Top 55 TV Programs for July 19-25, 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 July 19:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, JULY 19
◊“AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute to Michael Douglas” (8 p.m. on TV Land): Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Matthew McConaughey, Tobey Maguire, Martin Sheen, Oliver Stone, Benicio Del Toro, and Kathleen Turner are among those honoring Michael Douglas as the American Film Institute’s 37th recipient of the award. His father Kirk Douglas, the 1991 AFI honoree, also makes an appearance.
◊“Held Hostage” (6 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Three masked men break into the home of Michelle Estey (Julie Benz, “Dexter”), an asistant bank vice president, and hold her and her daughter captive. It is part of the network’s “Best Seller Summer” and is based on the novel by Michelle Renee.
◊“Hell Hounds” (8 p.m. on Syfy): After his bride (Amanda Brooks, “Flightplan”) is poisoned at their wedding, a young Greek warrior (Scott Elrod, “Men In Trees”) risks a journey to Hades to rescue her from the God of the Underworld and bring her back to life. When he leaves with her, Hades sends his hellhounds to track them down and kill them. Ricky Schroeder (“Strong Medicine”) directed the movie.
◊“HGTV Design Star” (9 p.m. on HGTV): The competition series is back for Season 4 with 11 creative finalists and a judging panel featuring Genevieve Gorder (Dear Genevieve), Candice Olson (Divine Design) and Vern Yip (Deserving Design). The finalists must navigate demanding design challenges and dazzle the judges with creativity until one wins their own show on HGTV.
◊“Labor Pains” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): This new original movie stars Lindsay Lohan as an assistant at a publishing company who pretends to be pregnant in order to avoid being fired by her boss. Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”), Luke Kirby (“Tell Me You Love Me”), Kevin Covais (“American Idol”) and Janeane Garofalo (“24”) also star.
◊“Life After Film School” (6:30 p.m. on Fox Movie Channel): Film students interview Barry Josephson, producer of the 20th Century Fox release “Aliens in the Attic.” He discusses his new film starring Ashley Tisdale, Kevin Nealon, Doris Roberts and a group of kids who confront
aliens invading their vacation home. The movie opens in theaters July 31.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment “They Do It With Mirrors,” Miss Marple must summon all her uncanny attention to detail to solve the case of a murder that takes place during the confusion that ensues when the power goes out during a rehearsal for an amateur show.
◊“Merlin” (7 p.m. on NBC): Arthur becomes love-struck with a mysterious girl and stands to lose more than just his heart.
◊“Most Popular” (9 p.m. on WEtv): Graham Norton (”The Graham Norton Show”) hosts this new series that will test an audience of 100 women on snap-judgments that could cost one of seven contestants a cash prize of $10,000. The show kicks off with a special bridal episode featuring brides from the sixth season of “Bridezillas.”
◊“NewNowNext” (11 p.m. on Logo): This new special features an intimate interview with award-winning music artist Stevie Nicks. She discusses various aspects of her career as a solo artist and part of legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac. Nicks also opens up about her own inspirations and future projects.
◊“Pawn Star$” (9 p.m. on History): This new series takes viewers inside the doors of the only family-run pawnshop in Las Vegas, where three generations of men from the Harrison family – grandfather, father and son – amusingly clash while running the business together. Each episode features an array of quirky characters attempting to sell, purchase or pawn items.
◊“Shark Therapy” (8 p.m. on Smithsonian): In an attempt to overcome her shark phobia, Tanya Streeter travels to the shark hot-spot, the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. In this difficult personal journey, she freedives at night amongst feeding white-tips, discovers the curious deep-living zebra shark and comes face to face with the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark.
◊“State of Creativity” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): To prove that Oklahoma lives up to the show’s title, the producers picked one county from which to features stories. The result is 10 stories demonstrating creative ideas from Noble County, including a segment on Travis Brorsen from Perry. Last summer, he showed TV viewers that he has the “Greatest American Dog” by winning the CBS competition series and $250,000.
MONDAY, JULY 20
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): A major shootout leaves two patrol cops and an 18-year-old boy dead with lots of unanswered questions as to what happened and who else might have been involved. The investigation is made all the more difficult by the involvement of Capt. Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell, “Battlestar Galactica”) of the Force Investigation Division.
◊“Dating in the Dark” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): In this new reality series, three men and three women share a house in which they are sequestered from the opposite sex apart from an opportunity to “date” in a completely dark room. After several days of this blind dating, each participant will pick one member of the opposite sex to be revealed in the light.
◊“Great American Road Trip” (7 p.m. on NBC): The families leave Missouri and head out into the prairies of Kansas and Oklahoma to see buffao and the actual setting of “Little House on the Prairie.” The dad must step up to the plate at the “King of the Road: BBQ challenge.
◊“History Detectives” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Items investigation include a recording that may have played a part in the World War II treason trial of Tokyo Rose and a diary of a World War II pilot.
◊“Moonshot” (8 p.m. on History): This new special puts viewers in the cockpit alongside the crew of Apollo 11 at the moment when man first lands on the Moon. The dramatization of the Apollo 11 flight is combined with original NASA archival footage converted to high definition, news footage from around the world, mission transcripts, background interviews and other source materials.
◊“Prom Night in Mississippi” (8 p.m. on HBO): This documentary chronicles the historic journey of Charleston High School in Mississippi that that holds its first integrated senior prom in 2008. In 1997, Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman (??), a Charleston resident, offered to pay for the prom, under one condition: that it be integrated. Though his offer was ignored, he made it again in 2008, and this time, the school accepted.
◊“Raising the Bar” (9 p.m. on TNT): Moments after being acquitted on a weapons charge, one of Jerry’s clients is re-arrested on a parole violation for weapons possession.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Much to Audrey’s dismay, Jeff’s chauvinist father, who expects Audrey to wait on him hand and foot, extends his visit after spraining his ankle. Brian Dennehy (”Murder in the Heartland”) guest stars.
◊“Solved” (8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This series, back for its second season, goes deep undercover to expose some of the career-defining cases of police officers and FBI agents. Each episodes features a mysterious murder case told through first person accounts.
◊TCM Goes to the Moon: Atronaut Buzz Aldrin joins TCM host Robert Osborne to introduce an evening of movies commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The movie lineup includes 1989’s “For All Mankind” (7:15 p.m.), 1983’s “All the Right Stuff” (9 p.m.) and 1969’s “Marooned” (12:30 a.m.).
◊“Three Sheets” (9 p.m. on FLN): This series, entering its fourth season, follows comedian Zane Lamprey as he engages in drinking customs around the world and befriends the people who take part in them. This season, Zane, who can say “I’m buying” in more than 37 languages, will visit Poland, Iceland, Lithuania, St. Martin, New Zealand, Panama, Namibia, Tuscany, Barbados, New Castle, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Tanzania.
◊“Torchwood: Children of Earth” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In this five-part miniseries, airing over consecutive nights, the future of the human race is in danger as every child in the world stops his routine to announce, ‘‘We are coming.” As Torchwood investigates, a trap closes around Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and sins of the past return as long-forgotten events from 1965 threaten to reveal an awful truth.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Convinced that Alan’s family doesn’t fully appreciate him, Melissa invites Alan to live with her and her mom. Carol Kane (”Taxi”) guest stars.
◊“Wake Up With Al” (6 a.m. on The Weather Channel): In this new weekday morning show, Al Roker (”Today”) will explore all aspects of the day’s weather. He will appear both in the studio, interacting with guests and viewers, and in the field, reporting on the most compelling weather stories of the day.
◊“The Wanted” (9 p.m. on NBC): This new series brings together an elite team with backgrounds in intelligence, unconventional warfare and investigative journalism. It focuses on real operators in search of real targets — all in an effort to see individuals brought to justice.
◊“Yard Crashers” (8 p.m. on DIY): In this series, now in its third season, professional landscape contractor Ahmed Hassan waits at home improvement stores looking for the perfect weekend warrior who could use his help. Once he finds his target, Ahmed and his team follow the surprised shoppers home and transform their yards.
TUESDAY, JULY 21
◊“18 Kids and Counting” (8 p.m. on TLC): While in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., the Duggars meet Dolly Parton (“9 to 5”), who is a Duggar fan. And what will the Duggars and Dolly do when they meet? Sing, of course.
◊“California in Crisis” (8 p.m. on CNBC): The world’s eighth largest economy is on the brink. This news special takes viewers inside the budget impasse, speaking to government officials, CEOs and bondholders. The ramifications of a financial failure here will impact the entire US economy as well as companies and investors worldwide.
◊“The Colony” (9:01 p.m. on Discovery): This new series challenges 10 strangers in a controlled experiment that attempts to determine exactly what it would take to survive and rebuild a functioning new society when the world has been destroyed. With no electricity, no running water and no communication with the outside world, all they have to work with are their skills and whatever tools and supplies they scavenge from their surroundings.
◊‘Hawthorne” (8 p.m. on TNT): The ER is plunged into chaos when the hospital director agrees to take on extra patients because another local ER is closed down. Among the patients is a study partner of Christina’s daughter, Camille.
◊“Hell’s Kitchen” (7 p.m. on Fox): Chef Gordon Ramsay welcomes 16 aspiring chefs to a sixth course of his unscripted series that begins with a two-hour season. Unlike past seasons, the signature dish challenge becomes a team challenge, pitting the men against the women. After the signature dishes of each team are presented to Gordon, one team will receive a coveted special prize, while the others will experience the agony of losing in Gordon’s kitchen.
◊“Moving Up” (7 p.m. on TLC): Hosted by Doug Wilson, this series follows along as three people move into new homes and renovate and redecorate them. Then, they have a chance to revisit their former house and see the changes – will they like what the new owners have done, or will they regret moving out of their house? In addition to great design tips, this season Doug has some surprises in store for the homeowners that help make the transformation complete. The new series premiere Tuesday, July 21 at 8 PM.
◊“NOVA scienceNow” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment looks at the science of picky eaters, capturing carbon and talking walruses.
◊“NYC Prep” (8 p.m. on Bravo): In the season finale, Kelli works on her singing career by meeting with a prominent voice coach, Taylor has her hands full with schoolwork and social activities and Jessie works on the benefit for Operation Smile.
◊“P.O.V.” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Filmmaker Ellen Kuras made her directing debut with “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon),” a harrowing, Oscar-nominated account of how her co-director, Thavisouk Phrasavath, and his family escaped from Laos during the Vietnam War. Their arrival in their new home, however, forced them to face a different kind of war.
◊“Ruby & the Rockits” (7:30 p.m. on ABC Family): This new series stars Patrick Cassidy (”I’ll Do Anything”) as a former teen idol whose quiet life with his wife and two sons is upset when his former Rockits bandmate and brother, played by David Cassidy (”The Partridge Family”), shows up unexpectedly with his newfound teenage daughter, Ruby. Alexa Vega (“Spy Kids”) plays Ruby and also sings the opening title song written by Shaun Cassidy.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): Graces chases after a rape and kidnapping suspect on foot and suddenly disappears, possibly becoming his latest victim. But nothing about the situation seems to make any sense, including Earl’s activities close to the investigation.
◊“Starz Inside: Zombiemania” (9 p.m. on Starz): This special traces the evolution of the zombie from its roots in African folklore and Haitian Voodoo to its curent role as pop culture icon. It features clips from a vast library of zombie films and zombie experts.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
◊“Black in America 2″ (7 p.m. on CNN): In the first installment of this two-part special, CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien reports on how community organizers across the country are creating progress and improvements at a local level. Part two airs at 7 p.m. Thursday and focuses on solutions aimed at developing black leaders of tomorrow.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): When the Mayor’s dead body falls from the ceiling at a charity fundraiser, Stella and her date find themselves in the middle of the crime scene. Craig T. Nelson (”Coach”) guest stars.
◊“Dark Blue” (9 p.m. on TNT): Team leader Carter has less than 12 hours to wrangle $100,000 in order to save the life of one of his undercover officers.
◊“Deadly Dance Under the Sea” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): This marine wildlife documentary film features breathtaking underwater combat scenes where all marine creatues hunt, feed, attack, bite, swallow, hide and fear. From the tiniest creatures to the monster with razor sharp teeth, each has its own hunting and suvival strategy.
◊“Leverage” (8 p.m. on TNT): When the Leverage crew tries to get a corrupt mixed martial arts promoter to invest everything he has in a fake cable television network, their con is discovered. Now, Eliot must throw a fight in order to save the day. Professional mixed martial arts fighters Ed Herman (“The Ultimate Fighter 3”) and Matt Lindland (“Ultimate Fighting Championship”) guest star.
◊“Over a Barrel: The Truth About Oil” (9 p.m. on ABC): With Americans facing yet another summer season of rising gas prices, ABC News’ Charlie Gibson has traveled the country to uncover some of the little known secrets of the oil industry, including why prices fluctuate so much and who exactly is pulling the strings. One of his stops is at a remote outpost in Cushing, where the price of a barrel of oil there dictates the price nationally.
◊“The Philanthropist” (9 p.m. on NBC): Teddy takes his ex-wife on a journey as he tells her about his business venture to Kosovo, a country full of depression and poverty since the 1990s when the Serbian army attacked the Albanian Muslims, who make up the majority of the population.
◊“Radical Hollywood Remedies” (9 p.m. on E!): This special takes an inside look at the trends and treatments found at the most elite Hollywood spas and doctor’s offices. It examines the ins and outs of the elaborate and sometimes scary treatments that have helped make the stars who they are.
◊“Time Team America” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The team digs into the lives of freed slaves at the site of an Illinois town founded by a freed slave.
◊“Toddlers and Tiaras” (9 p.m. on TLC): This chronicles the lives of tiny beauties and their passionate parents as they stop at nothing to win the ultimate crown at America’s top child beauty pageants. Season 2 will feature more state and national level competitions, including the several pageants by Gold Coast Pageants — the pageant system that inspired the movie “Little Miss Sunshine.”
◊“Wide Angle” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This new documentary “The Market Maker” follows an Ethiopian economist, who sets up her country’s first commodities exchange in hopes of revolutionizing Ethiopia’s market system and end its food shortages. Unfortunately, she hadn’t counted on the disastrous collapse of the global financial market.
THURSDAY, JULY 23
◊“16 & Pregnant” (9 p.m. on MTV): The finale special hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky will feature all six teen mothers profiled in the first season. Dr. Drew will discuss each girl’s episode and update viewers on what’s going on in their lives now. This open discussion will address the controversial topics from Season 1, including birth control, adoption, abortion, marriage, religion, gossip, finances, high school graduation and employment.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When the CSIs are called to a murder scene at a familiar motel, Nick is thrown for a loop as he pieces together three separate murder investigations that all took place at the same establishment over the course of a year. Taylor Swift (best-selling musical artist of 2008) guest stars as Haley Jones, a teenaged girl whose family runs the seedy Vegas motel.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Derek’s confidence is shaken like never before as he faces off with Addison over what course is best for their dying pregnant patient; Cristina calls the abilities of a renown surgeon into question after she botches a standard procedure; and Bailey, who has decided to pursue a fellowship in Pediatrics, is appalled by the Chief’s less-than-stellar recommendation letter. Faye Dunaway (”Network”) guest stars.
◊“How Do I Look?” (8 p.m. on Style Network): The series returns for a 10th season of giving the fashion challenged a brand new look and a stronger sense of style. The series gets its own makeover, as it moves into a chic new penthouse loft, debuts some cool high-tech tools and spices up each big reveal with celebrity stylist and fashion guru Jeannie Mai as the new host.
◊“The Listener” (9:01 p.m. on NBC): When it appears a serial rapist has struck again, Toby senses Detective Marks’ guilt over failing to convict him on a previous occasion.
◊“Samantha Who?” (7 p.m. on ABC): Sam discovers that billionaire Winston Funk’s (Billy Zane, “Titanic”) ex-wife, Gigi (Angie Harmon, “Law & Order”), played an important role in her life before the accident.
◊“So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m. on Fox): On the show’s 100th episode, two of the final eight dancers will be sent home.
◊“Soundstage” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): With their stadium rock riffs and anthem choruses, Chicago-based Fall Out Boys offers up unparralleled energy in this set that includes their recent hits “America’s Suitehearts” and “I Don’t Care.”
◊“Southern Belles: Louisville” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): Shea’s perfect life is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news that no one saw coming on the Season 1 finale.
Also, Kellie makes several impulsive decisions regarding her boyfriend Jeff, and Hadley questions her relationship with bad boy Russ.
◊“Wild Russia” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new six-part documentary reveals the fierce beauty of the country and the animals that have adapted to survive there. It was filmed over three years and focuses on the brown bear, sea eagle, Amur tiger and arctic fox.
FRIDAY, JULY 24
◊“According to Jim” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): When Jim chokes on a shrimp puff, he dies and arrives at Heaven’s gate. With Jim on trial to prove his selfless acts on earth, best friend Andy is summoned to heaven to defend him. As Jim attempts to prove his good works to God (Lee Majors, “The Fall Guy”), his sister-in-law Dana represents the Devil (Erik Estrada, “CHiPs”), arguing that Jim’s selfishness should mean a certain trip to hell.
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on Fox): Celebrity contestants Bill Goldberg (??) and Sugar Ray Leonard (??) return to the classroom to test their knowledge of elementary school subjects ranging from geography and art to math and history. Find out how much information these stars have retained – or forgotten – since their grade-school days.
◊“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (7 p.m. on AMC): Paul Newman and Robert Redford star in this quirky 1969 Western as turn-of-the-century outlaws who become the targets of a posse after committing one too many train robberies. Oscars went to Burt Bacharach and Hal David for their score and the song ‘‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” as well as to screenwriter William Goldman and cinematographer Conrad L. Hall.
◊“The Chopping Block” (7 p.m. on NBC): The remaining two couples battle it out one last time to win the competition. In order to succeed they must remodel the restaurants, come up with a menu and provide service that is above and beyond anything they have achieved so far. Piers Morgan (”America’s Got Talent”) guest stars.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): In this episode directed by series star Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melinda confronts a crisis that grips the whole town — the unearthing of a grave that leads to a mass haunting. But that’s not nearly as scary to her as the woman who shows up to accept the engagement ring Sam bought for her.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team has only four hours to stop a group of hijackers who take a bus full of Hollywood tourists hostage. Fisher Stevens (”Early Edition”) guest stars.
SATURDAY, JULY 25
◊“5 Ingredient Fix” (11:30 a.m. on Food Network): Chef Claire Robinson returns for a second season of straightforward cooking that proves delicious dishes need no more than five ingredients – making cooking easier and faster.
◊“Being Human” (8 p.m. on BBC America): This new series revolves around three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives – as a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. Russell Tovey (”Doctor Who”), Lenora Crichlow (”Doctor Who”) and Aidan Turner (”The Clinic”) star as housemates trying to live normal lives, despite their strange and dark secrets.
◊“The Bill Engvall Show” (8 p.m. on TBS): Bill gets upset when he finds out Susan and her friends discuss their husbands during girls-only game night, and he’s determined to find out what has been said about him.
◊“Dances With Wolves” (7 p.m. on AMC): Kevin Costner directed and starred in this 1990 Academy Award winner for best picture. Costner plays an idealistic Civil War lieutenant who befriends a Sioux tribe. The picture also won Oscars for best director, screenplay, cinematography, film editing, music and sound.
◊“Dirty Sexy Money” (9 p.m. on ABC): Now a partner with Simon Elder, Tripp asks Patrick to try to reverse Congressman Charles Whatley’s (John Schneider, ??) standing against Simon’s bio-fuel that Tripp had helped influence many years earlier. And Simon tells Nola that he suspects that Jeremy’s amnesia isn’t real.
◊“Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): The locally-produced show seeks out wheelchair accessible tourists destinations and explores Robbers Cave State Park on horseback.
◊“GoldenEye” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Pierce Brosnan makes his entrance as dashing Agent 007 and does a credible job filling the natty shoes of his predecessors. Perhaps even more importantly, the special effects, gags and drop-dead gorgeous women appearing in this recent James Bond outing live up to the high standards of previous films.
◊“Kings” (7 p.m. on NBC): In the series finale, Jack and William make plans for Jack to take his father’s place as King of Gilboa. To everyone’s surprise, Silas is alive and David escapes Shiloh to warn Silas about the chaos to come. Macauley Culkin (”Home Alone”) guest stars.
◊“Primeval” (7 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 3 finale, Helen Cutter decides the only way to stop the destruction of life on Earth is to stop humans ever evolving. So she goes back in time to the Pliocene period, intent on poisoning the very first humans that evolved in the Rift Valley in Africa.
◊“The Star Wars Spectacular” (1 p.m. on G4): This two-hour special will feature never-before-seen footage, breaking news, surprise announcements, guest stars and more. In addition, G4 will present three hours of live coverage from the San Diego Comic-Con floor beginning at 3 p.m.
◊“True Jackson, VP” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): True finds out that she will be helping the Mad Style team create a window display for the fanciest department store in New York City. True is especially excited about this assignment since it has been a childhood dream of hers. Willow Smith (daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith) guest stars.
–Penny TV
AMC celebrates 20th anniversary of ‘Lonesome Dove’ with special airing June 13-14 (2009)
Twenty years ago, CBS broadcast a
television miniseries adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning western novel “Lonesome Dove.” It won seven Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes.
Saturday and Sunday, AMC is going to broadcast a restored widescreen version of the eight-hour miniseries starring Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Duvall, Jones, Danny Glover, Anjelica Huston and Diane Lane. It will air from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (or watch it from start to finish from 3 to 11 p.m. Sunday).
The 20th anniversary airing will also include extra content and footage of “Lonesome Dove,” which takes viewers through a story of the last defiant frontier, a daring cattle drive, and an undying love. And interspersed throughout the eight hours, Jones will speak about his time filming the western.
“There were things that were physically demanding. There were things that were emotionally demanding. There were things that were logistically demanding,” Jones says. “I loved every minute of it. I look for a good script, good company and a beautiful place to work. ‘Lonesome Dove’ certainly fulfilled all of that many times over.”
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing May 3-June 6, 2009
Will Ferrell
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 31.
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
••Madchen Amick (”My Own Worst Enemy”) on “Gossip Girl,” 7 p.m. Monday on CW.
••David Arquette (”In Case of Emergency”) on “Pushing Daisies,” 9 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
••Dan Aykroyd (”Saturday Night Live”) on “According to Jim,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Mark Ballas (”Dancing With the Stars”) on “Samantha Who?” 8 p.m. Friday on ABC.
••Christine Baranski (”Cybill”) on “The Big Bang Theory,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Eric Braeden (”The Young and the Restless”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7:30 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Bobby Cannavale (”Third Watch”) on “Cold Case,” 7 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
••Sarah Chalke (”Scrubs”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7:30 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Bradley Cooper (”Yes Man”) on “Saturday Night Live,” 10:29 p.m. Saturday on NBC.
••The Dave Matthews Band (Grammy winner) on “Today: Toyota Concert Series,” 7 a.m. Friday on NBC.
••Ron Eldard (”Blind Justice”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Giancarlo Esposito (”South Beach”) on “Breaking Bad,” 9 p.m. Sunday on AMC.
••Erik Estrada (”CHiPs”) on “According to Jim,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Will Ferrell (”Land of the Lost”) on “Man vs. Wild,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Discovery.
••Colin Hay (Men at Work) on “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” 7 p.m. Friday on Fox.
••Salma Hayek (”Frida”) on “30 Rock,” 8:31 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Zeljko Ivanek (”Damages”) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Penn Jillette (”Dancing With the Stars”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Jamie Kennedy (”Ghost Whisperer”) on “Million Dollar Password,” 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••John Legend (Grammy winner) on “Good Morning America: 2009 Summer Concert Series,” 7 a.m. Friday on ABC.
••Jane Lynch (”Two and a Half Men”) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Norm MacDonald (”The Norm Show”) on “Million Dollar Password,” 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Lee Majors (”The Fall Guy”) on “According to Jim,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Sam McMurray (”The King of Queens”) on “Breaking Bad,” 9 p.m. Sunday on AMC.
••Gregory Michael (”Dante’s Cove”) on “Greek,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
••Cesar Millan (”The Dog Whisperer”) on “Bones,” 8 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Kim Myles (”Myles of Style”) on “HGTV’s $250,000 Challenge,” 9 p.m. Sunday on HGTV.
••Bob Odenkirk (”The Larry Sanders Show”) on “Rules of Engagement,” 8:30 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Mitch Pileggi (”The X-Files”) on “Supernatural,” 8 p.m. Thursday on CW.
••Cybill Shepherd (”Cybill”) on “Samantha Who?” 8 p.m. Friday on ABC.
••Sherri Shepherd (”The View”) on “30 Rock,” 8:31 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Jerry Springer (”The Jerry Springer Show”) on “MADtv,” 10 p.m. Saturday on Fox.
••Nicholle Tom (”The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman”) on “Mental,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Gina Torres (”Standoff”) on “Pushing Daisies,” 9 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
••Ruth Westheimer (”Dr. Ruth’s House”) on “Here Come the Newlyweds,” 9:02 p.m. Monday on ABC.
TV Premieres and Finales airing May 31-June 6, 2009
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 31.
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
••“Ice Road Truckers,” 8 p.m. Sunday on History (third-season premiere).
••“HGTV’s $250,000 Challenge,” 9 p.m. Sunday on HGTV (series premiere).
••“Jesse James Is a Dead Man,” 9 p.m. Sunday on SPIKE (series premiere).
••“Deal or No Deal,” 6 and 10 p.m. weekdays on GSN (series added).
••“I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” 7 p.m. Monday on NBC (second-season premiere).
••“The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien,” 10:29 p.m. Monday on NBC (series premiere).
••“Is Your House Killing You?” 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Sundance (series premiere).
••“Man Land,” 10 p.m. Wednesday on HGTV (series premiere).
••“Burn Notice,” 8 p.m. Thursday on USA (third-season premiere).
••“The Listener,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC (series premiere).
••“Royal Pains,” 9 p.m. Thursday on USA (series premiere).
••“Tosh.0,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Comedy Central (series premiere).
••“Ghost Adventures,” 8 p.m. Friday on Travel Channel (second-season premiere).
••“Whale Wars,” 8 p.m. Friday on Animal Planet (second-season finale).
••“Housecat Housecall,” 9:30 a.m. Saturday on Animal Planet (second-season premiere).
••“1 vs. 100,” 5 p.m. Saturday on GSN (series added).
ENDINGS
••“Breaking Bad,” 9 p.m. Sunday on AMC (second-season finale).
••“Platinum Weddings,” 9 p.m. Sunday on WEtv (second-season finale).
••“Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” 10:45 p.m. Sunday on Cartoon Network (sixth-season finale).
••“Medium,” 9 p.m. Monday on NBC (fifth-season finale).
••“According to Jim,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (series finale).
••“Dallas DNA,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Investigation Discovery (first-season finale).
••“Deadliest Warrior,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on SPIKE (first-season finale).
••“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on NBC (10th-season finale).
••“Law & Order,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on NBC (19th-season finale).
••“Make Me a Supermodel,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Bravo (second-season finale).
Top 55 TV Programs for May 31-June 6, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of May 31:
SUNDAY, MAY 31
◊“The 2009 MTV Movie Awards” (8 p.m. on MTV): Andy Samberg (”Saturday Night Live”) hosts the 18th annual event live from Universal City, Calif. The films “Twilight” and “Slumdog Millionaire” both received nominations in six categories.
◊“Aqua Teen Hunger Force” (10:45 p.m. on Cartoon Network): In the animated show’s first live-action episode, rapper T-Pain portrays the Auqua Teen’s roommate Frylock, whose animated form looks like a floating box of french fries.
◊“Breaking Bad” (9 p.m. on AMC): On the Season 2 finale, Skyler and Walt collide as her frustration with his secrecy finally comes to a head. Also, Jesse self-destructs after a personal blow, forcing Walt to come to his aid.
◊“HGTV’s $250,000 Challenge” (9 p.m. on HGTV): Drew Lachey (”Dancing With the Stars”) hosts this new winner-take-all design competition in which five neighboring families compete to create the best design in their own home. The winner gets a cash prize that can help them pay off their mortgage.
◊“Ice Road Truckers” (8 p.m. on History): Season 3 heads to Alaska, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where a group of elite truckers face their most perilous journey yet. They have less than three monthys to shuttle critical supplies to the oil camps of Alaska’s North Slope.
◊“Into the Storm” (8 p.m. on HBO): Continuing the story that began in 2002’s “The Gathering Storm,” this production finds Winston Churchill (Brendan Gleeson, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) reflecting on how he guided Britain through World War II as he, wife Clemmie (Janet McTeer) and their daughter spend a holiday in France awaiting word on whether he has been elected prime minister for a postwar term.
◊“Jesse James Is a Dead Man” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): Each week in this new series, Jesse James (”Monster Garage”) will take on a different challenge that could literally kill him. The challenge he faces in the premiere episode is riding a Nitro-fueled motorcycle.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Inspector Wallander (Kenneth Branagh) is stunned by the murder of three teenagers on Midsummer’s Eve and sent into a spiral of intense guilt when a colleague also is found dead in the final installment of the series titled “One Step Behind.”
◊“Nature’s Most Amazing Events” (7 p.m. on Discovery): The final two installments of this six-part high-definition series feature the Kalahari Desert at the peak of the dry season and the arrival of summer along the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia.
◊“Platinum Weddings” (9 p.m. on WEtv): Black tie glamour meets SOuthern charm at Mollie and Jason’s wedding. The couple’s 280 guests will be trated to an all-expense-paid weekend in Atlanta.
MONDAY, JUNE 1
◊“Deal or No Deal” (6 and 10 p.m. weekdays on GSN): Beginning today, the network will begin airing the first three seasons of the hour-long version of this game show hosted by Howie Mandel.
◊“Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): As the summer draws to a close in the Hamptons, Serena and Nate have everyone fooled into thinking they are a couple to cover up the fact that Nate has been hooking up with a married older woman (Madchen Amick, “My Own Worst Enemy”) and Serena has been secretly mourning her break-up with Dan.
◊“Greek” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Overwhelmed with loneliness since Max left for his internship, Casey finds herself latching onto her ZBZ sister’s social activities and interfering with Rusty’s new blossoming romance with Jordan. Gregory Michael (”Dante’s Cove”) guest stars.
◊“Here Come the Newlyweds” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): The eight remaining just-married couples get slightly embarrassed when famous psychosexual therapist Dr. Ruth drops by to give them relationship tips.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): A gun-wielding man (Zeljko Ivanek, “Damages”) takes House, Thirteen and several patients from the waiting room hostage in Cuddy’s office. The man claims to be sick with a long undiagnosed illness and demands medical attention from the best doctor in the hospital.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): While out for dinner with the gang, Ted runs into someone from his past that prompts each of them to think about how they would handle bumping into someone they’d rather forget. Sarah Chalke (”Scrubs”) and Eric Braeden (”The Young and the Restless”) guest star.
◊“I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” (7 p.m. on NBC): Ten celebrities are dropped into the jungles of Costa Rica, where they undergo tests of their survival skills, with viewers deciding which player will be eliminated each week. Celebrities include Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (”The Hills”), Janice Dickinson (”The Janice Dickinseon Modeling Agency”), Stephen Baldwin (”The Usual Suspects”), John Salley (”Confessions of a Shopaholic”), Torrie Wilson (”WWF Smackdown!”) and former Sanjaya Malakar (”American Idol”).
◊“Kathy Griffin: The Footage You Weren’t Meant to See” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Relive all the good and bad time from the first four seasons of two-time Emmy-winning series “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” — all through Kathy’s comic eye. The special also includes unseen moments from the show.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): In the Season 5 finale, Allison dreams of a future where an unfamiliar man is comforting her after the loss of her entire family. She later meets the same unfamiliar man in her waking life whihc investigating a case.
◊“Muhammad Ali: Made in Miami” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This film chronicles the boxer’s arrival in Miami in 1960. Over the next few years, Ali evolved both professionally and politically.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): Audrey discovers that Russell is a closeted fan of Broadway musicals, a fact she promises to keep secret in exchange for free theater tickets. Bob Odenkirk (”The Larry Sanders Show”) guest stars.
◊“The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): Conan O’Brien, the dominant late-night host at 11:35 p.m. for the past 14 seasons, will succeed Jay Leno as host of the preeminent series on late-night television.
◊“TV411” (10 a.m. on OETA-13): Some 70 million adults in America cannot read, write or speak English well enough to seek a job promotion or help their children with homework. This program is full of useful tips, such as how to decipher a pay check, keep a family medical history and get the most out of reading.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
◊“According to Jim” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): When Jim chokes on a shrimp puff, he dies and arrives at Heaven’s gate. As Jim attempts to prove his good works to God (Lee Majors, “The Fall Guy”), his sister-in-law, Dana, represents the Devil (Erik Estrada, “CHiPs”), arguing that Jim’s selfishness should mean a certain trip to hell.
◊“Earth 2100″ (8 p.m. on ABC): This ABC News special hosted by Bob Woodruff takes viewers on a journey through what the next century could have in store and shows viewers what can be done to avoid disaster.
◊“Is Your House Killing You?” (8:30 p.m. on Sundance): The network premieres the seven-part Australian reality series hosted by environmental scientists Dr. Peter Dingle and Cedric Cheong, who have extensive experience in the field of indoor air pollution. Each episode introduces an Australian family that has reason to suspect their homes may be endangering their health and well-being.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): In the Season 10 finale, an error jeopardizes a murder case and the detectives rush to find more evidence before the killer takes revenge on the squad.
◊“Man vs. Wild” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Host Bear Grylls takes Will Ferrell (”Land of the Lost”) along with him for an extreme adventure in the Swedish hinterland.
◊“Mental” (8 p.m. on Fox): Director of Psychiatric Services Dr. Jack Gallagher and psychiatrist Dr. Veronica Hayden-Jones are called to the ER for a psych consult where they meet Melissa Ranier (Nicholle Tom, “(”The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman”), a woman presenting as seven months pregnant. However, the doctors are informed by the ER physician that the patient’s ultrasound did not reveal a baby.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): Dr. Reid embarks on his own investigation into the murder of a young boy years earlier in Las Vegas that he strongly believes has a connection to his own childhood. Jane Lynch (”Two and a Half Men”) guest stars as Dr. Reid’s mother, Diana Reid.
◊“Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): In the Season 19 finale, the murder of a charity executive leads detectives on a trail of political intrigue. The investigation takes a turn when claims of stalking and blackmail surface.
◊“Make Me a Supermodel” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The final three models go head-to-head with two major photo shoots and an extended catwalk challenge. Fashion photographer Matthew Rolston joins the four judges for the final deliberation.
◊“Man Land” (10 p.m. on HGTV): This new series explores men’s design machismo and offers viewers ideas for “manspace makeovers.” It also reveals how the women in these men’s lives feel about their guy having a separate space and how that space has changed their relationship.
◊“Renegade Genius” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Meet Thomas Gold, an original thinker whose radical theories have transformed the way science views the origin of life, how we hear sounds and what we know about space.
◊“Smile Pinki” (6 p.m. on HBO): Recent Oscar winner for best documentary short subject, this program profiles the fairytale journey of Pinki and Ghutaru, two children in rural India born with cleft lips, who are given new hope to live normal lives through the generosity and dedicated efforts of local doctors and social workers.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (7 p.m. on CBS): A disastrous visit from Mrs. Hofstadter (Christine Baranski, “Cybill”) brings Leonard and Penny closer together.
◊“Burn Notice” (8 p.m. on USA): As Season 3 opens, Michael emerges from the ocean a free agent but one who is being investigated by the police as he takes on a new job extraditing a thug.
◊“General Hospital” (2 p.m. on ABC): Lexi Ainsworth from Oklahoma City will make her debut on the ABC daytime drama today. She has been cast as Kristina, the daughter of mob boss Sonny Corinthos and princess Alexis Davis.
◊“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (7 p.m. on ABC): The late-night talk show will air special half-hour primetime shows on each night ABC airs the NBA basketball finals. Each night, Jimmy will deliver up-to-the minute news addressing the hottest topics of the day in his monologue and welcome various guest stars.
◊“The Listener” (9 p.m. on NBC): This new series stars Craig Olejnik (”The Timekeeper”) as Toby Logan, a young paramedic who goes about his rounds helping people in crisis while keeping a big secret: He has telepathic powers, which he uses discreetly in both his job and his personal life.
◊“Royal Pains” (9 p.m. on USA): This new drama starring Mark Feuerstein (”Good Morning, Miami”) centers on a young, blacklisted doctor whose career is revived when he becomes a doctor for hire to the rich and famous in The Hamptons.
◊“Supernatural” (8 p.m. on CW): Dean is transported back in time and is shocked when he lands in Lawrence, Kan. Dean isn’t sure why he was sent back so he begins to enjoy the time with his parents and newfound grandfather (Mitch Pileggi, “The X-Files”), who may be hiding a secret that is key to Sam and Dean’s entire predicament.
◊“Tosh.0″ (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): In this twist on pop culture shows, comedian Daniel Tosh lampoons the latest videos, blogs, vlogs, websites and technologies, as well as offering “Web Redemption” to those who have already humiliated themselves online.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
◊“Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” (7 p.m. on Fox): Twins from Orlando compete. They are in for a real 80’s treat when surprise guest, Colin Hay from Men at Work, completes the lyrics to the pop hit “Who Can It Be Now.”
◊“Ghost Adventures” (8 p.m. on Travel Channel): In this series, paranormal investigators search for haunted locations. During their search, they interview locals about the hauntings and place themselves with evil spirits during overnight lockdowns.
◊“Good Morning America” (7 a.m. on ABC): John Legend (Grammy winner) performs during the 2009 Summer Concert Series airing live from New York City’s Central Park.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): While on a date, David catches a disappearing act at a magic show but quickly becomes involved in the performance when the magician really vanishes. Penn Jillette (”Dancing With the Stars) guest stars.
◊“Whale Wars” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society battle whalers, the elements and one another in the show’s second season that features new and returning crew members.
◊“Samantha Who?” (8 p.m. on ABC): Samantha teams up with her mother for a dance competition in order to beat Regina’s nemesis, Paula Drake (Cybill Shepherd, “Cybill”). The only problem is that “old” Sam could dance, whereas “new” Sam is gliding on two left feet. Mark Ballas (”Dancing With the Stars”) guest stars as Paula’s dance partner.
◊“Today” (7 a.m. on NBC): The Dave Matthews Band (Grammy winner) performs during the 2009 Toyota Concert Series airing live from New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
◊“1 vs. 100″ (6 p.m. on GSN): Beginning today, the network will begin airing the entire series run of the game show hosted by Bob Saget. Episodes will also air at noon Sundays starting June 7.
◊“Come Dance at My Wedding” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): John Schneider (“Smallville”), Roma Downey (“Touched by an Angel”), Brooke Nevin (“Worst Week”) and Christopher Jacot (“Eureka”) star in this new movie about an estranged father and daughter who may be light-on-their-feet, but who still have a few moves to learn if they are to move forward as a family.
◊“Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): This installment of the locally-produced program showcases the UCO Jazz Lab in Edmond, the Wild Things Farm in Pocola, Tulsa’s Inn at Woodward Park and Keystone Ancient Forest.
◊“The Game Show Awards” (8 p.m. on GSN): Howie Mandel (”Deal or No Deal”) hosts the inaugural event aimed at celebrating excellence in the genre of games. The show includes special tributes to Bob Barker (“The Price is Right”), game show producer Mark Goodson and Monty Hall (“Let’s Make a Deal”).
◊“Housecat Housecall” (9:30 a.m. on Animal Planet): This show returns for a second season of helping cat lovers resolve their feline dilemmas, from unruly behavior to lifestyle adjustments.
◊“Iron Maiden: Flight 666″ (11 p.m. on VH1): On February 8, 2008, British heavy rock legends Iron Maiden embarked on an ambitious and adventurous tour. The band gave full access to a film crew to document their journey and this high-definition documentary is the result. With the entire touring crew and 12 tons of music and stage equipment on board, the band flew 50,000 miles and performed in 23 sold-out stadium and arena shows across Asia, Australia and North, Central and South America.
◊“Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This special explores the historical context of Johnny Cash’s concert album recorded Jan. 13, 1968 at Folsom Prison. It weaves interviews with archival photography to evoke the spirit of that day.
◊“Pushing Daisies” (9 p.m. on ABC): Emerson gets a lead in his daughter Penny’s whereabouts when he investigates the murder of millionaire Roland Stingwell. The prime suspect: Penny’s no-good mama, Lila Robinson (Gina Torres, “Standoff”), who ran off with the girl years ago. Meanwhile, an awkward Randy Mann (David Arquette, “In Case of Emergency”) tries to romance Olive.
–Penny TV
AMC does not have a bad movie,
but it does have B-movies online
AMC shows great movies on television. The network’s Web site shows B-movies online.
The “B” doesn’t stand for bad, however. These are simply movies that may have been low-budget and less publicized. And there are currently 27 B-movies available in full screen at www.amctv.com/b-movies, with more titles to be added in the coming months.
Current selections include Raquel Welch’s film debut in “A Swingin’ Summer”; Kung-Fu king Sonny Chiba in “Terror Beneath the Sea”; John Carpenter’s student film “Dark Star; Assassination in Rome” starring Elaine Stritch; and”Corridors of Blood” with Christopher Lee and Boris Karloff.
–Penny TV
BMC on AMCtv.com
(B Movie Classics currently available)
ASSASSINATION IN ROME (1965)
ASYLUM (1972)
CARNIVAL OF SOULS (1962)
COLLEGE GIRL MURDERS (1968)
CORRIDORS OF BLOOD (1959)
CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS (1962)
DARK STAR (1974)
DRAGSTRIP GIRL (1957)
DYNAMITE JOE (1968)
THE HELLFIRE CLUB (1960)
HERCULES UNCHAINED (1959)
THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH (1965)
HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER (1958)
INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN (1961)
MOTORCYCLE GANG (1957)
PLANET ON THE PROWL (1966)
REFORM SCHOOL GIRL (1957)
ROCK ALL NIGHT (1957)
THE RUTHLESS FOUR (1968)
SAGA OF THE VIKING WOMEN (1957)
SHAKE RATTLE & ROCK (1956)
A SWINGIN’ SUMMER (1965)
TEENAGE CAVEMAN (1958)
TERROR BENEATH THE SEA (1966)
WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST (1958)
WHAT A CARVE UP (1962)
SUICIDE BATTALION (1958)
Happy Birthday, Bryan Cranston
March 7, 2009 — Bryan Lee Cranston, who plays Walter H. White on “Breaking Bad” (Season 2 premieres March 8 on AMC), turns 53 today.
He played Hal on “Malcolm in the Middle” (2000-06 on Fox).
His first acting role was a Billy Joe in an episode of “CHiPs” (1982 episode titled “Return to Death’s Door”). He was 26.
Best wishes to Bryan and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Bryan Cranston holds the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for his work on “Breaking Bad” at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon).
18 TV Premieres and Finales airing March 8-14, 2009
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 March 8.
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
••“Breaking Bad,” 9 p.m. Sunday on AMC (second-season premiere).
••“Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” 9 p.m. Sunday on E! (third season premiere).
••“Candy Girls,” 9:30 p.m. Sunday on E! (series premiere).
••“Dancing With the Stars,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC (eighth-season premiere).
••“Battles BC,” 8 p.m. Monday on History (series premiere).
••“Castle,” 9:02 p.m. Monday on ABC (series premiere).
••“WCG Ultimate Gamer,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on SCI FI (series premiere).
••“The Chopping Block,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on NBC (series premiere)(NBC Photo above).
••“Idol Tonight,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on TV Guide Network (fourth-season premiere).
••“Ghost Hunters,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on SCI FI (fifth-season premiere).
••“Clean House Comes Clean,” 10 p.m. Wednesday on Style Network (fourth-season premiere).
••“Warriors,” 9 p.m. Thursday on History (series premiere).
••“Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Travel Channel (series premiere).
••“Most Haunted,” 9 p.m. Friday on Travel Channel (season premiere).
••“The Graham Norton Show,” 9 p.m. Saturday on BBC America (fifth-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“The L Word,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Showtime (series finale).
••“Tool Academy,” 9 p.m. Sunday on VH1 (first-sesaon finale).
••“Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House,” 9 p.m. Thursday on VH1 (season finale).
Top 55 TV Programs for March 8-14, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 8:
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
◊“Breaking Bad” (9 p.m. on AMC): Series star Bryan Cranston (Walter White) directed the Season 2 premiere, in which Walt continues to straddle conflicting worlds — a ruthless swirl of drugs, murder and mayhem and a complex, emotionally fraught domestic life.
◊“Candy Girls” (9:30 p.m. on E!): This new series tracks the efforts of talent agent Danielle to manage some of the most sought-after women in the music video industry.
◊“The Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. on NBC): Each team must create and costume a comic book character, and present it to the Zappos.com executive. From the beginning, the project manager for the men is caught in a battle of wills with one of his teammates. On the women’s side, one celebrity is uncomfortable in her role as the costume model, while another member of the team falls ill.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team reopens the 1976 case of a murdered 17-year-old after a newfound photo of her on the back of a motorcycle exposes her connection to a notoriously vicious gang. Jeff Fahey (“Lost”) guest stars.
◊“Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): Hannah and her dancers are desperate to find a replacement for their usual choreographer, Tina (Carrie Ann Inaba, “Dancing With the Stars”) after she injures herself.
◊“Keeping Up With the Kardashians” (9 p.m. on E!): Life for the Kardashians in Season 3 is filled with ups and downs as each member struggles to find their place in the chaotic household.
◊“The L Word” (8 p.m. on Showtime): In the final episode of the series, what starts out as a celebration of friendship quickly ends in a web of betrayal and deceit. The girls find themselves in the slammer with Sergeant Duffy (Lucy Lawless, “”Battlestar Galactica”), and the investigation into Jenny’s death begins.
◊“A Night With Dwayne Johnson” (6 p.m. on Starz): This programming block features three of The Rock’s films — “National Treasure Book of Secrets” (6 p.m.), “The Game Plan” (8:10 p.m.) and “College Road Trip” (10:05 p.m.). Throughout the evening, an exclusive sneak peek at his newest movie, “Disney’s Race to Witch Mountain,” will air.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): Hurricane Ike, which hit Texas Sept. 13, 2008, and ranks as the third most-costly U.S. hurricane ever, drew national attention for the calamity it caused, especially in Galveston where many people had to face its wrath. First-hand experiences are told by a couple who barely survived before being air lifted to safety and a Coast Guard vet who was forced to swim for hours through debris-laden waters before being rescued by a National Guard helicopter.
◊“Tool Academy” (9 p.m. on VH1): The final two contestants face off for one last challenbge before taking final exams with resident relationship counselor Trina Dolenz.
◊“The Unit” (9 p.m. on CBS): While the Unit initiates a new team member, Jonas must coach his daughter before her military-ordered media tour. Julie Chen (“The Early Show”) guest stars as herself.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas in women’s college basketball action airing live at 2:30 p.m. on FSOK.
MONDAY, MARCH 9
◊“American Stamps” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This new documentary focuses on the designers and artists who create postage stamps. It also includes the history of stamps in America, the criteria for selecting stamp subjects and how stamp artwork gets checked for authenticity.
◊“Battles BC” (8 p.m. on History): This new series uses cutting-edge animation techniques and the expertiese of military historians to show leaders from the ancient world in some of the greatest conflicts in history. The premiere episode is “Hannibal: The Annihilator.”
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (7 p.m. on CBS): A train trip to San Francisco takes a major detour when Leonard, Sheldon, Wolowitz and Raj discover that actress Summer Glau (”Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) is onboard. The episode also features a cameo by Nobel Laureate Dr. George Smoot, the father of the Big Bang Theory of Creation.
◊“Castle” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): This new series stars Nathan Fillion (“Firefly”) as Richard Castle, a successful mystery novelist with a mischievous streak. In the premiere episode, Rick is called upon to help Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), a New York police detective, on a case in which a serial killer is staging murder scenes as depicted in Rick’s novels.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): The CSIs make a shocking discovery about their murder victim, while Horatio tries to save his son from Julia’s erratic behavior. Elizabeth Berkley (“The L Word”) guest stars.
◊“Dancing With the Stars” (7 p.m. on ABC): Season 8 of the ballroom dancing series returns with 13 new competitors. They include Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, (the youngest competitor ever), singers Belinda Carlisle, Jewel and Lil Kim, actors David Alan Grier and Gilles Marini, rodeo star Ty Murray and and Hall of Fame football player Lawrence Taylor.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): When Sylar comes face-to-face with his long lost father (John Glover, “Smallville”), the reunion proves to be what he least expected.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): House and the team take on the case of Nick (Jay Karnes, “The Shield”), a book editor who loses his inhibition and starts insulting coworkers at a dinner party one night before falling ill.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Lily and Marshall are less than thrilled when Ted reunites with his ex-girlfriend (Laura Prepon, “That 70s Show”) from college.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): Series star Bethany Joy Galeotti (Haley James Scott) directed this episode in which Lucas wrestles with casting for his movie while Peyton tries to prepare for their wedding.
◊“Masters of Illusion” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Featured are the magic illusions of Joe Monty (”Drill Through Head” illusion), Rick Thomas (”Levitation”), Arthur (”Hour Glass”), Nathan Gibson (Street Magic”), Dale Salwak (”Cabaret”), Taylor Hughes (”Into Box”) and Mac King (”Invisibility”).
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): After a long line of female assistants, Russell learns that a having a male assistant (Adhir Kalayan, “Aliens in America”) can be very advantageous.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): Grace’s niece, Sayre, is arrested after attending a Scavenger Party where teens share drugs they raided from their parents’ medicine cabinets. Whne the squad tries to figure out what combination of drugs landed Sayre’s best friend in a coma, they realize some of the drugs were laced with something potentially deadly.
◊“The Wonder Pets! Join the Circus!” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): It’s summer vacation and the Wonder Pets rescue a young circus lion named Cubby from falling off a circus train. The Penguin Ringmaster is so impressed with the Wonder Pets that he offers them jobs at the circus.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The winning team of the 24-hour fitness relay race gets 24 hours of luxury, but some contestants have trouble resisting temptation during the getaway. Oklahoma City musician K.C. Clifford will be featured in a one-minute segment.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Former cast member Stephanie March reprises her role as Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot, who returns to the SVU team when a pediatrician found guilty of molesting patients is killed. She shows up at the crime scene after three years in the witness protection program.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): After two Marines are ambushed, the NCIS team finds the investigation leads back to Gibbs’ hometown, where secrets about his past are revealed. Ralph Waite (“The Waltons”) guest stars as Gibbs’ father.
◊“WCG Ultimate Gamer” (9 p.m. on SCI FI): This new series showcases 12 contestants competing in challenges that include traditional video game play as well as real-life video game simulations. The winner will get $100,000 cash and the ultimate Samsung electronics package, as well as become a VIP representative of the WCG (World Cyber Games).
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team investigates when the teenage son of a Secret Service agent disappears and discovers a long festering secret that set in motion a deadly chain of events. Steven Weber (”Brothers & Sisters”) returns as Clark Medina, the New Head of the Missing Persons Squad.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
◊“The Chopping Block” (7 p.m. on NBC): In this new cooking competition series starring chef Marco Pierre White, eight couples compete to open a restaurant in New York City. The series will expose the unseen pitfalls and behind-the-scenes madness that goes into opening a restaurant in the most competitive city in the world.
◊“Clean House Comes Clean” (10 p.m. on Style Network): Through bloopers, never-before-seen footage and commentary from the cast and show participants, viewers get a chance to witness favorite moments from an new perspective in the show’s fourth season.
◊”Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): Agent Prentiss has a personal connection to one of the victims in a series of deaths with religious overtones. Walton Goggins (“The Shield”) guest stars.
◊“Ghost Hunters” (8 p.m. on SCI FI): Season 5 kicks off with a trip to Philadelphia to investigate the historic – and allegedly haunted – building that was once the home of famous seamstress Betsy Ross.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): When two air hostesses end up dead, Sam and Annie go undercover. Gina Gershon (“Snoops”) and Mark Linn-Baker (“Perfect Strangers”) guest star.
◊”The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine is initially flattered when another scatterbrained mother at Ritchie’s school considers her a “rock,” but quickly tires of the responsibility of being responsible. Kristen Johnston (”3rd Rock from the Sun”) guest stars as Christine’s new friend.
◊“Scrubs” (7 p.m. on ABC): Dr. Kelso’s beautiful but unethical replacement, Dr. Maddox (Courteney Cox, “Friends”), shakes things up at Sacred Heart, while J.D. struggles to manage a new crop of incompetent interns and Carla helps Elliott put her ego in check.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): When Liz can’t scheme her way out of jury duty, the “”TGS” cast and crew are left unmanaged. Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”) guest stars.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Series star David Boreanaz (Seeley Booth) directed this episode in which a bungee-jumping couple plunges off a bridge on their wedding day only to come face-to-face with a corpse lying at the bottom of a gorge.
◊“Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): In this new series, Bridget Marquardt (“The Girls Next Door”) sets out to immerse herself in the local cultures at some of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world.
◊“Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House” (9 p.m. on VH1): After 30 days of therapy and sober living, it is time for the cast members to leave. Watch as Rodney King, Seth Binzer, Amber Smith, Andy Dick, Steven Adler, Nikki McKibbin and Mary Carey make their final steps toward recovery with the help of Dr. Drew.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Langston and Riley are taken hostage during the aftermath of a shootout in a normally quiet Las Vegas neighborhood. Denzel Whitaker (”The Great Debaters”) guest stars.
◊“ER” (9 p.m. on NBC): Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle, “The Librarian”) gets a surprise visit from an old friend while waiting for his kidney transplant.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): After learning at a deposition that more of his patients have died than survived, Derek decides to quit, even as Meredith refuses to give up on him. Loretta Devine (“Boston Public”) guest stars.
◊“Private Practice” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): Addison is attracted to a colleague at St. Ambrose Hospital who turns out to be more than she bargained for. Josh Hopkins (“Swingtown”) guest stars.
◊“Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): Linda Lake (Tori Spelling, “Beverly Hills, 90210”) returns to Metropolis and threatens to expose Clark’s secret unless he promises to give her exclusive information on the red-blue blur so she can become a star reporter again.
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): Betty meets Matt’s mother (Christine Baranski, “Happy Family”), but things don’t go as she expects. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina gets creative to solve a cash flow problem.
◊“Warriors With Terry Schappert” (9 p.m. on History): This new series travels the globe with Green Beret Terry Schappert as he experiences the training, rituals and weapons of history’s most iconic warrior cultures.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
◊“Dollhouse” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): Imprinted as a visually impaired woman, Echo must infiltrate a heavily guarded cult in order to rescue a woman held against her will.
◊“The Electric Company” (4 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new episode titled “Dirty Laundy,” Manny steals a Skeleckian meteorite in order to power his letter-stealing gizmo. Making guest appearances are designer Marc Ecko, R&B star Mario and Tony Award winning composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda.
◊“Everybody Hates Chris” (7 p.m. on CW): Chris reluctantly agrees to hold onto a stash of marijuana for a criminal on the run, but he finds it difficult to find an appropriate hiding place that won’t get him in trouble. Tisha Campbell-Martin (“Rita Rocks”) guest stars in the episode directed by Debbie Allen (“Fame”).
◊“The Game” (7:30 p.m. on CW): With encouragement from Melanie and Kelly, Tasha realizes she’s finally ready to introduce Malik to his father, Chauncey (Michael Boatman, “Spin City”).
◊“Most Haunted” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): The investigative team visits England’s Jedburgh Castle, which has a history of strange sightings, odd happenings and sounds of phantom pipe music.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team has only hours to investigate a last-minute tip that could exonerate a dangerous mob boss on the eve of his execution. Gina Gershon (”Snoops”) guest stars as Los Angeles police detective Danielle Hill.
◊“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (7 p.m. on Fox): Jesse flashes back to a life-altering mission aboard her submarine, the Jimmy Carter. Sarah and John decide they can’t continue living in their house and make plans to leave.
◊“Wife Swap” (7 p.m. on ABC): After five years and 198 families, the series celebrates its 100th episode by swapping two fan favorites from past episodes. The families selected for the special swap are the storm-chasing, science-obsessed Heene family from Colorado and the psychic, performing arts-loving Silvers from Florida.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
◊“The Graham Norton Show” (9 p.m. on BBC America): British talk show host Graham Norton brings together the best of trends, current stories and celebrity culture for a fifth season of his multi-award winning show.
◊“Relative Stranger” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Following the death of his father, a former football star (Eriq LaSalle, “ER”) is forced to return home to the family he left six years earlier. But his return opens old wounds that must be addressed in order for the family to heal.
◊“Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush” (8 p.m. on HBO): This special taped during the show’s run at Broadway’s Cort Theatre finds the comedian inhabiting President George W. Bush, one of his favorite characters from “Saturday Night Live.” He provides insights into Bush’s Texas-Connecticut childhood, his academic and social career at Yale, his stint as a major league baseball co-owner, his emergence as a political figure and governor, and his tenure as president.
–Penny TV
TV Talk: Top 10 Shows for Feb. 15-21
The Oklahoman’s TV Talk personalities Penny Soldan and Heather Warlick tape a weekly video for Newsok.tv that highlights upcoming TV programs worth watching. They’re not fast talkers, but just in case you didn’t catch all the information for a show of interest, here is their script for the week of Feb. 15:
P: Hi, I’m Penny Soldan, this is Heather Warlick and this is TV Talk, The Oklahoman’s final Top 10 countdown of programs worth watching. And these are our picks for the week of Feb. 15.
H: Since this is our last TV Talk video, and we’ll talk more about that later, let’s start it off with a reunion. Or rather “High School Reunion,” our No. 10 pick. The TV Land reality show premieres at 9 p.m. Wednesday and follows 19 classmates from the 1988 graduating class of Arizona’s Chandler High School at a special reunion in Hawaii.
P: Chad Ramirez, who is the head rodeo coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, is among the “High School Reunion” classmates. But he considers Oklahoma home now.
H: No. 9 is “Spectacular!”, a new Nickelodeon movie premiering at 7 p.m. Monday. This new TV movie for tweens focuses on a talented teen rebel who is on an unpredictable road to rock stardom. Penny tells me that the soundtrack, which features 10 original songs, is in itself spectacular.
P: If you’re like Heather and love awards shows, be sure and catch our No. 8 pick. It’s the 2009 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards airing uncut, uncensored and commercial free at 4 p.m. Saturday on IFC. Steve Coogan from “Tropic Thunder” hosts this year’s ceremony which will be edited and rebroadcast at 9 p.m. Saturday on AMC.
H: No. 7 is “Mistresses,” a new British series airing at 7 p.m. Friday on BBC America. It chronicles the adventures of four 30-something friends with one thing in common — infidelity. And it stars four of Britain’s leading actresses — Sarah Parish, Sharon Small, Orla Brady and Shelley Conn.
P: OK, maybe Heather doesn’t like awards shows as much as me. But No. 6 is a topic I know interests her. It is “Stealing Lincoln’s Body” premering at 8 p.m. Monday on History. This new special explores the final chapter of the 16th president, who was assassinated in 1865 but did not come to rest in his hometown of Springfield, Ill., until 1901.
H: No. 5 are five guest stars making appearance on five primetime shows. Monday morning, it’s Marcia Wallace from “The Bob Newhart Show” on “The Young and the Restless” at 11 a.m. on CBS. And Monday evening, its Rob Reiner from “All in the Family” on “Hannah Montana” at 6:30 p.m. on Disney.
P: Then on Wednesday, see chef Emeril Lagasse on “Top Chef” at 9 p.m. on Bravo. And Thursday, look for Danny Glover from “Lethal Weapon” on NBC’s “My Name Is Earl” at 7 p.m. and Faye Dunaway from “Network” on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” at 8 p.m.
H: No. 4 is “American Idol” which airs at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday on Fox. For the next three Tuesdays, 12 different semifinalists will perform. And be sure and watch for Matt Breitzke from Bixby who is among the Top 32 semifinalists.
P: And vote for Matt if you enjoy his singing. Because during Wedneday’s live results shows, the three contestants with the highest number of votes — one male, one female and the next top vote-getter, will secure spots in the Top 12.
H: No. 3 is Conan O’Brien’s final show as host of NBC’s “Late Night.” He signs off after Friday’s telecast, but he will take over “The Tonight Show” hosting duties on June 1. And Jimmy Fallon will take over the reins as “Late Night” host on March 2.
P: And taking over the No. 2 spot on our list is “Taking Chance.” It is a very touching fact-based drama starring Kevin Bacon as a volunteer military escort who accompanies the body of Chance Phelps, a 19-year-old lance corporal killed in Iraq, home to Wyoming. Be sure and watch it with a box of tissue at 7 p.m. Saturday on HBO.
H: And No. 1, if you don’t count the OU men’s basketball game against Texas at 8 p.m. Saturday on ESPN, is “The Amazing Race.” And Christie Volkmer from Choctaw is Oklahoma’s first contender for the six-time Emmy Award-winning reality-competition program that begins Season 14 at 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
P: Christie and teammate Jodi Wincheski from Houston make up one of 11 teams that will travel one of the most grueling courses ever assembled on the race – spanning 40,000 miles and nine countries in just 22 days.
H: And that’s a wrap for TV Talk. The Oklahoman will debut a new TV video next week in which Penny will narrow the must-see programs from 10 to three. But as always, readers can consult TV Week in Sunday’s Oklahoman or go online to newsok.com/tv for even more TV choices.
P: Thanks, Heather, for your help in making a year’s worth of TV Talk videos that are still entertaining to watch. And to everyone out there watching, thanks for your time.
