NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET
This weekend didn’t provide the sort of headlines that lead to obvious political sketches – but with the first presidential debate only one week away, I suspect that might provide fodder for a lengthy sketch on tonight’s second of two prime-time SNL specials. Jason Sudeikis continues his role as Mitt Romney, and Jay Pharaoh takes over as the SNL impersonator for Barack Obama.
CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET
SEASON PREMIERE: As Season 6 begins, Howard (Simon Helberg) is both a newlywed and a rocket man, continuing his orbital experience on the International Space Station. And back on Earth, worlds are colliding – specifically, with all three of the earthbound male buddies experiencing significant problems with their female significant others.
ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET
SERIES PREMIERE: Andre Braugher, one of my favorite TV actors, gets a new series lead – and a strong one – as a submarine commander who ends up questioning orders, and for good reason. The premise, and tonight’s pilot, are strong enough to warrant a visit. For other reactions to this new series, see our 2012
TVWW Fall TV Preview page – and for more lengthy reviews, see Gerald Jordan’s
Crossing Jordan and Ed Bark’s
Uncle Barky’s Bytes.
PBS, 8:00 p.m. ET
You don’t have to buy a ticket to Lincoln Center, or even get dressed up, to enjoy the season’s opening gala, featuring Itzhak Perlman performing a varied evening of violin pieces. Among them: segments from the John Williams score Perlman performed for the Steven Spielberg movie Schindler’s List. In addition to Williams, other composers on the bill include Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakoff, and Massenet. Check local listings.
FX, 10:30 p.m. ET
SEASON FINALE: Louis C.K. not only won an Emmy Sunday night for writing this series, but appeared as a presenter with Amy Poehler. I mention that because Poehler is one of the guest stars on tonight’s Louie season finale, so there are two more reasons to watch: see an Emmy winner, and see an Amy winner.