Between streaming and cable, there is a seemingly endless variety of things to watch. Here is a selection of TV shows and specials that are airing or streaming this week, May 12-18. Details and times are subject to change.
Sexy!
First there was #MomTok, and then came “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” a reality series following a group of TikTok-famous moms who are either practicing Mormons or are in the community. The first season was a hit and became Hulu’s top-watched unscripted series in 2024. Now the ladies from Utah are ready for more dirty sodas, baby daddy drama and rehashing of the swinging scandal. Joining the cast is Miranda McWhorter, who was involved in the original TikTok drama that popularized the group. Add some coconut creamer to your Dr Pepper, read up on the Book of Mormon, and pour your coffee down the drain because Taylor Frankie Paul, Jen Affleck, Demi Engemann and the others are so back. Streaming Thursday on Hulu.
Why are Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson in Nova Scotia, Canada? Because “Sullivan’s Crossing” is back for a third season, of course. The series follows the neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) who fled to the small town that her father, Sully (Patterson), lives in to get away from a work-related scandal. Now, three years later, Maggie and Cal (Murray) are officially an item, and the trio are dealing with the aftermath of a diner fire from the Season 2 cliffhanger. It’s about to be cottage season in Canada, and this show perfectly sets those vibes. Wednesday at 8 p.m. on the CW.
The Ryan Murphy series “Doctor Odyssey” has left viewers with lots of questions: Was it all a fever dream? Why is this cruise ship equipped with a CT machine? How can we clone Joshua Jackson in real life? It is unclear whether any of these questions will be answered in this week’s finale. The show — which follows the lives of a doctor and two nurses in charge of a cruise ship’s infirmary who spend more time canoodling, drinking and relaxing in the hot tub than doing any actual work — has covered orca attacks, mistaken pregnancies and the dangers of a raw diet. During the season (or series, ABC has yet to renew the show) finale, Max (Jackson) deboards the ship and, needless to say, several natural disasters strike. Thursday at 9 p.m. on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu.
Thrilling!
Let’s set the scene for the new thriller series “Duster”: The year is 1972, we’re in the Southwest and Rachel Hilson plays the F.B.I.’s first Black female agent. With Josh Holloway’s character at her side as a getaway driver, the two go on a mission to break up a growing crime syndicate. Of note, this is J.J. Abrams’s first co-writing gig in six years, since “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” Thursday at 9 p.m. on Max.
A robot that is uninterested in human contact and prefers to spend its time watching soap operas? Not so unrelatable. That’s the general plot of “Murderbot,” the new show based on the “Murderbot Diaries” book series by Martha Wells. Alexander Skarsgard plays a SecUnit (security android) robot that has to accompany a group of astronauts to space as they explore an alien world — and it’s not so happy about it. The first two of 10 episodes debut this week, with a new one dropping every Friday after that. Streaming Friday on AppleTV+.
Funny!
Benito Skinner got his start acting out skits on social media, but now he’s taking his act to TV with his new series “Overcompensating.” He stars as Benny, a closeted former high school football player who becomes fast friends with Carmen (Wally Baram) when they arrive at college. From there, the usual shenanigans ensue: drinking flavored vodka, using fake IDs and, of course, engaging in some questionable hookups. Streaming Thursday on Prime Video.
Joan Rivers was a comedy heroine — she got her start appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in the 1960s, then became a frequent flier on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.” For a certain generation, she was perhaps most notable for her role as an entertainment correspondent and for hosting “Fashion Police,” where she delivered endless zingers. She died in September 2014 after a minor procedure led to cardiac arrest. She left a letter for her daughter, Melissa Rivers, that read: “Given that I’m dead, I assume someone will finally decide to honor me. Well, it’s about time.” That is exactly what will happen on “Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute.” Rachel Brosnahan, Aubrey Plaza, Nikki Glaser, Tiffany Haddish and many others performed musical bits and stand-up featuring some classic Rivers wisecracks during the taping, which took place at the Apollo Theater in New York City. Tuesday at 10 p.m. on NBC.
