The Alyssa Pladl Story’ on Lifetime

Lifetime

All Times Eastern. PBS programming varies regionally.

Saturday, Oct. 19

Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story
Lifetime, 8pm
Original Film!
Alyssa (Jackie Cruz) and Steven (Matthew MacCaull) have a torrid relationship from the start and move in together when Alyssa is an impressionable teen. After they have a daughter of their own, their path takes a dark turn when Steven becomes physically abusive toward the infant. Alyssa senses the situation is dire and puts the child up for adoption, but little does she know that 18 years later, their daughter would seek them out and Steven would begin having an affair with her. Things only spiral from there.

Village of the Damned
TCM, 6:30pm
Catch a Classic!
Creepy kids have been staples in many horror films but have perhaps never been used more effectively than in this 1960 cult British/American sci-fi horror flick. The childbearing women of an English village suddenly wake up to find themselves pregnant with children of uncertain parentage. After the children are born and mature, they also display growing, frightening, mind-control powers — not to mention glowing eyes and the tendency to kill people. Beware the stare!

2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Disney+, Livestreams beginning at 7pm ET
Once again, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will stream live on Disney+, with a recorded special airing Jan. 1on ABC. This year’s inductees are Mary J. Blige, Jimmy Buffett, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, MC5, Ozzy Osbourne, Suzanne de Passe, Big Mama Thornton, A Tribe Called Quest, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield.

Holiday Crashers
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Best friends and card shop coworkers Toni (Lyndsy Fonseca) and Bri (Daniella Monet) decide to shake things up by creating new identities to crash some Christmas parties from their shop’s confidential invitations. When Toni gets mistaken for a lawyer, she and Bri are whisked away to a fancy corporate Christmas retreat in the snowy Vermont mountains by a handsome business mogul named Justin (Chris McNally), with the potential to end in disaster — or two happily-ever-afters.

Roller Jam: “Qualifier Round 2: Y2-SK8”
Magnolia Network, 8pm
As this roller-skating competition continues, Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child joins the judging panel as five more teams attempt to prove that their skills are worthy of the next round.

Saturday Night Live: “Michael Keaton/Billie Eilish”
NBC, 11:30pm Live; also livestreams on Peacock
Michael Keaton returns for his fourth time as SNL host, while Billie Eilish makes her own fourth appearance as musical guest.

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Sunday, Oct. 20

The Rise of the Ghoul Log
Shudder
The team behind the recent Horror’s Greatest series resurrects Shudder’s jack-o-lantern just in time for spooky season. This new hourlong video features a chilling, candlelit pumpkin to set the scene for horror fans.

NFL Football
NFL Network & NBC, beginning at 9:30am Live
Wembley Stadium in London is the site of this Week 7 matchup between the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars kicking off this morning on NFL Network. Tonight on NBC, the N.Y. Jets are at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NASCAR Cup Series: South Point 400
NBC, 2:30pm Live
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 8 begins today at the South Point 400, contested for 267 laps around the tri-oval at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Formula 1 Racing: Pirelli United States Grand Prix
ABC, 3pm Live
Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri and other stars of Formula 1 come to Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, to compete in the Pirelli United States Grand Prix.

“The X-Files” Monsters Marathon
Comet TV, beginning at 3pm
Comet TV airs 10 of the most memorable “Monster of the Week” episodes from The X-Files (both the original run and the two-season revival in 2016 and 2018). Notable episodes include “Hungry” (1999), “Alone” (2001) and “Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster” (2016).

The Lady From Shanghai
TCM, 4pm
Catch a Classic!
Orson Welles directed, cowrote and costars with his then-wife Rita Hayworth in this legendary 1947 film noir. Welles plays a seaman who meets a beautiful woman (Hayworth) and her husband (portrayed by Everett Sloane, one of Welles’ collaborators with the Mercury Theatre) aboard a yacht and ends up embroiled in a complex murder plot. The famous climax with a shootout in a hall of mirrors is just one reason why this terrifically filmed and performed production has been preserved in the National Film Registry.

The Chosen
The CW, 8pm
Season Finale!
In “Humble,” Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) refuses to look and act like the Messiah everyone expects.

Universal Basic Guys: “Bird Cage”
FOX, 8pm
Mark (voice of Adam Malamut) buys himself a Super Bowl ring and leverages it to get special treatment at the Eagles game in the new episode “Bird Cage.”

The Life I Can’t Remember
Lifetime, 8pm
In this world premiere movie, Emma (Morgan Bradley) slowly gets memories back from a suspicious night that put her in an amnesia-like state. As she recuperates from the trauma with the help of her husband, Dr. Dean Johnson (Gabriel Pranter), she remains in danger as she returns to a life she doesn’t remember.

Tracker: “Ontological Shock”
CBS, 8:30pm
In the new episode “Ontological Shock,” Colter (Justin Hartley) suddenly disappears during his search for a missing father, and Reenie (Fiona Rene) recruits his brother, Russell (returning guest star Jensen Ackles), for help.

The Simpsons: “Desperately Seeking Lisa”
FOX, 8:30pm
Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith) has a misadventure in the dark world of Capital City’s downtown art scene in the new episode “Desperately Seeking Lisa.”

Bob’s Burgers: “Colon-ly the Dronely”
FOX, 9pm
In the new episode “Colon-ly the Dronely,” Linda (voice of John Roberts) agrees to drive Teddy (Larry Murphy) to pick up Kathleen (Sharon Horgan) from her colonoscopy after he accidentally injures himself.

Wildlife Rescue Australia
Nat Geo Wild, 9pm
New Series!
This series focuses on the vets and nurses at the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital as they treat unique Aussie animals. Head vet Dr. Bree Talbot and her team are dedicated to triaging and treating a range of creatures, including marsupials, birds, reptiles and amphibians brought in each day by wildlife rescue volunteers and community members. In the series premiere episode, a kookaburra named Darryl has been hit by a car, and Dr. Talbot operates on his wing to save him.

Moonflower Murders
PBS, 9pm
Season Finale!
Susan (Lesley Manville) puts the pieces together to solve the cases of Frank and Cecily in this sequel series to Magpie Murders.

The Equalizer
CBS, 9:30pm
Season Premiere!
Season 5 of the crime drama starring Queen Latifah as former CIA operative Robyn McCall begins tonight. Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg and Liza Lapira also star.

Krapopolis: “Hades Nuts”
FOX, 9:30pm
Stupendous (voice of Pam Murphy) makes trips to the underworld to visit her old fling in the new episode “Hades Nuts.”

Van der Valk
PBS, 10pm
Season Finale!
Following more murders, the team moves in on billionaire Freddie Klink.

Vinyl Obsession
AXS TV, 10:30pm
Actors Melissa Joan Hart and Charles Esten join host Eric Young at Grimey’s music store in Nashville to each select the five vinyl records that have most inspired and influenced them.

Monday, Oct. 21

Whitstable Pearl
Acorn TV
Season Premiere!
Season 3 of the mystery series finds Whitstable Pearl, and Pearl’s (Kerry Godliman) detective sideline, thriving. After a short hiatus, DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles) returns to Whitstable, reenergized and determined to make progress in his quest for self-healing. He and Pearl continue to make a formidable team as they work through various cases together. New episodes are available Mondays.

TCM Morning & Afternoon Movies: Love Stories
TCM, beginning at 6am
Catch a Classic!
Get into a romantic mood this morning and afternoon as Turner Classic Movies offers a variety of classic cinematic love stories. The lineup begins with the French fantasy/comedy Sylvia and the Phantom (1946), and continues with The Age of Innocence (1934), an adaptation of Edith Wharton’s novel led by Irene Dunne, John Boles and Lionel Atwill; Lydia (1941), starring Merle Oberon as the title character; Best Director Oscar nominee David Lean’s influential romantic drama Brief Encounter (1945), led by Best Actress nominee Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard; the romantic comedy Dear Heart (1964), starring Glenn Ford and Geraldine Page, and featuring the Oscar-nominated title song from composer Henry Mancini and lyricists Jay Livingston and Ray Evans; A Warm December (1973), a romantic drama directed by and starring Sidney Poitier, alongside Esther Anderson; Lovesick (1983), a romantic comedy led by Dudley Moore, Elizabeth McGovern and Alec Guinness; and another romantic comedy, Crossing Delancey (1988), starring Golden Globe nominee Amy Irving and Peter Riegert.

NFL Football
ABC, ESPN & ESPN+, beginning at 8pm Live
Week 7 of the NFL season has two Monday Night Football matchups, starting with the Baltimore Ravens at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on ABC and ESPN. The Arizona Cardinals host the L.A. Chargers in a game that streams exclusively on ESPN+.

The Neighborhood
CBS, 8pm
Season Premiere!
Calvin (Cedric the Entertainer) and Tina (Tichina Arnold) adjust to life as new grandparents as the comedy returns for Season 7. Max Greenfield and Beth Behrs also star.

Superman & Lois
The CW, 8pm
Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) and Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) face their greatest challenge: being working parents.

9-1-1: Lone Star: “Thunderstruck”
FOX, 8pm
The 126 race into action when a horse barrels into a brewery with an unconscious rider on its back in the new episode “Thunderstruck.”

The Voice: “The Battles Premiere”
NBC, 8pm
The battle rounds begin as Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani prepare their artists in hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds. Each coach has two steals in this high-stakes round.

Poppa’s House
CBS, 8:30pm
New Series!
The famous father-son comedy duo reunites for this multicamera family sitcom. Damon Wayans plays Poppa, an OG who hosts the Poppa’s House radio show in New York City. His world gets rocked when the station hires Dr. Ivy Reed (Essence Atkins) to be his cohost. Her modern, sophisticated and female perspective creates an instant rivalry with Poppa. Meanwhile, Poppa’s still trying to mentor his son, Junior (Damon Wayans Jr.), a married father of two who works as a salesman at his father-in-law’s company while he pursues his dream of directing movies.

NCIS: “Foreign Bodies”
CBS, 9pm
As Vance (Rocky Carroll) prepares to host diplomatic talks with Venezuela, the team is called in to investigate the dead body of one of his inside men in the new episode “Foreign Bodies.”

Contraband: Seized at the Airport
Discovery Channel, 9pm
New Series!
Follow Department of Homeland Security officers at five airports across the country — in San Francisco, Detroit, Newark, Atlanta and Honolulu — as they search for contraband both leaving and coming into the United States.

Rescue: HI-Surf: “Drift”
FOX, 9pm
In the new episode “Drift,” the community comes together for Rocky’s (guest star Makua Rothman) paddle out, and Hina (Zoe Cipres) thinks about switching districts.

What We Do in the Shadows
FX, 10pm
Season Premiere!
The sixth and final season of the hit mockumentary series following the vampire residents of a house on Staten Island begins with three episodes tonight. In the premiere episode “The Return of Jerry,” Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) suddenly remember that there was another housemate, Jerry (Mike O’Brien), who has been asleep since the mid 1990s.

Brilliant Minds: “The Haunted Marine”
NBC, 10pm
Wolf (Zachary Quinto) must help a Marine grapple with mysterious symptoms before the birth of his child.

Tuesday, Oct. 22

GAME 7
Prime Video
New Series!
GAME 7 brings the two greatest words in sports to life in this new five-part anthology docuseries. With firsthand accounts from both the winning and losing athletes that participated in these high-stakes showdowns, each episode goes behind the scenes to revisit the most iconic moments of the most memorable games in history. From the Chicago Cubs’ drought-shattering 2016 World Series victory to the New York Rangers’ win in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, the series will explore how this quintessential test of maximum pressure and extreme intensity weigh on the hearts and minds of the legendary stars at the center of them.

Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head
Netflix
Two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian Hasan Minhaj returns to Netflix with his third comedy special, in which he tackles politics, misguided self-improvement, and the challenges of life with young kids and aging parents.

TCM Spotlight: Period Pieces
TCM, beginning at 6am
Catch a Classic!
Turner Classic Movies’ monthlong Tuesday celebration of motion picture “period pieces” — dramas set in some historical period, often involving elaborate and frequently award-nominated or -winning costume and set designs to bring a particular era to life — continues all day today. The first two movies are from producer Alexander Korda and led by Vivien Leigh in the title roles: That Hamilton Woman (1941), also directed by Korda and featuring Oscar-nominated art direction, and Anna Karenina (1948), based on Leo Tolstoy’s 1877 novel. After that are Madame du Barry (1934), with Dolores del Río as the real-life title character, the last mistress of France’s King Louis XV (Reginald Owen); Camille (1936), based on Alexandre Dumas’ 1852 novel, set in mid 19th century Paris and led by Best Actress Oscar nominee Greta Garbo; The Earrings of Madame De… (1953), a romantic drama set in Belle Époque Paris, based on a 1951 novel by Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin, starring Danielle Darrieux and Charles Boyer and featuring Oscar-nominated costume design; Madame Bovary (1949), an adaptation of Gustave Flaubert’s 1857 novel starring Jennifer Jones as the title character and featuring Oscar-nominated set decoration; Désirée (1954), a historical romance led by Jean Simmons as Désirée Clary, future queen of Sweden and Norway, and Marlon Brando as Napoleon Bonaparte, which earned Oscar nods for its set decoration and costume design; the Best Picture-nominated epic Cleopatra (1963), led by Elizabeth Taylor as the famed ancient Egyptian queen, and featuring Oscar-winning set decoration and costume design (Taylor has a whopping 65 costume changes throughout the film); another Best Picture-nominated epic, Doctor Zhivago (1965), which is based on Boris Pasternak’s 1957 novel, is set in Russia during World War I and the Russian Civil War, and won Oscars for its set decoration and costume design; and Valmont (1989), an adaptation of the 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) by Choderlos de Laclos, which earned an Oscar nod for its costume design.

NHL Hockey
ESPN, beginning at 6pm Live
Three NHL games are on ESPN’s “Frozen Frenzy” docket tonight with the Washington Capitals at the Philadelphia Flyers, the Colorado Avalanche at the Seattle Kraken and the L.A. Kings at the Vegas Golden Knights.

NBA Basketball
TNT, beginning at 7:30pm Live
The Boston Celtics celebrate their NBA-record 18th championship tonight as they host the N.Y. Knicks in the 2024-25 season opener. The second game of the doubleheader has the Minnesota Timberwolves at the L.A. Lakers.

FBI: “Trusted”
CBS, 8pm
In the new episode “Trusted,” the team is on the case when a suburban couple is murdered and all forensic evidence points to the home’s previous owner, who is currently serving 10 years in federal prison.

Murder in a Small Town: “A Touch of Panic”
FOX, 8pm
When Cassandra (Kristin Kreuk) is placed in a life-threatening situation, Alberg (Rossif Sutherland) and the Gibson Police Department work to find the culprit responsible in the new episode “A Touch of Panic.”

The Voice: “The Battles, Part 2”
NBC, 8:30pm
The battle rounds continue as Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani prepare their artists in hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds. Each coach has two steals in this high-stakes round.

FBI: International: “The Other Hard Part”
CBS, 9pm
A U.S. ambassador is taken hostage at a TV station in the Netherlands alongside 70 civilians, and the Fly Team is forced to work quickly to find out who they’re up against in the new episode “The Other Hard Part.”

Accused: “Marcus’ Story”
FOX, 9pm
A successful tech entrepreneur (Nick Cannon) finds himself on trial after creating facial recognition software that leads to devastating consequences in the new episode “Marcus’ Story.”

High Potential: “Croaked”
ABC, 10pm
The team investigates the death of a veterinarian; work interferes with Karadec’s (Daniel Sunjata) dating life.

FBI: Most Wanted: “Varsity Blues”
CBS, 10pm
The Fugitive Task Force is called in to hunt down a missing teen from New Jersey who has a connection to a classmate’s recent suicide. FBI’s Alana De La Garza makes a guest appearance as Special Agent Isobel Castille in the new episode “Varsity Blues.”

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez: “Dirty Pain”
FX, 10pm
Fearing for his life, Aaron (Josh Rivera) goes to California for surgery and a fresh start but he cannot escape his growing paranoia in the new episode “Dirty Pain.”

The Irrational: “Bad Blood”
NBC, 10pm
When a rising star on Wall Street is killed during her hockey game, Alec (Jesse L. Martin) must determine if it was an accident or murder. Alec and Rose (Karen David) find themselves on opposite sides of the case as they try to get to the heart of the victim’s cutthroat world.

1000-Lb. Best Friends
TLC, 10pm
Season Premiere!
Lifelong friends Vannessa, Meghan and Ashely continue their commitment to overcoming obesity. A growing rift and jealousy, however, threaten their 30-plus-year relationship.

Wednesday, Oct. 23

Car Masters: Rust to Riches
Netflix
Season Premiere!
In Season 6, the Gotham crew goes all-in on the luxury car market, but keeping buyers happy while maintaining a creative edge may be their biggest challenge yet.

The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox
Netflix
New Series!
Via interviews with star players and personnel, this definitive docuseries chronicles the Boston Red Sox’s journey to their first World Series title in 86 years.

Family Pack
Netflix
Original Film!
Jean Reno and Suzanne Clément lead this French comic fantasy adventure about a family who discovers a mysterious card game that sends them back in time to a medieval village where they must fend off werewolves each night.

NBA Basketball
ESPN, beginning at 7:30pm Live
ESPN’s coverage of the NBA regular season begins tonight with a doubleheader featuring the Milwaukee Bucks at the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns at the L.A. Clippers.

NHL Hockey: Philadelphia at Washington
TNT & truTV, 7:30pm Live
Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., is the site of tonight’s NHL matchup between Travis Konecny’s Philadelphia Flyers and Alex Ovechkin’s Capitals.

Sullivan’s Crossing: “Eye of the Storm”
The CW, 8pm
Things start to heat up between Maggie (Morgan Kohan) and Cal (Chad Michael Murray) when they’re forced to take shelter at Cal’s cabin.

The Masked Singer: “Barbie Night”
FOX, 8pm
The Group B celebrities pay tribute to the 65th anniversary of Mattel’s Barbie in the new episode “Barbie Night.”

Chicago Med: “Bad Habits”
NBC, 8pm
Halloween chaos takes over the ED; Hannah (Jessy Schram) helps a pregnant woman with an autistic son; and Charles (Oliver Platt) clashes with Nurse Jackie on a psych case.

TCM Star of the Month: Bela Lugosi
TCM, beginning at 8pm
Catch a Classic!
Turner Classic Movies’ Wednesday night salute to horror icon Bela Lugosi concludes this evening with seven films that spotlight his strength as a character actor even in smaller supporting roles, and sometimes in perhaps unexpected genres, like the comedies Broadminded (1931), Genius at Work (1946), Ninotchka (1939) and Fifty Million Frenchmen (1931), all airing in late night. Earlier, the lineup features Lugosi in the type of mystery and/or horror films with which he is most associated, beginning with The Corpse Vanishes (1942) and continuing with Bowery at Midnight (1942) and The Saint’s Double Trouble (1940), led by George Sanders as Simon Templar (aka The Saint).

The Floor: “High Risk, High Reward?”
FOX, 9pm
Contestants test their knowledge of constellations, baseball logos, carnival food, wrestlers and more in the new episode “High Risk, High Reward?” Rob Lowe hosts.

Chicago Fire: “Down the Rabbit Hole”
NBC, 9pm
Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Severide (Taylor Kinney) investigate a trucking company responsible for a string of accidents. Meanwhile, Herrmann (David Eigenberg) recruits Kylie (Katelynn Shennett) to help get new radios, Firehouse 51 celebrates Violet’s (Hanako Greensmith) birthday, and Carver’s (Jake Lockett) allegiances are torn.

Abbott Elementary: “Class Pet”
ABC, 9:30pm
Janine (Quinta Brunson) gets a budget for class pets; an IT rep arrives to set up new computers.

Wild West Chronicles: “El Bandito Vasquez”
INSP, 10pm
When an elusive bandito terrorizes early Los Angeles County, an eager reporter shadows the sheriff who is hunting the dangerous outlaw. Will the reporter stay objective or take matters into his own hands when he comes face-to-face with the killer?

Chicago P.D.: “Water and Honey”
NBC, 10pm
In the midst of a momentous storm, Intelligence helps Officer Cook (Toya Turner) with an investigation.

Secrets of the Dead: “The Civil War’s Lost Massacre”
PBS, 10pm
Originally a supply depot for Union forces in Kentucky, Camp Nelson became the site where 10,000 Black soldiers trained during the Civil War. But the war’s end brought violence to these soldiers at the hands of bitter Southerners. Their remains have never been found, and a team is dedicated to finding them to memorialize their service and heroism.

Thursday, Oct. 24

The Chicken Sisters
Hallmark+
Season Finale!
Starring Lea Thompson, Schuyler Fisk and Wendie Malick, the new drama series based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name about two charming, multigenerational families and their competing fried chicken restaurants will premiere its first season finale on the new streaming platform. Tune in to see if the families can heal a generations-old rift between their dueling restaurants, which heats up when a popular cooking competition show comes to town.

Beauty in Black
Netflix
New Series!
This drama from creator/director/writer/executive producer Tyler Perry follows two women leading very different lives. While Kimmie (Taylor Polidore Williams) is struggling to make a living after her mother kicked her out, and Mallory (Crystle Stewart) is running a successful business, they find themselves entangled in each other’s lives.

Territory
Netflix
New Series!
In this explosive drama from Australia, when the world’s largest cattle station is left without a clear successor, generational clashes threaten to tear the Lawson family apart. Sensing this once great dynasty is in decline, the Outback’s most powerful factions — rival cattle barons, desert gangsters, Indigenous elders and billionaire miners — move in for the kill.

NBA Basketball
TNT, beginning at 7:30pm Live
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs duel with Luka Dončić and the Mavericks in Dallas. TNT’s second game has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Denver to face Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets.

Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage: “Some New York Nonsense”
CBS, 8pm
Mandy (Emily Osment) worries for Georgie (Montana Jordan) when he struggles to balance life, work and family. Guest star Raegan Revord reprises her Young Sheldon role as Missy in the new episode “Some New York Nonsense.”

Hell’s Kitchen: “Homesick in Hell”
FOX, 8pm
The chefs are challenged with putting together some fabulous burgers using an assortment of wild ingredients thrown their way in the new episode “Homesick in Hell.”

Law & Order: “The Meaning of Life”
NBC, 8pm
When a pipe bomb rips through a brownstone, Shaw (Mehcad Brooks) and Riley (Reid Scott) must determine which of its inhabitants — a controversial author or a fertility doctor — was the target. Price (Hugh Dancy) and Maroun (Odelya Halevi) try to bring murder charges against the suspect, even though the victim is still breathing.

Creepy Cinema
TCM, beginning at 8pm
Catch a Classic!
The theme for tonight’s first two films airing as part of Turner Classic Movies’ monthlong Thursday night Creepy Cinema block is “Maternal Madness.” Falling under that theme are The Night Digger (1971), a British thriller billed on its poster as “a tale of the strange and perverse,” and The Brood (1979), written and directed by David Cronenberg, and starring Oliver Reed and Samantha Eggar. The evening finishes up with “More Creepy Cinema,” featuring five movies: Demon Seed (1977), a weird sci-fi thriller featuring Robert Vaughn as the voice of a computer that is so advanced, autonomous and sinister that it traps a woman (Julie Christie) in her home with a plan to somehow forcibly impregnate her; John Carpenter’s sci-fi action horror film They Live (1988), led by Roddy Piper and Keith David; The Hidden (1987), starring Kyle MacLachlan and Michael Nouri as an FBI agent and cop in pursuit of an alien thrill-killer that can take over people’s bodies; The Shout (1978), a British horror film led by Alan Bates, Susannah York and John Hurt; and The Thing From Another World (1951), the Howard Hawks-produced classic about a team of scientists and soldiers trapped at the Arctic Circle by an extraterrestrial menace.

NFL Football: Minnesota at L.A. Rams
Prime Video, 8:15pm Live
Week 8’s Thursday Night Football game has Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings visiting SoFi Stadium to face Matthew Stafford and the L.A. Rams.

Ghosts: “Sam’s Dad”
CBS, 8:30pm
When Sam’s (Rose McIver) dad (guest star Dean Norris) comes to Woodstone for a visit, Puritan ghost Patience (Mary Holland) puts their relationship to the test in the new episode “Sam’s Dad.”

Doctor Odyssey: “Halloween Week”
ABC, 9pm
It’s Halloween on the Odyssey, featuring a high-stakes costume contest.

Crime Scene Kitchen: “Let’s Get Ready to Ravi”
FOX, 9pm
In this season’s most pivotal Safety Bake, four teams of family members must impress guest judge Ravi Patel. One team has a difficult choice that will seal their fate in the new episode “Let’s Get Ready to Ravi.”

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: “Constricted”
NBC, 9pm
A romantic date ends with a teenager fighting for her life in the hospital. Carisi (Peter Scanavino) can’t help bringing the case home with him as he envisions the dangers ahead for his growing daughters.

Velvet: “Stay Away From Me”
PBS, 9pm
A family friend offers to save Velvet if Alberto (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) agrees to marry his daughter.

Grey’s Anatomy: “You Make My Heart Explode”
ABC, 10pm
Teddy (Kim Raver) and Owen (Kevin McKidd) work on their marriage, while Bailey (Chandra Wilson), Blue (Harry Shum Jr.) and Link (Chris Carmack) treat a hospital employee.

Elsbeth: “The Wrong Stuff”
CBS, 10pm
In the new episode “The Wrong Stuff,” a billionaire dies in a freak accident during a space training simulation, and Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) suspects a fellow magnate and wannabe astronaut with a grudge (guest star Rob Riggle) is responsible.

The Old Man
FX, 10pm
Season Finale!
The spy drama starring Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, Alia Shawkat and Amy Brenneman concludes its second season with “XV.”

Found: “Missing While Perfect”
NBC, 10pm
As Lacey (Gabrielle Walsh) attempts to readjust to life after her kidnapping, the fractured M&A team assists a 15-year-old boy in finding his missing parents. Meanwhile, Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) begins making plans for the future, and Trent (Brett Dalton) is forced to make a decision with a case of his own.

Friday, Oct. 25

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Disney+ & Hulu
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band offer the most in-depth look ever at the creation of their legendary live performances, including footage of band rehearsals, backstage moments, rare archival clips and personal reflections from the Boss himself.

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
Netflix
In this documentary, the secret life of a young World of Warcraft gamer is vividly reimagined when his online friends contact his family following his death.

Simone Biles Rising
Netflix
Series Finale!
This docuseries concludes with Episodes 3 and 4, which offer intimate access to gymnast Simone Biles as she takes Olympic gold at the recent Summer Games in Paris. This second installment follows Biles as she makes the U.S. Olympic team at the 2024 trials, onward to her arrival in Paris and continuing along her incredible blazing trail to become the most decorated gymnast in history.

NBA Basketball
ESPN, beginning at 7:30pm Live
NBA fans can catch ESPN’s Friday night doubleheader with the Indiana Pacers at the N.Y. Knicks and the Phoenix Suns at the L.A. Lakers.

College Football
ESPN2, CBS Sports Network & FOX, beginning at 7:30pm Live
Louisville is at Boston College on ESPN2, Boise State is at UNLV on CBS Sports Network and Rutgers visits USC on FOX following the network’s coverage of World Series Game 1.

2024 World Series: Game 1
FOX, 8pm Live
The winners of the American League and National League begin the best-of-seven-game 120th World Series, with Game 1 at the home ballpark of the team with the better regular-season record. (In the event that both League Championship Series end in five or fewer games, the World Series would begin Oct. 22.)

Happy’s Place: “Tapped Out”
NBC, 8pm
When Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) starts trying to make changes to the tavern, Bobbie (Reba McEntire) worries that this new partnership may not work out. Bobbie offers to take Isabella under her wing so she can learn the ins and outs of the bar but runs into an obstacle when the lawyer for Happy’s fumbles her plan.

Making Change: The Most Significant Political Films of All Time
TCM, 8pm
Catch a Classic!
The eighth night of this series in which TCM host Ben Mankiewicz and notable guests explore the most impactful political movies of all time features four titles, the first three introduced with guests: All the President’s Men (1976), cohosted by Steven Spielberg; Citizen Kane (1941), cohosted by political consultant/pollster Frank Luntz; Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975), cohosted by filmmaker Lizzie Borden; and the two parts of 1938’s Olympia, director Leni Riefenstahl’s controversial, fascist-tinged yet undeniably cinematic documentary/propaganda film about the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Nazi Germany: Part One: Festival of Nations and Part Two: Festival of Beauty.

Lopez vs. Lopez: “Lopez vs. Halloween”
NBC, 8:30pm
George (George Lopez) gets haunted and taunted by his ancestors on Día de los Muertos. Meanwhile, a maturing Chance (Brice Gonzalez) refuses to participate in a family Halloween costume.

Fire Country: “Firing Squad”
CBS, 9pm
Bode (Max Thieriot) receives a life-changing opportunity that could impact his future as a firefighter in the new episode “Firing Squad.”

Joan
The CW, 9pm
Joan (Sophie Turner) and Boisie (Frank Dillane) buy an engagement ring; the police search for the missing Stubbs painting.

Scariest House in America
HGTV, 9pm
Season Finale!
In “From Scary to Beautiful,” the road trip comes to an end as Retta reveals the winner of Scariest House in America. Then, the winning house receives a $150,000 home renovation from HGTV’s Alison Victoria, transforming their once scary house into a once-in-a-lifetime dream home.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Planet Earth: Africa
BBC America, beginning at 7am
BBC America’s “Wonderstruck” Saturday block of nature documentaries features a marathon of 2013’s Planet Earth: Africa series, beginning with the special making-of episode and continuing with “The Future,” “Congo,” “Cape,” “Savannah,” “Sahara” and “Kalahari.”

Curse of the Demon
MOVIES!, 12:45pm
Catch a Classic!
Originally titled Night of the Demon in its British release, this 1957 supernatural/psychological thriller was helmed by Jacques Tourneur, a director who was a master at creating the type of moody, atmospheric horror that is on display here in one of his finest works. Based on M.R. James’ short story “Casting the Runes,” the film stars Dana Andrews as an American psychologist who travels to England to investigate a satanic cult suspected in some deaths. The doctor’s skepticism about the existence of supernatural evil is put to the test when he finds himself targeted by a curse put upon him by the cult’s leader (a terrific Niall MacGinnis). Although a special effects-created demon was forcibly inserted into a few shots against Tourneur’s wishes, it doesn’t detract too much from the intensifying horror that viewers feel, along with the hero, as he races to stop the curse before its deadline arrives.

NASCAR Xfinity Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway
The CW, 4pm Live
The Xfinity Series playoffs Round of 8 continues today on The CW with a 200-lap, 300-mile race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

NBA Basketball
NBA TV, beginning at 5pm Live
NBA TV features three games today with the L.A. Clippers at the Denver Nuggets, the Orlando Magic at the Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings at the L.A. Lakers.

2024 World Series: Game 2
FOX, 8pm Live
The best-of-seven-game 120th World Series continues tonight with Game 2 from the ballpark of the league champion with the better regular-season record. After taking Sunday off for travel, Game 3 is scheduled for Monday night.

A Christmas Castle Proposal
Great American Family, 8pm
Original Film!
Olivia (Rhiannon Fish), a commoner, travels with Prince Alexander (Mitchell Bourke) to his family’s magical palace so their families can spend a first Christmas together. The couple’s plans for an enchanted holiday are threatened by comedic mishaps caused by cultural differences between the families.

Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story
Lifetime, 8pm
Original Film!
This new film is based on the true story of popular Mormon family vlogger Ruby Franke and the shocking child abuse charges that she and Jodi Hildebrandt, her twisted marriage counselor, were recently convicted of in a Utah court. Heather Locklear stars as Hildebrandt.

Roller Jam: “Skate to Skate Battles”
Magnolia Network, 8pm
As this roller-skating competition continues, the eight remaining skate crews are paired off for four head-to-head battles before an “elimi-skate” sends three teams home.