By Rick Gables
As a part of its Jan. 18 launch, Paramount Network (formerly Spike) will premiere its six-part TV event, WACO, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. In February 1993, the eyes of the world converged on Mount Carmel, a small religious community located just outside of Waco, TX. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) conducted a raid on leader David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch) and his devoted followers, known as the Branch Davidians. After what became the longest gun battle in U.S. law enforcement history, four ATF agents and six civilians were dead, and dozens more were wounded. A 51-day standoff ensued, and the conflict ended after an FBI siege led to a fire that engulfed the entire Mount Carmel compound, killing 76 men, women, and children. Per the creators of WACO, this is a story of fear versus compassion. Throughout these events, the fear on both sides repeatedly led to the escalation of force and worsened the conflict. When compassion and understanding were used, these events moved toward resolution. WACO is an exploration of the “us versus them” mentality, which has continued to play out in the news in the years since.
FOX will debut its new medical drama The Resident on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, following the NFC Championship Game. The series revolves around the final years of a young doctor’s training and rips back the curtain to reveal the truth of what really happens, both good and bad, in hospitals across the country. It stars Matt Czuchry (The Good Wife), Emily VanCamp (Revenge), Manish Dayal (Halt and Catch Fire), Moran Atias (24: Legacy), Merrin Dungey (Big Little Lies) and Shaunette Renée Wilson (Billions) with Melina Kanakaredes (CSI: NY, Providence) and Bruce Greenwood (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Mad Men).
IFC’s Emmy®-nominated comedy Portlandia is returning for its eighth and final season on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Created by Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein and Jonathan Krisel, Portlandia is a playful satire of life in Portland, Oregon. The series is executive produced by Lorne Michaels. Season 8 will consist of 10 episodes, airing weekly on Thursday nights. New and returning guest stars include Rachel Bloom, John Corbett, Terry Crews, Jeff Goldblum, Rashida Jones, Kyle MacLachlan, John Mulaney and Nick Kroll, Krist Novoselic and more.
Andrew Zimmern embarks on an epicurean exploration to reveal the food and stories behind notable characters, cultures and mythology in the new season of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, premiering Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Travel Channel. In the season premiere, Zimmern explores his adopted home state of Minnesota by following along the Paul Bunyan Trail.
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