Fans of The Mindy Project (Season Premiere Tuesday, Hulu) would be hard-pressed to explain the comedy’s lackluster reception on Fox. Led by hilarious star/creator/writer Mindy Kaling — can you believe we once knew her only as Kelly from The Office? — the show about a group of doctors and staff at a New York women’s health practice boasts a well-rounded ensemble cast, talented writers and more pop culture references than you can shake a Kardashian at.
So it was a bummer when Fox cancelled the series after three seasons. Even more so when you look at where the story was cut — Mindy had just opened a fertility clinic and is pregnant with Danny’s baby. Meanwhile, Danny flies to India to meet Mindy’s parents after recently blowing his chance to do so stateside. Talk about a cliffhanger.
But Hulu to the rescue! The Mindy Project has a new home on the platform, which will present Season Four in weekly segments (just like TV; no binging here). Hulu has ordered 26 episodes — a couple more than any season on Fox — and, if you’re nitpicking, each will be a tad longer with the platform’s limited commercial breaks.
So what can we expect when Mindy’s expecting? As predicted, we will finally meet Mindy’s parents. Garret Dillahunt will play her in-office replacement while she’s on maternity leave. Finally, baby Lahiri-Castellano is a boy. Does that mean the name Beyoncé Pad Thai is out?
WEDNESDAY 09
The League (Season Premiere, 10 p.m., FXX) – Pete runs into his ex; Jenny drafts VIP-style; the Taco Corp annual board meeting welcomes Marshawn Lynch. Final season!
Key & Peele (Series Finale, 10 p.m., Comedy Central) – One of the best sketch-comedy shows on television ends with an hour-long roundup featuring favorites Meegan, Conrad and “Negrotown.” Here’s to what’s next for the promising Keegan and Jordan.
Lachey’s Bar (Season Finale, 10 p.m., A&E) – Back-to-back episodes close down this Cinci-centric show, as Nick and Drew accidentally double-book the bar’s event space and Nick considers a more permanent move to the Queen City for him and his family. Will the show return for a second season? It’s too soon to tell. But while the episode teases an offer for Drew and Nick to host a radio show from the bar, Nick’s wife Vanessa is set to star in a new NBC sitcom this fall.
THURSDAY 10
Project Runway (9 p.m., Lifetime) – The designers create lingerie for Heidi’s intimates line. Well played, Klum.
Documentary Now! (10 p.m., IFC) – Parodying The Thin Blue Line, this week’s mockumentary investigates the wrongful conviction of a man sentenced to death for a 1986 murder. This just makes us want a spoof of The Jinx.
Married (10:30 p.m., FX) – Lina and Russ try to determine who’d be best fit to be their kids’ guardians if they die.
SATURDAY 12
Ferrell Takes the Field (Premiere, 10 p.m., HBO) – On March 12, Will Ferrell swung by five different spring training ballparks to attempt playing every position for 10 different teams — all in one day. Ferrell pays tribute to MLB star Bert “Campy” Campaneris, who in 1965 played all nine positions for the Kansas City Athletics in a game against the California Angels. Keep your eyes peeled for the Reds!
SUNDAY 13
House of DVF (Season Premiere, 9 p.m., E!) – Seven young women — including local University of Cincinnati student Leigh Fidler — compete for the shot at becoming designer Diane von Furstenberg’s brand ambassador.
Project Greenlight (Season Premiere, 10 p.m., HBO) – Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and other movie mavens return for a new season of the filmmaking docuseries after a decade-long hiatus. In the premiere, thousands of aspiring filmmakers are narrowed down to 13 finalists, and one winner — whose journey the show will follow through the production process — will be revealed.
CONTACT JAC KERN: [email protected] or @jackern
