Top 55 TV Programs for Aug. 16-22, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which
includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Aug. 16:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, AUG. 16
◊“2 Months, $2 Million” (8 p.m. on G4): This new series follows four young online poker pros, who move to Las Vegas for the summer with the goal of collectively earning $2 million in two months. While Brian, Emil, Jay and Dani seem to eat, sleep and drink poker, they also take time out to explore the Vegas scene.
◊“Cracking the Ocean Code” (8 p.m. on Planet Green): Join genome pioneer J. Craig Venter on a globe-circling ocean voyage, seeking new life forms and genetic secrets that could help solve the planet’s most urgent energy and climate challenges.
◊“Defying Gravity” (9 p.m. on ABC): The crew of the Antares face their first major crisis when the ship inexplicably begins to shut down all of its operating systems, causing the sudden failure of power, heat and gravity controls and plunging everyone aboard into chaos during the desperate search for a solution.
◊“Entourage” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Eric considers the management-company offer while trying to patch things up with Ashley following a Freudian slip.
◊“Hudson Plane Crash — What Really Happened” (8 p.m. on TLC): New footage and exclusive interviews wuth crew, survivors and rescuers tell the story of Flight 1549 that lost both engines over New York City and landed without a single death.
◊“Kourtney and Kloe Take Miami” (9 p.m. on E!): This new series follows sisters Kourtney and Kloe Kardashian as they leave Los Angeles and move to South Beach to launch a second DASH boutique.
◊“Mad Men” (9 p.m. on AMC): Change is in the air at Sterling Cooper, the ad agency at the center of this drama series beginning its third season. At the end of last season, the agency had new owners from across the pond, and Don (Jon Hamm) had just found out he and Betty (January Jones) had a baby on the way. A marathon of Season 2′s 13 episodes begins at 6 a.m., leading up to the Season 3 premiere that will be presented with limited commercial breaks.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the Inspector Lewis mystery “Old School Ties,” Lewis and Hathaway (Kevin Whately, Laurence Fox) are assigned to protect a former computer criminal (Owen Teale), now a successful author, when he comes to speak at Oxford. It’s a dull job until a student turns up strangled and the author is shot.
◊“One Tree Hill” (7 a.m. on SoapNet): Go back to school with the network’s five-hour marathon of the show’s school-themed episodes.
◊“Merlin” (7 p.m. on NBC): When Arthur kills a unicorn, a curse descends on Camelot, threatening the destruction of the mythical city.
◊“My Antonio” (9 p.m. on VH1): This new series follows “General Hospital” star Antonio Sabato Jr. on his search for true love. Thirteen women will be competing for his affection, and Sabato’s ex-wife even shows up and asks him to take her back.
◊“The Pink Panther” (7 p.m. on BBC America): The network is devoting the next three Sundays to celebrating Peter Sellers’ work as Inspector Clouseau, beginning with the 1964 comedy written and directed by Tulsa native Blake Edwards.
◊“Reality Hell” (9:45 p.m. on E!): The subjects of this hidden-camera hybrid show think they are contestants on a real reality show. They gear up for their 15 minutes of fame, only to have it turn into a time of infamy.
◊“Shark Tank” (8 p.m. on ABC): The sharks consider biting into a gourmet food business, and the bidding for a life-saving idea reached $1 million.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Elvis Presley is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing on the 32nd anniversaey of his death are 1957′s “Jailhouse Rock” (noon), 1967′s “Clambake” (5:15 p.m.) and 1958s’s “King Creole” (9 p.m.).
◊“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (7 p.m. on ABC): Host Regis Philbin, back for a special 10th anniversary run of the game show, receives a visit from John Carpenter of Hamden, Conn. He was the show’s first $1 million winner who used “Phone a Friend” on his last question to call his dad that he knew the answer and was about to win.
MONDAY, AUG. 17
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): A murder case involving extreme plastic surgery leads Horatio to Ron Saris, who is alive and seeking revenge on Julia. Elizabeth Berkley (“The L Word”) and Brooke Burns (“Miss Guided”) guest star.
◊“Cake Boss” (9 p.m. on TLC): In the Season 1 finale, a family-owned business asks Buddy and Carlo’s team to honor their patriarch by creating a special cake featuring their company’s product — fireworks.
◊“Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi” (8 p.m. on HBO): Ajmal Naqshbandi was a young Afghan hired as a translator by foreign journalists covering events in his homeland. In 2007, he was hired by an Italian journalist to secure an interview with a top Taliban commander, but it turned out to be his final job, ending in a highly publicized kidnapping and murder.
◊“Flipping Out” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Obsessive-compulsive house-flipper Jeff Lewis returns for a third season of his docu-series. The economy has taken its toll on his business, and Jeff hires some fresh new faces in hopes of turning things around.
◊“Glenn Martin, DDS” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new stop-motion animated comedy follows the offbeat adventures of dentist Glenn Martin and his family, who trade in the suburbs for a life on the road in an RV, which doubles as Glenn’s dentist office. The voice cast includes Kevin Nealon (“Weeds”), Catherine O’Hara (“For Your Consideration”) and Judy Greer (“Arrested Development”).
◊“Great American Road Trip” (7 p.m. on NBC): The competition intensifies among the remaining three families as they cross into California and fight to secure a spot in the final two.
◊“History Detectives” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Items investigated include a dagger that may have belonged to dictator Benito Mussolini, letters from a man who may have been part of the post-slavery exodus to Liberia and a device that could have had something to do with nuclear attack preparedness.
◊“Hoarders” (9 p.m. on A&E): This new series delves into the lives of people who fill their homes with stuff and can’t throw anything out. The premiere introduces Jennifer and Ron, whose house is so cluttered they’re afraid their children will be taken away.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): When Barney and Abby realize that they have one thing in common — their mutual hatred of Ted — the “couple” decides to go to the bar to flaunt their new relationship in Ted’s face. Britney Spears (“Crossroads”) guest stars.
◊“Lloyd Boston’s Style at Any Age” (8 p.m. on FLN): Lloyd Boston (“Closet Cases” host) helps three women — a single girl in her 20s, a stay-at-home mother in her 30s and a career woman in her 40s — find their unique style self. Boston will address elements of fashion, as well as the tools each woman will need to help them go after their goals and achieve the lifestyle that they want.
◊“Objects and Memory” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Frank Langella (“Kitchen Confidential”) narrates this special that examines the response to items recovered or offered after 9/11 and other national tragedies.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Tulsa-born actress Jennifer Jones is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1964’s “Ruby Gentry” (9 a.m.), 1952′s “Carrie” (8:30 p.m.) and 1955′s “Good Morning, Miss Dove” (12:30 a.m.).
◊“Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This British series enters its seventh season of taking extraordinary and ordinary cars to the limit and beyond to find out if they’re as good as their manufacturers claim. Celebrity guests, industry experts, racing drivers and car nuts join hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Jason May and Richard Hammond to give new cars a thorough examination.
◊“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (7 p.m. on ABC): Host Regis Philbin, back for a special 10th anniversary run of the game show, receives a visit from Brian Fodera of Los Angeles. He was the show’s second contestant to get the first question wrong.
TUESDAY, AUG. 18
◊“Masters of Reception” (9 p.m. on TLC): In the series premiere, reception masters Robert and Jerry Frungillo have their work cut out for them with two big wedding extravaganzas in one weekend.
◊“Miami Social” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the Season 1 finale, George’s mom is coming to town for a visit and he is nervous about her meeing Lina, who infurieates George by not showing up for dinner with his mother and friends.
◊“Nova scienceNOW” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Host Neil deGrasse Tyson looks into personal genetic profiling. He also visits an algae farm in Texas where researchers are working on ways to harvest fuel from the organisms. Another segment goes beneath the Arctic Ocean in search of clues to whether one of Jupiter’s moons could sustain life.
◊“Shaq Vs.” (8 p.m. on ABC): In this new competition series, NBA standout Shaquille O’Neal will take his athletic prowess beyond the basketball court and strive to become a champion in a new sporting event each week. In the premiere episode, Shaq takes on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in a football challenge. In upcoming episodes, Shaq will challenge Olympian Michael Phelps in swimming, Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in tennis, fighter Oscar de la Hoya in boxing, St. Louis Cardinals player Albert Pujols in baseball and Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor in beach volleyball.
◊“Secret Lives of Women” (9 p.m. on WEtv): This series continues its fearless portrait of women facing out-of-the-ordinary situations. Season 5 opens with “Mothers of Murderers,” in which women whose children have killed try to come to terms with the pain, regret and forgiveness it takes to carry on with their lives. Other topics this season include extreme diets, cults, nast divorces and mail order brides.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: John Wayne is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1960’s “The Alamo” (11 a.m.), 1965′s “The Sons of Katie Elder” (7 p.m.) and 1969′s “True Grit” (9:15 p.m.).
◊“Time Team America” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The archaeologists have three days to map, dig and uncover what remains of Fort James, S.D. In 1865, a unit of cavalry soldiers were sent there to defend pioneer settlers against Sioux Indians.
◊“The Universe” (8 p.m. on History): With ground-breaking new discoveries and even more stunning high-definition computer animations, it’s a wondrous yet deadly adventure through space and time in Season 4. Topics this season include the lethal surprises of our ringed planets, quasars that burn with the intensity of a trillion suns and a countdown of the biggest blasts to ever rock the cosmos.
◊“Warehouse 13″ (8 p.m. on Syfy): Pete and Myka rejoin their Secret Service detail in Washington to intercept a samurai sword that’s about to be given as a gift to the president. CCH Pounder (“The Shield”) guest stars.
◊“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (7 p.m. on ABC): Host Regis Philbin, back for a special 10th anniversary run of the game show, receives a visit from Doug Van Gundy of Elkins, W.V. He won $250,000 in 1999, which at the time was the largest amount of money won in a single network game show appearance.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19
◊“Black Gold” (9 p.m. on truTV): In Season 1, competing oil crews put everything they could into erecting their rigs and successfully drilling crude before the other crews could get to it. This season will focus on the roughnecks of Rig 28, who have a seemingly impossible job. Assembled by oilman Autry Stephens, they have only 50 days to try to save the lease on a very valuable piece of land before it expires.
◊“Bobb’e Says” (7 p.m. on Cartoon Network): In this new series, Bobb’e J. Thompson (“30 Rock”) hits the streets, malls and beaches to dispense invaluable advice to the masses by telling them what not to do. He uses his charm, wit and personality, along with video clips of other people’s mistakes, to illustrate his hysterical words of wisdom.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): While investigating the kidnapping of a young boy in Las Vegas, Dr. Reid begins to have dreams that may help reveal some buried memories from his childhood. Jane Lynch (“Two and a Half Men”) guest stars as Dr. Reid’s mother, Diana Reid.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): When a man falls 52 stories to his death and his body goes missing after it hits the ground, the CSIs must treat this strange development as a missing persons case. Thad Luckinbill (“The Young and the Restless”) and Craig T. Nelson (“Coach”) guest stars.
◊“Dude, What Would Happen” (7:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network): Armed with an insatiable thirst for answers and an unlimited access to anything and everything, hosts CJ, Ali and Jackson conduct extreme experiments that lead to some very outrageous results in this new series. The trio of friends have no labs and no limits to what they’ll think of next.
◊“Fastest Growing Companies of 2009″ (8 p.m. on CNBC): Each September, Fortune Magazine publishes its fastest growing companies and six stocks to buy now list. CNBC Managing Editor Tyler Mathisen and Fortune Magazine Managing Editor Andy Serwer co-host this special that profiles five companies that made it onto the list, including the company that owns the No. 1 spot. The companies are ranked on revenue, earnings growth, and their stock returns over the past three years.
◊“Ghost Hunters” (8 p.m. on Syfy): The series chronicling the exploits of Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, plumbers by day and amateur paranormal investigators by night, resumes its fifth season. In this episode, they’re on the trail of an “Inhuman Entity.”
◊“Gordon Ramsay’s F Word” (8 p.m. on BBC America): Actress Jessica Hynes (“Doctor Who”) challenges chef Gordon Ramsay with her macaroni and cheese. And in the restaurant, the diners enjoy a three-course meal cooked by actor Christopher Biggins (“Revelations”) and family.
◊“In a Dream” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This documentary follows artist Isaiah Zagar and his muse and gallerist wife Julia who are fixtures in the South Philadelphia art scene. It was directed by their youngest son, Jeremiah, and offers a portrait of love and betrayal and the strength of family bonds.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Red Skelton is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1950’s “Watch the Birdie” (2:45 p.m.), 1941′s “Whistling in the Dark” (7 p.m.) and 1944′s “Bathing Beauty” (11:45 p.m.).
◊“Time Team Special Edition” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This special two-hour presentation from the United Kingdom’s archaeolgy series “Time Team” takes viewers on an expedition to Jamestown, Va. The trip yields some fascinating finds that offer insight into the settlers and their fates.
◊“Top Chef: Las Vegas” (8 p.m. on Bravo): Season 6 features two brothers among the 17 chef-testants. Cookbook author, actress and host Padma Lakshmi returns to preside over the judge’s table alongside judges Tom Colicchio, chef/owner of Craft Restaurants; Gail Simmons, Food & Wine magazine; and Toby Young, food critic. Also appearing in the premiere episode is chef Wolfgang Puck.
◊“Top Chef Masters” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the first-season finale, three accomplished chefs stand to face their final challenge — the creation of a four-course meal, with each course inspired by a memoray from their past.
◊“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (7 p.m. on ABC): Host Regis Philbin, back for a special 10th anniversary run of the game show, receives a visit from Dan Doody of Seattle. He was nicknamed “Doo dy” by Regis and won $1,000.
THURSDAY, AUG. 20
◊“Blog Cabin” (8 p.m. on DIY): Licensed contractor and home improvement expert Amy Matthews will host Season 3 of the interactive building series. Kevin “O’Connor (“This Old House”) will help create the mountainside vacation home, along with numerous DIY experts including Jason Cameron (“Man Caves”), Jimmy DiResta (“Against the Grain”). Once completed, the cabin will be given away to a lucky sweepstakes winner.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Hodges and Wendy run into each other at a science fiction convention for one of their favorite classic television shows, they end up investigating the murder of one of their beloved actors. Kate Vernon (“Battlestar Galactica”) guest stars as Dr. Penelope Russell.
◊“Models of the Runway” (10 p.m. on Lifetime): This new companion series to “Project Runway” will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the reality competition – from the models’ perspective. Viewers can experience the drama, anxiety, joys, tears and frustrations as the models themselves face elimination each week and compete for a cash prize and photo spread in Marie Claire magazine.
◊“Most Popular” (9 p.m. on WEtv): This game show in which one woman braves a hailstorm of judgement and goes home with up to $10,000 just for being herself, ends its first-season run.
◊“Project Runway” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): Heidi Klum returns as host for Season 6. Also returning are mentor Tim Gunn (Liz Claiborne Chief Creative Officer) and judges Michael Kors (fashion designer) and Nina Garcia (Fashion Director of Marie Claire Magazine), who will guide 16 new contestants as they show off their design skills to see who makes the cut for New York’s Fashion Week.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Miriam Hopkins is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1949’s “The Heiress” (5 p.m.), 1932′s “Trouble in Paradise” (8:45 p.m.) and 1935′s “Barbary Coast” (midnight).
◊“Wicked Attraction” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This new installment focuses on Alicia Woodward and John Esposito, a young couple that traveled across the country and committed robberies in Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas and Alabama.
FRIDAY, AUG. 21
◊“Deadly Women” (8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): Back for a third season, this series investigates the motives of female murderers and takes viewers on a journey into the world of women who kill for thrills.
◊“Eureka” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Eureka-fied baby gifts for Allison’s shower push the envelope of eco-friendly design and prove deadly when rival scientists are found drowned. Billy Campbell (“The 4400”) guest stars.
◊“Hard Rock Calling Festival” (8 p.m. on VH1 Classic): Hosts of “That Metal Show” take viewers back stage to the festival held June 12-14 in London. Headliners at the concert in Hyde Park include Bruce Springsteen and the E! Street Band, Neil Young, Dave Matthews Band and Ben Harper.
◊“Invitation Only: Reba McEntire” (8 p.m. on CMT): Country music star Reba McEntire, who was born in McAlester, performs before a small audience in Nashville, Tenn. She also takes questions from fans and delivers revealing and candid answers.
◊“Jockeys” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): As Season 2 starts, the jockeys are inching closer to their dream of riding in the Kentucky Derby. Crey Nakatani, who suffered an injury and was out for two months, is ready to fight his way back to the top.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA Network): Monk assumes the identity of a dead hit man in an effort to foil an assassination plot. Guest stars include Reed Diamond (“Dollhouse”), Tim Bagley (“Will & Grace”) and Eric Balfour (“Six Feet Under”).
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When the FBI is called in to investigate a series of home invasions, the team uses Charlie and his math skills to help profile the suspects, but when his calculations go awry during a raid, Don suffers a life-threatening injury. Michael Gaston (“Fringe”) guest stars.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Gene Hackman is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1961’s “Mad Dog Coll” (5 a.m.), 1964′s “Lilith” (5 p.m.) and 1988′s “Mississippi Burning” (11 p.m.).
SATURDAY, AUG. 22
◊“Acceptance” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Joan Cusack (“Working Girl”) and Mae Whitman (“Arrested Development”) star in the new comedy about the pressures of today’s col;ege admissions process. It is based on the critically acclaimed book “Acceptance: A Novel” by Susan Coll.
◊“Ask Aida” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): In the season premiere, host Alsa Mollenkamp perfects three different types of burgers — a bacon cheeseburger topped with chilo mayo, a canjun veggie burger and cheesey sliders — to satisfy all cravings.
◊“Can You Teach My Alligator Manners?” (5:25 a.m. on Disney): Season 2 of this short-form animated series has Mikey helping his pet alligator, Al, learn about using proper manners in a number of new situations, including at family meals, at the supermarket and on an airplane trip.
◊“Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): This installment focuses on Oklahoma connections in cartoons and comic strips, including the fact that Donald Duck is from Watonga, an Enid man created Dick Tracy and Yogi Bear camps in Eufaula.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Sterling Hayden is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1955’s “Battle Taxi” (5 a.m.), 1949′s “Manhandled” (9 p.m.) and 1952′s “The Golden Hawk” (12:30 a.m.).
◊“Without a Trace” (7 p.m. on CBS): Series star Eric Close (Martin Fitzgerald) directed this episode in which Jack grudgingly agrees to search for Hannah’s boyfriend who disappears after he runs away from Chicago to be with her in New York. Adam Kaufman (boyfriend of series star Poppy Montgomery) reprises his role as Brian Donovan, the father of Samantha’s son, Finn.
–Penny TV
TV Premieres and Finales airing Aug. 2-8, 2009
Tony Shalhoub as "Monk" (USA Network Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of Aug. 2.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“Megan Wants a Millionaire,” 8 p.m. Sunday on VH1 (series premiere).
••“Defying Gravity,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC (series premiere).
••“The Dan Patrick Show,” 8 a.m. Monday on DirecTV’s 101 Network (series premiere).
••“Ultimate Cake Off,” 9 p.m. Monday on TLC (series sneak peek).
••“Real Chance of Love 2: Back in the Saddle,” 8 p.m. Monday on VH1 (second-season premiere).
••“Forensics: You Decide,” 9 p.m. Monday on Investigation Discovery (series premiere).
••“Rock Solid,” 9 p.m. Monday on DIY (fifth-season premiere).
••“Indoors Out,” 9:30 p.m. Monday on DIY (third-season premiere).
••“Big Ideas for a Small Planet,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on Sundance (third-season premiere).
••“Addicted to Beauty,” 10 p.m. Tuesday on Oxygen (series premiere).
••“Giuliana & Bill,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on Style Network (series premiere).
••“House Crashers,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on DIY (series premiere).
••“How’d You Get So Rich?” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TV Land (series premiere).
••“Make My Day,” 9:30 p.m. Wednesday on TV Land (series premiere).
••“Police Women of Broward County,” 8 p.m. Thursday on TLC (series premiere).
••“Skins,” 8 p.m. Thursday on BBC America (second-season premiere).
••“The Suite Life on Deck,” 7:30 p.m. Friday on Disney (second-season premiere).
••“Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA (eighth-season premiere).
••“Mr. Friday,” 8 p.m. Friday on FLN (series premiere).
••“Chefs vs. City,” 9 p.m. Friday on Food Network (series premiere).
••“Psych,” 9 p.m. Friday on USA (fourth-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“The Next Food Network Star,” 8 p.m. Sunday on Food Network (fifth-season finale).
••“Gimme Sugar: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on Logo (second-season finale).
••“The Superstars,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (season finale).
••“The Little Couple,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on TLC (first-season finale).
••“Paris Hilton’s My New BFF,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on MTV (series finale).
••“So You Think You Can Dance,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox (fifth-season finale).
••“Burn Notice,” 8 p.m. Thursday on USA (third-season finale).
••“Surviving Suburbia,” 7 p.m. Friday on ABC (first-season finale).
••“The Goode Family,” 8:30 p.m. Friday on ABC (first-season finale).
••“Jeffery and Cole Casserole,” 10 p.m. Friday on Logo (first-season finale).
••“Can You Duet,” 8 p.m. Saturday on CMT (season finale).
••“Dirty Sexy Money,” 9 p.m. Saturday on ABC (series finale).
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Top 55 TV Programs for Aug. 2-8, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Aug. 2:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, AUG. 2
◊“Blood in the Water” (8 p.m. on Discovery): The network’s 22nd annual Shark Week opens with this two-hour re-enactment of the true events that inspired ‘‘Jaws” — a 1916 series of shark attacks along the New Jersey shore, which turned the waters near the beach into a killing ground and triggered a nationwide panic.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for a recently missing teenager while also investigating the five-month-old murder of the boy’s father, both of whom were in a witness protection program as the father prepared to testify against a mob boss. Steve Eckholdt (“The West Wing”) and Jason Gedrick (“Desperate Housewives”) guest star.
◊“Defying Gravity” (8 p.m. on ABC): This new space thriller is set in the very near future and follows eight astronauts from
five countries who undertake a mysterious six-year space mission covering eight billion miles. The series stars Ron Livingston (“Office Space”) as Antares flight engineer Maddux Donner, Laura Harris (“24”) as ship geologist Zoe Barnes, Malik Yoba (“New York Undercover”) as Antares commander Ted Shaw, Christina Cox (“Blood Ties”) as biologist Jen Crane, Florentine Lahme (“Impact”) as pilot Nadia Schilling, Paula Garces (“The Shield”) as on-board documentary producer Paula Morales, Eyal Podell (“24”) as psychiatrist and medical officer Evram Mintz and Dylan Taylor (“House Party”) as theoretical physicist Steve Wassenfelder.
◊“Entourage” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): With production on his next film delayed, Vince searches for ways to amuse himself, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“The Sopranos”) takes Turtle shopping for back-to-school clothes.
◊“The Ford HBCU Business Classic” (10:30 p.m. on TV One): Darryl Bell (“A Different World”) hosts this reality-style special that brings together some of the nation’s most talented young business minds from prestigious historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to compete for scholarship money while they hone their entrepreneurial skills in a business plan competition.
◊“Legally Blondes” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Reese Witherspoon (“Legally Blonde”) serves as producer for the third installment of the movie franchise, and she passes the blonde-baton to British twin sisters Becky and Milly Rosso (“The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”). They play Elle’s cousins Izzy and Annie Woods, who move to Californina to attend a posh prep school and end up becoming the target of the school’s wealthy “queen.”
◊“Megan Wants a Millionaire” (8 p.m. on VH1): Megan Hauserman, who had her heart broken by Bret Michaels in “Rock of Love 2 and lost out on the $1 million check on “I Love Money,” is back to find both love and money. Seventeen eligible multi-millionaires will vie for her heart in this new reality series.
◊“Merlin” (7 p.m. on NBC): A mysterious black knight arrives in Camelot to reveal deep, dark secrets from the past that King Uther would rather keep buried.
◊“Mountain Gorilla” (6:15 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This is the first of 21 IMAX films that the cable network has scheduled for Sundays in August. Today’s line-up also features “T-Rex: Back to Cretaceous” (7 p.m.), “China: The Panda Adventure” (8 p.m.) and “Mission to Mir” (9 p.m.).
◊“The Next Food Network Star” (8 p.m. on Food Network): In the Season 5 finale, Alton Brown (“Good Eats”) spends one-on-one time with the final two contenders to learn more about their culinary points of view before directing their pilots. And all the finalists return and join a live audience to find out who will be the next Food Network star.
◊“Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew Top 10 Performances of All Time” (8 p.m. on MTV): Randy Jackson (“American Idol”) will count down the best crew performances from seasons past in this hourlong clip show. Season 4 of the show premieres Aug. 9.
◊“The Storm” (8 p.m. on NBC): In the finale to this two-part TV movie, scientist Kirk Hafner (James Van Der Beek) seeks to save the world from the potential devastation to be caused by billionaire Robert Terrell’s (Treat Williams) obsession with controlling the weather. As weather conditions continue to worsen, Hafner turns to Detective Devon Williams (Marisol Nichols) to help him maneuver his way through Terrell’s deadly game.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: James Mason is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1946′s “The Wicked Lady” (7 a.m.) and 1946′s “They Were Sisters” (9 a.m.).
◊“Tony Bennett: An American Classic” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Grammy winner Tony Bennett performs duets of his greatest hits with other Grammy winners, including Barbra Streisand (“Smile”), Elton John (“Rags to Riches”) and Stevie Wonder (“For Once in My Life”). Woven throughout the special are narratives by special giests, including Billy Crystal, John Travolta and Robert DeNiro.
◊“Ty’s Great British Adventure” (7 p.m. on ABC): “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” host Ty Pennington crosses the Atlantic to help the seaside town of Portreath in southwest England bring life back to the town’s park. The once-thriving park suffered neglect and eventually became a rusty, muddy mess, and infighting and indecision amongst the town leaders and community members led to a stalled effort to get anything done.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for a man who goes missing after a late night dive and try to zero in on who could be responsible for his disappearance. Oscar winner Martin Landau (“Ed Wood”) reprises his role as Frank Malone, Jack’s father.
◊“Z Rock” (10 p.m. on IFC): While the band is having difficulty being signed to a label, John Popper (Blues Traveler lead singer) helps ZO2 with the next best things – lunch, and an audition for Paulie for the lead on Broadway’s “Rock of Ages.” Constantine Maroulis (“American Idol”) and Joan Rivers (“Celebrity Apprentice”) also guest star.
MONDAY, AUG. 3
◊“Boy Interrupted” (8 p.m. on HBO): This documentary from director Dana Perry and her husband, Hart, tells the story of how their teenage son, Evan Scott Perry, ended his lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder in 2005 by jumping from his New York bedroom window.
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): A man (Bruce Davison, “Knight Rider”) who confessed to murder while Brenda was away on her honeymoon gets details of the crime wrong during his allocution, causing Brenda to reopen the case. Cynthia Watros (“Lost”) also guest stars.
◊“The Dan Patrick Show” (8 a.m. on DirecTV’s 101 Network): Syndicated sports talk radio host Dan Patrick’s new weekday series is more than just a simulcast of the radio hours. It will include behind-the-scenes antics and video segments as Patrick interacts with his production staff to create a unique blend of situational comedy and sports commentary.
◊“Day of the Shark 2″ (9 p.m. on Discovery): See what happens when a great white breaks through a 300-pound aluminum shark cage and traps the divers inside. Another shark tackles a former Navy Seal in shallow waters off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida. And a bull shark invades a spear-fishing trip in the Bahamas.
◊“Deadly Waters” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Survivorman’s Les Stroud is back for more nail biting – shark chomping action, and this time, he’s taking on the deadliest waters around the world. His quest is simple – which water is the deadliest? Starting from historical data from the Florida Museum Of Natural History’s famed “Shark Attack Files”, Les will begin his journey to test the waters in the world’s sharkiest “hotspots”
◊“Forensics: You Decide” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This new series shows how the prosecution and defense can reach two very different conclusions on what truly happened and allows viewers to decide for themselves whom they believe. The premiere episode focuses on the 2008 case of Lawton resident Greg Maurek, who stood trial for the murder of his brother, Peter.
◊“Get Down Tonight — The Disco Explosion” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Hosted by KC and the Sunshine Band, Karen Lynn-Gorney (“Saturday Night Fever”) and Denny Terrio (“Dance Fever”), this special includes performances by artists featured on the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack.
◊“Gimme Sugar: Miami” (9 p.m. on Logo): In the Season 2 finale, Charlene tries to convince her bosses Linda and Michelle to allow Charlene manage the “Truck Stop” launch event in Miami again after previous altercations with local Miami club promoters. As her entire future with the company rests on its success, Charlene relies on her newly found friends in Miami to offer the support she needs to make her career aspirations a reality.
◊“Indoors Out” (9:30 p.m. on DIY): Cousins Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns are back for a third season of this show dedicated to expanding homes with outdoor rooms — from fully outfitted kitchens to spa showers.
◊“Invitation Only: Brad Paisley” (8 p.m. on CMT): Country music artist Brad Paisley performs his greatest hits as well as new music from his album, American Saturday Night, in this new special. He also takes part in a laid-back question and answer session and talks about his interests outside of the entertainment industry, his family and how his marriage stays strong.
◊“Real Chance of Love 2: Back in the Saddle” (8 p.m. on VH1): Bachelor brothers “Real” and “Chance” are back and still eager to find the fillies of their dreams. These former “I Love New York” contestants are single again and ready to restart the dual search for Ms. Right with a new set of challenges that promise to be both outlandish and true tests for the new contenders.
◊“Rock Solid” (9 p.m. on DIY): Cousins Derek Stearns and Dean Marsico return to host Season 5 of this show dedicated to helping viewers increase their home’s value by starting in the yard. They are stonemasons, and they demonstrate how to create sturdy stone-top tables, outdoor shows, fire pits and more.
◊“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Everyone returns from their summer vacations, and george makes a big revelation to Anne. Prior to this new episode, viewers can catch up on the show with a six-hour marathon beginning at 1 p.m.
◊“Sugarland: Live on the Inside” (7 p.m. on ABC): The Grammy-winning country music duo made up of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Brooks takes fans behind the scenes of one of its concerts in this special that airs the day before the duo’s new CD and DVD hits music stores. Filmed with 20 cameras at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., the show features previously unseen footage of Sugarland performing hits such as ‘‘Settlin’ ” and ‘‘All I Want to Do.”
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Marion Davies is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1935′s “Page Miss Glory” (5:15 p.m.) and 1933′s “Going Hollywood” (11:30 p.m.).
◊“Ultimate Cake Off” (9 p.m. on TLC): Here’s a sneak peek at the new competition series that pits three cake artists against each other as they creaye edible masterpieces in hopes of winning $10,000 and and having their cakes featured at marquee events. The series premieres Aug. 31.
TUESDAY, AUG. 4
◊“Addicted to Beauty” (10 p.m. on Oxygen): This new reality workplace dramedy follows the outrageous staff at Changes Plastic Surgery and Spa, located in Southern California. Dianne York-Goldman, socialite and marketing expert, has brought her over-the-top employees from her previous spa to help with this new venture with well-known plastic surgeon Dr. Gilbert Lee.
◊“Big Ideas for a Small Planet” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Each week, this documentary series brings a different green theme into focus through the work of forward-thinking innovators. The Season 3 premiere looks at the music industry’s ideas of a green record label, sustainable stages and green guitars. Featured innovators include singer Jackson Browne, Emmett Malloy of Brushfire Records and Neal Turley of Sustainable Waves.
◊“The Cleaner” (9 p.m. on A&E): Rebecca Gayheart (“Dead Like Me”) guest stars as a speed addicted nurse whose shares her addiction and a relationship with her surgeon. The hospital administrator reaches out to William to help the duo kick their problem before they embark on major heart surgery on a child.
◊“The Colony” (9 p.m. on Discovery): Volunteers manage to secure the basic necessities in order to survivea global catastrophe, but turning their focus to one creature comfort they really miss — a hot shower — proves to be costly as it leaves them open to a massive attack.
◊“Dolly: Live in London O2 Arena” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Grammy-winning country singer Dolly Parton performs many of her classic hits to a sell-out crowd in London. She also sings selections from her recent release “Backwoods Barbie.”
◊“Hawthorne” (8 p.m. on TNT): Christina treats a female patient who may have been abused by her boyfriend, but things might be different than they seem at first. Sarah Lancaster (“Chuck”) and Judy Reyes (“Scrubs”) guest star.
◊“Hell’s Kitchen” (7 p.m. on Fox): Stopping by for dinner service are Drew Lachey (“Dancing With the Stars”), “John O’Hurley (“Dancing With the Stars”), Tom Green (“Grind”), Melinda Clarke (“The O.C.”) and Kristy Swanson (“Early Edition”).
◊“The Little Couple” (9 p.m. on TLC): In the Season 1 finale, Jen and Bill are anxious to start a family. But they have major concerns about Jen’s safety during pregnancy, so they’ve made an appointment with a doctor who is an expert on little people pregnancies.
◊“One Life to Live” (1 p.m. on ABC): Latin music star Frankie Negron will perform a unique version of his song “Holding on to Love” in both English and Spanish during a private rooftop performance for Todd (Trevor St. John) and Tea (Florencia Lozano).
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): The bizarre murder of a drug company whistle blower becomes a potential national news story for Butch’s reporter girlfriend, Kendra Burke. Grace’s brother Leo is convinced his next door neighbor is keeping a dead body in his house. And Johnny pressures Grace to arrange a chance for him to finally meet Earl.
◊“Scrubs” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): J.D.’s fantasy comes to life as he bids Sacred Heart Hospital a final farewell. Guest starring in “My Finale” are Christa Miller (“The Drew Carey Show”), Nicole Sullivan (“Rita Rocks”), Tom Cavanagh (“Ed”), Michael Learned (“The Waltons”) and Katheryn Joosten (“Joan of Arcadia”).
◊“Sharkbite Summer” (8 p.m. on Discovery): This new special revisits the attack sites and builds an exact picture of the bloody summer of 2001 using news archive, interviews with victims, witnesses, surgeons, family members and shark experts.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: James Coburn is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1967′s “The President’s Analyst” (7 p.m.) and 1975′s “Hard Times” (9 p.m.).
◊“Warehouse 13” (8 p.m. on Syfy): When a sculpture is stolen thanks to an American Indian artifact that allowed the thief to walk through the steel walls of a vault, Pete and Myka are sent to New York City to investigate. Joe Flanigan (“Stargate: Atlantis”) and James Naughton (“The Devil Wears Prada”) guest star.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 5
◊“America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m. on NBC): Grammy winner Mariah Carey will perform her new single “Obsessed” on the first results show. “Obsessed,” written and produced by Carey, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, is the first single pick from her album “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.”
◊“Country Bluegrass Homecoming” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Country, bluegrass and classic gospel singers gather together in this musical celebration hosted by Bill Gaither. The special includes appearances by Vince Gill, George Jones and Marty Stuart.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Prentiss and Reid go undercover to investigate possible child abuse at an underground cult, they get trapped inside the compound when a federal raid goes bad. Luke Perry (“Beverly Hills, 90210″) guest stars as cult leader Benjamin Cyrus.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): When a former medical examiner is found murdered, a white powder found at the scene provides the CSIs with a major lead in tracking the killer when it is discovered that the powder is heroin made from human bodies. Pop Singer and Actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz (“Fall Out Boy”) guest star as “Bonnie and Clyde Wannabes.”
◊“Dark Blue” (9 p.m. on TNT): Ty and Dean go after a major Korean gang into everything from drugs to counterfeiting. Their target is known as President Lee, an old-school mob boss who doesn’t take lip from anyone. But their biggest problem might be more internal, as Ty and Dean butt heads over every aspect of the case, with Ty being too cautious and Dean throwing caution to the wind.
◊“Giuliana & Bill” (8 p.m. on Style Network): This new reality series looks inside the marriage of E! news anchor Giuliana Rancic and best-selling author Bill Rancic as they juggle high-profile careers and married life while traveling between homes in Los Angeles and Chicago.
◊“Great White Appetite” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Observe first hand the experiments that uncover the Great Whites unique eating habits. Cameras will travel the globe, stopping at three major Great White feeding grounds – Seal Island, South Africa; Adelaide, Australia and Guadalupe Island, Mexico to administer visual experiments in an effort to better understand the shark’s appetite.
◊“House Crashers” (9 p.m. on DIY): In this new series, host and contractor Josh Temple stalks the aisles of home improvement stores in search of daring weekend warriors willing to let him remodel a room in their home. With the help of his expert crew, Temple takes on top-to-bottom transformations, and trusting homeowners cash in the ultimate home improvement lottery.
◊“How’d You Get So Rich?” (9 p.m. on TV Land): In this new series, Joan Rivers (“Celebrity Apprentice” winner) explores the lifestyles of the rich and lucky. She takes viewers on a journey to meet the millionaires who
struck gold as she tours the most lavish and extravagant homes and introduces them to folks who made a lot of money in really interesting ways.
◊“Leverage” (8 p.m. on TNT): While trying to recover embezzled cash from a Madoff-like funds manager, the team finds themselves acting as unlikely fairy godparents to the mark’s lovable loser stepson.
◊“Make My Day” (9:30 p.m. on TV Land): This new comedic hidden-camera series provides a window into one day in the life of an unsuspecting participant. Tune in as cameras capture the action as they experience weird coincidences, extraordinary situations and surprise celebrity appearances for one whole day.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Harold Lloyd is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1928′s “Speedy” (7 p.m.) and 1933′s “Feet First” (10:30 p.m.).
◊“War Dogs of the Pacific” (9 p.m. on Military Channel): This program tells the story of the U.S. Marine war dog platoons of World War II, following the marines and their dogs through training and into combat.
THURSDAY, AUG. 6
◊“Bollywood Hero” (9 p.m. on IFC): Chris Kattan (“Saturday Night Live”) stars in this Bollywood musical-style miniseries, in which he fleas Hollywood and travels to India to star in the Bollywood film “Peculiar Dancing Boy.” The three-part, six-hour miniseries airing today through Saturday also stars Maya Rudolph (“Away We Go”), Julian Sands (“A Room with a View”), Neha Dhupia (former Miss India) and Pooja Kumar (former Miss India U.S.A).
◊“Burn Notice” (8 p.m. on USA): In the Season 3 finale, a recently widowed woman hires Michael and Fiona to get her away from a group of violent con men. Michael turns to Madeline for help, but he may ask her to go too far.
◊“Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This special is the essential collection of Celtic Woman’s most beloved and memorable songs. It showcases vocalists Lisa, Chloë, Órla, Méav, Hayley, Alex, Lynn and fiddler Máiréad, and all of the songs are intertwined using stunning scenic and landscape images of Ireland.
◊“Daniel O’Donnell: Hope and Praise” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This special, taped in November before 2,500 fans in Branson, Mo., features Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell performing multi-denominational hymns, up-tempo gospel and pop songs. He is backed by a 24-member young adult choir, a 12-member children’s choir, an orchestra and his band.
◊“Hawaii: Message in the Waves” (8 p.m. on Planet Green): This documentary features the wildlife of Hawaii’s famous surf zone and the surfers and scrientists who are fighting to protect it. Turtles, dolphins, monk seals and albatrosses all have to cope with the growing number of people using the island beaches, but now animals face a new threat from washed-up plastic.
◊“Police Women of Broward County” (8 p.m. on TLC): This new reality series follows the four tough-talking police women of Broward County in Florida as they battle crime. In the premiere episode, Andrea tackles a drug dealer twice her size, Ana outsmarts a stripper hiding drugs, Julie goes undercover as a prostitute and Shelunda investigates a bloody fight.
◊“Shark After Dark” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Sharks are most aggressive and most active in the dark, but the fact is, we know very little else about the nocturnal nature of these creatures. Now, armed with the latest in infrared thermography cameras and night vision technology, a team of divers travels around the world, and descends into the sharks dangerous after-dark hunting grounds.
◊“Skins” (8 p.m. on BBC America): This award-winning British series returns for a second season and continues to push boundaries and tell shocking and sometimes heartbreaking stories about the trials of adolescence. The Class of 2009 is headed up by the beautiful and mysterious Effy (Kaya Scodelario), returning as the new queen bee. Effy is as enigmatic and elusive as ever. She’s joined by best friend, Pandora (Lisa Backwell), sweet and kooky, she keeps the gang together.
◊“So You Think You Can Dance” (7 p.m. on Fox): Find out who will be crowned America’s favorite dancer live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Judy Garland is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1950′s “Summer Stock” (5 p.m.) and 1945′s “The Clock” (9 p.m.).
FRIDAY, AUG. 7
◊“Chefs vs. City” (9 p.m. on Food Network): Acclaimed chefs Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez test their food knowledge and competitive spirits in this new series. Each week, they will travel to a different city, where they will be pitted against two local foodies in a winner-takes-all race in five different challenges that could include eating spicy dishes and crab fishing in a gator-infested river.
◊“The Goode Family” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): Gerald thinks Trish and Mo (guest stars Julia Sweeney, Laraine Newman) want him as the sperm donor for their next child in the Season 1 finale. Meanwhile, when Ubuntu starts sprouting his first facial hair, Charlie decides it’s time to take his grandson under his wing and teach him how to be a man, much to Gerald and Helen’s dismay.
◊“Great Performances” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment highlights Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday celebration from Madison Square Garden. Joining the folk singer for the concert event taped in May are Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson and many others.
◊“Jeffery and Cole Casserole” (10 p.m. on Logo): In the Season 1 finale, Jeffery and Cole attempt to use their friend “Becky” to get to Boca Raton, Fla. — all for the love of vampires and musical theater.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA): When an attempt is made on the life of a former child star who recently publiushed her tell-all biography, Monk is thrilled to act as her bodyguard — until he learns how different she is from her TV alter ego. Guest starring in the Season 8 premiere are Rena Sofer (“Blind Justice”) and Elizabeth Perkins (“Weeds”).
◊“Mr. Friday” (8 p.m. on FLN): This new docu-series follows former model and jet-setter Derek Friday, who has never done a day’s work in his life. He is forced by his wealthy, philanthropic mother to switch places with a hardworking recipient and perform various tasks from cleaning and feeding reptiles to working in the circus in exchange for his weekly trust-fund check.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): A stolen pair of “kicks” leads the team into the world of sneaker collecting after a foreign Ambassador finds his prized pair missing.
Grammy winner Eve guest stars.
◊“Psych” (9 p.m. on USA): In the Season 4 premiere, Shawn and Gus outwit a notorious international art thief, Despereux (Cary Elwes, “The X Files”). When they travel to the ski slopes of Vancouver, they discover that he’s not an art thief but an insurance scam artist.
◊“Surviving Suburbia” (7 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 1 finale, Steve motivates Anne to break away from her manipulative mother after her parents abuse the new cell phones they gave them. And Dr. Jim counsels Henry after he reprimands Rhonda for glamorizing teen pregnancy in front of Courtney.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Glenn Ford is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1949′s “Mr. Soft Touch” (2 p.m.) and 1946′s “Gilda” (7 p.m.).
SATURDAY AUGUST 8, 2009
◊“The Bill Engvall Show” (8 p.m. on TBS): Bill invests a hefty chunk of money in his brother Dan’s (Stephen Dunham, “The Mummy”) latest sure-thing business proposition, something he’s done too many times before. Determined to put a stop to it, Susan pushes Bill to talk to his brother about being a responsible adult.
◊“Dirty Sexy Money” (9 p.m. on ABC): After being stabbed by Nola, the badly wounded Simon is secretly taken to the Imperial to recuperate. While there, Nick forces Simon to reveal how he is controlling Nola and why he had her prosecute Letitia for Dutch’s murder. Entanglements arise with Nick and the pregnant Karen’s budding romance when it’s revealed that his ex-wife, Lisa, is writing a tell-all book about the Darlings. Gary Collins (“Born Free”) and John Schneider (“Smallville”) guest stars.
◊“George Lopez: Tall, Dark & Chicano” (9 p.m. on HBO): Comedian George Lopez delivers an all-new stand-up show before a live audience at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Some of the hot topics he’s expected to cover are Latino perspectives on change in America, kids today, parenting and “rednecks” who date Latino women.
◊“Handy Manny” (7:30 a.m. on Disney): When Manny is the 100th customer at Mr. Diller’s (guest star Henry Winkler, “Happy Days”) Variety Store, he wins his choice of any item in the store and shares his prize with the tools.
◊“iCarly: iFight Shelby Marx” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In this special hourlong movie, features Victoria Justice (“Spectacular”) as Shelby Marx, a female championship fighter who challenges Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) to meet her in the ring.
◊“Lars and the Real Girl” (8 p.m. on Showtime): Ryan Gosling stars as Lars, a loner who surprises everyone with his introduction of a girlfriend — actually a lifelike doll that others decide to treat like a living being. Patricia Clarkson plays his psychologist.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Bette Davis is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1937′s “Marked Woman” (11:30 a.m.) and 1946′s “Deception” (9 p.m.).
–Penny TV
TV Premieres and Finales airing July 26-Aug. 1, 2009
"The Bachelorette" Jillian Harris (ABC Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of July 26.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“Way Too Early With Willie Geist,” 4:30 a.m. Monday on MSNBC (series premiere).
••“Making His Band,” 9 p.m. Monday on MTV (series premiere).
••“Rising Icons,” 9:30 p.m. Monday on BET (series premiere).
••“More to Love,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox (series premiere).
••“Deconstruction,” 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on DIY (second-season premiere).
••“Holidate,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on SoapNet (series premiere).
••“The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Bravo (second-season premiere).
••“Face the Ace,” 8 p.m. Saturday on NBC (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••“The Bachelorette,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC (fifth-season finale).
••“The Superstars,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (first-season finale).
••“The Lazy Environmentalist,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Sundance (series finale).
••“Tattoo Highway,” 10 p.m. Wednesday on A&E (first-season finale).
MARATHONS
••“Torchwood: Children of Earth,” noon to 7 p.m. Sunday on BBC America.
••“Burn Notice,” 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday on USA.
••Rocky Bal-Blowout movie marathon, 12:30 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. on SPIKE.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Top 55 TV Programs for July 26-Aug. 1, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of July 26:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, JULY 26
◊“Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This special finds thre Doctor (David Tennant) trapped on a desert alien planet with a red double-decker bus but no Tardis. He soon discovers the mysterious planet holds secrets hidden in the sand and is forced to team up with thief Lady Christina (Michelle Ryan, “Bionic Woman”) to get back to Earth.
◊“Drop Dead Diva” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Jane’s past catches up with her when a case from the prior year is up for retrial. She has difficulty containing her emotions and is thrown in contempt of the court. Rosie O’Donnell (“The View”) and Chuck Woolery (“Love Connection”) guest star.
◊“Easy Money” (6 p.m. on CW): This canceled drama about a family of loan sharks and the mother (Laurie Metcalf, “Roseanne”) who heads up the company, returns to burn off its four unaired episodes.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The Kadzis family’s hurricane-damaged home in Tallahassee, Fla., was rebuilt and modified in seven days to meet their special needs. Three days after the family received their new home, living father and husband George succumbed to brain cancer.
◊“Food Network Challenge” (7 p.m. on Food Network): “Sesame Street” turns 40 this year, and to honor the characters that have taught generations to play nice, four pastry chefs will create “Sesame Street”-inspired cakes.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment titled “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” the last words of a dying man lead the sole witness to team with a beautiful socialite to find out if foul play was involved. Miss Marple joins them as they land in a hotbed of homicide and intrigue.
◊“Merlin” (7 p.m. on NBC): Merlins is forced to choose between a young druid’s life and his sworn destiny to protect Arthur. What Merlin doesn’t know is that his decision will come back to haunt him.
◊“The Michael Jackson Story” (7 p.m. on TV One): This new documentary kicks off the networks’ “Forever Michael Week” that was originally scheduled to celebrate Michael Jackson’s highly anticipated London concerts. In addition to the documentary, which charts the superstar’s career from his days as a shy young child in Indiana through his last days as a closeted icon, the week will include “The Jackson: An American Dream” miniseries (8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday) and the “Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration” concert (8 p.m. Friday).
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The installment titled “Silence of the Bees” explores the international emergency researchy that is underway to uncover the cause of the massive die-offs of honeybees, which could be a potential ecological disaster.
◊“The Next Food Network Star” (8 p.m. on Food Network): The remaining three finalists lunch with Emeril Lagasse (“Emeril”) and learn that they must create a three-course menu for a group of culinary elite inspired by a screening of Columbia Pictures’ movie “Julie & Julia,” which opens Aug. 7 in theaters.
◊“One Hot Summer” (6 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Attorney Margarita Santos (Vanessa Marcil, “Without a Trace”) has a good life in Miami. But it’s turned upside down when her ex-lover (Casper Van Dien, “Watch Over Me”) comes to town and is willing to do anything to get her back. The film is part of the networks’ best seller summer and is based on the novel by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera.
◊“The Storm” (8 p.m. on NBC): In this new two-part movie, a young scientist (James Van Der Beek, “Dawson’s Creek”) enlists the aid of a reporter (Teri Polo, “Meet the Parents”) to help him expose a billionaire’s (Treat Williams, “Everwood”) ill-advised attempt to control the weather, which has unleashed catastrophic storms around the globe. The conclusion airs Aug. 2.
◊“Stories from the Vaults: Nature’s Vault” (7 p.m. Sunday on Smithsonian Channel): Host Tom Cavanagh (“Trust Me”) goes behind the scenes to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama to track sloths.
◊“Thunderheads” (8 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): This special takes viewers on a thrilling ride with scientists battling to better understand the role of thunderstorms in the climate change puzzle.
MONDAY, JULY 27
◊“The Bachelorette” (7 p.m. on ABC): Jillian Harris, who had her romantic dreams crushed when Jason Mesnick passed her over in the last season of “The Bachelor,” is the one making her choice for her ideal romantic mate as the reality series closes out its fifth season. The “After the Final Rose” special will air at 9 p.m. Tuesday.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Horatio and the team go head-to-head with a defense attorney (Sean Combs, “A Raisin In the Sun”) who may be involved in a murder cover-up.
◊“Great American Road Trip” (7 p.m. on NBC): When the five remaining families hit the mid point of Route 66, a messy pie-eating contest ensues. It’s then on to the open road through the expansive Southwest, with stops in Albuquerque for a hot air baloon ride and Arizona to see the Meteor Crater.
◊“Hair: Let the Sunshine In” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This documentary examines the origins, impact and enduring power of the rock musical that opened off-Broadway in 1967.
◊“History Detectives” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Items investivated include a fragment that may have been a piece of Amelia Earhart’s plane, a Colorado home whose supports may have been constructed from a railroad boxcar and a letter from President Millard Fillmore commuting the death sentence of an American Indian.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): .When Barney loses his “mojo,” he attends the Victoria’s Secret Fall Fashion Show after-party to get himself back on track. But his smooth operating skills are put to the test when he meets supermodel Heidi Klum (“Project Runway”). Wayne Brady (“The Wayne Brady Show”) also guest stars.
◊“Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” (9 p.m. on Bravo): When Proposition 8 is passed in California, Kathy realizes that even though bshe has always been a gay rights activist, there is still work to be done. She stops by the home of Melissa Etheridge where the singer likens her to Sally Field in “Norman Rae” and christens Kathy “Norma Gay.”
◊“Making His Band” (9 p.m. on MTV): Viewers have seen Sean “Diddy” Combs create a hip-hop group, a female pop group and a male R & B group. Now he is creating a group to perform on what he is calling his last album. Those who make it through the early auditions will spend several weeks proving their worth and ultimately Diddy will choose the best of the best to be in his band.
◊“Rising Icons” (9:30 p.m. on BET): This new series highlights eight of the world’s most influential newfound artists. Each episode will take viewers on an up close and personal journey behind the scenes with the artists, giving viewers a glimpse into their road to stardom and revealing what it takes to be successful in music and entertainment today. Artists featured include Chrisette Michele, Hal Linton, Keri Hilson, Kid Cudi, Melanie Fiona, Ryan Leslie, The-Dream, and Wale.
◊“The Yes Men Fix the World” (8 p.m. on HBO): This documentary follows pranksters Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, aka The Yes Men, as they infiltrate the world of big business and pull off outrageous pranks in an effort to highlight the human toll of greed and profiteering.
◊“Way Too Early With Willie Geist” (4:30 a.m. on MSNBC): In this new morning talk show, Willie Geist (“Morning Joe”) will offer viewers everything they need to know to start the morning – from news and politics to sports and pop culture. he will continue to co-host “Morning Joe” that follows at 5 a.m.
TUESDAY, JULY 28
◊“America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m. on NBC): Contestants who made it through the first round of auditions descent upon Las Vegas. Judges David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne will deliberate, debate and determine which of the acts will make it into the elite Top 40.
◊“The Cleaner” (9 p.m. on A&E): Two identical twin sisters, seemingly polar opposites, discover that their paths to recovery may be intertwined.
◊“Deconstruction” (9:30 p.m. on DIY): Licensed contractor Matt Blashaw hosts this show that explores the science behind home improvement., such as how pressurized wood gets treated and if home insulation is really fire retardant.
◊“The Lazy Environmentalist” (8 p.m. on Sundance): The final episode of this series, which shows individuals that a green lifestyle can be achieved with little sacrifice, offers ecologically-sound options to a bartender in Brooklyn and the boss of Vox Entertainment in Los Angeles.
◊“More to Love” (8 p.m. on Fox): Supermodel Emme hosts this new series, in which 20 full-figured women compete for the attention of Luke Conley, 26, a college football player-turned-subcontractor and real estate investor who is seeking romance.
◊“NOVA scienceNOW” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Host Neil deGrasse Tyson looks at the oldest known organic molecules on Earth and neuronal processes that lead to producing sound.
◊“P.O.V.” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): British filmmaker Kim Longinotto’s documentary “Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go” explores Oxford’s Mulberry Bush School for emotionally disturbed children. It’s an unusual school in which a patient and gentle staff counters extreme, sometimes violent behavior with consolation and mild restraint in a world where troubled kids trying to survive are given a glimmer of hope.
◊“The Superstars” (7 p.m. on ABC): After weeks of different challenges, the “Superstars” champion is crowned. The final events include kayak pursuit, tug-o-war and a triathlon
◊“Unforgettably Evil” (9 p.m. on Starz): Film critic Richard Roeper hosts this documentary that explores film’s many faces of evil. It includes interviews with Eric Roberts (“Heroes”), Kristanna Loken (“BloodRayne”), Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”) and the late David Carradine (“Kung Fu Killer”).
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Joe E. Brown was born on this day in 1892, and TCM celebrates the occassion by airing 10 of his films, including 1932′s “Fireman, Save My Child” (8:45 a.m.), 1935′s “Alibi Ike” (3 p.m.) and 1936′s “Sons O’ Guns” (5:30 p.m.).
◊“Warehouse 13″ (8 p.m. on Syfy): Artie is kidnapped by a young woman who believes he is responsible for the death of her brother 12 years earlier. Artie learns there is more to the brother’s fate than he knew, and he might still have a chance to make things right. CCH Pounder (“The Shield”) guest stars.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
◊“Favorite Child Stars: Where Are They Now?” (9 p.m. on E!): Who traded in their movie screen time for army boot camp? What child dtar is now a hit record-maker? Tune in to this special that will reveal the secret lives of former child celebrities.
◊“Holidate” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): This new reality series focuses on two different women each week who are both successful and dynamic bit unlucky in love. These women will switch cities and embark on a series of three dates hand-selected by the other woman.
◊“The Nine” (9 p.m. on DirecTV’s 101 Network): Viewers will finally have the opportunity to watch the previously unaired final four episodes of this 2007 drama that was pulled from the ABC lineup after nine episodes. The drama delves into the lives of nine people who forge a common bond when they live through a 52-hour hostage standoff during a bank robbery.
◊“The Philanthropist” (9 p.m. on NBC): Teddy and Philip’s college friend asks for their help to negotiate with both the Indian and Pakistani governments in an attempt to rebuild the region’s water system and reopen the line of control that divides the ancient land of Kashmir in two.
◊“Tattoo Highway” (10 p.m. on A&E): In the Season 1 finale, the bus travels to Phoenix to meet newlyweds who want matching bride and groom sugar skulls tattooed on their calves. Tommy gets agitated because the couple doesn’t like his sugar skull and makes him draw the design multiple times.
◊“Time Team America” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The team heads to the picturesque canyons of Utah to determine what went wrong for the Fremont Indians, who vanished 1,000 years ago.
◊“Top Chef Masters” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Top top six chefs, including Oklahoma-born Rick Bayless, advance to the finals and must now face-off for the ultimate title. Each is asked to produce their signature dish, only to find they must re-create their competitor’s unique dish.
◊“Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars” (9 p.m. on CNBC): Correspondent Scott Wapner travels to Germany for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first-ever event in mainland Europe. He also profiles a stable of skilled fighters who have helped the league grow from a dying franchise to a global sensation in less than a decade.
THURSDAY, JULY 30
◊“30 Rock” (7 p.m. on NBC): Jack turns to Kenneth for help when an aggressive West Coast NBC executive (Will Arnett, “Arrested Development”) declares that he is after Donaghy’s job. Al Roker (“Wake Up With Al”) also guest stars.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Langston and Riley are taken hostage during the aftermath of a shootout in an usually calm Las Vegas community. Denzel Whitaker (“The Great Debaters”) guest stars.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (7 p.m. on ABC): Derek’s mother, Carolyn (Tyne Daly, “Cagney & Lacey”), makes a surprise visit to Seattle and meets Meredith for the first time, as Mark tries to conceal his relationship with Lexie from her as well. Jessica Capshaw (“The Practice”) and Eric Stoltz (“Mask”) also guest star.
◊“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss is the newest housewife on the show, which returns for its second season. The series offers an up-close and personal look at five women from Atlanta’s social elite as they juggle their burgeoning careers and busy home lives with the whirl of city.
◊“Royal Pains” (9 p.m. on USA): Hank unexpectedly takes on a successful children’s book illustrator who has a serious heart condition, causing tension between him and Jill.
FRIDAY, JULY 31
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on Fox): Dean Cain (“Clubhouse”) heads back to the classroom to win big for chartiy. He will be able to “peek” and “copy” from the show’s fifth-grade students in order to determine the correct answer and graduate toward the top prize of $1 million.
◊“Eureka” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Tempers and tensions run high as Eureka hosts long-term rival Area 51 in their bi-annual Eureka-fied bowling tournament. Ever Caradine (“Commander in Chief”) guest stars.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): A feud between rival Chinese gangs leads to the kidnapping of an undercover agent and the re-appearance of the enigmatic Samuel Kraft. Kelly Hu (“Martial Law”) guest stars.
◊“Training Day” (7 p.m. on AMC): Denzel Washington earned an Oscar for best actor for this 2001 police drama. He breaks type memorably as a veteran of the Los Angeles narcotics beat who deals dirty in getting the goods on really bad guys. Ethan Hawke plays his new partner, a rookie who can’t believe much of what he witnesses as they make their rounds.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7 p.m. on Disney): Justin’s new vampire girlfriend, Juliet, gets the Russos to change their lifestyle by adding healthy foods and exercise. However, Alex is concerned about Juliet’s true intentions for Justin when she discovers that vampires like the taste of healthy blood.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
◊“Assault in the Ring” (9 p.m. on HBO): This documentatry revisits the ill-fated 1983 junior middleweight fight between Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto and its subsequent effect on both boxers. It was discovered that the padding had been illegally removed from Resto’s gloves by his trainer before the fight. Resto was subsequently incarcerated and banned from the sport, while the brutally beaten Collins went into a tragic downward spiral.
◊“Dirty Sexy Money” (9 p.m. on ABC): Patrick meets again with Congressman Whatley (John Schneider, “Smallville”) who hit on him, but this time it is the congressman’s wife, Dana (Krista Allen, “The Starter Wife”), who is making moves on Patrick.
◊“Face the Ace” (8 p.m. on NBC): Actor Steve Schirripa (“The Sopranos”) hosts this new seven-episode game show, in which amateurs take on world-class poker players in hope of winning $1 million. The amateur selects one of four doors, behind each of which is a seasoned poker pro such as Phil Ivey, Erick Lindgren or Chris Ferguson. If the player beats the pro, he can take his winnings and leave or face another pro for a chance at higher winnings.
◊“Mrs. Washington Goes to Smith” (8 p.m. on Hallmark): A newly divorced woman (Cybill Sheperd, “The L Word”) returns to finish her degree, but she soon figures out the college scene has changed in the last 30 years. While her roommate may be only as old as her kids, they aren’t as different as they think, as both of them fall in love with the same professor (Jeffrey Nordling, “Dirt”).
◊Rocky Bal-Blowout movie marathon (12:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on SPIKE): The first five “Rocky” movies will air back-to-back, beginning with 1976′s “Rocky.” It will be followed by 1979′s “Rocky II” at 3 p.m., 1982′s “Rocky III” at 5:30 p.m., 1985′s “Rocky IV” at 8 p.m. and 1990′s “Rocky V” at 10 p.m.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Henry Fonda is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1940′s “The Grapes of Wrath” (7 p.m.) and 1935′s “The Farmer Takes a Wife” (9:15 p.m.).
–Penny TV
TV Premieres and Finales airing July 19-25, 2009
"Being Human" cast Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey and Lenora Crichlow (BBC America Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of July 19.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“HGTV Design Star,” 9 p.m. Sunday on HGTV (fourth-season premiere).
••“Most Popular,” 9 p.m. Sunday on WEtv (series premiere).
••“Pawn Star$,” 9 p.m. Sunday on History (series premiere).
••“Wake Up With Al,” 6 a.m. Monday on The Weather Channel (series premiere).
••“Solved,” 8 p.m. Monday on Investigation Discovery (second-season premiere).
••“Yard Crashers,” 8 p.m. Monday on DIY (third-season premiere).
••“Three Sheets,” 9 p.m. Monday on FLN (fourth-season premiere).
••“Dating in the Dark,” 9:02 p.m. Monday on ABC (series premiere).
••“Hell’s Kitchen,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on Fox (sixth-season premiere).
••“Moving Up,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on TLC (second-season premiere).
••“Ruby & the Rockits,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC Family (series premiere).
••“The Colony,” 9:01 p.m. Tuesday on Discovery (series premiere).
••“Toddlers and Tiaras,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TLC (second-season premiere).
••“Wild Russia,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Animal Planet (series premiere).
••“How Do I Look?” 8 p.m. Thursday on Style Network (10th-season premiere).
••“5 Ingredient Fix,” 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Food Network (second-season premiere).
••“Being Human,” 8 p.m. Saturday on BBC America (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••“Primetime: Family Secrets,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC (series finale).
••“NYC Prep,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Bravo (first-season finale).
••“Samantha Who?” 7:30 p.m. Thursday on ABC (series finale).
••“16 & Pregnant,” 9 p.m. Thursday on MTV (first-season finale).
••“Southern Belles: Louisville,” 9 p.m. Thursday on SoapNet (first-season finale).
••“The Chopping Block,” 7 p.m. Friday on NBC (series finale).
••“Kings,” 7 p.m. Saturday on NBC (series finale).
••“Primeval,” 7 p.m. Saturday on BBC America (third-season finale).
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Top 55 TV Programs for July 19-25, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of July 19:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, JULY 19
◊“AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute to Michael Douglas” (8 p.m. on TV Land): Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Matthew McConaughey, Tobey Maguire, Martin Sheen, Oliver Stone, Benicio Del Toro, and Kathleen Turner are among those honoring Michael Douglas as the American Film Institute’s 37th recipient of the award. His father Kirk Douglas, the 1991 AFI honoree, also makes an appearance.
◊“Held Hostage” (6 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Three masked men break into the home of Michelle Estey (Julie Benz, “Dexter”), an asistant bank vice president, and hold her and her daughter captive. It is part of the network’s “Best Seller Summer” and is based on the novel by Michelle Renee.
◊“Hell Hounds” (8 p.m. on Syfy): After his bride (Amanda Brooks, “Flightplan”) is poisoned at their wedding, a young Greek warrior (Scott Elrod, “Men In Trees”) risks a journey to Hades to rescue her from the God of the Underworld and bring her back to life. When he leaves with her, Hades sends his hellhounds to track them down and kill them. Ricky Schroeder (“Strong Medicine”) directed the movie.
◊“HGTV Design Star” (9 p.m. on HGTV): The competition series is back for Season 4 with 11 creative finalists and a judging panel featuring Genevieve Gorder (Dear Genevieve), Candice Olson (Divine Design) and Vern Yip (Deserving Design). The finalists must navigate demanding design challenges and dazzle the judges with creativity until one wins their own show on HGTV.
◊“Labor Pains” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): This new original movie stars Lindsay Lohan as an assistant at a publishing company who pretends to be pregnant in order to avoid being fired by her boss. Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”), Luke Kirby (“Tell Me You Love Me”), Kevin Covais (“American Idol”) and Janeane Garofalo (“24”) also star.
◊“Life After Film School” (6:30 p.m. on Fox Movie Channel): Film students interview Barry Josephson, producer of the 20th Century Fox release “Aliens in the Attic.” He discusses his new film starring Ashley Tisdale, Kevin Nealon, Doris Roberts and a group of kids who confront
aliens invading their vacation home. The movie opens in theaters July 31.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment “They Do It With Mirrors,” Miss Marple must summon all her uncanny attention to detail to solve the case of a murder that takes place during the confusion that ensues when the power goes out during a rehearsal for an amateur show.
◊“Merlin” (7 p.m. on NBC): Arthur becomes love-struck with a mysterious girl and stands to lose more than just his heart.
◊“Most Popular” (9 p.m. on WEtv): Graham Norton (“The Graham Norton Show”) hosts this new series that will test an audience of 100 women on snap-judgments that could cost one of seven contestants a cash prize of $10,000. The show kicks off with a special bridal episode featuring brides from the sixth season of “Bridezillas.”
◊“NewNowNext” (11 p.m. on Logo): This new special features an intimate interview with award-winning music artist Stevie Nicks. She discusses various aspects of her career as a solo artist and part of legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac. Nicks also opens up about her own inspirations and future projects.
◊“Pawn Star$” (9 p.m. on History): This new series takes viewers inside the doors of the only family-run pawnshop in Las Vegas, where three generations of men from the Harrison family – grandfather, father and son – amusingly clash while running the business together. Each episode features an array of quirky characters attempting to sell, purchase or pawn items.
◊“Shark Therapy” (8 p.m. on Smithsonian): In an attempt to overcome her shark phobia, Tanya Streeter travels to the shark hot-spot, the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. In this difficult personal journey, she freedives at night amongst feeding white-tips, discovers the curious deep-living zebra shark and comes face to face with the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark.
◊“State of Creativity” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): To prove that Oklahoma lives up to the show’s title, the producers picked one county from which to features stories. The result is 10 stories demonstrating creative ideas from Noble County, including a segment on Travis Brorsen from Perry. Last summer, he showed TV viewers that he has the “Greatest American Dog” by winning the CBS competition series and $250,000.
MONDAY, JULY 20
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): A major shootout leaves two patrol cops and an 18-year-old boy dead with lots of unanswered questions as to what happened and who else might have been involved. The investigation is made all the more difficult by the involvement of Capt. Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell, “Battlestar Galactica”) of the Force Investigation Division.
◊“Dating in the Dark” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): In this new reality series, three men and three women share a house in which they are sequestered from the opposite sex apart from an opportunity to “date” in a completely dark room. After several days of this blind dating, each participant will pick one member of the opposite sex to be revealed in the light.
◊“Great American Road Trip” (7 p.m. on NBC): The families leave Missouri and head out into the prairies of Kansas and Oklahoma to see buffao and the actual setting of “Little House on the Prairie.” The dad must step up to the plate at the “King of the Road: BBQ challenge.
◊“History Detectives” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Items investigation include a recording that may have played a part in the World War II treason trial of Tokyo Rose and a diary of a World War II pilot.
◊“Moonshot” (8 p.m. on History): This new special puts viewers in the cockpit alongside the crew of Apollo 11 at the moment when man first lands on the Moon. The dramatization of the Apollo 11 flight is combined with original NASA archival footage converted to high definition, news footage from around the world, mission transcripts, background interviews and other source materials.
◊“Prom Night in Mississippi” (8 p.m. on HBO): This documentary chronicles the historic journey of Charleston High School in Mississippi that that holds its first integrated senior prom in 2008. In 1997, Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman (??), a Charleston resident, offered to pay for the prom, under one condition: that it be integrated. Though his offer was ignored, he made it again in 2008, and this time, the school accepted.
◊“Raising the Bar” (9 p.m. on TNT): Moments after being acquitted on a weapons charge, one of Jerry’s clients is re-arrested on a parole violation for weapons possession.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Much to Audrey’s dismay, Jeff’s chauvinist father, who expects Audrey to wait on him hand and foot, extends his visit after spraining his ankle. Brian Dennehy (“Murder in the Heartland”) guest stars.
◊“Solved” (8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This series, back for its second season, goes deep undercover to expose some of the career-defining cases of police officers and FBI agents. Each episodes features a mysterious murder case told through first person accounts.
◊TCM Goes to the Moon: Atronaut Buzz Aldrin joins TCM host Robert Osborne to introduce an evening of movies commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The movie lineup includes 1989′s “For All Mankind” (7:15 p.m.), 1983′s “All the Right Stuff” (9 p.m.) and 1969′s “Marooned” (12:30 a.m.).
◊“Three Sheets” (9 p.m. on FLN): This series, entering its fourth season, follows comedian Zane Lamprey as he engages in drinking customs around the world and befriends the people who take part in them. This season, Zane, who can say “I’m buying” in more than 37 languages, will visit Poland, Iceland, Lithuania, St. Martin, New Zealand, Panama, Namibia, Tuscany, Barbados, New Castle, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Tanzania.
◊“Torchwood: Children of Earth” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In this five-part miniseries, airing over consecutive nights, the future of the human race is in danger as every child in the world stops his routine to announce, ‘‘We are coming.” As Torchwood investigates, a trap closes around Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and sins of the past return as long-forgotten events from 1965 threaten to reveal an awful truth.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Convinced that Alan’s family doesn’t fully appreciate him, Melissa invites Alan to live with her and her mom. Carol Kane (“Taxi”) guest stars.
◊“Wake Up With Al” (6 a.m. on The Weather Channel): In this new weekday morning show, Al Roker (“Today”) will explore all aspects of the day’s weather. He will appear both in the studio, interacting with guests and viewers, and in the field, reporting on the most compelling weather stories of the day.
◊“The Wanted” (9 p.m. on NBC): This new series brings together an elite team with backgrounds in intelligence, unconventional warfare and investigative journalism. It focuses on real operators in search of real targets — all in an effort to see individuals brought to justice.
◊“Yard Crashers” (8 p.m. on DIY): In this series, now in its third season, professional landscape contractor Ahmed Hassan waits at home improvement stores looking for the perfect weekend warrior who could use his help. Once he finds his target, Ahmed and his team follow the surprised shoppers home and transform their yards.
TUESDAY, JULY 21
◊“18 Kids and Counting” (8 p.m. on TLC): While in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., the Duggars meet Dolly Parton (“9 to 5”), who is a Duggar fan. And what will the Duggars and Dolly do when they meet? Sing, of course.
◊“California in Crisis” (8 p.m. on CNBC): The world’s eighth largest economy is on the brink. This news special takes viewers inside the budget impasse, speaking to government officials, CEOs and bondholders. The ramifications of a financial failure here will impact the entire US economy as well as companies and investors worldwide.
◊“The Colony” (9:01 p.m. on Discovery): This new series challenges 10 strangers in a controlled experiment that attempts to determine exactly what it would take to survive and rebuild a functioning new society when the world has been destroyed. With no electricity, no running water and no communication with the outside world, all they have to work with are their skills and whatever tools and supplies they scavenge from their surroundings.
◊‘Hawthorne” (8 p.m. on TNT): The ER is plunged into chaos when the hospital director agrees to take on extra patients because another local ER is closed down. Among the patients is a study partner of Christina’s daughter, Camille.
◊“Hell’s Kitchen” (7 p.m. on Fox): Chef Gordon Ramsay welcomes 16 aspiring chefs to a sixth course of his unscripted series that begins with a two-hour season. Unlike past seasons, the signature dish challenge becomes a team challenge, pitting the men against the women. After the signature dishes of each team are presented to Gordon, one team will receive a coveted special prize, while the others will experience the agony of losing in Gordon’s kitchen.
◊“Moving Up” (7 p.m. on TLC): Hosted by Doug Wilson, this series follows along as three people move into new homes and renovate and redecorate them. Then, they have a chance to revisit their former house and see the changes – will they like what the new owners have done, or will they regret moving out of their house? In addition to great design tips, this season Doug has some surprises in store for the homeowners that help make the transformation complete. The new series premiere Tuesday, July 21 at 8 PM.
◊“NOVA scienceNow” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment looks at the science of picky eaters, capturing carbon and talking walruses.
◊“NYC Prep” (8 p.m. on Bravo): In the season finale, Kelli works on her singing career by meeting with a prominent voice coach, Taylor has her hands full with schoolwork and social activities and Jessie works on the benefit for Operation Smile.
◊“P.O.V.” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Filmmaker Ellen Kuras made her directing debut with “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon),” a harrowing, Oscar-nominated account of how her co-director, Thavisouk Phrasavath, and his family escaped from Laos during the Vietnam War. Their arrival in their new home, however, forced them to face a different kind of war.
◊“Ruby & the Rockits” (7:30 p.m. on ABC Family): This new series stars Patrick Cassidy (“I’ll Do Anything”) as a former teen idol whose quiet life with his wife and two sons is upset when his former Rockits bandmate and brother, played by David Cassidy (“The Partridge Family”), shows up unexpectedly with his newfound teenage daughter, Ruby. Alexa Vega (“Spy Kids”) plays Ruby and also sings the opening title song written by Shaun Cassidy.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): Graces chases after a rape and kidnapping suspect on foot and suddenly disappears, possibly becoming his latest victim. But nothing about the situation seems to make any sense, including Earl’s activities close to the investigation.
◊“Starz Inside: Zombiemania” (9 p.m. on Starz): This special traces the evolution of the zombie from its roots in African folklore and Haitian Voodoo to its curent role as pop culture icon. It features clips from a vast library of zombie films and zombie experts.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
◊“Black in America 2″ (7 p.m. on CNN): In the first installment of this two-part special, CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien reports on how community organizers across the country are creating progress and improvements at a local level. Part two airs at 7 p.m. Thursday and focuses on solutions aimed at developing black leaders of tomorrow.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): When the Mayor’s dead body falls from the ceiling at a charity fundraiser, Stella and her date find themselves in the middle of the crime scene. Craig T. Nelson (“Coach”) guest stars.
◊“Dark Blue” (9 p.m. on TNT): Team leader Carter has less than 12 hours to wrangle $100,000 in order to save the life of one of his undercover officers.
◊“Deadly Dance Under the Sea” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): This marine wildlife documentary film features breathtaking underwater combat scenes where all marine creatues hunt, feed, attack, bite, swallow, hide and fear. From the tiniest creatures to the monster with razor sharp teeth, each has its own hunting and suvival strategy.
◊“Leverage” (8 p.m. on TNT): When the Leverage crew tries to get a corrupt mixed martial arts promoter to invest everything he has in a fake cable television network, their con is discovered. Now, Eliot must throw a fight in order to save the day. Professional mixed martial arts fighters Ed Herman (“The Ultimate Fighter 3”) and Matt Lindland (“Ultimate Fighting Championship”) guest star.
◊“Over a Barrel: The Truth About Oil” (9 p.m. on ABC): With Americans facing yet another summer season of rising gas prices, ABC News’ Charlie Gibson has traveled the country to uncover some of the little known secrets of the oil industry, including why prices fluctuate so much and who exactly is pulling the strings. One of his stops is at a remote outpost in Cushing, where the price of a barrel of oil there dictates the price nationally.
◊“The Philanthropist” (9 p.m. on NBC): Teddy takes his ex-wife on a journey as he tells her about his business venture to Kosovo, a country full of depression and poverty since the 1990s when the Serbian army attacked the Albanian Muslims, who make up the majority of the population.
◊“Radical Hollywood Remedies” (9 p.m. on E!): This special takes an inside look at the trends and treatments found at the most elite Hollywood spas and doctor’s offices. It examines the ins and outs of the elaborate and sometimes scary treatments that have helped make the stars who they are.
◊“Time Team America” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The team digs into the lives of freed slaves at the site of an Illinois town founded by a freed slave.
◊“Toddlers and Tiaras” (9 p.m. on TLC): This chronicles the lives of tiny beauties and their passionate parents as they stop at nothing to win the ultimate crown at America’s top child beauty pageants. Season 2 will feature more state and national level competitions, including the several pageants by Gold Coast Pageants — the pageant system that inspired the movie “Little Miss Sunshine.”
◊“Wide Angle” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This new documentary “The Market Maker” follows an Ethiopian economist, who sets up her country’s first commodities exchange in hopes of revolutionizing Ethiopia’s market system and end its food shortages. Unfortunately, she hadn’t counted on the disastrous collapse of the global financial market.
THURSDAY, JULY 23
◊“16 & Pregnant” (9 p.m. on MTV): The finale special hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky will feature all six teen mothers profiled in the first season. Dr. Drew will discuss each girl’s episode and update viewers on what’s going on in their lives now. This open discussion will address the controversial topics from Season 1, including birth control, adoption, abortion, marriage, religion, gossip, finances, high school graduation and employment.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When the CSIs are called to a murder scene at a familiar motel, Nick is thrown for a loop as he pieces together three separate murder investigations that all took place at the same establishment over the course of a year. Taylor Swift (best-selling musical artist of 2008) guest stars as Haley Jones, a teenaged girl whose family runs the seedy Vegas motel.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Derek’s confidence is shaken like never before as he faces off with Addison over what course is best for their dying pregnant patient; Cristina calls the abilities of a renown surgeon into question after she botches a standard procedure; and Bailey, who has decided to pursue a fellowship in Pediatrics, is appalled by the Chief’s less-than-stellar recommendation letter. Faye Dunaway (“Network”) guest stars.
◊“How Do I Look?” (8 p.m. on Style Network): The series returns for a 10th season of giving the fashion challenged a brand new look and a stronger sense of style. The series gets its own makeover, as it moves into a chic new penthouse loft, debuts some cool high-tech tools and spices up each big reveal with celebrity stylist and fashion guru Jeannie Mai as the new host.
◊“The Listener” (9:01 p.m. on NBC): When it appears a serial rapist has struck again, Toby senses Detective Marks’ guilt over failing to convict him on a previous occasion.
◊“Samantha Who?” (7 p.m. on ABC): Sam discovers that billionaire Winston Funk’s (Billy Zane, “Titanic”) ex-wife, Gigi (Angie Harmon, “Law & Order”), played an important role in her life before the accident.
◊“So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m. on Fox): On the show’s 100th episode, two of the final eight dancers will be sent home.
◊“Soundstage” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): With their stadium rock riffs and anthem choruses, Chicago-based Fall Out Boys offers up unparralleled energy in this set that includes their recent hits “America’s Suitehearts” and “I Don’t Care.”
◊“Southern Belles: Louisville” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): Shea’s perfect life is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news that no one saw coming on the Season 1 finale.
Also, Kellie makes several impulsive decisions regarding her boyfriend Jeff, and Hadley questions her relationship with bad boy Russ.
◊“Wild Russia” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new six-part documentary reveals the fierce beauty of the country and the animals that have adapted to survive there. It was filmed over three years and focuses on the brown bear, sea eagle, Amur tiger and arctic fox.
FRIDAY, JULY 24
◊“According to Jim” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): When Jim chokes on a shrimp puff, he dies and arrives at Heaven’s gate. With Jim on trial to prove his selfless acts on earth, best friend Andy is summoned to heaven to defend him. As Jim attempts to prove his good works to God (Lee Majors, “The Fall Guy”), his sister-in-law Dana represents the Devil (Erik Estrada, “CHiPs”), arguing that Jim’s selfishness should mean a certain trip to hell.
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on Fox): Celebrity contestants Bill Goldberg (??) and Sugar Ray Leonard (??) return to the classroom to test their knowledge of elementary school subjects ranging from geography and art to math and history. Find out how much information these stars have retained – or forgotten – since their grade-school days.
◊“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (7 p.m. on AMC): Paul Newman and Robert Redford star in this quirky 1969 Western as turn-of-the-century outlaws who become the targets of a posse after committing one too many train robberies. Oscars went to Burt Bacharach and Hal David for their score and the song ‘‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” as well as to screenwriter William Goldman and cinematographer Conrad L. Hall.
◊“The Chopping Block” (7 p.m. on NBC): The remaining two couples battle it out one last time to win the competition. In order to succeed they must remodel the restaurants, come up with a menu and provide service that is above and beyond anything they have achieved so far. Piers Morgan (“America’s Got Talent”) guest stars.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): In this episode directed by series star Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melinda confronts a crisis that grips the whole town — the unearthing of a grave that leads to a mass haunting. But that’s not nearly as scary to her as the woman who shows up to accept the engagement ring Sam bought for her.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team has only four hours to stop a group of hijackers who take a bus full of Hollywood tourists hostage. Fisher Stevens (“Early Edition”) guest stars.
SATURDAY, JULY 25
◊“5 Ingredient Fix” (11:30 a.m. on Food Network): Chef Claire Robinson returns for a second season of straightforward cooking that proves delicious dishes need no more than five ingredients – making cooking easier and faster.
◊“Being Human” (8 p.m. on BBC America): This new series revolves around three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives – as a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. Russell Tovey (“Doctor Who”), Lenora Crichlow (“Doctor Who”) and Aidan Turner (“The Clinic”) star as housemates trying to live normal lives, despite their strange and dark secrets.
◊“The Bill Engvall Show” (8 p.m. on TBS): Bill gets upset when he finds out Susan and her friends discuss their husbands during girls-only game night, and he’s determined to find out what has been said about him.
◊“Dances With Wolves” (7 p.m. on AMC): Kevin Costner directed and starred in this 1990 Academy Award winner for best picture. Costner plays an idealistic Civil War lieutenant who befriends a Sioux tribe. The picture also won Oscars for best director, screenplay, cinematography, film editing, music and sound.
◊“Dirty Sexy Money” (9 p.m. on ABC): Now a partner with Simon Elder, Tripp asks Patrick to try to reverse Congressman Charles Whatley’s (John Schneider, ??) standing against Simon’s bio-fuel that Tripp had helped influence many years earlier. And Simon tells Nola that he suspects that Jeremy’s amnesia isn’t real.
◊“Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): The locally-produced show seeks out wheelchair accessible tourists destinations and explores Robbers Cave State Park on horseback.
◊“GoldenEye” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Pierce Brosnan makes his entrance as dashing Agent 007 and does a credible job filling the natty shoes of his predecessors. Perhaps even more importantly, the special effects, gags and drop-dead gorgeous women appearing in this recent James Bond outing live up to the high standards of previous films.
◊“Kings” (7 p.m. on NBC): In the series finale, Jack and William make plans for Jack to take his father’s place as King of Gilboa. To everyone’s surprise, Silas is alive and David escapes Shiloh to warn Silas about the chaos to come. Macauley Culkin (“Home Alone”) guest stars.
◊“Primeval” (7 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 3 finale, Helen Cutter decides the only way to stop the destruction of life on Earth is to stop humans ever evolving. So she goes back in time to the Pliocene period, intent on poisoning the very first humans that evolved in the Rift Valley in Africa.
◊“The Star Wars Spectacular” (1 p.m. on G4): This two-hour special will feature never-before-seen footage, breaking news, surprise announcements, guest stars and more. In addition, G4 will present three hours of live coverage from the San Diego Comic-Con floor beginning at 3 p.m.
◊“True Jackson, VP” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): True finds out that she will be helping the Mad Style team create a window display for the fanciest department store in New York City. True is especially excited about this assignment since it has been a childhood dream of hers. Willow Smith (daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith) guest stars.
–Penny TV
“Stud Finder” search underway for DIY’s next home improvement star
Food Network has “The Next Food Network Star.” DIY Network has a “Stud Finder” search.
And DIY doesn’t limit the number of contenders in its search for America’s next home improvement star. All outgoing home enthusiasts and passionate do-it-yourselfers are invited to apply.
Simply go online to www.DIYnetwork.com and upload video and photos explaining why you deserve your own DIY Network show.
The “Stud Finder” search is open for submissions until July 13, and the winner will receive the opportunity to star in a new DIY series.
From all the videos submitted, DIY Network will select four finalists, while viewers will choose a fifth finalist in a round of online voting through Aug. 31.The five finalists will compete in a head-to-head competition that will end in the naming of the network’s newest home improvement star.
DIY Network (channel 111 on Dish Network, 171 on Cox Digital Cable, 230 on Direct TV, 454 on U-verse) will document the “Stud Finder” search for an hour-long special airing in October.
For more information, visit www.DIYnetwork.com. The site also features step-by-step instructions for more than 20,000 home improvement, gardening and woodworking projects.
–Penny TV
TV Premieres and Finales airing July 5-11, 2009
10 Things I Hate About You (ABC Family Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of July 5.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“Ruby,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Style Network (second-season premiere).
••“Untamed & Uncut,” 8 p.m. Sunday on Animal Planet (second-season premiere).
••“Ham on the Street,” 1 p.m. Monday on FLN (series premiere).
••“Desperate Landscapes,” 8 p.m. Monday on DIY(fifth-season premiere).
••“SportsNation,” 3 p.m. Monday on ESPN2 (series premiere).
••“Great American Road Trip,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC (series premiere).
••“10 Things I Hate About You,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on ABC Family (series premiere).
••“Warehouse 13,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on SYFY (series premiere).
••“Ghost Hunters International,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on SYFY (second-season premiere).
••“Time Team America,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on OETA-13 (series premiere).
••“The Chicas Project,” 6 p.m. Thursday on mun2 (fourth-season premiere).
••“Big Brother,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CBS (11th-season premiere).
••“LA Ink,” 9 p.m. Thursday on TLC (third-season premiere).
••“Wicked Attraction,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Investigation Discovery (second-season premiere).
••“Against the Grain,” 1 p.m. Friday on DIY (series premiere).
••“The Assistants,” 7:30 p.m. Friday on The N (series premiere).
••“Eureka,” 8 p.m. Friday on SYFY (third season resumes).
••“Viva Daisy!” 8:30 a.m. Saturday on Food Network (second-season premiere).
••“Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design,” 11 a.m. Saturday on A&E (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••“In the Motherhood,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday on ABC (series finale).
••“Eli Stone,” 9 p.m. Saturday on ABC (series finale).
••“Harper’s Island,” 9 p.m. Saturday on CBS (series finale).
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Top 55 TV Programs for July 5-11, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of July 5:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, JULY 5
◊“18 Pregnant Schoolgirls” (9 p.m. on BBC America): This documentary tells the story of what happened when an unusually large number of teenage girls in Gloucester, Mass., turned up for pregnancy tests at a school clinic. Officials announced that they would be investigating an apparent teenage “pregnancy pact” responsible for the fact that at least 17 girls in the high school were expecting babies, four times more than the previous year.
◊“Angel and the Badman” (8 p.m. on Hallmark): John Wayne’s grandson, Brendan Wayne, appears in a remake of the Duke’s 1947 classic. The Western also stars Lou Diamond Phillips and Luke Perry as a pair of rival outlaws, one trying to change his ways and the other which murder on his mind.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): Rush and team reopen the 2005 murder case of a young African-American politician who vowed to rid the lower-class neighborhood he grew up in of drug dealers who prey on young kids. Jonathan LaPaglia (“The District”) guest stars as Assistant District Attorney Curtis Bell.
◊“Hannah Montana” (7 p.m. on Disney): In the one-hour special titled “He Could Be the One?,” Miley tries to tell Robby that she’s dating Jake Ryan (Cody Linley, “Dancing With the Stars”) again. Brooke Shields reprises her roles as Miley’s late mother.
◊“Malcolm in the Middle” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Twentieth Television’s complete seven-season library of the award-winning series joins the network’s lineup. It centers on teen genius Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) and his dysfunctional family and originally ran from 2000-6 on Fox.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Julia McKenzie (“Cranford”) takes over the role of spinster sleuth Jane Marple in a new series of Agatha Christie-based mysteries that opens with “A Pocket Full of Rye.” She investigates the deaths of a businessman, his young wife and their housemaid under circumstances that bizarrely recall a nursery rhyme.
◊“Merlin” (7 p.m. on NBC): Merlin barely escapes the attack of a magical winged creature when a young man, Lancelot, appears and fighhts the creature away. Merlin sets out of a mission to convince Arthur of Lancelot’s nobility and great fighting skills.
◊“The Next Food Network Star” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Rachael Ray (“Rachael Ray”) challenges the remaining six finalists to create kid-friendly dishes and convince a group of children to experiment with food they’ve never tried before.
◊“Ruby” (7 p.m. on Style Network): After capturing viewers’ hearts last season and after a 100-pound weight loss, southern sweetheart Ruby Gettinger continues her journey to lose weight and get healthy. Hard work and determination pay off as she passes below 350 pounds for the first time in her adult life (having once weighed 716 pounds).
◊“Untamed & Uncut” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): The second season of extreme animal stories takes viewers on a journey around the world to meet the people whose lives are forever changed by their heart-pounding encounters with animals. The season premiere includes an encounter between a hawk and a cockatoo and its handler.
MONDAY, JULY 6
◊“100 Concerts in 100 Days” (10 a.m. and 10 p.m. today through Oct. 13 on VH1 Classic): New and historically significant rock concerts and festivals will air over the next 100 days. The concert series kicks off with the “Us Festival” from 1983 featuring INXS, The Clash, Men at Work, and The English Beat. Additional highlights from the 100 days of programming include “Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same,” “Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: Live in NYC,” “Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon” and “Iron Maiden: Somewhere Back in Time.”
◊“Desperate Landscapes” (8 p.m. on DIY): In Seson 5, licensed general contractor Jason Cameron visits a viewer’s home armed with a wheelbarrel full of creative solutions to the toughest lanscaping problems. In one day, Jason and his team transform the property into a show place.
◊“The Great Debate” (9 p.m. today through Friday on VH1): Boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer, famous for this catchphrase “Let’s get ready to rumble,” hosts this five-night event that will settle the most burning questions and heated debates of pop culture. Celebrities, including Gilbert Gottfried, Hulk Hogan, Jerry Springer and Perez Hilton, will appear to make their arguments regarding “Star Trek” vs. “Star Wars,” Beatles vs. Rolling Stones and boxers vs. briefs.
◊“Ham on the Street” (1 p.m. on FLN): George Duran, a young chef and comic, hosts this show that combines food facts and hiden-camera comedy. He also creates fast and easy dishes for the everyday cook.
◊“History Detectives” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Items invedstigated include a gun that may have belonged to a member of Al Capone’s gang, a letter allegedly written by John Wilkes Booth’s father and a device meant to guard against grave robbers.
◊“Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” (9 p.m. on Bravo): After failing to win a Grammy, Kathy decides to try to reclaim the spotlight by writing a tell-all book about her friends and family. Michael McDonald (“MADtv”) and Nicole Sullivan (“Rita Rocks”) guest star.
◊“King of Dirt” (8:30 p.m. on DIY): Licensed landscape contractor Gino Panaro doesn’t use a computer or graphic technology to create an outdoor space. He uses his imagination and his hands to make high-end landscapes.
◊“SportsNation” (3 p.m. on ESPN2): This new series hosted by Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle invites viewers to weigh in on topics via e-mail, text, Twitter or telephone. Fans will determine what the topics are, and they can also interact with the hosts, producers, athletes and coaches appearing on the show.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Janet Leigh was born on this day in 1927, and TCM celebrates by airing seven of her films, including 1951′s “Angels in the Outfield” (9:15 a.m.) and 1953′s “Houdini” (3 p.m.).
TUESDAY, JULY 7
◊“10 Things I Hate About You” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): This new series inspired by the 1999 movie of the same name stars Larry Miller (reprising movie role) as the over-protective father to the Stratford sisters — Kat (Lindsey Shaw, “Aliens in America”), a feminist with a razor-sharp tongue, and Bianca (Meaghan Martin, “Camp Rock”), a girl with a plan to climb the social ladder at her new school. Ethan Peck (“Adopt a Sailor” and grandson of Gregory Peck) plays resident bad boy Patrick Verona (originated by Heath Ledger in the 1999 film).
◊“Fantastic Plastic Brain” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): This two-part special tells the story of people with braisn that have the capacity to adapt under extraordinary circumstances.
◊“Great American Road Trip” (7 p.m. on NBC): Comic Reno Collier hosts this eight-episode reality series in which seven families from Texas, Illinois, New York, California, Alabama and Connecticut take a memorable journey together along Route 66, competing in a series of challenges along the way that will reward one family with a dream prize.
◊“NOVA scienceNOW” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment focuses on the Kepler telescope, using computers to authenticate paintings and discovering genes for Alzheimer’s and autism.
◊“P.O.V.” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Promising guitarist Jason Crigler seemed to be on the fast track for stardom before he suffered a near-fatal brain hemorrhage during a 2004 performance date in Manhattan, leaving him in a near-vegetative state. His friend, filmmaker Eric Daniel Metzger, chronicles the journey that followed in ‘‘Life.Support.Music.”
◊“State of Creativity” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): To prove that Oklahomans are creative, the show’s producers picked one county in the state as the focal point for Season 2. The result is 10 stories from Noble County, from an innovative farmer to a unique prairie learning experience.
◊“Warehouse 13″ (8 p.m. on SYFY, formerly called SCI FI): Eddie McClintock (“Crumbs”) and Joane Kelly (“Vanished”) star in this new series that follows Secret Service agents who are reassigned to a strange warehouse in South Dakota that houses a wild collection of supernatural objects.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
◊“Baseball Wives: True Hollywood Story” (9 p.m. on E!): This installment spends a “day in the life” of baseball wives to bring viewers the play-by-play of what their lives are really like. Among those featured are Heidi Hamels, wife of Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels; Carrie Proctor, wife of Florida Marlins pitcher Scott Proctor; and Katie Hamilton, wife of Texas Rangers player Josh Hamilton.
◊“The Conscience of Nhem En” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This documentary short revisits Cambodia 30 years after Khmer Rouge’s reign, when 16-year-old soldier Nhem En was instructed to photograph thousands of men, women and children as they passed through a processing center on their way to certain death. The portraits he took bear witness to the unspeakable suffering and loss endured by the country.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Gary learns the lesson of never mixing business with family when he’s is forced to lean on Allison’s brother (Matthew Lillard, “Scooby-Doo”) for financial guidance after he is faced with an audit from the Internal Revenue Service.
◊“Ghost Hunters International” (8 p.m. on SYFY): Season 2 returns with a squad of real-life “ghost-busters” — ordinary people who investigate and attempt to debunk claims of otherworldly activity. This summer, the team travels to Austria, Ireland, Italy, Chile, Argentina and the Czech Republic in pursuit of the truth behind bizarre supernatural claims.
◊“I’m a Major League Eater” (9 p.m. on BIO): This special uncovers the competitive world of professional eating and explores the preparation rituals of the eaters. There are currently 100 high octane competitive eating events in the United States and more than 9,000 active members in the sport of Major League Eating.
◊“Okie Noodling II” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): In 2002, filmmaker Bradley Beasley brought the strange subculture of bare-handed catfishing to TV audiences. In this sequel, Beesley returns to his home state of Oklahoma to chronicle the sport’s evolution over the last decade. Lee McFarlin, 2005 Okie Noodling Champion, is featured.
◊“Time Team America” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This new series takes viewers to major U.S. historical site with a crack archaeological team that has three days to make a discovery. The team of scholars and scientists must use their combined skills and knowledge to find out what time itself has buried. Dr. Joe Watkins, Director of the Native American Studies Program at the University of Oklahoma, is a member of the team.
◊“Top Chef Masters” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Chefs Anita Lo, Douglas Rodriguez, John Besh and Mark Peel must cook eggs with one hand tied behind their backs, then dazzle several high-profile guests including Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”), with their culinary artistry.
◊“Wide Angle” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Heart of Jenin” recounts a tragic 2005 incident on the West Bank, where a 12-year-old Palestinian boy was fatally shot by Israeli soldiers who mistook his toy gun for a real weapon.
THURSDAY, JULY 9
◊“Big Brother” (7 p.m. on CBS): Julie Chen returns for an eleventh season as host, and a new group of strangers share a house outfitted with dozens of cameras and microphones recording their every move, 24 hours a day. One by one, the Houseguests will vote each other out of the house. At the end of three months, the last remaining Houseguest will receive the Grand Prize of $500,000.
◊“The Chicas Project” (6 p.m. on mun2): Crash and Yasmin are back for their fourth season of this reality lifestyle series. They once again criss-cross the Unites States finding thrills, spills and adventures. This time along the way, the chicas collect the thoughts and concerns of young Latinas across the country, head to Capitol Hill, and present their accumulated messages to the President & CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): During the course of an investigation, the CSIs discover that their victim, a young woman who was murdered and found with several different blood types in her system, is the daughter of a wanted criminal. Nicholas Turturro (“I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry”) giest stars.
◊“In the Motherhood” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): In the series finale, Jane (Cheryl Hines) needs to prove to her boss that she still has what it takes to be a great employee and that motherhood isn’t getting in the way of her work. Meanwhile, Rosemary (Megan Mullally) makes Horatio choose between being friends with her or a fellow nanny.
◊“Inside Track: Refueling the Business of NASCAR” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This documentary takes viewers inside the garage of driver-turned-owner Tony Stewart and offers a never-before-seen look at how NASCAR sponsors are looking for business from each other.
◊“LA Ink” (9 p.m. on TLC): Tattoo artist Kat Von D returns to TLC for a third season of her reality series. While Kat is focused on expanding her product line and writing a new book, the shop faces unexpected – and unwelcome – changes. The introduction of new shop manager, Aubry Fisher, (from “Rock of Love” fame) is just one example.
◊“Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-Up” (9 p.m. on Starz): Doug Williams (“The Bernie Mac Show”) returns as host of the show that presents up-and-coming comics and established stars performing before a live audience.
◊“Samantha Who?” (7 p.m. on ABC): Samantha is shocked to learn that she has been kept in the dark about having an aunt (Christine Ebersole, “Grey Gardens”) and a grandmother (Florence Henderson, “The Brady Bunch”) because of a feud over a family heirloom between Regina and her sister.
◊“Soundstage” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Indie rock favorite-turned-mahor-label sensation Death Cab for Cutie presenst a set that includes songs from the band’s new EP “The Open Door” and the 2008 studio album “Narrow Stairs.”
◊“Wicked Attraction” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): The series returns for a second season of examining what happens in the mind of the average person when they fall under the spell of a sadistic predator.
FRIDAY, JULY 10
◊“Against the Grain” (1 p.m. on DIY): In this new series, master builder Jimmy DiResta brings his unique blend of function and artistry to even the simplest projects, such as barstools made from baseball bats and pool tables that concert to dining room tables.
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on Fox): Larry the Cable Guy (“The Blue Collar Comedy Tour”) competes for $1 million by testing his knowledge in the subjects ranging from art to geography and math to social studies. There is a way for him to “cheat” in this classroom, as he can get help from real grade-schoolers who will offer what they think is the correct answer.
◊“The Assistants” (7:30 p.m. on The N): This new 13-episode series takes a comedic look at four showbiz assistants working for a big-shot producer as they strive to make it in Hollywood. Coffee runs, answering phones and helping actresses break out of rehab are just part of the glamorous and not-so-glamorous lives of these four 20-somethings.
◊“Crimson Tide” (7 p.m. on Bravo): This 1995 post-Cold War drama stars Gene Hackman as a submarine commander and Denzel Washington as his executive officer. When an unconfirmed order instructs the crew to fire the sub’s nuclear missiles, the two go head to head in a tense standoff.
◊“Eureka” (8 p.m. on SYFY): The second half of Season 3 picks up at the mid-season cliffhanger with Jack Carter being removed from his job as Eureka’s sheriff and Allison announcing that she is expecting her recently-deceased husband’s baby.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When a vigilante group goes after a known criminal mastermind, Charlie is forced to turn to his rival for help. Also, Don wrestles with his emotions towards embracing religion. Colin Hanks (“Roswell”) guest stars.
◊“The River Wild” (5 p.m. on HBO): In this 1994 action thriller, Meryl Streep plays an unhappy wife and former white-water guide who takes her husband and son on a river expedition. After coming to the aid of two young rafters, the family is soon at the mercy of murderous thieves on a harrowing trip through some dangerous rapids.
SATURDAY, JULY 11
◊“Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): This installment of the locally-produced program visits the Rock Cafe in Stroud, the world’s highest hill near Poteau and the Ames Meteor Crater.
◊“Eli Stone” (9 p.m. on ABC): In the series finale, Eli’s visions leads him to believe someone close to him will die in a plane crash. As Eli tries to unravel the mystery of who among his friends may meet their fate on the doomed plane, he and Keith take on the case of a woman named Diane who’s in need of a heart transplant, but the religious parents of a donor refuse to give her their daughter’s heart to her because she is an atheist. Tom Cavanagh (“Ed”) guest stars.
◊“The Gambler, the Girl and the Gunslinger” (8 p.m. on Hallmark): When con man Shea McCall (Dean Cain) wins ownership of half of a cattle ranch, he immediately butts heads with BJ Stoker (James Tupper), the hard-nosed owner of the other half of the ranch. But when the two uncover a secret Mexican invasion plot, they’ll have to put aside their differences in order to save the ranch, whoever’s property it is.
◊“Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design” (11 a.m. on A&E): In this new series, former NFL player Keyshawn Johnson tries to negotiate clients and a cast of assistants while tackling a variety of interior design dilemmas. From a master bedroom to a gourmet kitchen, Johnson and his team will show clients how to work within their budget to make choices that make sense.
◊“Kings” (7 p.m. on NBC): David finds out where his true loyalties lie when he goes on trial for treason.
◊“Primeval” (8 p.m. on BBC America): Abby’s visiting brother, Jack, persists in snooping around in an attempt to find out the truth about her job but only winds up being menaced by a giant and very lethal carnivorous insect from the future that chases him into an anomaly. That forces the team to enter a harsh futuristic world teeming with hungry predators to rescue him.
◊“Tombstone” (7 p.m. on History): In this 1993 adaptation of the O.K. Corral story, Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) gets out of Dodge and attempts to settle down in Tombstone, Ariz., with his brothers (Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton) and buddy Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer). But Wyatt can’t hang up his six-shooters until he takes care of the outlaw gang that’s stirring up trouble.
◊“Viva Daisy!” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): Host Daisy Martinez returns for a second season of giving viewers tips and tricks for creating quick, simple, mouth-watering meals inspired by her love of Latin cuisines.
–Penny TV
