Friday TV Picks: ‘Shakespeare Uncovered’ on KCTS

‘Shakespeare Uncovered’

A promising looking new series that has a celebrity host profile one of Shakespeare’s plays. To start off, Ethan Hawke looks at “The Scottish Play,” including the reasons that many people are superstitious (myself included) about saying the title out loud. Series premiere, 10 p.m. Friday on KCTS (seattletimes.com/tvlistings).

Also on Friday

“Portlandia,” 7 and 10 p.m. (IFC): Following an environmental scandal, the mayor steps down from office and moves off the grid; a dolphin discovers that plastic bags have been banned in Portland; musicians compete in a Battle of the Gentle Bands.

“Nikita,” 8 p.m. (CW): Owen and Nikita deal with a rogue cleaner named Liam; Michael starts a new position at Division; Nikita and Michael’s relationship is strained.

“The Brit List: Top 20 Women Who Date Across the Pond,” 8 p.m. (BBC America): Celebrity women find love on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean.

“Bering Sea Gold,” 10 p.m. (Discovery): Big swells and tempers take over the high seas with inexperience and equipment failures causing temper tantrums.

“Mystery Diners,” 10 p.m. (Food): The owner of Via Brasil believes his meat sales aren’t showing up properly in the register.

“House Hunters,” 10 p.m. (HGTV): Newlyweds want to find a home near Cincinnati.

The New York Times

Doug Knoop, Seattle Times staffdknoop@seattletimes.com or on Twitter @dougknoopDoug Knoop, Seattle Times staffdknoop@seattletimes.com or on Twitter @dougknoop