Reasons to binge watch: Jan. 25-31

Loads of midseason premieres, new series, and live specials debut throughout this week in January. No more scrolling through 500 channels of your cable TV guide to find out what’s on. Get those TiVos ready and prepare to cozy up to this week’s top TV picks. Here's what not to miss:

Mon., Jan. 25

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Midseason Premiere) This musical comedy about Rebecca (played by Rachel Bloom, the show’s creator), a tightly-wound career woman who runs into Josh Chan, an ex-boyfriend from long-ago summer camp days whom she still believes is her soul mate. Taking this as a sign, she packs up her life in New York City and moves to California (where Josh lives) to be closer with her childhood lover, only to find him already in a relationship. Having thrown away her pills, Rebecca deals with the ups and downs of her life by bursting into heavily choreographed theatrical song – meant to be delusional figments of her imagination. The show has raked in massive critical acclaim and Rachel Bloom just won a recent Golden Globe award for best actress. Catch up on all the episodes at Hulu.com and tune into the midseason debut on Mon., Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Jane t

he Virgin (Midseason premiere) Another highly critically acclaimed gem, the show is about a virgin saving herself for marriage who finds herself accidentally knocked up after being artificially inseminated during a routine doctor visit. Jane – the virgin – finds out that the donor is an old teenage crush and the series’ twists and turns play out like a satirical and entertaining spoof on Latin telenovelas. Already in it’s second season and following a long holiday break, the series returns Mon., Jan. 25 at 9 p.m. on the CW. For those who need to do some catching up, run, don’t walk to your nearest device and find season one on Netflix and season two on CW.com. 

Lucifer

Based on the comic book character by Neil Gaiman for The Sandman, Lucifer (Tom Ellis) is a lavish and indulgent bachelor who becomes bored and unhappy with life as the Underworld’s Lord of Hell and leaves his throne to live in the Los Angeles, a.k.a. The City of Angels. He meets a beautiful LAPD homicide detective and uses his ability to charm the truth out of people to help solve crime. The Underworld is not so happy with the devil incarnate using his powers for good and conflict stirs as he is persuaded to return home. It’s the classic fallen-angel/ bad-boy-turned-good story with a playboy protagonist who must choose between good and evil. Add equal parts superhero steroid action, the lavish backdrop of L.A., some dark witty humor, et voilà – you get Lucifer. Premieres Mon., Jan. 25 at 9 p.m. on Fox.

The Magicians

Based off of the novels by Lev Grossman, the story plays like a grown up, grittier version of Harry Potter with booze, sex, and heavy chain-smoking. Quentin Coldwater (Jason Ralph) is a smart, lonely college grad with a large obsession with fantasy fiction who enrolls into Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy – a kind of grad-school Hogwarts – and discovers he has outstanding magical abilities. He meets friends with similar capabilities (Stella Maeve as Julia, Hale Appleman as Eliot, Arjun Gupta as Penny), and they soon discover that the fantasy world may not be as innocent as they once dreamed. The plush green landscape of Brakebill’s magical campus contrasted against the cold, dark backdrop of New York city, unique characters, and original plot twists will leave you wanting more. Premieres Mon., Jan. 25 at 9 p.m. on SyFy. Read Ying Lo's interview with Tampa native Arun Gupta here.


Tues., Jan. 26 

Outsiders  The Farrells are a fantasy-like hillbilly clan governed by a small council of elders with strong traditions that enforce staying close to the family and steering clear of civilization – which they associate with corruption and greed. They’ve managed to live off the grid due to a long-held truce with the neighboring town, who have their own views of The Farrells – a pack of wild, anarchist, hillbilly outlaws. When the truce is threatened by a corporation looking to take the Farrell’s land, conflicts arise between the town and the country folk. The story is ultimately about power, corruption, love and war with Shakespearean-like undertones. The series is backed by strong writing: the hillbilly mountain-men speak in a redneck-version of lyrical prose (if you are able to make out what they are saying), corruption and power struggles deep within both societies, and hints of Romeo and Juliet lie in a potential budding romance between a townsfolk and Farrell member. Check out the premiere on Tues., Jan. 26 at 9 p.m. on WGN.

Thurs., Jan. 28 

You, Me and the Apocalypse  After the news that an oncoming comet will force humankind into extinction, a group of otherwise unconnected people – including a convict played by Jenna Fischer (The Office), a white supremacist (Will and Grace’s Megan Mullally) and Rob Lowe as a Vatican priest, Father Jude – who band together against the backdrop of a comedic and chaotic society in the midst of an apocalypse. The cast also includes Joel Fry, Paterson Joseph, Pauline Quirke and Kyle Stoller. Airs Thurs., Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Sat., Jan. 30

The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild AwardsThe Big Short, Spotlight, Straight Outta Compton all vie for best performance by a cast in a motion picture. Downtown Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, and Mad Men battle it out for best drama ensemble. Orange is the New Black, Transparent, Modern Family and other favorites compete for best comedy ensemble. Check out the full list here. Watch live on Sat., Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. on TNT/TBS.

Sun., Jan. 31

Grease Live Grease fans, get ready as Fox will premiere a three-hour special remake with an all-star ensemble including DWTS’s Julianne Hough as Sandra Dee, Les Miserables’ Aaron Tveit as Danny Zuko, Vanessa Hudgens as Rizzo, Carly Rae Jepsen as Frenchy, Mario Lopez as Vince Fontaine and Boyz II Men as Teen Angel. Sun., Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. on Fox.

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Ying Lo writes about television and entertainment for Creative Loafing. She also has a blog, Ying Lo, and ranks second best in Florida in HBO’s Girls and Pop Hits of the 90s, according to the trivia app QuizUp. Look for her column every Monday and let her tell you how best to binge watch.

This article appears in Jan 21-27, 2016.