‘College Bowl’ — Manning brothers return for Season 2
The crowd goes wild for Season 2 of
There’s nothing like the excitement of a crowd.
Cooper Manning knows all about it. As a former athlete, he appreciates the energy an audience brings to an event. So in Season 2 of NBC’s reboot of the venerable game show “College Bowl,” the eldest of the three Manning brothers thinks the addition of a studio audience will bring an extra shot of excitement to the proceedings.
Kicking off Friday, Sept. 9, with back-to-back episodes, the sophomore round of the quiz show hosted by Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning again pits teams of students from colleges and universities around the country through five rounds of rapid-fire questions. But this time around, thanks to the lifting of COVID-19 protocols, there will be mascots, cheerleaders and a studio audience cheering them on.
For Cooper Manning, who serves as sideline reporter, these new elements are big.
“I just think it made us more upbeat and excited about being there,” he explains, “because you can kind of feed off the enthusiasm of the crowd ... and it elevated the happiness of the contestants. They weren’t grinding so much and so focused because they knew when they got on a roll, it was encouraging. You know, Peyton and I are at each other’s throats anyway the whole time, so that comes naturally. I think the crowd likes when we make fun of each other.”
But behind the fun is work. Neither Peyton nor Cooper see the questions that will be posed to the students until 90 minutes before taping, at which point Peyton crams to make sure he has his pronunciations correct and Cooper seeks out fun facts relating to the questions.
The two grew up in a competitive household led by father Archie, the longtime quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, who raised Peyton, Cooper and youngest brother Eli (who won two Super Bowls as quarterback for the New York Giants) on football and trivia quizzes. So when the opportunity arose to resurrect “College Bowl,” the brothers’ interest was piqued. All three are executive producers here.
Cooper, whose career as a wide receiver was cut short by injury before his freshman year at Mississippi, relishes the chance to work with his two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time NFL MVP brother, though he admits their five 12-hour work days in June when they shot the entire Season 2 could get a little intense.
Still, he’s not complaining. “Everybody lives in different spots and have got busy schedules,” he says, “so it’s kind of fun. Not many people get to spend a week with their brother once a year and working together and collaborating and laughing. We laughed a lot along the way at some of the things I tried to sneak into the script but failed. That was always a good point for some levity.”
Saturday Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives 6 p.m. on FOOD; 9 p.m. on FOOD
We’ll take one of everything to go. Guy Fieri and his son, Hunter, chat via video with four DDD alums who guide them on a trip to Flavortown. Included are a chicken parm waffle from Funk ’n’ Waffle in Syracuse, N.Y.; a gourmet mac ’n’ cheese from Lucky’s Cafe in Cleveland; a Pacifica, Calif., smoked turkey sandwich from Gorilla’s BBQ; and green chile pork with an island twist from Pinky’s Westside Grill in North Carolina in the new episode “Takeout: Funky Finds in ’da House.”
Sunday Biography: WWE Legends 5 p.m. on A&E; 9:03 p.m. on A&E
It was a night that changed everything. The season finale looks at an unassuming Sunday night in March of 1985 when the pop culture universe was rocked by an explosive event known as “Wrestlemania 1.” This episode chronicles the making of the first Wrestlemania, when Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper and others took over Madison Square Garden and created the greatest wrestling event of all time, laying the groundwork for bringing wrestling into the mainstream.
World of Flavor With Big Moe Cason 7 p.m. on NGC; 10 p.m. on NGC
In this new food and travel series, champion pitmaster Big Moe Cason travels the globe seeking out new cultures and serving up the cuisine that makes the locals proud. His itinerary takes him from the Bahamas to piranha-infested waters of Colombia and the swamps of Louisiana. Cason explores his own Southern roots in “South Carolina Soul,” in which he explores that state’s connections to Black history and culture. Local chefs show him a new way to make sausage, then later he hunts for oysters and goes crabbing.
The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family 8 p.m. on KCTS
She had a good head on her shoulders. “Had” being the operative word. But for Anne Boleyn (Rafaelle Cohen), England’s most infamous queen, keeping that head proved impossible thanks to her husband, Henry VIII. In part two of this three-part series “Desire,” Anne pushes aside her sister Mary (Elizabeth Mccafferty) in order to position herself for a marriage proposal from Henry. The only things standing in her way: Henry’s first wife and Cardinal Wolsey dragging his feet with the Pope.
SkyMed 9 p.m. on CBUT
Get ready for what will be a literal cliffhanger in the Season 1 finale “Leave It All On the Ice.” Hayley (Natasha Calis) struggles to make a life-altering decision, while Bodie (Aason Nadjiwon) reels from his son’s premature birth; and Crystal (Morgan Holmstrom) must deal with the consequences of Jeremy’s (Braeden Clarke) actions once and for all. Thomas Elms, Rebecca Kwan, Praneet Akilla, Mercedes Morris and Aaron Ashmore also star.
The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch 9 p.m. on HIST; 11 p.m. on HIST
In Season 3, Skinwalker Ranch owner Brandon Fugal and Dr. Travis Taylor, an astrophysicist, aerospace engineer and optical scientist, step up their investigative journey into this Utah locale that has been the site of so much hard-to-explain activity that it has earned the nickname “UFO Alley.” The pair and their team are taking their investigation to new heights as they invite guest investigators — including former government officials and military officers — to join their quest for answers.
Monday Roswell, New Mexico 5 p.m. on SHOW; 8 p.m. on CW
In the series finale “How’s It Going to Be,” Liz (Jeanine Mason) doubts her abilities and calls in for reinforcements to help out. Meanwhile, Isobel (Lily Cowles) shows Max (Nathan Dean) a memory that will put him on a new trajectory, and Michael (Michael Vlamis) makes a promise to Alex (Tyler Blackburn) that keeps them bound together. The series also stars Heather Hemmens, Michael Trevino and Amber Midthunder.
In the Dark 6 p.m. on DRAMA; 9 p.m. on CW; 2 a.m. on DRAMA
Murphy (Perry Mattfeld) copes with all she’s learned by distracting herself with a new motivational exercise: getting even. Meanwhile, Felix (Morgan Krantz) attempts to help her find other ways to deal with her emotions, but like anything with Murphy, it’s an uphill battle that can come back to bite you. And Josh (Theo Bhat) is smug as he slowly puts together how the night unfolded, until he realizes that it’s not over
yet in the series finale “Please Shine Down on Me.” Real Girlfriends in Paris 7:15 p.m. on SLICE
Imagine the “Real Housewives” but without the annoying stories of their children and husbands. That, in a nutshell, is the premise of the new series that follows six young, attractive female American expats (Anya Firestone, Emily Gorelik, Margaux Lignel, Kacey Margo, Adja Toure and Victoria Zito) who are living their best lives in Paris. They flip between romantic rendezvous, exciting careers and likely avoidable conflicts as they chase the American dream in the City of Light. Bonjour!
Beat Shazam 9 p.m. on KCPQ, FOX
The Season 5 finale “Shake Your Pom Poms!” is looking for a team to take home yet another $1 million prize. Hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx, the game show pits teams of two against the clock — and each other — in an attempt to identify the biggest hit songs of all time. In the end, the team with the highest score will outlast the competition and go against Shazam, the popular song identification app, for the chance to win up to one million dollars. Deejay Corinne Foxx also appears.
American Pickers 9 p.m. on HIST; 11 p.m. on HIST
Where do they find these barns? While closing the deal on a must-have neon Chevy sign in Alabama, Mike and Jersey lose their minds over a pricey barn-fresh Shelby Mustang. Meanwhile in New Mexico, Dani and Robbie uncover the motherlode of Western collectibles in the new episode “Shelby in the Barn.” Immediately following, the new “Battle of the Pickers” sees Mike and Danielle take on Frank and Robbie to see who can fill their van first and bring in the most valuable finds.
Tuesday It’s CompliPlated 7 p.m. on FOOD; 10 p.m. on FOOD
While it’s never good to eat your feelings, it certainly makes us sleep better knowing that host Tabitha Brown cooks from the heart. In fact, almost everyone has fallen not only for her food, but her empathy, compassion and humor. Knowing that the right food can fix any mood, Tabitha and her tricky eaters challenge four chefs to deliver gluten-free noodles, a deep-fried dinner and a decadent midnight snack to soothe their “compliplated” souls in the new episode “Mood Food.”
What We Do in the Shadows 7 p.m. on FX; 8 p.m. on FX; 10 p.m. on FX
From struggling to maintain the mansion to opening the hottest vampire nightclub in the Tri-State area, it’s been a challenging season for the fanged friends. And while Nandor’s (Kayvan Novak) search for eternal love is perhaps paying dividends, Laszlo’s (Matt Berry) struggle to raise Baby Colin (Mark Proksch) into anything other than an energy-sucking vampire is heading the point of no return as he reaches that awkward age in the Season 4 finale “Sunrise, Sunset.”
Primal Survivor: Mighty Mekong 7 p.m. on NGC; 10 p.m. on NGC
In the series premiere episode “Deadly Descent,” we meet survivalist Hazen Audel as he begins his 500-mile trek along the Mekong River Basin — the journey of a lifetime. From remote jungle and flooded plains to a soaring cloud-forest and brutal limestone peaks, he relies only on the traditional survival skills of the Mekong’s indigenous people — during the peak of monsoon season when the landscape is at its wildest and most challenging.
Leonardo 8 p.m. on CW
When Ludovico (James D’Arcy) asks Leonardo (Aidan Turner) to create a sculpture in honor of his father mounted on horseback, Leonardo’s ambitions reach new heights as he endeavors to exceed everyone’s expectations in this new episode. Through preparing the work, Leonardo recognizes himself in another troubled soul, the young duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Sforza (Edan Hayhurst), and puts trust in an unexpected source, a young, but resourceful thief called Salai (Carlos Cuevas).
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert 11:35 p.m. on CHBC, KIRO, CBS, GLBBC
It’s hard to believe that this is the Season 8 premiere but Stephen Colbert returns to the Ed Sullivan Theater stage for another year of celebrity and musical guests. And speaking of music, Louis Cato takes over the role of bandleader with the recent departure of Jon Batiste. Cato, who has been with the show since its launch, is joined by band members Joe Saylor, Louis Fouché, Jon Lampley, Endea Owens and Negah Santos.
Wednesday Soundies: A Musical History Hosted by Michael Feinstein 5 p.m. on TCM
Long before MTV and VH1 there were Soundies, three minute black-and-white films featuring artists of the big band, jazz and swing era, such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa that you could watch for a dime through a machine called a Panoram at various public venues across the U.S. The Soundies helped launch the careers of Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Liberace, Dorothy Dandridge and others.
First Home Fix 6 p.m. on HGTV; 9 p.m. on HGTV
Is there anything better than a new series premiering on HGTV? Raisa Kuddus is an artist/designer who uses her love of color, design history and nature to create one-ofa-kind spaces. Austin Coleman is a builder and woodworker who is passionate about incorporating unique custom pieces into each of his projects. Together they help two pairs of homeowners with $50,000 budgets revamp their lackluster first homes using sweat equity, clever design decisions and their boundless creativity.
Mysteries of the Deep 6 p.m. on DISC; 10 p.m. on DISC
Host Jeremy Wade follows investigators as they dive the wreck of the ferry MS Estonia, which sank in the Baltic Sea in 1994 claiming 852 lives, making it one of the worst maritime disasters of the 20th century. Then, he tackles the case of America’s notorious skyjacker D.B. Cooper which takes an intriguing underwater twist in this new episode.
Dr. Pimple Popper 6 p.m. on TLC; 10 p.m. on TLC
Dr. Sandra Lee helps the younger set starting with John who lost his sight at a young age and soon after, began growing lumps on his body. Then, Lynette has hundreds of pebble-sized bumps all over her arms, chest and belly. And Gabe cannot imagine going to college with the unsightly mole on the back of his head in the new episode “Fast Times at Nevus High.”
Edge of the Unknown With Jimmy Chin 7 p.m. on NGC; 10 p.m. on NGC
For the world’s top adventure athletes, the line between triumph and tragedy is often razor thin. In the pivotal moments when life hangs in the balance, what drives the greatest to continue pushing? This 10part series with filmmaker and climber Jimmy Chin takes audiences inside the minds of pioneering adventure athletes as they recount the most consequential moments of their lives on their journey to perfect the mastery of their craft. The opening episode “Before Free Solo,” ex
plores Alex Honnold’s desire to climb huge walls without a rope.
MasterChef 8 p.m. on CTVBC, KCPQ, FOX
Imagine a Baked Alaska being your Waterloo. It’s about to happen as the top five chefs take on two separate elimination challenges in the semifinals: the aforementioned Baked Alaska and one of Chef Ramsay’s signature dishes, an intricate lobster tortellini. The chefs who make it through that gauntlet advance to the finals in front of a live audience and must prepare an appetizer and entree with the support of a former MasterChef judge in the new two-hour episode “Semi Finals; Finale Part 1 — Special Guest Graham Elliot.”
DC’s Stargirl 8 p.m. on CW
After stumbling upon a suspicious murder in Blue Valley, the JSA begin the search for potential suspects in the new episode “Frenemies — Chapter Two: The Suspects.” A tense run-in with The Shade (guest star Jonathan Cake) makes Courtney (Brec Bassinger) and Pat (Luke Wilson) realize that Sylvester’s (Joel McHale) old ways could land them in hot water. And finally, Barbara (Amy Smart) steps in to help Paula (Joy Osmanski) fit in. Yvette Monreal, Cameron Gellman, Anjelika Washington and Trae Romano also star.
Thursday Renovation Impossible 7 p.m. on HGTV; 10 p.m. on HGTV
Russell J. Holmes (“Garage Rehab”) takes on stalled renovations in this series premiere which finds clients Jessica and Joseph’s hodgepodge, mid-century house in need of a major makeover to make it livable for this family of four. Unsure of how to proceed and plagued by conflicting design opinions, they turn to Russell and his team to take over the seemingly impossible project. Russell presents a beautiful renovation plan and keeps it on budget thanks to the couples’ sweat equity and a willingness to keep a few of the home’s original features.
Bump 8 p.m. on CW
The beginnings of Santi (Carlos Sanson Jr.) and Oly’s (Nathalie Morris) relationship are revealed as they try to navigate this instant family dynamic and get to know each other better in the new episode “Limerence.” But Santi reacts when Oly unintentionally rejects his feelings, despite them growing closer.
The Good Fight 9 p.m. on W; 3 a.m. on W
The drama returns for its sixth and final season with some ripped-fromthe-headlines storylines, with Diane (Christine Baranski) feeling a sense of unease thanks to Roe v. Wade, voting rights and Cold War aggressions returning and the lawyers of Reddick & Associates wondering if this all presages an impending civil war.
Friday College Bowl 8 p.m. on KING, NBC
The classic collegiate quiz show competition is back for its Season 2 premiere, along with host Peyton Manning and “sideline” reporter Cooper Manning. Instead of taking rivalries to the field, students from various elite colleges compete in a series of question rounds, with the eventual winning team earning $1 million in tuition assistance. It’s a battle of the brains that leaves many of us asking if we deserve refunds on our student loans.
Dynasty 9 p.m. on CW
Tension remains between Blake (Grant Show) and Cristal (Daniella Alonso) as they disagree on business matters, so he calls in a favor to solve the problem. Then, Alexis (Elaine Hendrix) prepares for Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) and Liam’s (Adam Huber) baby shower and goes completely over the top. Sam (Rafael de la Fuente) finds out some compromising information about the hotel and confides in Culhane (Robert C. Riley) and the two come up with a plan to make the problem go away in the new episode “More Power to Her.”