Fox, CBS, ABC, NBC, The CW Add 15 Shows Wednesday Night: The 3 to Watch

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!

NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS and the CW tonight (January 14, 2026) will add 15 new shows and episodes to their lineups. Here are the three to watch, in my humble opinion: (All times Eastern.)

Dirty Talk: When Daytime Talk Shows Ruled TV: Part One
What Kind of Show: Documentary
Where to Watch: ABC
When to Watch: 9 p.m.
Younger viewers may be aghast to hear that three decades ago the daytime airwaves were dominated by sensationalistic shows on which average folks would divulge their most inner secrets and, occasionally, engage in fisticuffs and chair hurling. It was televised therapy meets pro wrestling. The hosts included Jerry Springer, Morton Downey, Maury Povich (pictured above), Sally Jessy Raphael, Phil Donahue, and Montel Williams, among others. They became big stars with huge audiences. Tonight, ABC looks back at this bizarre time in television and offers some explanations for what caused it in part one of a three-part series. (Part two airs January 21 and part three will be January 28). Note: I have some inside knowledge here; The TV Answer Man was once a guest on the Donahue show. (One day, I will tell you all about it.)

Abbott Elementary (New episode)
What Kind of Show: Workplace comedy
Where to Watch: ABC
When to Watch: 8:30 p.m.
The mockumentary comedy featuring everyone’s favorite underfunded Philadelphia public school is back with a new episode (Season five, episode 10). Tonight, the staff continues to adjust to running the school out of an abandoned shopping mall until the old building is repaired. And, the PTA demands some answers!

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Where to Watch: CBS
When to Watch: 11;35 p.m.
I normally don’t select a late night talk show as one of my daily ‘three to watch.’ But Stephen Colbert tonight will welcome one of our greatest (and most underrated) actors in Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers, Billions, Sideways). He’s guesting because his new Star Trek series, in which he plays a Klingon, debuts Thursday on Paramount Plus. Good opportunity for Star Trek fans to get some inside dope on the show. Ryan Coogler, director of Sinners, a likely Academy Award Best Picture nominee, will also appear.

New Shows Coming Tonight to ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS, and The CW (All Times Eastern.)

ABC
Shifting Gears (New episode) – 8 p.m.
Abbott Elementary (New episode) – 8:30 p.m.
Dirty Talk: When Daytime Talk Shows Ruled TV: Part One – 9 p.m. (New episode)
Shark Tank (New episode) – 10 p.m.
Jimmy Kimmel Live (Guests: Johnny Knoxville, Chase Infiniti) – 11:35 p.m. (New episode)

Fox
The Masked Singer (New episode) – 8 p.m.
Fear Factor: House of Fear (New episode) – 9 p.m.

NBC
Chicago Med (New episode) – 8 p.m.
Chicago Fire (New episode) – 9 p.m.
Chicago P.D. (New episode) – 10 p.m.

CBS
Hollywood Squares (New episode) – 8 p.m.
The Price Is Right at Night (New episode) – 9 p.m.
Harlan Coben’s Final Twist – 10 p.m.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (Guests: Paul Giamatti, Ryan Coogler) – 11:35 p.m. (New episode)

The CW
Police 24/7 – 8 p.m.
Police 24/7 – 9 p.m.

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