency, his role as governor of California, and his acting career. Interviews with Sam Donaldson, David Gergen, and George Shultz.

Mr. Sunshine (9:30pm, ABC) - A new sitcom starring Matthew Perry as the manager of a San Diego sports arena. Also stars Andrea Anders ("Better Off Ted") as a coworker and Allison Janney as his wacky boss.

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The chefs cater Jimmy Fallon's birthday party and Fallon serves as the guest judge.

Justified (10pm, FX) - Season 2 has Raylan tracking down a sex offender and renewing acquaintances with the matriarch of a powerful Rabbit Holler pot farming family. Also, Boyd is once again on the loose. Our preview of the new season.

Matthew Perry's "Mr. Sunshine" warms a nostalgic heart

Maybe I've just missed Chandler Bing, but I'm kind of loving Matthew Perry in this new sitcom debuting tonight on ABC (9:30pm).

In "Mr. Sunshine," Perry plays Ben Donovan, the manager a large San Diego sports arena called the Sunshine Center. The premise of the show is that Ben is selfish, self-centered and alone, but that with the help of his friends and coworkers, he'll mature and learn to be a better person, all to the backdrop of wacky happenings at the arena.

But let's hope he doesn't get too much better or too quickly, because the snarky, sarcastic Ben is a lot of fun, too.

Cars View All
Find a Car
Go
Jobs View All
Find a Job
Go
Homes View All
Find a Home
Go

Want to post a comment?

In order to join the conversation, you must be a member of newsobserver.com. Click here to register or to log in.
Advertisements