What's On Tonight (Wednesday): The Future is female

Diary of a Future President

Hail to the Mouse! Here's what's on television for tonight, Wednesday, August 18!

Tonight's Top Pick is the Disney+ coming of age dramedy Diary of a Future President. The show tells the story of a middle schooler Elena (Tess Romero), who is trying to navigate school, friends, and home life with her Cuban-American family. A parallel b-story is told several years in the future when Elena (Gina Rodriguez) is the U.S. President, though she doesn't always appear. It's a more juvenile Jack & Bobby (I loved that show), but it still does a good approaching social issues for a youthful audience. I find it charming.

Elsewhere, Perfect Strangers gather at a resort (no, not those Perfect Strangers; don't be ridiculous), T'Challa becomes Star-Lord, Awkwafina is still Nora from Queens, Hiram shares his Riverdale origin story, Chip becomes sheriff, the Batman meets Jimmy Fallon, and Martha Stewart does Cribs.

STREAMING & EARLY PRIMETIME

🎥 Black Island (Netflix, 3 a.m.): A German movie about a peaceful island, an orphaned student, and a mysterious teacher.

Chip 'n' Dale: Park Life (Disney+, 3 a.m.): Chip bargains with the wrong family of squirrels. Later, Chip's desire for perfection leads to a less than relaxing vacation. Finally, there's a new sheriff in town and his name is Chip.

The Defeated (Netflix, 3 a.m.): SEASON ONE. Taylor Kitsch is an American cop who arrives in Berlin in the summer of 1946 to help create a police force in the chaotic aftermath of the war. Michael C. Hall is also in the cast.

⭐ Diary of a Future President (Disney+, 3 a.m.): SEASON TWO. Elena will be president in about 25 years and make difficult decisions. In the meantime, she is a middle school girl trying to navigate her fellow teenagers and early crushses. Her dad died, and now mom is dating, too.

Growing Up Animal (Disney+, 3 a.m.): SEASON ONE. "The intimate and extraordinary adventure of baby animals, from the safety of the womb to the uncertainty of birth and their tentative first steps." If it's anything like the Disneynature documentary films, that's a hard pass from me.

🎥 The Memories of a Murderer: The Nilsen Tapes (Netflix, 3 a.m.): Serial killer Dennis Nilsen narrates his life and horrific crimes via a series of audiotapes. NOPE.

Monsters at Work (Disney+, 3 a.m.): Tylor sees an opportunity to get promoted as Jokester during Mini-Monster Day at Monsters, Inc. when he is paired with Ms. Flint's daughter.

Nine Perfect Strangers (Hulu, midnight): SERIES PREMIERE. The cast includes, but is not limited to, Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans, Samara Weaving, Michael Shannon, Manny Jacinto, Regina Hall, and Bobby Cannavale. In this limited series, nine "stressed city dwellers visit a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation. The resort's director is a woman (Kidman) on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. "

🎥 Out of My League (Netflix, 3 a.m.): From Italy, tired "of swiping through the dating scene with her besties in tow, a charming yet awkward woman with a rare genetic disorder sets her sights on love."

🍽️ Occasional Cooks (What's On Tonight & Pop Culture, 7 p.m.): What have you been making in your kitchen lately? Want some inspiration? Check out our weekly food thread!

🎥 The Secret Diary of an Exchange Student (Netflix, 3 a.m.): While this sounds like a Lifetime murder movie, it is actually a Brazilian romantic comedy.

Turner & Hooch (Disney+, 3 a.m.): Scott, Hooch, and Xavier get stuck searching for a fugitive in the quirky small town of El Dorado.

What If...? (Disney+, 3 a.m.): "What would have happened if T'Challa and not Peter Quill was picked up by Yondu as a child and became Star-Lord."

The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (Disney+, 3 a.m.): Two more episodes.

BRIEFLY: 💲 America Says (GSN, 7 p.m.); Love Island UK (Hulu, 3 a.m.); Motor Mythbusters (Motor Trend, 3 a.m.)

🕗 8 P.M. EASTERN / 🕖 7 P.M. CENTRAL

Age of Humans (Smithsonian Channel, 8 p.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. "The elements of fire, water, and air formed the Earth over billions of years, but in a short period of time, humans have severely transformed it all. Over the millennia, our impact has become so significant, it has started to change the planet's ecosystems." ... "Travel the globe as we examine humankind's influence on Earth, from the dawn of civilization to today, and the steps we're taking to create a positive future."

Riverdale (The CW, 8 p.m.): Hiram shares with Reggie his origin story and how he went from a young Jaime Luna to the powerful kingpin of Riverdale.

BRIEFLY: America's Got Talent (NBC); Big Brother (CBS); The Challenge (MTV); MasterChef: Legends (Fox); 💲 Press Your Luck (ABC); The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Bravo)

🕘 9 P.M. EASTERN / 🕗 8 P.M. CENTRAL 

House Calls with Dr. Phil (CBS, 9 p.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. Phil visits people at their homes to help with their problems. I'm never gonna be that desperate.

I Survived a Serial Killer (A&E, 9:30 p.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. A.k.a. murderers' biggest blunders.

In the Dark (The CW, 9 p.m.): Murphy, Felix, and Max look to Josiah for answers about Jess. Gene makes a bold move.

🎥 In the Same Breath (HBO, 9 p.m.): A look at how the Chinese government turned pandemic cover-ups in Wuhan into a triumph for the Communist Party.

Sistas (BET, 9 p.m.): Summer finale. Andi has a sudden change of heart after another one of Gary's antics strikes home.

NOTICES:

💲 The $100,000 Pyramid (ABC): Ginger Zee, Dascha Polanco, Dorinda Medley, Sonjia Morgan

Cribs (MTV, 9:30 p.m.): Martha Stewart, Nick Young, Jordyn Woods

BRIEFLY: Beat Shazam (Fox); Breaking Bland (HGTV, season finale); Family Game Fight (NBC); Iron Resurrection (Motor Trend, season finale)

🕙 10 P.M. EASTERN / 🕘 9 P.M. CENTRAL

Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (Comedy Central, 10 & 10:30 p.m.): SEASON PREMIERE. Nora is back! After a look at her future, Nora trains a new CBD store employee. Meanwhile, Grandma's newly diagnosed perfect bill of health leads to a face-off. Later, after getting an MRI during an earthquake, Nora time travels to 2003, where she sets out to warn her younger self about the mistakes she's going to make. Hopefully she still makes "My Vag."

Good Trouble (Freeform, 10 p.m.): As Tommy's trial begins, Callie sees Jamie in a new light. After running into some old colleagues, Mariana wonders if she can ever make amends. Malika learns to establish boundaries, meanwhile Alice and Ruby's relationship is revealed.

We Got Love Teyana & Iman (E!, 10 & 10:30 p.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. pop-culture powerhouses Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert get a reality show, whoever they are.

NOTICES:

Superstar (ABC): Kobe Bryant

BRIEFLY: Chasing Classic Cars (Motor Trend, season finale); The Critical Witness (A&E, special); The FBI Declassified (CBS); In Pursuit with John Walsh (Investigation Discovery, season premiere); Money Court (CNBC)

💤💤😴💤💤 

NOTICES:

Gutfeld! (Fox News, 11 p.m.): To be announced

Jimmy Kimmel Live! with guest host Sean Hayes (ABC, 11:35 p.m.): Awkwafina, Keke Palmer, Daryl Hall, John Oates

Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC, 12:36 a.m.): Connie Britton, Ms. Pat, Sleater-Kinney
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS, 11:35 p.m.): Daniel Radcliffe, Dan + Shay

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 11:34 p.m.): Michael Keaton, Heidi Klum, Vince Staples, Fousheé

BRIEFLY: Married at First Sight: Unfiltered (Lifetime, 11 p.m.)

Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (via Giphy)

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Note: All times are Eastern.

More Listings: The Futon Critic; Zap2it

Key Sources: The Futon Critic; IMDb; J! Archive; TV Passport; Zap2it
⭐: Top Pick
💲: Game show
🎥: Movie
📺: Throwback
✔️: Video/gif/photo included

Happy watching, everyone!