NOTE: Times are CT. For ET, add one hour.

SUNDAY, NOV. 22, 2009
◊“2009 American Music Awards” (7 p.m. on ABC): The 37th annual event will honor artists in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin and Contemporary Inspirational. And for the third year in a row, winners will be determined by online voting. Nominees with Oklahoma ties are Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire for favorite female country artist and Rascal Flatts for favorite country band and album.
◊“Bill Engvall: Aged and Confused” (8 p.m. on Comedy Central): In this standup comedy special filmed at the Vic Theater in Chicago, the Blue Collar comedian moves away from discussing family life and what it’s like raising kids to discussing all the little everyday things that drive him nuts.
◊“The Cleveland Show” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): Cleveland celebrates his first Thanksgiving with his new family. However, the holiday gets complicated when Roberta and Federline decide to celebrate on their own. Musical artists Daryl Hall and John Oates guest star as themselves.
◊“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (8 p.m. on HBO): In the Season 7 finale, a returned favor costs Larry quality time with Cheryl.
◊“Did the Mob Kill JFK?” (7 p.m. on Discovery): Featuring an exclusive interview with a secret FBI informant, this special tracks the nexus of organized crime, the Justice Department, the CIA and attempts to overthrow Cuban leader Fidel Castro culminating in that fateful day in Dallas.
◊“Future Earth: 100 Heartbeats” (7 p.m. on MSNBC): Wildlife expert Jeff Corwin hosts this two-hour special on the plight of endangered species and the environmental heroes around the world who are working to save them. At the current rate of extinction, scientists estimate that only half of the world’s animal species will remain by the end of the 21st century.
◊“The Haunted” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new series focuses on people whose animals act as mediaries to the afterworld. Often the subjects of the most intense paranormal hauntings, animals are commonly believed to be more sensitive to spirits than people. But when spirits afflict pets, the animals aren’t the only victims. Owners also fall prey to paranormal activity and will often stop at nothing to rid their homes and pets of paranormal spirits.
◊“JFK: The Ruby Connection” (8 p.m. on Discovery): This special sets out to answer this by recreating and restaging the Nov. 24, 1963, shooting of Oswald at the actual Dallas police station garage where Jack Ruby shot him. The same vintage cameras and lights will be used to illustrate minute-by-minute who was standing where and why.
◊“Meet the Natives USA” (10 p.m. on Travel Channel): This new series focuses on five tribesmen from the South Pacific island of Tanna who have come to the United States to see how Americans live and to deliver a message of peace from their supreme chief to the leaders of America.
◊“The Next Iron Chef” (8 p.m. on Food Network): The remaining two chefs walk into the hallowed halls of Kitchen Stadium to complete their final test with the Chairman looking on and host Alton Brown commentating from the side.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): Fed up with Bart’s constant pranks, Principal Skinner tells him there is a former Springfield Elementary student (Jonah Hill, “Funny People”) who is hailed as the best prankster ever.
◊“Storm Chasers” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In the new episode “Fight or Flight,” University of Oklahoma graduate Reed Timmer isn’t satisfied after he launches a remote control plane to drop data-probes into a tornado, so he punches right into an erratic storm, only to find himself with no time to get out of the way of the powerful vortices that surround him.
◊“Vampires From the Abyss” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): Journey to depths of more than 13,000 feet as Science Channel searches the oceans off San Francisco for one of the most unusual organisms on the planet — the Vampire Squid.

MONDAY, NOV. 23, 2009
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): After he’s humiliated on National Public Radio, Sheldon vows to destroy Kripke, while Wolowitz tries not to destroy his new relationship with Bernadette. “Battlestar Galactica” star Katee Sackhoff appears as herself, offering Wolowitz some relationship advice.
◊“Bus 174″ (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This special documents the terrifying tale of what happened in Rio de Janeiro on June 12, 2000, when bus 174 was taken hostage by an armed man threatening to shoot all the passengers. The event played out live on over Brazilian TV networks. It became a shocking example of the incompetence by local law enforcement agencies to properly handle the situation, which appeared to be coming to a safe and peaceful conclusion until the misguided acts of a policeman changed everything.
◊“Elbert Hubbard: An American Original” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Liev Schreiber (“The Manchurian Candidate”) narrates this documentary about the life of Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915), the flamboyant founder of the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, N.Y. The voice of Hubbard, an influential author, publisher, lecturer and entrepreneur, is provided by Adam Arkin (“Baby Bob”).
◊“Find My Family” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): With the help of a dedicated team of researchers, hosts Tim Green and Lisa Joyner guide people searching for lost loved ones through emotional journeys that will change their lives forever.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): On the eve of Thanksgiving, the team treats a brilliant physicist (Esteban Powell, “The Cleaner), who traded his career for a job as a courier because he found intelligence to be a burden that led to depression and addiction. A myriad of strange symptoms nearly stumps the doctors, who also wrestle with strained personal relationships.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): Barney freaks out when Marshall bequeaths a “slap bet” slap to Ted and Robin. Meanwhile, Lily’s estranged father (Chris Elliott, “Everybody Loves Raymond”) shows up for Thanksgiving.
◊“Jon and Kate Plus 8″ (8 p.m. on TLC): On the Season 5 finale, Kate and the kids milk cows at a dairy farm and Jon and the kids learn about firefighting. Then, Jon and Kate speak about recent life events, the series and ups and downs of the last few years.
◊“Lie to Me” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): Loker investigates the origin of a deadly stampede at an electronics store on the day after Thanksgiving.
◊“Live With Regis and Kelly” (9 a.m. on CBS): Hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa are in Las Vegas for a week of telecasts originating from the city’s new resort, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. In addition to a top-notch lineup of guests, the show will turn the spotlight on Las Vegas’ vibrant nightlife, elaborate stage productions and all of the sights and sounds of this unique oasis in the desert.
◊“The Martha Stewart Show” (2 p.m. on KSBI-52): Chef Emeril Lagasse joins Martha Stewart in the kitchen to prepare a Thanksgiving feast. And in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Martha will dedicate one segment per show to answer last-minute Thanksgiving questions via Twitter.
◊“Rita Rocks” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): When Rita’s PTA nemesis, Jennifer (Melissa Peterman, “Reba”), shows up at Bed & Bath Max blubbering about being broke and her husband running off with their maid, Rita helps her get a job at the store.
◊“Surviving the Holidays With Lewis Black” (7 p.m. on History): Armed with history and humor, Lewis Black (”The Daily Show With Jon Stewart”) explores the meaning of Kwanzaa, the history of Hanukkah, the real St. Nicholas and “interviews” ill-fated turkeys on a farm. Also appearing are Joy Behar, Bob Saget, David Alan Grier, Craig Ferguson and other comics.

TUESDAY, NOV. 24, 2009
◊“Apollo Wives” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This special looks at the wives of Apollo astronauts and what was required of them by their husbands, by NASA and by the media.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The five remaining contestants get a surprise visit from financial guru Suze Orman, who gives them tips on how toi be financially fit when they get home. Later, Hall of Fame football player Rod Woodson helps kick off an NFL challenge involving the weight they’ve each lost all season.
◊“Dancing With the Stars” (8:01 p.m. on ABC): The three remaining couples compete for the Season 9 championship. Singer Mya and her partner, Dmitry Chaplin, were early favorites to win.
◊“The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): Alicia deals with tricky office politics when she’s asked to represent the firm’s senior partner after he’s arrested.  Meanwhile, Peter’s evidentiary hearing hits the skids, leading Alicia to suspect that he may, in fact, actually be guilty of corruption. Chelsea Handler (”Chelsea Lately”) guest stars as herself when she interviews Peter Florrick’s mistress on her show.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): A look at our complex relationship with manufactured objects, the people who design them and the creative process behind their work.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): A dead Marine’s day job at a government think tank leads Gibbs and the team into the life of a 12-year-old prodigy who may be the killer’s next target. Lisa Sheridan (”Invasion”) guest stars as Facilities Coordinator Krista Dalton.  Francis Capra (”Veronica Mars”) guests as Gang Member Eddie Castillo. Ray Mabus, the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy, will make a cameo appearance.
◊“NCIS: Los Angeles” (8 p.m. on CBS): Forensic scientist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette, “NCIS”) joins the Los Angeles NCIS team when a murder case resembles the pattern for a serial killer she has been tracking.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This new installment follows heading dream researchers to witnes the experiments they use to investigate the world of sleep.
◊“Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” (9 p.m. on HBO): The 152nd edition profiles an organization for paralyzed football players, follows one man’s triumphant return to Ironman competition and revisits the NFL’s efforts to curb alcohol-induced fan misconduct.
◊“So You Think You Can Dance” (7 p.m. on Fox): The top 12 dancers twist, turn and tango for the chance to get a ticket on the “Hot Tamale Train.” This is the last week that the judges decide who goes home, and then it will be solely up to America.
◊“V” (7 p.m. on ABC): On the November cliffhanger, Erica looks to uncover a biological threat from the visitors, Anna befriends a special guest inside the mothership and Chad does an investigative report on the V healing centers. The series will return with new episodes in March.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25, 2009
◊“American Masters” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment focuses on the music of folk singer Woody Guthrie, whose songs have been recorded by artists ranging from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the Irish rock band U2.
◊“Ben 10: Alien Swarm” (6 p.m. on Cartoon Network): This new live-action movie based on the popular animated franchise follows Ben (Ryan Kelley, “Prayers for Bobby”) as he breaks ranks from the Plumbers — a secret organization that battles alien forces — to help a mysterious young woman from his past uncover an alien threat to our world.
◊“The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?” (7 p.m. on NBC): This special will feature more that 40 contestants from seasons one through seven, showing how they look now and sharing what they’ve been doing with their lives since being on the show. Former players, some of whom will be surprised by visits from trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, will also share major milestones, from getting married to having children.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): On the show’’s 100th episode, the Behavioral Analysis Unit races to help Hotchner find The Reaper (C. Thomas Howell, “The Outsiders”) and save his family before it’s too late. D.B. Sweeney (”Jericho”) also returns as US Marshall Kassmeyer.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): In the culmination of a multi-episode mystery, Mac and his team uncover the dark lair of a murderous madman, the Compass Killer (Skeet Ulrich, “Jericho”).  But as they race to save his fourth victim, the sunrise presents one final surprise that no one ever expected.
◊“Eastwick” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Thrilled when Darryl arranges an art show for her work at his mansion — and invites New York art maven Greta Noa (Rosanna Arquette) — Roxie forgets that his motives might be less than pure. Joanna turns to her power to get her life back on track, but swiftly discovers that every action, magical or otherwise, has its consequences.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When Gary lets Louise attend the popular girls party, he tries to keep it a secret from Allison. Meanwhile, Sasha contemplates having more than a working relationship with Gary. Victoria’s Secret Model Marisa Miller guest stars as Brittney, a fashion store clerk. 
◊“Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Mr. Schuester and his glee club check out their hair-raising competition, but there’s even scarier stuff going on elsewhere, as Kurt gives Rachel a makeover. Eve guest stars as the rival glee club’s instructor.
“The Jazz Baroness” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This special documents the enduring relationship between British-born heiress Pannonica Rothschild (“Nica” for short) and pianist-composer Thelonious Monk. It was directed by Nica’s great-niece Hannah Rothschild and features the voice of Helen Mirren (”The Queen”), who reads Nica’s words.
◊“Man Shops Globe” (9 p.m. on Sundance): Keith Johnson, buyer-at-large for the innovative specialty retailer Anthropologie, continues his search for unusual good while on vacation in Argentina. In the Palermo area, he combs through the offerings at a flea market, checks in with his favorite fabric merchant, who sells hand-loomed pieces from remote parts of the country and takes in two stores specializing in 20th Century pieces.
◊“Man v. Food” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): Host Adam Richman visits Little Rock, Ark., to taste the mammoth Quadruple Hubcap Burger and compete in the Shut Up Juice Spicy Pulled Pork Challenge.
◊“Modern Family” (7 p.m. on ABC): Claire and Mitchell’s mother, Dede (Shelley Long,” Cheers”), drops in for a surprise visit and is determined to make amends with everyone she offended during what has been deemed “the incident” at Jay and Gloria’s wedding.
◊“Secrets of the Dead” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The episode “Mumbai Massacre” revisits the events of Nov. 26, 2008, when a wave of orchestrated terrorism was transmitted live around the world via cell phones, the Internet, texting and social networks such as Twitter. That same technology enabled the terrorists to coordinate and plan their attacks.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Ricardo Montalban was born on this day in 1920, and TCM celebrates by airing seven of his films, including 1952’s “My Man and I” (9:45 a.m.), 1966’s “The Money Trap” (3:15 p.m.) and 1966’s “The Singing Nun” (5 p.m.).
◊“A Very Monkey Christmas” (7 a.m. on OETA-13): This holiday special finds Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat preparing for Christmas, when they encounter a dilemma–neither can figure out what to give the other for a present. It features classic Christmas carols, as well as three original songs –”Are You Ready?”, “Something As Special as You”, and “Christmas Monkey.”

THURSDAY, NOV. 26, 2009
◊“2009 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” (8 a.m. on NBC): “Today” show’s Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira and Al Roker will co-host the 83rd annual event, which has aired on NBC since 1948. More than 8,000 participants, including marching bands, celebrities, clowns, floats and giant helium balloons, will once again convene on the Upper West Side to bring the magic of the season to life. Joining the balloon team this year will be Spider-Man, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Ronald McDonald and Sailor Mickey Mouse. 
◊“2009 National Dog Show Presented by Purina” (11 a.m. on NBC): Three new American Kennel Club-recognized breeds — the Irish Red and White Setter, Norwegian Buhund and Pyrenean Shepherd — will be among more than 150 breeds competing for best in breed, group winner and best in show honors at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. America’s top-ranked show dog, a Scottish Terrier named Sadie, is also entered in the event, which is co-hosted by John O’Hurley (”Seinfeld”) and David Frei (expert analyst).
◊“Beyonce: I Am … Yours” (8 p.m. on ABC): An intimate performance of Beyonce’s appearance at the Encore at Wynn in Las Vegas last summer in which she tells the story of her career through music and dance. It includes never-before-seen footage of her off stage life and rare childhood video.
◊“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this 1973 animated special, the pressure is on for Charlie Brown after Peppermint Patty decides she and the gang will have Thanksgiving dinner at ‘‘Chuck’s” house. The holiday classic is followed by “This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers,” in which Charlie Brown and the Peanuts crew experience firsthand the lifestyle of the early settlers and celebrate the first Thanksgiving.  
◊“CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” (8 p.m. on CNN): Anderson Cooper (”Anderson Cooper 360″) hosts the third annual event that spotlights everyday citizens changing the world. Culled from more than 9,000 submissions and selected by a Blue Ribbon panel that included Whoopi Goldberg,Elton John, Kirk Cameron and Ted Turner, the Top Ten Heroes will each be awarded $25,000. Also, Carrie Underwood will perform at the gala.
◊“Cool Tools Hardware Show 2009″ (7 p.m. on DIY): “Cool Tools” host Chris Grundy visits the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas to check out more than 850,000 square feet of the latest in tools.
◊“Kaleidoscope” (3 p.m. on Fox): This holiday variety special features Olympic skating champions and Grammy Award-winning music artists. Scott Hamilton, who will kake his first television performance since being diagnosed with a brain tumor five years ago, will skate to the music of fellow cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John. Also performing will be Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan and Olympic figure skating hopefuls Johnny Weir and Rachael Flatt.
◊“NBC’s People of the Year” (8 p.m. on NBC): Matt Lauer (“Today”) looks back at the year’s most memorable celebrities, politicians and pop stars and invites the public to vote on-line for the person of the year.
◊“Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City” (9 p.m. on ABC): This special was taped last summer when Paul McCartney performed at Shea Stadium in Queens, NY. Also featured is footage of the Beatles concert at Shea Stadium 44 years ago, as well as an interview with McCartney talking about those early days and what it was like to return and sing many of those Beatles songs today.
◊“Punkin Chunkin 2009″ (8 p.m. on Science Channel): This special highlights the Delaware-based World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA) competition, in 110 competitors from 20 states try to launch a pumpkin one mile. “The Road to Punkin Chunkin” at 7 p.m. captures the high pressure blowups, breakdowns and sparks throughout the journey for chunkin glory.
◊“The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS” (8 a.m. on CBS): Maggie Rodriguez and Dave Price from “The Early Show” will anchor the event, which will feature the 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiivng Day Parade live from New York City, as well as a performance by country music artist Reba McEntire from Oklahoma. Additional performances during the parade include the Broadway casts of “West Side Story” and “Ragtime” and the off-Broadway cast of “Dreamgirls.” And Jamie Kennedy (”Ghost Whisperer”) will offer an additional viewpoint of the parade as the “Man on the Street” as he reports and interacts with the crowd.
◊“There’s a Rhino In My House” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Safari park owners Judy and John Travers have devoted their lives to protecting black rhinos in eastern Zimbabwe. When a tragic turn of events leaves a baby rhino, warthog and hyena orphaned, Judy takes on the task of rasing all three in her home.

FRIDAY, NOV. 27, 2009
◊“Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Best from the Road” (9 p.m. on Food Network): Host Guy Fieri takes a look back at some of his most memorable visits to joints across the country. The special highlights local favorites, good food and crazy characters.
◊“Great Performances” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Superstar Sting welcomes the holidays with an atmospheric musical celebration of wintertime.The special, taped near his hometown of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in northern England, features new songs, as well as Sting’s interpretation of classical favorites.
◊“I’m in the Band” (5:45 p.m. on Disney XD): This is a special preview of a new music-filled comedy series that follows teenager Tripp Campbell (Logan Miller, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”) as he joins his favorite “vintage” rock band, Iron Weasel, and sets out to help them make an epic comeback. The series is scheduled to premiere in January.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison slips into a coma during a murder investigation and her spirit inhabits the body of a man named Todd Emory (Jeffrey Tambor, “Arrested Development”), who may be a suspect in the case.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA Network): Monk returns to the place where he first heard about Trudy’s murder and kicks off an investigation of great significance. Casper Van Dien (“Starship Troopers”) guest stars.
◊“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.
◊“Say Yes to the Dress: Nightmares and Dreams” (8 p.m. on TLC): This special installment highlights some of the most entertaining, emotional and plain wacky moments from the previous three seasons, including loud bridal parties, opinionated moms, picky brides and extremely unusual requests.
◊“Shameless” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Season 5 of the award-winning British comedy series follows the lives of the Gallagher clan and their extended network of lovers, friends and foes at a public housing project in Manchester, England.
◊“Skyrunners” (4 p.m. on Disney XD): This new sci-fi adventure movie follows teenage brothers Tyler (Joey Pollari) and Nick Burns (Kelly Blatz, “Aaron Stone”) who commandeer a small UFO that crashes near their town. They soon learn the spacecraft is “alive” and there’s an alien plot to take over Earth.
◊“VH1 Storytellers: Foo Fighters” (10 p.m. on VH1): This special features a collection of the Foo Fighters’ greatest hits as well as a performance of their new single “Wheels.”  Viewers will also get to hear the band members share their stories and inspiration behind each song.

SATURDAY, NOV. 28, 2009
◊“Big Time Rush” (7:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This is a special preview of a new comedy series that chronicles the journey of four best friends who are given the opportunity of a lifetime when they get a chance to be part of the Los Angeles pop music scene. The series is scheduled to premiere in early 2010.
◊“Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure” (9 a.m. on ABC Family): This one-hour animated movie features Meaghan Martin (“10 Things I Hate About You”) and Jonathan Morgan Heit (“Bedtime Stories”) as the voices of Easton and Weston, two high-strung elves who monitor the North Pole Weather Center. It features the new song “When You Dream” by Tena Clark, music producer, songwriter and CEO/chief creative officer of DMI Music & Media Solutions.
◊“Magic of Audrey” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This special captures the allure and charisma of actress Audrey Hepburn and includes film clips and rare footage of screen tests and interviews.
◊“The National Tree” (7 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Evan Williams (”Degrassi: The Next Generation”) stars as a 17-year-old video blogger who submits the winning entry in a contest to find a new national Christmas tree. The Sitka Spruce was planted when he was born by his father (Andrew McCarthy, “St. Elmo’s Fire”), and the two of them drive it to Washington, D.C. for a ceremony with the President.
◊“Sandra Lee Celebrates: Holiday Homecoming” (7 p.m. on Food Network): Sandra Lee helps create a holiday homecoming part for Christina Sobiloff, a Peace Corps Volunteer stationed in Burkina Faso, Africa, who returns home to Creskill, N.J., for the holidays.
◊“The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Host Suze Orman talks to “The Biggest Loser” trainer Jilian Michaels about the health-wealth connection.The episode also features never-before-seen clips of Suze’s one-on-one meetings with “The Biggest Loser” contestants.

–Penny TV

Nov. 18 – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (9 a.m. on KOCO-5)
Nov. 19 – “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:06 a.m. on ABC)
Nov. 22 – “2009 American Music Awards” nominee and performer (7 p.m. on ABC)
Nov. 26 – “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” performer (8 p.m. on CNN)
Dec. 1 – “Invitation Only: Carrie Underwood” (8 p.m. on CMT)
Dec. 7 – “Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” (7 p.m. on Fox)
 
   For even more coverage on Carrie, check out Brandy McDonnell’s entertaining and informative posts at http://blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/

–Penny TV

Pictured above: “Invitation Only: Carrie Underwood” Photo credit: Rick Diamond/WireImage

SUNDAY, OCT. 18, 2009
◊“Alex’s Day Off” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): Alexandra Guarnaschelli, professional chef, working mom and passionate home cook, invites viewers to share her down-to-earth recipes. She shows how cooking her personal and playful style of American, French and Italian fare can be elegant and approachable, with a side of sass.
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Having just returned from France, Sarah distracts Kitty through chemo treatments with tales of her intense romance with a French artist (Gilles Marini, “Sex and the City”).
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team delves into the 1970 murder of a musician who tried to keep his involvement with the Philadelphia Soul scene a secret from his strict preacher father for whom he was an organist. Loretta Devine (”Grey’s Anatomy”) guest stars.
◊“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (8 p.m. on HBO): Larry learns to embrace the upside of disability without actually being disabled, and looks to disprove the rumor that Rosie O’Donnell can kick his butt.
◊“An Engtlishman in New York” (9 p.m. on Logo): This film follows the life of famed writer and performer Quentin Crisp at the peak of his career in the late 1970’s.  Upon the recent success of Crisp’s famous autobiography-turned-film, “The Naked Civil Servant,” Quentin (John Hurt) leaves the U.K. to offer lectures and performances in New York City.  The film explores Quentin’s psyche as he faces the consequences of his casual quip stating that AIDS was “a fad,” leading to social rejection and obscurity.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The design team travels to Lancaster, Texas, to rebuild the home of Carlton Marshall, who lost most of his mobility and all of his hearing after being shot while leading a Dallas Police Department SWAT team. Country singer Trace Adkins is the celebrity volunteer for this build.
◊“Halloween Block Party” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Three families join forces with lifestyle experts and event planners Michael Russo, Kelley Moore and Eddie Ross to create a Halloween neighborhood bash. The special will offer up design tricks and treats on decor, food, pumpkin carving, floral arrangements, tablescapes and entertainment to help viewers get their haunt on this Halloween.
◊“Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): Hannah fills in for Kara DioGuardi (”American Idol”) alongside judges Andy and Byron on reality show “America’s Top Talent.” Her stint as a guest judge turns complicated when Oliver auditions and delivers a knock-out performance.
◊“I Am a Champion” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This documentary follows three athletes in their quest to compete in the 40th annual Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games held May 13-15 in Stillwater.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The murder of a small-time criminal leads Lewis and Hathaway to a prominent Oxford don-turned-celebrity athiest in “Inspector Lewis, Series II: The Point of Vanishing.”
◊“Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)” (8 p.m. on IFC): This six-part documentary series airing today through Friday will feature interviews with the surviving Python troupe members, who tell their life story and reveal deeper truths alongside the more tried and tested Python history lessons.
◊“Occupation” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This new drama captures the lives of three British soldiers caught physically and emotionally in the cross-fire of the Iraq war. Amid growing sectarian conflict and a boom time fuelled by billions of dollars from the U.S., their dreams of riches, love and making a difference come to define not just their lives but also the occupation itself.
◊“On the Case With Paula Zahn” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): In this new weekly newsmagazine, Paula Zahn steps away from the traditional anchor chair and into the field to interview the pivotal figures shaping stories. Her interviews, including several exclusives where people are speaking for the first time, lift the secrecy on acts of deceit, malice and revenge.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): “Treehouse of Horror XX” features three new tales of the strange, spooky and supernatural. It begins with a homage to classic Alfred Hitchcock movies, followed by a parody of the horror film “28 Days Later” and a nod to the Broadway musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”
◊“Storm Chasers” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In Season 3, University of Oklahoma graduate Reed Timmer and his team return with their newly armored chase vehicle “The Dominator,” racing to be first on the storm scene ahead of IMAX filmmaker Sean Casey and his monster tank-like TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle).
◊“Three Rivers” (8 p.m. on CBS): In order to save his life, Andy tries a risky new procedure on his wife’s partner who suffers from an aortic aneurism. Lennie James (”Jericho”) guest stars as Dr. Timothy Maguire, a cardiologist.
◊“Timewatch: The Rebel Pharaoh’s Lost City” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Archaeologosts in the central Egyptian desert make an extraordinary discovery of an ancient cemetery whee 1,000 people from the Pharaoh’s lost capital of Amarna are buried. The 3,500-year-old bones tell a remarkable new story about these peoplke and their city.
◊“Witness to Waco” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): This new documentary provides an in-depth look into the Branch Davidians, a religious cult led by David Koresh in the late 1980s and early 1990s that ultimately met with a tragic end.  Featured are interviews with survivors of the tragedy and rarely-seen footage of David Koresh and other members of the group inside the compound throughout the siege of the property.

MONDAY, OCT. 19, 2009
◊“American Carny: True Tales from the Circus Side Show” (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): Magician Penn Jillette narrates this special that explores the world of American circus entertainers and features behind-the-scenes footage with some of the world’s most interesting acts.
◊“Arthur” (3:30 p.m. on OETA-13): When Lakewood Elementary’s lunch lady Mrs. MacGrady is diagnosed with cancer, Arthur and his friends all react differently to the news. Lance Armstrong (seven-time Tour De France winner) makes a special appearance to show Francine and the Elwood City residents how they can take a stand, or ride a bike, for cancer survivors.
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): While Sheldon settles a score with his nemesis, Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Wolowitz begs Leonard to get Penny to set him up with one of her friends.
◊“Bud Greenspan Presents: Beijing 2008 — America’s Olympic Glory” (6 p.m. on Showtime): With behind-the-scenes footage and a poignant narrative, this film features six American stories. Among those profiled are gymnast Nastia Liukin, swim team captain Jason Lezak and fencers Keeth and Erinn Smart.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Alexx Woods (Khandi Alexander) and Eric Delko return to help the CSIs stop a deadly outbreak in Miami.
◊“Dr. G: America’s Most Shocking Cases” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): Medical examiner Jan “Dr. G” Garavaglia opens the files on astonishing forensic investigations. She demonstrates how the impact of these deaths extends far beyond the morgues of their investigators.
◊“Extreme Paranormal: New Mexico State Penitentiary” (9 p.m. on A&E): Paranormal investigators Shaun, Nathan and Jason explore an abandoned maximum security lockup where visitors claim the tortured souls of inmates, who were violently murdered in the worst prison riot in U.S. history, still linger. The investigators want to see if there is any truth behind the legend in this potentially volatile paranormal environment and go as far as recreating moments of this horrific event, shedding their own blood, to provoke the violent spirits to show themselves to the cameras.
◊“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Dan invites Olivia (Hilary Duff, “Lizzie McGuire”) to meet Rufus and Lily, which leads to all sorts of problems for the new couple.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): The team takes on the case of a reckless police detective who has a family history of sudden heart failure that killed his father, grandfather and great-grandfather all at age 40. Jon Seda (“Close to Home”) guest stars.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): While Barney tries to convince Robin to become an American citizen, Ted and Marshall’s fabled road trip takes a wrong turn when Marshall invites Lily. Kenny Rogers (“The Gambler”) narrates the audio book played on Marshall and ted’s road trip.
◊“Latin Music USA” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The final two installments of this four-hour series focus on Mexican-Americans in California, Texas and elsewhere in the Southwest creating their own musical voice during the latter half of the 20th century, as well as the Latin pop explosion at the turn of the 21st century that introduced artists such as Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Shakira to the English-language market.
◊“Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags” (8 p.m. on HBO): For generations, New York City’s Garment District was the lifeblood of the city.  But in recent years, with the increased globalization of clothing manufacturing, this once-thriving district has continued to shrink. This documentary tells the story of this vanishing industry through the voices of the people who experienced its highs and lows.
◊“The View” (10 a.m. on ABC): Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who has been on maternity leave since Aug. 7, returns. “The View” creator, executive producer and co-host Barbara Walters said, “We’ve missed Elisabeth both on and off the air. We’ve missed her opinions and her good humor. I am so happy she is coming back.”

TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 2009
◊“18 Kids and Counting” (8 p.m. on TLC): The Duggars take a trip to Oklahoma to see what life is like working on a farm.
◊“90210″ (7 p.m. on CW): It’s Halloween at the Beverly Hills Beach Club and Adrianna channels Marilyn Monroe to help her deal with the end of her relationship with Navid. Silver and Kelly (Jennie Garth, “Beverly Hills, 90210″) continue to have differing opinions about caring for Jackie (Ann Gillespie, , “Beverly Hills, 90210″).
◊“Catch 21″ (5:30 p.m. on GSN): Contestants on today’s show are “Deal or No Deal” models Leyla Milani, Patricia Kara and Marisa Petroro.
◊“Eyes” (9 p.m. on DirecTV): In the first of seven never-before-seen episodes, Harlan works with a former colleague to uncover a counterfeiting scheme and with a reluctant Las Vegas detective (Stephen Baldwin, “The Usual Suspects”) to stop a burglary ring. The detective drama starring Tim Daly premiered on ABC in 2005 but was canceled after five episodes.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In “The Warning,” producer-director Michael Kirk sifts through the ashes of the economic meltdown in search of pivotal moments when things might have gone much differently.
◊“The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): Alicia and Will have only 72 hours to find the smoking gun that proves the train company, and not the three engineers, is responsible for the crash, thus securing the widows their pensions the company is holding back. Martha Plimpton (”Parenthood”) guest stars as the train company’s very pregnant attorney.
◊“Shark Tank” (7 p.m. on ABC): In the season finale, an entrepreneur who sells customized Bobble Heads wants an investment from the sharks to create an extension of his already lucrative business. But it becomes a battle of wills when the Sharks won’t bite unless he gives up a stake in his successful business.
◊“Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL?” (7 p.m. on ESPN): This documentary showcases the remarkable influence the United States Football League (USFL) had on football history and looks at what forced the league out of business.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 2009
◊“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW): The girls put their interviewing skills to the test as they interview Jessica Lowndes from “90210″ on the set of “The Insider.” Kim Kardashian is this week’s guest judge.
◊“CNN Presents: Latino in America” (8 p.m. on CNN): Soledad O’Brien anchors this two-part documentary that examines the growing diversity of America, revealing insight into a changing nation on the eve of the U.S. census that is expected to officially confirm that Latino Americans are the largest minority group within the country.  It concludes Thursday.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team hunts a suspect who impregnates young women and has them give birth before murdering them.
Max Gail (”Barney Miller”), Hallee Hirsh (“ER”), Diana Scarwid (“Wonderfalls”) and Mae Whitman (“Acceptance”) guest star.
◊“Dodsworth” (7 p.m. on TCM): Walter Huston reprises his Broadway performance in this 1936 adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ novel. This is the firsy of four classic films picked by guest programmer Dennis Miller The other films Miller presents along with TCM host Robert Osborne are 1949’s “The Third Man” (9 p.m.), 1941’s “Suspicion” (11 p.m.) and 1948’s “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (1 a.m.).
◊“Great Performances” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Join the opening night festivities for conductor Gustavo Dudamel’s inaugural gala concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
◊“Living With Ed” (8 p.m. on Planet Green): This series chronicles chronicles the lives of eco-activist/actor Ed Begley. Jr. and his frequently exasperated wife Rachelle Carson Begley. The third season will follow the couple as they embark on an unlikely trip to Vegas, a wedding anniversary getaway only Ed could organize and a major home renovation.
◊“Lock ‘N Load” (7 p.m. on Showtime): This new reality series offers viewers a fly-on-the-wall look at “The Shootist” gun store in Englewood, Colo., where expert gunslinger Josh T. Ryan interacts with customers. The hidden camera, revealed after the transaction is completed, insures a particularly candid and revealing take on why we buy guns.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine begins seeing a therapist who shares office space with Matthew, although it’s unclear to both whether to pursue therapy or romance.  Eric McCormack (”Will & Grace”) guest stars as Dr. Max Kershaw, the therapist/love interest.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 2009
◊“American Chopper” (8 p.m. on TLC): Life at Orange County Choppers is forever changed now that Jr. and Mikey have been squeezed out of the business. Even with all the drama, the guys in the shop must forge ahead as they build a bike for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
◊“Catch 21″ (5:30 p.m. on GSN): Host Alfonso Ribeiro welcomes three of his former castmates from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” to the show as contestants. Taking part in the challenge are James Avery, Tatyanna Ali and Karyn Parsons.
◊“The Jeff Dunham Show” (8 p.m. on Comedy Central): Comic-ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings his suitcase posse of comedic cohorts — including Walter, Peanut, Bubba J, Jose Jalapeno on a Stick and Achmed the Dead Terrorist — to this new series featuring Dunham and puppets in performance before a live studio audience as well as interacting with people around Los Angeles.
◊“Nitro Circus” (8:30 on MTV): The cast put on the brakes long enough to spill their guts about all the jaw-dropping makes and laughter-inducing misfires from their risk-fuelled second season.
◊“Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” (8 p.m. on MTV): In Season 2 of the show, where fantasies come alive inside, the adventures have been bigger and the action wilder.
◊“Stateline” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): The lawless black gold boomtowns of early 20th century Oklahoma were a fertile field for the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan’s power faded with the dust bowl but never completely disappeared from Oklahoma. Secret groups survive and operate in towns all over the state to this day.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Joan Fontaine was born on this day in 1917, and TCM celebrates by airing three of her films — 1938’s “Blond Cheat” (10 a.m.), 1952’s “Ivanhoe” (11:15 a.m.) and 1953’s “The Bigamist” (1:15 p.m.).

FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 2009
◊“Brothers” (7 p.m. on Fox):Trainor’s newest hostess spreads some juicy rumors to help attract customers to Trainor’s, but when her gossip attracts Nancy O’Dell (“Access Hollywood”), Kim Kardashian (“Keeping Up With the Kardashians”) stops by the restaurant to set the record straight.
◊“Dollhouse” (8 p.m. on Fox): Sierra is forced to face her past as her connection to the Rossum Corporation leads to obsession and murder. Keith Carradine (“Complete Savages”) guest stars.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): On the show’s 100th episode, Allison investigates an infant’s kidnapping. But Joe worries when she becomes too attached to the little boy. Also, Bridgette and Joe are amazed when Marie plays the clarinet perfectly without one lesson while Bridgette struggles to learn to play.
◊“My Super Psycho Sweet 16″ (9 p.m. on MTV): This new original movie produced by MTV tells the story of Madison Penrose (Juliana Guill, “Friday the 13th”), a spoiled high school queen bee, and Skye Rotter (Lauren McKnight, “House of Fear”), the class outcast whose father committed a series of grisly murders. Madison’s plans for the ultimate birthday bash are ruined when Skye’s dad crashes the party.
◊“The Suite Life on Deck” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): When recording artist Jordin Sparks (”American Idol”) comes aboard the S.S. Tipton for a concert, Zack, Cody and Marcus write a song for her to sing.
◊“Supernanny” (7 p.m. on ABC): A dad at odds with his teenage daughter brings his family to the brink on the Season 5 premiere. Supernanny Jo Frost pushes the parents to closely examine their marriage.
◊“Til Death” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): When Doug’s father gives him and Ally a large sum of money, they struggle with the decision to keep it or give it back. Barry Bostwick (“Spin City”) and Richard Lewis (“Anything But Love”) guest star.
◊“Trading the Globe” (7 p.m. on CNBC): This special will teach viewers how to think about emerging markets as a source of returns, how to access these markets and how to incorporate trading them into the formula for success in the coming years.
◊“Ugly Betty” (8 p.m. on ABC): Betty fires on all cylinders to get a big scoop with Gucci’s new designer, Evan York (Hamish Linklater, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”). Meanwhile Daniel begins to attend a bereavement group, where he meets Natalie (Jamie-Lynn Sigler, “The Sopranos”), a sexy girl who takes him out for an interesting night on the town.
◊“White Collar” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Matthew Bomer (”Chuck”) and Tim DeKay (”Carnivale”) wstar in the new drama about an unlikely partnership between a con artist and an FBI agent. In the series premiere, they hunt an elusive and vicious counterfeiter known as the “Dutchman.”

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 2009
◊“24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto” (9:15 p.m. on HBO): This four-episode, all-access series follows Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, two of boxing’s brightest stars, as they prepare for their Nov. 14 pay-per-view showdown in Las Vegas. Pacquiao seeks to continue his reign as the sport’s pound-for-pound king, while Cotto looks to prove that his ring skills are ideal for derailing the Pacquiao express.
◊“The Academy: Orange County Fire” (8 p.m. on Fox Reality Channel): This new series will take viewers on a journey with 28 recruits of differing backgrounds as they endure 18 weeks of intense physical training for the Orange County Fire Authority in California.
◊“Always and Forever” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Rena Sofer (”24″) and Dean McDermott (”Tori and Dean”) star in this new original movie about high school sweethearts who reunite at their high school reunion. As they reminisce over old times, the memories and laughs lead to rekindled feelings from their abandoned relationship.
◊“America’s Cutest Dog” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): This special counts down the most cuddly and aww-inspiring canine moments caught on camera.
◊“Blackboards and Bullies: Are Your Kids Safe?” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This special explores the roots of violent incidents in America’s school systems and tangible ways for communities to improve child safety. Using case studies and interviews with leading experts, it shows the consequences of American adolescent violence and provides information to families on how to protect their children.
◊“Extreme Sweets” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Adam Gertler (“Will Work For Food”) goes in search of America’s most unusual sweets, including worm-covered caramel apples and a treat so spicy that he has to sign a waiver to eat it.
◊“Ghost Town” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Gil Gerard (“Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”) and Billy Drago (“Charmed”) star in this film about a busload of college students that takes a wrong turn on a back road and ends up in a town inhabited by the ghosts of outlaws who return to earth every 13 years to refight a shoot-out.

–Penny TV

LARRY KING, HOST:  Tonight, Jon Gosselin exclusive and the scandal that could ruin reality TVs famous family.  His name has been dropped from the show.  He wants to delay his divorce from Kate.  And now he’s threatening to shut down production.
    Is it about money or the kids or an out of control ego?
    He’s here to explain everything and Kate’s got a response and Jon Gosselin is in the hot seat.
    And it’s all next on LARRY KING LIVE.
    Good evening.
    We welcome Jon Gosselin and his attorney, Mark Jay Heller.
    Kate Gosselin’s attorney will join us later in the hour.
    All kinds of sensational news swirls around Jon and the show that made him famous.  TLC is renaming the program starting next month.  It’s no longer “Jon and Kate Plus 8,” it’s just “Kate Plus 8″.
    Meantime, Jon wants TLC to cease and desist production of the show. 
   He’s also posted a sign outside the family’s home in Pennsylvania that says “no film crew or production staff from TLC is permitted on this property under penalty of trespass.”
    And Jon has asked a court-appointed arbitrator to put the brakes on his and Kate’s divorce proceedings.
    So lots to get into.
    Did you see that TLC thing coming, Jon?
    Did you know they were going to make this a one show, not you?

JON GOSSELIN:  No, I had no idea.  I found out just like everyone else, on an A.P. Newswire.

KING:  They didn’t call you or anything?

JON:  No, they didn’t call me or anything.  I was actually standing in my manager’s office, Mike Heller, account resources.  And I — I just saw it on the laptop, just as an A.P. Newswire.
    And I was like, what?
    What’s going on?

KING:  Were you shocked?

JON:  Yes, I was totally shocked.  It was definitely like I had — it was totally out of blue.

KING:  Did Kate — you talk to Kate, right?

JON:  Uh…

 KING:  Or you don’t?

JON:  I don’t talk to Kate.

KING:  She didn’t give you any warning?

JON:  No, I had no warning at all.

KING:  All right.  Here’s a statement, earlier this week, that TLC announced its decision.  It said:  “Given the recent changes in the family dynamics, it only makes sense for us to refresh and recalibrate the program to keep pace with the family.  The family has evolved and we’re attempting to evolve with it.  We feel that Kate’s journey really resonates with our viewers — resonates with our viewers, rather. 
   Additionally, the network is in development on a Kate project for 2010.”
    Isn’t that their right?

JON:  Yes, it’s their right to do whatever they want.  But it’s also my right as a parent and as the father of my kids to determine whether the show is good for my family and if it’s not for my family.

KING:  In that same announcement, TLC said it would continue its exclusive relationship with you and that you’d be on the show, but on a less regular basis.

JON:  That’s fine.  And I’m asking not to be on the show and I’m asking my children not to be on the show.  I mean, I don’t want them to film anymore.  I don’t think it’s healthy for them.  And I — the reason I don’t think it’s healthy for them is that we’re going through a divorce right now.  And I don’t think it should be televised.  And I think my kids should be taken off the show.

KING:  It was OK in the past.
    Do you think it was ever healthy, really?

JON:  I don’t.  And, you know, if you were in my position, what would you do?
    Stop filming?
    I mean that’s what I want to do.  I don’t think it’s — I don’t think it’s healthy for them.  And, you know, now I have a sense of empowerment.  Before, I didn’t have any representation.  You know, I — I — I take blame for not being an initiator.  I was an avoider.  I was passive.  I (INAUDIBLE)…

KING:  When you signed the contract you had representation?

JON:  No representation.

KING:  No lawyer, no agent?

JON:  No one.  Nothing.

KING:   What’s with the — the “no TLC crew or production staff sign?”
    What was the posting that sign?

JON:  Yes, I posted the sign today because I don’t want — until we resolve the issue, I don’t want any filming, you know, at my house.  I mean I — I have the joint shared custody of my kids and I have every right and it’s my voice, as well.
    Can he do that, Mark?

MARK JAY HELLER, GOSSELIN’S ATTORNEY:  As a matter of law, when an individual has joint custody, there is no decision that can be made without his consent.  And the truth of the matter is, Larry, we had asked weeks ago for this production to stop.  And the minute TLC learned we were coming on Larry King’s show and we were going to announce on the show that we were putting the brakes on the divorce and putting the brakes on the show and disclose the reasons why, which would have been very embarrassing to them, as you’ll learn later on in this program, they decided to save their face and preempt this individual by coming out and firing him before it became public that he fired the show.

KING:  Wait a minute.  He didn’t fire the show, the show fired him.

HELLER:  Well, what really.

KING:  You just said that.  They called him and they blind-sided him, he said, and they — they fired him.

HELLER:  Well, what really happened is previous to that announcement, I notified them that Jon was going to go on the show and he was going to ask that the show be terminated (INAUDIBLE)…

KING:  He was going to say that on the show?

HELLER:  And not only was he going to say that on the show, but he was going to tell the reasons why.  And on September 25th, their lawyer sent me a letter in which they said — when they learned we were going to go on the show, Jon should not proceed with his appearance.  And when we told them we were going to still appear and we were going to, in essence, terminate the show, they then said yesterday we’d better do something first.

KING:  All right.  Just hours ago, TLC issued this statement:  “We are aware of Jon Gosselin’s recent statements and remain deeply disappointed at his continued erratic behavior.  He and the family were shooting as recently as last Friday without incident and his latest comments are grossly inaccurate, without merit and clearly opportunistic.  Despite Jon Gosselin’s repeated self-destructive and unprofessional actions, he remains under exclusive contract with TLC. 
   Direct filming of the children has been currently suspended, pending further conversation between both parents.”
    What’s wrong with that statement, Jon?

JON:  What’s wrong with that statement is it’s not opportunistic to me.  I don’t want to film.  If I wanted to film, I wouldn’t be here right now.  I would just be, like, OK, we’re going to film, we’re going to take the money and — and that’s what we’re going to do.  It’s not healthy for my kids to be going through this.
    I had an epiphany one day.  I just looked in the mirror and I said I don’t want to be this person anymore.  I made mistakes.  I know I messed up.  I do regret a lot of things.  But I have to learn from those mistakes and move forward.
    There’s — I have a lot — I have a great lawyer now, Mark Heller — Mike Heller, who’s my manager.  I have a great family support from his family, the Glassman family, Haley.  And, you know, I have — I have this sense of empowerment, that I have to take back my life.  I have to.

KING:  Are you sorry you did this show in the first place?

JON:  Um…

KING:  You can’t say that, you made a lot of money.

JON:  Well, here’s the thing.  In the beginning, we — it was for financial purposes, yes.  But I can’t tell you if I would have a better life then or now.
    I mean it’s like, you know, would I have been better off?
    I don’t know.  I could have been living in a hole somewhere or, you know, you don’t know.  It’s — that’s hard.  I could…

KING:  Based on what’s happened, do you have regrets?

JON:  Based on what happened — yes, I definitely have regrets.

KING:  We’re going to take a break.
    We’ll be right back with more.
    Lots ahead — don’t go away — on this edition of LARRY KING LIVE.

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING:  We’re back.
    This summer, Kate’s sister Jodi and her husband went public with allegations that your kids were being exploited and overworked.  In comments to Radar Online you denounced their criticism as ridiculous.
    Watch.

    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON:  The kids look like they’re having a good time. 
   They’re having a great time.  And, I mean, honestly, we film like an hour-and-a-half, two hours on camera.  They love the camera crew.  They love all those guys.  They make nicknames for them, you know, the P.A.s
– the production assistants are there.  They play with the kids.  We all get along and play together.  And it’s like a family environment.

    (END VIDEO CLIP)

KING:  Are you sorry you said that?

JON:  Yes, I’m sorry I said that.  You know, and I do…

KING:  But you meant it, didn’t you, when you…

JON:  Correct.  And I can make mistakes, as well.  And, you know, I do regret it.  But I talked to Jodi today and…

KING:  Your sister-in-law?

JON:  Yes, Kate’s sister-in-law.
    And, you know, if I would have said opposite of that, if I would have said TLC is exploiting the kids or we are, I’m in breach of contract.  So either way…

KING:  But you weren’t lying, were — I mean you meant it…

JON:  No, no.  I meant it and I felt that way.  And now, looking back, and — and what has recently happened, after filing for divorce, I mean this has been a media explosion.  This is ridiculous. 
   I’ve been on the cover of magazines since January, you know.  And it’s just — it’s just crazy.  I want — I want the fodder to stop and I want Kate and I to mediate.  I want us to become friends.  I want us to figure out our marriage and I don’t want it to be filmed anymore.  And I don’t want the kids involved.  And I just feel it’s (INAUDIBLE).

KING:  How well did you get along with the people at TLC?

JON:  I don’t…

KING:  Really.

JON:  Really?

KING:  Um-hmm.

JON:  I don’t get along to the people at TLC.

KING:  You didn’t all along?

JON:  Not all along.  Since January, I started getting calls from the executives, which is so rare.  You really don’t really hear from them.

KING:  And what were they saying?

JON:  Basically, that I’m in breach of contract and, you know, I can’t go out.  They put me on house arrest.  They gave me a bodyguard for three weeks.

KING:  House arrest?

JON:  Yes.  It’s house arrest.  They give you — I had 24-7 bodyguards.

KING:  Are you saying, Mark, that this contract is null and — are you saying this isn’t a contract?

HELLER:  This is a null contract for the following reason.  As mentioned earlier, at the time that these two struggling people were desperate for money, TLC came with a cadre of lawyers, the most sophisticated contract you’ve ever seen and said sign.  They had no manager.  He had no lawyer.  He had no idea of what he was signing.
    What’s more upsetting is the contract provided that there was no compensation specifically for the kids.  These kids have been working for the past four years without any specified contract being attributed them.

KING:  But wouldn’t it be in violation of a child labor law…

HELLER:  Well, that…

KING:  …to have a contract with a kid?

HELLER:  …that’s precisely so.  And the investigation has been undertaken by the Labor Department, which may expose the respective parties to almost $2 million of fines because they require a permit. 
   TLC, contrary to what was represented to Jon, never got a permit for the kids to act; never got pay permit for the location and these provisions render it as against public policy.

KING:  But you didn’t bring that up while he was gainfully happy there.

HELLER:  I was not his attorney and that’s why this has all come about…
 
KING:  OK.  Now we…

HELLER:  …in the last few weeks.

KING:  This is from TLC.  They say:  “There is no legal or factual justification — justification for asserting that the agreement with TLC may be null and void.  TLC has no doubt that its agreement with the Gosselin family is legally enforceable.”
    Are you saying here now that you’re going to court?
    Are you suing them?
    Are you going to court to say this is null and void?

HELLER:  Larry, not only…

KING:  What’s your next action?

HELLER:  …not only will we be going to the state court, but being on this program before you and your viewers, we’re in court.  We’re in the court of public opinion.  And I defy TLC to satisfy you and your viewers that they are right and Jon is wrong.  This contract is void and this contract is detrimental to this man’s family.

KING:  Concerning the compensation for the children, we also have a response on that.  You claim they failed to designate appropriate compensation for the children.
    Here’s what TLC says:  “Contractually, the matter of designating specific compensation for children is the responsibility of Jon and Kate.  However, TLC has actively and regularly encouraged the parents to establish compensation, trust arrangements for the children.  Our understanding is that Kate has set up a trust for the benefit of the children with a substantial portion of the income from the show.”
    Doesn’t that answer it?

HELLER:  No.  The Labor Department will give the real answer, not the spin that TLC wants.
    The Labor Department is going to say where’s the permit?
    Where’s the money?
    How many hours have they worked?
    What have you paid them?

KING:  Jon, while you were doing this show, for how many years now?

JON:  Four.

KING:  Did you ever think to yourself, I need some permission from the state or some permit for these kids to be on television?

JON:  I was unaware of even a requirement for a permit.  I thought that was up to the production company.  The only time ever I realized it was when the Labor Department contacted our attorney and said hey, you don’t have, you know, a permit to film.

KING:  Did TLC ask you to set up a trust for the children?

JON:  No.

KING:  We’ll be back with more of Jon Gosselin and Mark J. Heller on this edition of LARRY KING LIVE.
    Back in 60 seconds.

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING:  We’re back.
    By the way, Mark, with respect to the permits, the location permits, TLC says:  “Location permits are not required for documentary filmmaking.”

HELLER:  This is a staged proceedings.  They’re under direction and this is their argument.  But, clearly, this is production.  Remember, TLC made $186 million, rumor has it, for the quarter, as attributable to the “Jon and Kate” show.  And they’ve really become a monster in Jon’s mind.  And Jon’s not going to let this monster swallow up his family.

KING:  All right.  But you made a lot of money, didn’t you, Jon, frankly?

JON:  No.

KING:  Not?

JON:  No.

KING:  Well, what did you make — last year?

JON:  What did I make total, including the show?

KING:  No, just the show (INAUDIBLE).

JON:  Just the show?
Maybe a million dollars after…

KING:  Compared to profit.

JON:  After taxes it’s $500,000 divided by 10.

KING:  And Kate also made a million?

JON:  No.

KING:  A million for both of you.

JON:  It’s — the — the agreement is the Gosselin family. 
   We’re not — it’s not broken out.  That’s what we made — $22,500 per episode.

KING:  And you’re saying not fair in relation to the profits.

HELLER:  They made $186 million and that money isn’t allocated.  The Labor Department may come along and say, you know what, you never paid the kids anything.  It’s Jon, one sit — one unit, Kate and then they take a third, a third and a third.  And we may say, you know what, they’re going to split that million dollars and you give another half a million dollars to the kids.

KING:  You’re giving that up, though, now Jon?
    I mean they could have had to pay you maybe under this contract, right?

JON:  Yes, I’m giving it up because I — I need to be a father.  I need to be a father and I need to take my kids off the show.

KING:  (INAUDIBLE).

JON:  And, you know, my kids have voiced their opinions, too.  I was on the shoot a couple of months ago.  It was 96 degrees outside.  We were shooting outside with the kids.  It was my custody day, my shoot.  My kids went inside the house, put their bathing suits on and jumped in the pool.  Shoot over.
    What am I supposed to do?
    I went down to the pool and I watched them.  I said I — I can’t do anything about it.

KING:  We have a Tweeter question, Tweeted versus King’s Things, our Twitter spot:  “When they get older, how will you explain to your kids your decision to let them be on TV in the first place?”

JON:  I have thought about this numerous, numerous times.  I mean I — there’s two ways it could go.  They could either say, hey, you know, we had a great opportunity, we traveled a lot, we did a lot of things or they can say why did you expose my — our lives to this?
    Why did you do this?
    And that’s the one that’s sticking in my head.  That’s the one I’m thinking, well, you know what, they’re five and eight now, let’s get them off TV.  Let — let’s let them experience a normal childhood.

KING:  Are you feeling guilt?

JON:  Absolutely.

KING:  What is Kate feeling?

JON:  I can’t speak for Kate.

KING:  When was the last time you spoke to her?

JON:  Three-and-a-half weeks ago.

KING:  Did she mention anything about any of this?

JON:  No.  She wants to continue with the show to financially benefit maybe herself and — and — and the kids.

KING:  More after this.
    Don’t go away.

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING:  We’re back with Jon Gosselin and Mark J. Heller.
    Just so we get this straight, Jon, you claimed that you were in discussions to pull the plug on the program and take the kids off the show for weeks prior to the announcement Tuesday.
    Here’s what TLC said:  “Jon did not request that TLC pull the plug on the program until after the network announced that it was changing the title to “Kate Plus 8.” Until the network announced that the show would be retitled, “Kate Plus 8,” Jon’s request to the network related solely to his demands for money and the network releasing him from his exclusivity obligations and to be provided with a motorcycle that had been paid for by TLC and used in an episode of the program.”
    Jon?

JON:  We have documented proof.  As soon as I hired Mark J.
   Heller, I went ahead with the proceedings to stop doing the show.

KING:  So what they’re saying now is not true?

JON:  The only part is the motorcycle.  It was promised to me and they didn’t give it to me.  They said based on my good behavior — based on my good behavior, I might get the motorcycle by the end of season five.  I don’t even care about the motorcycle.  Keep it.  Keep it, sell it, donate it to charity, whatever you want to do.
    But guess what?
    I want my kids off the show.

KING:  But, they’re saying, Mark, you never made a request until after they announced they were changing it.

HELLER:  From the very first week that I became Jon’s attorney, I had an explosive discussion with them as soon as I learned about how they had exploited Jon and his wife when they executed this contract. 
   And I told them that this had to be addressed immediately and they stopped communicating with me.  I’ve been talking about pulling the plug on this show ever since I became counsel.  And Jon made a decision and I followed it.

KING:  And right now, this show is on the air as “Kate Plus 8?”

JON:  I don’t think it — I think…

HELLER:  I think the show is probably in reruns.

KING:  And it starts…

HELLER:  They call it hiatus.

KING:  The new one starts when?

HELLER:  They claim it’s going to start in November.  But I guarantee you, no judge, if we get to that point, is going to require these kids to participate without the consent of the father.

KING:  You’re going to try to prevent that show from going on?

HELLER:  It’s — I can tell you now, it’s a done deal.

KING:  A done deal?

HELLER:  It’s a done deal.  I’ve been out there for 40 years and I don’t know any judge in any jurisdiction that’s going to say to a father, who doesn’t believe that his children are being handled properly in this sort of production, let the kids keep reduce producing because TLC is making $186 million.

KING:  One other legal thing.  You curriculum — you maintained that the production for “Jon and Kate Plus 8″ doesn’t carry over to a new show called “Kate Plus 8?”

HELLER:  The contract, such as it may exist, was a specific designation of a program involving the whole Gosselin family.  The minute they terminated that production and that title, they had to get a new contract…

KING:  TLC said…

HELLER:  …which they haven’t done.

KING:  TLC said that assertion is flat out wrong.  The network has an expressed contractual right to retitle the show.
    Be that as it may, the $186 million, how do you know that?

HELLER:  This was reported in a lot of journals.  It was a compilation that was done by people that track revenues.  And I read it, frankly, in “The New York Post.” And the story said that the majority of that revenue was attributed to the “Jon and Kate Plus 8″ program.

KING:  Well, that’s what the network made, you’re saying?

HELLER:  That’s correct.

KING:  And they — OK.
    Kate was on this show in late August, about two months after the divorce filing and the TV episode announcing the breakup.
    Here’s some of what she said.

    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KING:  Is he a good father?

KATE GOSSELIN:  He is.

KING:  Why the pause?

KATE:  Um, his decisions right now are not ones that I would necessarily make.  But down deep in his heart, I know that he is.

KING:  Do you share the same faith?

KATE:  Yes.

KING:  So they will be raised in that same culture?

KATE:  Absolutely.

KING:  Do you agree on how school should be handled?

KATE:  Yes.

KING:  Those are two key things.

KATE:  Yes.

KING:  So that — that’s a plus?

KATE:  There’s a lot we agree on.

KING:  What do you disagree on?

KATE:  I — I just think it’s more the — the current things.

KING:  You mean day to day things?

KATE:  Um, not so much the day to day.  I think that I’m looking more toward the future and the decisions of today that affect tomorrow, more so than he is.

    (END VIDEO CLIP)

KING:  Did you watch that show, Jon?

JON:  No, I did not.

KING:  OK.
    Is she a good mother?

JON:  Yes, she’s a good mother.

KING:  Based on what she said, would you disagree with anything she said?

JON:  No.  I — I made mistakes.  I learned from my mistakes.  You know, I — you know, I regret things.  (INAUDIBLE) before it.  I mean you’ve been through a divorce.  I mean you know.  And, you know — you know, a lot of people ask me, you know, in the Chris Cuomo interview, I said “despise.” I really didn’t mean despise.  I regret saying that word.  I despise the fact — you know, I was very emotional.

KING:  I understand.

JON:  And sometimes in a divorce, you just say things that, you know, you don’t really mean.

KING:  A photo of you and a grade schoolteacher named Deana Hummel leaving a club ignited the whole frenzy that led to the public unraveling.
    Are you still involved with her?

JON:  No.  I mean, I — I can’t even be friends with her. 
   She’s a teacher.  She’s an inner city schoolteacher.  And, you know, the paparazzi affected her life.  I didn’t want her to lose her job anymore.  The one thing involved…

    (CROSSTALK)

JON:  No, no.  We were just friends.  I mean I didn’t (INAUDIBLE) a thing.  That one picture, I mean, what was I supposed to do, drive home drunk?
    So she — she drove me home and, you know — she didn’t even drive me home.  She drove to a diner and my friend Joe, which is her cousin, picked me up and — and drove me home.

KING:  All right.  Kate’s divorce lawyer will join us.
    Another side to what you’ve heard so far, next.

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING:  With us Jon Gosselin and Mark J. Heller.
    And joining us now from Philadelphia is Mark Momjian.  He is Kate Gosselin’s divorce attorney.
    They’ve asked me to ask, are you associated with Cheryl Young, Mark Momjian?

MARK MOMJIAN, KATE GOSSELIN’S DIVORCE ATTORNEY:  I’m her co-counsel, Larry.  Thanks. 

KING:  Oh, yes.  They knew about Sheryl.  They didn’t know you.  So, guys, Jon –

MOMJIAN:  They’ll get to know me soon. 

KING:  OK.  In the midst of all this tumult, Kate Gosselin has issued a statement.  She says, “I’m saddened and confused by Jon’s public media statements.  Jon has never expressed any concerns to me about our children being involved in the show, and, in fact, is on record as saying he believes the show benefits our children and was taping on Friday with the kids.  I checked in regularly with each of the kids to be sure they want to participate in and continue with the show and will continue to do so. 
    “I do the show for my family, because I believe it provides us opportunities we wouldn’t otherwise have.  Jon used to share that belief until as recently as the day the network announced the name change of the show and indicated that Jon would have a lesser role in the show. 
   It appears that Jon’s priority is Jon and his interests.  My priority remains our children and their well being.”
    Before we hear from her lawyer, you want to respond to that statement, Jon? 

JON:  Absolutely.  My interests are getting my kids off TV. 
   That sounds like a typical TLC response. 

KING:  That’s her response. 

JON:  Yes, OK.  You know, being in it, I kind of understand. 
   You know, I’m here to apologize to Kate.  I’m here to apologize to a lot of people.  I have made mistakes.  I apologize to Haley.  I have made mistakes.  She’s the only person that stood behind me and has supported me.  The Heller family, the Glassman family, you know, I love them all. 
   I love Haley. 
    But, you know, I really have to be a father here.  I can’t be a kid anymore.  I have to be a man. 

KING:  You want the show over with? 

JON:  Correct. 

KING:  That’s your goal? 

JON:  Correct. 

KING:  Mark, what is your position?  First, they want to delay the divorce proceeding past the Thanksgiving date with the arbitrator.  Do you agree with that? 

MOMJIAN:  Well, they tried to delay the arbitration.  And the arbitrator denied their request.  I don’t know why they don’t bring that to the attention of the public.  They seem to bring every other fact to the attention of the public.  They tried to delay because Jon wants to delay the entire case.  And the arbitrator said no, and the case is going to go forward. 
    Timing is everything.  And in this case, it’s clear that his timing is connected to his diminished role on the show.  Just last week, September 25th, he was taping with the children.  All of a sudden, he has an epiphany.  Maybe he’ll have another or new epiphany tomorrow.  Or maybe he will have another epiphany the following week. 
    The parties in this case agreed, with lawyers representing them, that the party that had physical custody of the children would make the decisions regarding the taping of the children.  He signed an agreement to that affect.  If he wants to change the terms of that agreement, he has to go to court. 
    Why hasn’t he gone to court?  Why hasn’t he filed a custody action? 
   Why hasn’t he said this to a judge?  He wants to do it on your show. 
   And he wants to do it on other media outlets.  But he doesn’t want to follow the process that the Pennsylvania courts have established to do it. 

KING:  Got you.  Mark Heller, how would you respond to that? 

HELLER:  First of all, this is the first that I’m learning that there’s been any denial of our request to put the brakes on this proceedings.  And although counsel believes that timing is important, I think family values, as does my client, is important.  And there’s no rush.  They’ve been married for ten years.  And if these two parents are communicating now only by text mail and not by speaking and words, how can we go into a court and address the more important issues? 

KING:  What’s wrong with delaying it? 

MOMJIAN:  Well, first of all, there’s no reason to delay it, because there is no prospect of reconciliation in this case.  He doesn’t want to go to marriage counseling.  He doesn’t want to say that the marriage is irretrievably, you know, alive and not broken. 
    In this instance, we have a case where the parties agreed to arbitrate their matter.  They agreed to share legal custody.  It means that he has an obligation to consult with Kate on important decisions. 
   Why is he not talking to his own wife about these important decisions? 

KING:  Is that not a fair point, Jon? 

JON:  I haven’t seen Kate in three and a half weeks. 

KING:  Why not call her? 

JON:  I have tried to call her.  I text her.  I mean –

KING:  She doesn’t answer?  Have you talked about delaying the divorce proceeding with her? 

JON:  Yes, I want to work things out. 

KING:  You and her that decide it.  Not the lawyers. 

JON:  Listen, we know we’re not going to be husband and wife anymore.  But we’re always going to be mom and dad.  We have to work together against this.  We have to pull our kids off of television and work this out as a family. 

KING:  She doesn’t want to pull them off? 

JON:  Correct.

KING:  The conversation with Jon and Kate continues.  Join in by logging on to CNN.com/LarryKing, and click on the blog and let your voice be heard.  We love your comments.  Sometimes we read them.  We do read them all.  Might throw some on the air.  Back after this. 

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING:  The former “Star Magazine” reporter Kate Major (ph) claims that you two, you, Jon, and her, had a fling.  Here’s some of what she told HLN’s “Showbiz Tonight.”  Watch.

    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KATE MAJOR, “STAR MAGAZINE”:  Jon told me that he was falling for me.  He called me the new Kate, and referred to Kate Gosselin as his ex-Kate or the old Kate, and he is just — I fell for him.  I completely believed everything that he said.  I was reluctant to get very romantically involved.  I really didn’t know what to do at that point, because it had blown up into such a media frenzy. 

    (END VIDEO CLIP)

KING:  Want to comment, Jon? 

JON:  The things I’ve done in the past are mistakes. 

KING:  You don’t see her anymore? 

JON:  That’s irrelevant.  No, I don’t see her anymore.  But it’s irrelevant.  I have to learn from my mistakes and move forward. 

KING:  It led to the break-up, didn’t it?  It’s part of this whole story. 

JON:  No.  Kate Gosselin came to me in October of last year and said she was going to live her separate life, and I’m going to live mine. 

KING:  Nothing to do with other women or anything? 

JON:  No. 

KING:  Nothing. 

JON:  No, absolutely not.  I went to counseling.  I have a 22,000 dollar bill from last year.  I tried to save our marriage.  I tried do everything. 

KING:  What about the former babysitter, Stephanie Santoro (ph), told “In Touch” that she had an affair with you during the month that she worked as your nanny? 

JON:  It’s –

KING:  Not true? 

JON:  Not true.  Again, I made mistakes.  I trusted people. 
   I’m a genuine person.  I give everyone a chance.  Some people just take advantage. 

KING:  Kate was asked about Stephanie’s claims during an appearance on “The View.”  Here’s what she said. 

    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHOOPI GOLDBERG, “THE VIEW”:  Kate, I know you wanted to address the “In Touch” cover story that just hit newsstands, where a baby-sitter claimed that she slept with your husband, a claim he says is not true. 
   You wanted to address that, I’m told. 

KATE:  Well, it’s just, I guess — it’s the article of the week.  And basically my only comment on that is — you’re asking for my comment — is, I mean, just based on the behavior of the last several months, am I surprised?  No. 

    (END VIDEO CLIP)

KING:  Mark, from the — I know you’re the attorney and you are representing her best interests, but why keep this show going?  Other than money, how does this benefit the children, which, by the way, are the only people that count in this, right?  They’re adults.  They can get on with their lives.  The kids don’t have a say.  Have you ever talked to your client about why she keeps it up? 

MOMJIAN:  It’s not a lawyer’s decision to make in a case. 

KING:  I know.  I’m asking you personally. 

MOMJIAN:  Well, I’m just going to answer it the best way I can.  Jon and Kate agreed with each other that the children would continue their participation in the show.  If Kate thought for one second that this was detrimental to the children’s best interests, she would take the children off the show. 
    Jon has always encouraged and supported the children’s active participation in the show.  He has admitted it tonight, and maybe he will admit it tomorrow after he has another epiphany on this case.  The reality is that if Jon wants to do something to end the children’s participation in the show, there’s a process.  Why isn’t he following that process?  Why isn’t he calling Kate and trying to work it out? 

KING:  Good question. 

JON:  First of all, TLC is not the parents of my kids, and this guy is not the parents, no offense, of my kids.  I’m the parent of my kids.  TLC put a letter out that said either Kate or Jon — if either Kate or Jon feel it’s detrimental to their kids, not Kate and Jon — Kate or Jon — we’ll stop the show.  Fine.  It’s detrimental to my kids.  It is definitely detrimental.  It is not healthy. 

KING:  Why is this show on the air? 

JON:  It’s their words.  I feel it’s detrimental. 

KING:  Are you going to court over this, Mark Heller? 

HELLER:  We’re going to go to court. 

KING:  When? 

HELLER:  We’re going to go to court.  Well, we’re in court right now, as I said, the court of public opinion.  Let me tell you something, lawyers — and I’m the first one to admit it — frequently get in the way when people are going through divorces.  I’m shocked to hear counsel say he wants to rush forward with this case.  It’s not his choice.  It’s his clients’ choice.  And how can he bring two parties into a court to resolve their issues when they don’t even communicate. 
    We’ve got to put the brakes on this, and these two have to talk. 
   Otherwise, we’re wasting everybody’s time. 

KING:  We’ll be right back.  Don’t go away. 

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING:  We have breaking news.  David Letterman, during a taping of tonight’s “Late Show,” said that there has been a recent attempt made to extort money from him.  Letterman referred the matter to the Special Prosecution Bureau of the Manhattan district attorney’s office.  An individual was arrested earlier today. 
    He told the audience, “this morning I did something I’ve never done in my life,” said Letterman.  “I had to go downtown and testify before a Grand Jury.”  Letterman said that in his testimony he acknowledged sexual relationships with members of his staff.  “My response to that is, yes, I have.  Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? 
   Perhaps it would.”  Said Letterman, “I feel like I need to protect these people, and I need to certainly protect my family.”
    We’ll be back.  Well, let me continue with this.  This has been — this has been quite a night, as we say.  The show, do you expect to be able to knock it off? 

HELLER:  I can assure your viewers and you that this show will definitely not go forward with the eight children under any circumstance, because I have confidence in the courts.  Every child is a ward of the court.  And they will never subject the children to this show if the father believes it’s detrimental. 

KING:  Mark, do you question the fact that these children didn’t have permits?  Mark? 

MOMJIAN:  I’m not a labor lawyer, but I don’t believe the permits were required.  And I have to tell you, I disagree with Mr. Heller’s assessment.  And I welcome the opportunity to prove it to a judge, and not to do it on television, but to prove it in court.  And I think that’s what’s going to happen.  But right now it hasn’t happened, and I think the reasons are obvious. 
    Jon wants to try this in the media.  He doesn’t want to go to a judge.  He doesn’t want to deal with the question of the best interests of the children.  That’s Kate’s sole concern. 

KING:  And you’re saying — you’re saying that it’s in the best interest of the children to be on television? 

MOMJIAN:  I think that the parents get to make that decision, and one parent can’t unilaterally make the decision not to have the children go forward.  These children were participating as recently as Friday.  I mean, and that’s by agreement of both parties.  What has happened since Friday, Larry?  What’s happened that gives Jon the right to unilaterally make any decision in connection with the taping of the show?  If he wants to –

KING:  Jon, how do you respond?  Let him respond. 

JON:  First of all, Friday — he is not an entertainment attorney.  So, Friday I didn’t even know they were filming.  I got a call from my daughter saying they were filming.  I don’t know Kate’s filming schedule.  So, you know, when we’re moving forward, I mean, who cares when they’re filming. 

KING:  — injunction to stop them from doing “Kate Plus Eight.”

HELLER:  Larry, I heard counsel challenge me to go into court.  I would rather challenge him to do what is right in his representation of his client, and give these two people an opportunity, without their attorneys battling in court, to sit town and do what’s right as parents, and settle it.  Exactly.

KING:  We live in a law abiding society.  Courts settle things.

HELLER:  But they can’t settle anything if the people are not communicating.  And the lawyers need to step aside and let these people talk. 

KING:  We’ll take a phone call next, right after these words. 

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING:  Let’s take a call for our guests.  To White Stone, New York. 
   Hello. 

CALLER:  Hi, Jon.  I’m a big “Jon and Kate Plus Eight” fan.  My question is, over the past few months, your behavior has been very contradictory to how we see you on the show as a truly hands on dad. 
   Who is the real Jon?

JON:  I’ll answer clearly.  I have made some mistakes, and I have learned from those mistakes.  And, you know, I’m the real Jon.  You guys have to remember, I quit my job, and I stayed home with the kids for two years while Kate traveled, spoke, and did all that stuff.  I’m hands on.  I changed 12,000 diapers in one year.  You know, I took care of my wife when I was at the hospital.  I did it all. 
    That is me.  Now, when Kate wanted a divorce, when she filed for divorce, you know, I struggled.  I snapped.  I apologize for those things. 

    (NEWS BREAK)

KING:  What about — we haven’t discussed Haley Glassman, Jon, the 22-year-old daughter of Kate’s plastic surgeon.  You said you love her. 
   You told that to our friend Chris Cuomo on ABC.  Do you? 

JON:  Absolutely.   

KING:  Are you going marry her? 

JON:  I don’t know yet.  I’m not even divorced yet.  We take things day by day.  You know, she supports me.  She has never wanted anything from me, never taken anything from me. 

KING:  Does she know the kids? 

JON:  No, she doesn’t.  She knows of them.  She met them a long time ago, four years ago.  But it was just like for five minutes and then, you know, she was gone.  She has seen Maddy and Kara (ph) before. 
   She has never came to my house.  We’re not there yet. 

KING:  Mark, is there anything wrong with letting these two people sit down maybe, and iron this all out, without you or Mr. Heller present, and maybe come to an amicable conclusion, save a lot of money, and end this thing happily, maybe discuss how they’re going to deal with the rest of the TLC?  Is this solvable without you two? 

MOMJIAN:  I hope so.  I think that’s Kate’s preference, that she and Jon have an open line of communication to talk with one another on important decisions.  Jon agreed that he would do that.  He hasn’t done it, in terms of the children’s participation on the show.  He hasn’t reached out to Kate.  He hasn’t explained to her what her reasons are. 
    But I still have hope that these parents will do the responsible thing, talk to one another, try to work it out between themselves.  If they can’t do it, they’re going to have to have an arbiter do it or a judge. 

KING:  Jon, you’re in love with Haley.  Is she happy that you’re trying to delay the divorce?  A Twitterer asked that.

JON:  Well, I can’t speak for Haley.  But, you know, we talked today.  You know, she stands behind me no matter what.  Whether we’re together or not, she said she stands behind me.  She’s a rock.  She’s always been there for me.  Her family has always been there for me.  The Hellers have always been there for me, since I’ve met them. 
    You know, I just have to move forward.  I have to take initiative. 
   I’ve been passive.  I let things happen.  I have to be a man.  I have to grow up.  You know, I believe Haley will stand by me and, you know –

KING:  When is “Kate Plus Eight” scheduled to go on?  Do we have a date? 

HELLER:  We were told that it’s going to go on in November.  But what I want to say is very important.  Divorcing couples have the power to make healthy and appropriate decisions for themselves when they’re ending the marriage, and to take into most concern and consideration the well-being of their children and family values.  And Jon is determined to do that and to become a model for other divorcing families.  There are over a million of them.

KING:  We have remaining moments coming up.   Don’t go away.

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING:  We only have a little time left.  Mr. Momjian, they’re pointing out to me — are you aware that it’s an arbitrator involved here, not yet a judge, right? 

MOMJIAN:  Well, that’s the point I was making.  The parties did reach a consensus that any economic claims rising out of the divorce action would be submitted to an arbitrator.  So it is an indication that the parties can work and try to have a means of getting this case resolved. 
    Jon wants to delay that process.  He asked the arbitrator to delay that process.  The arbitrator refused. 

HELLER:  I don’t know anything about an arbitrator refusing.  He would have had to notify me.  And counsel’s focus seems to be money, seems to be the show going on.  This man doesn’t care about the money. 
   He doesn’t care about the show.  And I don’t think the arbitrator or the court would be concerned either.  Their priority, and Jon’s and, frankly, Kate’s and counsel should be the well-being and the welfare of a family.  That’s what’s important. 

KING:  Quickly? 

MOMJIAN:  The arbitrator has nothing to do with child custody issues.  The arbitrator is only economic issues.  If Jon or Kate have issues in connection with the children, relating to legal decisions, that has to be done in court.  So far, Jon hasn’t done anything.  I think it’s obvious the reasons why. 

JON:  What he doesn’t understand is our life is our show, and our show is our life.  I want it to stop.  I want it to stop completely. 

KING:  You think maybe you shouldn’t have started it? 

JON:  Probably. 

KING:  You made a lot of money. 

JON:  Yes.  In retrospect, yes. 

KING:  We shouldn’t have known about you? 

JON:  Correct. 

KING:  Sadly.  OK.  Thank you all.  This has been very contentious. 
   We expect to have all of our guests back. 

ENDINGS
••“Chopped,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Food Network (first-season finale).
••“Country Fried Home Videos,” 8 p.m. Friday on CMT (season finale).
••“Jockeys,” 8 p.m. Friday on Animal Planet (second-season finale).
••“All Jacked Up,” 9 p.m. Friday on CMT (season finale).

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

Pictured above: STARGATE UNIVERSE cast, from left, Jamil Walker Smith as Msgt. Ronald Greer, Alaina Huffman as Msgt. Tamara Johansen, Louis Ferreira as Col. Everett Young, Ming-Na as Camile Wray, Robert Carlyle as Dr. Nicholas Rush, Brian J Smith as Lt. Matthew Scott, Elyse Levesque as Chloe Armstrong, David Blue as Eli Wallace, Lou Diamond Phillips as Col. Telford — Syfy Photo: Art Streiber — Syfy Photo: Art Streiber

SUNDAY, SEPT. 27, 2009
◊“The Adventures of Danny & the Dingo” (7:30 p.m. on Fuel TV): In the Season 2 premiere, pro snowboarders Danny Kass and The Dingo meet Rob Dyrdek in Hollywood in search of street credit. Then they head to San Diego for a trade show.
◊“Amanpour” (1 p.m. on CNN):CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour will host this new global interview program. Each show will primarily focus on one topic and will feature guests who challenge and deconstruct conventional wisdom.
◊“The Amazing Race” (7 p.m. on CBS): In Season 15, 12 teams will travel one of the fastest courses ever assembled on the Race — spanning eight countries in just 21 days. And one team will be sent home before leaving the starting line.
◊“American Dad” (8:30 p.m. on Fox): When Steve is selected to sing the national anthem at the Langley Falls Veterans’ Day celebration, he gets some heat from Stan who doesn’t think he’s ready for such an undertaking.
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9 p.m. on ABC): Kitty harbors a devastating secret that will rock the Walker family in the Season 4 premiere. Marion Ross (“Happy Days”) and Matt Gallant (“The Planet’s Funniest Animals”) guest star.
◊“Californication” (9 p.m. on Showtime): As Season 3 opens, Hank Moody now has a “real” job as a college professor and is trying to keep wild child Becca on the straight and narrow with Karen still working in New York.
◊“The Cleveland Show” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): Mike Henry reprises his voice role as Cleveland Brown in this new animated “Family Guy” spin-off that finds the soft-spoken title character moving back to his Virginia hometown with his 14-year-old son, Cleveland Jr.
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): In the Season 7 premiere, which features the music of Ray Charles, the team investigates the 1966 shipboard murder of a young working-class woman who shared a room in steerage with a friend on an upscale ocean liner’s final round-trip Atlantic crossing.
◊“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (8 p.m. on HBO): Larry deliberately tries to annoy Loretta, against the advice of a renowned doctor.  Later, Larry dooms Richard Lewis’ new relationship.
◊“Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 6 premiere, Mike Delfino’s bride will finally be revealed and a new family with a dark past moves to Wisteria Lane. Drea de Matteo (“Joey”) and Jeffrey Nordling (“24”) join the cast.
◊“Dexter” (8 p.m. on Showtime): In Season 4, Dexter becomes fascinated with the “Trinity Killer” (John Lithgow, “3rd Rock From the Sun”) because of his unique killing methods and his ability to evade capture for almost three decades.
◊“Entourage” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Ari investigates Terrance (Malcolm McDowell, “Fantasy Island”) when he unexpectedly offers to sell Ari his share of his agency.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (6 p.m. on ABC): Season 7 will celebrities volunteering for the weeks of house building, and the first two volunteers are Patricia Heaton (”The Middle”) and musical group Five For Fighting.
◊“Family Guy” (8 p.m. on Fox): With the help of an out-of-this-world remote control, Stewie and Brian travel through alternate universes, including a post-apocalyptic world and a parallel world run by dogs where humans are pets.
◊“Firsthand” (7 p.m. on Fuel TV): This series provides an exclusive look at action sports personalities. Season 11 takes viewers into the daily lives of BMX pro Dave Mirra, X Games Gold Medalist Travis Pastrana, pro snowboarder Danny Kass and 2007 World Champion surfer Mick Fanning.
◊“Mario’s Green House” (5 p.m. on TV One): Actor Mario Van Peebles (“All My Children”) and his family undergo a major home eco-renovation and embrace green living in this new reality series. It also offers an entertaining take on how to make one’s everyday life support a sustainable future.
◊“My Fair Wedding With David Tutera” (9 p.m. on WEtv): Celebrity wedding planner David Tutera returns to help transform and revamp the less-than-perfect into extraordinary platinum-style affairs. Along the way, David surprises the bridal parties with major last minute changes that take the bride’s original idea to the next level.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Ken Burns’ 12-hour, six-part documentary series, which chronicles the idea of preserving the nation’s most beautiful places for the general public, opens with “The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890).” In 1851, word spreads across the country of a beautiful area of California’s Yosemite Valley, attracting visitors who wish to exploit the land’s scenery for commercial gain and those who wish to keep it pristine.
◊“Nick News: I’m Allergic to My World” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new special explores what it’s like to be a youngster with life threatening allergies. Dr. Robert Wood, Director of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at John’s Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, MD, explains the strange ways of allergies. Kids explain the rest.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the 21st-season premiere episode co-written by Seth Rogan (“Funny People”), Homer is cast as the lead in “Everyman,” a feature film based on the new comic book superhero. To whip Homer into superhero shape, the movie studio hires celebrity fitness trainer “Lyle McCarthy” (guest voice Rogen).
◊“Washington Watch With Roland Martin” (10 a.m. on TV One): CNN analyst Roland Martin will host this new weekly public affairs series focusing on issues that are critical to black Americans. The show will also feature regular appearances by members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

MONDAY, SEPT. 28, 2009
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): Lewis Black (“Root of All Evil”) guest stars as a brilliant but troubled professor of entomology who works at Caltech with the guys. 
◊“Brainsurge” (3:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new game show is filled with high-energy challenges that allow youngsters to test their level of recollection and attention skills while having fun. The winning contestant gets the ultimate prize — a giant, messy, celebratory sliming.
◊“Greek” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): Shocked to learn that ZBZ has slipped in the ranks down to fourth, Casey is determined to bring ZBZ back to the number one spot by motivating their pledge class to take action. Olivia Munn (”Attack of the Show”) and Olesya Rulin (”High School Musical”) guest star.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): House returns home to Princeton where he continues to focus on his recovery, but surprises Cuddy with the news that he’s making a big change in his life.
◊“The Joy Behar Show” (8 p.m. on HLN): This new nighttime talk show will offer viewers a full hour of Joy Behar’s passionate point of view, sharp wit, and no-nonsense approach.  Topics will range from pop culture to politics and everything in between.
◊“Lie to Me” (8 p.m. on Fox): In the Season 1 premiere, the Lightman Group investigates a murder case where a woman with multiple personalities (Erika Christensen, “The Perfect Score”) may either be a witness or the killer.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “The Last Refuge (1890-1915),” President Theodore Roosevelt becomes one of the national parks’ greatest champions.
◊“Trauma” (8 p.m. on NBC): This new medical drama series follows the first responder paramedics of the trauma team of San Francisco City Hospital, who often put their own lives on the line to save others.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 29, 2009
◊“90210” (7 p.m. on CW): Navid continues to run the Blaze News and assigns Silver and Gia (Rumer Willis, “Sorority Row”) to interview Jasper for a news piece about his uncle.
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): In these new primetime episodes airing back-to-back, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) stars The Miz and John Morrison play the game for charity.
◊“Chopped” (9 p.m. on Food Network): In the final competition, four champions face off for a chance to reclaim the title and bank an additional $10,000.
◊“The City” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): When Season 1 resumes, it’s back to work for the cast and with new jobs, new boys, new cast members and New York in the mix. Whitney Port decides to take a chance at her dream of becoming a designer and leaves her position at Diane von Furstenberg to work under the critical eye of Kelly Cutrone at People’s Revolution.
◊“Executive Vision” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This new 5-part series examines how leaders will gain the trust, dedication and admiration of all around them as they confront the challenges in today’s ever-changing world.
◊“The Hills” (9 p.m. on MTV): When Season 5 resumes, the tension picks up right where it left off. Heidi and Spencer are moving to suburbia to begin a life of wedded bliss but they quickly discover that married life won’t be as perfect as their storybook wedding.
◊“Lost Tapes” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): In Season 2 of the popular crypto zoology series, discover the stories behind creatures that science refuses to recognize. Bigfoot, werewolves, vampires, the Jersey devil — while their existence has never been proven, alleged sightings and encounters suggest that there are species that have managed to elude the reach of mankind.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919),” a new federal agency is created to protect the parks.
◊“One Life to Live” (1 p.m. on ABC): Grammy Award winner Lionel Richie will perform his hit “Just Go” off his latest album of the same title. He will be joined by rising pop-star, Jeremih, who is known for his smash hit “Birthday Sex” and self titled debut album “Jeremih.”
◊“Weird, True & Freaky” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Season 2 features everything from the grotesque to the downright bizarre and inexplicable. A band of monkeys infests an elementary school; the world’s deadliest spider invades a grocery store produce aisle; and the blood of a goat is used in an ancient fertility ritual.
◊“Who Wants a Man Cave?” (8 p.m. on DIY): This special follows former NFL player Tony “Goose” Siragusa, contractor Jason Cameron and MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams as they transform a space into an ultimate man cave equipped with official MLB merchandise.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30, 2009
◊“Bank of Mom and Dad” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): In this reality series, adapted from a BBC format, women in their 20s and 30s have to face their mom and dad moving in for one week to police their finances and take over their lives. With wayward lifestyles and spending spiraling out of control, each episode sees one woman having a major reality check as she faces up to her debt.
◊“Eastwick” (9 p.m. on ABC): As Eastwick prepares for its annual fall HarvestFest, Joanna, Kat and Roxie’s lives continue to take a turn for the strange. Cybil Shepherd (”The L Word”) and Martin Mull (”Roseanne”) guest star.
◊“Finishing Heaven” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This new documentary follows director Robert Feinberg as he struggles to complete the film he began nearly four decades ago. As a New York City film student in the 1960s, he showed the potential to become the next big filmmaker. But over the years, perfectionism got the best of him and to this day, he still hasn’t completed the film, a free-form, avant-garde portrait of bohemian life in the Big Apple.
◊“First In” (9 p.m. on BET): Narrated by Tyrese Gibson (“Death Race”), this new series delves into the lives of Compton’s firefighters and paramedics as they try to balance the high stress of a gruesome 72-hour work schedule and family life. Emotions run high as the men and women work long hours in a fast-paced, high intensity atmosphere compounded by the daily pressure of saving lives.
◊“Ghost Hunters” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Meat Loaf (“Fight Club”) joins the TAPS team for an investigation at a haunted private island in Thousand Islands, NY. The area was formerly part of the Underground Railroad and was also used as a monastery.
◊“Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Will thinks the glee club desperately needs more of an edge, so he brings in his former classmate, April Rhodes (Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies”), to spice things up.
◊“Hank” (7 p.m. on ABC): Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer (‘‘Frasier”) returns to series television as Hank Pryor, a legendary entrepreneur in the sports retail world. Hank and his wife, Tilly, have been living the high life in New York City. That is until Hank is forced out of his CEO job and has to downsize and move his family back home to the small town of River Bend, Va.
◊“The Middle” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Meet the Hecks, an ordinary family struggling to survive each other and life in Middle America. Patricia Heaton (”Everybody Loves Raymond”) stars in the new series as a car saleswoman who juggles her job demands with keeping her three children grounded in middle-class family values.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “Going Home (1920-1933), the advent of the automobile allows more people to visit the national parks, previously accessible mainly to wealthy visitors who could afford train tours.
◊“The Ruins” (9 p.m. on MTV): This season, twenty-eight competitors will travel to Thailand to battle it out on two separate teams of the “Champions” and the “Challengers”. While players will still be competing for their teams, they will also be accumulating money for their own personal bank accounts as they compete in nine.
◊“The Shift” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): The network’s most successful original series returns for a second season. It chronicles the “middle shift” of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) that works from 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM, considered to be “primetime” hours for homicide.  While those are their official hours, these investigators work tirelessly to solve their cases whenever they happen – to them, when someone is murdered in their city, it’s personal.

THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2009
◊“The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): Lisbon and the team work the case of a State Senator’s murdered intern, while Jane simultaneously tries to find out what new information Bosco has uncovered on the Red John case. Paul Michael Glaser (“Starsky and Hutch”) guest stars.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “Great Nature (1933-1945),” President Franklin Roosevelt creates the Civilian Conservation Corps to help battle unemployment during the Great Depression.
◊“Portrait of an Artist: Chuck Close” (6 p.m. on Sundance): The documentary looks at the life and art of Chuck Close, who has re-invented portraiture with his monumental studies of human faces.  The film captures the making of a Close self-portrait, an intricate process that yields a single image comprised of hundreds of individually colored, patterned squares.
◊“Private Practice” (9 p.m. on ABC): After Pete discovers Violet dying on the floor of her home, having barely survived a violent attack from her patient, Katie (Amanda Foreman, “What About Brian”), he rushes her to the hospital where Addison and Naomi fight to save her life.
◊“Watch What Happens: Live” (11 p.m. on Bravo): Host Andy Cohen will sit down with guest Jimmy Fallon (“Saturday Night Live”) to chat about what has transpired on-air and in pop culture for the week.

FRIDAY, OCT. 2, 2009
◊“Bartender Wars” (9:30 p.m. on FLN): Bartenders face off in a series of challenges in this new series. Each episode will feature a particular liquor ranging from tequila to champagne, and the contestants will have to engage in five challenges: the “Quick Shot,” based on speed; “Happy Hour” which involves patrons in the festivities; a technical challenge; the “Liquor Picker” where the bartenders have to throw darts to select the ingredients they’ll use for their signature drinks; “The Wheel of Challenges” where the guest judge will challenge the bartenders in games such as “Mimic the Master,” “Celeb in a Glass” and “Not Quite Seven Deadly Sins”; and the “Lightning Round” which gets patrons involved in a physical challenge.
◊“Diet Tribe” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Professional fitness trainer Jessie Pavelka and psychotherapist Stacy Kaiser return for a second season to guide and coach five mothers as they work towards creating healthier and happier lives, one pound at a time.
◊“Kitchen Nightmares” (9 p.m. on DIY): Carpenter and electrician Marc Bartolomeo works with homeowners to achieve the kitchen they always wanted. But getting the job done right can mean changing plans or ripping out existing construction.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “The Morning of Creation (1946-1980),” biologist Alfred Murie fights to ensure that even hated predators get the same protection from hunters as other wildlife.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When two FBI agents, part of a unit headed by Don’s former mentor, are killed during a shootout with bank robbers, the team must investigate what exactly happened. Los Angeles Lakers player Jordan Farmer guest stars.
◊“Stargate Universe” (8 p.m. on Syfy): This new series follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship, which is locked on an unknown course and unable to return to Earth.
◊“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (7 p.m. on Cartoon Network): The lives of the Jedi become more complex as secret and forbidden relationships are revealed and a new breed of villain enters to take advantage of the wartime turmoil.  Season 2 introduces these lawless rogues into the fray along with a host of new characters, locations and creatures.
◊“The Suite Life on Deck” (7 p.m. on Disney): In this special one-hour episode, Zack, Cody, London, Bailey and Woody find themselves stranded on a deserted island when Woody accidentally hits the release lever on a lifeboat and the gang drifts out to sea. Zack hops into action, putting his survival tactics to use, while London takes it all in stride, believing that they have found a remote five-star resort.
◊“Til Death” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): In the Season 4 premiere, Eddie and Joy’s free-spirited daughter, Ally, returns from a trek in the Ecuadorian rainforest with her new husband, Doug. When Ally and Doug decide to set up camp in a trailer in the Starks’ backyard, they ruin Eddie’s plans for installing a Jacuzzi.
◊“Ultimate Sportsman’s Lodge” (8 p.m. on DIY): This new series takes viewers to the wilds of Montana as outdoorsman Chris Dorsey builds a lodge complete with a covered deck and fire pit with guest contributor Jeff Foxworthy (”Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”).
◊“Wedded to Perfection” (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series follows the charismatic husband and wife team, Jung Lee and Josh Brooks, who together own New York’s premiere wedding and event planning business, Fete. Each episode will feature two events, anything from a spectacular wedding to a memorable anniversary party.
◊“WWE Friday Night SmackDown” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Season 10 kicks off with a two-hour special featuring appearances from all the WWE superstars and a look back at 10 years of memorable matches and moments.

SATURDAY, OCT. 3, 2009
◊“Anatomy ’59: The Making of a Classic WKAR Motion Picture” (10:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This documentary explores the crime, the trial and the book that led to the making of Otto Preminger’s 1959 courtroom thriller “Anatomy of a Murder” that starred James Stewart and Lee Remick.
◊“Celebrity Ghost Stories” (9 p.m. on BIO Channel): In each episode of this new series, viewers will see several first-person celebrity narratives by actors, musical artists and athletes. Cinematic recreations bring to life the personal accounts of stars who believe they have experienced paranormal encounters. The premiere episode features late actor David Carradine (“Kung Fu Killer”) in one of his last interviews where he divulges a story about a haunting in his closet and gives his view on life after death.
◊“CSI: NY” (7 p.m. on CBS): The team tackles their most unusual case yet: two murder victims within two weeks, both named ‘Mac Taylor.’  Now, Det. Mac Taylor, and 15 others with the same moniker, must determine the killer’s motive before they strike again. Rumer Willis (“Sorority Row”) guest stars.
◊“Mike Epps: Under Rated … Never Faded & X-Rated” (9:40 p.m. on Showtime): Filmed at the historic Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI., Mike Epps gets the house rocking with his unique and hilarious observations of married men, black/white family dynamics and a spot-on impersonation of a popular crime scene investigation series.
◊“ReDesign” (noon on FLN): Designer Kenneth Brown walks viewers through his design process as ordinary rooms transform into stunning showplaces.
◊“Sarah’s House” (10:30 a.m. on FLN): Follow interior designer Sarah Richardson through the entire process of purchasing a house and renovating it room by room.
◊“Superfetch” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new series follows extreme pet trainer Zak George as he works with pet parents and shows them how to transform their ordinary pet into a trick-doing stunt jockey. In the process, he helps strengthen the bond they have with their beloved companion.

–Penny TV

    LARRY KING, HOST: Good evening.
    Quite a lineup tonight.
    Kate Gosselin was last on LARRY KING LIVE on May 10th.  A little more than a month later, on June 22nd, Kate and her husband Jon filed for divorce, announced their split that same day in a special edition of “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ — a show that’s become phenomenal worldwide.
    How are you doing, Kate?
    Good to have you here.

    KATE GOSSELIN:  I’m good.
    Thanks for having me.

    KING:  You feel good?

    KATE:  I do.

    KING:  How are the kids?

    KATE:  Wonderful, marvelous, gorgeous, lovely.

    KING:  All right.  Now the twins are going to be nine in October. 
    The sextuplets were five in May.
    How much do they know about what’s going on?
    The 9-year-olds probably do, right?

    KATE:  As far as what is going on…

    KING:  You and Jon and…

    KATE:  …in our household, they understand the process. 
    They’re working through it, the same that Jon and I are.  They’re doing remarkably well.  This has opened up a lot of discussions between them and myself.  A lot of questions come my way.  And we’re dealing with it.  They’re doing very well considering.

    KING: Why — why did you agree to do this reality show in the first place?

    KATE:  In the very beginning, we started filming a one hour special.  It was a way to document what was happening in our lives.  At that time, there was a lot of local news stories.  There were a lot of people in the country and the world, believe it or not, pulling for us. 
   As you know, sextuplets are not born every day, so there was a lot of interest.
    We did the one hour special to show everyone — I always pictured like the little old lady that was sitting at home who was praying for us, rooting for us and needing to know what happened to those babies that were born.  And so we did it for that reason, as well as to collect the memories for ourselves.

    KING: And little did you think what would happen from that.

    KATE:  No way of knowing.

    KING: Why did you agree to do a regular reality show?
    You could have said that’s the special, here’s my life, good-bye.

    KATE: I could have.  At that point, the one hour special was a very good experience.  The network, TLC, we were on Discovery Health at that time.  Now, TLC is wonderful, supportive.  And it was a great experience for us.  So we, you know, really moved forward because of that reason.  It was healthy and safe and fun.

    KING:  Do the kids talk to you about divorce?

    KATE:  They do.  And as any child, you know, when their parents are divorcing, the goal is peace and we’ve achieved that numerous times.  The Fourth of July we spent together as a family.  And my goal is, no matter what the circumstance, no matter what place, you know, one of us is in, my goal is really peace and the best that it can be for the kids.

    KING:  Do they get counseling?

    KATE:  We have not started that process, but I feel like it is a very normal thing to do.  And absolutely, when the time is right.

    KING:  All right.  Jon is quoted in the new “Us Weekly”:  “I wish I had a 9:00 to 5:00 job instead of the nightmare I’m living.  This is 24/7.  I don’t even want to do taping the show anymore.”
    What’s your reaction to that?

    KATE:  Jon’s opinions and his goals are his.  I know that, personally, for myself and the kids, this has been a good experience. 
    It continues to be a good experience.  And, you know, really the network has been extremely supportive, above and beyond, I feel, what they need to be.  And I only experience good things.
    Everyone works.  Everyone has a job.  Everyone has what they’re dealing with.  And, generally speaking, this is the most flexible, workable, wonderful job for myself.  Remember, the kids are just playing in front of the cameras so.

    KING:  How long have you been doing it now?

    KATE:  We are in season five.  We started filming in August of 2005.

    KING:  Why is it such a good thing to have a private life public?

    KATE:  It’s — it has been a source of huge — for whatever reason — inspiration for a lot of people.  Many, many people — many parents feel that their decisions are maybe not great decisions — every parent has that, you know, parent guilt of my goal is to produce wonderful, productive individuals and put them out into society.  That is the goal of a parent…

    KING:  Right.  Of course.

    KATE:  …for us to show the world that we are not perfect, life is unpredictable, but life always goes on and there’s always, always, always something to look forward to.  And for me, that is raising my children to the best of my ability.

    KING:  But as an intelligent person, you also know to all good things, there are down sides.

    KATE:  Absolutely.  With every positive, there is a negative across the board in life.  It’s about choosing to see the positive and working with the negative.

    KING:  So what happens now?
    Are you and the kids going to do the show and Jon is out?

    KATE:  I don’t — I’m not the person to make that decision.  I know that myself and the kids will continue the show.

    KING:  But if Jon says I don’t want to do it anymore, I don’t want to be part of it, I’m divorced, I don’t need this, will the network say it’s you and the kids?
    I mean when…

    KATE:  That would be a question for the network.

    KING:  Will the name of the show change?

    KATE: That would be a question for the network.

    KING:  And if they said forget it, that would be OK with you?
    And if they said we’ll continue, that’s OK with you?

    KATE:  That will be their decision.

    KING:  So why are you letting the network run you?

    KATE:  I’m not letting the network run me.  It’s — it’s a thing where we signed up for this.
    And do I have my opinions?
    Absolutely.
    Do I need to discuss them?
    Probably not.  I know that I am going to — I signed my name to a contract and I am going to do my best to make that work, as long as it is healthy and safe for myself and the kids.

    KING:  You’ve become famous worldwide over this.
    What’s the downside of that?

    KATE:  You know, I could really live without the — the following.

    KING:  Attention?

    KATE: Yes.  I could live my whole life — I would have to say that is absolutely the negative.  I realize it comes with it.  I know that it goes along with it.  I — I’m smart enough to figure out that, you know, there’s interest.  It’s going to be interest across the board.  It’s another learning lesson.

    KING:  Do paparazzi follow you around?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  You land at an airport, they’re there?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  You and Jon renewed your marriage vows a year ago this month in Hawaii.
    What happened?
    How do you go from renewing vows to filing for divorce in a year?

    KATE:  It is a question I ask myself every day.  I don’t have the answer.

    KING:  What happened?

    KATE:  I — I don’t — I don’t know.  I — I…

    KING:  But he did — he made this decision?

    KATE:  You know, it’s just an issue that we discussed amongst ourselves.  I don’t feel like that is something that we need to discuss the details of…

    KING:  Yes, but when you get so famous, you and him and the kids, and then you leave out those details, don’t you disappoint the audience that’s come to expect more?

    KATE:  My main concern is my kids.  And I don’t want them to see or hear anything on TV that I didn’t discuss with them.  And — and we discussed what they need to know at their developmental age groups. 
    But I don’t feel like I need to go any further than that at this time.

    KING:  Kate — that’s fine.
    Kate said she had no choice but to file for divorce.
    What was Jon doing that forced her hand?
    We’ll ask after the break.

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, COURTESY TLC)

    JON GOSSELIN:  Kate and I have decided to separate.

    K. GOSSELIN:  Yes.  We have decided that we will separate.

    J. GOSSELIN:  I try to contemplate and think about it and would it be better for us.  It’s just not good for our kids for us to be arguing in front of our kids.  And it just — we can’t be cordial with one another and we decided to separate.

    K. GOSSELIN:  I’m not very fond of the idea, personally, but I know it’s necessary.

    (END VIDEO CLIP)

    KING:  What were your feelings right then?

    KATE:  That was very hard to say.  It was the first time, I think, having a reality show and knowing that something so huge and life-changing had taken place.  And we did need to talk about it. 
    Choosing the correct words and hearing myself say it, it was very hard.

    KING:  There’s been different reports about who initiated it.
    Can you tell us that?
    Who — who said let’s separate?

    KATE:  It’s all in that vault.

    KING:  Mixed?

    KATE:  Yes, it’s all in that thing where, you know, it just kind of shook out the way it did.  And…

    KING:  Do you take any responsibility?

    KATE:  Everyone who is in a divorce or has been is responsible to a degree.

    KING:  When you filed, though, you issued a statement — and this was public, because the public is interested in you — saying that Jon’s activities had left you no choice but to do so.
    What were you talking about?

    KATE:  I am not at liberty to discuss that because, for the sake of my children, I only speak positive.

    KING:  But the implication is obvious, isn’t it, Kate?

    KATE:  There were — there were some details there that I’m
    — I can’t share, but that did lead me to do that, yes.

    KING:  Police came to your home?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  That’s always sad with kids around — called by you after an argument.  He says you tried to come home when it was his time with the kids and he wouldn’t let you in, accusing you of crying it up with the cops.
    Can you tell us what happened, because that’s what he said?

    KATE:  Well, number one, the tabloid and the whole media mess always makes it worse than it is.  Remember that.  It actually was not this huge fight.  It was just a thing where I wanted to be there with the kids
and — as opposed to a babysitter.  And he wasn’t fond of that idea.
    And I just had a very rough day.  I have good days and bad days. 
    This day was a rough day.  I just wanted to be with the kids if he wasn’t going to be with them.  And I did.  I did it was not a 911 call. 
    It was the local routine police phone call.

    KING:  There was no violence?

    KATE:  No.  No.  Just to meet me there just in case things, you know, got ugly.  I didn’t want them to get ugly in front of the kids.  And the kids were not even around.  And I left peaceably, knowing that — it’s true, it was his day to be there and…

    KING:  How does it work now?
    You and Jon switch off going to the same house?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  Jon doesn’t take them to his, where he’s living?

    KATE:  No.

    KING:  He comes to where you’re living?
    How did that happen?

    KATE:  Because…

    KING:  I mean usually the — the person who has visitation takes the kids.

    KATE:  Correct.  First of all, we have eight kids and, realistically, to pass them off and move them back and forth is not possible.  Second of all, to have two houses that could hold eight kids was financially not possible.  We bought that house for the kids.  It is the kids’ house.  And it is the most stable, normal thing for them to remain there.  And I do live there with them.  And he does when he has the kids.

    KING:  And you go where?

    KATE:  Elsewhere.

    KING:  I mean for days?

    KATE:  I do.  I have to.  That’s the hardest part of all of this.

    KING:  To leave?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  And how does — is the visitation very well handled, I mean the time allotted?

    KATE:  We did it very peaceably amongst ourselves.

    KING:  You made your own agreement?
    It wasn’t a court?

    KATE:  No.  We did our own custody.

    KING:  A judge didn’t say he will have three days…

    KATE:  No.

    KING:  …you will have?

    KATE:  No.

    KING:  Is there a parenting schedule, too?
    I mean do you — do you have all of this so worked out with eight, isn’t it hard?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  Aren’t there days when two of the six say, no, I don’t want to — I don’t want to — I want to be with you today?

    KATE:  Whenever either one of us is away, they miss the opposite parent, which is normal.  And it is what it is.  They are always there.  It’s just us that switch off.  So it is a very — of all things, it is a very peaceful thing, custody.

    KING:  How are you so calm and so well within yourself when so much of this is known to people?

    KATE:  It has increased over four years.  It was, you know, a few people knew who we were to the progression of this.  I have learned a lot.  My true nature is to freak out about everything — everything’s a big drama, everything’s, you know, the end of the world.
    And I can honestly say that there is so much on my plate right now that I absolutely cannot react that way to every little thing that comes by — or big thing.

    KING:  So you’ve forced yourself to hold back what is your natural instinct?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  That’s hard, isn’t it?

    KATE:  It is very hard.  And I have my hard days.  And I have days where, you know, I don’t always say the right thing or do the right thing or phrase things the way that I should.  But generally speaking, my rule of thumb is I want to be positive, I want to look forward and I want the kids to look back on all that they’re going to see of me and know that I did my best.

    KING:  We reached out to Jon Gosselin.  He declined to provide a statement at this time.  He has a standing invitation to appear on this show.
    And we’ll be back in 60 seconds.

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

    KING:  We’re back with Kate Gosselin from “Jon & Kate Plus 8″.
    Kate’s moving on — or trying to — during a difficult period.
    Here’s a look at her new life raising all of those children alone.
    Watch.

    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

    J. GOSSELIN:  This was my first official turn with the kids.  It didn’t feel very much different.  It just felt more like the future.

    UNIDENTIFIED CHILD:  This is my daddy.

    K. GOSSELIN:  They wanted to camp.  And I mean, I agreed.  I’m a good sport, you know.  I’m trying to be, anyway.
    I am now going to set up a tent.  Da-da-da!

    UNIDENTIFIED CHILD:  Daddy knows how to camp.

    K. GOSSELIN:  Yes…

    UNIDENTIFIED CHILD:  And daddy knows a…

    K. GOSSELIN:  And mommy has to learn.

    UNIDENTIFIED CHILD:  Daddy knows it (INAUDIBLE).

    K. GOSSELIN:  Perfect.

    UNIDENTIFIED CHILD:  And daddy knows everything about this.

    K. GOSSELIN:  Wow!  Well, he’s not here.
    At this rate, we’ll have s’mores next week sometime.  Please work. 
    Please work.  Please work.

    (END VIDEO CLIP)

    KING:  Who’s with the kids now?

    KATE:  Jon.

    KING:  Do you think he’s watching?

    KATE:  I have no idea.  He’s probably putting the kids to bed, actually.

    KING:  Yes, it would be bedtime…

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  …for them.
    Is he a good father?

    KATE:  He is.

    KING:  Why the pause?

    KATE:  His decisions right now are not ones that I would necessarily make.
    But down deep in his heart, I know that he is.

    KING:  You share the same faith?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  So they will be raised in that same culture?

    KATE:  Absolutely.

    KING:  Do you agree on how school should be handled?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  Those are two key things.

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  So that — that’s a plus.

    KATE:  There’s a lot we agree on.

    KING:  What do you disagree on?

    KATE:  I — I just think it’s more the — the current things.

    KING:  You mean day to day things?

    KATE:  Not so much the day to day.  I think that I’m looking more toward the future and the decisions of today that affect tomorrow, more so than he is.

    KING:  Does Kate still think of herself as a married woman?
    That’s next.

    (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, COURTESY TLC)

    K. GOSSELIN:  The city meets the wild, wild West.

    UNIDENTIFIED CHILD:  It looks like a mountain rock.  Ooh.

    K. GOSSELIN:  I’m the king of the world.

    UNIDENTIFIED CHILD:  Do another one.

    UNIDENTIFIED CHILD:  Eat me.  Eat me.

    K. GOSSELIN:  It’s hot, though.  Let it cool.

    (END VIDEO CLIP)

    KING:  That was a preview of the next episode of “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” To see more, go to our blog at CNN.com/larryking.  And, of course, you can see the entire show on TLC next week.
    Do you have a say in what goes on?

    KATE:  As far as which order?

    KING:  You know, what — do they decide what goes on or do you say I don’t want that to run?

    KATE:  As far as editing?

    KING:  Yes.

    KATE:  No, they basically have the editing rights.  I can, you know, submit my suggestions whenever.  And they’re very good about listening to that.  But no, I’m not an editor.

    KING:  Have you ever violently — not violently.
    Have you ever really strongly disagreed with something they ran?

    KATE:  No.

    KING:  Do you feel married?

    KATE:  I am not yet divorced officially.

    KING:  How do you feel, though?

    KATE:  I don’t know.  I’m kind of…

    KING:  Would you date?

    KATE:  No.  Too busy.  Sorry.

    KING:  Do you think — all right, let’s go on.
    Do you think — you’re very attractive, young, do you think you’ll have a problem having eight kids to the prospective suitor?

    KATE:  I’m not worried about it.

    KING:  Don’t think about it?

    KATE:  No.

    KING:  Don’t you want companionship?

    KATE:  I’m lonely, but I’m — I’m very busy and, actually, I’m all right.

    KING:  On the show back in June, Jon talked about why he thought the marriage broke down.

    Take a look.

    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

    J. GOSSELIN:  I was too passive.  And I just let her rule the roost and do whatever she wanted to do and went along with everything.  And now I finally stood up on my own two feet and I’m proud of myself.

    (END VIDEO CLIP)

    KING:  Want to comment on that?

    KATE:  I don’t typically comment on our show.  You know, that’s his opinion.  Everybody has one and…

    KING:  Do you understand it?

    KATE:  I do.  I do, to a degree that, you know, everybody has a part in a marriage breaking down.

    KING:  Do you want this show to go on and on and on?

    KATE:  Currently, I am happy doing the show, as are the kids.  And as long as it goes on, it does.

    KING:  How long is it contracted for?

    KATE:  We do — we’re doing season five right now.

    KING:  Is there a season six contracted for?

    KATE:  Possibly.

    KING:  You mean you don’t know if there’s a season six?

    KATE:  There could be or there could not be.  I — I hesitate to say that there will be anything because we take each season as we go and reevaluate — is it fine, healthy, acceptable and wonderful.

    KING:  Nothing’s in stone then?

    KATE:  Correct.

    KING:  So are you saying if it went on that would be fine, if it didn’t, life goes on?

    KATE:  Correct.

    KING:  OK.
    When it ends, as all things do, what do you want to do?

    KATE:  I can’t say.  I’ve got big dreams.

    KING:  What — what would be — would have been your profession had this show not occurred, other than being mother?

    KATE:  I would currently still be a nurse — a working nurse.

    KING:  You miss that?

    KATE:  The aspect that I miss of nursing is the interaction with my patients.  That part, yes, I do miss.

    KING:  So would you go back to it?

    KATE:  If I had to, absolutely.  I would go back to anything I needed to provide for my children.

    KING:  Does it hold you in good stead as a parent, your nursing background?

    KATE:  Absolutely.  That’s probably the best benefit of it all.  Yes.

    KING:  Especially if medical problems develop, right?

    KATE:  Yes.  Absolutely.

    KING:  Are you concerned about Jon?
    Would it bug you if he dated?
    Suppose he brought a — a date over to the house when he has the children.

    KATE:  These are all things that everybody who has been or will be or is in the middle of a divorce…

    KING:  Thinks about.

    KATE:  …goes through.  And it’s just — it’s that, you know me, I have to have control.  It’s just a control issue.

    KING:  You are a control freak?

    KATE:  I’ve been known to be one, yes.

    KING:  All right.  Control — people who are control freaks put pressure on themselves, don’t they?
    I mean they worry about things that don’t even involve them, right
    — why is he doing that over there?
    Why can’t I stop him from going there, right?

    (LAUGHTER)

    KING:  Doesn’t it drive you a little nuts to be a — wouldn’t you rather not be a control freak?

    KATE:  There are very good aspects of being a control freak. 
    I’m very driven.  I don’t — I don’t stop.  Nothing less than the best. 
    Keep moving.  Keep moving.  And I think that’s a great aspect.  I enjoy that part of my personality.  I persevere.  I will not lay down and die.
    However, those issues you just mentioned, yes, I’ve had to relax about.  And, actually, over this last year or — or, actually, truly, since my six were born, life has been pretty out of control.

    KING:  Do you think having this show affected the marriage?

    KATE:  No.  No.

    KING:  Nothing would — it would have been the same…

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  …had they never been on television?

    KATE:  Correct.

    KING:  Had we never known you?

    KATE:  Correct.  Firmly.

    KING:  How do the older children deal with it?

    KATE:  The process?

    KING:  Yes.

    KATE:  They’re doing very well.  It’s — it’s a lot of…

    KING:  They’re how old?

    KATE:  Eight, almost nine.  Obviously, again, this is not an ideal situation.  Nobody goes into a marriage or has kids, you know, planning a divorce.  It’s not what I consider success, really.  I’m not a quitter, so this is difficult to me, because this feels like something that, you know, possibly was not in my plans.
    But they’re doing very well considering.  They’re great kids.

    KING:  Do you have help?

    KATE:  We do.  We do.

    KING:  You need that?

    KATE:  Yes.

    KING:  No one could — this would be inhuman to do eight kids, right?

    KATE:  I — I did it for a long time.  For the last year, we’ve had very steady help.  And it’s necessary — whatever the kids need.  And that is necessary to have — I mean my goodness, six 5-year-olds could dismantle your house in an hour if you didn’t know where they all were.

    (LAUGHTER)

    KING:  I would say.
    Thanks, Kate.

    KATE:  Thank you very much, Larry.

    KING:  Good luck.
    You’re back next week, right?

    KATE:  Oh, I am?

    KING:  Well, no.  Not you’re back here.  You’re on the air next — if you want to come back, come back.  You want to host this show, take over.  But I mean…

    KATE:  I’ll do it.

    KING:  I mean the show is on, actually.

    KATE:  Yes.  We are.

    KING:  Thanks, dear.

    KATE:  Thank you.

# # #

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