5 Best Bets on TV This Week: Tyrants, Cocktails, Tony Goldwyn and More
Shipra Harbola Gupta
Sure, Sunday tends to be overcrowded with high-end TV like “Penny Dreadful” and “Halt & Catch Fire” but what do the other nights have to offer? Every week, we’ll bring you five noteworthy highlights from the other six days of your upcoming week.
“Tyrant” Series Premiere
Tuesday June 24th on FX at 10pm
In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, FX delivers viewers a new series called “Tyrant,” which centers on Bassam “Barry” Al Fayeed, the second son of the ruthless dictator of the fictional country of Abbudin. For nearly 20 years, Barry has been living a self-imposed exile in the United States. At the start of the series, he begrudgingly returns to Abbudin, with wife and teenaged children in tow, to celebrate his nephew’s wedding. It isn’t long before Barry finds himself swept up into the country’s politics and violence. Given the show’s timeliness, however, it remains to be seen how the political discourse will be handled.
“Wilfred” Season 4 Premiere
Wednesday June 25th on FXX at 10pm
The fourth, and final season of “Wilfred” coincides with the show’s debut on FXX. Rather tragic — dare we say poetic; especially considering the unexpected death of Ryan’s father at the end of the last season. In anticipation of the season premiere, FXX has released a series of brief video teasers featuring images of dogs holding sheets of paper confessing a secret in writing. Each sequence ends with Wilfred and Ryan posing on a couch, side-by-side with their own confessions written on papers displayed on their laps.
“Hey Bartender” (93-minute Special Presentation)
Thursday, June 26th on Showtime at 8:25pm
Selected to participate in SXSW last year, “Hey Bartender” is a documentary that examines the world of bartending and the renewed interest in craft cocktails. Think of it as a way of “going out” without actually having to leave the couch.
“Girl Meets World” Series Premiere
Friday, June 27th on Disney Channel at 9:45pm
Corey and Topanga, the beloved couple of the ABC series “Boy Meets World” return to primetime television — except this time, they’ve got two kids. Disney Channel charts the couple’s history in an adorable teaser that can be viewed on their site. For those “Boy Meets World” fans who may have already made plans for Friday evening, fear not because the pilot is currently available to stream via the WATCH Disney Channel app for mobile devices.
“Outlaw Prophet: Warren Jeffs” (Original Telefilm)
Saturday, June 28th on Lifetime at 8pm
Tony Goldwyn stars as notorious Morman polygamist Warren Jeffs, in Lifetime’s screen adaptation of Stephen Singular’s nonfiction book “When Men Become Gods.” The character of Jeffs is in stark contrast to Fitz — i.e. the brooding young President of the United States played by Goldwyn on the ABC drama “Scandal.”
