Mandatory News: Galavant

Sunday, January 4, 2015

And suddenly TV is back, with Galavant leading the charge

Heres whats up in the world of TV for Sunday, January 4th. All times are Eastern.

Top pick

Galavant (ABC, 8 p.m.): There is very little explaining this seasons weirdest new show Galavant! (exclamation point ours), so here are the facts:

Galavant! is a series set in a medievalish fairy tale world featuring original songs from Disney veterans Alan Menken and Glenn Slater;
Galavant! is the brainchild of Dan Fogelman, creator of the late alien sitcom The Neighbors and Tangled;
Galavant! is also the name of the dashing white guy protagonist;
Galavant! is airing two episodes back-to-back tonight, because ABC realized it had no earthly clue how to market Men In Tights: The Television Series;
Galavant! could either be an awkward disaster on a community theater level or a hilarious joy. For professional opinions on the matter, we turn to our an overarching TV Review from our own Kate Kulzick, while our weekly reviews go to A.V. newcomer Dan Caffrey (which explains that smell of fresh meat)
Oh, right: Galavant! also co-stars John Stamos as devastatingly handsome knight Jean Hamm, like so:

But if we were writing Galavant!, itd look a little more like

Also noted

Downton Abbey (PBS, 9 p.m.): The BBC soap celebrates the beginning of its fifth season with a 75-minute premiere. Manners will be taught. Tea will be drunk. Class tensions will be pushed down into the deep dark corner of the British soul that refuses to feel feelings unless it involves Manchester United, the Royal family, or last call. Joshua Alston gave the season the full review treatment, while our new weekly Downton correspondent Emily Stephens is currently taking bets on whos will be the first this season to use a fainting couch.

The Simpsons (FOX, 8 p.m.): The Simpson family goes to Dizzneeland and end up rocketing through the galaxy to become part of another planets zoo/restaurant, also known as The Simpsons take shrooms at Disneyland. Dennis Perkins has certainly never done such a thing, no sir.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX, 8:30 p.m.): The gang retreats to Boyles family cabin for a detectives-only getaway, where Gina attempts to get type-A Amy drunk and Rosa gets advice on how to send romantic texts to Nick Cannon. As always, we turn to LaToya Ferguson to tell us how many sexts involve eggplants and/or peaches. (Red Siren Light, Girl Crossing Arms, Fire, Knife, Knife, Knife, Knife, Skull, Octopus.)

Family Guy (FOX, 9 p.m.): Stewie and Brian are taking the time machine for an educational spin in what the show is calling, Stewie, Chris, & Brians Excellent Adventure. We think Eric Thurm will be the judge of that, Adventure.

The Good Wife (CBS, 10 p.m.): Cary and Alicia both hire consultants, but since Carys in prison and Alicias preparing for a States Attorney debate, were assuming these are consultants of a different nature. Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya wishes someone at The Good Wife would consult her on Kalindas leather:boots ratio already.

Tomorrow in TV Club

Molly Eichel will have a look at the new Terrence Howard/Taraji P. Henson music drama Empire, while various A.V. TV critics will weigh in on this whole Friends hitting Netflix thing. Also, various A.V. critics from multiple sections will reveal t heir most anticipated pieces of entertainment for 2015. Also also, an in-depth look at midreputable T.V. If youre confused as to what that means, youll just have to come back tomorrow (and thats what we call a tease)!

What else is on?

NFL Special: AFC Wild Card Game: Cincinnati at Indianapolis (CBS, 1:05 p.m.): A wild card game with a very long title, not to be confused with

NFL Special: AFC Wild Card Game: Detroit at Dallas (FOX, 1:05 p.m.)

Madam Secretary (CBS, 8 p.m.): Madam Secretary Tea Leoni returns to arrange an extradition deal, but the biggest casualty may be her 25th wedding anniversary. Can she have it all?

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo, 8 p.m.): Were only highlighting this because the episode is called 50 Shades Of Shade and we cannot believe this is the first time were hearing this joke, is Twitter asleep or something?!

Finding Bigfoot: British Bigfoot (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.): In case none of the above grabs you, delve into the strange and mysterious world of British Bigfoot, who deviates from the American Bigfoot by going to the lift with his shopping trolley full of corgettes and aubergines and jammy dodgers, probably.

Steve Austins Broken Skull Challenge: Welcome to h**l (CMT, 8 p.m.): The only thing worse than the entire concept of this show title is that this is, in fact, a second season premiere.

The Apprentice: May The Gods of Good Pies Be With Us (NBC, 9 p.m.):

Oh look at that, we spoke too soon. (Our apologies to Steve Austin.)