5 Best Bets on TV This Week: Dumb Starbucks, Maggie Gyllenhaal, ‘The Killing’ and More
Shipra Harbola Gupta
“Nathan For You” Dumb Starbucks Episode
Tuesday, July 29 on Comedy Central at 10:30pm
Back in February, a coffee shop called “Dumb Starbucks” opened up in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Los Feliz. As word spread, curious residents from across the city flocked to the store, waiting in long lines to order the exact same drinks available at a regular Starbucks, except that every drink name began with “Dumb.” A few days after its launch, it was revealed that “Dumb Starbucks” was actually a stunt pulled by Nathan Fielder, star of the Comedy Central show “Nathan For You.” If you were unable to venture out to “Dumb Starbucks” while it was, rather briefly, in business, you can watch the “Nathan For You” episode where it is featured, and you can experience the hype without having to wait in line like all the idiots who ended up on television.
“Penn & Teller: Fool Us” Series Premiere
Wednesday, July 30 on The CW at 8pm
Originally aired on ITV in the U.K., “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” is a competition-based program where amateur magicians attempt to perform tricks that confound the legendary magician duo. Should one of the contestants manage to pull one over on Penn & Teller, he or she will be be given the opportunity to perform onstage during Penn & Teller’s signature show at the Rio on the Las Vegas Strip. It’s not easy, though, when you’re up against the best of the best.
“The Honorable Woman” Series Premiere
Thursday, July 31 on Sundance at 10pm
Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as Nessa Stein, an Anglo-Israeli woman who, despite serving as the head of an arms manufacturing business, has made it her life’s work to advocate for peaceful resolution between Israel and Palestine.
Given the recent eruption of violence in Gaza, “The Honorable Woman” will no doubt be viewed, by critics and fans alike, through the lens of any major developments emerging from the region in the coming days and weeks.
“The Killing” Season 4 Premiere
Friday, August 1 on Netflix – all episodes available at 12:01am
Originally cancelled by AMC after two seasons, “The Killing” was eventually brought back for a third season after Netflix came on board as a producer. Following the third season, AMC cancelled the show yet again; Netflix, however, ordered a fourth season to debut exclusively via their streaming platform online. If you’ve got no plans this weekend, make a date with your couch because the final six episodes of “The Killing” will be available to stream, in their entirety, beginning at 12:01am. Let’s be honest — nothing could possibly be more satisfying than finishing the entire series in a single weekend.
“Hell on Wheels” Season 4 Premiere
Saturday, August 2 on AMC at 9pm
AMC’s under-the-rader western drama returns for its fourth season in the inconspicuous Saturday 9pm time slot; if a crime procedural isn’t your jam, then check out a few episodes of this period piece on Netflix, which is currently streaming Seasons 1-3. Even though Colm Meaney isn’t wearing a Starfleet uniform, he’s still got it. Take what you will from my usage of “it.”
