City in ruins

In "Wicked City," an 11-part series in which mismatched detectives (Jeremy Sisto and Gabriel Luna) hunt a murderer in 1982 Los Angeles, the most gruesome crimes are committed by the drama's writers. The only creative spark comes from "Gossip Girl" vet Ed Westwick, who oozes so much charm you almost forgive him for chopping off the heads of would-be starlets on Make-Out Mountain. I suppose the cancellation of "Hannibal" means there's room for a new serial-killer series. If only the opportunity weren't wasted with a worn-out soundtrack and burned-out dialogue. ABC deserves credit by shaking up the sitcom format by embracing diversity. It's high time the network brings a similar spirit of reinvention to the crime procedural. 9 p.m. Tuesday, KSTP, Ch. 5

Popular science

"StarTalk Hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson," which sets off on its second season, is a noble mash-up of science and pop culture. If only the host weren't so pleased with his mediocre jokes — and his access to big names, such as Bill Clinton, who, to be fair, seems downright giddy to be in the astrophysicist's presence. Maybe my disastrous science experiment in high school chemistry class is clouding my judgment. 10 p.m. Sunday, National Geographic Channel

Car talk

KITT, General Lee: Call your agents. Despite being the most popular stars of "Knight Rider" and "The Dukes of Hazzard," you never really got the spotlight for an entire episode, an honor bestowed to Metallicar on "Supernatural." The hour will be seen through the headlights of the boys' 1967 Chevrolet Impala, which means the inevitable car wash scene may have a certain erotic edge. 8 p.m. Wednesday, WUCW, Ch. 23

Cold case

The discovery of a 200-year-old corpse leads the casts of "Bones" and "Sleepy Hollow" into the fairy-tale world of Crossover Land. The two-hour collaboration could get messy when Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) confesses to the members of the more established drama that he prefers their earlier work. 7 p.m. Thursday, KMSP, Ch. 9

Neal Justin