Top 55 TV Programs for Feb. 7-13, 2010

    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 Feb. 7:

NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)

SUNDAY, FEB. 7, 2010
◊“Bathtastic”( 8:30 p.m. on DIY): Season 3 returns to inform viewers about new materials and offer design tips and know-how that will help revitalize any bathroom.
◊“Big Love” (8 p.m. on HBO): Bill pulls out all the stops in his efforts to win Paley’s support for the state senate nomination, while Nicki relishes her role as his campaign’s secret weapon. Sissy Spacek (“Carrie”) and Perry King (“Melrose Place”) guest star.
◊“Face the Nation” (9:30 a.m. on CBS): This installment anchored by Bob Schoeffer will air from the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. Guests will include NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, “The NFL on CBS” announcers Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, and “The NFL Today” analyst Shannon Sharpe.
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): See how Jane Austen ties up the tangled affairs of her three heroines and two mystifying men in the final installment of “Emma.” Romola Garai (“Atonement”) stars as Emma.
◊“Modern Family” (9:30 p.m. on ABC): Gloria is less than pleased with Jay’s reaction to the arrival of Manny’s unreliable dad, Javier (Benjamin Bratt, (“Miss Congeniality”).
◊“Martin Clunes: A Man and His Dogs” (8 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): This two-part program, which concludes Feb. 14, investigates the ancestry of dogs and what makes them man’s best friend.
◊“Puppy Bowl VI” (2 p.m. on Animal Planet): This alternative to the Super Bowl spotlights a bunch of pups frolicking in a stadium-shaped pen, with bunny cheerleaders on the sidelines and a halftime show featuring kittens. It airs multiple times for those who want to watch both the real game and this one.
◊“Street Fight” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary spotlights Cory Booker, a Yale Law graduate, as he takes on the the four-term mayor of Newark, N.J. The city’s political machine unleashes a campaign of harassment and voter intimidation, and the election unfolds amid accusations of terrorism, a Watergate-style burglary and sexual scandal.
◊“Super Bowl XLIV” (5:25 p.m. on CBS): Checotah native Carrie Underwood will sing the national anthem before the game kicks off between The New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. The Who will take the stage during halftime to entertain the crowd inside Miami’s Dolphin Stadium and the millions of viewers at home.
◊“Til Death” (6 p.m. on Fox): When Joy urges Eddie to get a check-up from their doctor, Simona, Eddie becomes enamored with her, her husband and their seemingly perfect life. Kevin Nealon (“Weeds”) and Susan Yeagley (“I’m Not Gay”) guest star.
◊“Undercover Boss” (9 p.m. on CBS): In this new series, chief executives go incognito as regular workers in their own companies to see the effects their decisions have on others and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their company run. The opener features Larry O’Donnell, president of Waste Management.

MONDAY, FEB. 8, 2010
◊“American Experience: Bombing of Germany” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): British and American bombing of Germany during World War II claimed the lives of nearly half a million civilians. This installment examines the defining moments of the offensive that led the U.S. across a moral divide, and it includes interviews with World War II pilots and archival footage of the bombing and its aftermath.
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Among the items appraised in Hour Three from Atlantic City are a 1934 New York Yankees team-signed baseball, a 1900 folk art sculpture and an early 20th-century painting by George Bellows.
◊“Antiques Roadshow UK” (3 p.m. on BBC America): One of the United Kingdom’s longest-running shows begins its 32nd season. It’s part adventure, part history lesson and part treasure hunt, as it showcases treasures hidden in the back of closets and tucked away in attics.
◊“The Black List: Volume Three” (7:30 p.m. on HBO): Following the first two acclaimed editions of “The Black List,” this all-new documentary features black notables sharing candid stories and revealing insights into the struggles, triumphs and joys of black life in the U.S. Among those featured are director-producer Lee Daniels (“Precious”), Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg (“Ghost”), Grammy winner John Legend and actors Hill Harper (“CSI: NY”) and LaTanya Richardson (“100 Centre Street”).
◊“Castle” (9 p.m. on ABC): A beloved former major league baseball player is found dead after a goodwill trip to Cuba. The investigation, which includes running into Joe Torre (guest starring as himself), leads the detectives into New York’s Cuban community to solve the murder.
◊“Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp” (8 p.m. on VH1): Battling the bulge this season are Bobby Brown (“Outsider’s Inn”), Jay McCarroll (“Project Runway” Season 1 winner), KayCee Stroh (“High School Musical”),  Kevin Federline (“Britney & Kevin: Chaotic”), Nicole Eggert (“Baywatch”), Sebastian Bach (former lead singer of Skid Row), Shar Jackson (“Moesha”) and Tanisha Thomas (“Bad Girls Club”). The cast will be broken into two teams that will compete for $200,000 in cash and prizes, and the celebrity who drops the most weight will win $50,000 in prizes.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck and Hannah (Kristin Kreuk, “Smallville”) unexpectedly become part of the latest mission of agent Daniel Shaw. Meanwhile, Morgan and Ellie continue their mission to get to the bottom of Chuck’s secretive and strange behavior.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): The CSIs solve the murder of a man who was killed in outer space. Thad Luckinbill (“The Young and the Restless”) guest stars.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): In the climactic season finale, everyone bands together in an effort to stop Samuel from taking the lives of thousands. Elizabeth Rohm (“Law & Order”) and Deanne Bray (“Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye”) guest star.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): When Lily and Marshall forget to fix up Ted on a blind date for Valentine’s Day, they use one of Barney’s many discarded girls to see if they may become Ted’s future wife. CBS Sports Broadcaster Jim Nantz and Lead CBS NFL Analyst Phil Simms provide color commentary regarding Barney’s dating life.
◊“NFL Full Contact” (9 p.m. on truTV): This new series goes behind the scenes to see what it takes to pull off major NFL events. In the premiere episode, the worlds of football and entertainment collide as the NFL prepares for Kickoff 2009 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Cameras follow security and staffers as they throw one of the biggest pre-game parties of the year.    
◊“The Red Carpet Issue” (8 p.m. on Sundance Channel): This documentary looks at the transformation of the red carpet ceremony from a private event into a popular phenomenon and multi-million dollar business. It considers the risks and rewards – for designers, stylists, media outlets and celebrities – of playing the red carpet game.
◊“Savile Row” (7 p.m. on Sundance Channel): This new documentary series goes inside the venerable bespoke tailoring firms on and around this quiet street in London’s elegant Mayfair district. Over the course of three episodes, the series captures a milieu steeped in pride and tradition, where exquisite craftsmanship goes hand-in-hand with gentlemanly discretion.
◊“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): The new guy in Amy’s life doesn’t call after their first date, Adrian is ready to meet Ricky’s foster parents. Mayim Bialik (“Blossom”) guest stars in the episode directed by Barry Watson (“7th Heaven”).
◊“Skate for the Heart” (5 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Olympic champion figure skaters Michelle Kwan and Peggy Fleming co-host this event to help raise awareness for heart disease. It features performances by “American Idol” Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks, the boy band Honor Society, the five-girl band KSM and a cast of Olympic, World and National figure skating champions.
◊“Winter Next X” (4 p.m. on Disney XD): This action-packed sports series features Winter X-Games athletes Simon Dumont, Andreas Wiig, Sammy Carlson and Chas Guldemond mentoring young amateur competitors in their chosen sport. The show will culminate with one amateur athlete being named the Winter Next X, and he or she will get the opportunity to showcase his or her action sports skills at Winter X Games 14.

TUESDAY, FEB. 9, 2010
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): Ellen DeGeneres joins judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi and host Ryan Seacrest in Hollywood to begin winnowing down the contestants.Hopefuls chosen from around the nation endure a grueling rehearsal schedule and pressure-packed auditions as they vie for a coveted spot among the Top 24.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Contestants head to Colorado Springs to train like Olympic athletes at the U.S. Olympic training facility. Olympians Julia Macuso (skier), Jeret “Speedy” Peterson (freestyle skier), J.R. Celski (speed skater), Rockne Brubaker (pairs figure skater) and Allison Jones (paralympic athlete) guest star.
◊“Business Model: Inside the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue” (8 p.m. on CNBC): CNBC business reporter Darren Rovell takes an unprecedented look inside the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, a multimedia franchise that has made more than 1 Billion dollars for its parent company Time Inc. It reveals how business, beauty, fashion and sports come together to create this franchise that alone generated 7 percent of Time Inc. News Group’s annual revenue in 2009.
◊“The Forgotten” (9 p.m. on ABC): When a young man falls to his death from atop a skyscraper, the Forgotten Network takes on the near impossible task of identifying him. Their efforts lead them into the world of “Parkour” or free running, where they learn John Doe may have recently returned to America after an extended stay abroad. Elisha Cuthbert (“24”) joins the series in a recurring role.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Flying Cheap” looks at the crash of Continental 3407, the rise of regional and low-cost carriers and whether the aviation system is being stretched beyond its capacity to deliver service that is both cheap and safe.
◊“The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): As Alicia defends a husband accused of murdering the babysitter, she and her family prepare for the outcome of Peter’s appeal and his possible homecoming. James McDaniel (“NYPD Blue”) guest stars as the detective on the murder case.
◊“Independent Lens” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): The new documentary “P-Star Rising” follows Priscilla, who at 9 is pursuing her dream of being a rap star. She and her single dad and mentor, Jesse, are starting to reap the rewards of her ambition and talent — moving to a four-bedroom apartment and playing at sold-out clubs.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Extreme Cave Diving” follows Dr. Kenny Broad as he dives into blue holes — underwater caves that formed during the last ice age when sea level was nearly 400 feet below what it is today.
◊“Past Life” (8 p.m. on Fox): In the series preview, Dr. Kate McGinn and her partner, former New York police detective Price Whatley, attempt to help a teen suffering from regression episodes that include memories of kidnapping and murder from a past life.
◊“Valentino: The Last Emperor” (7 p.m. on Showtime): This 2008 documentary focuses on fashion designer Valentino Garavani — better known by his first name and his reputation as the creator of dresses for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and others. The film crew follows Valentino at work and at home as he prepares for a 45th anniversary celebration of his work.
◊“Venom in Vegas” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This two-hour special recaps venom expert Donald Schultz’s 10-day stay in a glass box with 100 snakes. From Jan. 17 to 26, he ate, drank and slept alongside pythons, rattlesnakes and cobras in a glass enclosure situated on Las Vegas Boulevard.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10, 2010
◊“Cougar Town” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): When everyone else makes plans for Valentine’s Day, Jules looks to Grayson for company, only to learn he hates the holiday. Meanwhile, Laurie meets Smith’s dad (Barry Bostwick, “Spin City”).
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Two days before a Grand Prix Race, when a racing legend dies in a car explosion on the streets of Manhattan, the CSIs discover that car tampering is the cause. Antonio Sabato Jr. (“The Bold and the Beautiful”) guest stars as the racing legend.  Professional race car driver Danica Patrick guest stars as the racing legend’s top competitor.
◊“Faces of America” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In earlier installments, Henry Louis Gates Jr. used DNA testing and genealogical research to help prominent black Americans trace their roots. In this new four-part series, he expands that concept to Americans from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. In the opener, he delves into the family histories of film director Mike Nichols, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on DirecTV): In the Season 4 finale, Coach Taylor tells Vince that he has to be more selfish, Tim makes a difficult decision and East Dillon rallies around the Lions.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Gary got a great Valentine’s Day gift from Sasha, and now he has to come up with one for her that isn’t just great, but perfect.
◊“Human Target” (7 p.m. on Fox): Chance is hired to protect a district attorney who is running from her family’s past and marked for murder because of her investigation into an organized crime family. Kristin Lehman (“Prison Break”) guest stars.
◊“Inside NASCAR” (9 p.m. on Showtime): With a two-time Daytona 500 Champion (Michael Waltrip), a team owner (Brad Daugherty) and a life-long NASCAR insider (Randy Pemberton) serving as analysts, this new series will guide viewers through the ins and outs, the sudden turns and the high-octane drama of the racing season.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m. on NBC): A woman is found brutally murdered, and the main suspect is a recovering alcoholic who can’t remember what happened. Scott Foley (“The Unit”) guest stars.
◊“Leverage” (9 p.m. on TNT): While trying to take down a corrupt local mayor (Richard Kind, “Mad About You”) by exploiting his love of baseball, the team runs into an unexpected complication.
◊“Martha Stewart’s Top Wedding Tips” (7 p.m. on FLN): Martha Stewart shares her great ideas for creating a truly unique wedding, including finding the perfect dress, making your own save-the-date cards and more money-saving tips.
◊“Mercy” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chloe is put to the test in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of the ER after she and Angel get re-assigned by the arrogant new head of the ICU, Dr. Joe Briggs (James Van Der Beek, “Dawson’s Creek”).
◊“Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): Phil and Claire break from their traditional Valentine’s Day dinner date and plan a little “role play” excursion. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria’s ideas of romance clash when he takes her to a comedy show. David Brenner (“Worth Winning”) guest stars.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine is feeling envious of Richard and New Christine as they prepare for their new baby. She decides she wants one, too, and asks her ex to help. Tim Meadows (“Saturday Night Live”) guest stars as her gynecologist.
◊“We Heard the Bells: The Influenza of 1918″ (10 p.m. on OETA-13): S. Epatha Merkerson (“Law & Order”) narrates this documentary that explores the personal and family experiences of a diverse group of Americans during the influenza pandemic of 1918. Survivors of the pandemic tell their stories, including Oklahoman Annah Elnora Thurber, who survived the influenza in January 1919 in a farmhouse with no running water. Annah’s mother, pregnant with her fourth child, cared for eight very sick family members.

THURSDAY, FEB. 11, 2010
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): To avoid feeling lonely on Valentine’s Day, Liz Lemon schedules a root canal but soon realizes she hasn’t thought it through. Elizabeth Banks (“Scrubs”) begins a multiple episode arc and Jon Bon Jovi (“Ally McBeal”) makes a cameo appearance.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): It’s Valentine’s Day, and the doctors must treat dozens of injured people after the roof collapses at a popular romantic restaurant. Kim Raver (“Lipstick Jungle”) guest stars.
◊“In Performance at the White House” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This concert hosted by President and Mrs. Obama in the East Room of the White House features musicians performing contemporary arrangements of music that galvanized the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950s and ‘60s.
◊“The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): The office is eager to welcome Sabre chief executive Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates, “The Blindside”) to Scranton, and they are dazzled by her Southern ways. Zack Woods (“The Honks”) also guest stars.
◊“Parks and Recreation” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): When Leslie hears her mom’s story about an old flame (John Larroquette, “Boston Legal”), she and her boyfriend track him down and reunite them on Valentine’s Day. Pamela Reed (“Jericho”) and Justin Theroux (“Tropic Thunder”) also guest star.
◊“Past Life” (8 p.m. on Fox): In the series premiere, the Talmadge Center team meets a young woman dealing with addiction whose regression episodes include graphic details of a violent crime scene.
◊“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” (7 p.m. on CBS): The 20th installment of the competitive reality series brings back 20 memorable players from past seasons. The Heroes team includes past winners James “JT” Thomas Jr. and Tom Westman, while the Villains have past Sole Survivors Parvati Shallow and Sandra Diaz-Twine.
◊“The Sword” (8 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): This two-part program, which concludes Feb. 18, explores the violent virulent history of the sword and its emergence from a hunting tool to a symbol of power and justice.
◊“The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): When Stefan, Damon and Elena work with Bonnie and Grams (Jasmine Guy, “Dead Like Me”) to open the tomb, everyone is shocked by what they discover.

FRIDAY, FEB. 12, 2010
◊“XXI Winter Olympics” (6:30 p.m. on NBC: The two weeks of competition begin with the Opening Ceremonies from Vancouver, British Columbia. NBC has prepared its usual mix of event coverage and human interest segments for the duration.
◊“Famous Crime Scene” (8 p.m. on VH1): This new series takes an in-depth look at the untimely deaths of seven celebrities. Using expert interviews and true-to-life reenactments, viewers will tour virtual crime scenes searching for clues and learn the science behind the investigators’ findings. The murder of Tupac Shakur is investigated in the premiere episode.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): In this episode directed by series star Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melinda gives birth to a baby boy who also has the gift of seeing spirits but with one important difference that will have far-reaching consequences.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison fears the worst about Ariel’s new boyfriend when she suspects him of murdering a man. Amy Pietz (“Caroline in the City”) guest stars as the mother of Ariel’s boyfriend in the episode directed by David Arquette (“In Case of Emergency”).
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): Don and the team must protect high-profile activist Benjamin Polk at a political rally, but it soon becomes a manhunt when they search for a sniper trying to kill Polk. Gary Cole (“The West Wing”) guest stars as the man suspected of trying to hunt down the political activist.
◊“Operation Wild” (9 p.m. on Planet Green): When a hiker goes missing deep in a national park, officers for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission use helicopters, swamp buggies, ATVs and K-9 units to try to track and save him.

SATURDAY, FEB. 13, 2010
◊“Bill Maher… But I’m Not Wrong” (9 p.m. on HBO): Presented live from the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, N.C., this special features Bill Maher’s typically fearless observations on a wide range of social and political issues. Among the topics Maher is expected to discuss in his ninth HBO solo special are  whether the “Great Recession” is really over, the fake patriotism of the right wing and what goes on in the mind of a terrorist.
◊“Elevator Girl” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): When a stuck elevator brings a free-spirited woman and an uptight lawyer together, they are faced with the reality that their separate worlds might be too different for their relationship to get off of the ground floor. Ryan Merriman (“Final Destination 3″) and Lacey Chabert (“Mean Girls”) star in this romantic comedy.
◊“Kick Buttowski — Suburban Daredevil” (7:30 a.m. on Disney XD): This new original 2-D animated series follows an extraordinary kid named Kick who is determined to become the world’s greatest daredevil. Small in stature but big in heart, Kick makes the most out of his suburban surroundings by devising such stunts as riding down Dead Man’s Drop on an ironing board or racing the school bus with a soda-powered jet pack. Oklahoma native Danny Cooksey (“Diff’rent Strokes”) provides the voice of Brad, Kick’s older brother.
◊“Phineas and Ferb” (8 a.m. on Disney XD): Major Monogram sends Agent P on a wild goose chase to find a missing agent, so Agent P enlists the help of a talk show host (Bob Eubanks, “The Newlywed Game”) to find him.
◊“Pit Boss” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): Shorty turns to his old friend Linda Blair (“The Exorcist”) for help after rescuing 10 newborn pit bull puppies in danger of contracting a fatal disease.
◊“Survivors” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This new British series based on a book by Terry Nation focuses on the world in the aftermath of a virus where only a lonely few are left to start over in a devastated world where everything that was once safe and familiar is now strange and dangerous.

–Penny TV

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