TV Corner Notes: Alien Thrills, Irish Mysteries, and a Late-Night Shake-Up

It’s a packed week in TV Corner Notes—penultimate thrills on Alien: Earth, a dark new mystery in Irish Blood, and late-night comedy suddenly colliding with politics. And that’s before we even get to a flood of fall premieres hitting the schedule. Let’s dive in.

Alien: Earth: "Emergence"

The penultimate episode of Alien: Earth keeps the pressure high, mixing gruesome reveals with shifting alliances as the season barrels toward its finale.

The hour opens with Slightly and Smee hauling Arthur’s body, only for Arthur to briefly revive before a newborn Xenomorph bursts from his chest in classic horror fashion. From there, chaos spreads. Wendy, Joe, and Nibs make their escape, only for Nibs to snap, shockingly, killing a soldier and forcing Joe to put her down. Wendy’s shaken reaction is one of the episode’s emotional high points.

Meanwhile, Krish finally tips his hand. After toying with both Morrow and Slightly, he reveals his true allegiance with a ruthless coup, capturing multiple players and parading the newborn alien as a trophy. His quiet, unnerving confidence cements him as the wild card of the season.

What made “Emergence” work was its balance of spectacle and character beats. The body horror was chilling, but moments like Joe’s concern of Wendy and Wendy’s disturbing connection to the Xenomorph. At the same time, the betrayals set up a finale that promises to be explosive.

TV Corner Rating: (8.5/10) – intense, messy, and thrillingly unpredictable.

Late Night Wars 3: The Host vs. The President

Bill Carter might have to add more to his notes because the latest “Late Night Wars” doesn’t pit host against host; it pits a host against a president again.

On Wednesday, Disney abruptly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air after Kimmel made a fiery remark during his monologue about how MAGA groups were spinning the Charlie Kirk tragedy after the FCC made threatsabout pulling contracts and even getting affiliates from Nexstar and Sinclair along as well. The decision ignited immediate backlash from the press, fans, and even rival comedians.

Pulling Kimmel is so wrong; it’s a dangerous precedent of Freedom of Speech. If anything, the move may only strengthen Kimmel’s profile. There’s a strong chance that when Kimmel returns, because it’s not if but when, he’ll come back to bigger ratings and an even stronger negotiating hand.

The late-night stage has always been about cultural moments. This week, it once again became a political battlefield.

Irish Blood Season 1: A Solid Start to a New Mystery

Alicia Silverstone headlines Acorn TV’s Irish Blood, a six-episode mystery drama that blends family secrets with a classic whodunit structure, and it’s a binge-worthy treat.

Silverstone plays Fiona, a woman hardened by her father’s abandonment—only to discover he’s dead, setting her on a path of grief and investigation. Her performance anchors the show, balancing toughness with vulnerability as she peels back layers of betrayal.

The supporting cast adds flavor, with Ruth Codd and Leonardo Taiwo providing both humor and heart as Fiona’s allies. The mystery itself pays off with a satisfying reveal of the killer, while still leaving enough threads to fuel the already-confirmed Season 2.

If you enjoy Hallmark mysteries but want something darker, with more bite and atmosphere, Irish Blood is worth adding to your queue.

TV Corner Rating: (8/10) – moody, heartfelt, and promising more to come.

Catching Up 

High Potential Season 2 Premiere 

Caroline in the City 30th Anniversary 

One Chicago Season Finales 

What to Watch This Week

It’s premiere week for many networks, with some heavy hitters and fresh debuts on the way:

Monday, Sept. 22

8/7c The Voice Season 28 (NBC, next day on Peacock)

10/9c Brilliant Minds Season 2 (NBC, next day on Peacock)

Tuesday, Sept. 23

8/7c Alien: Earth Season 1 Finale (FX/Hulu)

8/7c The Voice Episode 2 premiere (NBC, next day on Peacock)

8/7c Murder in a Small Town Season 2 (Fox, next day on Hulu)

9/8c America's Got Talent Season 20 Finale Night 1 of 2 (NBC, next day on Peacock)

9/8c The Lowdown (FX, two-episode premiere): Ethan Hawk plays a citizen journalist, a self-proclaimed Tulsa "truthstorian" whose obsession with the truth is always getting him in trouble.

Wednesday. Sept. 24

Hotel Costiera (Prime Video, six-episode binge): Jesse Williams plays a half-Italian former U.S. Marine who returns to the land of his childhood as a "fixer" for one of the world's most luxurious hotels.

Marvel Zombies (Disney+, four-episode binge): After the Avengers are overtaken by a zombie plague, a desperate group of survivors discovers the key to bringing an end to the superpowered undead.

Slow Horses Season 5 (Apple TV+, two-episode premiere)

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf Season 1 finale (Prime Video)

8/7c The Golden Bachelor Season 2 (ABC, next day on Hulu)

8/7c Law & Order: Criminal Intent (The CW): Detective Sergeants Henry Graff (Aden Young) and Frankie Bateman (Kathleen Munroe) investigate high-profile homicides in Canada's largest metropolis.

8/7c Survivor Season 49 (CBS, two hours, next day on Paramount+)

9/8c America's Got Talent Season 20 Finale Night 2 of 2 (NBC, next day on Peacock)

10/9c Shark Tank Season 17 (ABC, next day on Hulu)

Thursday, Sept. 25

House of Guinness (Netflix, eight-episode binge): Trouble is brewing within the Guinness family in this drama created by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) and starring Anthony Boyle and Louis Partridge.

Lynley Season 1 Finale (BritBox)

8/7c Hell's Kitchen Season 24 (Fox, next day on Hulu)

8/7c Law & Order Season 25 (NBC, next day on Peacock)

8/7c Who Wants to Be A Millionaire Season 4 finale (ABC, next day on Hulu)

9/8c The Amazing Race Season 38 (CBS, next day on Paramount+)

9/8c English Teacher Season 2 (FX, three-episode premiere; all 10 episodes next day on Hulu)

9/8c Law & Order: SVU Season 27 (NBC, next day on Peacock)

10/9c Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 (NBC, previously aired on Peacock)

10/9c Project Runway Season 21 finale (Freeform)

11/10c E! News series finale (E!)

Friday, Sept. 26

The Savant (Apple TV+, two-episode premiere): An undercover investigator (Jessica Chastain) infiltrates online hate groups in an effort to stop domestic extremists before they act.

8/7c Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Season 6 (ABC)

9/8c Dateline NBC Season 34 (NBC, next day on Peacock)

9/8c 20/20 Season 48 (ABC, next day on Hulu)

Saturday, Sept. 27

10/9c 48 Hours Season 48 (CBS, next day on Paramount+)

That’s it for this week’s TV Corner Notes, from alien chaos to Acorn mysteries to the unexpected “Late Night Wars 3.” With premiere season heating up, there’s no shortage of new TV to check out. What caught your eye this week? And which new or returning shows are you planning to watch first? Drop your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear them.

Until next time, 

Adam