NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET
When this series returned last night, introducing its new judges Shakira and Usher by teaming them with veterans Blake Shelton and Adam Levine for a performance of “Come Together,” things got off to a bad start. That was the same song American Idol finalist Candice Glover had killed (in a good way) during the Lennon-McCartney theme night just last week – and her performance, all by itself, beat all four Voice judges so completely, it was no contest. But once the blind judging began, The Voice rebounded quickly. Levine, when comforting a loser who didn’t make the cut, showed why he shines here – and the first time new judges Shakira and Usher competed for the same female singer, they both went for the jugular. She played the female empowerment card, and he flirted. He also won – and when Shakira made fun of him afterward by imitating his cocky pose in the judge’s chair, a new Voice star was born. Tonight: more blind auditions.
NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET
In this episode, Ryan (Matthew Perry) meets a woman, recently widowed, and the two bond enough, with their mutual understanding of grief, to go on a date together. That’s a significant step for Ryan, but for this series as well: The widow is played by Courteney Cox, one of Perry’s old friends from Friends.
Fox, 9:00 p.m. ET
Margo Martindale shows up as a guest star on this week’s comedy – and it’s so nice to see how her season-long star turn on Justified has translated into a whole new career for her, widening her options and displaying more of her range. Speaking of which: Tonight’s episode also features star Zooey Deschanel singing, which she does very well – but singing as an Elvis impersonator, which could be new.
NBC, 10:00 p.m. ET
To prolong the primary plot line of this series, the producers of Smash have divided without conquering. They’ve had us follow individual characters as they pursue separate side shows, while all we really care about, for now, is the fate and content of Bombshell. That Marilyn Monroe biographical musical is back at center stage on this show, and its disparate elements are beginning to come together again – but for this show, which has lost some of its momentum, is it too late?
FX, 10:00 p.m. ET
Last week’s episode was so good, so clever, and so enjoyable, I immediately watched it over again. And now, with Drew still on the run and Raylan still defying both the Detroit mob and Boyd, I can’t wait to watch, and rewatch, tonight’s installment as well.