The Week’s guide to what’s worth watching
What's worth watching on TV this week
Shameless
This American adaptation of an award-winning British drama moves the setting to Chicago but keeps the focus on a dysfunctional working-class family. William H. Macy stars as the alcoholic single father of six children; the cast also includes Emmy Rossum as his oldest daughter and Joan Cusack as his agoraphobic lover. Monday, Jan. 10, at 9 p.m., Showtime
Lights Out
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Patrick “Lights” Leary, the protagonist of this promising new drama, was a heavyweight boxing champ until he lost his title in a controversial split decision. Five years later, he wages a different kind of fight—to support his family in the face of financial problems and the onset of pugilism-induced dementia. Holt McCallany is convincing and sympathetic in the lead role. Fellow stage veterans Catherine McCormack and Stacy Keach play family members. Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 10 p.m., FX
Luise Rainer: Live at the TCM Classic Film Festival
In a lively interview marking her 101st birthday, the first actor ever to win back-to-back Academy Awards reflects candidly on her brief Hollywood career, her clashes with MGM boss Louis B. Mayer, and her two husbands, playwright Clifford Odets and publisher Robert Knittel. The two films for which Rainer won Best Actress Oscars—The Good Earth (1937) and The Great Ziegfeld (1936)—follow at 8:30 and 11:30 p.m., respectively. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m., TCM
Off the Map
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
With two ensemble medical dramas (Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice) already in its prime-time lineup, ABC chooses a novel setting for its third: a medical clinic in South America so short on amenities that coconut water substitutes for transfused blood. But despite the change of scene, the show still revolves around emergencies, romance, and coming-of-age melodrama. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 10 p.m., ABC
Big Love
As the fifth and final season begins for this offbeat drama about a Utah polygamist and his three wives, newly elected state senator Bill Henrickson has revealed his unconventional lifestyle to the public, only to find that he and his family have become targeted for intimidation by neighbors, employees, and even fellow polygamists. Bill Paxton leads the ensemble. Sunday, Jan. 16, at 9 p.m., HBO
Other highlights
Southland
Now in its third season, this fine ensemble drama continues to offer a gritty portrayal of police work in Los Angeles. This week, the gang unit attempts to solve a series of murders. Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 10 p.m., TNT
Onion SportsDome
The satirists at The Onion cast a jaundiced eye on sports news and analysis in this new series. Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central
American Masters: Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides
This profile of the five-time Oscar nominee—and onetime title character of the cult hit The Big Lebowski—spotlights his music and artwork as well as his acting. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Will growth slow, or is the economy about to fall off a cliff?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Senate passes FAA bill with new consumer protections
Speed Read The legislation will require airlines to refund customers for flight delays
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pledged pro-oil policy to CEOs, asked for $1B
Speed Read The former president promised to reverse Biden's environmental regulations if elected
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published