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Top TV week of Aug. 18: 'Doctor Who,' 'Beat Bobby Flay,' 'The Leftovers'

 
Peter Capaldi in Doctor Who.
Peter Capaldi in Doctor Who.
Published Aug. 15, 2014

MONDAY

America's Next Top Model, 9 p.m., CW

It's time for the 21st round of this modeling competition, which pits guys and girls against each other for the second time and makes us all wonder where we can get our hands on the immortal serum host Tyra Banks must be applying nightly.

TUESDAY

Wizard Wars, 10 p.m., SyFy

We're not talking Harry Potter here, but the Wizards, a team of world-renowned professional magicians. This six-week series pits a group of challengers against the team each week to see which group can out-illusion the other. Trust us, when magicians compete to entertain, we are the winners.

WEDNESDAY

America's Got Talent, 9 p.m., NBC

With the help of esteemed judges Mel B, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Howard Stern, the last group of quarterfinalists is whittled from 12 to five, then that group will move on to the semifinals. And maybe after 20 or so more rounds, we can finally get down to a winner.

THURSDAY

Beat Bobby Flay, 10 p.m., Food Network

If you've been watching the Food Network at all this month and do not know about this new, constantly-promoted show, you need to get your eyes checked. For the rest of you: Pro chef Bobby Flay goes up against regular cooks and attempts to out-cook them at dishes they've been perfecting their whole lives. Does that make you feel good, Bobby? Crushing people's dreams?

FRIDAY

Bering Sea Gold, 9 p.m., Discovery

This reality series set in Alaska about boats that mine for gold returns for Season 4. It's a good opportunity to brush up on your seafaring terms, like "ice dredge" and "sluicing apparatus."

SATURDAY

Doctor Who, 8:15 p.m., BBC America

Break out the sonic screwdriver, Whovians, it's time for a new Doctor! (If you didn't understand any of that, just move along.) Peter Capaldi makes his debut as the 12th Doctor in this Season 8 premiere of BBC's sci-fi phenomenon.

SUNDAY

The Leftovers, 10 p.m., HBO

Nope, still haven't figured out whether we like this show or hate it, but we sure can't bring ourselves to stop watching. This is the last episode before the season finale (which doesn't air till Sept. 7), but luckily, the show just got picked up for a second season. Which means we can look forward to all sorts of suffocating despair and cryptic dialogue next year!