For a “Lord of the Flies”-on-the-wall look at corporate culture, HBO debuts the U.K. import “Industry” (10 p.m., TV-MA). Set at Pierpoint & Co., a financial institution at the tippy-top of its game, we follow young recruits as they struggle to survive a six-month program that may result in either keys to the kingdom or instant eviction.
In the opening scenes, we meet a young woman, Harper Stern (Myha’la Herrold), whose sponsor explains he’s taken a big chance on her because of her mere state university degree. Most of the interaction between rival recruits unfolds in petty acts of passive-aggressive dismissal or blatant cruelty.
Many exhibit a fascination with designer labels and “brand”-certified status, an attribute that was fuel for savage satire in Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel “American Psycho,” but now seems to pass for “normal.”
For the most part, the competitors are hardest on themselves, working all hours and catching catnaps next to the toilet.
I wish I could care about these characters or the culture “Industry” hopes to depict. But I don’t. So I just stopped watching. And I suspect you will too.
— Picasso is said to have observed that “Good artists borrow. Great artists steal.” Television is filled with would-be Picassos.
Now streaming on Acorn, the Irish romantic comedy “The South Westerlies” does a lot of creative borrowing.
Kate (Orla Brady, “American Horror Story, 1984”) is first seen in Oslo, where she thinks she’s been promoted to be an executive at a Norwegian energy giant. Unfortunately, her first assignment is to return to the picturesque coastal town of Carrigeen, where colorful locals have been stirred up to protest the arrival of her company’s wind farm. Her job is to insinuate herself into the area and lobby for the corporate cause.
As it would happen, Kate has roots in the community and secrets she’d rather stay hidden.
Equal parts gorgeous scenery, brawling Irish stereotypes and the nitty-gritty details of local planning board politics, “Westerlies” would not be unfamiliar to fans of U.K. series like “Doc Martin,” or, for that matter, a large percentage of Hallmark movies.
The notion of a corporate-sponsored fish out of water in a picturesque setting owes a lot to the enchanting 1983 comedy “Local Hero,” which had Houston-based Peter Riegert sent to Scotland on behalf of his oil company.
That movie was in turn inspired by the 1945 romance “I Know Where I’m Going,” created by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, their last black-and-white effort before embarking on a tear of technicolor masterpieces that included “A Matter of Life and Death,” “Black Narcissus” and “The Red Shoes.”
More proof that Picasso’s adage still resonates can be seen on FX, offering a miniseries adaptation of “Black Narcissus” on Nov. 23.
— Diminutive backyard creatures don’t let size affect their attitude in the animated comedy “The Mighty Ones,” streaming today on Hulu.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— Syd’s family unravels on “L.A.’s Finest” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
— The New York Jets host the New England Patriots in NFL football action (8 p.m., ESPN).
— Social distancing complicates court proceedings on “All Rise” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
— A fashion show sparks drama on “Filthy Rich” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
— A “Holiday Baking Championship” (9 p.m., Food, TV-G) gives way to the “Christmas Cookie Challenge” (10 p.m., Food, TV-G).
— After a clinic mix-up, a sperm donor sues an adoptive couple on “Bull” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
— Claire buries her feelings on “The Good Doctor” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
CULT CHOICE
Relationships end badly for two characters played by Shelley Winters in Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of “Lolita” (8 p.m., TCM, TV-14) and George Steven’s masterpiece “A Place in the Sun” (11 p.m., TCM, TV-PG). Winters also won an Oscar for her role in the 1965 drama “A Patch of Blue” (1:30 a.m., TCM, TV-PG).
SERIES NOTES
Dave’s image dogs his campaign on “The Neighborhood” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) … “The Voice” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) … “Dancing With the Stars” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) … Improvisations on “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-PG and 8:30 p.m., r, TV-14) … Dottie’s hospital encounter on “Bob Hearts Abishola” (8:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG).
Illusionists audition on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-PG) … Jane Lynch hosts “Weakest Link” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
LATE NIGHT
Jimmy Fallon welcomes Kaley Cuoco, Megan Rapinoe and 21 Savage & Metro Boomin on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … John Legend, Sarah Cooper and Carter McLean visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC).
