It’s spring / season finale time, and as the temperatures rise outside the TV shows we’ve been watching all winter are starting to fade away. Meanwhile, the NBA and NHL playoffs are just starting to get good with plenty of interesting matchups to be found. Finally, Gamer hits shelves this week, the first of post-converted 3D Blu-rays created due to a deal between Lionsgate and Samsung. Look below for the highlight this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Community Season four of this comedy wraps up this week and NBC has not indicated whether or not it will be returning for another semester. Unfortunately, even as fans of the show, watching this last season go on without creator Dan Harmon has us wondering if coming to an end now is actually the better option (remember Heroes?) Of course, we’re still in for six seasons and a movie, so we’ll see what happens. (April 9th, NBC, 8PM)
This week the NHL joins the NBA in celebrating its postseason, with plenty of games on the schedule for each. There are a number of premieres and finales this week, as well as the debut of individual seasons of Friends on Blu-ray. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Star Trek: TNG S3 / The Best of Both Worlds The third season of Star Trek The Next Generation comes home this week remastered in HD, and it should be a good for fans. If you can’t live with its cliffhanger ending until the fourth season arrives, The Best of Both Worlds Part 1 & 2 are also being released, edited together as a single episode. either way you get it, judging by the first two seasons, the adjustments should be well-received. ($59.99 and $14.99 on Amazon)
The Americans FX’s cold war spy drama closes out its first season this week. While it hasn’t grabbed the mindshare of other popular cable series yet, the quality of the writing and acting is still there. (May 1st, FX, 10PM)
Parks & Recreation It appears that NBC’s best remaining comedy will be renewed after this season, so this week’s season finale will represent only the start of a vacation for the residents of Pawnee, IN. The Office finally getting yanked from the stage, 30 Rock calling it a series recently and Community… well. Let’s just hope we have more PnR to look forward to this fall. (May 2nd, NBC, 9:30PM)
Welcome to your spring sporting season — the NBA playoffs are underway, the NHL’s postseason close to beginning and the NFL draft is this weekend. Jurassic Park is back in 3D, and Dead Island has returned to consoles with the Riptide edition. Don’t like sports, or games? There’s always Stonados (yes, that’s tornadoes, with stones in them — Stonados) on Syfy. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
NFL Draft With most of the first round NBA playoff series manifesting blowouts and probably sweeps, this weekend’s NFL draft is the most exciting thing on the schedule for sports fans (unless you think Chael Sonnen really has a shot against Jon Jones, of course). No matter how well your team performed (or disappointed) last year, there’s always room for hope in the form of this year’s draft pick. The first three rounds are again spread over two days in prime time, so you can watch large men in suits walk across the stage to shake hands with (or bear hug) the commissioner. (Round 1 – April 25th, 7PM, ESPN & NFL Network)
There aren’t many premieres this week, but Syfy’s new show Defiance is bringing a new approach, and our old favorite Awkward has returned. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Defiance Syfy’s TV show / game hybrid makes its broadcast debut tonight. The multiplayer game had experienced some server issues after its debut a couple of weeks ago, but those are apparently being addressed via patches. Now we’ll see if the TV show’s narrative can hold up its end, or even get more viewers interested in its unique approach. Taking place in a future St. Louis after years of human vs. alien warfare, a small town sheriff and his adopted alien daughter try to keep all sides at peace. If you’re into second screen apps, the Syfy Sync iPad app is also promising a few new features for the show. Check out a trailer for the TV show after the break. (April 15th, Syfy, 9PM)
Django Unchained The latest flick from Quentin Tarantino comes home this week, starring Jamie Foxx and Oscar winner Christoph Waltz. Set in the Antebellum South, this revenge fantasy is as violent and shocking as you may have heard, but should align well with what QT fans have come to expect. ($22.99 on Amazon)
Tonight the Men’s NCAA basketball tournament comes to an end as Louisville faces Michigan. That’s not the only finale this week, as Being Human, Go On, Legit and others wrap up their seasons. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Archer If you’re somehow not watching this cartoon, you should be. Part two of the season finale airs Thursday night as the ISIS agents find themselves trapped undersea (it’s all Carol’s fault.) (April 11th, FX, 10PM)
Louis CK: Oh My God It’s going to be Louis CK, on stage, telling some jokes. Don’t have HBO? the comic will be selling this one on his website as well, although you’ll have to wait until November to get it. (April 13th, HBO, 10PM)
This week is surprisingly 3D heavy, with basketball tournament action on ESPN and a pair of movies (Life of Pi and Rise of the Guardians) on Blu-ray, but a blast from the past has caught our eye. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Australian Grand Prix Formula 1 is finally back, and for the first time in the US, on NBC Sports. We’ll have to wait and see if their presentation can match or surpass what we’ve been used to from Fox / Speed, but a just-released broadcast schedule that shows every race airing live is a great start. (March 17th, NBC Sports Network, 1:30AM)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit For its 25th anniversary this pioneering live action / animated combo is coming to Blu-ray. Besides the movie starring Bob Hoskins as toon-hating detective Eddie Valiant, it also packs three restored Roger Rabbit shorts — our nostalgia will not allow us to pass on this one. ($16.99 on Amazon)
We begin this week for a vital PSA aimed at the fan of ABC’s Zero Hour — that show has been cancelled after airing just three episodes. In other news, fresh iterations of SimCity and Tomb Raider arrive this week for some old-but-new-again gaming. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Wreck-It Ralph In addition to Academy Award winning animated short Paperman, Wreck-It Ralph promises enough classic videogame references to alight nostalgia in pretty much anyone. Ben-o-vision certified, this story of an 8-bit villain who wants to be a hero instead seems a good fit for kids and adults alike. ($27.99 on Amazon)
King of the Nerds TBS’ reality competition wraps up this week with one contestant ready to be named King of the Nerds. We haven’t been keeping up with the series around these parts but reviews have been shockingly positive and it’s already been renewed for a second season. (March 14th, TBS, 10PM)
Saturday Night Live Sure some (ok, most) would agree the show has fallen off a bit, but if there’s one thing you can count on to revitalize SNL, it’s an episode featuring Justin Timberlake. Hopefully we can count on yet another Lonely Island collabo alongside followups to classic skits like Come On Down to Liquorville, but who knows. (March 16th, NBC, 11:29PM)
After its run on the internet and then cable TV, Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome is coming to Blu-ray, along with the second season of Game of Thrones and Monsters Inc. Sports fans have NASCAR racing to (try to) replace football, while movie buffs can keep an eye out for the Academy Awards on Sunday. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Top Gun 3D After a short run in theaters, Top Gun 3D is coming home on Blu-ray. We’ve had the chance to watch it already and came away with (mostly) good things to say about the conversion. The 3D conversion is well done and particularly in the action scenes, as one watches F-14s zooming through the air it enhanced the feeling of speed and depth. Now, it’s not all good news as we did notice a slightly different color tint on the 3D version, not necessarily bad, but different. Overall we liked it, so if you’re looking for another 3D viewing option and are a fan of the original, it’s worthwhile, but probably not required viewing. If you’re not a 3D fan, this probably won’t change your opinion. ($19.96 on Amazon)
Daytona 500 NASCAR is back and in full effect. If you like to see cars turning left then this is the series for you, and in a fresh twist, Danica Patrick will debut as the first female polesitter in race history. This race will also see the new Gen6 cars that are designed to not only be safer and faster, but also more closely resemble production automobiles. Whether you’re watching the race end to end (February 24th, Fox, 12PM)
It’s finally over — pro football is done for the year. In its absence we have a number of big returning shows to look forward to, including favorites like Community and The Walking Dead. Also of note, Syfy will air Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome this weekend, a show that already premiered months ago on YouTube (click here to watch it now), while Dead Space 3 arrives on your gaming system of choice. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Community October 19th is Thursday night. Correct your calendars as necessary. (See video after the break if you require an explanation) (February 7th/October 19th, NBC, 8PM
The Walking Dead Season three of AMC’s juggernaut has been rolling along well so far, we’ll join our favorite group of zombie apocalypse survivors for the second half of the story Sunday night — see the trailer after the break. Also worth remembering for fans is that the Talking Dead recap show has been extended to an hour and will air immediately after the episode at 10PM. (February 10th, AMC, 9PM)
Top Gear The best part about season 19? BBC and BBC America have narrowed the window between when episodes air in the UK and the US, so we’ll finally get to enjoy content while it’s still fresh. Check out BBC America tonight for the season premiere. (February 4th, BBC America, 9PM)
We’ll take a break from football — true addicts can give the Pro Bowl and Senior Bowl a look — for one weekend before the big game, but there are other options. That includes hockey now, of course, but also a few premiering and returning shows. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
The Following If you need a few more connections in your next six degrees of Kevin Bacon game, tune in to The Following, which pits Bacon as an FBI agent chasing down serial killer (and leader of other killers) James Purefoy. It’s been heavily promoted, but we’ll find out tonight if the high profile cast and production add up to a show worth watching — it didn’t work so well for ABC’s Last Resort, which is airing its series finale this week. (Fox, January 21st, 9PM)
Spartacus: War of the Damned The last season of Starz’ hit Spartacus: War of the Damned kicks off Friday night, and should bring along all the associated violence we’ve come to expect from the series. As Marcus Crassus and Julius Caesar join the fight things are only going to get more interesting, if you’ve somehow missed out on the show till now you can check out a trailer embedded after the break. The special effects have never surpassed the level of most made-for-Syfy movies, but somehow it manages to become more than the sum of its parts. (Starz, January 25th, 9PM)
The Cave The next adventure game from Double Fine, The Cave hits a slew of platforms this week. Available for download on Steam, PSN, Xbox Live and Wii U eShop, it lets player’s pick their own squad of adventures and explore — what else — a cave. Somehow that area will include an amusement park, castle and even a ready to launch nuke, but we’re most interested to see how it integrates the Wii U GamePad for camera and character switching. ($14.99, multiple platforms / dates)
Blu-ray & Games
End of Watch
Death Race 3: Inferno
Searching for Sugar Man
The Paperboy
The Quiet Man
For A Good Time, Call…
Pina
The Cave (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC)
Monday
The Following (series premiere), Fox, 9PM
Spurs/76ers, TNT, 7PM
Lakers/Bulls, TNT, 9:30PM
The Bachelor, ABC, 8PM
Bones, Fox, 8PM
Continuum, Syfy, 8PM
The Carrie Diaries, CW, 8PM
How I Met Your Mother, CBS, 8PM
Switched at Birth, ABC Family, 8PM
WWE Raw, USA, 8PM
2 Broke Girls, CBS, 9PM
90210 (winter premiere), NBC, 9PM
Being Human, Syfy, 9PM
Bunheads, ABC Family, 9PM
Mike & Molly, CBS, 9:30PM
Hawaii Five-0, CBS, 10PM
Lost Girl, Syfy, 10PM
Deception, NBC, 10PM
Castle, ABC, 10PM
Catfish, MTV, 11PM
Tuesday
The Taste (series premiere), ABC, 8PM
The Ultimate Fighter (season premiere), FX, 8PM
White Collar (winter premiere), USA, 10PM
Raising Hope, Fox, 8PM
Betty White’s Off Their Rockers, NBC, 8 & 8:30PM
Hart of Dixie, CW, 8PM
Pretty Little Liars, ABC Family, 8PM
Ben & Kate, Fox, 8:30PM
Go On, NBC, 9PM
The Lying Game, CW, 9PM
New Girl, Fox, 9PM
Happy Endings, ABC, 9PM
Emily Owens M.D., CW, 9PM
Dual Survival, Discovery, 9PM
The Mindy Project, Fox, 9:30PM
The New Normal , NBC, 9:30PM
Africa, Discovery, 10PM
Cougar Town, TBS, 10PM
Justified, FX, 10PM
Private Practice (series finale), ABC, 10PM
Parenthood (season finale), NBC, 10PM
The Burn with Jeff Ross, Comedy Central, 10:30PM
Flashpoint (series finale), Ion, 11PM
Wednesday
American Idol, Fox, 8PM
Arrow, CW, 8PM
The Middle, ABC, 8PM
Nuggets/Rockets, NBA TV, 8PM
The Neighbors, ABC, 8:30PM
WWE Main Event, Ion, 8PM
Criminal Minds, CBS, 9PM
Supernatural CW, 9PM
Modern Family, ABC, 9PM
Inside the NFL, Showtime, 9PM
Suburgatory, ABC, 9:30PM
Workaholics, Comedy Central, 10PM
CSI, CBS, 10PM
Necessary Roughness (winter premiere), USA, 10PM
American Horror Story (season finale), FX, 10PM
NFL Turning Point, NBC Sports Network, 10PM
Nashville, ABC, 10PM
Unsung: Isaac Hayes (season premiere), TV One, 10PM
The Kroll Show, Comedy Central, 10:30PM
Thursday
30 Rock, NBC, 8PM
Impact Wrestling, Spike TV, 8PM
The Vampire Diaries, CW, 8PM
Last Resort (series finale), ABC, 8PM
Knicks/Celtics TNT, 8PM
American Idol, Fox, 8PM
Parks & Recreation, NBC, 8:30PM
Beauty & the Beast (winter premiere), CW, 9PM
Glee (winter premiere), Fox, 9PM
Grey’s Anatomy, ABC, 9PM
The Office, NBC, 9PM
1600 Penn, NBC, 9:30PM
Anger Management, FX, 9:30PM
King of the Nerds, TBS, 10PM
Archer, FX, 10PM
Bellator MMA Live, Spike TV, 10PM
Suits, USA, 10PM
Legit, FX, 10:30PM
Clippers/Suns, TNT, 10:30PM
Totally Biased with W Kamau Bell, FX, 11PM
Friday
Spartacus: War of the Damned (season premiere), Starz, 9PM
Spurs/Mavericks, ESPN, 8PM
Nikita, CW, 8PM
WWE SmackDown, Syfy, 8PM
Malibu Country, ABC, 8:30PM
CSI: NY, CBS, 9PM
Friday Night Fights, ESPN2, 9PM
Real time with Bill Maher, HBO, 10PM
Banshee, Cinemax, 10PM
Merlin, Syfy, 10PM
Portlandia, IFC, 10PM
Saturday
Senior Bowl, NFL Network, 4PM
UFC on Fox 6, Fox, 8PM
US Figure Skating Championships, NBC, 8PM
Abominable Snowman, Syfy, 9PM
Saturday Night Live: Adam Levine / Kendrick Lamar, 11:30PM
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
