TV: Five shows worth watching tonight: March 27
A select viewing guide for Wednesday, March 27
REALITY Island Hunters (HGTV, 7 p.m.) And you thought the homebuyers on House Hunters were high-rollers? Wait until you see the money tossed around on this new series that follows well-heeled people who aren’t just looking for a house, they’re looking for their own private island! As per the House Hunters formula, each episode follows prospective purchasers as they tour three separate islands, each naturally including a palatial residence and other fancy amenities (including helipads). In tonight’s first show, a yacht captain reveals his grand plan to construct a customized dream home in the Exuma Cays in the Bahamas. In the second show, a family from Wisconsin simply wants to buy their own tiny slice of paradise in the Florida Keys. If you can’t live the dream, then watch it on TV.
REALITY Survivor: Caramoan (CBS, Global, 9 p.m.) The American viewing public’s obsession with Lord of the Flies continues. Recently returned for its 26 th season, Survivor has consistently held up its end in U.S. ratings, even airing opposite Fox’s heavyweight American Idol. The current edition of Survivor was filmed in the Caramoan Islands in the Philippines and pits ten hardcore Survivor fans (aka The Gota Tribe) against an equal team of favourite players from past seasons (that would be The Bikal Tribe). In tonight’s new outing, the Bikal Tribe has been reformed but continues to be out-muscled by the Gotas in the tribal challenges. And does the perpetually troublesome Phillip continues to rile both his teammates and opponents. As always, the even-tempered Jeff Probst holds forth as host and referee.
COMEDY Modern Family (ABC, Citytv, 9 p.m.) Gangway for Wendi McLendon-Covey. Best known for her recurring stint on Reno 911! and her outrageous support turn in the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, the spirited actress returns to Modern Family tonight in her role of Pam, a no-nonsense lesbian mom whose daughter attends the same school as Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitch’s (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) daughter Lily. On this occasion, Pam is brought in to referee a tiff between Cam and Claire (Julie Bowen), who can’t seem to agree on how their new house project should be landscaped. In other news, new father Jay (Ed O’Neill) agrees to babysit the new arrival Joe, which leaves his wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara) to spend some quality time with her firstborn Manny (Rico Rodriguez).
DOCUMENTARY Blade Runner: The Untold Story (TLC, 10 p.m.) Now it’s TLC’s turn to focus on the lurid Oscar Pistorius saga. To recap, the South African athlete became world-famous last after making history as the first double-leg amputee to compete in the Olympic Games. The media even bestowed him with the cool nickname “Blade Runner.” And then last month, Pistorius shot and killed his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the bathroom of his home–on Valentine’s Day, no less. Currently free on bail, Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder. This new documentary examines the events leading up to the death of Steenkamp and includes interviews with forensic psychologists and various firearm experts. The film is also slated to include an interview with Steenkamp’s ex-boyfriend, which could be very interesting indeed.
MOVIE The Crowd Roars (TCM, 10 p.m. ET; 7 p.m. PT) Directed by Howard Hawks, this 1932 racing drama was set in the heady auto-racing world and boasts a typically energetic performance by James Cagney. The pint-sized actor plays headstrong race driver Joe Greer, who likes fast cars and fast dames but doesn’t like the fact that his younger brother Eddie (Eric Linden) wants to follow in his footsteps. The rift between the brothers intensifies when Eddie hooks up with the flirty Ann (Joan Blondell), but their feud hits fever pitch when Joe’s carelessness causes the death of his best pal Spud (Frank McHugh). Joe retires from racing, Eddie gets a chance to drive in the Indianapolis 500 but danged if the kid doesn’t get hurt on the day of the big race. If the racing sequences look real, it’s because they were filmed at the real Indy 500.