Fox, 8:00 p.m. ET
During Season 2 of The Simpsons, an episode called “Itchy & Scratchy & Marge” had Marge become a public figure, appearing in newspaper letter pages (remember them, pre-Twitter?) and on TV to protest the violence in the children’s television “Itchy & Scratchy” cartoons. That was back in 1990, and it’s still one of my favorite Simpsons episodes. And now, 30 years later (think of that), there’s a new episode presented tonight, in Season 31, called “Screenless,” in which Marge mandates a restriction on the number of hours her family can watch screens, whether it’s on the TV or their smartphones. And just like last time, Marge learns a lesson too…about herself. Among the guest voices tonight is a very familiar one from his cave-painting documentary and other works: filmmaker Werner Herzog.
Showtime, 8:00 p.m. ET
Another primary looms – and so does the coronavirus – as the squad from The Circus dispatches itself across the country to follow the news.
NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET
Zoey hears and witnesses her first “internal” song duet in this week’s episode. And in another number, a character sings R.E.M.’s emotionally raw “Everybody Hurts,” which tells you this will not be an overwhelmingly buoyant, upbeat episode.
AMC, 9:00 p.m. ET
Last week’s episode put Alpha and Daryl in the same spot, both of them very near death as well as very near each other. Both survived – and this week, it’s Alpha and Negan who are paired up, as the whisperers prepare an all-out assault on the Hilltop.
HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET
MINISERIES FINALE: Last week’s episode ended with a barrage of gunfire, aimed at several of the investigators tracking down the evil entity. The rifle was fired by the entity’s possessed, unwilling minion, Jack, and he claimed one victim before the TV screen went to black – but the sounds of the bullets being fired, one by one, continued for several harrowing seconds before the show ended. This week, in the miniseries finale, we learn who was and wasn’t spared in that awful ambush – and, afterward, what, if anything, the survivors can do to confront and conquer the chameleonic spirit known as El Coco.
Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET
Last week’s episode of Homeland also ended with a very gripping cliffhanger – one that may have claimed the life of the president (Beau Bridges) in a helicopter crash. Whether he lives or dives, this show’s protagonists, Carrie and Saul (Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin) are in very precarious situations as the episode begins. And since this is the final season for Homeland, not even they are safe for sure. Carrie probably lives to the bitter end, but it might be very bitter indeed.
HBO, 10:30 p.m. ET
This episode features a plot that has an actor who wants to shadow Larry for insight into a role – and that actor is played by a real ham. In fact, it’s Jon Hamm.
HBO, 11:10 p.m. ET
If John Oliver can make me laugh about this week’s headlines, he’s even more talented than I thought. But I’m more than willing to give him the chance. Right now, I need laughter even more than I need a coronavirus test kit.