Bill Harris TV must-sees for the week of Nov. 17
1 The Day of the Doctor
Debut: A worldwide, commercial-free simulcast marking the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith teams up with 10th Doctor David Tennant. I hope there isn’t too much math.
When: Saturday on Space
2 Almost Human
Debut: From J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman, this series is set in 2048, when human police officers are partnered with highly evolved androids. Can you tell the difference? Karl Urban and Michael Ealy star.
When: Sunday on Fox, Global
3 Battle of the Blades
Fourth-season finale: The three remaining pairs with title hopes are Violetta Afanasieva and Jason Strudwick; Marie-France Dubreuil and Mathieu Dandenault; and Amanda Evora and Scott Thornton. Ron MacLean hosts.
When: Sunday on CBC
4 Nikita
Final-season debut: Nikita (Maggie Q) still is on the run after being framed for the assassination of the president of the United States. Maybe she describes herself as a “patsy,” just like Lee Harvey Oswald.
When: Friday on CW
5 Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles
Debut: Taped in front of a tiny live audience – 39 people, to be exact, at a club in Los Angeles – the never-shy Silverman takes aim at subjects such as pornography, sexuality and U.S. President Barack Obama.
When: Saturday on HBO Canada
6 Peaky Blinders
Canadian debut: A six-part British drama set in 1919 Birmingham as returning soldiers, criminal gangs and revolutionaries angle for supremacy. Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill and Helen McCrory star.
When: Thursday on Super Channel
7 New Girl
Jess (Zooey Deschanel) does her best to occupy Schmidt (Max Greenfield) while Cece (Hannah Simone) goes on a date with Coach (Damon Wayans, Jr.). Sound madcap enough for you?
When: Tuesday on Fox, City
8 Battleground
Canadian debut: Originating with U.S. online provider Hulu, this is a dramedy about a group of volunteers who set aside their personal lives to get involved in a long-shot political campaign. Jay Hayden and Teri Reeves star.
When: Monday on Super Channel
9 How I Met Your Mother
John Lithgow returns in a guest-starring role as the father of Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). Meanwhile, best man Ted (Josh Radnor) believes he has been framed when a wedding-related duty is botched.
When: Monday on CBS, City
10 Styled to Rock
Debut: Executive produced by Rihanna, this new reality series is a search for the next trend-setting fashion designer. Celebrity guests include Miley Cyrus, Carly Rae Jepsen and Kylie Minogue.
When: Sunday on E!
bill.harris@sunmedia.ca
