“Intent” announcement came too late
Days before “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” was to begin its eighth season, USA Network pulled the show from its November lineup.
Hours before USA Network announced its plan to pull the show, The Oklahoman went to press with “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” on the cover of TV Week.
All 210,000 copies of the Nov. 2 TV Week to be distributed in the metro area were printed, folded, stapled and stacked by 12:45 p.m. Wednesday. The USA Network media alert sent via email arrived at 12:53 p.m. Wednesday.
When The Oklahoman asked for a reason to pass along to readers for the late network change, a USA Network spokesperson provided the following statement on “Law & Order: CI”:
“USA believed that CI’s new season was so strong that it would be best presented in an uninterrupted run of 16 episodes. As a strategic move based on the overall TV landscape and in this economy, it made sense to maximize the value of CI by moving to 2009.”
Another late network change came in Monday from USA Network’s parent company, NBC. The press release announced that “Law & Order” would return for its 19th season at 9 p.m. Nov. 5. That information was updated before TV Week went to press.
–Penny TV
Program Planner: Nov. 2-8
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 Nov. 2:
SUNDAY NOV. 2
◊“All the President’s Men” (7 p.m. on TCM): John Dean, former White House counsel to President Nixon, sits down with TCM host Robert Osborne for an interview introducing a special presentation of the 1976 film that follows Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) and Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) as they uncover the Watergate scandal.
◊“Beer for My Horses” (6 p.m. on CMT): See Toby Keith’s summer theatrical release on TV before it hits DVD shelves (Nov. 11). The Oklahoma superstar co-wrote the movie with comedian Rodney Carrington from Tulsa, and they play best friends who work together as deputies in a small town.
◊“Brotherhood” (7 p.m. on Showtime): The drama series about an Irish-American family in Providence, R.I., returns for a third season. In the premiere episode titled ‘‘Uneasy Lies the Head,” Tommy (Jason Clarke) thinks about taking the plunge into a new career.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The team will rebuild a 200-year-old farm house owned by a former boxer who runs a gym for underprivileged teens. Making appearances on the episode are boxing champions Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman and Oscar De La Hoya.
◊“Gone Missing” Vanished in Papua” (9 p.m. on Travel): This program documents the disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, son of New York governor Nelson Rockefeller, who vanished in New Guinea on Nov. 18, 1961.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): Three new bone-chilling tales will be told in “Treehouse of Horror XIX,” including one that parodies the classic Charlie Brown Halloween special.
MONDAY NOV. 3
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items evaluated in this “Politically Collect” edition include a collection of campaign buttons valued at $2,000 and signed photos of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson worth $75,000.
◊“The Bob & Tom Show” (11 p.m. weeknights on WGN): Hosts Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold bring their popular morning radio show — a mix of comedy, notable guests and entertaining conversation — to TV.
◊“Boston Legal” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Alan and Denny sue the government when cattle rancher Carol Hober (guest star Valerie Bertinelli, “One Day at a Time”) accuses the USDA of not allowing her to test all of her cows for Mad Cow Disease.
◊“Deal or No Deal” (7 p.m. on NBC): The game show’s 200th episode will feature special speed rounds, in which each contestant will have only 20 seconds to decide if they want to take the banker’s offer.
◊“Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new hourlong movie based on the popular primetime show takes preschoolers on a magical snowy adventure with Dora.
◊“First Class All the Way” (8 p.m. on Bravo): Sara Duffy, founder of a Los Angeles-based multi-million dollar travel concierge business, takes viewers inside the world of high-end luxury travel.
◊“Raising the Bar” (9 p.m. on TNT): In the first-season finale, a racially-charged case involving a firefighter forces Roz and Balco back into Judge Kessler’s courtroom.
◊“Samantha Who?” (8:31 p.m. on ABC): Sam teams up with Regina to start a real estare business and ends up falling for their first client (guest star James Tupper, “Men in Trees”).
◊“Saturday Night Live Presidential Bash 2008” (8 p.m. on NBC): This new election-eve special featuring the best “SNL” political sketches, including Amy Poehler’s impersonation of Hillary Clinton and Fred Armisen’s take on Barack Obama.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Sandra Oh (“Grey’s Anatomy”) guest stars as the Fairy Cookie Person, who grants the Cookie Monster a wish. Jessica Alba (“Dark Angel”) presents the word of the day — scrumptious.
◊“Worst Week” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): Sam loses one of the wedding rings that Mel’s grandmother gave to him to use on their wedding day. Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis (“Moonstruck”) guest stars as Mel’s Grandmother, June.
◊“WWE Monday Night Raw” (7 p.m. on USA): World Wrestling Entertainment superstars and divas will take part in this three-hour special celebrating the show’s 800th episode (but this will actually be the 806th installment).
TUESDAY NOV. 4
◊“Recount” (5 p.m. on HBO): This 2008 docudrama revisits the 2000 presidential election in which ambiguous results from Florida kept the outcome uncertain for weeks. Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey plays Ron Klain, Al Gore’s former chief of staff.
◊“WordGirl” (4:30 p.m. on OETA-13): “A Vote for Becky” is a special Election Day episode that introduces young viewers to the concept of voting. It centers on a fifth-grade class president race and includes a funny take on events from real-life presidential campaigns.
WEDNESDAY NOV. 5
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): While investigating the kidnapping of a young boy in Las Vegas, Dr. Reid begins to have dreams that may help reveal some buried memories from his childhood,. Jane Lynch (“Two and a Half Men”) guest stars as Dr. Reid’s mother, Diana Reid.
◊“Dirty Sexy Money” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): While constantly being challenged in court by prosecutor Nola Lyons, Nick is facing an uphill battle defending Letitia in the murder case. Ron Glass (“Barney Miller”) guest stars as D.A. Dennis Ford.
◊“Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC)(NBC Photo above features cast members S. Epatha Merkerson, Anthony Anderson and Jeremy Sisto): The longest-running crime series returns for its 19th season. Detectives Cyrus Lupo and Kevin Bernard return to investigate crimes and apprehend suspects under the supervision of precinct lieutenant Anita Van Buren.
◊“Medal of Honor” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Oklahoma native Alfre Woodard (“My Own Worst Enemy”) narrates this new documentary that traces the history of the nation’s highest military honor back to the Civil War. It also profiles 18 recipients, including a Vietnam-era Army chaplain who returned his medal.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Barb and Christine prepare for a non-relationship-seeking double date, but jealousy arises when one date goes better than the other. Tim DeKay (Bizarro Jerry on “Seinfeld”) reunites with Julia Louis-Dreyfus as her date.
THURSDAY NOV. 6
◊“50 Cent: The Money and the Power” (9 p.m. on MTV): Rapper 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson) schools 14 aspiring business moguls in the art of success. Each week, the rapper will test the candidates on the knowledge he has taught them while pushing them to their limit. The candidate with the best business flair, strength, ambition and fearlessness will receive $100,000 from 50 Cent.
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): Liz flies to Chicago to get out of jury duty and on her return flight ends up with an asigned seat next to Oprah Winfrey.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When the CSI team investigates a case involving the world of domination, Grissom pays a visit to Lady Heather to help find some answers. Melinda Clarke (“The O.C.”) returns as Lady Heather. Grammy-winning rock band Linkin Park’s new hit single “Leave Out All the Rest” will be prominently featured in the episode.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Erica discovers a shocking connection between a longtime patient and one her her surgical residents. Kevin McKidd (“Rome”) guest stars.
◊High School Football: Edmond Santa Fe at Moore, 7:30 p.m. on Cox.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): A racial war is sparked when a young black girl is murdered, and Sam and the detectives at the 1-2-5 face off with the neighborhood and each other. Whoopi Goldberg (“The View”) guest stars as Disc Jockey Brother Lovebutter.
FRIDAY NOV. 7
◊“CMT Crossroads” (8 p.m. on CMT): Country music singer Taylor Swift, 18, takes the stage with British rock band Def Leppard, whose members range in age from 45 to 50. Taylor and Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott swap lyrics on such hit songs as “Photograph,” “Hysteria,” “Picture to Burn” and “Love Story.”
◊“Don’t Forget the Lyrics” (8 p.m. on Fox): The original members of the female R&B vocal quartet En Vogue reunite to lock in the lyrics for charity.
◊“Henry Rollins: Uncut From New Orleans” (9:30 p.m. on IFC): Three years after the destruction from Hurrican Katrina, the opinionated former lead singer of Black Flag ventures to New Orleans to examine the city’s current condition first hand.
◊High School Football: Edmond North at Westmoore, 7:30 p.m. on KSBI-52; Claremore at Sapulpa, 7:30 p.m. on Cox.
◊“Survivorman” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Survival expert Les Stroud is back for a third season of intense temperatures, frustrations and challenges as he attempt to deliver episodes that demonstrate key survival skills.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): Don and the team investigate the disappearance of a magician after she mysteriously vanishes during an illusion. Magician Penn Jillette guest stars as himself.
◊“Whale Wars” (8 p.m. on Aninmal Planet): Join Captain Paul Watson and his conservation Society, Sea Shepherd, as they lead crusades against alleged illegal whaling operations, all documented in this new series.
SATURDAY NOV. 8
◊“Mail Order Bride” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Daphne Zuniga (“Melrose Place”) stars as con artist Diana McQueen, who escapes from her boss (Greg Evigan, “My Two Dads”) by posing as her recently deceased friend who was moving to Wyoming as a mail order bride.
◊“True Jackson, VP” (8:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Keke Palmer (“Akeelah and the Bee”) stars in this new family-friendly sitcom as a smart-beyond-her-years teen heroine who is tapped to head the youth division of a major fashion label.
◊“Tasty Time With Zefronk” (5:25 a.m. on Disney): This new animated series for preschoolers features ZeFronk, a French Dachsund, who hosts a cooking show from his doghouse. He whips of healthy snacks for friends with the help of a bird named Sue.
–Penny TV
Discovery examines Dirty Presidents on election day
President Garfield was a janitor. President Lincoln was a butcher. For more dirty secrets about the past lives and pastimes of our Presidents, check out Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs” marathon on the day the country decides who the next President will be (Nov. 4).
Host Mike Rowe (pictured in Discovery Channel photo at right) pays tribute to Presidents who were as comfortable in the muck as they were in the Oval Office in a special “Dirty Jobs” episode premiering at 8 p.m.
◊President Polk hosted the first White House Thanksgiving turkey dinner, which brings back memories of Rowe’s “turkey insemination” episode.
◊President Truman, who worked on his family farm, once said “No man should be allowed to be President who doesn’t understand hogs.” Rowe naturally thinks back to his “pig shaver” experience.
◊Rowe’s jobs in rodent control, BBQ smoking, salt mining and alligator egg collecting also come to mind when recalling dirty pasts of former Presidents.
Two other “Dirty Jobs” episodes will round out the 3-hour marathon. And during the marathon, Discovery will air “12 Dirty Politics” segments (four per hour) that will give details on actual dirty jobs held by past presidents.
–Penny TV
TV Preview Podcast: ‘The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror’
Each week, The Oklahoman TV Editor Penny Soldan hosts an audio podcast discussing an upcoming TV premiere.
This week’s premiere is 19th instalment of “The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror” on Fox.
To hear her discussion with Don P. Brown, features copy editor for The Oklahoman, click here.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Happy Birthday, Mike O’Malley
Oct. 31, 2008 — Michael Donald O’Malley, who played Jimmy Hughes on “Yes, Dear” (2000-06 on CBS), turns 42 today.
His most recent TV role is as Raymond on “My Own Worst Enemy” (9 p.m. Mondays on NBC).
His first acting role was as New York Policeman #1 on “Law & Order” (1991 episode titled “The Torrents of Greed: Part 2″). He was 25.
Best wishes to Mike and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
(NBC Photo at right features Mike O’Malley in “My Own Worst Enemy”).
“Dance” audition date announced
If you believe you can dance, you ought to try out for “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Producers for the Fox competition series will be in New York City Nov. 13 (at Brooklyn’s Mark Morris Dance Center) in search of dancers for the show’s fifth season scheduled to debut in summer.
If that is a bit too far to travel, consider attending upcoming auditions in Denver, Memphis, Miami, Seattle and Los Angeles. Dates for those venues will be announced shortly.
For the latest information, go to www.fox.com/dance/.
Dancers who spark the judges’ interest will be invited to callbacks in Las Vegas where they will work with choreographers. Judges will select The top 20 dancers to continue in the competition.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Henry Winkler
Oct. 30, 2008 — Henry Franklin Winkler, who played Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on “Happy Days” (1974-84 on ABC), turns 63 today.
His most recent TV role is as Agent Jack Bloom on “NUMB3RS” (the episode “Jack of All Trades” aired Oct. 24 on CBS).
His first acting role was as an Intern on “Another World” in 1972. He was 27.
Best wishes to Henry and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
(CBS Photo above features Henry Winkler in a scene from ”NUMB3RS”).
How new fall shows are faring
“The Ex List” is the latest new series to be dropped this fall.
After four episodes, CBS pulled the romantic comedy starring Elizabeth Reaser (in CBS Photo at right) off the Friday schedule and will replace it with repeats of “NCIS” (starting Oct. 31). No word yet on whether the remaining six episodes will air.
Other shows already yanked from the 2008-09 primetime schedule are the Fox comedy “Do Not Disturb” (cancelled Sept. 26 after three episodes; six unaired episodes remain) and the ABC reality show “Opportunity Knocks” (cancelled Oct. 17 after three episodes; ABC is considering airing the remaining episodes at a later date).
Here are the season-to-date rankings (Sept. 22 through Oct. 26) for all the freshman series:
No. 7 — The Mentalist (CBS, picked up for full season)
No. 19 — Eleventh Hour (CBS)
No. 28 — Fringe (Fox, picked up for full season)
No. 30 — Worst Week (CBS)
No. 34 — Life on Mars (ABC)
No. 46 — Knight Rider (NBC, picked up for full season)
No. 51 — Gary Unmarried (CBS)
No. 57 — Crusoe (NBC)
No. 63 — My Own Worst Enemy (NBC)
No. 65 — Kath & Kim (NBC)
No. 67 — The Ex List (CBS, pulled from schedule)
No. 70 — Opportunity Knocks (ABC, pulled from schedule)
No. 94 — Hole in the Wall (Fox, burning off unaired episodes)
No. 95 — Do Not Disturb (Fox, pulled from schedule)
No. 102 – 90210 (CW, picked up for full season)
No. 104 – Stylista (CW)
No. 106 – Privileged (CW)
No. 112 – Valentine (CW, production halted)
No. 113 – Easy Money (CW, production halted)
No. 114 – In Harm’s Way (CW)
(NOTE: The I.T.R.S. Ranking Report is based on average total viewers per episode).
–Penny TV
Halloween “Munsters” marathon on WGN
WGN America is giving viewers a sweet Halloween treat — 16 classic episode of “The Munsters” with introductions by rocker Alice Cooper (“Welcome to My Nightmare”).
“The Monstrous Munster Mash” marathon will air from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday. Cooper will open each episode and provide entertaining bits in between commercial breaks.
Following the eight-hour marathon, WGN will air the 30-minute behind-the-scenes special “World Premiere: Alice Cooper’s Along Came a Spider” featuring the cable debut of music videos and clips from Cooper’s new album.
To gear up for the “Munsters” marathon, go to www.WGNAmerica.com and play Alice Cooper’s “Munster Mash” game.
Then sit back and wait for the following “Munster” episodes during WGN’s marathon:
♦“My Fair Munster” – In this, the very first produced episode of “The Munsters”, Grandpa tries to cure Marilyn’s dating problems with a love potion that he slips into her breakfast but ends up being served to the rest of the family.
♦“Munster Masquerade” – Marilyn’s boyfriend talks his parents into inviting the Munsters to their masquerade party before he meets them.
♦“Rock-a-Bye Munster” – Herman and Grandpa assume that Lily is pregnant after eavesdropping on a conversation between Lily and Marilyn. Paul Lynde guest stars.
♦“Lo-Cal Munster” – Herman nearly loses his mind when he goes on a crash-diet and his doctor has a similar reaction when they meet for the first time. Paul Lynde guest stars.
♦“Eddie’s Nickname” – Eddie wants to quit school after his schoolmates nickname him “Shorty.” But that becomes the least of his problems when Grandpa mixes up a “magic milkshake” that’s supposed to make Eddie grow six inches taller overnight. Paul Lynde guest stars.
♦“Movie Star Munster” – Herman thinks he’s Hollywood-bound when he signs what he thinks is a movie deal but is actually an accident policy from a pair of insurance scammers.
♦“Herman the Rookie” – Herman tries out for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
♦“Herman Picks a Winner” – When Herman attempts to teach Eddie a lesson about the risks of gambling, he gets himself mixed up with an illegal betting racket. Charlie Callas guest stars.
♦“Just Another Pretty Face” – Herman becomes disfigured by a bolt of electricity and ends up looking like Fred Gwynne. Dom DeLuise guest stars.
♦“Grandpa’s Lost Wife” – When a woman claims Grandpa is her long-lost husband, he denies ever having seen her before… until she alludes to her financial wealth. Jane Withers guest stars.
♦“The Fregosi Emerald” – Bad luck befalls the Munsters when Eddie gives Marilyn a ring he found for her birthday that Grandpa recognizes as the cursed “Fregosi Emerald.”
♦“Zombo” – Herman gets a monstrous makeover when he becomes insanely jealous of Eddie’s obsession with a local TV horror show host. Louis Nye guest stars.
♦“Prehistoric Munster” – When Marilyn unveils a clay bust she made of her Uncle Herman to her university professor, he foresees a future of fame and fortune by mistakenly assuming that Herman is a missing link. Harvey Korman guest stars.
♦“A Visit from Johann” – Dr. Victor Frankenstein IV comes to Mockingbird Heights and asks Herman to help him civilize one of his great grandfather’s rejects who’s been terrifying people and looks exactly like Herman.
♦“Herman the Tire-Kicker” – Herman winds up in the slammer when a shady used car salesman sells him a stolen convertible. Frank Gorshin guest stars.
♦“A House Divided” – An all-out feud between Herman and Grandpa erupts when an argument leads to Grandpa claiming half ownership of the Munsters’ home and Herman divides the house in half.
–Penny TV
Candidates making the talk show rounds
Network News Releases …
◊“Larry King Live” (8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, on CNN): Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain and host Larry King will discuss the election and the quest for the presidency.
◊“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, on Comedy Central): Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama will appear via satellite from Florida where he continues his campaign with less than one week until Election Day.
◊“The Rachel Maddow Show” (8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, on MSNBC): Host Rachel Maddow will interview Barack Obama.
◊“The Situation Room” (3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, on CNN): Host Wolf Blitzer will sit down with Barack Obama, and the interview will air throughout the three-hour telecast. Viewers can submit questions for Obama online at www.iReport.com/Obama.
