When word spread that brothers Nick and Drew Lachey — Cincinnati natives of 98 Degrees fame — were not only opening a bar in their hometown but also documenting the experience on A&E, the legitimacy of both ventures was questionable at best. Would the bar be a tribute to boybandom in the vein of another famously named Cincinnati spot, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill (which just closed its doors)? Unfortunately for perma-’90s-tweens, no. It’s a pretty straightforward sports bar — partnered with local hospitality group 4EG — located on 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine, the gateway between bustling Vine and Main streets. And it’s a pretty popular one at that.
So what about the show? Seven months after the bar’s opening, Lachey’s Bar (10:30 p.m. Wednesdays, A&E) is now in full swing. Devoid of most of the manufactured drama seen on reality TV, we do see a bit of the brothers’ personal lives: Cincinnati-based Drew is married to his high school sweetheart and has two kids; Nick, his wife Vanessa Minnillo and their young children split their time between New York, Los Angeles and the Queen City, where they live next door to Drew. Very Cincinnati. But for the most part, cameras follow Nick, Drew, family and friends as they construct their ideal bar together.
The Cincinnati love is laid on thick — the brothers are consistently outfitted in Cincy swag, Reds gear and other local labels — but it’s genuine. The Lacheys go beyond the Bengals and Skyline shout-outs to share the spotlight with area entities like HalfCut, the Christian Moerlein Malt House, Pedal Wagon and more.
Keep an eye out for other local businesses in this week’s episode, wherein the guys get menu feedback at a Bengals tailgate and Vanessa
gets her requisite camera time
makes a visit.
WEDNESDAY 29
Skin Wars (9 p.m., GSN) – Newport, Ky., native Aryn Fox is still in the running!
Key & Peele (10 p.m., Comedy Central) – A prisoner attempts to trick a guard; a guy who only speaks in catchphrases; warriors celebrate a “Severed Head Showcase.”
THURSDAY 30
Review (Season Premiere, 10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Andrew Daly returns as professional critic Forrest MacNeil to Yelpify your life by reviewing various experiences. In this season’s opening, Forrest brawls with a stranger, blackmails his girlfriend and discovers a glory hole.
FRIDAY 31
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (Series Premiere, Netflix) – Contrary to earlier reports, the Wet Hot prequel series premieres this week. Tune in to discover what Coop, Katie, Andy, Beth, Gene and the rest of the Camp Firewood crew were up to before that final day of camp depicted in the 2001 original flick.
SATURDAY 01
Hannibal (10 p.m., NBC) – Will is back to his old ways as he gets in the mind of Francis Dolarhyde aka the Tooth Fairy aka the Red Dragon to help catch the psycho killer. He even asks an incarcerated Hannibal for assistance. Elsewhere, Dolarhyde encounters a new woman (Rutina Wesley, Tara from True Blood). And Freddie Lounds is back!
SUNDAY 02
I Am Cait (8 p.m., E!) – Cait goes on a road trip with some new friends that are transgender and is forced to consider her privilege.
Humans (9 p.m., AMC) – Laura and Mattie hit a wall in their relationship; Karen reveals the truth to Pete.
Halt and Catch Fire (Season Finale, 10 p.m., AMC) – Crisis in the Clark household leads Gordon to reach out to Joe. Back at Mutiny, Cameron creates a new vision for her company.
CONTACT JAC KERN: [email protected] or @jackern