TV picks for Jan. 31: 'Animals With Cameras,' 'Step Up: High Water,' 'SEAL Team'

Follow the action as animals are outfitted with cameras.

January 30, 2018 at 9:26PM
Go for a hunt along with a cheetah in "Animals With Cameras."
Go for a hunt along with a cheetah in “Animals With Cameras.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Monkey business

"Animals With Cameras" isn't as much fun as David Letterman's experiments with a MonkeyCam, but don't tell that to wildlife photographer Gordon Buchanan, who is tickled pink to strap gear to chimpanzees, penguins and cheetahs for unique footage. The results may not be terribly educational, but the series ends up being a swingin' safari.

7 p.m., TPT, Ch. 2

Everybody dance now

YouTube takes a baby step toward being taken seriously as a home for top-notch original programming with "Step Up: High Water," an offshoot of the popular film franchise. The story line — teen twins try to boogie their way into popularity at a new school — is kind of a snore, but the A-list directors, including Debbie Allen ("Fame") and Adam Shankman ("Hairspray"), know how to stage sexy, sweaty dance scenes.

Now streaming on YouTube Red

Team spirit

"SEAL Team" is still in its rookie season, but it's already getting a reboot of sorts. In this week's episode, David Boreanaz's squad is deployed to Afghanistan, setting the stage for future episodes that will be seen from the point of view of military forces on the ground. In other words, a cameo from one of the characters on Boreanaz's last series, "Bones," gets less and less likely.

8 p.m., WCCO, Ch. 4

Neal Justin


Petrice Jones participates in the 'Step Up: High Water' panel during the YouTube Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
Petrice Jones portrays a teen at a performing arts school in “Step Up: High Water.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
"Getaway Day" -- Jason and the SEAL Team must leave their families immediately when their deployment date is moved up after the team they were going to relieve is ambushed. Also, Jason and Alana make a big decision about their future, and Clay and Stella feel the weight of his marriage proposal, on SEAL TEAM, Wednesday, Jan. 31 (9:01-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured left to right: Neil Brown Jr as Ray Perry, Max Thieriot as Clay Spenser, and David Boreanaz as Jason Hayes.
Neil Brown Jr., Max Thieriot and David Boreanaz on “SEAL Team.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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