TV tonight: 'Empire,' 'Samantha Bee' election recap

These two shows, which were pre-empted last week by the seventh game of the World Series, return. As you might expect, they're back with the episodes they were set to air last week, though it might not have mattered much on Lethal Weapon, which isn’t telling its story in any strict, logical order. For that matter, it wouldn’t really make much difference at Empire, either, as that show gave up on logic and order ages ago. For many viewers it seems, that’s one of the show’s most attractive qualities.

Very quickly (and, admittedly, against very weak competition), Speechless has established itself as broadcast’s best new comedy. And one excellent reason for that achievement is the show’s treatment of JJ, the disabled teenager played so remarkably well by Micah Fowler. Like JJ, Fowler had cerebral palsy, a condition the show treats with humor and compassion, but without condescension or pity. He’s allowed to have the same virtues, flaws, wants and desires as any other teen — as he does tonight, where he forms a crush on a girl who’s temporarily in a wheelchair.

Yes, many of us have heard enough about this election. But if anyone on TV has earned the last word, it’s Samantha Bee.