Will Arnett is funniest when he’s a dim narcissist, which is why it seems like he’d never surpass his character as Gob on “Arrested Development.” Make him a lead in something and it just looks like he’s being insincere when he’s nice. Though he appeared, oddly, Thursday night throwing ice water on Julie Chen’s head during “Big Brother,” Arnett, the star of “The Millers” can be found squarely in his element as the bitter former sitcom star in“Bojack Horseman” (Netflix, streaming).
In it, he’s not just a former sitcom star, but one who is a horse in people’s clothing in a world occasionally peopled with animals (Amy Sedaris plays his agent and sometime girlfriend, a cat); a rival is a dog actor named Mr. Peanutbutter and voiced by Paul F. Tomkins. Voices (and writing, obviously) is what make deadpan animated shows stand out and this show has both of them, in bite sized little half hour episodes that might just find you gobbling several at a time.
Aaron Paul makes his most significant post-“Breaking Bad” series appearance by essentially playing a Jesse Pinkman-type — unshaven slacker roomate in a wool cap. But he’s funny and it’s good to hear his voice again. By the time you get to episode you will catch the joys of Keith Olbermann as an outraged blue whale TV commendator on MSNBSea. And, this being Netflix, you can watch that one first if you want.
The fourth season of “Bering Sea Gold” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) with some treacherous conditions in Nome.
On “The Knick” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.) Thackery wonders if he should operate on a woman with whom he’s operated.
The USA Gymnastics Championships (NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.) may put you in an Olympic state of mind.
Pianist Lang Lang performs with the Vienna Philharmonic at Austria’s Shonbrunn Palace Gardens on a new “Great Performances” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
This week’s debut of “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 9 p.m.), gets a replay.
Other than “Masters of Illusion” (The CW, 8 p.m.), there’s nothing new on network TV than the newsmagazines, “Dateline” (NBC, 9 p.m.) and “20/20” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
And football of course! The preseason action has Oakland at Green Bay (CBS, 8 p.m.) and on cable, it’s Chicago at Seattle (NFL, 10 p.m.).
Baseball includes Atlanta at Cincinnati (MLB, 7 p.m.).
And qualifying rounds continue for the U.S. Open (CBS Sports, 11 a.m., 5 p.m.).
Today will be classier with Audrey Hepburn all day on Turner Classic Movies, with “Laughter in Paradise” (6 a.m.), “The Lavender Hill Mob’ (8 a.m.), “The Secret People” (9:30 a.m.), “Love in the Afternoon” (11:30 a.m.), “Green Mansions” (2 p.m.), “The Children’s Hour” (4 p.m.), “Wait Until Dark” (6 p.m.), “Roman Holiday” (8 p.m.), “The Nun’s Story” (10:15 p.m.), “My Fair Lady” (1 a.m.) and “Robin and Marian” (4 a.m.). But they’re skipping “Breakfast at Tiffanys.”
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Halle Berry, Kesha, Keri Russell. The View: Frank Luntz (rerun). The Talk: Jason Biggs, Damien Fahey, Maria Menounos (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Simon Baker, Anthony Mackie (rerun). Wendy Williams: Mayim Bialik, Mary Mary (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Somerville, David Gray (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Ethan Hawke, Amy Sedaris, the Secret Sisters. Jimmy Kimmel: Kim Kardashian, Damon Wayans Jr., Jake Johnson, Disclosure featuring Sam Smith (rerun). Seth Meyers: Hank Azaria, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Brendan Gleeson (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Max Greenfield, Ben & Ellen Harper (rerun). Carson Daly: Bear McCreary, together PANGEA, Air Review (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Allison Janney (rerun). Arsenio Hall: Brandy, Sonja Norwood, Bill & Kristen Bellamy, IamSu featuring Sage the Gemini (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Fergie, Brad Wollack, Whitney Cummings, Ryan Stout (rerun).