Top 55 TV Programs for March 15-21, 2009
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 March 15:
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
◊“Au Pair 3: Adventure in Paradise” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): The Caldwell family returns in the third installment of the movie franchise, as the family hits the tropical beaches. Gregory Harrison (“Trapper John, M.D.”) stars.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team members try to curtail their emotions as they search for the person who shot both Jeffries and the elderly long-time owner of the corner convenience store Jeffries had entered on his way home from work.
◊“Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): Country music star Toby Keith from Moore will be among the roasters making this event unfor-git-able for Larry the Cable Guy. Other roasters include Drew Carey, Nick DiPaolo, Jeff Foxworthy, Greg Giraldo, Lisa Lampanelli, Dan Marino and Jeffrey Ross.
◊“Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): When Susan tries to impress Jessie (Swoosie Kurtz, “Pushing Daisies”), a teacher at work, Jessie comes away with the wrong impression.
◊“Eastbound & Down” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Convinced he’s lost his stuff, Kenny ecides to give up his comeback dreams and move on as a working stiff. But his resolve is tested by arrogant car dealer Ashley Schaeffer (“Will Ferrell, “Semi-Pro”).
◊“Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): As a publicity stunt, Hannah pretends to be the girlfriend of fellow celebrity Austin Rain when, in reality, they can’t stand each other. Nancy O’Dell (“Access Hollywood”) guest stars.
◊“HGTV Dream Home Giveaway 2009” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Tune in to find out who wins the Victorian-style home in Sonoma, Ca. It is part of the $2 million grand-prize package that also includes a 2009 GMC Acadia.
◊“Kings” (7 p.m. on NBC): This contemporary retelling of the biblical David and Goliath story follows the adventures of David Shepherd (Chris Egan, “Eragon”), a young soldier who crosses enemy lines to save the life of another soldier who turns out to be the son of King Silas Benjamin (Ian McShane, “Deadwood”).
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): A winter storm in northern California caused a private plane with three people on board to crash in Yosemite Park. This episode captures the amazing rescue in blizzard conditions.
◊“Tough Love” (9 p.m. on VH1): In this new series, matchmaker Steven Ward will examine the bad habits of eight women and retrain them on the basics of dating and maintaining a relationship.
MONDAY, MARCH 16
◊“Betty Ford: The Real Deal” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Jane Alexander (“Tell Me You Love Me”) narrates this new documentary profiling the life of an outspoken former First Lady who became a pioneer in substance abuse treatment. It features never-before-seen photos and film footage, plus interviews with Mrs. Ford, her four children and close friends.
◊“Built From Disaster” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): Engineers and designers learn hard lessons from tragic disasters at stadium, skyscrapers, bridges and ships. This series investigates the lessons learned since catastrophes such as the Hillsborough stadium disaster, the Minneapolis bridge collapse and the skinging og the Estonia in the Baltic Sea.
◊“Death on a Factory Farm” (9 p.m. on HBO): This documentary chronicles an investigation into alleged abuses that took place at a hog farm in Creston, Ohio.
◊“Dhani Tackles the Globe” (8 p.m. on Travel Channel): Dhani Jones, a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, embarks on a global sports odyssey as host of this new series. In each episode, he tries his hand at a new sport, including rugby in England, muay thai in Thailand, hurling in Ireland and dragon boat racing in Singapore.
◊“Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): The Constance Billard and St. Jude seniors put on a production of “The Age of Innocence” and find their personal lives mirroring conflicts in the play. Sebastian Stan (“Kings”) guest stars.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): Dr. House and the team take on the case of Morgan (Judy Greer, “27 Dresses”) who works in a nursing home with a pet cat who only sleeps next to people if they are about to die – and does so with alarmingly accuracy.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Ted is shocked to learn that Lily is not only responsible for his breakup with Karen (Laura Prepon, “That ’70s Show”), but many of his former girlfriends, as well.
◊“Kyle XY” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): In the series finale, Kyle learns what Cassidy and Latnok’s true plans are for Adam’s experiment and must stop them at all costs.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): When Allison’s old car sputters and dies, Joe surprises her with an immaculate used car after being tipped off to a great deal. Unfortunately, the Dubois’ discover that the car is at the center of a horrific, unsolved crime. Kelly Preston (“The Tenth Circle”) guest stars.
◊“The Navigator” (7 p.m. on TCM): Director John Landis (“An American Werewold in London”) is today’s guest programmer on TCM, and this 1924 Buster Keaton comedy is one of the seven films he picked for broadcast. Among his other selections are three shorts featuring Roscoe “Fatty Arbuckle, a classic musical, a cult horror film and a masterful thriller from Alfred Hitchcock.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): Jeff is surprised to learn that his new friend he made at the gym is gay. Orlando Jones (“Men in Trees”) guest stars.
◊“Runnin’ Down a Dream: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers” (6:45 a.m. on Sundance): Peter Bogdanovich directed this film, which recently won the Grammy Award for best long form music video. It focuses on 2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and tells a story three decades in the making of a band and its front man.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): While the squad investigates the death of a drug dealer at an apartment complex, Ham and Butch run into Bobby, who is still undercover.
◊“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Series guest star John Schneider (“Smallville”) directed this episode in which Amy is in the hospital and slides in and out of sleep as she waits to get her epidural during labor.
◊“Speed Dreams” (9 p.m. on Documentary Channel): Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Automotive, Porsche factory GT driver Wolf Henzler and drag racing specialist Jason Whitfield of Whitfield Racing discuss personal experiences on and off the track that have propelled him to auto racing success.
◊“Today” (7 a.m. on NBC): Meredith Vieira and Al Roker will don Irish green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the Emerald Isle. Today, they will broadcast live from Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow, a sprawling country estate known as one of Ireland’s most famous house and gardens. On Tuesday, they will broadcast live from The Dublin Castle in Dublin City Centre and from along the route of the famed St. Patrick’s Festival Parade.
TUESDAY, MARCH 17
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Six-time Emmy winner Carol Burnett (“The Carol Burnett Show”) guest stars as a former dancer caught up in the murder of a young couple.
◊“The Mentalist” (8 p.m. on CBS): After Patrick loses his sight in an explosion, he is forced to rely on his other senses to help him solve the murder of a financial adviser. Gregory Itzin (‘‘24”) guest stars.
◊“Modern Toss” (10 p.m. on IFC): This new series is a partially-animated, distinctly adult British comedy complete with gross-out moments, profanity and inappropriate cartoon characters. It was created by former journalists Mick Bunnage and Jon Link is based on their comic and website also dubbed “Modern Toss.”
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): A boxer’s death leads Vance to start up his own investigation, causing a sparring match with Gibbs, on NCIS, Tuesday, March 17 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Paula Newsome (“Women’s Murder Club”) guest stars.
◊“Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” (9 p.m. on HBO): March means nonstop basketball action, and this installment serves up three compelling basketball stories, plus a profile of unorthodox skier Bode Miller.
◊“Reaper” (7 p.m. on CW): Ben would like to introduce Nina to Sam and Sock, but he’s concerned they won’t accept her because she’s a demon.
◊“State of Creativity” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This new installment of OETA’s documentary series titled “Pizza boxes and 3-D animation” looks at two ideas that are playing important roles in educating Oklahoma’s workforce.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for a missing trial consultant and tries to narrow down the list of suspects involved with his disappearance. Vanessa Marcil (“Las Vegas”) guest stars as a juror on a murder trial on which the victim had recently consulted.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
◊“Better Off Ted” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): This new office comedy follows a successful good guy Ted (Jay Harrington) who runs research and development at the morally questionable Veridian Dynamics. No achievement is too far-fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): Agent Hotchner revisits the first case he worked at the Behavioral Analisus Unit when details come forth that one of the deadliest serial killers in New England’s history has struck again after a 10-year hiatus. C. Thomas Howell (‘‘The Outsiders”) guest stars.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): When a former medical examiner is found murdered, a white powder found at the scene provides the CSIs with a major lead in tracking the killer when it is discovered that the powder is heroin made from human bodies. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz (“7th Heaven”) and Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy bassist) guest star as Bonnie and Clyde wannabes.
◊“General Hospital” (2 p.m. on ABC): NASCAR driver Jeff Burton pays a visit to Port Charles and has a comedic run-in with race-car enthusiast and top neurosurgeon Dr. Patrick Drake (Jason Thompson), who does not recognize the 21-time winner on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition.
◊“Global Warming: The New Challenge With Tom Brokaw” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In this follow-up piece to his Emmy winning 2006 special, journalist Tom Brokaw interviews some of the world’s leading experts about what Americans should be prepared for in the coming years. The special also takes a close look at the most promising scientific, technological, and economic solutions our nation can offer in the fight against global warming.
◊“Inside the FBI” (7 p.m. on Discovery): Discovery Channel was granted unprecedented access to the inner workings of the San Diego field office. For the first time, viewers will follow along with the agents as they build a case against one of the largest and deadliest gangs in southern California – the Mexican Mafia.
◊“Journey to Planet Earth: The State of the Planet’s Oceans” (10:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Matt Damon (“The Bourne Ultimatum”) hosts this new installment of the award-winning environmental series. It investigates the health and sustainability of the world’s oceans, with a special emphasis on issues affecting marine preserves, fisheries, and coastal ecosystems in the United States and worldwide.
◊“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): When Lightman is hired to find a corporate spy at a pharmaceutical company, he discovers a high-level conspiracy surrounding a new drug that could put thousands of lives at risk. D.W. Moffett (“Friday Night Lights”) guest stars.
◊“Life” (8 p.m. on NBC): With Reese still on loan to the FBI, Crews is assigned a new partner, Detective Jane Seever (new cast member Gabrielle Union, “Night Stalker”).
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): When Detective Sam Tyler poses as a streetwise tough to infiltrate a vicious New York City gang suspected of truck hijackings, he’s pushed to the limit not to blow his cover, and he reveals a much darker side. Paige Turco (“The Agency”) guest stars.
◊“The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): Making an appearance during a special Dodger-themed showcase are Los Angeles Dodgers players James Loney, Russell Martin, Delwyn Young, James McDonald, and Mark Loretta, as well as former Dodgers Bobby Castillo, Kenny Landreaux and “Sweet” Lou Johnson.
◊“Toughest Cowboy” (10 p.m. on SPIKE): This reality series tested 12 cowboys in three major disciplines — bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. The winner will receive a ranch in Wyoming.
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): As Liz spends more time with her boyfriend Drew, she finds that his handsomeness has allowed him to bypass many of the usual frustrations of daily life. Meredith Vieira (“Today”) guest stars.
◊“Hometown Baghdad” (10:30 p.m. on Sundance): Beginning its account in spring 2006, this documentary knits together the daily experiences and testimonies of three Baghdad university students. It is one of three programs airing on the network today to mark the sixth anniversary of the start of the war with Iraq. The other two are “Heavy Metal in Baghdad” (9 p.m.) and “No End in Sight” (12:15 a.m.).
◊“My Name Is Earl” (7 p.m. on NBC): After he apologizes to a crazy witch lady (Betty White, “The Golden Girls”) for all the trouble he caused her as a kid, Earl faces his fears and tries to make it up to her. But when she turns out to be crazier than Earl thought, he and Randy wind up in a life-or-death situation along with a bunch of their friends.
◊“The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Michael has big plans for his 15th anniversary party at Dunder Mifflin, but is in for a shock when the new, no-nonsense Vice President (Idris Elba, “The Wire”) has some ideas of his own.
◊“Private Practice” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): After Addison discovers that a mentally unbalanced pregnant patient has lost her baby, Violet must convince her that the baby has died and that surgery is necessary. Amanda Detmer (“What About Brian”) guest stars.
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
◊“Dollhouse” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): Echo becomes the perfect wife for a lonely internet mogul (Patton Oswalt, “The King of Queens”).
◊“The Electric Company” (4 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new episode titled “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s Just Frozen,” Keith gets frozen like a statue when he’s zapped by one of Manny’s gadgets. Making guest appearances are rocker Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy bassist) and Tony Award winning composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda.
◊“Head Case” (9 p.m. on Starz): Dr. Elizabeth Goode (Alexandra Wentworth, “In Living Color”) is back in session for Season 2 of this comedy. She plays the judgmental and unconventional “it therapist” to Hollywood’s celebrity elite. Macy Gray (“Lackawanna Blues”) pays a visit in the season premiere.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): Ken Marino (“Veronica Mars”) and Jane Lynch (“Role Models”) star in this new comedy series that follows a Los Angeles catering team – a sextet of Hollywood wannabes stuck working for tips while hoping for their “big break.”
◊“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (8 p.m. on Cartoon Network): In the first-season finale, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s squad of troopers have a new mission – rescuing the small Jedi team from General Grievous on Hypori.
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
◊“Cops” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the show’s 750th episode, an officer on the graveyard shift in Sacramento, CA, is called to investigate a traffic stop where the driver has passed off illegal substances to the passenger.
◊“The Locator” (8 p.m. Saturday on Wetv): Troy Dunn, an Enid High School graduate who helps reunite loved ones, returns for Season 2 of his feel-good show. He has been reconnecting people for 20 years, however, and has located more than 40,000 men, women and children.
◊“MADtv” (10 p.m. on Fox): Kathy Griffin (“My Life on the D-List”) hosts a special episode honoring MADtv alum Michael McDonald and his fan-favorite characters, including “Stuart Larkin,” “Mofaz,” “Dr. Phil,” “Hugh Laurie” and “Maury Povich.”
◊“Nora Roberts’ Northern Lights” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): In an attempt to start a new life after the death of his work partner, a former Baltimore policeman (Eddie Cibrian, “Third Watch”) accepts a job as chief of police in a small Alaskan town. But the moment he meets a feisty bush pilot (LeAnn Rimes, “Holiday in Your Heart”), he finds himself falling in love.
–Penny TV
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It is still hard for me to believe that Kyle XY is ending on Monday. The innovative show that made ABC Family a household word is being tossed aside in favor of more teen driven “comedies” that will be lucky to last a season. ABC Family cares so little about their viewers that they are not even giving them any closure to the series. ABC Family will be losing millions of viewers as a result. Hopefully, those who made the decision to cancel Kyle XY will find themselves tossed out shortly too.
savekylexy.com