Is there a worse night for TV than Fridays? (Yes: Saturdays). But there are certain shows that have made their mark on the day, from family comedies to sci-fi slanted genre shows. That means more new shows than expected to close the workweek, but generally not up to par either.
We’ve been taking a day-to-day look at what’s being offered by broadcast networks each night, and in the case of Fridays, it will often be same-week reruns of what you might have missed earlier in the week. Here’s what to look out for:
NEW SHOWS
“Dr. Ken” (ABC, 8:30 p.m., starts Oct. 2). On a network that forged a fine new family comedy with an Asian family now in “Fresh Off the Boat” now produces a bad one. If the meaning of inclusion is that each ethnic group is represented, good and bad, this one, about Ken Jeong’s former career as a doctor, definitely falls into the latter. The wild man from the “Hangover” movies and “Community” falls flat here, when he’s not making you wince.
“Truth Be Told” (NBC, 8:30 p.m., Oct. 16). The latest stab at Friends concentrates on two couples, played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar and vanessa Lachey and Tone Bell and Bresha Webb in a comedy that tries to bend taboos in talking about sex and race. But other shows have done the same; indeed, some shows have obsessed on sex. But most others have done it better.
RETURNING SHOWS
“The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m., returns tonight), “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 p.m., tonight), “Undateable” (NBC, 8 p.m., returns Oct. 9), “Reign” (The CW, 8 p.m., Oct. 9), “MasterChef Junior” (Fox, 8 p.m., Nov. 6), “Grimm” (NBC, 9 p.m., Oct. 30), “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 9 p.m., tonight), “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m., tonight), “Shark Tank” (ABC, 9 p.m., tonight), “World’s Funniest” (Fox, 9 p.m., Nov. 6),
OF NOTE ON CABLE
“The Knick” (Cinemax, 10 p.m., returns Oct. 16). One of the great underrated cable shows, in a fastidiously-replicated New York at the dawn of 20th century, where drug-addicted doctor played by Clive Owen forges into new treatment. The second season is also directed by Steven Soderbergh.
“Please Like Me” (Pivot, 10 p.m., Oct. 16). The comedy from self-effacing Australian comic Josh Thomas returns for its third season, on a network that some cable systems have yet to have picked up.