Happy Birthday, Darius McCrary
May 1, 2010 – Darius Creston
McCrary, who plays Malcolm Winters on “The Young and the Restless” (11 a.m. weekdays on CBS), turns 34 today.
He played Eddie Winslow on “Family Matters” (1989-98).
His first acting role was as Scam in the 1987 movie “Big Shots.” He was 11.
Best wishes to Darius and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” features Oklahoma foundation, Oklahoma family
Oklahoma is in the spotlight
on the next two episodes of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. Sundays on ABC).
On Sunday, May 2, The Limbs for Life Foundation of Oklahoma City will be featured. The episode will include footage from Limbs for Life’s recent trip to Haiti to deliver prosthetic limbs to amputees affected by January’s earthquake.
Craig Gavras, the foundation’s executive director, made the trip last month with the show’s producers. They delivered limbs donated by a Texas family and fit two young girls for prosthetic limbs at L’Hôpital de la Communauté Haïtienne (Haitian Community Hospital).
On Sunday, May 9, the Starkweather family’s new home in Tulsa will be revealed on television.
The “Extreme Makeover” team traveled to Tulsa on Jan. 28 to meet Toen and Amy Starkweather, whose son, Ethan, suffers from a rare disorder called Prader-Willi syndrome that causes weak muscle tone and constant hunger.
Seven days later, team leader Ty Pennington, the design team and celebrity volunteers Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow presented the family with a safe and healthy home.
Hundreds of Tulsa-area volunteers also aided in building the home that will allow the Starkweather family to manage Ethan’s disease and continue to help others battling with life-threatening illnesses.
In March, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” aired the episode taped Feb. 1-7 in Slaughterville, Okla. The Skaggs family — Brian and Audra and their children Merit and Jhett — were the recipients of a 2,800-square-foot modern ranch house.
–Penny TV
Pictured above: EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION – “Skaggs family” — On February 1, 2010, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” traveled to Slaughterville, OK to meet Brian and Audra Skaggs, whose son, Jhett, survived a heart transplant at just 10 months of age. Although he’s made incredible progress over the past two years, the poor condition of the family’s moldy, rotting, termite-ridden home poses serious risks to Jhett’s weakened immune system. In only seven days, team leader Ty Pennington, the design team, plus celebrity guest designer Jillian Harris of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” will help build a safe and healthy home. (ABC/RUSSELL COOK) JHETT SKAGGS, BRIAN SKAGGS, MERIT SKAGGS, AUDRA SKAGGS
Three TV Blog guests win a ‘Merlin: The Complete First Season’ DVD
“Merlin: The Complete First Season” DVD was released April 20 by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
It can be purchased at several online sites for $34.99.
But three lucky people who took part in The Oklahoman’s TV Blog giveaway will get the DVD set free, courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment.
The winners simply wrote a sentence about the TV show “Merlin” — either why they liked it, why they recommend it or why they wanted to see it. Here’s what they had to say:
♦♦♦“Merlin” is the best show on television because it lets people escape from their everyday lives and into the wonderful world of Camelot!
-Lisa Moy, College Point, NY
♦♦♦Colin Morgan brings a lot of humanity, warmth and humor as Merlin. Well worth watching.
Bob Miller, Burbank, CA
♦♦♦I think the magnificent, enchanted, beautiful work of art called “Merlin” is a divine program … It puts me in an enchanted spell of ‘Wows.’
Wyatt O’Neil, Oklahoma City
Be sure and check back with The Oklahoman\’s TV Blog regularly for another chance at a free giveaway.
–Penny TV
For those not that familiar with “Merlin,” which had its first-season run last summer on NBC and is airing Season 2 at 9 p.m. (CST) Fridays on Syfy, check out this “Merlin” clip from Warner Bros.
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing May 2-8, 2010
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 May 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.
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
GUEST STARS
••Buzz Aldrin (“Dancing With the Stars”) on “30 Rock,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Madchen Amick (“My Own Worst Enemy”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••David Anders (“Heroes”) on “The Vampire Diaries,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CW.
••Jonathan Antin (“Blow Out”) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Ashanti (“Coach Carter”) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Nicki Aycox (“Dark Blue”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Kathy Baker (“Boston Public”) on “Law & Order,” 9 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••William Baldwin (“Dirty Sexy Money”) on “Gossip Girl,” 8 p.m. Monday on CW.
••Mario Batalie (“Mario Eats Italy”) on “The Emeril Lagasse Show,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ION.
••Rick Bayless (“Top Chef: Masters”) on “The Martha Stewart Show,” 2 p.m. Wednesday on KSBI-52.
••Diego Boneta (Latin recording artist) on “90210,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
••James Callis (“Battlestar Galactica”) on “FlashForward,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Anna Camp (“True Blood”) on “Romantically Challenged,” 8:32 p.m. Monday on ABC.
••Lucy Davis (“The Office”) on “The Mentalist,” 9 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Rocco Dispirito (“The Restaurant”) on “Castle,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC.
••Jennifer Esposito (“Jules Fattore”) on “Mercy,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Chad Faust (“The 4400″) on “Miami Medical,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Adam Garcia (“Hawthorne”) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Greg Giraldo (“Z Rock”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Kathy Griffin (“My Life on the D List”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 8 p.m. on Wednesday NBC.
••Jan Hooks (“3rd Rock from the Sun”) on “30 Rock,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Rachel Hunter (“Gravity”) on “10 Things I Hate About You,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
••Alex Kingston (“ER”) on “FlashForward,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Mia Kirshner (“The L Word”) on “The Vampire Diaries,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CW.
••Swoosie Kurtz (“Pushing Daisies”) on “Chuck,” 7 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••Stan Lee (Marvel Comics) on “The Big Bang Theory,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Patti Lupone (“Oz”) on “30 Rock,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Marsha Mason (“The Goodbye Girl”) on “The Middle,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Michael McKean (“Laverne & Shirley”) on “Smallville,” 7 p.m. Friday on CW.
••Sarah McLeod (“Lord of the Rings”) on “America’s Next Top Model,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CW.
••Tim Meadows (“The Bill Engvall Show”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Martin Mull (“Roseanne”) on “Til Death,” 6 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Kevin Nealon (“Weeds”) on “Til Death,” 6 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Olivia Newton-John (“Grease”) on “Glee,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Kerry O’Malley (“Brotherhood”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Ryan O’Neal (“Paper Moon”) on “90210,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
••Annette O’Toole (“The Huntress”) on “Smallville,” 7 p.m. Friday on CW.
••Gwyneth Paltrow (“Iron Man 2”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Amy Pietz (“Aliens in America”) on “The Office,” 8 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Martha Plimpton (“Parenthood”) on “Fringe,” 8 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Jaime Pressly (“My Name Is Earl”) on “Rules of Engagement,” 7:30 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Michael Rady (“Melrose Place”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Tony Roberts (“The Thorns”) on “Law & Order,” 9 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••Sebastian Roche (“General Hospital”) on “Fringe,” 8 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Ashley Scott (“Jericho”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Jerry Seinfeld (“Seinfeld”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Molly Shannon (“Saturday Night Live”) on “Glee,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Rena Sofer (“General Hospital”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Sharon Stone (“Bobby”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Kevin Weisman (“Alias”) on “CSI: Miami,” 9:01 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Betty White (“The Golden Girls”) on “Saturday Night Live,” 10:29 p.m. Saturday on NBC.
••Fred Willard (“Anchorman”) on “Chuck,” 7 p.m. Monday on NBC.
Pictured above: FRINGE: Out on his own, Peter (Joshua Jackson, R) helps Sheriff Anne Mathis (guest star Martha Plimpton, L) with a disturbing case in the FRINGE episode “Northwest Passage” airing Thursday, May 6, on FOX. Cr: Liane Hentscher/FOX
TV Premieres and Finales airing May 2-8, 2010
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 May 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.
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
BEGINNINGS
••“Funk Flex Full Throttle,” 1 p.m. Sunday on MTV2 (series premiere).
••”Best Food Ever.” 9 p.m. Monday on TLC (series premiere).
••”The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” 9 p.m. Monday on Bravo (second-season premiere).
••”Freezing,” 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Sundance (series premiere).
••”Sweat Equity,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on DIY Network (seventh-season premiere).
••“10 Grand In Your Hand,” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on DIY Network (third-season premiere).
••”How’d You Get So Rich?” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TV Land (second-season premiere).
••“Worst-Case Scenario,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Discovery (series premiere).
••“The Imploders,” 7 p.m. Thursday on TLC (series premiere).
••”The Dudesons in America,” 9 p.m. Thursday on MTV (series premiere).
••”Ultimate Parkour Challenge,” 9:30 p.m. Thursday on MTV (series premiere).
••”Heavy Haulers,” 9 p.m. Thursday on TLC (series premiere).
••”The Imploders,” 7 p.m. Thursday on TLC (series premiere).
••”Friday Night Lights,” 7 p.m. Friday on NBC (fourth season begins).
••”Need to Know,” 7:30 p.m. Friday on OETA-13 (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••Cold Case, 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS (seventh-season finale).
••Fly Girls, 8 p.m. Wednesday on CW (first-season finale).
Pictured above: ”Almost Paradise” — Guest actor Nicki Aycox, left, and Det. Lilly Rush (Kathryn Morris) on the CBS series COLD CASE, Sunday, May 2, on the CBS Television Network Photo: Michael Yarish/Warner Bros.
“Fly Girls” Season 1 finale May 5 on The CW (2010 TV Alert)
“FLY GIRLS”
Season 1 Finale (back-to-back episodes): Wednesday, May 5, at 8 p.m. (CST, for EST, add one hour) on CW
Network Info:
“Welcome to Miami” (8 p.m.) — Mandy, Tasha and Louise enjoy a layover in Miami Beach but before leaving the airport, they make a quick stop in the bathroom to get into more comfortable clothing. Mandy makes a connection with a guy but Louise steals her thunder, and Tasha gets defensive when a guy lays on his charm a little too thick. Back in LA, Nikole’s boyfriend, Jon, moves into the house while he looks for a new place but his living habits are too much for Farrah, who just received disappointing news about her future.
“Where Do We Go From Here?” (8:30 p.m.) — Louise lies to Mandy about spending a weekend with Chris in Mammoth, putting their friendship in jeopardy. Tasha and Mandy audition to be models in a Virgin America ad campaign, while Farrah informs the girls that she needs to move on with her life. Nikole receives and in-flight proposition she can’t refuse.
Top Photo: Fly Girls “Turbulent Relationships” Pictured: Farrah, Louise, Nikole, Mandy and Tasha. Photo Credit: Michael Desmond/The CW.
Bottom Photo: FLY GIRLS “Prepare For Take-Off” Pictured: Louise, Nikole, Mandy and Tasha Photo Credit: Chris Frawley/The CW
Happy Birthday, Dianna Agron
April 30, 2010 — Dianna
Agron, who plays Quinn Fabray on “Glee” (8 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox), turns 24 today.
She played Debbie Marshall on four episodes of “Heroes” (2007).
Her first acting role was as Jen in the 2005 movie “Talkers Are No Good Doers.” She was 19.
Best wishes to Dianna and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Dianna Agron arrives at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Happy Birthday, Johnny Galecki
April 30, 2010 – Johnny Mark
Galecki, who plays Leonard Hofstadter on “The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. Mondays on CBS), turns 35 today.
He played David Healy on “Roseanne” (1992-97).
His first acting role was as Matt Kowalski in the 1987 TV movie “Time Out for Dad.” He was 12.
Best wishes to Johnny and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: “The Precious Fragmentation” — When Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and the guys find a ring from “The Lord of the Rings” at a garage sale, it threatens to tear them apart, on THE BIG BANG THEORY, Monday, March 8, on the CBS Television Network.
Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS
Top 55 TV Programs for May 2-8, 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 May 2:
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010
••”Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. pm NBC): Both teams are assigned the task of creating three radio commercials for Clockwork Home Services. To impress the executives, the teams must create original commercials for the company’s plumbing, electrician and heating & air conditioning services, and one team may have pushed the envelope too far.
••”Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): In the two-part Season 7 finale, Rush tries to ignore her father’s appeals to give her troublemaker sister (Nicki Aycox, “Dark Blue”) another chance after she suddenly resurfaces. Music by The Rolling Stones will play throughout the second hour.
••”The Emeril Lagasse Show” (7 p.m. on ION): Chef Lagasse and guest Chef Mario Batali (“Mario Eats Italy”) prepare the ultimate Italian feast. They show viewers how to make homemade ravioli, eggplant parmesan and fresh mozzarella.
••“Family Guy” (8 p.m. on Fox): In the milestone 150th episode, Brian and Stewie get locked in a bank vault where they are forced to deal with each other on a whole new level. The one-hour event also includes never-before-seen musical footage.
••“Funk Flex Full Throttle” (1 p.m. on MTV2):This new series takes viewers along for a high-adrenaline ride as Flex switches lanes from interviewing the hottest names in hip-hop to creating the freshest rides at his car customization shop. Drake will kick off the premiere episode by talking about the whirl-wind experiences he has encountered as the one biggest artists leading in to the release of his freshman album. Other entertainers stopping by the shop to chop it up with Flex this season include Juelz Santana, Fabolous, Mike Epps, Diddy, Swizz Beatz, Nicki Minaj, Young Money, Trey Songz, Jim Jones, Maino, Red Café, Jadakiss and Ludacris.
••”Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): As “Foyle’s War” returns for another season, the war in Europe is over and Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen) hopes his crime-fighting days are, too. But murder knows no respite in the seaside town of Hastings, and the chief must solve a trio of his most challenging cases yet.
••”The Pacific” (8 p.m. on HBO): Increasingly frustrated by his role campaigning for war bonds, Basilone convinces the Marines to allow him to train troops headed for combat. Transferred to Camp Pendleton, he enjoys a whirlwind romance with an initially reluctant female Marine, Lena Riggi.
••”The Real Story: Silence of the Lambs” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): This special reveals the inspiration for “Silence of the Lambs” writer Thomas Harris. While researching for his book, Harris spent time in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, immersed in the case-files of serial killers. This unit’s researchers are interviewed and reveal some gruesome details about real-life killers Ed Gein, Ted Bundy and others.
••”Seeing vs. Believing” (7 p.m. on TLC): This special features soap star Ricky Paull Goldin (“All My Children”) and his skeptic friend Jeff Gurtman as they journey across America to seek the truth behind great stories of unexplained phenomena.
••“Til Death” (6 p.m. on Fox): When Joy loses her job at Eddie’s school, she accepts a position as Stephen’s (Kevin Nealon, “Weeds”) executive assistant. The new gig leaves her miserable, leading Eddie and Mr. White (Martin Mull, “Roseanne”) to scheme a way to get Joy her old job back. Series star Joely Fisher (Joy) directed the episode.
MONDAY, MAY 3, 2010
••”10 Things I Hate About You” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Kat enlists Cameron’s help to spy on Patrick, who is upset when he finds the duo in disguise watching him outside an office building. Rachel Hunter (“Gravity”) guest stars as herself.
••”American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Roads to Memphis” tells the disparate yet fatefully entwined stories of assassin James Earl Ray and his target, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is told through eyewitness testimony from King’s inner circle and the officials involved in Ray’s capture and prosecution following an intense two-month international manhunt.
••”Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised in Hour 3 from Phoenix include a violin made by the Gagliano family in Naples in the early 1800s and a violin bow made in France in the shop of Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume.
••”Anxious” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special chronicles the journey of two people battling severe anxiety disorders as they attempt to control their anxiety to ultimately reclaim their lives.
••”Best Food Ever” (9 p.m. on TLC): John Goodman (“Roseanne”) hosts this new series that takes viewers on a coast-to-coast journey to uncover the best places to satisfy any craving. It locates the USA’s tastiest treasures to discover the brains behind the mouthwatering methods and innovative ingredients used in each amazing meal.
••”Castle” (9 p.m. on ABC): A high profile chef is found frozen to death in the kitchen of a hot New York restaurant. Complications ensue when Castle and the restaurant owner, an old high school girlfriend of Beckett’s, share an attraction. Rocco Dispirito (“The Restaurant”) guest stars in the episode as a fan of the dead chef and a fan of Castle’s books.
••”Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck and Sarah are assigned to train under Craig and Laura Turner (Fred Willard, “Anchorman,” and Swoosie Kurtz, “Pushing Daisies”), a married CIA team. Despite their impeccable record, the Turners hate one another.
••”CSI: Miami” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): After a seemingly perfect jewel heist ends in murder, Delko returns to look for the culprit when evidence in the case is stolen from the lab. Christian Campbell (“Casino Jack”), Kathleen Robertson (“Tin Man”), Tim Russ (“iCarly”) and Kevin Weisman (“Alias”) guest star.
••”Enraged” (9 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special follows the daily lives of two individuals whose intense, uncontrollable anger has wreaked havoc on their lives — and on their loved ones.
••”Fame and Recovery” (8 p.m. on A&E): This special provides a look at addiction, survival, recovery and redemption through the eyes of Hall of Fame football player Lawrence Taylor and former Miss USA Tara Conner.
••”Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Will’s return to the Upper East Side continues to stir up problems for Serena, Lily and his long-standing rival, Rufus. William Baldwin (“Dirty Sexy Money”) guest stars.
••”High Score” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary takes a look at die-hard gamers who refuse to abandon the classic arcade games of yesteryear. The 80′s live on for these enthusiasts, who compete against each other and history to record the world’s highest scores.
••”House” (7 p.m. on Fox): The team takes on the case of an ailing groom-to-be (Adam Garcia, “Hawthorne”) with secrets from a previous relationship and a fiancee with many questions. And during a boys’ night out, House, Chase and Foreman visit a karaoke bar and perform a Gladys AKnight & the Pips classic.
••“King of Dirt” (8 p.m. on DIY Network): Host Gino Panaro and his brother Ralph travel tp Tennessee’s Dollywood to create a special landscape for the 25th anniversary of the Dolly Parton-themed amusement park.
••”Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): When the body of a young model is found burning in an alley, Detective Cyrus Lupo and Detective Kevin Bernard go in search of her killer. They quickly discover that just before her death, Brenna crashed an upscale political event, hosted by Senator Peterson (Tony Roberts, “The Thorns”) and his wife, Camille (Kathy Baker, “Boston Public”).
••”The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Season 2 follows sisters Caroline and Dina Manzo (who happen to be married to brothers), their sister-in-law Jacqueline Laurita, long time family friend Teresa Giudice and Danielle Staub. Whether they are throwing a family function, out for a night on the town, or just gossiping with the girls, the ladies always find a way to be over the top and stay true to their own Jersey style.
••”Romantically Challenged” (8:32 p.m. on ABC): Perry’s struggle to fire his enthusiastic but lousy assistant, Erin (Anna Camp, “True Blood”), lands him in an unwanted relationship with her. And Shawn is reluctant to watch Lisa’s coworker’s cute dog until he realizes what a great chick magnet the little guy is.
••”Rules of Engagement” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Audrey pushes it too far with a surrogate mother (Jaime Pressly, “My Name Is Earl”) who she and Jeff are considering paying to have their baby. Meanwhile, Russell shamelessly pokes fun at Jennifer and Adam’s wedding Web site.
••”Ultimate Chili Challenge” (9 p.m. on TLC): This special showcases the art of making red chili (did you know that red chili has no beans, pasta or other fillers?) and gives viewers the chance to follow five contestants as they create culinary masterpieces with help from their secret ingredients. Watch as the contestant’s battle the heat- both in and out of the kitchen- to make their perfect chili.
••”The Woman With 15 Personalities” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special spotlights a person living with dissociative identity disorder, a condition in which a person displays several distinct identities, each with its own perception of the environment. It reveals how this often misunderstood illness affects their daily lives, and provides insight into what it is like to manage multiple personalities who all want a voice.
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2010
••”30 on 30″ (7 p.m. on ESPN): The new installment “The 16th Man” features actor Morgan Freeman (“Invictus”), producer Lori McCreary (“Invictus”) and director Cliff Bestall (“Passing the Message”) telling the story about what it meant to South Africa’s healing process when the country played host to the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
••”90210″ (7 p.m. on CW): Teddy invites a nervous Silver to meet her father, Spence (Ryan O’Neal, “Paper Moon”), for the second time, and the meeting doesn’t go quite as planned. Adrianna records a duet with Javier Luna (Latin recording artist Diego Boneta), a famous young pop singer.
••”The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The remaining six contestants get $1,000 shopping sprees before heading to the salon to meet celebrity hair stylist Jonathan Antin (“Blow Out”) and begin their makeovers. Then it’s time for amazing reveals and emotional reunions with loved ones. Later the contestants and their guests are treated to a concert from recording artist Ashanti, who shares her inspirational music.
••”Born Schizophrenic” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special examines the world of children with schizophrenia through the eyes of the Schofield family, whose 7-year-old daughter January is one of only two children ever to receive this diagnosis. In spite of her genius IQ and typically soft-spoken manner, Jani regularly battles vivid hallucinations, delusions and uncontrollable violent rage.
••”Freezing” (8:30 p.m. on Sundance): Elizabeth McGovern (“Ragtime”) and Hugh Bonneville (“Iris”) star in this British miniseries about a London couple that find themselves slipping from the top rungs of their glamorous professions. The miniseries will premiere on three consecutive nights.
••”Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): “College, Inc.” looks at the promise and explosive growth of the for-profit higher education industry. Through interviews with school executives, government officials, admissions counselors, former students and industry observers, it explores the tension between the industry that says it’s helping an underserved student population obtain a quality education and marketable job skills and critics who charge the for-profits with churning out worthless degrees that leave students with a mountain of debt.
••”Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Sue Sylvester is mortified when a video of her rendition of Olivia Newton-John’s classic “Physical” is unearthed. Guest stars include Olivia Newton-John (“Grease”) and Molly Shannon (“Saturday Night Live”).
••”NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): DiNozzo finds himself increasingly captivated by a woman he’s never met while investigating the murder of her brother. Ashley Scott (“Jericho”) guest stars as ZNN reporter Tricia Hutton, the victim’s missing sister. Rena Sofer (“24,” “General Hospital”) reprises her role as attorney Margaret Allison Hart.
••”Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Over the course of 30 years, plant and animal life has returned to the barren landscape of Mt. St. Helens after the erruption in 1980. But there’s a new threat — the mountain, too, is coming back to life.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2010
••“10 Grand In Your Hand” (8:30 p.m. on DIY Network): This series, back for Season 3, shows homeowners how to cut up to $10,000 from their renovation and remodeling projects.
••“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW): Special guest judge and “Lord of the Rings” actress Sarah McLeod welcome the remaining models to the Hobbiton in New Zealand, where the girls do a quick five-frame photo shoot.
••”The Big Bang Theory” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Sheldon winds up in traffic court when he gets a ticket because of Penny. Stan Lee (Marvel Comics) guest stars.
••”CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Mac is determined to seek justice when a 14-year-old boy is shot in front of his 12-year-old brother. Madchen Amick (“My Own Worst Enemy”) guest stars.
••”Fly Girls” (8 p.m. on CW): In the Season 1 finale, Jon moves to Los Angeles to work things out withy Nikole. During a layover in Miami, Mandy and Louise fall for the same guy, causing a rift between the best friends.
••”How’d You Get So Rich?” (9 p.m. on TV Land): Joan Rivers (“The Celebrity Apprentice”) returns for a second season to take viewers on a journey to meet mega-rich millionaires who worked hard and struck gold. As she tours the most lavish and extravagant homes, she introduces viewers to folks who made a lot of money in out of the ordinary, fascinating ways and asks all the questions no one else would – in the way only Joan can.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m. on NBC): When a woman form a growing lesbian community is found dead, Detectives Benson and Stabler must work with a local activist (Kathy Griffin, “My Life on the D List”) to uncover the truth behind the woman’s death.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): When a pregnant woman is raped, Detectives Olivia Benson and Eliot Stabler arrive at the hospital to find that she has fled. Even when someone is arrested for a similar offense, assistand district attorney Jo Marlowe (Sharon Stone, “Bobby”) says she doesn’t have a case in court unless they find the victim and get a statement from her.
••”Live From Lincoln Center” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Alan Alda (“M*A*S*H”) hosts “Perlman, Ax and Ma at The Penthouse.” It features longtime friends violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Emanuel Ax and cellist Yo-Yo Ma perform Felix Mendelssohn’s popular Piano Trios together.
••”Mercy” (7 p.m. on NBC): When a friend from their Iraq days shows up unexpectedly, Veronica and Sands are suddenly faced with a life-altering decision. Meanwhile, a former flame (Jennifer Esposito, “Jules Fattore”) comes back into Briggs life, with dangerous consequences.
••”The Middle” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Mother’s Day for Frankie is anything but serene when she finds herself doing more for Mike and the kids and less for herself. But she learns that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when she escapes the family for a few hours to go to her mom’s (Marsha Mason, “The Goodbye Girl”) and ends up acting like a child by making her mom wait on her hand-and-foot.
••”My Strange Addiction” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special refines the blurry line between normal behavior and compulsions, showcasing four individuals battling obsessive behaviors that are on the verge of taking over their lives. It presents the firsthand accounts of the fixations of a woman who eats chalk, a fanatical runner, a compulsive shopper and an excessive tanner.
••”The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. on CBS): After a good-looking cop, who Old Christine assumes is a stripper, alerts her that there is a prowler in the neighborhood, she convinces Matthew to stay over. Meanwhile, New Christine goes into labor — on Old Christine’s birthday. Tim Meadows (“the Bill Engvall Show”) returns as New Christine’s and Old Christine’s OB/GYN.
••”Sweat Equity” (8 p.m. on DIY Network): Licensed contractor Amy Matthews helps homeowners determine which home improvement projects are the smartest. Season 7 will also provide how-to information so that homeowners can do some of the basic work themselves.
••“Worst-Case Scenario” (9 p.m. on Discovery): This new six-part series based on the best-selling series of books features survival expert Bear Grylls (“Man vs. Wild”) portraying potentially life-threatening situations to demonstrate how to survive in a worst-case scenario.
THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010
••”30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): Liz Lemon meets her mother’s (Anita Gillette, “The War at Home”) old flame, while Jack Donaghy’s mother, Colleen (Elaine Stritch, “The Ellen Burstyn Show”), gets tangled in his relationships with Avery Jessup (Elizabeth Banks, “Scrubs”) and Nancy Donovan. Jenna’s mother, Verna (Jan Hooks, “3rd Rock from the Sun”) returns, while Tracy learns a lesson from his “mom” (Novella Nelson, “The Starter Wife”). Also guest starring are Buzz Aldrin (“Dancing With the Stars”), Cheyenne Jackson (“United 93”) and Patti Lupone (“Oz”).
••”Bipolar Mysteries: Families in Crisis” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): In this special, cameras follow a small community of mothers of bipolar kids as they juggle their multitude of medications, mood shifts and far-flung scheduling routines. Once isolated and completely helpless, these mothers of bipolar children are for the first time finding solace—in each other.
••”The Dudesons in America” (9 p.m. on MTV): Four Finnish extreme stuntmen and pranksters want to take over America as they try to win over local townsfolk and whatever authorities they’ll likely encounter while doing the dumbest things imaginable. Among their pranks are walking on stilts into a bullring with a very angry bull and trying to reach Uranus in their self-built space rocket.
••”FlashForward” (7 p.m. on ABC): Demetri and Agent Banks (Alex Kingston, “ER”) attempt to track down a killer as questions arise about the universe course-correcting itself, when people who thought they’d escaped their fates are found dead. James Callis (“Battlestar Galactica”) also guest stars.
••”Fringe” (8 p.m. on Fox): Peter teams up with Sheriff Mathis (Martha Plimpton, “Parenthood”) on a serial murder investigation with ties to Newton (Sebastian Roche, “General Hospital”). Meanwhile, Walter copes with the possibility of being sent back to St. Claire’s.
••“Heavy Haulers” (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series documents the dangerous and dirty exploits of Jeremy Patterson and his larger-than-life family as they move superstructures across America for a living.
••“The Imploders” (7 p.m. on TLC): This series follows the Idaho-based Kelly family as they struggle to manage family life on the road while running a dangerous demolition business.
••“The Marriage Ref” (9 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity panelists Gwyneth Paltrow (“Iron Man 2”), Greg Giraldo (“Last Comic Standing”) and Jerry Seinfeld (“Seinfeld”) offer their wit, wisdom and unique opinions to couples in marital tiffs.
••”The Martha Stewart Show” (2 p.m. on KSBI-52): On this special Mother’s Day show, guests Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Chef Marco Canora (Hearth & Terrior) are joined in-studio by their moms to cook and craft in front of an audience filled with mothers and their sons.
••”The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): Patrick Jane and the CBI team investigate the death of a mathematical genius by a gun-wielding clown. Lucy Davis (“The Office” and wife of series star Owain Yeoman) guest stars.
••”The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Michael suspects Donna (Amy Pietz, “Aliens in America”) is cheating on him and puts Dwight Schrute on the case. Meanwhile, Andy is frustrated when no one takes his customer’s complaint seriously.
••”Sergio” (7 p.m. on HBO): This documentary tells the story of the dashing diplomat who served in the United Nations for more than 30 years. He was considered by some a cross between James Bond and Bobby Kennedy. In 2003, just after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Sergio reluctantly agreed to serve as the Secretary General’s special representative in Baghdad.
••”Ultimate Parkour Challenge” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): This new series showcases the growing extreme sport of parkour. In each episode, athletes challenge themselves and each other as they put their parkour skills to the test in different urban environments. In parkour, athletes move as efficiently as possible from point A to point B. They must jump, roll, climb, leap, sprint, flip and fly, flowing over walls, cars, stairs, railings and 10-foot rooftop gaps between 5 story buildings.
••”The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): Isobel (Mia Kirshner, “The L Word”) returns to town and stuns Alaric with her attitude and her demands that he arrange a meeting with Elena. When mother and daughter finally meet, Isobel refuses to answer most of Elena’s questions but reveals that she will stop at nothing to find the mysterious invention Jonathan Gilbert (David Anders, “Heroes”) has been searching for.
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010
••”Friday Night Lights” (7 p.m. on NBC): Season 4 had its first run on DirecTV, but now everyone with a television can enjoy the drama set in Dillon, Texas, where high school football brings the community together. As season four opens, a redistricting plan has left Dillon a town divided. After being ousted from his role as head coach at Dillon High School, Coach Taylor finds himself faced with the daunting task of building a football team from scratch as well as motivating and disciplining the unmanageable East Dillon Lions.
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are Mika, Bloc Party and La Roux.
••”Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): A distressed Ariel begins to lose hours and then years of time in her life and must look to her future self to find out how to get back to the present. Michael Rady (“Melrose Place”) guest stars in this episode directed by series star Miguel Sandoval (district attorney Manuel Devalos).
••”Miami Medical” (9 p.m. on CBS): When Miami’s Calle Cubana celebration turns violent, the Alpha Team finds themselves battling an increased workload. Meanwhile, Dr. Zambrano takes special interest in a young teenager left for dead on the hospital’s driveway. Chad Faust (“The 4400″) guest stars as Todd, a trauma patient.
••”Need to Know” (7:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Peabody Award-winning broadcast journalist Alison Stewart and Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and Newsweek editor Jon Meacham will co-anchor this new weekly primetime news and public affairs series. It will cover five primary beats — the economy, the environment and energy, health, national security and culture.
••”The Oprah Winfrey Show” (4 p.m. on ABC): Joining Oprah Winfrey for this broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall is five-time Grammy-winning artist Christina Aguilera. She will perform the single “Not Myself Tonight” from her forthcoming album “Bionic” (in stores June 8) and also open up about motherhood and her career during an exclusive interview.
••“Primetime: What Would You Do?” (8 p.m. on ABC): Using hidden cameras and actors to see how people react when placed in provocative situations, this special report takes real-life situations and records the everyday dilemmas that test character and values. Two more installments will air over the next two weeks, with more scheduled for June and July.
••”Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): Much to Clark’s surprise, Martha Kent (Annette O’Toole, “The Huntress”) returns to Smallville with her new boyfriend, Perry White (Michael McKean, “Laverne & Shirley”) in tow.
SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2010
••”Loni Love: America’s Sister” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Opening with a unique dance number, the performance chronicles Loni’s hilarious observations and adventures from her travels around the globe. She covers everything from illegal immigration, reality TV, religion and pirates.
••”Meet My Mom” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): When a recently divorced mom (Lori Loughlin, “90210”) is paid a surprise visit by her son’s army pen-pal (Johnny Messner, “Killer Instinct”), it might just be love at first sight.
••”Mongolian Death Worm” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Sean Patrick Flanery (“Young Indiana Jones”) and Victoria Pratt (“Day Break”) star in this new movie as a treasure hunter and United Nations aide worker who find themselves battling local bandits while searching for Genghis Khan’s secret tomb in central Mongolia. The crypt is guarded by man-eating Mongolian death worms, who grow very angry at being disturbed.
••”Rescued” (7 p.m. on CNN): Soleded O’Brien hosts this special that chronicles the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake through the eyes of two orphans, Cendy and Marc Kenson. They were abandoned years ago by their parents but later taken in at the orphanage of an American missionary family. Musical artist Wyclef Jean, a son of Haiti, will provide voice-overs of the Creole translations in the program, along with award-winning Haitian novelist Edwidge Danticat.
••”Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): Betty White (“The Golden Girls”) guest hosts the show for the first time, partly as a result of a grass-roots campaign from fans using social networking sites such as Facebook. Jay-Z will make his third appearance as musical guest in studio 8H.
••”The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Financial advisor Suze Orman gets a surprise “Can I Afford It?” call from celebrity chef Paula Deen (“Paula’s Party”).
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Jerry Seinfeld
April 29, 2010 – Jerome Allen Seinfeld, who played Jerry Seinfeld on “Seinfeld” (1990-98), turns 56 today.He is executive producer of “The Marriage Ref” (9 p.m. Thursdays on NBC) and wil be a guest panelist on the May 6 show.
His first acting role was as Frankie on three 1980 episodes of “Benson.” He was 26.
Best wishes to Jerry and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
