Top TV picks for July 13: 'The ESPYs,' 'Mr. Robot,' 'Black & White'

July 12, 2016 at 3:12PM
Sherrod Small and Christian Finnegan of A&E's "Black And White" Photo by Stuart Pettican
Sherrod Small and Christian Finnegan of “Black And White.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Will the Wolf survive?

Minnesota won't exactly be under the white hot spotlight during the "The ESPYs 2016," aside from nominees Maya Moore and Karl-Anthony Towns, but maybe host John Cena will bust out his rendition of Prince's "Baby I'm a Star" during his opening monologue. Sideline reporter Craig Sager will receive the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.

7 p.m. ABC, Ch. 5

Just my imagination

The twist at the core of "Mr. Robot" has already been revealed, which means the second season has its work cut out for it. Perhaps our mentally unstable Elliot Anderson (Rami Malek) won't limit his imaginary friends to Christian Slater and will start having conversations with the rest of the cast from "Heathers." Shannen Doherty could use the work.

9 p.m. USA

In living color

Comedians Christian Finnegan and Sherrod Small tackle race issues in the new studio-set talker "Black & White." Based on the trailers, expect a lot of bluntness and bleeps. Episodes are taped within a week of their airdate, assuring at least a nod to current events, although I'd be more keen to watch if the series was airing live.

9:30 p.m. A&E

Neal Justin

Rami Malek, the star of ìMr. Robot,î at the Lotte New York Palace in Manhattan, June 16, 2016. Malekís performance as a gifted but mentally unstable, morphine-addicted hacker anchors one of the most critically-acclaimed shows of 2015, now back for a second season. ìThese are the characters that, as an actor, you dream of playing,î Malek said. (Philip Montgomery/The New York Times)
Malek (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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