📺 What to Watch Tonight: Your Ultimate TV Guide for October 16, 2025

Welcome back to The TV Cave, where we don’t just watch TV — we binge with purpose. Today’s line-up is stacked with space storms, courtroom chaos, fishy challenges, ghostly negotiations, and, oh yeah… Freddie Prinze Jr. is back in action. Buckle up, couch commandos — here’s what’s actually worth watching today.

🌅 Early-Morning Binge-Fest: Streaming Drops You Can’t Miss (Starting 3:00 AM ET)

🔪 Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (Peacock – Full Season Drop)

True crime junkies, this one’s for you. Michael Chernus slips into the chilling skin of one of America’s most infamous serial killers, but this dramatized series smartly centers the victims’ stories. It’s dark, emotional, and absolutely bingeable. Lock your doors.

🌍 The Diplomat – Season 3 (Netflix – Full Season Drop)

Kate’s in deeper than ever, now tangled in a role she didn’t want — and a bond with the First Gentleman that’s making things… complicated. If high-stakes diplomacy with personal drama is your thing, don’t sleep on this political thriller.

🔪 I Know What You Did Last Summer (Netflix – Movie)

You thought it was over? Not quite. Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders take the reins in this new chapter, while OG scream king and queen Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt return to remind Gen Z how slasher royalty does it.

🕵️‍♀️ Karen Pirie – Season 2 Finale (BritBox)

Karen’s latest case has hit its boiling point. Kidnapping, corruption, and a ticking clock — it’s a nail-biter ending you’ll want to dissect over your second cup of tea.

💣 NCIS: Tony & Ziva (Paramount+ – Penultimate Episode)

It’s all coming to a head. Our favorite slow-burn couple are facing off with their enemy, and yes — the emotional stakes are sky-high. Protect these two at all costs.

⚖️ Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)

Secrets come crashing into the courtroom as a key witness exposes long-buried trauma. And if you thought your family dinners were awkward… just wait.

🏀 Starting 5 – Season 2 (Netflix – Full Season Drop)

Get courtside access to NBA stars like KD and Harden in this glossy, high-energy docuseries that peels back the curtain on the 2024-25 season. Hoop dreams and hard truths collide.

🌆 Prime Time Picks: Appointment TV Starts Now (8:00 PM ET)

🚨 9-1-1 (ABC)

A geostorm + a space mission = total chaos. Hen and Athena are out of this world (literally), and Earth’s not looking too stable either. Expect maximum mayhem and emotional whiplash.

💍 Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage – Season 2 Premiere (CBS)

Marital bliss? Not quite. Georgie and Ruben can’t agree on a tire, let alone a life plan. Meanwhile, Jim’s on an existential journey that may or may not involve rubber.

🐟 Hell’s Kitchen (FOX)

It’s a fishy relay challenge and Gordon Ramsay’s in no mood for undercooked sole. Both teams come in hot for dinner service — and we mean literally hot.

⚖️ Law & Order (NBC)

A billionaire’s murder has the jury distracted by his shady past. Price and Maroun try to keep the focus on facts, not tabloid fodder. Good luck with that.

💅 The Real Housewives of Orange County (Bravo)

Jenn’s bridal lunch goes sideways, Heather drops a daddy bombshell, and Gina’s family is back together (for now). Champagne is served, drama is spilling.

🏈 Thursday Night Football (Prime Video – 8:15 PM ET)

It’s Steelers vs. Bengals at Paycor Stadium, and the rivalry is real. Expect tackles, tension, and way too many commercial breaks.

👻 Ghosts – Season 5 Premiere (CBS – 8:30 PM ET)

Jay’s deal with the devil (Elias Woodstone, obviously) is biting back. Isaac turns into the ghost whisperer for Patience. You’re laughing, you’re crying, you’re haunting your neighbors.

🌃 Late-Night Must-Sees: Drama, Babies & Bombshells (9:00–10:00 PM ET)

🚑 9-1-1: Nashville (ABC – 9:00 PM ET)

A marriage hits a turning point, Cammie plays doula on-the-fly, and Dixie sends Blue on a mystery mission. The southern spin-off stays spicy.

🕵️‍♂️ Law & Order: SVU (NBC – 9:00 PM ET)

A devastating case involving a tween miscarriage leads the team into a maze of online deception. Meanwhile, Rollins is thinking long-term — professionally and personally.

⚖️ Matlock (CBS – 9:00 PM ET)

Matty and Olympia go head-to-head over that document while trying to keep a witness safe. Someone’s about to break the rules.

💎 The Real Housewives of Miami – Reunion Part 3 (Bravo – 9:00 PM ET)

Lisa wants an apology, Larsa faces off with Jody, and Marysol’s pot-stirring finally comes to a boil. Grab popcorn — and maybe a helmet.

🪂 Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test (FOX – 9:00 PM ET)

330-foot drops, mental tests, and sheer terror. Just your average celebrity bonding experience.

🕙 10:00 PM ET: Last Call for TV Excellence

🧠 Elsbeth (CBS)

Elsbeth negotiates a hostage crisis with her signature charm and legal gymnastics. David Cross guest stars, and yes — things get weird.

🏥 Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)

A chaotic first day of surgical rotations + ongoing hospital renos = total mess. Meredith is back (again!) and bonding with Amelia. Paging the drama department…

🛋️ Final Thoughts from The TV Cave

Today’s menu serves up true crime thrills, returning fan-favorites, and enough drama to cancel your evening plans (do it — your friends will understand). Whether you’re glued to ghosts, grey coats, or grill fights, there’s no shortage of premium content to devour.

Catch you tomorrow, same cave time, same cave channel. 🦇🍿

Need recaps, reviews, or previews? Hit up The TV Cave daily — where we cut through the static so you don’t have to.