The Amazing Race | CBS, Sunday, 8 ET/PT
One of TV's best reality contests continues, as the teams race their way around Hanoi. If you're of a certain age, just pause to take that in - and ask yourself if you ever imagined an American commercial television show would be using Hanoi as a backdrop. It may have taken time, but once again, capitalism wins.
Girls | HBO, Sunday, 9 ET/PT
Lena Dunham's singular look at young singles in New York ends a second season that has divided critics - and been largely ignored by HBO subscribers, which should cause the premium service at least a notch of concern. Granted, HBO is not as tied to ratings as commercial networks are; it can profit from creating a sense that it provides value, even when it doesn't actually provide it. Still, the sad fact remains that while HBO has done reasonably well with its dramas, it hasn't produced a broad-appeal comedy since Sex and the City, with most of its attempts flopping for the same reason most shows flop: They weren't very good. So the next time you're inclined to mock NBC, keep in mind that HBO's comedy track record is even worse.
Vikings | History, Sunday, 10 ET/PT
While History's The Bible (8 ET/PT) reaches the story of Christ, its Vikings are happily returning home from ravaging a Christian kingdom. The outing reestablishes Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) as the best and brightest of the barbarians while never hiding his barbarism, a difficult trick that, so far,The Vikings is pulling off.
