TV Sunday: Red Widow Series Premiere, The Walking Dead, The Good Wife & More

News & Notes

Tonight, ABC has series premiere of Red Widow and NBC has the 13th season premiere of The Apprentice.

Over on cable, Discovery Channel has an Amish Mafia special, HBO has the second season finale of Enlightened, History has series premieres of The Bible and Vikings, and TLC has the series premiere of Welcome to Myrtle Manor.

Lifetime announced earlier this week that Drop Dead Diva has been brought back from cancelation and will return for a fifth season after all.

Prime Picks

Once Upon a Time (ABC): New. Mary Margaret sets out to find the dagger before Cora and Regina. Mr. Gold continues to try to connect with his son.

The Good Wife (CBS): New. The Justice Department continues to come after Eli, but refuses to say who will testify against him. So, Elsbeth takes the Assistant U.S. Attorney to court to find out. Jordan preps Peter for the debate.

The Mentalist (CBS): New. The remains of an elderly heiress are found in a spooky mansion and the CBI team investigates.

Solid Selections

The Simpsons (FOX): New. Grampa was once a pro-wrestler and he is convinced by Mr. Burns to make a comeback. Bart begins acting like Grampa’s wrestling character. Runs 30 minutes.

The Walking Dead (AMC): New. ???. Runs 61 minutes. Plays again later twice. Last week’s episode, “I Ain’t a Judas,” replays right before.

Vikings (History): Series Premiere. A member of the tribe wants to go against the leader and head out to the west instead of raiding the east like they always do. Plays again later. Really good show for History channel’s first scripted outing. Has some problems, but lots of swords fights and an interesting new world to explore weekly.

Other Options

• Iron Chef America (Food Network): New. Chef Hong Thaimee challenges Iron Chef Bobby Flay. Plays again later.
• Red Widow (ABC): Series Premiere. A woman has resolved to stay out of her father’s criminal organization. When her husband is killed, his debt with a local crime boss falls to her. She sets out to make things right by learning what her husband was involved in to repay the debt and protect her children. Two episodes play tonight to kick things off. I was intrigued by the advertising campaign, which is one of the better I’ve seen for a new series. After watching the first two episodes, I remain intrigued and plan on keeping up with it.

Sports Notes

• ABC has doubleheader NBA action today.
• CBS has doubleheader college basketball action with Florida State at North Carolina followed by Michigan State at Michigan.
• ESPN has college basketball action early with Purdue at Wisconsin and later NBA action tonight.
• ESPN2 has doubleheader women’s college basketball action.
• FOX has NASCAR racing action with the Sprint Cup: Subway Fresh Fit 500.
• NBC has final round coverage of the Honda Classic golf tournament.

Late Night

• Portlandia (IFC): Repeat. This past Friday’s third season finale episode, “Blackout,” replays.
• Southland (TNT): Repeat. This past Wednesday’s episode, “Babel,” replays.

Sunday TV Marathons

The Bernie Mac Show (Centric): Has 19 episodes.
Continuum (Syfy): Seven episodes early.
CSI: Miami (WE tv): Seven episodes that play twice.
Law & Order (TNT): Has 10 episodes early.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (USA Network): Five episodes tonight.
Monk (ION): Eight episodes today.
Mystery Woman (Hallmark Movie Channel): Five TV mystery movies play twice.
Roseanne (TV Land): Has 20 episodes early and four more tonight.