TV Best Bets

Wednesday, March 22: FOX Drama ‘Shots Fired’ Hits the Hot Buttons

Shots Fired © 2017 Fox Broadcasting Co. Credit: Michael Lavine/FOX
Sanaa Lathan and Stephan James star inShots Fired

All Times Eastern.

ALSO SEE: March Madness: NCAA Tournament 2017 TV Schedule on CBS and Turner Sports

Wednesday, March 22

Shots Fired
FOX, 8pm
New Series!
A small town is rocked by the shooting of a white teen by a black police officer. The Department of Justice sends a brash, young prosecutor (Stephan James) and a tough ex-cop (Sanaa Lathan) to enforce the law and make sure America’s promise of fairness and equality is upheld. But while investigating the killing, they uncover another suspicious death — one of an African-American teen — that exposes bias and corruption that reaches beyond the community. Also stars Helen Hunt, Richard Dreyfuss, Stephen Moyer, Jill Hennessy and Aisha Hinds.

Blindspot: “Evil Did I Dwell, Lewd I Did Live”
NBC, 8pm
With Nas’ (Archie Panjabi) help, Weller (Sullivan Stapleton) and Jane (Jaimie Alexander) finally come face-to-face with Nas’ inside source within Sandstorm, and square off with an old foe.

Criminal Minds: “In the Dark”
CBS, 9pm
In the new episode “In the Dark,” the BAU believes two unsubs may be operating at the same time when victims killed in two drastically different ways are discovered in the same city.

Empire
FOX, 9pm
New Episodes!
After a lengthy winter hiatus, Empire is back and the battle between Lucious and Cookie explodes! After launching a deadly missile at Angelo, Lucious announces his new music project, Inferno, and puts everyone on notice — especially Cookie, who then vows to knock him off his throne for good. Famous faces popping up on the hip hopera this spring include Eva Longoria, Taye Diggs, Phylicia Rashad, Rumer Willis and Nia Long.

Are You the One: Second Chances
MTV, 9pm
Season Premiere!
Ten fan-favorite perfect matches from previous seasons of the dating series Are You the One? compete for a second chance at love and cash. But, in a twist, the competitors tackle challenges as couples instead of as a group. Each week, the successful couples will be rewarded with money, while one losing pair will be sent packing, until one couple remains.

Designated Survivor: “Backfire”
ABC, 10pm
Seth (Kal Penn) struggles to contain the damage when an investigative journalist shocks the White House by revealing classified information during a press briefing. Meanwhile, Hannah (Maggie Q) unearths a key connection between MacLeish (Ashley Zukerman) and the conspiracy.

Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders: “The Devil’s Breath”
CBS, 10pm
In the new episode “The Devil’s Breath,” the International Response Team investigates the apparent suicide of an American in Colombia who emptied his bank account prior to his death.

The Comedy Jam
Comedy Central, 10pm
New Series!
Based on a Comedy Central special from last summer, The Comedy Jam features funny actors and comedians sharing memorable stories from their lives that are linked with an iconic hit song. Then they’ll live out their rock-star fantasy by performing their song backed by The Comedy Jam Band.

Chicago P.D.: “Remember the Devil”
NBC, 10pm
After being tipped off about a woman running barefoot through the woods, Intelligence is led to a kidnapping victim locked up in a shipping container. The bizarre scenario leaves Voight (Jason Beghe) questioning the legitimacy of the case, and sends the team on a twisted trail to get to the bottom of it.

Hap and Leonard: Mucho Mojo: “Ticking Mojo”
SundanceTV, 10pm
Hap (James Purefoy) and Florida (Tiffany Mack) scheme to free Leonard (Michael Kenneth Williams) from a dire situation. Odd clues bring the guys to a cryptic person of interest in the case.

Thursday, March 23

MLB Spring Training
ESPN, beginning at 1pm Live
ESPN airs a pair of MLB Spring Training games today, beginning with Grapefruit League action featuring the N.Y. Yankees at the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, Fla. Then tonight, the L.A. Dodgers are at the Texas Rangers in a Cactus League game in Surprise, Ariz.

College Basketball: NCAA Tournament Regionals
CBS & TBS, beginning at 7pm Live
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament enters the Sweet 16 Regional Semifinals on Thursday and Friday, with games in Kansas City, San Jose, Memphis and New York City. Winners advance to the Elite Eight Regional Finals on Saturday and Sunday. CBS and TBS share coverage.

Grey’s Anatomy: “Till I Hear It From You”
ABC, 8pm
Diane Pierce (LaTanya Richardson Jackson) returns to Grey Sloan, but Maggie (Kelly McCreary) is unsure why she’s really there. Owen (Kevin McKidd) and Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) work a trauma case together, and Bailey (Chandra Wilson) tries to mend her relationship with Richard (James Pickens Jr.).

Superstore: “Mateo’s Last Day”
NBC, 8pm
When Mateo (Nico Santos) faces complications with his transfer to a Cloud 9 Signature store, he becomes desperate to resolve his undocumented status. Meanwhile, Amy (America Ferrera) helps Glenn (Mark McKinney) battle an internet troll, Jonah (Ben Feldman) and Cheyenne (Nichole Bloom) try to give Mateo legal counsel, and Dina (Lauren Ash) and Garrett (Colton Dunn) take issue with corporate. This episode marks series star Ferrera’s television directorial debut.

Scandal: “A Traitor Among Us”
ABC, 9pm
Armed with new information about Frankie’s assassination, Olivia (Kerry Washington) makes a shocking decision.

Chicago Med: “Extreme Measures”
NBC, 9pm
A car accident that occurs at the Chicago Marathon leaves a victim in critical condition and tests the mettle of Dr. Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss), April (Yaya DaCosta) and her fourth-year medical resident brother Noah (guest star Roland Buck III), who must perform a difficult procedure in the field.

The Catch: “The Dining Hall”
ABC, 10pm
Alice (Mireille Enos) discovers hard truths about her brother Tommy (T. R. Knight), and Val (Rose Rollins) must revisit her past to help with his case. Ben (Peter Krause) and Rhys’ (John Simm) latest con may be a little too risky.

The Blacklist: Redemption: “Borealis 301”
NBC, 10pm
On the hunt for a ring of ruthless thieves who steal classified material, Tom (Ryan Eggold) and Mr. Solomon (Edi Gathegi) must go undercover on an international flight they believe will be hijacked.

Friday, March 24

The Simpsons
FXX, beginning at 6pm
Homer voices ill-fated cartoon character Poochie in “The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show,” Marge becomes a real estate agent in “Realty Bites,” Homer bowls a 300 game in “Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder,” and the Simpsons are going to Japan in “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo” as part of FXX’s 12-episode stunt of The Simpsons.

Tangled: The Series
Disney Channel, 7:30pm
New Series!
In this new series, Rapunzel’s irrepressible spirit and curiosity lead her on amazing adventures. Beloved characters from the feature film accompany Rapunzel on her journeys: her partner in life, Eugene; her loyal chameleon, Pascal; the dutiful horse, Maximus; and the Snuggly Duckling Pub Thugs. The series introduces newcomer Cassandra (voiced by Broadway’s Eden Espinosa), a tough-as-nails lady-in-waiting who becomes Rapunzel’s good friend and confidante, and features an all-star cast of guest voices.

The Book of Life
FX, 8pm
Torn between his family’s expectations and the desire to follow his own heart, Manolo (voice of Diego Luna) embarks on an epic adventure through three fantastic worlds where he must face his biggest fears. Channing Tatum and Zoe Saldana also provide voices in this 2014 animated adventure.

Grimm: “Zerstorer Shrugged”
NBC, 8pm
The prophecy that was uncovered comes to pass when a dark force arrives in Portland with its eyes set on Diana (guest star Hannah R. Loyd). In an effort to protect her, Nick (David Giuntoli), along with Capt. Renard (Sasha Roiz) and Adalind (Claire Coffee), returns to the scene of his first investigation as a Grimm.

RuPaul’s Drag Race
VH1, 8pm
Season Premiere!
For its ninth fabulous season, the gender-bending reality series sashays from Logo to VH1. And in the season premiere, Lady Gaga appears as a special guest.

Saturday, March 25

Ransom: “The Castle”
CBS, 8pm
A smartphone game lures five teenagers into an empty castle in France in the new episode “The Castle.” But it’s a trap, and Eric (Luke Roberts) and the team are called in to negotiate their release.

Planet Earth II: “Cities”
BBC America, 9pm
Cities may seem an unlikely place for animals to thrive, but for the bold, they are worlds of surprising opportunity. In this episode, see how leopards prowl the streets of Mumbai, peregrine falcons hunt among New York’s skyscrapers and a million starlings perform spectacular aerial dances over Rome.

Ghost Adventures: “Stone Lion Inn”
Travel Channel, 9pm
Season Premiere!
The crew investigates the Stone Lion Inn in Guthrie, Okla., where it is said the owner performs satanic rituals in the local cemetery. Zak also uncovers the truth about what happened to famous outlaw Elmer McCurdy after his death.

Incredible Inventions: “The Nylon Stocking, The LED, The Toaster”
American Heroes Channel, 10pm
A dainty fashion item, the nylon stocking, causes riots during World War II, while the Rowlett Rutland toaster becomes an everyday household item after the war. Then, flash forward to see the how to LED light aided in NASA astronauts’ exploration of the stars.