5 Best Bets on TV This Week: Halle Berry is ‘Extant’ & Amy Poehler’s Brother Goes to Sweden
Shipra Harbola Gupta
Sure, Sunday tends to be overcrowded with high-end TV like “The Leftovers” and “Masters of Sex” but what do the other nights have to offer? Every Monday, we bring you five noteworthy highlights from the other six days of your upcoming week.
“Finding Carter” 2-Hour Series Premiere
Tuesday, July 8th on MTV at 10pm
The latest addition to MTV’s roster of original series centers on a teenager named Carter whose life is turned upside down after learning her mother isn’t actually her mother at all, but rather her kidnapper — having took Carter from her real family when she was just a toddler. Taking a cue from Caroline B. Cooney’s Janie Johnson Series, “Finding Carter” appears to combine a young woman’s journey to uncover the truth about her past and come to terms with her future. With “Lizzie McGuire” creator Terri Minsky at the helm and Alexis Denisof a.k.a. Wesley Wyndam-Pryce of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” starring as Carter’s long-lost father, “Finding Carter” oozes teen angst in what we hope is the best way possible.
“Extant” Series Premiere
Wednesday, July 9th on CBS at 9pm
Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, “Extant” is a science-fiction drama that centers on an astronaut, played by Halle Berry, who returns home to Earth, mysteriously pregnant, after spending a year alone in outer space. In anticipation of the series premiere, CBS has not only released a teaser trailer, but has also begun building out the mythology of the show through additional online media — specifically, a mission diary written by Berry’s character, Molly Woods. Given the success of last year’s CBS summer series, “Under the Dome,” also executive produced by Spielberg, “Extant” has all the necessary ingredients for success — if not more, with Berry as the star.
“The Bridge” Season 2 Premiere
Wednesday, July 9th on FX at 10pm
The mysterious, gritty border patrol drama, “The Bridge” returns to FX for a second season. In light of the recent protests in Murietta, it should be interesting to see how the show contends with the various points of view on immigration. Furthermore, it remains to be seen whether or not the strong female voices that resonated throughout Season 1 will be impacted by the departure of Meredith Stiehm, who co-developed the show with Elwood Reid and left after the first season in order to return to Showtime’s “Homeland.” If you are in need of a refresher on Season 1, FX has a handy video recap available on their site.
“Welcome to Sweden” Series Premiere
Thursday, July 10th on NBC at 9pm
Greg Poehler, brother of Amy Poehler, makes his network television debut in a sitcom co-executive produced by his famous, funny sister. Based on Greg’s real-life relationship with his Swedish wife, NBC’s “Welcome to Sweden” centers on an American man who gives up his life in the United States to follow his girlfriend to Sweden. The first season, which garnered high ratings during its run on Swedish television earlier this year, has already been picked up for a second season by Sweden’s TV4. Although written in English, it remains to be seen whether American audiences will embrace the show in much the same way as Swedish audiences have.
“Comedy Bang! Bang!” Season 3 Finale
Thursday, July 10th on IFC at 10:30pm
IFC’s beloved sketch comedy-talk show hybrid wraps its third season with John Groban and time travel. Finale fanfare at its finest and funniest.
