TV Picks: John Oliver, Orphan Black, 24

“Last Week Tonight With John Oliver.” The late-night quadrille continues with “The Daily Show” regular and recent Jon Stewart replacement John Oliver heading HBO’s first Sunday night talk show. Although it will be hooked to current events, the show’s weekly schedule, as the title suggests, does not align itself with the satiric news format of “The Daily Show” or “The Colbert Report,” though Oliver has hinted at a similar tone of media re-mix.

More deadpan than either Stewart or Colbert, Oliver has brought to previous work an earnest everyman quality that serves him well when playing a correspondant who has missed the point or host delivering a pointed diatribe. While the show may start from an expected place, with any luck it will remain open-minded about where it’s going, which will making watching the journey half the fun. HBO, Sundays, 11 p.m.

“Fargo” Things are getting more serious, and more deeply hilarious, on FX’s fine and freestanding accompaniment to the Coen brothers’ masterpiece, which redefines the term “bloody good fun.” Billy Bob Thornton’s modern Mephistopheles is a master of metaphoric mischief, Allison Tolly’s Molly discovers what it’s like to be the one cop who understands (sort of) what’s going on, while Colin Hanks’ Gus discovers that acknowledging one’s spine makes standing tall a little easier. FX, Tuesdays, 10 p.m.

CRITICS’ PICKS: What to watch, where to go, what to eat

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” The concept has been reduced to rubble, the noble hero gone angry and bitter, a stalwart cast member turned traitor and possibly the best agent of them all has walked away — watching how this show-between-the-films rights itself is as exciting as the show itself. ABC, Tuesdays, 8 p.m.

Keep watching:

“Orphan Black” BBC America, Saturdays, 9 p.m.

“Game of Thrones,” HBO, Sundays, 9 p.m.

Start watching:

“24.” Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is on his way back, with “24: Live Another Day,” which premieres next month. So it’s time to reacquaint yourself with the long and twisty back story that led to Jack’s grid rejection all those years ago. Available on Amazon Prime.

ALSO:

John Oliver Cries on Daily Show

“Fargo” Blazes New Dark Trail

Jack Bauer Goes Underground