Of all the Freaks and Geeks alumni who have gone on to great success in film and TV, arguably none has had a more interesting career trajectory than Jason Segel. While avoiding cruel laughs at the expense of easy targets, Segel has written, starred in, and collaborated on projects that aim to balance intellect with empathy and heart. His new series for AMC continues that pattern, introducing viewers to an assortment of lovable oddballs, and following them as they embark on an adventure through a deceptively ordinary world. Also this weekend: John Mulaney returns to Saturday Night Live, William Shatner delves into a history of doomed treasure seekers, and HBO has new episodes of The Outsider and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 29
NEW EPISODE: The mastermind behind some of our favorite sketches over the years, John Mulaney returns for his third hosting stint on Saturday Night Live, where he'll be joined by musical guest David Byrne. 11:30 PM ET/8:30 PM PT on NBC
MLS SOCCER: Major League Soccer kicks off its 25th season today, and while you'll need a subscription to ESPN+ to watch most games out of market, Nashville SC vs Atlanta United FC gets a nationwide broadcast at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT on FOX
NBA BASKETBALL: Tonight's primetime matchup pits The Houston Rockets vs The Boston Celtics, live from the Boston Garden at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT on ABC
XFL FOOTBALL: Football fans in need of a fix have their choice of two XFL games matchups today:
MADE FOR TV MOVIE: After 15 years as pen pals, Lily Anderson (Elise Gatien) and Molly Cumberland (Natalie Dreyfuss) are finally meeting face to face to celebrate Lily's 25th birthday in Dying to Be You, but things take a disturbing turn when Lily realizes Molly intends to take over her life. 8:00 PM ET on Lifetime
SEASON PREMIERE: Hosted by William Shatner, The UnXplained returns for its second season, with a look Oak Island. The rumored site of priceless artifacts has drawn treasure seekers to their doom for more than 200 years. Watch the preview. 9:00 PM ET on History
SUNDAY MARCH 1
SERIES PREMIERE: Featuring an impressive ensemble cast, Jason Segel's new anthology series Dispatches From Elsewhere follows four strangers as they unravel a mystery hidden behind the seemingly mundane events of their day to day lives. In the premiere, Peter (Segel) meets the individuals who will accompany him on the journey. Watch the preview. 10:00 PM ET on AMC
NEW EPISODE: Zoey begins asking herself some tough questions on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, as she ponders why she's been given her new powers, and what she's meant to do with them. 9:00 PM ET on NBC
MLS SOCCER: Getting the MLS primetime treatment tonight are The Portland Timbers vs The Minnesota United FC, live from Providence Park in Portland at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT on FS1
XFL FOOTBALL: The XFL has two games on the docket today:
NEW EPISODE: On a new episode of The Simpsons, Bart stumbles across valuable movie spoilers, and begins trading on the information until his loose lips draw the attention of powerful entertainment executives. 8:00 PM ET on Fox
NEW EPISODE: Peace continues to elude Jamie and Claire's new life in America, as Outlander finds them cornered by growing upheaval. 8:00 PM ET on Starz
NEW EPISODE: The race for the White House continues on Our Cartoon President, with Cartoon Joe Biden seeking the endorsement of his friend Cartoon Barack Obama, while Cartoon Kellyanne Conway pulls the wool over Cartoon Trump's pale, puffy eyes using misleading polls. Watch the preview. 8:30 PM ET on Showtime
NEW EPISODE: Carrie (Claire Danes) has unexpected visitors on Homeland, while Saul (Mandy Patinkin) prepares to make a difficult announcement. Watch the preview. 9:00 PM ET on Showtime
NEW EPISODE: In this season's penultimate episode of The Outsider, Ralph (Ben Mendelsohn) and Yunis (Yul Vazquez) talk to witnesses, while Claude (Paddy Considine) comes to terms with what he must do. 9:00 PM ET on HBO
NEW EPISODE: Larry tries to make the most of a friend's untimely demise on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Later, he blows the whistle on what he sees as a discriminatory pattern of behavior at a popular restaurant. Watch the preview. 10:30 PM ET on HBO
SEASON PREMIERE: The big budget German import Babylon Berlin earned accolades from our Aaron Barnhart last year. The series kicks off its third season on Netflix today with the investigation of a deadly accident on a movie set. Streaming on Netflix
NEW EPISODE: The passengers are bewitched by a curious image on Avenue 5. Meanwhile, Ryan (Hugh Laurie) helps Judd (Josh Gad) appear charming to a wealthy passenger. 10:00 PM ET on HBO
SERIES PREMIERE: The premiere of Secrets of the Zoo: Down Under takes viewers to Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, providing a behind the scene peek at the inner workings of this major wildlife attraction. 10:00 PM ET on National Geographic Wild
Mike Attebery is Senior Editor at Primetimer and the author of seven mystery thrillers. Follow him on Twitter at @mikeattebery.
TOPICS: Dispatches From Elsewhere, AMC, Jason Segel