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Top 55 TV Programs for May 3-9, 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 May 3:

SUNDAY, MAY 3
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): When Kitty and Robert reach a crossroads in their marriage, she is forced to reflect on her father’s (Tom Skerritt, “Picket Fences”) past indiscretions and decide what’s most important in life.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): In the first installment of the two-part sixth-season finale, Rush and the team delve into the 2005 murder case of the first female cadet of a local military school who didn’t live beyond her first semester. A total of 16 Pearl Jam hits will be woven throughout the two consecutive finale episodes.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The design team goes to Martin County, NC, helps a decorated disabled veteran who has worked with Congress to improve veteran’s benefits. Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell presents Jeff Cooper and is family with a gift.
◊“Family Guy” (8 p.m. on Fox): When Brian discovers that his beloved Jillian (Drew Barrymore, “He’s Just Not That Into You”) is getting married to her new boyfriend, he hits the sauce to drown his sorrows away but wakes up with more than just a hang-over. After realizing that he has just pick-up “The Hills” star Lauren Conrad (voiced by herself) he wants to run and hide until he discovers that she is nothing like what she’s portrayed on TV. Jimmy Fallon (“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”), Craig Ferguson (“Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson”) and Jay Leno (“The Tonight Show”) guest star.
◊“Hannah Montana” (7 p.m. on Disney): Miley inadvertently agrees to go to prom with Aaron, the school nerd.  When the chance comes up to record a duet with David Archuleta (“American Idol”), Miley uses it as an excuse to flake on her date. However, guilt takes over and Miley does the right thing after realizing the importance of keeping a promise. The episode includes the debut of “I Wanna Know You,” by Miley Cyrus and David Archuleta.
◊“The IFC Media Project” (10 p.m. on IFC): Season 2 of this series hosted by Peabody and Emmy Award winning news correspondent Gideon Yago (CBS News, MTV) will bring a fresh first-hand perspective on a variety of important news stories that were inaccurately reported on from leading news outlets. 
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the Charles Dickens tale “The Old Curiosity Shop,” a teenage girl (Sophie Vavasseur, “Northanger Abbey”) and her grandfather lose everything to a maniacal moneylender and flee his relentless pursuit.
◊“Steve-O: Demise and Rise” (9 p.m. on MTV): This special gives a first-hand account of Steve-O’s downward spiral to when he ultimately hits rock bottom and is saved by the intervention of friends and his own will to do whatever it takes to get – and stay – sober. It follows him right up until his first performance this year on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.”
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): In June 2008, melted snow and pouring rain flooded seven states across the Midwest. Panicked residents rushed to save their lives, as the worst flood in recent history washes away their livelihoods.
◊“Tough Love” (9 p.m. on VH1): Professional matchmaker Steven Ward has taught a relationship boot camp for eight single women over the last seven weeks. In the season finale, they will face their biggest challenge yet.
◊“The Unit”( 9 p.m. on CBS): While Jonas is tracking down a Russian terrorist cell, a kidnapped Molly is used as bait. Marika Dominczyk (wife of series star Scott Foley) guest stars as his informant.

MONDAY, MAY 4
◊“Belly of the Beast” (8 p.m. on Discovery): In this new series, host Rossi Morreale finds out what makes tanks, helicopters and giant trucks work, meeting with people who make them and the people who depend on them.
◊“Cook Yourself Thin” (4 p.m. on Lifetime): Culinary experts Harry Eastwood, Allison Fishman and Candice Kumai make a steak dinner, lasagna and vanilla cupcakes with half the calories.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Horatio and the team work to figure out why a seemingly normal family was targeted in a brutal grenade attack. Sprague Grayden (“Joan of Arcadia”) guest stars.
◊“Gotti’s Way” (9:30 p.m. on VH1): In Season 2, the family is shifting their focus on all ends of the spectrum, privately and professionally.
◊“Greek” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Casey’s grand-big sister, Kiki (Collette Wolfe, “17 Again”), is back at Cyprus-Rhodes University for her wedding and all the ZBZ girls are invited. Amidst all the wedding frenzy, Max decides it’s time to take his relationship with Casey to the next level and gets down on one knee.
◊“The Hip Hop Project” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This documentary follows rapper Chris “Kazi” Rolle as he coaches, cajoles and inspires a group of at-risk New York teens to transform their experiences into rhyme.  This film is also executive produced by Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah.
◊“I Love Money 2″ (8 p.m. on VH1): In the second-season finale, the final five contestants will need to use everything they’ve learned so far in an anything-goes challenge testing brains, brawn and a fear of heights. One will leave Mexico with the grand prize of $250,000.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on NBC): Allison leaves the district attorney’s office to pursue an offer from one of the world’s largest corporations. Tracy Pollan (“Natalee Holloway”) and David Morse (“John Adams”) guest star.
◊“New York Goes to Work” (9 p.m. on VH1): Tiffany “New York” Pollard (“I Love New York”) will work a different job each week in this new series. Viewers will select what she does, and she will work in all aspects of the job. If she can impress her new employers, she’ll receive a $5,000 bonus each week.  But, if she quits, fails or gets fired, she gets nothing.
◊“The Oprah Winfrey Show” (4 p.m. on ABC): In their first U.S. interview, Kate and Gerry McCann — parents of missing child Madeleine McCann — join Oprah to discuss the two-year search for their daughter. For the first time, viewers will see an age progression that reveals what Madeleine might look like today. Plus, cameras go inside their London home, spending the day with them and their 4-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie. 
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:31 p.m. on CBS): Confirmed bachelor Russell challenges his engaged buddy Adam and the married Jeff to a contest to see which of them has an easier time ‘‘sealing the deal” with women. Adhir Kalyan (‘‘Aliens in America”) guest stars.
◊“Today” (7 a.m. on NBC): Hosts Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Al Roker, Ann Curry, Natalie Morales, Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford will broadcast live from the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. It is the first stop during “Today Takes a Vacation” week. The anchors will don cowboy boots and chaps and learn the ropes of the famed Dixie Dude Ranch, the country’s oldest working dude ranch. Grammy Award winner Lee Ann Womack will join in for a special performance and a little Texas two-step.   
◊“Yard Crasher” (8 p.m. on DIY): Host Ahmed Hassan waits at home improvement stores looking for weekend warriors who could use his help. Once he finds his target, Ahmed and his team follow the shoppers home and completely transform their yards.

TUESDAY, MAY 5
◊“Apprentice UK” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Like the U.S. version, 14 young high-fliers battle it out through a grueling selection process while competing for a six-figure salary and a year-long job with self-made tycoon Sir Alan Sugar.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Past season winners cheer on the final four contestants as they face their toughest challenge of the season — running a full marathon. Those who finish the marathon will get $10,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.
◊“Garage Mahal” (8:30 p.m. on DIY): Licensed contractor brian Corsetti turns desperate garages into incredible living spaces in this new series. Projects include an entertainment garage complete with a flat-screen TV, copper-topped bar and dinning area; a rock and roll refuge retrofitted with a fold down stage, concert lighting and acoustic panels; and a home gym with monkey bars, punching bags and a climbing wall.
◊“Ice People” (9 p.m. on Sundance): Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Anne Aghion follows  polar explorers across terrain of incomprehensible scale, as they brave extreme conditions and relinquish all modern conveniences in the name of science. During the four-month shoot, the geologists capture one of the most significant discoveries about the history of climate change.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): In ‘‘Wings of Defeat,” filmmaker Risa Morimoto retraces the footsteps her her uncle, who trained as a kamikaze pilot but carried that secret to his grave. Morimoto landed rare interviews with surviving kamikaze pilots to explore their experiences, including the brutal training they underwent.
◊“Kiki Melendez’ Hot Tamales Live” (11 p.m. on Showtime): This special hosted by Host Kiki Melendez features performances by Amy Anderson, Kira Soltanovich, Nikki Payne, Valentino, Jill-Michelle Melean, Nadine Rajabi and Thea Vidal.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Detective Stabler’s daughter is called in to help when a teenager is brutally beaten after her nude photos are spread throughout her high school. Swoosie Kurtz (“Pushing Daisies”) guest stars.
◊“Live With Regis and Kelly” (9 a.m. on KWTV-9): Hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa heads down to Miami, Fla., for four shows broadcast live from the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. In addition to spotlighting their luxe setting at the resort, Philbin and Ripa will sample the sights, sounds, food, culture and nightlife that make Miami one of the country’s hottest destinations for fun and sun.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): With the appearance of Mossad agent Michael Rivkin, Tony is forced to question Ziva’s loyalty to NCIS. Chris O’Donnell (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and LL Cool J (“In the House”) guest star.
◊“The Real Housewives of New York City” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Clashes, disagreements and conflicts abound as the ladies take care of the final details for Jill’s charity event that they are all planning together.
◊“State of Creativity” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Follow the journey of Whittier Middle School in Norman and Yellow Jacket Academy in Kingfisher as the teams create and program a robot to compete for the Botball championship.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Tyrone Power was born on this day in 1914, and TCM celebrates by airing four of his films, including 1938’s “Marie Antoinette” (7:45 a.m.) and 1957’s “Abandon Ship!” (1 p.m.).
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team races against the clock to find a teenager who was last seen in an amateur video being psychologically tormented by her unseen captor in the new episode ‘‘Devotion.” Series star Anthony LaPaglia came up with the idea for this episode’s story line.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
◊“The Business of Being Born” (8 p.m. on Showtime): This documentary executive produced by former talk show host Ricki Lake examines America’s birth culture and current maternity care system.  The film interlaces intimate birth stories and interviews with numerous obstetricians, experts and advocates about the history, politics and economics of childbirth.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team suspects that a series of vehicular homicides along a dangerous stretch of road in Oregon may be the work of a serial killer who is using his car as a lethal weapon. Nicholas Brendon (‘‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) guest stars.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Mac informs an ex-con that he served time for a crime he didn’t commit, and Anna tells Danny “it’s time” for the first CSI baby to be born. Charles S. Dutton (“Roc”) and Mare Winningham guest star.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When his rambunctious half brother, Mitch (Rob Riggle, “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart”), returns home from the war and decides to move in, Gary quickly loses control of his kids and his house and is forced to play the role of grown up.
◊“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): Mekhi Phifer (“ER”) guest stars as Ben Reynolds, an FBI agent who partners with Lightman to track down a serial rapist terrorizing the Washington, DC area.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine’s plan to prove that she’s comfortable with Richard’s remarriage backfires when her date (Lee Tergesen, “Oz”) acts obnoxiously at the rehearsal dinner.
◊“Scrubs” (7 p.m. on ABC): When random furnishings from Elliot’s apartment turn up in J.D.’s place, it becomes clear that she finally plans to take their relationship to a whole new level on the series finale.
◊“WWII Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This three-part series shatters the myths of World War II. The first installment titled “Unlikely Friends” lays bare a history of secret allegiances that Joseph Stalin wanted to hide.
 
THURSDAY, MAY 7
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): Liz and Tracy convince Jack to begin the search for his real father, Alan Alda (“M*A*S*H”) and Steve Buscemi (“Fargo”) guest star.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Brennan decides she wants to have a baby and surprises Booth with a request to father her child. The stress of the situation, coupled with Booth’s undiagnosed health issue, paves the way for a surprise visit from Stewie, the youngest member of the “Family Guy” clan (voiced by Seth MacFarlane).
◊“China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” (7 p.m. on HBO): On May 12, 2008, an earthquake hit Sichuan Province in rural China, killing nearly 70,000 people, including 10,000 children as poorly constructed school buildings crumbled and wiped out classrooms filled with students. This film visits parents of deceased children from several schools a few days after the disaster, sharing in their unimaginable grief at the loss of what was for most their only child.
◊“The Fashion Show” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Designer Isaac Mizrahi and Grammy winner Kelly Rowland share hosting duties and also serve as judges as 15 professional designers compete for a chance to have their designs sold in the retail market and win a $125,000 prize.
◊“Gallery” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment focuses on Jon Burris, a private curator for Oklahoma businessmen who has traveled the world and skirted the bad guys to bring home mementoes worth millions. Now, this globe trotting, book publishing, photographing artist has turned his attention to home, as the executive director for an Oklahoma City art gallery.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): It’s Meredith and Derek’s wedding day on the the show’s 100th episode. But as they prepare to celebrate the big day, a group of college students are injured in a car crash on the way to their graduation ceremony and are admitted to the emergency room.
◊“Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): The former star of “Spin City,” who revealed in 1998 that he had been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease, travels across the globe to explore the enduring strength of hope. He talks to both famous and everyday people, venturing everywhere from the Far East to President Barack Obama’s inspiring inauguration.
◊“The Millionaire Matchmaker” (8 p.m. on Bravo): Patti ?? hits the town with her girlfriends who are visiting from Miami, and the girls dish out many good stories on her in the Season 2 finale.
◊“My Name is Earl” (7 p.m. on NBC): All of Camden County has gathered at the Crab Shack to learn about the dramatic conclusion to the story of Ernie Belcher’s disappearance. Geraldo Rivera (“Geraldo at Large”) guest stars.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Gary Cooper was born on this day in 1901, and TCM celebrates by airing four of his films, including 1932’s “A Farewell to Arms” (11:45 a.m.) and 1958’s “Man of the West” (4:15 p.m.).

FRIDAY, MAY 8
◊“Christian Finnegan: Au Contraire” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Comedian Christian Finnegan, one of the original cast members on VH1’s “Best Week Ever,” pushes the envelope as he recounts the purple shorts that have haunted him since middle school and the history of giving rabbit ears.
◊“Dollhouse” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): Alpha’s reugn of terror continues as his obsession with Echo endangers Caroline’s survival, and one doll is permanently decactivated while another’s shocking past is revealed.
◊“Everybody Hates Chris” (7 p.m. on CW): During the last week of school, Chris is informed that if he gets one more tardy he will have to repeat the 10th grade. Chris does his best to make it to school on time, but one day he misses the bus and arrives at school late, forcing him to deliver the bad news to his parents .
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): As Melinda prepares for her wedding day, she takes time out to help a girl (Alexa Vega, ‘‘Spy Kids”) who believes that she is being lured into danger by vampires.
◊“Head Case” (9 p.m. on Starz): Tiffani Thiessen (“Good Morning, Miami”) has a session with Dr. Goode in which she suggests she get herself a “gay” to help her with all her life’s issues.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): Don and the team investigate a string of copycat bank robberies and zero in on disgraced FBI Agent Roger Bloom (Henry Winkler, “Happy Days”) as a suspect when they discover he has been studying the files of some of the original bank heists.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): In an attempt to get back at Casey for flirting with another guy, Henry flirts with a woman at a familly and friends party for Ricky, who turns out to be a mobster. Steven Weber (“Wings”) guest stars.

SATURDAY, MAY 9
◊“Ace of Cakes” (8 p.m. on Food Network): When the ABC series “Lost” needs a cake to celebrate its 100th episode, actor Jorge Garcia (“Hurley) calls the bakery to commission a unique cake creation.
◊“Samantha Brown’s Great Weekends” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): Host Samantha Brown takes viewers to places she found during her many travels and meets up with local people who make these places so unique.
◊“Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): Grammy winner Justin Timberlake returns to studio 8H as host. Grammy winner Ciara will be the musical guest, and Timberlake will join her to perform her newest single “Love Sex Magic.”
◊“Talkshow With Spike Feresten” (midnight on Fox): Tulsa natives Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson of the pop trio Hanson perform an acoustic version of their single “Follow My Lead.”

–Penny TV

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