Top 44 TV Programs for Jan. 25-31
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 Jan. 25:
SUNDAY, JAN. 25
◊The 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (7 p.m. on TNT and TBS): The winners in five film and eight primetime television categories will be decided by the entire active membership of the Guild. James Earl Jones is this year’s Life Achievement Award honoree.
◊“Celebration of Gospel” (7 p.m. on BET): Steve Harvey (“The Steve Harvey Show”) returns to host the ninth annual event that featuring performances and spoken-word segments to “raise the praise.” Taking the stage this year will be Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., Grammy-winning hip hop star LL Cool J. and gospel singers Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Vickie Winans and Heather Headley.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The crew helps an injured Iraqi war veteran and his family from Kansas rebuild their lives. The Tutwilers have been living on a military base ever since their house in Chapman, Kan., was devastated by an F4 tornado. Rock singer Gavin Rossdale performs his hit single “Love Remains” for the family at the reveal.
◊“The Last Templar” (8 p.m. today and Monday on NBC): This new miniseries is based on Raymond Khoury’s novel about an ancient mystery with a Vatican connection. It stars Mira Sorvino as an archaeologist who teams up with an FBI agent (Scott Foley) to investigate when four masked horsemen crash a museum exhibit of Vatican treasures.
◊“Loving Leah” (8 p.m. on CBS): In this new Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, a young Hasidic rabbi dies, and his nondevout brother (Adam Kaufman) is asked to honor an ancient custom and marry his widow, Leah (Lauren Ambrose).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas in women’s college basketball action airing live at noon on FSOK.
MONDAY, JAN. 26
◊“American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment titled “The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer” offers a revealing portrait of the American scientist who led the development of the atomic bomb. The dramatic recreations feature David Strathairn (“Good Night, and Good Luck”).
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The show rides into Dallas where everything is larger than life, including a few examples from a collection of more than 600 antique American flags.
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): Brenda’s squad reopens a case that could leave another division with a black eye. Barry Corbin (“No Country for Old Men”) and Frances Sternhagen (“Misery”) guest star as Brenda’s parents.
◊“Inside the Actors Studio” (7 p.m. on Bravo): Host James Lipton chats with Conan O’Brien about everything from O’Brien’s childhood to his pre-”Late Night” career as a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons.”
◊“Olivia” (10:30 a.m. on Nickelodeon)(Nickelodeon Photo pictured above): This new animated series invites children into the life—both real and fantasy—of an adventurous, can-do 6¾-year-old girl named Olivia who believes she can do anything and sees every day as an opportunity to try new things. The series is based on author/illustrator Ian Falconer’s best-selling books.
◊“One Way Out” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Escape artist Jonathan Goodwin attempts extreme excapes created by mechanical engineer Terry Stroud in this new series.
◊“Private Screenings: Ernest Borgnine” (7 p.m. on TCM): Ernest Borgnine, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of the titular shy butcher in 1955’s “Marty,” talks about his life and career. He is still working at age 92, with several movies due out this year.
◊“Trust Me” (9 p.m. on TNT): This new series stars Eric McCormack (“Will & Grace”) and Tom Cavanagh (“Ed”) as best friends who work together in the cutthroat world of advertising.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State University in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
TUESDAY, JAN. 27
◊“Frontline/World” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the season premiere titled “Getting Out of Gitmo,” correspondent Alexandra Poolos reports on several dozen men from rural China who spent years at the infamous detention facility.
◊“Last Restaurant Standing” (7 p.m. on BBC America): World-renowned chef and Michelin-starred restaurateur Raymond Blanc returns for Season 2 of the series. Nine couples will battle it out for a once in an opportunity to open a new restaurant with him.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): a famous astronaut is found dead and Det. Stabler’s ikd mentor, Dick Finley (James Brolin, “The Reagans”) helps investigate the case.
◊“Scrubs” (8 p.m. on ABC): J.D. learns the hard way that not even Elmo can teach the gift of compassion to those who don’t care to learn. Guest starring from Sesame Workshop’s “Muppets” are Kevin Clash as Elmo, Eric Jacobson as Grover and Carroll Spinney as Oscar the Grouch.
◊“The Whitest Kids U’ Know” (9 p.m. on IFC): Season 2 of the sketch comedy show continues to showcase the raucous and peculiar talents of Trevor, Zach, Sam, Darren and Timmy as they take on our culture’s obsessive fascination with celebrities, infomercials and office culture.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for Elena’s former partner who disappears after an undercover sting operation. The idea for the episode came from series star Roselyn Sanchez (Elena).
◊Tulsa Memorial takes on Tulsa Washington in high school basketball action airing live at 6:30 p.m. on Cox.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28
◊“The Detonators” (7 p.m. on Discovery): This new series follows explosives experts Dr. Braden Lusk and Dr. Paul Worsey as they get backstage passes to the world’s biggest and toughest demolition blasts.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): Lieutenant Hunt faces off with his arch rival from another precinct while investigating a bank robbery with international connections.
◊“Lost” (7 p.m. on ABC): Hurley and Sayid are on the run from the cops after stumbling into trouble at the safehouse, the island survivors come under attack by unknown forces, and an old friend offers some shocking advice to Kate in order to ensure that “the lie” remain a secret.
◊“Make ’em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment titled “Wiseguys and Smart-Alecks: Never Give a Sucker an Even Break” is devoted to the masters and mistresses of the snappy comeback, from W.C. Fields and Jack Benny to Chris Rock and Larry David. The miniseries wraps up with an hour devoted to parody and satirical comedy.
◊“Secrets of the Summer House” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Lindsay Price (“Lipstick Jungle”) and David Haydn-Jones (“Rumours”) star in this 2008 drama about a centuries old curse that haunts a family summer house.
The University of Oklahoma takes on Baylor in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on KWTV-9.
THURSDAY, JAN. 29
◊“Burn Notice” (9 p.m. on USA): Michael, Fiona and Sam pose as a gang of ruthless car thieves to stop a thug who is threatening a local high school football star. Former Dallas Cowboy football player Michael Irvin guest stars as the local football coach.
◊“Hell’s Kitchen” (8 p.m. on Fox): A new batch of 16 aspiring chefs step up to the plate to face world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay as he serves up the fifth course of his fiery unscripted series. The winner will receive a head chef position at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.
◊“Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): Series star Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan) makes her directorial debut with this episode titled “Power.” Clark finds Tess in Lana’s ransacked apartment and realizes Lana is missing.
◊“The Trials of Ted Haggard” (7 p.m. on HBO): This new documentary chronicles the sex scandal that enveloped the Rev. Ted Haggard in 2006 when a male prostitute alleged the two of them had been having sex for three years and had done meth together.
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): Gio (guest star Freddy Rodriguez) returns and Betty tries to make amends, but he’s not having any of it.
◊“The VH1 Pepsi Smash Bowl Bash” (8 p.m. on VH1): Jerry O’Connell (“Sliders”) will host this concert that kicks off the celebration of the 43rd Super Bowl. Scheduled performers at the event airing live from Tampa, Fla., include Rihanna, Fall Out Boys and Lifehouse.
FRIDAY, JAN. 30
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on NBC): Matt Saracen feels the heat asw the fans lose faith in him and turn to the new quarterback, J.D. McCoy (Jeremy Sumpter, “Clubhouse”).
◊“The Game” (7:30 p.m. on CW): Malik’s invitation to appear on the children’s television show of his childhood hero, Mookie (voiced by Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash who also appears as himself in the episode), is rescinded.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA): Monk scores tickets to the biggest football game of the year, but he and Captain Stottlemeyer can’t go inside until they figure out who tried to blow up a fan in the parking lot. Sports announcer Bob Costas guest stars.
◊“Psych” (9 p.m. on USA): Shawn and Gus are drafted in when the guys sign up for training camp after the foot of a professional football kicker is discovered. Mykelti Williamson (“Forest Gump”) guest stars.
Putnam City takes on Edmond Santa Fe in high school basketball action airing live at 6 p.m. on Cox.
SATURDAY, JAN. 31
◊“AKC/Eukanuba National Championship” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): Thousands of canines from around the country and across the globe compete, but only one will come away with “best in show” honors.
◊“Lisa Lampanelli: Long Live the Queen” (9 p.m. on HBO): Taped recently before a live audience in Santa Rosa, Cal., this special features the comedienne offering her unique take on social taboos and stereotypes that even today’s boldest comics rarely broach.
◊“The Note II: Taking a Chance on Love” (8 p.m. on Hallmark): Genie Francis (“General Hospital”) and Ted McGinley (“Hope and Faith”) reprise their roles in this sequel to the network’s highest-rated film of 2007. They return as Peyton MacGruder and King Danville, a columnist and a sports writer brought together by the power of words and the power of love.
◊“Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials” (7 p.m. on CBS): Jim Nantz (“The NFL on CBS”) and Daisy Fuentes (“Ultimate Style”) co-host this special that showcases 10 of the most famous ads introduced during past Super Bowls. The top three picks will be revealed during the show, and viewers can go to www.cbs.com/superbowl to vote for their favorite.
◊“Kevin Hart: I’m a Grown Little Man” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): The comedian, who stands 5-foot-4, takes a grown-up perspective on being a “little man.”
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Iowa State in men’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Missouri in women’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 on KAUT-43.
Oklahoma State University takes on Texas A&M in men’s college basketball action airing live at 1 p.m. on ESPN.
–Penny TV
CBS wants viewer videos, gives away camcorders
What should the Obama Administration’s priorities be during its first 100 days? CBS News wants America’s opinion.
For the next few months, everybody is invited to go to www.cbsnews.com/First100Days and submit video of places in America that need the most attention.
To help out with the project, CBSNews.com has teamed up with Pure Digital Technologies to give away 50 Flip MinoHD camcorders. To enter, write an essay explaining why you should win and send it to couriconline@cbsnews.com/. A winner from each state will be selected.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Talk Show Guests on TV (Jan. 22-28, 2009)
Wednesday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the guests (and all the topics) coming up on TV talk shows.
Here are 30 of the best guests appearing on talk shows airing Thursday through Wednesday (Jan. 22-28, 2009). For a practically complete list, go to www.newsok.com/tv and click on Talk Shows (located under Resources).
But just like everything else on TV, talk show lineups are subject to change.
BEST GUESTS
◊Paula Abdul (“American Idol”), Jan. 27 on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”
◊Kristen Bell (“Gossip Girl”), Jan. 28 on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
◊Josh Brolin (“Milk”), Jan. 26 on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”
◊Harry Connick Jr. (“New in Town”), Jan. 27 on “Live With Regis and Kelly”
◊Miranda Cosgrove (“iCarly”), Jan. 27 on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
◊Ted Danson (“Damages”), Jan. 28 on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
◊Emily Deschanel (“Bones”), Jan. 22 on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
◊Susie Essman (“Loving Leah”), Jan. 23 on “The View”
◊Guy Fieri (“Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”), Jan. 28 on “Late Show With David Letterman”
◊Brendan Fraser (“Inkheart”), Jan. 22 on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live”; Jan. 23 on “The Early Show” and “The Bonnie Hunt Show”
◊Cuba Gooding Jr. (“Gifted Hands”), Jan. 28 on “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson”
◊Chelsea Handler (“Chelsea Lately”), Jan. 23 on “Today”
◊Dustin Hoffman (“Last Chance Harvey”), Jan. 23 on “Late Show With David Letterman”
◊Ron Howard (“Frost/Nixon”), Jan. 22 on “The View” and “Late Night With Conan O’Brien”
◊James Earl Jones (Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins”), Jan. 22 on “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson”
◊Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a Trace”), Jan. 27 on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
◊Evangeline Lilly (“Lost”), Jan. 27 on “Late Show With David Letterman”; Jan. 28 on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien”
◊Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Old Christine”), Jan. 23 on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien”
◊Eric McCormack (“Trust Me”), Jan. 23 on “Live With Regis and Kelly”
◊Liza Minnelli (“Arrested Development”), Jan. 27 on “The View”
◊Tyler Perry (“House of Payne”), Jan. 22 on “Rachael Ray”
◊Amy Poehler (“Saturday Night Live”), Jan. 26 on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
◊John C. Reilly (“Step Brothers”), Jan. 26 on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien”
◊Tim Roth (“Lie to Me”), Jan. 23 on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
◊Kyra Sedgwick (“The Closer”), Jan. 23 on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
◊Mira Sorvino (“The Last Templar”), Jan. 22 on “Today” and “Live With Regis and Kelly”
◊Marisa Tomei (“The Wrestler”), Jan. 23 on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”
◊Sigourney Weaver (“Prayers for Bobby”), Jan. 22 on “The Early Show” and “The Martha Stewart Show”
◊Rainn Wilson (“The Office”), Jan. 27 on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”
◊Renée Zellweger (“New in Town”), Jan. 22 on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”
Pictured above: Brendan Fraser poses for photographers at the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation’s 6th Annual “In the Spirit of the Game” fundraiser, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rene Macura).
Top 20 Talk Show Topics on TV (Jan. 22-28, 2009)
Wednesday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the topics (and all the guests) coming up on TV talk shows.
Here are TV Editor Penny Soldan’s Top 20 picks for shows airing Thursday through Wednesday (Jan. 22-28, 2009). For a practically complete list, go to www.newsok.com/tv and click on Talk Shows (located under Resources).
But just like everything else on TV, talk show lineups are subject to change.
TOP TOPICS
◊Academy Award nominees are discussed (Jan. 22 on “Good Morning America” and “The Early Show”)
◊Emily Post’s great-great granddaughter discusses wedding etiquette (Jan. 22 on “The Early Show”)
◊Makeup for under $10 (Jan. 22 on “The View”)
◊Cost of adoption (Jan. 22 on “Today”)
◊Adolescent girls talk about teen pregnancy (Jan. 22 on “The Tyra Banks Show”)
◊Causes and warning signs of Kawasaki disease (Jan. 22 on “The Doctors”)
◊Handling a job loss (Jan. 22 on “The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet”)
◊Inexpensively feeding a family of four (Jan. 22 on “Rachael Ray”)
◊Women seek help dealing with their out-of-control teen daughters (Jan. 22 on “Maury”)
◊Simple exercises that can get one in shape without joining a gym (Jan. 23 on “The Martha Stewart Show”)
◊The Human Lab tests pageant products (Jan. 23 on “Rachael Ray”)
◊Gold-digging women reveal their secrets (Jan. 23 on “Dr. Phil”)
◊Woman wants her 12-year-old to have plastic surgery (Jan. 23 on “The Doctors”)
◊Ten things that should not be purchased new (Jan. 24 on “Today”)
◊Guests say they feel discriminated against because of their weight (Jan. 26 on “The Tyra Banks Show”)
◊Guests talk about dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse (Jan. 26 on “Montel Williams”)
◊Women confront the self-proclaimed womanizers that broke their hearts (Jan. 27 on “The Tyra Banks Show”)
◊Treating children’s colds (Jan. 27 on “Today”)
◊People who say they are addicted to the Internet (Jan. 28 on “The Tyra Banks Show”)
◊Guests seek answers from psychic Sylvia Browne regarding mysterious happenings (Jan. 28 on “Montel Williams”)
Casting for “Kitchen Nightmares”
Fox’s hit show “Kitchen Nightmares” is now casting in several cities. None are close to Oklahoma, but perhaps someone has a restaurant tale that can entice chef Gordon Ramsay and his show to come to the Sooner State.
So if anyone has a restaurant in need of resuscitating or a chef with different menu ideas or a great location that customers still seem to overlook, contact casting directors at KitchenNightmares@the conlincompany.com/.
Selected applicants will be visited by Chef Ramsay, who will spend a week at the establishment to troubleshoot any problems and try to get the restaurant back on the road to success.
It’s worth a try, even though the casting directors are consentrating on Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and South Florida. For more information, go to www.fox.com/kitchennightmares/.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Skeet Ulrich
Jan. 20, 2009 – Bryan Ray Trout, who played Jake Green on “Jericho” (2006-08 on CBS), turns 39 today.
He played Paul Callan in the short-lived series “Miracles” (13 aired in 2003 on ABC).
His first acting role was as Thug in the 1990 film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” He was 20.
Best wishes to Skeet and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Skeet Ulrich poses on the set of “Jericho,” in Simi Valley, Calif. The serial drama follows the fate of the population of a small Kansas town isolated in the wake of nuclear explosions. (AP Photo/CBS, Monty Brinton).
Ricardo Montalban remembered with movie marathon
Network News Release …
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will dedicate Friday’s (Jan 23) entire daytime lineup to Ricardo Montalban, who died Jan. 14 at age 88.
The collection features musical pairings with Esther Williams in “Fiesta” (1947) and “Neptune’s Daughter” (1949), as well as dramatic roles in “Border Incident” (1949) and “Battleground” (1949).
Here is the complete schedule for TCM’s movie tribute to Montalban.
◊◊6:30 a.m.: “Fiesta” (1947) — In his first leading role, Montalban plays a young man whose parents want him to become a toreador, but he is more interested in music. Esther Williams and Cyd Charisse also star in this musical shot on location in Mexico.
◊◊8:30 a.m.: “Neptune’s Daughter” (1949) — Once again teaming with Esther Williams, Montalban plays a millionaire playboy trying to win the affections of a bathing suit designer. This colorful musical features the Oscar-winning song “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”
◊◊10:15 a.m.: “Latin Lovers” (1953) — Montalban vies for the affections of a wealthy heiress played by Lana Turner in this lush, tropical musical directed by Mervyn LeRoy.
◊◊Noon: “Border Incident” (1949) — This early look at the issue of illegal immigration features Montalban and George Murphy in a tense story of agents out to stop a ring smuggling Mexicans across the border.
◊◊1:30 p.m.: “Battleground” (1949) — Montalban gives an outstanding performance as a Mexican-American soldier fighting in Germany during the Battle of the Bulge. Van Johnson and John Hodiak co-star.
◊◊3:30 p.m.: “Across the Wide Missouri” (1951) — This pioneer epic starring Clark Gable, Montalban plays a young Indian war chief out to prevent a band of pioneers from reaching their destination. John Hodiak co-stars.
◊◊5 p.m.: “The Singing Nun” (1966) — In this true story, Montalban plays a warm-hearted priest who helps a guitar-strumming Belgian nun spread her music to the world. Debbie Reynolds stars, along with Greer Garson, Agnes Moorehead and Chad Everett.
Pictured above: In this June 15, 1978 file photo, actor Ricardo Montalban of the television series “Fantasy Island” is shown in Los Angeles. The Mexican-born actor, who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV’s “Fantasy Island,” died at his home in Los Angeles, City Council President Eric Garcetti said Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009. He was 88. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, file).
Make your pet a WEtv star
WEtv has a contest that pet lovers will love.
Not only does the cable network’s Third annual Picture Perfect Pet Contest give proud pet owners an opportunity to show off their adorable animals, it will also put money into three people’s pockets.
Go to www.WEtv.com to upload photos of your furry (or scaly) friends. You can also type in a brief blurb about why your pet is more than picture perfect.
The contest is open to pets of all ages and types, but submissions must be received by Feb. 15.
Visitors to WEtv.com can browse through the photos and vote for the most picture purrfect pet. Those votes will be considered when a panel of WEtv pet experts pick the winners.
Top prize is $5,000 cash, with $2,500 going to two runners-up.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Jodie Sweetin
Jan. 19, 2009 – Jodie Lee Ann Sweetin, who played Stehanie “Steph” Judith Tanner on “Full House” (1987-95 on ABC), turns 27 today.
Her most recent acting role is as Nancy in the 2009 film “Port City” (now in post-production).
Her first acting role was as Pamela Poole on “Valerie” (1987 episode titled “Boston Tea Party”). She was 5.
Best wishes to Jodie and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: ABC Photo featuring young star Jodie Sweetin, who explores the wonders of the animal kingdom and how man can help protect these incredible creatures in WILD THINGS: AN EARTH DAY SPECIAL (aired April 22, 1995).
SpongeBob SquarePants celebration on Nickelodeon
How old is SpongeBob SquarePants? In July, the sea sponge will be 10 years older than he was when his show started.
To celebrate his 10 years on Nickelodeon, the cable network is hosting a “Happy Squared” party all year long. The fun is already underway at www.spongebob.com with all sorts of absorbing activities for fans to do, including a new mini-game every week.
A week of new episodes will premiere in March, including “Grandpappy The Pirate” featuring guest star Dennis Quaid as Mr. Krab’s grandfather. Johnny Depp will guest star as surf guru Jack Kahuna Laguna in the new special “SpongeBob vs. The Big One” premiering in April.
And on the anniversary of the series’ first episode, Nickelodeon will premiere a TV documentary that chronicles SpongeBob’s evolution to international pop culture icon status. His show is, after all, seen in 171 markets in 25 languages.
Happy anniversary, SpongeBob SquarePants. And thanks for inviting everyone to your party.
–Penny TV
