Empire makes its long-awaited return Wednesday.
When last we left the fabulous halls of Empire Records, Hakeem's old girlfriend had seized the reins of power and handed them directly to him. Add pregnant sister-in-law Rhonda not moving at the bottom of the stairs, a plaintive wail that's like a punch in one of the trailers for Season 2 and Boo Boo Kitty's break from sanity and you have the makings for one crazy, fantastic, magical premiere.
There will be tragedy, fallout, questionable fashion choices and infighting. And Cookie, played by Taraji P. Henson, who won the Golden Globe for best actress in a drama, is ready to take it to another level. As usual.
The spring premiere will air Wednesday night at 9 on Fox.
SUNDAY
Grease: Live: According to Fox, there were more than 100 hours of rehearsal for the "Handjive" dance number and more than 400 costume changes in the final broadcast. See if you can spot them all in a "special tweet-along encore" of the musical. 6 p.m. Fox (Ch. 4)
MONDAY
Dancing With the Stars: Steel yourself for the season's first elimination. 7 p.m. ABC (Ch. 8)
The Voice: Miley Cyrus advises as the knockout round begins. 7 p.m. NBC (KXAS-TV, Ch. 5)
Supergirl: It's all about the crossover as The Flash arrives in Supergirl's backyard, National City. They team up to fight Livewire and Silver Banshee. Squee! 7 p.m. CBS (Ch. 11).
TUESDAY
The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Primetime Special: Host James Corden celebrates his first anniversary with Jennifer Lopez and a look back. 9 p.m. CBS (Ch. 11)
WEDNESDAY
Rosewood: Oops. Rosie gives a speech at a pathologists' convention and tells everyone how to get away with murder. See what I did there? 7 p.m. Fox (Ch. 4)
Underground: Empire's Jussie Smollett guest stars as runaway Josey in a serious counter-programming move. It's the first time in two decades that he and his younger sister, star Jurnee Smollett-Bell, will appear on screen together. The two co-starred in On Our Own, a series on ABC in the '90s.
The Path: Aaron Paul is a believer who starts walking a fine line in this Hulu original. Michele Monaghan and Hugh Dancy also star. Premieres Wednesday on Hulu.
THURSDAY
American Idol: And the show will take it down to three as it heads toward a series finale that will include performances by alums Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. 7 p.m. Fox (Ch. 4)
Archer: This show is like an old flame. Every time you see it, it's changed enough for you to notice but not enough to make you leave it alone. The Season 7 premiere finds the gang relocated to the sunny environs of LA and a detective agency just this side of legitimate. Oh, don't fear, they're still in the danger zone. That's especially true since the power dynamics have changed, as Cyril's shingle is now the one above the door. But the crazy, along with irreverent and scholarly references, has not. Thursday at 9 p.m. on FX.
Rush Hour: Motor-mouth cop meets mostly silent partner has been done to death. But don't tell CBS as the network rolls out a reboot of the money-earning movie franchise. The TV series stops inches short of direct quotes from the franchise but it's an action adventure series that begs a chance. Give it one. 9 p.m. CBS (Ch. 11)
FRIDAY
Banshee: What happens to a thief who impersonates a sheriff but keeps doing his dirty dealings? Who cares when all-time fan favorite Eliza Dushku (!) joins the show in its final season? Rhetorical question. 9 p.m. Cinemax.
The Vampire Diaries: The boys are back and Damon's still practicing self-sacrifice as he offers to change places with his hunted brother, Stefan. 7 p.m., The CW (Ch. 33)
The Originals: Klaus' enemies are galloping towards New Orleans in an effort to take him down. As always, there will be blood. 8 p.m. The CW (Ch. 33)
SATURDAY
My Cat From Hell: This show is the antidote to those cute cat videos all up and through the Internet. The season 8 premiere features a baby-stalking cat and a cat that can open doors. Yeah. 7 p.m. on Animal Planet.
This week in home entertainment
See Sterling Archer, aka the world's most dangerous spy, try to be a father to baby Abbiejean while still maintaining his drinking minimum, which is way above maximum for most people, in Archer: The Complete Season Six.
Also out this week: Concussion; Exposed; The Hateful Eight; and Point Break.
