TV shows to watch: Minnesota wrestler Darin Corbin grapples with trivia on 'The Floor'

What TV critic Neal Justin is watching this week.

December 29, 2023 at 2:00PM
Rob Lowe is the host of a new Fox game show, “The Floor.” (Fox TV/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

'The Floor'

If contestants on this new game show earned points for confidence, Darin Corbin would be a serious contender. The Detroit Lakes-born pro wrestler talks a big game in the early episodes of this complex but ultimately engaging series in which trivia masters go head-to-head on picture rounds. The challenges aren't super-tough until you factor in the pumped-up pressure. Those who swoon in the presence of host Rob Lowe don't stand a chance. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Fox

'M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television'

This special isn't any better or worse than past retrospectives on the groundbreaking sitcom. But it's the most recent reminder that network TV used to be a lot bolder than it is today. No contemporary series comes close to "M*A*S*H's blend of slapstick, melodrama, burlesque and social satire. At the very least, the clips might inspire you to check out entire episodes, currently available on Hulu. 7 p.m. Monday, Fox

'Only Murders in the Building'

The first — and funniest — season of this Emmy-nominated sitcom gets its network debut, giving a wider audience the opportunity to watch Steve Martin and Martin Short bicker like vaudeville stars. The real surprise here is Selena Gomez, whose dry delivery is the perfect response to her elders' wild-and-crazy antics. Hulu has picked up the series for a fourth season, but a premiere date has yet to be announced. 8 p.m. Tuesday, ABC

'Hopper: An American Love Story'

There's a reason Edward Hopper's paintings evoke loneliness and isolation — turns out he was far from a social butterfly. This "American Masters" documentary provides a lot of details about his volatile marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison. But it keeps returning to his solitary habits and haunting works, like "Nighthawks," with characters desperately in need of drinking buddies. 8 p.m. Tuesday, PBS

'Magnum P.I.'

Over 50 million viewers tuned in to see Tom Selleck's fate in 1988, making it one of the most watched series finales of all time. The last episode of the reboot won't get nearly that much attention. And rightly so. These past five seasons, with Jay Hernandez in the title role, have lacked the wit of the original series. Instead, they've relied more on shootouts and romance. The final two episodes, which air back to back, follow that formula. 7 p.m. Wednesday, NBC

about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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