TV Preview Podcast: ‘Bollywood Hero’
Each week, The Oklahoman TV Editor Penny Soldan hosts an audio podcast discussing an upcoming TV premiere.
This week’s premiere is the new IFC miniseries “Bollywood Hero” airing from 9-11 p.m. Aug. 6, 7 and 8. It stars Chris Kattan (pictured above) as a version of himself as he heads to India to star in a Bollywood film.
To hear her discussion with Don P. Brown, features copy editor for The Oklahoman, click here
Results: “So You Think You Can Dance” Ade and Melissa are out!
I don’t know if it is related, but it seems fitting that Ade and Melissa be voted off at the same time. I wished Ade could have gone on to the finale, especially over Evan, but the two dancers who were paired in the beginning got to go together at the end.
That leaves Brandon, Kayla, Evan and Jeanine in the final four. So, to apply my equation of Brandon+Kayla+Evan+Jeanine …
That SHOULD equal Brandon and Kayla in the final two. But Evan is the wildcard … literally! Listen to the podcast.
Evan’s rabid base of fans could upset everything. And I just don’t know what an Evan SYTYCD winner will feel like. Except maybe dishonest. Evan may be America’s favorite dancer, but he simply isn’t as skilled as the other three. And I believe he also isn’t as skilled at Ade or Melissa either.
I’ve talked with some people about the gender factor. Should the dancers be cut by gender? If gender was not a factor, wouldn’t Janette still be in the picture? I wager so.
Perhaps the people behind sytycd will figure that out.
Some tweets from the judges:
Nigel Lythgoe: Hasn’t tweeted since the Katie Holmes controversy. Normally a lively tweeter.
Adam Shankman: “Hey all! I’m gonna be back on SYTYCD next week!!! Gonna be a great show!”
Lil C: (to a sytycd fan) “sorry my comments annoy you… But there are ways to evade them… U can always try the mute button.. Thas what I’d do…”
UPDATE FROM BROADCASTING & CABLE MAGAZINE: The sixth season premiere of So You Think You Can Dance, followed by the highly-promoted fall debut of Glee will launch Fox’s 2009-10 season Wednesday, Sept. 9, starting at 8 p.m. EST. That moves the season launch date forward a week, as the two shows were originally scheduled to debut Sept. 16.
– Yvette Walker, The Oklahoman
Robot Chicken Roller Skating Tour making rounds in August
Adult Swim’s Robot Chicken is only
making nine stops during its roller skating tour to celebrate the release of the “Robot Chicken: Star Wars Epiode II” DVD. And Oklahoma City fans are about 350 miles away from one of the skating extravaganzas.
“Robot Chicken” executive producers Seth Green and Matt Senreich will host a roller skating event at Kansas City’s River Roll Skating Center on Aug. 6. The event will include performances by the band Gym Class Heroes, as well as special appearances by the show’s writers, producers and celebrity guest stars. There will also be Robot Chicken-themed activities and games.
Other stops on the tour include Aug 1 in Los Angeles, Aug. 2 in Las Vegas, Aug. 4 in Denver; Aug. 8 in Indianapolis; Aug. 10 in Richmond, Va.; Aug. 12 in Philadelphia; and Aug. 14 in New York City.
At each event, all ages are welcome, admission is free and doors open at 8 p.m. Patrons with an early entry-voucher (found in the “Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II” DVD) will be admitted one hour earlier. More information about the tour can be found at AdultSwimPresents.com.
In addition to the roller rink tour and new DVD, brand-new episodes of Robot Chicken’s fourth season will premiere on Cartoon Network Sundays at 10:30 p.m.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Aug. 2-8, 2009
Mariah Carey
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 30 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Aug. 2.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
GUEST STARS
••Jackson Browne (singer/songwriter) on “Big Ideas for a Small Planet,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on Sundance.
••Mariah Carey (Grammy winner) on “America’s Got Talent,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Tom Cavanagh (“Ed”) on “Scrubs,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Melinda Clarke (“The O.C.”) on “Hell’s Kitchen,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Gary Collins (“Born Free”) on “Dirty Sexy Money,” 9 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
••Bruce Davison (“Knight Rider”) on “The Closer,” 8 p.m. Monday on TNT.
••Stephen Dunham (“The Mummy”) on “The Bill Engvall Show,” 8 p.m. Saturday on TBS.
••Steve Eckholdt (”The West Wing”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Cary Elwes (“The X Files”) on “Psych,” 9 p.m. Friday on USA.
••Eve (Grammy winner) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Carrie Fisher (“Star Wars”) on “30 Rock,” 7 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Joe Flanigan (“Stargate: Atlantis”) on “Warehouse 13,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Syfy.
••Rebecca Gayheart (“Dead Like Me”) on “The Cleaner,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on A&E.
••Jason Gedrick (”Desperate Housewives”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Katheryn Joosten (”Joan of Arcadia”) on “Scrubs,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Drew Lachey (“Dancing With the Stars”) on “Hell’s Kitchen,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Sarah Lancaster (“Chuck”) on “Hawthorne,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on TNT.
••Martin Landau (”Ed Wood”) on “Without a Trace,” 9:01 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Michael Learned (”The Waltons”) on “Scrubs,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Constantine Maroulis (”American Idol”) on “Z Rock,” 10 p.m. Sunday on IFC.
••Christa Miller (”The Drew Carey Show”) on “Scrubs,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Jason Mraz (singer/songwriter) on “Today,” 7 a.m. Friday on NBC.
••James Naughton (“The Devil Wears Prada”) on “Warehouse 13,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Syfy.
••Frankie Negron (Latin music star) on “One Life to Live,” 1 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••John O’Hurley (“Dancing With the Stars”) on “Hell’s Kitchen,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Elizabeth Perkins (“Weeds”) on “Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA.
••Luke Perry (”Beverly Hills, 90210″) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Judy Reyes (“Scrubs”) on “Hawthorne,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on TNT.
••Joan Rivers (”Celebrity Apprentice”) on “Z Rock,” 10 p.m. Sunday on IFC.
••John Schneider (”Smallville”) on “Dirty Sexy Money,” 9 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
••Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“The Sopranos”) on “Entourage,” 9:30 p.m. Sunday on HBO.
••Ashlee Simpson-Wentz (“7th Heaven”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Rena Sofer (“Blind Justice”) on “Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA.
••Nicole Sullivan (“Rita Rocks”) on “Scrubs,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Henry Winkler (”Happy Days”) on “Handy Manny,” 7:30 a.m. Saturday on Disney.
••Cynthia Watros (“Lost”) on “The Closer,” 8 p.m. Monday on TNT.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
TV Premieres and Finales airing Aug. 2-8, 2009
Tony Shalhoub as "Monk" (USA Network Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of Aug. 2.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“Megan Wants a Millionaire,” 8 p.m. Sunday on VH1 (series premiere).
••“Defying Gravity,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC (series premiere).
••“The Dan Patrick Show,” 8 a.m. Monday on DirecTV’s 101 Network (series premiere).
••“Ultimate Cake Off,” 9 p.m. Monday on TLC (series sneak peek).
••“Real Chance of Love 2: Back in the Saddle,” 8 p.m. Monday on VH1 (second-season premiere).
••“Forensics: You Decide,” 9 p.m. Monday on Investigation Discovery (series premiere).
••“Rock Solid,” 9 p.m. Monday on DIY (fifth-season premiere).
••“Indoors Out,” 9:30 p.m. Monday on DIY (third-season premiere).
••“Big Ideas for a Small Planet,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on Sundance (third-season premiere).
••“Addicted to Beauty,” 10 p.m. Tuesday on Oxygen (series premiere).
••“Giuliana & Bill,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on Style Network (series premiere).
••“House Crashers,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on DIY (series premiere).
••“How’d You Get So Rich?” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TV Land (series premiere).
••“Make My Day,” 9:30 p.m. Wednesday on TV Land (series premiere).
••“Police Women of Broward County,” 8 p.m. Thursday on TLC (series premiere).
••“Skins,” 8 p.m. Thursday on BBC America (second-season premiere).
••“The Suite Life on Deck,” 7:30 p.m. Friday on Disney (second-season premiere).
••“Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA (eighth-season premiere).
••“Mr. Friday,” 8 p.m. Friday on FLN (series premiere).
••“Chefs vs. City,” 9 p.m. Friday on Food Network (series premiere).
••“Psych,” 9 p.m. Friday on USA (fourth-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“The Next Food Network Star,” 8 p.m. Sunday on Food Network (fifth-season finale).
••“Gimme Sugar: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on Logo (second-season finale).
••“The Superstars,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (season finale).
••“The Little Couple,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on TLC (first-season finale).
••“Paris Hilton’s My New BFF,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on MTV (series finale).
••“So You Think You Can Dance,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox (fifth-season finale).
••“Burn Notice,” 8 p.m. Thursday on USA (third-season finale).
••“Surviving Suburbia,” 7 p.m. Friday on ABC (first-season finale).
••“The Goode Family,” 8:30 p.m. Friday on ABC (first-season finale).
••“Jeffery and Cole Casserole,” 10 p.m. Friday on Logo (first-season finale).
••“Can You Duet,” 8 p.m. Saturday on CMT (season finale).
••“Dirty Sexy Money,” 9 p.m. Saturday on ABC (series finale).
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Happy Birthday, Dean Cain
July 31, 2009 – Dean George Tanaka,
who played Clark Kent on “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” (1993-97), turns 43 today.
He played gambler Shea McCall in the TV movie “The Gambler, the Girl and the Gunslinger” (2009 on Hallmark Channel).
His first acting role was as Dean Russell in the 1976 movie “Elmer.” He was 10.
Best wishes to Dean and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Dean Cain poses on the red carpet at the premiere of Jennifer Garner’s new movie, “Elektra,” Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
“So You Think You Can Dance” results tonight!
This might be THE show of the season, because based on the results, we’ll know who will go into the finale show next week.
Why do I think this is even more important than next week’s actual winner? Because based on who goes into the finale, I think we’ll know the winner, or at least we’ll know the top 2.
Some equations=
Brandon + Kayla + Evan + Jeanine = Brandon as the winner
Brandon + Kayla + Ade + Jeanine = Probably Brandon, but maybe Ade
Evan + Kayla + Ade + Melissa = Evan as the winner
and so on, and so on, and so on.
I think Kayla has a chance, and certainly the judges would like to see a woman win this year, but I’m not sure she has the fan base.
I think Brandon and Evan have the biggest fan bases, but, who knows?
My choice? Ade. But I’m happy to see nearly any one of them win. They’re fabulous!
– Yvette Walker, The Oklahoman
Top 55 TV Programs for Aug. 2-8, 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 Aug. 2:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, AUG. 2
◊“Blood in the Water” (8 p.m. on Discovery): The network’s 22nd annual Shark Week opens with this two-hour re-enactment of the true events that inspired ‘‘Jaws” — a 1916 series of shark attacks along the New Jersey shore, which turned the waters near the beach into a killing ground and triggered a nationwide panic.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for a recently missing teenager while also investigating the five-month-old murder of the boy’s father, both of whom were in a witness protection program as the father prepared to testify against a mob boss. Steve Eckholdt (”The West Wing”) and Jason Gedrick (”Desperate Housewives”) guest star.
◊“Defying Gravity” (8 p.m. on ABC): This new space thriller is set in the very near future and follows eight astronauts from
five countries who undertake a mysterious six-year space mission covering eight billion miles. The series stars Ron Livingston (“Office Space”) as Antares flight engineer Maddux Donner, Laura Harris (“24”) as ship geologist Zoe Barnes, Malik Yoba (“New York Undercover”) as Antares commander Ted Shaw, Christina Cox (“Blood Ties”) as biologist Jen Crane, Florentine Lahme (“Impact”) as pilot Nadia Schilling, Paula Garces (“The Shield”) as on-board documentary producer Paula Morales, Eyal Podell (“24”) as psychiatrist and medical officer Evram Mintz and Dylan Taylor (“House Party”) as theoretical physicist Steve Wassenfelder.
◊“Entourage” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): With production on his next film delayed, Vince searches for ways to amuse himself, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“The Sopranos”) takes Turtle shopping for back-to-school clothes.
◊“The Ford HBCU Business Classic” (10:30 p.m. on TV One): Darryl Bell (”A Different World”) hosts this reality-style special that brings together some of the nation’s most talented young business minds from prestigious historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to compete for scholarship money while they hone their entrepreneurial skills in a business plan competition.
◊“Legally Blondes” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Reese Witherspoon (”Legally Blonde”) serves as producer for the third installment of the movie franchise, and she passes the blonde-baton to British twin sisters Becky and Milly Rosso (”The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”). They play Elle’s cousins Izzy and Annie Woods, who move to Californina to attend a posh prep school and end up becoming the target of the school’s wealthy “queen.”
◊“Megan Wants a Millionaire” (8 p.m. on VH1): Megan Hauserman, who had her heart broken by Bret Michaels in “Rock of Love 2 and lost out on the $1 million check on “I Love Money,” is back to find both love and money. Seventeen eligible multi-millionaires will vie for her heart in this new reality series.
◊“Merlin” (7 p.m. on NBC): A mysterious black knight arrives in Camelot to reveal deep, dark secrets from the past that King Uther would rather keep buried.
◊“Mountain Gorilla” (6:15 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This is the first of 21 IMAX films that the cable network has scheduled for Sundays in August. Today’s line-up also features “T-Rex: Back to Cretaceous” (7 p.m.), “China: The Panda Adventure” (8 p.m.) and “Mission to Mir” (9 p.m.).
◊“The Next Food Network Star” (8 p.m. on Food Network): In the Season 5 finale, Alton Brown (“Good Eats”) spends one-on-one time with the final two contenders to learn more about their culinary points of view before directing their pilots. And all the finalists return and join a live audience to find out who will be the next Food Network star.
◊“Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew Top 10 Performances of All Time” (8 p.m. on MTV): Randy Jackson (”American Idol”) will count down the best crew performances from seasons past in this hourlong clip show. Season 4 of the show premieres Aug. 9.
◊“The Storm” (8 p.m. on NBC): In the finale to this two-part TV movie, scientist Kirk Hafner (James Van Der Beek) seeks to save the world from the potential devastation to be caused by billionaire Robert Terrell’s (Treat Williams) obsession with controlling the weather. As weather conditions continue to worsen, Hafner turns to Detective Devon Williams (Marisol Nichols) to help him maneuver his way through Terrell’s deadly game.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: James Mason is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1946’s “The Wicked Lady” (7 a.m.) and 1946’s “They Were Sisters” (9 a.m.).
◊“Tony Bennett: An American Classic” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Grammy winner Tony Bennett performs duets of his greatest hits with other Grammy winners, including Barbra Streisand (“Smile”), Elton John (“Rags to Riches”) and Stevie Wonder (“For Once in My Life”). Woven throughout the special are narratives by special giests, including Billy Crystal, John Travolta and Robert DeNiro.
◊“Ty’s Great British Adventure” (7 p.m. on ABC): “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” host Ty Pennington crosses the Atlantic to help the seaside town of Portreath in southwest England bring life back to the town’s park. The once-thriving park suffered neglect and eventually became a rusty, muddy mess, and infighting and indecision amongst the town leaders and community members led to a stalled effort to get anything done.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for a man who goes missing after a late night dive and try to zero in on who could be responsible for his disappearance. Oscar winner Martin Landau (”Ed Wood”) reprises his role as Frank Malone, Jack’s father.
◊“Z Rock” (10 p.m. on IFC): While the band is having difficulty being signed to a label, John Popper (Blues Traveler lead singer) helps ZO2 with the next best things – lunch, and an audition for Paulie for the lead on Broadway’s “Rock of Ages.” Constantine Maroulis (”American Idol”) and Joan Rivers (”Celebrity Apprentice”) also guest star.
MONDAY, AUG. 3
◊“Boy Interrupted” (8 p.m. on HBO): This documentary from director Dana Perry and her husband, Hart, tells the story of how their teenage son, Evan Scott Perry, ended his lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder in 2005 by jumping from his New York bedroom window.
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): A man (Bruce Davison, “Knight Rider”) who confessed to murder while Brenda was away on her honeymoon gets details of the crime wrong during his allocution, causing Brenda to reopen the case. Cynthia Watros (“Lost”) also guest stars.
◊“The Dan Patrick Show” (8 a.m. on DirecTV’s 101 Network): Syndicated sports talk radio host Dan Patrick’s new weekday series is more than just a simulcast of the radio hours. It will include behind-the-scenes antics and video segments as Patrick interacts with his production staff to create a unique blend of situational comedy and sports commentary.
◊“Day of the Shark 2″ (9 p.m. on Discovery): See what happens when a great white breaks through a 300-pound aluminum shark cage and traps the divers inside. Another shark tackles a former Navy Seal in shallow waters off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida. And a bull shark invades a spear-fishing trip in the Bahamas.
◊“Deadly Waters” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Survivorman’s Les Stroud is back for more nail biting – shark chomping action, and this time, he’s taking on the deadliest waters around the world. His quest is simple – which water is the deadliest? Starting from historical data from the Florida Museum Of Natural History’s famed “Shark Attack Files”, Les will begin his journey to test the waters in the world’s sharkiest “hotspots”
◊“Forensics: You Decide” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This new series shows how the prosecution and defense can reach two very different conclusions on what truly happened and allows viewers to decide for themselves whom they believe. The premiere episode focuses on the 2008 case of Lawton resident Greg Maurek, who stood trial for the murder of his brother, Peter.
◊“Get Down Tonight — The Disco Explosion” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Hosted by KC and the Sunshine Band, Karen Lynn-Gorney (“Saturday Night Fever”) and Denny Terrio (“Dance Fever”), this special includes performances by artists featured on the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack.
◊“Gimme Sugar: Miami” (9 p.m. on Logo): In the Season 2 finale, Charlene tries to convince her bosses Linda and Michelle to allow Charlene manage the “Truck Stop” launch event in Miami again after previous altercations with local Miami club promoters. As her entire future with the company rests on its success, Charlene relies on her newly found friends in Miami to offer the support she needs to make her career aspirations a reality.
◊“Indoors Out” (9:30 p.m. on DIY): Cousins Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns are back for a third season of this show dedicated to expanding homes with outdoor rooms — from fully outfitted kitchens to spa showers.
◊“Invitation Only: Brad Paisley” (8 p.m. on CMT): Country music artist Brad Paisley performs his greatest hits as well as new music from his album, American Saturday Night, in this new special. He also takes part in a laid-back question and answer session and talks about his interests outside of the entertainment industry, his family and how his marriage stays strong.
◊“Real Chance of Love 2: Back in the Saddle” (8 p.m. on VH1): Bachelor brothers “Real” and “Chance” are back and still eager to find the fillies of their dreams. These former “I Love New York” contestants are single again and ready to restart the dual search for Ms. Right with a new set of challenges that promise to be both outlandish and true tests for the new contenders.
◊“Rock Solid” (9 p.m. on DIY): Cousins Derek Stearns and Dean Marsico return to host Season 5 of this show dedicated to helping viewers increase their home’s value by starting in the yard. They are stonemasons, and they demonstrate how to create sturdy stone-top tables, outdoor shows, fire pits and more.
◊“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Everyone returns from their summer vacations, and george makes a big revelation to Anne. Prior to this new episode, viewers can catch up on the show with a six-hour marathon beginning at 1 p.m.
◊“Sugarland: Live on the Inside” (7 p.m. on ABC): The Grammy-winning country music duo made up of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Brooks takes fans behind the scenes of one of its concerts in this special that airs the day before the duo’s new CD and DVD hits music stores. Filmed with 20 cameras at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., the show features previously unseen footage of Sugarland performing hits such as ‘‘Settlin’ ” and ‘‘All I Want to Do.”
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Marion Davies is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1935’s “Page Miss Glory” (5:15 p.m.) and 1933’s “Going Hollywood” (11:30 p.m.).
◊“Ultimate Cake Off” (9 p.m. on TLC): Here’s a sneak peek at the new competition series that pits three cake artists against each other as they creaye edible masterpieces in hopes of winning $10,000 and and having their cakes featured at marquee events. The series premieres Aug. 31.
TUESDAY, AUG. 4
◊“Addicted to Beauty” (10 p.m. on Oxygen): This new reality workplace dramedy follows the outrageous staff at Changes Plastic Surgery and Spa, located in Southern California. Dianne York-Goldman, socialite and marketing expert, has brought her over-the-top employees from her previous spa to help with this new venture with well-known plastic surgeon Dr. Gilbert Lee.
◊“Big Ideas for a Small Planet” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Each week, this documentary series brings a different green theme into focus through the work of forward-thinking innovators. The Season 3 premiere looks at the music industry’s ideas of a green record label, sustainable stages and green guitars. Featured innovators include singer Jackson Browne, Emmett Malloy of Brushfire Records and Neal Turley of Sustainable Waves.
◊“The Cleaner” (9 p.m. on A&E): Rebecca Gayheart (“Dead Like Me”) guest stars as a speed addicted nurse whose shares her addiction and a relationship with her surgeon. The hospital administrator reaches out to William to help the duo kick their problem before they embark on major heart surgery on a child.
◊“The Colony” (9 p.m. on Discovery): Volunteers manage to secure the basic necessities in order to survivea global catastrophe, but turning their focus to one creature comfort they really miss — a hot shower — proves to be costly as it leaves them open to a massive attack.
◊“Dolly: Live in London O2 Arena” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Grammy-winning country singer Dolly Parton performs many of her classic hits to a sell-out crowd in London. She also sings selections from her recent release “Backwoods Barbie.”
◊“Hawthorne” (8 p.m. on TNT): Christina treats a female patient who may have been abused by her boyfriend, but things might be different than they seem at first. Sarah Lancaster (“Chuck”) and Judy Reyes (“Scrubs”) guest star.
◊“Hell’s Kitchen” (7 p.m. on Fox): Stopping by for dinner service are Drew Lachey (“Dancing With the Stars”), “John O’Hurley (“Dancing With the Stars”), Tom Green (“Grind”), Melinda Clarke (“The O.C.”) and Kristy Swanson (“Early Edition”).
◊“The Little Couple” (9 p.m. on TLC): In the Season 1 finale, Jen and Bill are anxious to start a family. But they have major concerns about Jen’s safety during pregnancy, so they’ve made an appointment with a doctor who is an expert on little people pregnancies.
◊“One Life to Live” (1 p.m. on ABC): Latin music star Frankie Negron will perform a unique version of his song “Holding on to Love” in both English and Spanish during a private rooftop performance for Todd (Trevor St. John) and Tea (Florencia Lozano).
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): The bizarre murder of a drug company whistle blower becomes a potential national news story for Butch’s reporter girlfriend, Kendra Burke. Grace’s brother Leo is convinced his next door neighbor is keeping a dead body in his house. And Johnny pressures Grace to arrange a chance for him to finally meet Earl.
◊“Scrubs” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): J.D.’s fantasy comes to life as he bids Sacred Heart Hospital a final farewell. Guest starring in “My Finale” are Christa Miller (”The Drew Carey Show”), Nicole Sullivan (“Rita Rocks”), Tom Cavanagh (“Ed”), Michael Learned (”The Waltons”) and Katheryn Joosten (”Joan of Arcadia”).
◊“Sharkbite Summer” (8 p.m. on Discovery): This new special revisits the attack sites and builds an exact picture of the bloody summer of 2001 using news archive, interviews with victims, witnesses, surgeons, family members and shark experts.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: James Coburn is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1967’s “The President’s Analyst” (7 p.m.) and 1975’s “Hard Times” (9 p.m.).
◊“Warehouse 13” (8 p.m. on Syfy): When a sculpture is stolen thanks to an American Indian artifact that allowed the thief to walk through the steel walls of a vault, Pete and Myka are sent to New York City to investigate. Joe Flanigan (“Stargate: Atlantis”) and James Naughton (“The Devil Wears Prada”) guest star.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 5
◊“America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m. on NBC): Grammy winner Mariah Carey will perform her new single “Obsessed” on the first results show. “Obsessed,” written and produced by Carey, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, is the first single pick from her album “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.”
◊“Country Bluegrass Homecoming” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Country, bluegrass and classic gospel singers gather together in this musical celebration hosted by Bill Gaither. The special includes appearances by Vince Gill, George Jones and Marty Stuart.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Prentiss and Reid go undercover to investigate possible child abuse at an underground cult, they get trapped inside the compound when a federal raid goes bad. Luke Perry (”Beverly Hills, 90210″) guest stars as cult leader Benjamin Cyrus.
◊“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. Pop Singer and Actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz (”Fall Out Boy”) guest star as “Bonnie and Clyde Wannabes.”
◊“Dark Blue” (9 p.m. on TNT): Ty and Dean go after a major Korean gang into everything from drugs to counterfeiting. Their target is known as President Lee, an old-school mob boss who doesn’t take lip from anyone. But their biggest problem might be more internal, as Ty and Dean butt heads over every aspect of the case, with Ty being too cautious and Dean throwing caution to the wind.
◊“Giuliana & Bill” (8 p.m. on Style Network): This new reality series looks inside the marriage of E! news anchor Giuliana Rancic and best-selling author Bill Rancic as they juggle high-profile careers and married life while traveling between homes in Los Angeles and Chicago.
◊“Great White Appetite” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Observe first hand the experiments that uncover the Great Whites unique eating habits. Cameras will travel the globe, stopping at three major Great White feeding grounds – Seal Island, South Africa; Adelaide, Australia and Guadalupe Island, Mexico to administer visual experiments in an effort to better understand the shark’s appetite.
◊“House Crashers” (9 p.m. on DIY): In this new series, host and contractor Josh Temple stalks the aisles of home improvement stores in search of daring weekend warriors willing to let him remodel a room in their home. With the help of his expert crew, Temple takes on top-to-bottom transformations, and trusting homeowners cash in the ultimate home improvement lottery.
◊“How’d You Get So Rich?” (9 p.m. on TV Land): In this new series, Joan Rivers (”Celebrity Apprentice” winner) explores the lifestyles of the rich and lucky. She takes viewers on a journey to meet the millionaires who
struck gold as she tours the most lavish and extravagant homes and introduces them to folks who made a lot of money in really interesting ways.
◊“Leverage” (8 p.m. on TNT): While trying to recover embezzled cash from a Madoff-like funds manager, the team finds themselves acting as unlikely fairy godparents to the mark’s lovable loser stepson.
◊“Make My Day” (9:30 p.m. on TV Land): This new comedic hidden-camera series provides a window into one day in the life of an unsuspecting participant. Tune in as cameras capture the action as they experience weird coincidences, extraordinary situations and surprise celebrity appearances for one whole day.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Harold Lloyd is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1928’s “Speedy” (7 p.m.) and 1933’s “Feet First” (10:30 p.m.).
◊“War Dogs of the Pacific” (9 p.m. on Military Channel): This program tells the story of the U.S. Marine war dog platoons of World War II, following the marines and their dogs through training and into combat.
THURSDAY, AUG. 6
◊“Bollywood Hero” (9 p.m. on IFC): Chris Kattan (”Saturday Night Live”) stars in this Bollywood musical-style miniseries, in which he fleas Hollywood and travels to India to star in the Bollywood film “Peculiar Dancing Boy.” The three-part, six-hour miniseries airing today through Saturday also stars Maya Rudolph (”Away We Go”), Julian Sands (”A Room with a View”), Neha Dhupia (former Miss India) and Pooja Kumar (former Miss India U.S.A).
◊“Burn Notice” (8 p.m. on USA): In the Season 3 finale, a recently widowed woman hires Michael and Fiona to get her away from a group of violent con men. Michael turns to Madeline for help, but he may ask her to go too far.
◊“Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This special is the essential collection of Celtic Woman’s most beloved and memorable songs. It showcases vocalists Lisa, Chloë, Órla, Méav, Hayley, Alex, Lynn and fiddler Máiréad, and all of the songs are intertwined using stunning scenic and landscape images of Ireland.
◊“Daniel O’Donnell: Hope and Praise” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This special, taped in November before 2,500 fans in Branson, Mo., features Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell performing multi-denominational hymns, up-tempo gospel and pop songs. He is backed by a 24-member young adult choir, a 12-member children’s choir, an orchestra and his band.
◊“Hawaii: Message in the Waves” (8 p.m. on Planet Green): This documentary features the wildlife of Hawaii’s famous surf zone and the surfers and scrientists who are fighting to protect it. Turtles, dolphins, monk seals and albatrosses all have to cope with the growing number of people using the island beaches, but now animals face a new threat from washed-up plastic.
◊“Police Women of Broward County” (8 p.m. on TLC): This new reality series follows the four tough-talking police women of Broward County in Florida as they battle crime. In the premiere episode, Andrea tackles a drug dealer twice her size, Ana outsmarts a stripper hiding drugs, Julie goes undercover as a prostitute and Shelunda investigates a bloody fight.
◊“Shark After Dark” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Sharks are most aggressive and most active in the dark, but the fact is, we know very little else about the nocturnal nature of these creatures. Now, armed with the latest in infrared thermography cameras and night vision technology, a team of divers travels around the world, and descends into the sharks dangerous after-dark hunting grounds.
◊“Skins” (8 p.m. on BBC America): This award-winning British series returns for a second season and continues to push boundaries and tell shocking and sometimes heartbreaking stories about the trials of adolescence. The Class of 2009 is headed up by the beautiful and mysterious Effy (Kaya Scodelario), returning as the new queen bee. Effy is as enigmatic and elusive as ever. She’s joined by best friend, Pandora (Lisa Backwell), sweet and kooky, she keeps the gang together.
◊“So You Think You Can Dance” (7 p.m. on Fox): Find out who will be crowned America’s favorite dancer live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Judy Garland is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1950’s “Summer Stock” (5 p.m.) and 1945’s “The Clock” (9 p.m.).
FRIDAY, AUG. 7
◊“Chefs vs. City” (9 p.m. on Food Network): Acclaimed chefs Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez test their food knowledge and competitive spirits in this new series. Each week, they will travel to a different city, where they will be pitted against two local foodies in a winner-takes-all race in five different challenges that could include eating spicy dishes and crab fishing in a gator-infested river.
◊“The Goode Family” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): Gerald thinks Trish and Mo (guest stars Julia Sweeney, Laraine Newman) want him as the sperm donor for their next child in the Season 1 finale. Meanwhile, when Ubuntu starts sprouting his first facial hair, Charlie decides it’s time to take his grandson under his wing and teach him how to be a man, much to Gerald and Helen’s dismay.
◊“Great Performances” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment highlights Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday celebration from Madison Square Garden. Joining the folk singer for the concert event taped in May are Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson and many others.
◊“Jeffery and Cole Casserole” (10 p.m. on Logo): In the Season 1 finale, Jeffery and Cole attempt to use their friend “Becky” to get to Boca Raton, Fla. — all for the love of vampires and musical theater.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA): When an attempt is made on the life of a former child star who recently publiushed her tell-all biography, Monk is thrilled to act as her bodyguard — until he learns how different she is from her TV alter ego. Guest starring in the Season 8 premiere are Rena Sofer (“Blind Justice”) and Elizabeth Perkins (“Weeds”).
◊“Mr. Friday” (8 p.m. on FLN): This new docu-series follows former model and jet-setter Derek Friday, who has never done a day’s work in his life. He is forced by his wealthy, philanthropic mother to switch places with a hardworking recipient and perform various tasks from cleaning and feeding reptiles to working in the circus in exchange for his weekly trust-fund check.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): A stolen pair of “kicks” leads the team into the world of sneaker collecting after a foreign Ambassador finds his prized pair missing.
Grammy winner Eve guest stars.
◊“Psych” (9 p.m. on USA): In the Season 4 premiere, Shawn and Gus outwit a notorious international art thief, Despereux (Cary Elwes, “The X Files”). When they travel to the ski slopes of Vancouver, they discover that he’s not an art thief but an insurance scam artist.
◊“Surviving Suburbia” (7 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 1 finale, Steve motivates Anne to break away from her manipulative mother after her parents abuse the new cell phones they gave them. And Dr. Jim counsels Henry after he reprimands Rhonda for glamorizing teen pregnancy in front of Courtney.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Glenn Ford is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1949’s “Mr. Soft Touch” (2 p.m.) and 1946’s “Gilda” (7 p.m.).
SATURDAY AUGUST 8, 2009
◊“The Bill Engvall Show” (8 p.m. on TBS): Bill invests a hefty chunk of money in his brother Dan’s (Stephen Dunham, “The Mummy”) latest sure-thing business proposition, something he’s done too many times before. Determined to put a stop to it, Susan pushes Bill to talk to his brother about being a responsible adult.
◊“Dirty Sexy Money” (9 p.m. on ABC): After being stabbed by Nola, the badly wounded Simon is secretly taken to the Imperial to recuperate. While there, Nick forces Simon to reveal how he is controlling Nola and why he had her prosecute Letitia for Dutch’s murder. Entanglements arise with Nick and the pregnant Karen’s budding romance when it’s revealed that his ex-wife, Lisa, is writing a tell-all book about the Darlings. Gary Collins (“Born Free”) and John Schneider (”Smallville”) guest stars.
◊“George Lopez: Tall, Dark & Chicano” (9 p.m. on HBO): Comedian George Lopez delivers an all-new stand-up show before a live audience at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Some of the hot topics he’s expected to cover are Latino perspectives on change in America, kids today, parenting and “rednecks” who date Latino women.
◊“Handy Manny” (7:30 a.m. on Disney): When Manny is the 100th customer at Mr. Diller’s (guest star Henry Winkler, “Happy Days”) Variety Store, he wins his choice of any item in the store and shares his prize with the tools.
◊“iCarly: iFight Shelby Marx” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In this special hourlong movie, features Victoria Justice (”Spectacular”) as Shelby Marx, a female championship fighter who challenges Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) to meet her in the ring.
◊“Lars and the Real Girl” (8 p.m. on Showtime): Ryan Gosling stars as Lars, a loner who surprises everyone with his introduction of a girlfriend — actually a lifelike doll that others decide to treat like a living being. Patricia Clarkson plays his psychologist.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Bette Davis is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1937’s “Marked Woman” (11:30 a.m.) and 1946’s “Deception” (9 p.m.).
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Delta Burke
July 30, 2009 – Delta Ramona Leah Burke,
who played Suzanne Sugarbaker on “Designing Women” (1986-91), turns 53 today.
She played Bella Horowitz in five episodes of “Boston Legal” (2006-07).
Her first acting role was as Teri in the 1978 TV movie “Zuma Beach” She was 22.
Best wishes to Delta and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
“Gleek” alert — sneak peek at Fox new fall series ‘Glee’
"Glee": Pictured clockwise from L: Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Lea Michele (C), Jenna Ushkowitz, Cory Monteith and Kevin McHale. FOX Photo
If you are a “Gleek,” also known as a “Glee” fan, Hulu.com has a little something to tide you over until the Fox show premieres Sept. 9.
The preview performance features “Mercedes” (played by Amber Riley) belting out Jazmine Sullivan’s hit song “Bust Your Windows.”
The “Glee” pilot and several behind-the-scenes extras are also available at hulu.com.
Since the series’ preview event in May, the pilot episode has had more than 1 million hits on Hulu.
“Glee,” which features a soundtrack of hit songs from past and present, follows an optimistic high school teacher (Matthew Morrison) who – against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach (Jane Lynch) – attempts to restore his school’s fading glee club to its former glory, while helping a group of aspiring underdogs realize their true star potential.
–Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
