TV This Week, Oct. 16-22: Hugh Laurie in Hulu’s ‘Chance,’ and more
SUNDAY
A not-exactly-timely sendup of “The Hunger Games” is included when “The Simpsons” hits the 600-episode mark with the series’ annual Halloween spectacular, “Treehouse of Horror XXVII.” 8 p.m. Fox
A widow and her brood decamp 1930s Britain for an island off the coast of Greece in the six-part drama “The Durrells in Corfu” airing on “Masterpiece.” With “MI-5’s” Keeley Hawes. 8 p.m. KOCE
The new docudrama “Killing Reagan,” based on Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard’s bestseller, recounts the 1981 assassination attempt against the 40th U.S. president (Tim Matheson). Cynthia Nixon also stars. 8 p.m. National Geographic Channel
“Nickelodeon’s Ultimate Halloween Haunted House” was designed to scare the living heck out of some of the network’s young stars for this special. 8 p.m. Nickelodeon
The new special “The Walking Dead: The Journey So Far” gets you all caught up ahead of the zombie drama’s seventh-season premiere next week. 9 p.m. AMC
The CIA’s “Berlin Station” has the kind of leak a plumber can’t fix in this new espionage drama. With Richard Armitage and Rhys Ifans. 9 p.m. Epix
No more years! No more years! Nick Nolte plays a used-to-be U.S. president looking to repair his less-than-stellar legacy in the new series “Graves.” Sela Ward also stars. 10 p.m. Epix
MONDAY
The new documentary “A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story” profiles a young woman with a rare medical condition who became a motivational speaker and anti-bullying activist. 8 p.m. Lifetime
Gina Rodriguez is still “Jane the Virgin” — for now, at least — when this telenovela-inspired comedy drama returns for a third season. 9 p.m. KTLA
The rebooted sitcom “The Odd Couple” returns with new episodes. Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon star, with guest stars Teri Hatcher and Boyz II Men. 9:30 p.m. CBS
A Chinese activist faces government interference as she tries to expose a shocking case of child sexual abuse in the documentary “Hooligan Sparrow” airing on a new “POV.” 10 p.m. KOCE
TUESDAY
The University of Houston’s high-flying 1980s-era men’s basketball team, led by Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, is saluted in the sports doc “Phi Slama Jama” on a new “30 for 30.” 5 p.m. ESPN; also 10 p.m. Thu., ESPN2
No spoilers! The failed third-party presidential bids of Ross Perot and Ralph Nader are recalled on “The Contenders — 16 for ’16.” 8 p.m. KOCE
Edison, schmedison. The genius of inventor Nikola Tesla is celebrated on a new “American Experience.” 9 p.m. KOCE
I scream, you scream, fans of the TV series based on the Wes Craven horror franchise scream for a two-hour “Scream Halloween Special.” 9 p.m. MTV
“Frontline” investigates the shocking ISIS-sponsored attacks in Paris and Brussels in the new episode “Terror in Europe.” 10 p.m. KOCE
WEDNESDAY
Is there a doctor in the, you know.… “House’s” Hugh Laurie plays a forensic neuropsychiatrist who goes by the name of “Chance” in this new online series. “Boardwalk Empire’s” Gretchen Mol also stars. Any time, Hulu
Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton meet at University of Nevada in Las Vegas for their third and final “Presidential Debate.” 6 p.m., various channels
The Peanuts gang gets their trick-or-treat on in the animated classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” 8 p.m. ABC
Wildlife cameraman Vianet Djenguet is your guide to the flora and the fauna of the country he calls home in the episode “My Congo” on a new “Nature.” 8 p.m. KOCE
It’s “Ugly Betty” versus “Joan of Arcadia” when America Ferrera faces Amber Tamblyn on a new “Lip Sync Battle.” 9 p.m. Spike
The new documentary “Building Below Zero” looks at environmentally friendly structures that go far beyond mere energy efficiency. Ted Danson narrates. 10 p.m. KOCE
THURSDAY
It’s astounding … maybe. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again” is a new star-studded made-for-TV update of the 1975 sci-fi/horror/comedy/musical mashup that became a cult classic. With “Orange Is the New Black’s” Laverne Cox, Adam Lambert, Victoria Justice, Christina Milian, Ben Vereen and original “RHPS” star Tim Curry. 8 p.m. Fox
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara share the love that, in the 1950s at least, dared not speak its name in Todd Haynes’ elegant 2015 drama “Carol.” 8 p.m. Showtime
Is there life on Mars? Was there ever? Scientists seek answers in the new special “Exomars: The Hunt for Life.” 8 p.m. National Geographic Channel
Country music’s Shania Twain collects career kudos in the annual special “CMT Artists of the Year 2016.” Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini are also feted. 9 p.m. CMT
Let’s go to the tape! The special “Key & Peele Sportsball Spectacular” features sports-themed skits from the comedy duo’s sorely missed sketch show. 9 p.m. Comedy Central
Entrepreneurial types cozy up to potential investors in the new reality-TV spinoff “Project Runway: Fashion Startup.” 10:30 p.m. Lifetime
FRIDAY
The twisted, technology-themed anthology series “Black Mirror” is back to further mess with your mind for a six-episode third season. Any time, Netflix
Try the ramen: An after-hours eatery serves as the setting for the new imported series “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories.” Any time, Netflix
“The Vampire Diaries” bites back for an eighth season. Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder star. 8 p.m. KTLA
There’s paranormal activity a-plenty with the special “Ghosts of Shepherdstown,” the return of “A Haunting” and the debut of the unscripted series “Kindred Spirits.” 8, 9 and 10 p.m. TLC
Golden Globe winner Rachel Bloom is one “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” we’d never file a restraining order against, and she’s back with a second season of her kooky musical comedy set in West Covina. 9 p.m. KTLA
The new special “Hamilton’s America” includes a backstage look at the hit Broadway musical about the fiscally savvy Founding Father, plus interviews with President Obama and former President George W. Bush. 9 p.m. KOCE
Hoop dreamer: The new sports doc “One & Done: Ben Simmons” tracks the breakout college basketball star as he prepares to turn pro. 9 and 10:30 p.m. Showtime
Comic Wanda Sykes cracks wise at the Ace Theatre in downtown L.A. in the new standup special “What Happened ... Ms. Sykes?” 10 p.m. Epix
SATURDAY
“300’s” Gerard Butler and “Game of Thrones’” Nikolaj Coster-Waldau are living, breathing “Gods of Egypt” in this CGI-laden 2016 fantasy tale directed by Alex Proyas. 8 p.m. HBO
“Devious Maids’ ” Roselyn Sanchez meets her fate in Sin City in the new fact-based thriller “Death of a Vegas Showgirl.” 8 p.m. Lifetime
Whodunit? “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” will figure it out eventually, perhaps, in this new series based on the whimsical novels by “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” author Douglas Adams. With Samuel Barnett and Elijah Wood. 9 p.m. BBC America
Catherine Bell’s bewitching Cassie Nightingale is back in yet another new TV movie, “Good Witch: Secrets of Grey House.” With James Denton. 9 p.m. Hallmark Channel
The 2016 documentary “Weiner” delves into the sexting scandals that derailed the political career of former N.Y. Rep. Anthony Weiner. 9 and 10:35 p.m. Showtime
Indie rock’s Florence + the Machine take the stage on a new “Austin City Limits.” Midnight KOCE
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TV listings for the week of Oct. 16 - 22, 2016 in PDF format
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