The Commercial Appeal

‘Those Who Can’t’ just a lame slap at teachers

- By Kevin McDonough

Another swipe at educators, “Those Who Can’t” (9:30 p.m., truTV) represents the network’s first foray into scripted programmin­g. Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl and Ben Roy star as teachers who are more immature and insecure than the adolescent­s in their charge. Maria Thayer plays a sassy new librarian who pities the hapless trio but often joins in their shenanigan­s.

In the first episode, the teachers are taunted by the school bully, the spoiled son of a rich and politicall­y connected figure. Their efforts to keep the mean teen in line all backfire in various humiliatin­g ways.

The ca st members emerged from The Grawlix, a Denver-based comedy troupe. Much of their unwitty banter has the feel of an improv group striving for something funny, but settling for self-congratula­tion.

Part of the Turner Broadcasti­ng family, truTV has been all but defined by reality programmin­g, like “Impractica­l Jokers” (9 p.m.), now entering its fifth season. The channel started out in 1991 as Court TV. And that network’s fortunes exploded in 1994-5 with its endless coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial. That, of course, is the subject of FX’s acclaimed and addictive “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

History stages an allday marathon of seasons two and three of “Vikings” (7 a.m.).

Former Idols arrive to mentor the new crop of talent on “American Idol” (7 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).

A missing child, presumed dead, appears to have survived on “The Blacklist” (8 p.m., WMCTV Channel 5).

Olivia and Fitz make changes after their breakup on “Scandal” (8 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).

Past participan­ts jump-start their collection­s and careers on “Project Runway: All Stars” (8 p.m., Lifetime).

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Hillary Clinton engage in a presidenti­al debate (8 p.m., WKNOTV Channel 10), live from Milwaukee.

Holmes schemes a break-in at a biker compound on “Elementary” (9 p.m., WREG-TV Channel 3).

H arlee’ sex shifts blame on “Shades of Blue” (9 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).

The shooting’s aftermath is explored on “How to Get Away With Murder” (9 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).

A hard-boiled Easter egg on “Baskets” (9 p.m., FX).

Geronimo is unmasked on “Colony ”(9 p.m., USA). This series has been renewed for a second season.

Danny finds the truth about his lover unendurabl­e on “London Spy” (9 p.m., BBC America).

The Weirdos’ hearse breaks down on “Portlandia” (9 p.m., IFC).

Hayden Panettiere and Eva Longoria let loose on “Lip Sync Battle” (9 p.m., Spike).

 ?? TRUTV.COM ?? Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl, Ben Roy and Maria Thayer star in “Those Who Can’t.”
TRUTV.COM Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl, Ben Roy and Maria Thayer star in “Those Who Can’t.”

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