Include ‘60 Days In’ to A&E’s theater of cruel voyeurism
It might be unfair to call “60 Days In” ( 9 p. m., A& E, TV-14) a combination of “Big Brother” and “Scared Straight.” But it would be accurate — and more than kind.
Faced with a corrupt, drugand crime- ridden Indiana jail, Sheriff Jamey Noel has a novel idea: Let’s hire seven would- be reality TV stars and turn them into jailhouse spies.
Unbeknownst to the corrections officers, fellow inmates or staff, our “stars” are inserted into the prison population. Noel has also outfitted the facility with more than a hundred tiny cameras to follow these “volunteers” to see how they fit in with a prison population.
To be fair, these aren’t the usual exhibitionist chuckleheads who populate shows like “Mob Wives,” “The Real Housewives” franchise or the Kardashian-industrial complex. They appear to be an ardent lot: There’s a schoolteacher, a former Marine and a veteran police officer among them. But “60 Days In” still raises many ethical red flags.
We’re reminded at the beginning of every episode that people in jail on “60 Days In” are innocent until proven guilty in a trial. But they’ve all been sentenced to have their moments of shame (and, for some, mental illness) served up for our “entertainment.”
SEAN & EL CHAPO
As FX’s stellar “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” has made clear, real events like the O. J. trial can seem stranger than fiction. That’s certainly true of the subjects of “El Chapo & Sean Penn: Bungle in the Jungle” ( 9 p. m., Reelz, TV-14).
After all, what script writer could dream of the tale of “El Chapo,” Mexico’s most notorious drug lord, carrying on an affectionate correspondence with ambitious soap star Kate Del Castillo that, in turn, brokered a meeting with Hollywood bad boy- turned- activist actor/director Sean Penn for a remote interview/rendezvous? An appointment that would lead to El Chapo’s capture?
A story this strange needs no melodramatic embellishment. Unfortunately, the overheated tabloid approach of “Bungle in the Jungle” is nothing but.
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
“In Search of Frida Kahlo” ( 7 p. m., Ovation) profiles the legendary Mexican artist.
The top six perform on “American Idol” ( 8 p. m., Fox, TV-PG).
A rare procedure on “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
Fitz needs minding on “Scandal” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
Fashions for a nudist colony on “Project Runway: All Stars” ( 9 p. m., Lifetime, TV-PG).
Presidential candidates meet at the Republican debate (8:30 p.m., CNN), live in Miami.
A villain goes to the dogs on “Elementary” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
A Marine faces grave charges on “Shades of Blue” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
The Keating 5 face questions about Sinclair on “How to Get Away With Murder” (10 p. m., ABC, TV-14).
Sweet and sour reactions on “Baskets” ( 10 p. m., FX, TV-MA).
Will wants to leave the occupation zone on “Colony” ( 10 p. m., USA, TV-14).
The feminist bookstore faces a tourist influx on “Portlandia” ( 10 p. m., IFC, TV-14).
Christmas in Wessex is anything but jolly on “Vikings” ( 10 p. m., History, TV- MA).
Wolowitz gets cold feet on “The Big Bang Theory” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).
Ariel kidnaps Frankie on “You, Me and the Apocalypse” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
Back to the future on “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14).
Greg feels unmanned on “Life in Pieces” (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
Bathing at Baxter’s on “Mom” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
Kane adds sticks to his carrots on “The 100” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).
Pet sounds of silence on “2 Broke Girls” (9:30 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.