Will Arnett stars in a new series, “Flaked” (Netflix, streaming), which is technically classified as a comedy except that it has a dour veneer since it dwells on his struggles as a recovering alcoholic on Venice Beach, Calif., and there aren’t many jokes (plus you hear “Bojack Horsemen” echoes in his patter and start to wish you were watching that). But the relationship is promising, you might want to keep it streaming for a few episodes.
A better shot at comedy comes from a one shot online special. “The Characters” (Netflix, streaming) devised to show the multiple talents of individual talents, episode by episode. First of is Lauren Papkus, largely known as the skinny big-eyed guard on “Orange is the New Black” not featured in a lot of interlocking scenes. Among them: an annoying pop star on a dating reality show, a sulky teen boy, and a depressed stripper who dances to Ben Folds’ “Brick.” There’s other funny characters in here too including Bobby Moynihan.
One of the best underrated streaming shows, though, is the adaptation of Michael Connelly’s touch detective “Bosch” (Amazon Prime, streaming) returning for a second season of noir Los Angeles fare. First up, a body is found in a trunk of a car.
“Vice” (HBO, 11 p.m.) looks at Saudi Arabia’s ongoing air campaign in Yemen.
Jane Mayer, Bill Kristol, Monica Mehta, Sam Stein and Maria Konnikova are guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
“Grimm” (NBC, 9 p.m.) hits its 100th episode.
“The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) climbs the French Alps.
Just now noticing that the official title of “Animals.” (HBO, 11:30 p.m.) comes with a period.
The month-long Friday salute to Merle Oberon on Turner Movie Classics continues with “The Lodger” (8 p.m.), “Wuthering Heights” (9:30 p.m.), “The Cowboy and the Lady” (11:30 p.m.), “The Divorce of Lady X” (1:15 a.m.), “The Lion Has Wings” (3 a.m.) and “The Scarlet Pimpernel” (4:30 a.m.).
Men’s college basketball tournaments tighten with Dayton vs. Richmond (NBC Sports, noon) and GW vs. Saint Joseph’s (NBC Sports, 2:30 p.m.) in the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals. It’s Indiana vs. Michigan (ESPN, noon) and Purdue vs. Illinois (ESPN, 2 p.m.) in the Big Ten quarterfinals. In the American Athletic quarterfinals, it’s Temple vs. South Florida (ESPN2, noon), Connecticut vs. Cincinnati (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), Houston vs. Tulane (ESPNU, 7 p.m.) and Tulsa vs. Memphis (ESPNU, 9 p.m.). It’s Villanova vs. Providence (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.) and Xavier vs. Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.) in the Big East semifinals.
Also: In the ACC semifinals it’s North Carolina vs. Notre Dame (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Virginia vs. Miami (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.) The Big 12 semifinals have Kansas vs. Baylor (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and West Virginia vs. Oklahoma (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.). And it’s San Diego State vs. Nevada (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.) and San Diego vs. Nevada (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.) in the Mountain West
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: David Muir, Neve Campbell, Enya. The View: David Muir, Marla Maples. The Talk: Amanda Peet, Aaron Sanchez. Ellen DeGeneres: Kevin Hart, Rami Malek, Kygo (rerun). Wendy Williams: Michael Yo (rerun). The Real: Steve Howey. Meredith Vieira: 50 Cent.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Jeff Daniels, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Audra McDonald. Jimmy Kimmel: Jason Bateman, Aja Naomi King, Cee-Lo Green (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Jeff Daniels, Lilly Singh, St. Lucia (rerun). Seth Meyers: Ryan Reynolds, Katie Lowes, Wynona & the Big Noise, Jaleel Bunton (rerun). James Corden: Betty White, Amare Stoudemire, Jack Hanna, Rachel Platten (rerun). Carson Daly: Jalen Rose, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Those Who Can’t (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Connie Rice, Ben Harper.