A look back at the best and worst of TV in the past week (Sept. 26-Oct. 2), and a peek at what’s coming up.
Highlights
1. “The Amazing Race” (CBS). My favorite show lived up to expectations. The season 15 premiere was satisfying in pretty much every way: Cool locations, hugely entertaining challenges (with ducks, to boot!), a handful of teams who are easy to root for, and two of the least likable teams got sent home.
2. Kristin Chenoweth on “Glee” (Fox). I’m still not sold on this show (there’s just too much sappiness and generic high-school storylines), but the guest appearance by the newly crowned Emmy winner was awesome. Sure, she can sing, but Chenoweth stole every scene she was in, as the loser/boozer/ floozie (ehh, it almost rhymed) who touched everyone she came in contact with. Often inappropriately.
3. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (FX). Where to begin? Charlie’s illiteracy? Mac and Dennis’ flawed Dave & Buster’s-inspired economic theory? The RV shantytown? Scene after scene, the laughs kept coming. My only complaint was that Charlie’s crab-people storyline only got about two minutes of airtime at the end. I wanted to see him go all “Deadliest Catch.”
Lowlights
1. “Trauma” (NBC). Laughably bad. Unless you’re a paramedic — then it’s just insulting. Pretty scenes of San Francisco though, and great explosions.
2. “Cougar Town” (ABC). With a cast this talented, there’s no reason to have a sitcom this generic and cliched.
3. “Community” (NBC). You know you have a problem when the guest-star professor-of-the-week (John Oliver, Ken Leong and John Michael Higgins) have been the funniest characters in each of the first three episodes.
Looking forward to . . .
1. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (9 p.m. Sunday, HBO). The “Seinfeld” cast not-a-reunion storyline starts. And yes, they’re going to address the Michael Richards issue. This should be good.
2. “The Office” (9 p.m. Thursday, NBC). It’s Jim and Pam’s wedding at Niagara Falls. Pam’s pregnancy is supposed to be kept a secret from their families, but it’s not taking a wild leap to guess that the news will be blurted out in the most embarrassing way possible. Meanwhile, Michael and Dwight go all “Wedding Crashers” and try to hook up with some hotties. Oh, and Dwight sits at the kiddie table.
3. “South Park” (10 p.m. Wednesday, Comedy Central). Part 2 of Season 13 kicks off. Can you believe it’s been 13 seasons?!? I’m betting Kanye West will make an appearance somewhere.
