TV picks for June 11-12: 'Orphan Black,' 'Funderdome,' 'Hell on Earth'

June 9, 2017 at 4:41PM
Ken Woroner/BBC America Tatiana Maslany in "Orphan Black."
Tatiana Maslany in “Orphan Black.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Orphan girl

If Tatiana Maslany is burned out from juggling various roles on "Orphan Black," it doesn't show in the premiere of the fifth and final season. The plot — something about clones trying to wipe out other clones — is still a mess. The real draw here is watching its Emmy-winning star morph from one unique character to the next without it ever feeling like a parlor trick.

9 p.m. Sat., BBC America

The father of invention

"Steve Harvey's Funderdome" combines "Shark Tank" with a gladiator fight as inventors woo a raucous audience that will decide how much money producers will fork over. Harvey, as usual, is an affable host, although he's probably steaming inside that he doesn't get as much credit as Maslany for his own juggling act.

8 p.m. Sun., KSTP, Ch. 5

Why they fight

"Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and Rise of Isis" is about as heavy as a documentary gets, but if you want to better understand world affairs, this is captivating homework. Filmmakers Sebastian Junger and Nick Quested clearly know their subject matter.

8 p.m. Sun., National Geographic Channel

Neal Justin

about the writer

about the writer

More from No Section

See More
FILE -- A rent deposit slot at an apartment complex in Tucker, Ga., on July 21, 2020. As an eviction crisis has seemed increasingly likely this summer, everyone in the housing market has made the same plea to Washington: Send money — lots of it — that would keep renters in their homes and landlords afloat. (Melissa Golden/The New York Times) ORG XMIT: XNYT58
Melissa Golden/The New York Times

It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.