Superior Donuts debuts to mixed ratings, reviews
A network sets a high bar when it names a new show Superior Donuts. The average viewer might be beset with delicious anticipation: What makes these doughnuts so superior? Where can I acquire one? Are other pastries involved?
With CBS’s new sitcom, viewers are more likely to be impressed by the superior cast.
Based on Tracy Letts’s Broadway play, it stars Judd Hirsch as an oldschool doughnut shop owner who refuses to buy into the new wave of Instagram-ready delicacies. Jermaine Fowler plays his savvy young employee, while Katey Sagal plays a police officer patron and David Koechner is an unemployed factory worker who uses the shop as an office.
The show debuted Thursday, but it cozies into its regular Monday time slot tonight. Based on early U.S. ratings, Superior Donuts should probably be called Decently Performing Donuts — the premiere took in 10.61 million viewers, and critics’ reviews have been mixed.
This is CBS, though, and the network has a history of letting new shows grow into themselves. Witness 2 Broke Girls, now airing its sixth season despite dropping ratings. Or Mom, in its fourth season despite comparable numbers. (CBS)
HOWIE MANDEL ALL-STAR COMEDY GALA
Everyone’s favourite, baldheaded, germaphobe comedian hosts this two-hour special. Though it premièred last month on The CW (which partnered with the Just for Laughs Festival for the program), it repeats tonight. Watch for standup performances from Jay Pharoah, Iliza Shlesinger, Russell Peters and J.B. Smoove. (CTV)
SCORPION
The quirky action drama airs the impressively titled new episode Sharknerdo, in which the team tries to find sunken treasure. Things go wrong when Walter’s (Elyes Gabel) and Paige’s (Katharine McPhee) boat explodes, leaving them stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean surrounded by sharks. Cue Jaws theme. (CBS, City)