Four young women are kidnapped by a reverend and brainwashed into believing they’ve survived the apocalypse. Forced to live in an underground bunker and follow his cultish religious beliefs for 15 years, the women are finally freed after a very public rescue. The survivors become a media sensation — “the Indiana mole women” — but one looks to leave her past behind and start over under the guise of a totally normal person.
Leave it to Tina Fey to turn a seriously disturbed storyline into a perfectly quotable laugh-out-loud comedy.
Beyond this ridiculous backstory, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season Premiere, Friday, Netflix) is fun because it explores various elements of contemporary culture through the lens of a childlike adult who missed out on years of life experiences and stupid slang terms. So it’s funny to watch Kimmy (a perfect role for Ellie Kemper) sweetly navigate her first kiss at 29, but when she mistakes “hashtag” for “hashbrown,” we’re quickly reminded to laugh at ourselves, too.
Looking ahead at Season 2: With Kimmy’s kidnapper Rev. Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm) locked in prison, Kimmy is ready to finally move on. But her past comes back to find her when Kimmy is reunited with her mother. We’ll also find Kimmy working at a Christmas shop and getting into plenty of trouble with Titus (Tituss Burgess), Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) and Lillian (Carol Kane) — such a solid ensemble.
WEDNESDAY 13
The Path (Hulu) – Two of the group’s elders visit the compound, calling into question Cal’s role and The Movement itself; Hawk gets closer with Ashley; Abe discovers the truth about Mary’s past.
Empire (9 p.m., Fox) – Does is get any better than the “Mirage a Trois” tour?
Modern Family (9 p.m., ABC) – Claire and the kids try to conceal a dog from Phil; a Christian Rock group moves in above Cameron and Mitchell; Gloria invites a new couple over, despite the fact that Phil doesn’t want to meet new people.
Black-ish (9:30 p.m., ABC) – As Dre’s sister (Raven-Symoné) prepares to marry her girlfriend, the Johnsons consider various traditions and which ones are worth carrying on.
Broad City (10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Abbi and Ilana plan a trip together, but their journey to the airport is an experience in itself.States of Undress (10 p.m., VICELAND) – Dangerous beauty in Venezuela.
THURSDAY 14
F*ck That’s Delicious (10 p.m., VICELAND) – Action and Meyhem enjoy jerk chicken, record music and shoot a music video in Jamaica.
SATURDAY 16
Saturday Night Live (11:30 p.m., NBC) – Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosts; musical guest Nick Jonas performs.
SUNDAY 17
Girls (Season Finale, 10 p.m., HBO) – Two episodes round out Girls’ penultimate season. Hannah decides to enter The Moth StorySLAM; Elijah wants to be monogamous with Dill; Adam and Jessa butt heads; Shosh helps Ray market his coffee shop to the anti-hipster crowd — and Girls comes full circle. Best of all: Tally (Jenny Slate) makes an appearance!
MONDAY 18
RuPaul’s Drag Race (9 p.m., Logo) – Vivica A. Fox and MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts judge the final six as they make presidential campaign ads. Finally, a candidate I can get behind!
Better Call Saul (Season Finale, 10 p.m., AMC) – Jimmy faces a tough call; Mike takes control; Howard makes a surprising announcement.
CONTACT JAC KERN: [email protected], @jackern
