‘Greek’ doing great
“Greek” broke three records with its second-season premiere episode that aired Aug. 26 on ABC Family.
In its sophomore opener, the comedy series about college campus life posted series highs in total viewers (1.6 million), viewers ages 12-34 (1.2 million) and females ages 12-34 (841,000).
Compared to its freshman debut in July 2007, the second season saw increases in:
◊Women ages 18-34 (134% more: 391,000 vs. 167,000)
◊Viewers ages 12-34 (103% more: 1.2 million vs. 592,000)
◊Adults ages 18-34 (102% more: 612,000 vs. 303,000)
◊Adults ages 18-49 (56% more: 792,000 vs. 508,000)
◊Total Viewers (46% more: 1.6 million vs. 1.1 million)
Here’s some even better news for Oklahoma’s “Greek” fans: On Sept. 5, one or two cast members will be on campus at the University of Oklahoma to sign autographs and meet students. It is not known yet which cast members will make the trip, but hopefully OU grad Danny Weaver (he plays Kappa Tau pledge Ben Bennett) will be one of them. He is pictured at far left doing push-ups with fellow cast members in the ABC Family photo above.
–Penny TV
Oklahoman still among ‘America’s Most Wanted’
Saturday’s installment of “America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back” will feature a segment on an Oklahoma fugitive still at-large.
Oklahoma City’s fugitive task force is still looking for Kenneth Cofer, who is accused of killing Larry Buchanan in an argument over patriotism after the 9/11 attacks. Despite confusion about numerous lookalikes, Cofer is still a free man.
This is one of nine “America’s Most Wanted” segments scheduled to air from 8 to 9 p.m. Saturday on Fox.
–Penny TV
Presley, King of Rockin’ Dogs
Two episodes of “Greatest American Dog” remain, and Perry natives Travis Brorsen and Presley are still in the running for the title and the $250,000 cash prize.
The season finale for the CBS competition series is Sept. 10, and the top three owner-and-dog teams will advance to the final episode.
Before the series began in July, Travis said “We can’t focus on the grand prize and winning the whole thing. We’ve got to focus on getting there without Presley running away.”
Presley, a 16-month-old boxer, didn’t run away on Wednesday when a 9,000 pound elephant came toward him (see CBS Photo at right). And he didn’t shy away from taking the plunge down a zip line.
Those performances landed Presley and Travis in the top four. The final three will be determined next Wednesday (Sept. 3) from 7 to 8 p.m. on CBS.
No matter what happens, Travis is so proud of what Presley has accomplished. He even wrote a “Greatest American Dog” tribute song to Presley that includes the line “Come on, Presley, you’re the king of rockin’ dogs.”
To hear a snippet of the song, listen to Penny and Pat’s podcast at newsok.com/tv. –Penny TV
Program Planner: Aug. 31-Sept. 6
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Aug. 31:
SUNDAY AUGUST 31, 2008
◊“The 43rd Labor Day Telethon” (11 p.m. on CBS): Jerry Lewis continues his battle against muscular dystrophy during this 19-hour show originating from South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas. Sharing hosting duties with Lewis are Tom Bergeron (”America’s Funniest Home Videos”), Jann Carl (”Entertainment Tonight”), Alison Sweeney (”Days of Our Lives) and Nancy O’Dell (”Access Hollywood”).
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars — Spencer Tracy: Among his 13 films airing in the festival today are 1936’s “San Francisco” (5 a.m.), 1945’s “Without Love” (1:30 p.m.) and 1955’s “Bad Day at Black Rock” (3:30 a.m.).
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Julie Brown (”Camp Rock”) guest stars as Alex’s teacher, Miss Marinovich, in the new episode “Art Museum Piece.” Alex must magically bring the museum paintings to lfe to help her complete a class assignment.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2008
◊“America’s Toughest Job” (8 p.m. on NBC): The 12 remaining contestants head to the frozen tundra of Deadhorse, Alaska, where they go through extensive training and attempt to operate an 18-wheeler above the Arctic Circle.
◊“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservation” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): In season four, Anthony Bordain spans the far reaches of the globe and offers honest observations while relishing the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the world.
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): Barry Corbin (“Beer for My Horses”) and Frances Sternhagen (“ER”) guest star as Brenda’s parents. They are on their way to Alaska in a recreational vehicle when they decide to pay Brenda a surprise visit.
◊“Depth Charge” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): Eric Roberts (“Less Than Perfect”) stars as the captain of a U.S. nuclear submarine who plans an attack on Washington. Jason Gedrick (“Windfall”) plays the ship’s doctor who wages an internal war against the captain.
◊“Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): In the second-season premiere, Madchen Amick (“My Own Worst Enemy”) guest stars as a married woman who has been hooking up with Nate. Author Jay McInerney and socialite Tinsley Mortimer also guest star.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): In the sixth-season premiere, Brooke faces a reunion with her mother, Lucas pursues his dream with the woman he loves and the news of Dan’s accident is beginning to spread.
◊“Prison Break” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the two-hour, season-four premiere, brothers Michael and Lincoln Scofield are reunited with the gang and receive an offer from a Homeland Security Agent that they cannot refuse. Michael Rapaport (“The War At Home”) joins the cast in the role of the government agent.
◊“Raising the Bar” (9 p.m. on TNT): This new series starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar (”Saved By the Bell”), Jane Kaczmarek (”Malcolm in the Middle”) and Gloria Reuben (“ER”) covers both sides of the legal process, from the viewpoints of young prosecutors and public defenders, their bosses and the judges who hear their cases.
◊“Curious George” (7 a.m. on OETA-13): The curious little monkey goes green in a new set of Earth-Science themed adventures that open the third season.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
◊“90210″ (7 p.m. on CW): This new drama series does have some of the elements of the prime-time teen soap that became a 1990s icon. Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth), for one. A wealthy West Beverly High student in the original series, she’s now a guidance counselor. The new ‘‘Brenda and Brandon” are Annie and Dixon (Shenae Grimes, Tristan Wilds), whose father is Kelly’s new boss.
◊“The Shield” (9 p.m. on FX): After a 15-month absence, the police drama returns for its seventh and final season. According to CCH Pounder, who plays Captain Claudette Wyms, corrupt detective Vic Mackey (played by Emmy winner Michael Chiklis) will get what’s coming to him in the show’s final 13 episodes.
◊“The View” (10 a.m. on ABC): New Kids on the Block perform live on the 12th-season premiere. Guests for the week include Maura Tierney (”ER”) on Wednesday, Terrence Howard (”Crash”) on Thursday and Adrian Grenier (”Entourage”) on Friday.
◊“Wanna Bet?” (8 p.m. on ABC): George Wendt (“Cheers”) and Mo’Nique (“The Parkers”) are among the celebrity judges for the first-season finale. Stunts being attempted include identifying four out of five crushed cars and lighting matches in two minutes using yo-yos.
◊“Wow Wow Wubbzy!” (12:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): The animated series for preschoolers returns for a second season. Guest starring in the new season are Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan as the voice of Wubblympics record-holder Michelle Kwanzzleberry and Ty Pennington (”Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) as the voice of Ty Ty the Handy Guy.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2008
◊“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW)(The CW Photo pictured above): Cycle 11 kicks off with a 2-hour premiere, as 30 girls compete for a spot in theTop 14. One of the models causes a stir when she reveals that she is a transgender.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Season four opens with a two-hour episode set in the United Kingdom. Brennan (Emily Deschanel) is giving a lecture Oxford University and Booth (David Boreanaz) is speaking at Scotland Yard when they are asked by local officials to lend their expertise to a high-profile murder investigation involving a young British heiress.
◊“Cocaine Diaries: Alex James in Colombia” (8 p.m. on BBC America): Alex James, the bass player in the band Blur, once bragged that he spent over $500,000 on cocaine. The president of Colombia invited him to see just where his money went, and he documents his trip in this special.
◊“The Next GAC Star” (8 p.m. on GAC): In the two-part finale, which concludes Sept. 10, the six finalists participate in impromptu performances, rehearsals and recording sessions. Viewer votes will determine who will be the next up-and-coming country music star.
◊“Sons of Anarchy” (9 p.m. on FX): This new drama series set in Northern California stars British actor Charlie Hunnam (“Undeclared”) as a member of a motorcycle club that faces a crisis of conscience when its involvement in gunrunning goes bad.
◊“Top Design” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Celebrated fashion model and design aficionado India Hicks hosts the second season of the competition series in which 13 designers compete for $100,000 and a four-page showcase in Elle Décor magazine. Among the contenders is Tulsa native Teresa Keegan.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2008
◊“The Dragons’ Den” (8 p.m. on BBC America): Five multimillionaires are ready to back the best new ideas in this reality series. Items being pitched this episode include a student accomodations website and a new baby product line.
◊“Forbes Top 20 TV Cash Queens” (7 p.m. on E!): Heidi Klum (“Project Runway”), Paula Abdul (“American Idol”) and Kathryn Morris (“Cold Case”) were interviewed for this special, but did they make the top 20 list? Tune in for the countdown.
◊Heritage Hall will take on Casady in high school football action airing live at 7:30 p.m. on KSBI-52.
◊Holland Hall will take on Cascia Hall in high school football action airing live at 7:30 p.m. on Cox.
◊“Kitchen Nightmares” (7 p.m. on Fox): In this two-hour episode, chef Gordon Ramsay revisits the kitchens of six restaurants that were once on the verge of disaster.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2008
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on Fox): The third season of the quiz show kicks off with supermodel Kathy Ireland and Georgia State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox testing their knowledge in a special two-hour episode.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA): Guest stars for Monk’s 100th case include Eric McCormack (”Will & Grace”), John Turturro (”The Sopranos”), Howie Mandel (”Deal or No Deal”), Sarah Silverman (”The Sarah Silverman Show”), Andy Richter (“Andy Barker, P.I.”), Sharon Lawrence (“Hidden Palms”) and Kathryn Joosten (“Joan of Arcadia”).
◊Moore will take on Westmoore in high school football action airing live at 7:30 p.m. on Cox.
◊“Samurai Girl” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): This three-part, six-hour miniseries tells the story of a 19-year-old Japanese girl named Heaven, who discovers that the wealthy businessman who adopted her as an infant is really the head of tha Japanese mafia and may have had her brother murdered. It is based on the popular young adult novels of the same name.
◊“Stand Up to Cancer” (7 p.m. on ABC, NBC and CBS): A lineup of actors, musicians, athletes and journalists have banded together for this hourlong commercial free fundraising special. Among those scheduled to appear are Christina Applegate (“Samantha Who?”), Lance Armstrong (seven-time Tour De France champion), David Cook (“American Idol”), Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”), Masi Oka (“Heroes”), Robin Roberts (“Good Morning America”), Hilary Swank (“Million Dollar Baby”) and Brian Williams (“NBC Nightly News”).
◊Bishop McGuinness will take on Guthrie in high school football action airing live at 7:30 p.m. on KSBI-52.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2008
◊“America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back” (8 p.m. on Fox): Host John Walsh returns for a 22nd season of the crime-fighting program that focuses on capturing fugitives, protecting victims and empowering citizens within the criminal justice system.
◊“Cops” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the 21st-season premiere, the cameras return to where it all began in the late 1980s — Broward County, Fla. The entire episode features law enforcement from the county where “Cops” filmed some of its earliest crimes.
◊“Grave Misconduct” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Crystal Bernard (“Wings”) stars as a writer who takes an unpublished manuscript from her mentor and former professor and passes it off as her own. The crime novel becomes a huge success, and her actions comes back to haunt her.
◊“Imagination Movers” (9 a.m. on Disney): This new series introduces preschoolers to the New Orleans alternative rock band’s music while emphasizing creative problem solving skills.
◊“The Locator” (8 p.m. on WE): Troy Dunn, a member of Enid High School’s 1983 state championship football team, is the star of this new reality series. He helps track down family members and friends who lost touch and want another chance. WE airs on channel 128 on Dish Network and 260 on Direct TV.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Cincinnati in college football action airing live at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
◊“Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): Carrie Underwood is the musical guest in this rebroadcast from February. Hosting the show is Tina Fey (”30 Rock”).
◊“The Victory Garden” (11:30 a.m. on OETA-13): Returning to inspire viewers to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and live outdoors are international garden design sensation Jamie Durie and Chef Michel Nischan’s James Beard.
Penny TV
ABC announces five new series pick-ups
Network News Release …
ABC is adding five new series to its slate of programming for the 2008-09 season. The series include three new dramas, “Castle,” “Cupid” and “The Unusuals,” and two new comedies, “Better Off Ted” and “Single with Parents.”
◊“Castle” is a comedic crime procedural about a famous mystery novelist, Nick Castle, who is bored with his own success. When a real-world copycat murderer starts staging scenes from Nick’s novels, Nick is teamed up with NYPD Detective Kate Beckett and the challenge gets his blood pumping as he steps in to help solve the crime. Nick and Beckett’s styles instantly clash and sparks begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance. Nick is kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother, quick-witted teenage daughter and his long-suffering ex-wife… who happens to be his editor. “Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Castle, Stana Katic as Beckett, Molly Quinn as Alexis, Susan Sullivan as Martha, Monet Mazur as Gina and Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Capt. Montgomery.
◊“Cupid” is a romantic dramedy about Trevor, a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love, Cupid, sent to earth to bring couples together. As fate would have it, Trevor is under the care of famous psychologist and self-help author Dr. Claire Allen, who is also dedicated to helping lonely hearts find their soul mates. While she agrees with his cause, she questions whether he’s crazy or really is Cupid. “Cupid” stars Bobby Cannavale as Trevor, Sarah Paulson as Claire, Rick Gomez as Felix and Camille Guaty as Lita.
◊“The Unusuals” is a unique comedic procedural set in a New York police precinct. As a cop, it helps to have a twisted sense of humor, because every moment could be your last. Just ask Casey Schraeger, who started her day as an NYPD vice detective before unexpectedly being transferred to the homicide division. She quickly realizes that, not only does everyone in her new department have a distinct sense of humor, but also their own dirty little secrets. “The Unusuals” stars Amber Tamblyn as Det. Casey Schraeger, Jeremy Renner as Det. Joe Walsh, Terry Kinney as Sgt. Harvey Brown, Kai Lennox as Det. Ed Alvarez, Harold Perrineau as Det. Leo Banks, Adam Goldberg as Det. Eric Delahoy, Monique Gabriela Curnen as Det. Allison Beaumont and Joshua Close as Henry Cole.
◊“Better Off Ted” is a satirical office comedy featuring a successful but morally conscious man, Ted, who runs a research and development department at a morally questionable corporation, Veridian Technologies. No achievement is too far fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian. Need a suicidal turkey? Done. Need a metal that is hard as steel but bounces – and is edible? Done and done. Ted loves his seemingly perfect job; he loves his superhuman boss, Veronica, and colleagues Lem, Phil and Linda, but he’s starting to take a closer look at the company’s extremely questionable practices… especially when they try to cryogenically freeze one of Ted’s scientists for testing purposes. Stars Jay Harrington as Ted, Andrea Anders as Linda, Portia de Rossi as Veronica, Jonathan Slavin as Phil and Malcolm Barrett as Lem.
◊“Single with Parents” is a comedy about Lou, a woman in her mid-30s who is determined to have her own life despite her crazy blended family getting in the way. She’s thrilled that her divorced parents are leading exciting lives – really she is – except both of them rely on her way too much. Dad needs her as a surrogate parent and Mom counts on her 24/7 as a shrink and confidante. Lou has resolved to finally find a fulfilling life for herself. The series stars Alyssa Milano as Lou, Annie Potts as Elizabeth, Beau Bridges as Joe, Amanda Detmer as Sasha, Meagen Fay as Nancy and Eric Winter as Charlie.
Michael Phelps meets Jay Leno
America watched Michael Phelps swim to Olympic gold eight times during NBC’s late-night coverage of the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.
Now viewers can see him make his first late-night talk show appearance — also on NBC. Phelps will be Jay Leno’s guest on “The Tonight Show” on Sept. 8.
Other Olympic medal winners scheduled to meet Jay Leno are:
◊Wrestler Henry Cejudo who, at 21, is the youngest American to win a gold medal in freestyle wrestling in any weight class. He will be on the show Wednesday (Aug. 27).
◊Swimmer Natalie Coughlin, who won six gold medals in Beijing and five medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics to become the United State’s second-most decorated female Olympian (behind Jenny Thompson with 12 medals). She will be on the show Thursday (Aug. 28).
Dara Torres, 41, who won three silver medals in Beijing, appeared on Monday’s show (see NBC Photo above). She is the first swimmer from the United States to compete in five Olympics, and Leno asked her about the 2012 Olympics. The audience began to laugh, to which Torres chuckled “Hey, don’t laugh! What if I do it?”
–Penny TV
Here’s the ‘Deal’
NBC has announced that, after three years and 246 episodes, “Deal or No Deal” host Howie Mandel (pictured in NBC Photo at right) will finally have a $1 million winner. The episode will air at 7 p.m. Monday.
Monday is also Labor Day, and one of the contestants scheduled to appear is Jessica Robinson, who is seven months pregnant. She will play with five $1 million cases on the board, and one case carries a secret — the gender of her baby.
Will Jessica be the $1 million winner? Tune in Monday to find out.
–Penny TV
Former ‘Family Feud’ host to call ‘Bingo’
“Bingo America,” the game show that gives at-home viewers the chance to play along for prizes, will have a new host when the second season premieres Oct. 6 on Game Show Network (GSN).
Richard Karn, who hosted “Family Feud for four seasons and spent eight seasons playing handyman Al Borland on “Home Improvement,” will call the action for “Bingo America.” He replaces first-season host Patrick Duffy, who is best know for his role of Bobby Ewing on “Dallas.”
Production for 65 “Bingo” episodes (25 more than last season) is now underway in Los Angeles. The show will air at 5:30 p.m. weekdays with encore presentations at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
“I love how game shows can surprise you at any moment – you can never anticipate what is going to happen, even when you are the host,” Karn said in a GSN press release. “I am excited to be working with GSN and ‘Bingo America’ on a show that really engages the audience and entices them to participate and play along at home.”
To play along, go to GSN.com/Bingo on or about Oct. 4 to download free game cards.
In addition to the opportunity to win with “Bingo” on the game cards, viewers at home have another chance at prize money during the show’s Bingo Bonus Round.
And there’s a third way to win if the Bingo Bonus Numbers on the game cards match any of the numbers selected by the contestanst during the bonus round.
What could be better than watching a popular TV personality five nights a week with three ways to win at home? How about enjoying it with the whole family.
“Bingo America” is a recipient of the PTC Seal of Approval awarded by the Parents Television Council for its family-friendly content.
Go “Bingo.”
–Penny TV
Premiere dates updated
CBS is moving the premiere of “Survivor: Gabon — Earth’s Last Eden” back a week, but the network will make it worth the wait.
The 17th installment of the series, which debuts Sept. 25, will be broadcast in high definition for the first time. And the season premiere will be extended to two hours (another first).
The CW, on the other hand, moved up the premiere date for “Stylista” — from Oct. 29 to Oct. 22.
Here is a revised schedule of fall premiere dates for the 2008-2009 primetime network season, although all are still subject to change (new series are in green type):
Monday, Sept. 1:
7 p.m. — Gossip Girl (CW)
7 p.m. — Prison Break (Fox)
8 p.m. — One Tree Hill
Tuesday, Sept. 2:
7 p.m. — 90210 (CW)(two-hour premiere)
Wednesday, Sept. 3:
7 p.m. — America’s Next Top Model (CW)(two-hour premiere)
7 p.m. — Bones (Fox)
Friday, Sept. 5:
7 p.m. — Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (Fox)
Saturday, Sept. 6:
7 p.m. — Cops (Fox)
8 p.m. — America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back (Fox)
Monday, Sept. 8:
7 p.m. — Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox)
Tuesday, Sept. 9:
7 p.m. — Fringe (Fox)
8 p.m. — Privileged (CW)
Wednesday, Sept. 10:
8 p.m. — ‘Til Death (Fox)
8:30 p.m. — Do Not Disturb (Fox)
Thursday, Sept. 11:
7 p.m. — Hole in the Wall (Fox)
8 p.m. — Kitchen Nightmares (Fox)
Friday, Sept. 12:
8 p.m. — Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Fox)
Saturday, Sept. 13:
10 p.m. — Mad TV (Fox)
11 p.m. — Talkshow With Spike Feresten (Fox)
Tuesday, Sept. 16:
7 p.m. — The Biggest Loser: Families (NBC)
7 p.m. — House (Fox)
Thursday, Sept. 18:
7 p.m. — Smallville (CW)
7 p.m.– Survivor: Gabon (CBS)(Host Jeff Probst in CBS Photo above)
8 p.m. — Supernatural (CW)
Friday, Sept. 19:
9 p.m. — 20/20 (ABC)
Sunday, Sept. 21:
6 p.m. — In Harm’s Way (CW)
7 p.m. — Valentine (CW)
8 p.m. — Easy Money (CW)
Monday, Sept. 22:
7 p.m. — The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
7 p.m. — Dancing with the Stars (ABC)(special two-hour performance show)
7 p.m. — Heroes clip show (NBC)
7:30 p.m. – How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
8 p.m. Heroes (NBC)
8 p.m. — Two and a Half Men (CBS)
8:30 p.m. — Worst Week (CBS)
9 p.m. — Boston Legal (ABC)
9 p.m. — CSI: Miami (CBS)
Tuesday, Sept. 23:
7 p.m. — NCIS (CBS)
7 p.m. — Opportunity Knocks (ABC)
8 p.m. — The Mentalist (CBS)
9 p.m. — Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC)
9 p.m. — Without a Trace (CBS)
Wednesday, Sept. 24:
7 p.m. — Knight Rider (NBC)
9 p.m. — Lipstick Jungle (NBC)
Thursday, Sept. 25
7 p.m. — My Name Is Earl (NBC)(one-hour premiere)
7 p.m.– Survivor: Gabon (CBS)
7 p.m. — Ugly Betty (ABC)
8 p.m. — Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)(two-hour premiere)
8 p.m. — The Office (NBC)(one-hour premiere)
9 p.m. – ER (NBC)
Wednesday, Sept. 24:
7 p.m. — The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
7:30 p.m. — Project Gary (CBS)
8 p.m. — Criminal Minds (CBS)
9 p.m. — CSI: NY (CBS)
Saturday, Sept. 27:
7 p.m. — Crimetime Saturday (CBS)
8 p.m. — Crimetime Saturday (CBS)
9 p.m. — 48 Hours Mystery (CBS)
Sunday, Sept. 28:
6 p.m. — Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)(two-hour premiere)
6 p.m. — 60 Minutes (CBS)
7 p.m. — The Amazing Race (CBS)
7 p.m. — The Simpsons (Fox)
7:30 p.m. — King of the Hill (Fox)
8 p.m. — Cold Case (CBS)
8 p.m. — Desperate Housewives (ABC)
8 p.m. — Family Guy (Fox)
8:30 p.m. — American Dad (Fox)
9 p.m. — Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
9 p.m. — The Unit (CBS)
Monday, Sept. 29:
7 p.m. — Chuck (NBC)
9 p.m. — Life (NBC)(special preview followed by second preview Oct. 6)
Tuesday, Sept. 30:
8 p.m. — Dancing with the Stars Result Show (ABC)(regular day and time period premiere)
Friday, Oct. 3:
7 p.m. — Ghost Whisperer (CBS)
8 p.m. — The Ex List (CBS)
9 p.m. — NUMB3RS (CBS)
Wednesday, Oct. 1:
7 p.m. — Pushing Daisies (ABC)
8 p.m. — Private Practice (ABC)
9 p.m. — Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)
Friday, Oct. 3:
7 p.m. — Everybody Hates Chris (CW)
7 p.m. — Wife Swap (ABC)
7:30 p.m. — The Game (CW)
8 p.m. — Supernanny (ABC)
Sunday, Oct. 5:
6 p.m. — America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC)
7 p.m. — Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)(regular time period premiere)
Monday, Oct. 6:
8:30 p.m. — Samantha Who? (ABC)
Thursday, Oct. 9:
7:30 p.m. — Kath & Kim (NBC)
8 p.m. — CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS)
8 p.m. — Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)(regular time period premiere)
9 p.m. — Eleventh Hour (CBS)
9 p.m. — Life on Mars (ABC)
Friday, Oct. 10:
9 p.m. — Life (NBC)(regular day and time premiere)
Monday, Oct. 13:
9 p.m. — My Own Worst Enemy (NBC)
Tuesday, Oct. 14:
9 p.m. — Eli Stone (ABC)
Friday, Oct. 17:
7 p.m. — Crusoe (NBC)(two-hour premiere)
Wednesday, Oct. 22:
8 p.m. — Stylista (CW)
Thursday, Oct. 30:
8:30 p.m. — 30 Rock (NBC)
Sunday, Nov. 2:
5:30 p.m. — In Harm’s Way (CW)(new timeslot)
6:30 p.m. — Surviving Suburbia (CW)
–Penny TV
‘American Idol’ adds another judge
Network News Release …
Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi has joined “American Idol” as a fourth judge.
She will sit alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson at the judges’ table and use her background as an award-winning songwriter and producer to praise or critique the wannabe hopefuls throughout the competition.
“We are turning the heat up on ‘Idol’ this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges’ table,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”
Executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz said, “We had originally intended for ‘American Idol’ to have four judges. We’ve seen from our international series that having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and the viewers.”
DioGuardi (pictured in Fox Photo above) is one of the industry’s most sought after songwriters and producers. Her songs have appeared on more than 100 million records and have been recorded by Grammy award-winning artists including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Santana, and Pink. Scores of major recording artists including Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Pussycat Dolls, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Natasha Bedingfield, Jewel, Ashley Tisdale, Katharine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Clay Aiken, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue, Enrique Iglesias, Nick Lachey and Marc Anthony have also released DioGuardi’s songs.
The eighth season of “American Idol” premieres in January.
