TV: Five shows worth watching tonight: March 15
A select viewing guide for Thursday, March 15
COMEDY Community NBC, CITY-TV, 8 p.m. ET/PT Thank goodness for small miracles. Back tonight following another interminable hiatus, this much-admired sitcom hits the ground running with a typically weird outing. It begins with the unwise decision by Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) to re-marry her ex-husband Andre (Malcolm Jamal-Warner), which sets the various members of Greendale Community College in a tizzy. In short order, Britta (Gillian Jacobs) and Annie (Alison Brie) are planning the nuptials, while Jeff (Joel McHale) is already writing a wedding speech. And in the midst of all the excitement, Pierce (Chevy Chase) is pitching Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) on his concept for a sandwich shop in the school cafeteria. Welcome back.
COMEDY The Office Global, 8:30 p.m.; NBC, 9 p.m. ET/PT Still holding a faithful viewer following each Thursday night, this workplace comedy shifts the spotlight tonight to the character of Andy, played by Ed Helms. Boldly announcing a “life-altering decision,” Andy abruptly abandons his post and drives across the country to finally declare his romantic intentions toward Erin (Ellie Kemper). In his absence, the scheming Nellie (Catherine Tate) shows up at Dunder-Mifflin in pursuit of his coveted manager position. Big mistake, lady.Mitchell Haaseth
DOCUMENTARY Cruise Ship Disaster: Inside the Concordia Discovery, 9 p.m. ET; 10 p.m. PT What really happened on-board the Costa Concordia? The running aground of the massive cruise ship after hitting a reef near the Italian coastline in early January caused the death of at least 25 people and garnered worldwide attention. Most of the headlines vilified the Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino, for allegedly trying to save his own bacon before attending to the rescue of his 4,200-plus passengers. This new documentary does little to salvage Schettino's reputation. In previously unseen footage, the captain is shown speaking on the phone on the bridge, seemingly oblivious to the catastrophe unfolding; inexplicably, he keeps requesting “tug boats” instead of rescue ships. In clinical fashion, the film deconstructs the disaster, with fresh perspectives from naval forensic specialists.
COMEDY Up All Night NBC, CTV Two, 9:30 p.m. Already a cinch for second-season renewal, this rookie sitcom returns with new episodes starting tonight. When launched last fall, the storyline focused exclusively on the life adjustments by first-time parents Reagan (Christina Applegate) and Chris (Will Arnett) after she returns to her job as a TV producer and he becomes a house-husband. After several episodes, the premise veered into Reagan's workplace and introduced a budding romance for her dysfunctional TV host boss, Ava, played by Maya Rudolph. But it's back to baby basics in tonight's new episode, in which Chris pulls out all the stops to convince Reagan that they should have another baby. Sure, easy for you, mister.
MOVIE Zombieland Showcase, 10 p.m. ET/PT Don't be put off by the title of this lively comedy. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the 2009 film is set in the near future after a bizarre strain of mad-cow disease has turned most of the human race into brain-eating zombies. Among the few unaffected survivors is the shyly unassuming Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) who joins up with shotgun-toting Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) to wander the American wasteland in search of survivors (and Twinkies). The odd couple joins forces with the shifty sisters Wichita and Little Rock, played by Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin, and head off to the supposedly zombie-free “Pacific Playland” in Los Angeles. Watch for a hilarious cameo by Bill Murray – playing Bill Murray.