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
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Watch Sons of Anarchy. i love Charlie Hunnam!!