USA, 9:00 p.m. ET
MIDSEASON FINALE: I hate bowing to USA’s nomenclature and calling this a “midseason finale” – all it’s really doing is taking a break for a little bit before returning with new episodes, a mini-hiatus that, here and everywhere else, used to go mostly unnoticed and definitely unnamed. And perhaps tonight’s episode will end in a mid-cliffhanger. No matter: It surely will end on a dramatic note, since last week’s installment ended with the second time this season that Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) has watched as someone near and dear to him has been felled by an assassin’s bullet.
NBC, 10:00 p.m. ET
Tonight’s hour, keyed to Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, is devoted entirely to Mormons, with stories ranging from Brian Williams’ account of the history of that religion to a story about Clark Johnsen (seen at left), an original cast member of the ensemble of Broadway’s hit musical The Book of Mormon. An actor who is a Mormon.
TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET
Today is Gene Kelly day on Turner Classic Movies, so tune in virtually any hour of the day or night for some delightful entertainment. But for a taste of the best movie musicals ever made, visit at 10 p.m. ET for 1951’s An American in Paris (pictured), with its audaciously ambitious (and successful) climax based on a ballet tour through works of Impressionist Art – and then, at midnight ET, stay tuned for the flawless, fantastic satire about the birth of the “talkies,” 1952’s Singin’ in the Rain. It’s 60 years old this year, but still plays as completely fresh.
FX, 10:30 p.m. ET
One of tonight’s vignettes is called “Looking for Liz,” in which Louie (Louis C.K.)_ returns to the bookstore where he first met wild and crazy Liz (Parker Posey), hoping to reconnect. Instead, he meets another female handful there – an equally fervent employee played by Chloe Sevigny, in a completely different role than she just finished playing on Hit & Miss. Then again, compared to portraying a transgendered hired killer, would wouldn’t be a completely different role?
FX, 11:00 p.m. ET
Last week’s installment, the second of this series, was much stronger than the first, with the new topical-humor TV host appearing more comfortable, and having a lot more to say. His interview segment with Rachel Maddow was nice and loose, and his central essay of the week, explaining why Barack Obama should be considered the President of Black America – with visual and aural evidence to support his argument. This is a new topical humor show worth adding to your viewing list, and with a fresh, smart viewpoint as bait.