Top TV picks for June 14: 'Animal Kingdom,' 'Uncle Buck,' 'Wrecked'

June 13, 2016 at 5:04PM
Scott Speedman and Ellen Barkin in "Animal Kingdom" on TNT. credit: Eddy Chen, Turner Entertainment Networks
Scott Speedman and Ellen Barkin portray members of a California crime family in “Animal Kingdom” on TNT. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Mommy dearest

Shirts seem to be optional for both men and women in the Cody household, the primary setting for "Animal Kingdom," a new series about a two-bit criminal clan too busy giving each other sensual stares to plan a decent heist. Ellen Barkin is the family's matriarch, although her barely covered chest pretty much steals the show.

8 p.m. TNT

Bucking the system

"Uncle Buck," an adaptation of the 1989 comedy, features Mike Epps as the party crasher who instigates new adventures in babysitting. A 1990 attempt at a TV version flopped, and this take is mostly doomed, as well, largely because every adult automatically loses 16 IQ points the moment they step onto the small screen. At the very least, the series premiere will inspire you to go back and savor the John Candy original.

8 p.m. KSTP, Ch. 5

Lost at sea

The island in "Wrecked" bears a striking resemblance to the one in "Lost." It's the castaways who are different. This clever sitcom explores territory never ventured upon by the lost ones in "Gilligan's Island" — unless I somehow missed an episode in which Skipper's reaction to the smell of burning flesh triggers a "puke chain."

9 p.m. TBS

Neal Justin

Mike Epps in "Uncle Buck." credit: Tyler Golden, ABC
Mike Epps (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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