The Mercury News

‘The Simpsons’ kick off 31st season on Fox

‘The Blacklist’ and ‘Poldark’ return; Forest Whitaker is the ‘Godfather of Harlem’

- Chuck Barney Contact Chuck Barney at cbarney@ bayareanew­sgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter. com/chuckbarne­y and Facebook.com/ bayareanew­sgroup. chuckbarne­y.

DON’T MISS >> “The Simpsons” — Apparently, Homer, Marge and company are going to outlast us all. The residents of Springfiel­d somehow never age — even after going through five U.S. presidents and a recent major change in ownership. (Welcome to the Disney kingdom.) And now they launch their — gasp! — 31st season with an episode that has Homer and Bart becoming social media celebritie­s after a video of them fighting goes viral. We’ll raise a glass of Duff Beer to that. (8 tonight, Fox)

Other bets

TONIGHT >> Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker stars in the new period drama series “Godfather of Harlem.” He plays real-life crime boss Bumpy Johnson, who after spending 11 years in prison, returns home to find the neighborho­od he once ruled in shambles. And so begins a brutal battle to regain his turf from the Italian mob. (10 p.m., Epix)

TONIGHT >> Aidan Turner returns for one final season of drama in “Poldark” on “Masterpiec­e.” In the opener, the Poldarks look forward to a peaceful life together, but a plea from Ned Despard compels Ross to return to the capital. Also, back in Cornwall, Demelza encounters a new foe. (9 p.m., PBS) MONDAY >> What’s WWE wrestler Ronda Rousey doing on “9-1-1”? She’s a guest star when a massive tsunami hits the Santa Monica Pier. Sorry, but we don’t think even she can put a chokehold on a massive wave. (8 p.m., Fox)

TUESDAY >> Break out the tissues. The critical darling “Sorry for Your Loss” returns with new episodes as millennial widow Leigh Shaw continues her journey to get past all the grief and anger. (Facebook Watch)

WEDNESDAY >> Here’s an offbeat premise for a new drama series: In “Almost Family,” a young woman (Brittany Snow) discovers that her father, a pioneering fertility doctor (Timothy Hutton), inseminate­d hundreds of women with his own sperm. Now meet your new “sisters”! (9 p.m., Fox)

THURSDAY >> The final season of “The Good Place” continues with an episode in which Eleanor, Michael, Janet and Tahani have their hands full when the new residents begin to show their true colors. Also, Jason receives some unsettling news. (9 p.m., NBC) FRIDAY >> As season 7 of “The Blacklist” begins, “Red” finds himself alone in hostile territory after being abducted by Katarina Rostova. With few leads to go on, Liz and the Task Force venture into unknown danger as they race to find him. (8 p.m., NBC)

FRIDAY >> Billy Bob Thornton is back as underdog attorney Billy Mcbride in season 3 of “Goliath.” The unexpected death of an old friend leads him to take a case in California’s drought-plagued Central Valley, where he confronts a billionair­e rancher and his sister, played by Dennis Quaid and Amy Brenneman. (Amazon Prime)

SATURDAY >> In a case of excellent timing, “Fleabag” star Phoebe Wallerbrid­ge — fresh off her Emmy-night success — hosts “Saturday Night Live.” The musical guest is an even bigger star — Taylor Swift. (11:30 p.m., NBC)

 ??  ?? Bart and Homer become social media darlings as season 31 of “The Simpsons” kicks off tonight.
Bart and Homer become social media darlings as season 31 of “The Simpsons” kicks off tonight.
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