TV picks for Jan. 15: 'The Swamp,' 'Drunk History,' 'Temptation Island'

January 14, 2019 at 5:18PM
Alligator hunting on the Tomoka River bank, circa 1880-1897, on "The Swamp."
credit: Library of Congress
Alligator hunting on the Tomoka River bank in Florida, circa 1880-97, on “The Swamp.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Water, water everywhere

Politicians' promises to "drain the swamp" aren't new. In fact, there was a time when the phrase had a much more literal meaning. "The Swamp," a two-hour presentation of "American Experience," has fascinating tales of attempts to make the Florida Everglades livable with a colorful cast of con artists you've just got to meet. Bring your waders; the malarkey gets deep.

8 p.m. TPT, Ch. 2

Creating a monster

"Drunk History" has been around for more than a decade, but it suddenly seems like the hot new thing. Either that, or the producers are finally serving top-shelf booze. In the wonderfully woozy, historically suspect season premiere, the creation of "Frankenstein" is reenacted by Elijah Wood, Seth Rogen, Will Ferrell and Jack McBrayer. "Westworld" star Evan Rachel Wood is a hoot as Mary Shelley.

9 p.m. Comedy Central

Your cheatin' heart

"Temptation Island" returns after a 15-year break with the same agenda: Break up couples by putting barely dressed, flirtatious beauties right under their noses. Add lots of booze and a tropical setting and you get a formula for one of the most morally bankrupt shows in TV history.

9 p.m. USA

Neal Justin

Evan Rachel Wood as Mary Shelley on "Drunk History."
photo credit: Comedy Central
Wood (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

More from No Section (Assign Gallery and Videos here)

See More

The man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another crawled to officers in surrender Sunday after they located him in the woods near his home, ending a massive, nearly two-day search that put the entire state on edge.