“Survivor: China”
Thursday 8pm, CBS
Say what you will about “Survivor,” but the prototypical reality competition can still surprise every now and then. Last year’s cringe-inducing racially separated tribes ended up leading to the show’s most diverse cast ever, and possibly its most likable winner in Yul. And then the most recent season featured the legitimately stunning betrayal of Yau-Man by the odious Dreamz, who stabbed him in the back in the most calculated way imaginable and then shrugged it off with the “it’s just a game” line. And you, sir, are just an asshole. For the show’s 15th season, Jeff Probst will torment another dozen-plus “castaways” in China’s Jiang Xi province. This year’s crop includes a flight attendant, a former model, a Christian radio talk show host and a professional poker player. I bet those last two will get along famously.
“The Simpsons”
Sunday 8pm, Fox
After starring in a blockbuster feature film over summer vacation, TV’s first family returns for season 19. Rumored to be among the parade of guest stars filing through this year are Amy Winehouse, Topher Grace, Jack Black, comic-book luminaries Dan Clowes, Art Spiegelman and Alan Moore and (because we’ve all indeed been looking for him) Lionel Richie. It’s also rumored that two of the new characters introduced in the movie—Lisa’s dream boy, Colin, and Homer’s dream pig, Plopper (a.k.a. Spider-Pig)—will be at least making an appearance. I’m especially excited about that last addition, but I’m holding out for a comeback by Boob Lady.
“Tell Me You Love Me”
Sunday 9pm, HBO
HBO is in a rough way, as “John from Cincinnati” flopped spectacularly and, as much as I like “Big Love,” it just won’t fill the hole left by “The Sopranos.” (To say nothing of “Sex and the City” and “Six Feet Under,” which seem awfully far away at this point.) This low-key new drama isn’t likely to build into a buzz show, either. It follows a therapist and three of her couples, and their very complicated love lives. The cast is led by grand dame Jane Alexander as the therapist, and also features “E.R.” vet Sherry Stringfield and a bunch of other people you’ve probably never heard of. The show has created controversy for its frank sex scenes, so between this and Showtime’s “Californication,” softcore’s having a really good year.