TV best bets with 'Prison Break' return, Hugh Hefner, 'Homeland' season finale

PRISON BREAK: Wentworth Miller in the all-new “Ogygia” event series premiere episode of PRISON BREAK airing Tuesday, April 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), on FOX. CR: FOX. © 2017 FOX Broadcasting Co.

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

PRISON BREAK: Wentworth Miller in the all-new “Ogygia” event series premiere episode of PRISON BREAK airing Tuesday, April 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), on FOX. CR: FOX. © 2017 FOX Broadcasting Co.

This was posted Sunday, April 2, 2017 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com for his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

Fox has had no compunction bringing back old shows or shows based on old movies. See "The X Files." And "24: Legacy." And "Lethal Weapon." And "The Exorcist." Not to mention the already buried "Minority Report." Heck, Fox was recently in talks to revive "American Idol" in 2018 just two years after retiring the show.

So it's not a shock that Fox is breaking out "Prison Break" again with the original core cast. The show ran from 2005 to 2009 and was a minor hit for the network with a cool premise that quickly devolved into weird plot contortions. For instance, they killed Sarah and even had her head sent in a box "Seven" style to Lincoln Burrows. Then they brought her back to life. Michael Scofield also died (supposedly) at the end of season four.

But the producers came up with a way to show the "death" of Scofield with a brain rumor was all faked, allowing for  a new "Prison Break" starting Tuesday. And yes, he's in another jail which he... plans... to... break... out...of. At least they managed to convince seven key actors back for the nine-episode revival: Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Sarah Wayne Callies, Amaury Nolasco, Robert Tepper (yes, T-bag is still around!), Rockmon Dunbar and Paul Adelstein.

Showtime finishes up "Homeland" for a sixth season Sunday and Amazon Prime does an in-depth look at Hugh Hefner's colorful life.

This covers Monday, April 3 through Sunday, April 9, 2017.

MONDAY

"Dancing With the Stars" 8 p.m. ABC — Charo is reportedly unhappy about her scores so far.

"Abortion: Stories Women Tell" 8 p.m. HBO — American women share their experiences with abortion and the laws governing the procedure in the U.S.

"The Voice" 8 p.m. NBC — Knockout rounds. No Atlantans made it this far this season.

"24: Legacy" 8 p.m. Fox — Rebecca's personal and work life collide when she gets a phone call that forces her to make an important decision.

"Southern Charm" 9 p.m. Bravo (fourth season debut) — Shep has a new wingman; Cameran believes she knows a woman who can reel Shep in.

"Bates Motel" 10 p.m. A&E — Norman and Mother come together as trouble looms large.

"The Breaks" 10 p.m. VH1 — Nikki returns to New York with a new plan involving Mattie Taylor and Imani X.

"Quantico" 10:01 p.m. ABC— Clay is forced to use his fiancée to carry out an operation, which causes the team to reexamine their personal connections.

TUESDAY

"Dimension 404" 8 p.m. Hulu (new series) — In the darkest depths of cyberspace, there is another world. A lost dimension, home to wonders unseen, terrors unspeakable, and stories unlike any ever told.

"The Manns" 8 p.m. TV One (new series) — David and Tamela Mann want the members of their family to overcome their fears, so they decide to do a Mann version of "Fear Factor."

"NCIS" 8 p.m. CBS — A vice admiral's laptop is infected with ransomware and he enlists McGee's help to track down the hacker before the computer virus eliminates his personal and professional files

"New Girl" 8 p.m. Fox (sixth season finale) — Jess believes the time is right to let Nick know how she feels about him.

"Bull" 9 p.m. CBS — Bull and Chunk's bond is tested when Bull helps the prime suspect in the murder of Chunk's fashion mentor, a model-turned-designer who was killed during her own runway show.

"Fresh Off the Boat" 9 p.m. ABC — When Jessica tries to sleep off a bad flu, Louis and the boys splurge on a PPV wrestling match that she would never allow.

"iZombie" 9 p.m. the CW (third season debut) — Liv discovers there are more zombies living in Seattle than she previously believed

"Prison Break" 9:01 p.m. Fox (fifth season debut) — It's been seven years since Michael Scofield was presumed dead, but when clues suggest that he might still be alive, Lincoln Burrows reunites with Sara Tancredi to help track down the truth.

"Chicago Fire" 10 p.m. NBC — Casey discovers a new crack house on the block that's harboring a female junkie.

"NCIS: New Orleans" 10 p.m. CBS — fter the team uncover a link between an international drug ring and the police department, Lasalle must investigate his former partner.

"The Partner" 10 p.m. CNBC (first season finale) — Marcus chooses the final two candidates and gives them their most important challenge yet. Buffie Purcelle from Atlanta is still in the running.

"The Americans" 10 p.m. FX — Philip and Elizabeth receive surprising news about Henry and shattering news about a past operation.

WEDNESDAY

"Shots Fired" 8 p.m. Fox — Ashe and Preston examine evidence in both cases and go on a dangerous manhunt for credible witnesses.

"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS — How is Sandra still there?

"Blindspot" 8 p.m. NBC — A mysterious death at a foster home comes onto the team's radar because of a tattoo.

"Criminal Minds" 9 p.m. CBS — The BAU investigates when three victims are found tied to stakes in the Arizona desert.

"Law & Order SVU" 9 p.m. NBC — A man under investigation for rape and murder threatens to expose the secrets of those working the case.

"Major Crimes" 9 p.m. TNT — A murder probe turns explosive as Sharon Raydor duels with Chief Winnie Davis for control of the case.

"Modern Family" 9 p.m. ABC — Frank Dunphy's wedding has a Roaring '20s theme.

"The Real Housewives of New York" 9 p.m. Bravo (ninth season debut) — Old wounds are reopening, new feuds are forming, and Tinsley Mortimer is joining the Housewives.

"Empire" 9 p.m. Fox — Angelo makes an unsettling discovery and is concerned that Cookie's past isn't in the past and will hurt his chances of becoming the mayor.

"Archer" 10 p.m. FX (eighth season debut) — Archer tries to find out who killed his partner, but accidentally gets in bed with Mother, a notorious L.A. crime boss.

"Chicago PD" 10 p.m. NBC — After encouraging her sister to spend a night out with friends, Burgess wakes to find that Nicole never made it home.

"Designated Survivor" 10 p.m. ABC — As President Kirkman releases an agenda to reset his presidency, Alex makes a controversial public statement that threatens to derail it.

"Greenleaf" 10 p.m. OWN — Bishop and Lady Mae preside over Calvary's Fall Revival, and decide to take action against Basie.

"Talk Show the Game Show" 10 p.m. TruTV (new series) — Three guests compete for the title of best talk-show guest in America.

"Underground" 10 p.m. WGN — Cato tempts fate; Ernestine takes on a new apprentice.

THURSDAY

"Grey's Anatomy" 8 p.m. ABC — Maggie takes on a big case, but many of the doctors worry she's not the right one for the job.

"The Big Bang Theory" 8 p.m. CBS — Sheldon gets sick, but the guys refuse to take care of him because he's such a bad patient.

"60 Days In " 9 p.m. A&E — A flood hits the South Annex and escalates problems with cellmates.

"Chicago Med " 9 p.m. NBC — Chaos ensues when the hospital computer system is hacked by an unknown source demanding a ransom payment.

"Flip or Flop Vegas " 9 p.m. HGVT (new series) — Aubrey and Bristol purchase a starter home in Las Vegas.

"Mom " 9:01 p.m. CBS — A big secret about Bonnie's mother surfaces following her death.

"Scandal " 9:01 p.m. ABC —It's a race against time when OPA's investigation into the conspiracy puts one of their own in grave danger.

"The Catch " 10 p.m. ABC — The AVI team dig deep into Margot's past to uncover the truth about who is set on destroying the Kensington Firm.

"The Amazing Race " 10 p.m. CBS — FThe race continues in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"The Blacklist: Redemption" 10 p.m. NBC — Tensions soar between Scottie and Howard, forcing Tom to seek help from an unexpected ally.

"Colony" 10 p.m. USA (second season finale) — A revelation about the fate of the colony forces the Bowman family to make an impossible choice.

FRIDAY

"The Get Down" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (part two of season one) — The sweeping upheaval of late 70s New York City finds an as-yet-unnamed new pop cultural force striking a new beat in the Bronx, while disco still reigns supreme.

"American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story" 3:01 a.m. Amazon (new series)  A docuseries about Playboy magazine's charismatic founder, Hugh Hefner, who set out to disrupt the status quo and created one of the most recognizable brands in history.

"MacGyver" 8 p.m. CBS When the team intercepts a terror group's message meant for Murdoc, Mac poses as a terrorist to save the intended target and find out why they want Murdoc to assassinate him..

"First Dates" 8 p.m. NBC (new series) Couples on their first dates are spotlighted.

"RuPaul's Drag Race" 8 p.m. VH1  The queens must create fairytale drag princesses.

"Hawaii Five-O" 9 p.m. CBS — McGarrett and Five-0 are captured and face certain death after tracking a dangerous nemesis to the Island of Lanai.

"You the Jury" 9 p.m. Fox (new series)  Viewers decide the verdict of controversial court cases argued by well-known attorneys.

"Mama June: From Not to Hot" 9 p.m. WE-TV (season finale)  Sugar Bear re-invites June to his wedding; and Jennifer goes ballistic.

"The Rap Game" 10:02 p.m. Lifetime (third season finale) — The artists prepare for their final performance.

WEEKEND

"Nate and Jeremiah by Design" 9 p.m. Saturday  TLC (new series) — Balancing their roles as design experts and dads, Nate Berkus andJeremiah Brent show us how to turn a money pit into a masterpiece.

"The Son" 9 p.m. Saturday AMC (new series) — Eli McCullough leads his family's empire through difficult times after a frontier Comanche attack in 1849.

"Road Hauks" 10 p.m. Saturday  History (new series) — Reality series in which designers, mechanics and fabricators build powerful, one-of-a-kind vehicles.

"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 p.m. Saturday  NBC — Louis C.K. hosts.

"NCIS: Los Angeles" 8 p.m. Sunday CBS — The NCIS team investigates a defense contractor, who is designing a nuclear attack weapon.

"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo — Seventy-five minute episode.

"Homeland" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime (sixth season finale) — Season 6 ends as pieces fall into place. (Yes, that's a vague descriptive if I've ever seen one.)

"Elementary" 10 p.m. Sunday CBS — Holmes and Watson investigate the murder of a man Sherlock considered one of New York's worst private investigators.

"American Crime" 10 p.m. Sunday ABC — Shae mulls another abortion as Dustin introduces her to online sex work.

"Into the Badlands" 10:25 p.m. Sunday AMC — The Widow's fight for power puts her in an epic showdown with her enemies who have joined forces against her. Meanwhile, an old threat resurfaces.

"Feud: Bette and Joan" 10 p.m. Sunday FX — Hungry for another hit, Warner pressures Aldrich to bring the original team back together for a follow-up hag horror pic.

"Shades of Blue" 10 p.m. Sunday NBC — Harlee and Wozniak investigate Caroline's murder.