Andy Cohen’s annual convention airs on Bravo, and HBO plays “Definitely, Maybe.”
Between network, cable and streaming, the modern television landscape is a vast one. Here are some of the shows, specials and movies coming to TV this week, Oct. 30-Nov. 5. Details and times are subject to change.
Monday
HALLOWEEN BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP 9 p.m. on Food Network. Though I am not the biggest fan of Halloween, sign me up for anything that involves spooky-looking desserts. On the most recent episode of this competition, hosted by the stand-up comedian John Henson, contestants were judged on their torta della nonnas (an Italian custard tart) with monster tattoos added on top and then a healthy but tasty chocolate orb. It ended in one elimination with three bakers heading into the finale.
Tuesday
THE SWARM 9 p.m. on the CW. This week, the CW is back to doing what it does best: bringing international shows to a U.S. audience. This show, which originally aired in Germany, is a science fiction story about the fight against swarm intelligence living in the ocean. If you are like me and had no idea what “swarm intelligence” is, it refers to the collective behavior of a natural or artificial self-organized system — a.k.a., some spooky stuff. The first season wraps up this week.
Wednesday
INK MASTER 9:30 p.m. on MTV. This show about tattoo pros is beginning its 15th season this week. Hosted by the Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden, this competition will have 15 tattoo artists competing against one another. The show was briefly canceled in 2020 but was brought back onto Paramount+ last year. This season, the artists are not just competing for the title of “Ink Master” but also aiming for a $250,000 prize.
Thursday
BAD MOMS (2016) 10 p.m. on TNT. Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn are one of the funniest teams to hit the big screen. In this movie, they play overworked and overtired moms who finally let loose and go a little wild before deciding to face Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate), who, along with an army of other perfect moms, rules the P.T.A. “What makes ‘Bad Moms’ funny (aside from its lineup of gifted performers) isn’t that Amy and her friends go wild; they don’t, not even close,” Manohla Dargis wrote in her review for The New York Times. “It’s the women’s shared, near-orgiastic pleasure in their freedom and friendship.”
LOVE ISLAND GAMES 10:30 p.m. on Bravo. With Bravo’s “Winter House,” ABC’s “Bachelor in Paradise” and MTV’s “All Star Shore,” it seems like there is a trend in reality television: Gather up known reality stars and put them all together on a different reality show. That is the gist of this “Love Island” spinoff, with contestants from the British, American and Australian versions of the show, perhaps most notably including the fan favorite Curtis Pritchard (the professional ballroom dancer) from Season 5 of the U.K. edition. This is not all that different from the original version of the show; there are just more couple and group challenges.
Friday
DUCK SOUP (1933) 8 p.m. on TCM. The Marx Brothers are one of cinema’s most famous comedy groups, and this movie was really their time to shine. The story follows Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) as he becomes the president of a tiny bankrupt country. This film isn’t so much about the plot but more about the shenanigans that ensue as the spies Pinky (Harpo) and Chicolini (Chico) are sent from a neighboring country to start a revolution. Don’t worry, Zeppo is there, too — he plays Firefly’s secretary.
Saturday
DEFINITELY, MAYBE (2008) 10:45 p.m. on HBO. As a romantic comedy connoisseur, I can wholeheartedly say that this is one of the best movies to watch when you want to have a laugh, shed a few tears and feel your heart grow a couple of sizes. The story follows Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds), who, amid a separation from his wife, tells his daughter (Abigail Breslin) about the three women who he loved throughout his 20s and 30s as she tries to guess which one of them is her mom. The cast also features Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz and Elizabeth Banks.
Sunday
BRAVOCON LIVE WITH ANDY COHEN: THE BRAVOS 10:15 p.m. on Bravo. Andy Cohen is hosting the event known as BravoCon for the third time but this year. But for those of us who can’t make it to Las Vegas, we get to follow along at home. A slate of Bravo-related events will take place next week during the normal “Watch What Happens Live” time slot, but the festivities are going to kick off on Sunday with the first-ever award show for the network.
Eight awards will be handed out, including the “Who Said That?” Award for Colloquial Excellence, the Dorit Kemsley Award for Chicest Bravolebrity, and the Greatest Shade Thrower. Vicki Gunvalson of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” will present the biggest award of the night: the Wifetime Achievement Award. You know there is nothing I love more than a slew of “bravolebrities” in a room together.
Source: Television - nytimes.com
