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Top 55 TV Programs for Feb. 22-28, 2009

Posted by television

on February 19, 2009 at 6:00 am

Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Feb. 22:

SUNDAY, FEB. 22
◊The 81st Annual Academy Awards (7:30 p.m. on ABC): “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is up for 13 Oscars, including best picture and best actor for Shawnee-born Brad Pitt. Another nominee with Oklahoma ties is Ron Howard, who was born in Duncan and is up for best director for “Frost/Nixon.” Host Hugh Jackman (pictured above in ABC Photo) is from Australia, but he has worked with an Oklahoman (James Marsden in the “X-Men” movies) and he has been in “Oklahoma!” on stage.
◊“100 Most Outrageous Moments 2” (8 p.m. on NBC): This special features plenty of missteps, misstatements and mistakes from television shows, newscasts, sporting events, political speeches and the like, but it also includes several viewer-submitted videos.
◊“The Barbara Walters Special” (6 p.m. on ABC): Sitting down with Barbara Walters for her 28th annual Oscar special are Academy Award nominees Anne Hathaway and Mickey Rourke, Academy Award host Hugh Jackman and teen pop stars the Jonas Brothers.
◊“HGTV Showdown” (8 p.m. on HGTV): Kim Myles, last season’s “HGTV Design Stars” winner, squares off with this season’s champion, Jennifer Bertrand, as they pull out all the stops to create dazzling children-friendly spaces.
◊“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:05 p.m. on ABC): The talk show will host his fourth consectuive post-Oscar celebration that will air live from the El Capitan Entertainment Center in Hollywood.
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In the mid-1990s, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. “In the Valley of the Wolves” traces three years in the life of the Druid wolf pack with a look at its relations with other packs and the fate of its members.
◊“The Oscars Red Carpet 2009″ (7 p.m. on ABC): Co-hosts Tim Gunn (“Project Runway”), Robin Roberts (“Good Morning America”) and Jess Cagle (Entertainment Weekly managing editor) will interview celebrities and comment on fashions during guest arrivals.
◊“Rampage!” (7 p.m. on Discovery): See firsthand what happens when people, machines and nature to on the rampage in this eight-part series featuring raw footage and the stories behind it.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel, 66 on Cox, 214 on Dish Network, 362 on DirecTV): Storm tracker Jim Cantore returns as host for a new season of stories that chronicle survivors and rescuers battling amazing weather events. The season premiere focuses on the May 2008 Windsor tornado that touched down in northern Colorado and hit a daycare center.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Theatre and Drama Department and include 1968′s “The Producers” (9:45 a.m.), 1954′s “Susan Slept Here” (1:15 p.m.) and 1983′s “The Dresser” (8:45 p.m.).

MONDAY, FEB. 23
◊“American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “A Class Apart” recounts the struggle of Texas field hand Pete Hernandez and his lawyers to get him a fair trial for the murder of his employer. At the time, equal protection covered only blacks and whites, not Mexican-Americans.
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): A set of 1914 and 1915 Cracker Jack baseball cards is estimated to be worth $30,000 to $40,000.
◊“Battle for Tobacco Road: Duke vs. Carolina” (8 p.m. on HBO): This new documentary chronicles what many hardwood observers consider college basketball’s fiercest rivalry. It also examines the different cultures and characteristics of the programs in Durham and Chapel Hill that are separated by fewer than 10 miles.
◊“Daddy’s Girls” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): As Season 1 comes to a close, Vanessa and Angela have learned a lot about what it means to be adults, great friends and successufl entertainers.
◊“Hard Time” (8 p.m. on National Geographic): This new six-part series offers an inside look at Georgia’s prison system, where military-style discipline is the order of business. The series visits with prisoners at all levels, from a boot camp for young offenders to death row.
◊“Man vs. Wild” (8 p.m. on Discovery): In the Season 3 finale, host Bear Grylls reveals the tradecraft and survivla tips needed to stay alive in some of the toughest and most remote locations on the planet, including the salt flats of Mexico and the ice in Siberia.
◊“Rita Rocks” (7 p.m. on Lifetime): In the first-season finale, Rita gets a promotion to manager at Bed & Bath Max, which results in longer hours. She realizes she can’t do it all and quits the band.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Agriculture Department and include 1937′s “The Good Earth” (8:15 a.m.), 1945′s “San Antonio” (2:45 p.m.) and 1955′s “East of Eden” (9 p.m.).
◊“Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Mark Wahlberg (“The Departed”) is featured in the “star in a reasonably-priced car” segment.
◊“True Beauty” (9 p.m. on ABC): The contestants in this reality series though they were being judged on their looks, but they were actually being judged on their compassion, sportsmanship, charity, respect for their elders and other qualitiestraits. In the finale, find out who displayed more than beauty to win a spot in People magazine’s “Most Beautiful People” issue.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas A&M in women’s college basketball action airing live at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Kansas in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

TUESDAY, FEB. 24
◊“Black to the Future” (8 p.m. today through Friday on VH1): David Alan Grier (“Chocolate News”) hosts this four-part special celebrating the contributions of blacks to American pop culture.
◊“Dark Days in Monkey City” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): John Rhys-Davies (“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”) narrates this new series that reveals tales of love, treachery, betrayal and triumph among monkeys living in the deserted city of Polonnaruwa on Sri Lanka. It blends live action with graphic novel-style animation to accentuate the stories that are based on the Smithsonian Primate Project, the longest-running study of primates in the world.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): The death of a NCIS agent leads Gibbs and Tony into the desert to locate a woman who holds the answer to the mystery. Lance Henriksen (“Millennium”) guest stars as Sheriff Clay Boyd.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This new installment titled “Rats Attack” focuses on a horrendous event that happens every 48 years Mizoram, India. The ordeal is known locally as mautam, and it happens when an indigenous species of bamboo blooms and spurs an explosion in the rat population that feeds off the bamboo’s fruit.
◊“Privileged” (8 p.m. on CW): As Marco and Keith prepare for their wedding with the help of wedding planner Olivia (Kathy Griffin, “My Life on the ‘D’ List”), Megan discovers that her father Arthur is drinking again.
◊“The Real Housewives of Orange County Reunion Special” (8 p.m. on Bravo): Bravo programming executive Andy Cohen hosts this special that reunites the ladies of Orange County to give their side of the story on what went on after the cameras stopped rolling.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Languages Department and include 1960′s “Two Women” (5:15 a.m.), 1956′s “Gervaise” (4:45 p.m.) and 1950′s “Rashomon” (9 p.m.).

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25
◊“America’s Ballroom Challenge” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Jean Louisa Kelly (“Yes, Dear”) hosts this two-hour special that features 24 couples competing in the world’s grandest ballroom dancing competition in Columbus, Ohio. All four major dance styles will be featured — American Smooth, American Rhythm, International Standard, and International Latin — and an international panel of judges will decide which couple walks away with the crown.
◊“The Contender” (8 p.m. on Versus): The fourth-season finale will feature a bout between the show’s top two cruiserweights live from MGM Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.
◊“Guy’s Big Night” (9 p.m. on Food Network): Chef Guy Fieri cooks up his favorite recipes in this primetime special. Plus, there will be unexpected guests and a DJ spinning music for the feast.
◊“Human Prey” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new series tells the stories of real people who’ve been attacked by wild animals and lived to tell the tale.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:06 p.m. on ABC): Sam recognizes a killer from the future and must find a way to stop him in 1973. Former presidential candidate Fred D. Thompson (“Law & Order”) guest stars as Chief Harry Woolf.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Medical Department and include 1958′s “Cat on the Hot Tin Roof” (9 a.m.), 1936′s “Camille” (3 p.m.) and 1989′s “My Left Foot” (11:15 p.m.).
◊“Top Chef” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The three remaining chef’testants face an extra special challenge in the Season 5 finale. The winner gets $100,000, a culinary tour of the French Alps and a feature in Food & Wine Magazine.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Colorado in men’s college basketball action airing live at 9:30 p.m. on KOCB-34.

THURSDAY, FEB. 26
◊“The Beast” (9 p.m. on A&E): Barker and Ellis are assigned to go undercover when Chicago Police Department Officer Owens is reported missing. Lou Diamond Phillips (“Lone Rider”) guest stars.
◊“The Black List: Volume Two” (7 p.m. on HBO): Award-winning journalist Elvis Mitchell interviews a host of influential blacks, including Laurence Fishburne (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”), Tyler Perry (“Madea Goes to Jail”), Maya Rudolph (“Saturday Night Live”), Melvin Van Peebles (“Blackout”) and singer Charley Pride.
◊“The Chris Isaak Hour” (9 p.m. on Bio): Singer/songwriter Chris Isaak hosts this new talk and music performance show. Through a blend of storytelling and performance, each guest will be interviewed by Isaak and relive the highs and lows of their careers. The series premiere will feature Trisha Yearwood and will include the first ever performance of “Breaking Apart,” a duet from Isaak’s new album.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): The CSIs are called to three different crime scenes in one night that are seemingly unrelated, but each case’s forensic evidence reveals a common link. John Schneider (“Smallville”) guest stars.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): One of Meredith’s oldest friends becomes an intern at Seattle Grace, causing turmoil at the Hospital. Mary McDonnell (“Battlestar Gallactica”) guest stars in this episode directed by Eric Stoltz (“Mask”).
◊“NEWBOs: The Rise of America’s New Black Overclass” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This new documentary provides a close-up look at the experiences of several self-made black multimillionaires, many of whom grew up poor, are mostly under age 40, and have primarily made their vast fortunes in the sports, entertainment and media industries. Among them are LeBron James, Terrell “T.O.” Owens, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Wyclef Jean and Lil’ Wayne.
◊“Secrets of the Furious 5″ (7 p.m. on NBC): This new animated special picks up where the feature film “Kung Fu Panda” left off, with Po put in charge of training a new class of students.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Geology Department and include 1970′s “Paint Your Wagon” (7:45 a.m.), 1939′s “The Rains Came” (5 p.m.) and 1974′s “Chinatown” (11:15 p.m.).

FRIDAY, FEB. 27
◊“15 Most Unforgettable Hollywood Tragedies” (7 p.m. on E!): This special combines news footage and interviews to count down 15 of the most memorable Hollywood tragedies that made headlines.
◊“The Electric Company” (4 p.m. on OETA-13): Hector mysteriously loses his agility right before his big basketball game in the new episode titled “Trouble Afoot.” Guest star Whoopi Goldberg (“The View”) performs “The Electric Comoany Rap” with Hector and Shock.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Political Science Department and include 1946′s “Notorious” (6 a.m.), 1972′s “1776″ (4 p.m.) and 1949′s “All the King’s Men” (9:15 p.m.).
◊“Yo Gabba Gabba!” (12:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Rachel Dratch (“Saturday Night Live”) teaches a “Dancey Dance” to the Gabba gang, who learn the importance of cleaning up in this new episode. Musical guest Chromeo perform a song titled “Nice and Clean.”

SATURDAY, FEB. 28
◊“America” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Emmy winner Rosie O’Donnell (“The Rosie O’Donnel Show”) executive produces and stars in this new movie based on E.R. Frank’s book of the same name. The film takes viewers on the emotional journey of America, 17, as he navigates the United States foster care system.
◊“Ice Queens” (11 a.m. on MTV): This new special follows the lives of three young female figure skaters as they gear up for the South Atlantic Regional Championships. Along the way, they’ll test out their programs at smaller competitions, work with their coaches to perfect their spins and jumps and somehow manage to fit school into the mix.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Athletic Department and include 1978′s “Heaven Can Wait” (9:15 a.m.), 1984′s “The Natural” (4:30 p.m.) and 1976′s “Rocky” (8:45 p.m.).
◊“VH1 Storytellers: Kanye West” (8 p.m. on VH1): This hourlong special features Kanye West performing songs from his critically acclaimed album 808’s & Heartbreak in addition to past hits. Viewers also get to hear the inspiration and stories behind each song.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State in women’s college basketball action airing live at noon on KAUT-43.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas Tech in men’s college basketball action airing live at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
Oklahoma State University takes on Texas in men’s college basketball action airing live at 5 p.m. on ESPN.

–Penny TV

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Top 60 TV Programs for Feb. 15-21

Posted by television

on February 13, 2009 at 6:49 am

SUNDAY, FEB. 15
◊The 51st annual Daytona 500 (1 p.m. on Fox): NASCAR opens the 2009 season with the top-rated event in American motorsports. Country music artist Keith Urban will headline the 2009 Daytona prerace show live at noon, performing three of his No. 1 songs prior to the drop of the green flag.
◊“The Amazing Race 14” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christie Volkmer from Choctaw is Oklahoma’s first contender for the six-time Emmy Award-winning reality-competition program that hits the road for Season 14. She and teammate Jodi Wincheski from Houston make up one of 11 teams that will travel one of the most grueling courses ever assembled on the race – spanning 40,000 miles and nine countries in just 22 days.
◊“Eastbound & Down” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Danny McBride (“Pineapple Express”) stars in this new six-part comedy series. He plays Kenny Powers, a former pro baseball pitcher whose self-destructive behavior ruined his career. Now he’s back in his North Carolina hometown teaching physical education at his old middle school.
◊“Food Nework Challenge” (7 p.m. on Food Network): Four pastry chefs design a cake for Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 birthday. Miley’s grandmother is among the panel of judges who will decide with chef wins $10,000 and the chance to serve their cake to the teen star.
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Timothy Spall (“Harry Potter” movies) stars as Fagin, leader of a gang of boy thieves, in this new two-part adaptation of the Dickens classic “Oliver Twist.” Newcomer William Miller stars as Oliver.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Art Dept. and include 1958’s ”The Horse’s Mouth” (10 a.m.), 1956’s “Lust for Life” (2:15 p.m.) and 1943’s “No Time for Love” (7 p.m.).
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Harper is helping Mr. Frenchy, a famous fashion designer, during Fashion Week, and enlists Alex’s help to care for a one-of-a-kind dress. When Alex ruins it, she decides to host the designer’s show at the Waverly Sub Station in an attempt to fix things. Cindy Crawford (“Fashion Flashback”) and Willie Garson (“Sex and the City”) guest star.
◊“World’s Heavist Man Gets Married!” (7 p.m. on TLC): This special profiles the wedding of Manuel Uribe to his longtime girlfriend, Claudia Solis. In 2006, Uribe tipped the scales at 1,232 lbs., but now he is 400 lbs. lighter and seizing his second chance at life and love.

MONDAY, FEB. 16
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The first hour from Wichita, Kan., features a 1949 payroll check made out to professional baseball rookie Mickey Mantle. It is valued between $30,000 and $50,000.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck and Sarah’s latest assignment forces them to pose as a happily married couple living in the suburbs. They meet some interesting characters including Brad (Andy Richter, “Andy Barker, P.I.”), a cheerful next-door neighbor in the stationary business, and Sylvia (Jenny McCarthy, “John Tucker Must Die”), a seductive and attractive woman who lives across the street and has her eye on Chuck.
◊“Dadnapped” (7 p.m. on Disney): Emily Osment (“Hannah Montana”) and George Newborn (“Father of the Bride”) star in this new daughter-father action comedy set in and around the fictional Western town of Mercury. Melissa and her father, Neil, the author of a popular action hero book series, attend a conference and become part of a prank dad-napping.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Sylar and Luke embark on a road trip to find Sylar’s father, but are secretly being hunted by Nathan’s agents. Moira Kelly (“The West Wing” ) guest stars.
◊“ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): U.S. skaters Johnny Wier and Evan Lysacek were among the competitors at this competition held Dec. 10-14 in South Korea.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): Series star Patricia Arquette (Allison) makes her directorial debut in this episode, in which Allison’s strange behavior leads to an explosive discovery that may change the future of Joe’s business.
◊“Right America: Feeling Wronged” (7 p.m. on HBO): In this new documentary, filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi (daughter of Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives). hits the road to ask conservative Americans to share their thoughts on the way the country is changing.
◊“Sex … With Mom and Dad” (3 p.m. on MTV): Dr. Drew Pinsky returns for Season 2, which will incorporate vintage sex education footage into the show that features therapy sessions and homework assignments for famlies in crisis.
◊“Simon Schama’s Rough Crossings” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Writer-narrator Simon Schama reconstructs the journey of black slaves who were offered their freedom if they fought for Britain during the American Revolution. They were resettled in Nova Scotia, which proved a poor fit for those from the Deep South. So arrangements were made to transport them to Sierra Leone, where worse conditions awaited.
◊“Spectacular!” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon)(Nickelodeon Photo of “Spectacular!” cast above): Taking center stage in this new TV movie for tweens is a talented teen rebel (Nolan Gerard Funk, “Smallville”) who is on an unpredictable road to rock stardom. Tammin Sursok (“The Young and the Restless”) also stars in the film, which features 10 original songs.
◊“Stealing Lincoln’s Body” (8 p.m. on History): This new special explores the final chapter of the 16th president, who was assassinated in 1865 but did not come to reat in his hometown of Springfield, Ill., until 1901. For the first time, Lincoln walks and moves according to the historical record, thanks to new digital visualizations.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Criminology Dept. and include 1938’s ”Boys’ Town” (7 a.m.), 1944’s “Double Indemnity” (2:30 p.m.) and 1991’s “Bugsy” (11:15 p.m.).
◊“True Beauty” (9 p.m. on ABC): In week seven, contestants attend a red carpet party where they will be the guests of honor and be judged on their poise and presentation as they walk the red carpet and work the crowd. But there’s a twist: The contestants will each have a date, and their dates are their parents.
◊“The Young and the Restless” (11 a.m. on CBS): Marcia Wallace (“The Bob Newhart Show”) guest stars as Ammie Wilkes, a woman who poses possible danger to Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper).

TUESDAY, FEB. 17
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): For the next three Tuesdays, 12 different semifinalists will perform. During Wedneday’s live results shows, the three contestants with the highest number of votes — one male, one female and the next top vote-getter, will secure spots in the Top 12.
◊“Dogg After Dark” (8 p.m. on MTV): Rapper, record producer, entrepreneur and actor Snoop Dogg will host this new weekly variety talk show from Los Angeles hotspot Kress on Hollywood Boulevard. The show will feature interviews with A-list celebrities and musicians, sketch-comedy segments and musical performances.
◊“Independent Lens” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): “Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life” revisits the life of composer and pianist, who was Duke Ellington’s right-hand man and wrote some if his best-known songs. Dule Hill (“Psych”) plays Strayhorn in re-enactments.
◊“Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Dr, Melinda Warner’s expertiese comes into play when a homeopathic doctor (Martin Mull, “The Ellen Show”) goes on trial for the death of a girl with AIDS.
◊“The Real Housewives Of New York City” (10 p.m. on Bravo): The series franchise returns to the New York social scene for a second season. Alex, Bethenny, Jill, Luann and Ramona, along with new cast member Kelly Killoren Bensimon, continue to juggle their careers and home lives with busy calendars.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Dance Dept. and include 1937’s ”Shall We Dance” (9:30 a.m.), 1951’s “Royal Wedding” (2:30 p.m.) and 1952’s “Million Dollar Mermaid” (7 p.m.).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas Tech in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on Cox.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18
◊“Against the Elements” (9 p.m. Wednesday on Science Channel, 101 on Cox Digital Cable, 193 on Dish Network, 284 on DirecTV): This new series explores the science behind the most heart-stopping natural disasters ever captured on camera. Forensic investigations reveal what caused these catastophes and shows what scientists have learned from the past that will protect us in the future.
◊“American Masters” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About” profiles one of Broadway’s best directors and choreographers. It includes never-before-scene rehearsal footage and interviews with many of his colleagues, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Chita Rivera and Stephen Sondheim.
◊“High School Reunion” (9 p.m. on TV Land): Nineteen classmates from the 1988 graduating class of Arizona’s Chandler High School come together for a special reunion in Hawaii. Chad Ramirez, head rodeo coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, is among them.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): After New York City Councilman Bobby Prince is caught with a hooker during a police raid on a motel, he shares a secret with Det. Sam Tyler.
◊“Lost” (8 p.m. on ABC): The way back to the island is revealed to members of the Oceanic 6, but there’s trouble ahead when not all of them wish to return.
◊“Rick Steves’ Iran” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): World traveler Rick Steves journeys to Iran in hopes of getting to know this ancient country and to better understand the 70 million people living there.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …” (8 p.m. on Sundance): Host Elvis Costello welcomes his wife, jazz artist Diana Krall. She is interviewed by the program’s executive producer, Elton John.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Law Dept. and include 1942’s ”The Talk of the Town” (8:15 a.m.), 1929’s “Madame X” (noon) and 1954’s “The Caine Mutiny” (9 p.m.).
◊“Top Chef” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The final chef’testants will need to “kick it up a notch” to impress guest judge and famed chef Emeril Lagasse. This supersized episode also features a twist that changes the face of game as the field is narrowed from four to three.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Texas Tech in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

THURSDAY, FEB. 19
◊“Being Erica” (9 p.m. on SoapNet, channel 170 on Cox Digital Cable, 188 on Dish Network, 262 on DirecTV): This new series follows the life of Erica Strange, 32, who is given chances to revisit various events from her past that caused regret and attempts to fix them. Newcomer Erin Karpluk plays Erica.
◊“Biography: Mötley Crüe” (9 p.m. on BIO, channel 119 on Dish Network, 164 on Cox Digital Cable, 266 on DirecTV): This new installment takes viewers through the nearly 30 years career span of one of the most infamous rock bands that sold more than 45 million records worldwide. The LA quartet – made up of lead singer Vince Neil, drummer Tommy Lee, bass player Nikki Sixx and guitarist Mick Mars – parlayed whiplash hard-rock songs, melodic power ballads and a hedonistic image into superstardom and lived the rock & roll lifestyle to its fullest.
◊“ER” (9 p.m. on NBC): It’s Valentine’s Day in the ER and Neela seems to be under the spell of Dr. Brenner. Meanwhile, Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) makes a surprise return to the ER.
◊“Gallery” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): One segment in this locally-produced show focuses on Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee, the only university in the country that offers courses in boot and saddle making.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Cristina calls the abilities of a renown surgeon into question after she botches a standard procedure. Faye Dunaway (“Network”) guest stars as Dr. Campbell.
◊“Kath & Kim” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Kath discovers that she is still married to her ex Rusty (guest star Ron White) and must find him in order to finalize their divorce. Busy Philipps (“Dawson’s Creek”) guest stars.
◊“My Name Is Earl” (7 p.m. on NBC): Darnell’s absentee father (Danny Glover, “Lethal Weapon”) arrives in Camden claiming he needs to make amends with his son. Earl and Randy smell trouble and go to warn Joy and Darnell.
◊“Sin City Law” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new two-part documentary, which concludes Feb. 26, chronicles Las Vegas criminal cases.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Dept. of Education and include 1955’s ”Blackboard Jungle” (7 a.m.), 1939’s “Goodbye Mr. Chips” (5 p.m.) and 1938’s “Pygmalion” (7 p.m.).
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): Wilhelmina fears she’s lost her edge in the fashion world because she’s been spending too much time with Conner. Bernadette Peters (“Living Proof”) guest stars.

FRIDAY, FEB. 20
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on NBC): New quarterback J.D. McCoy (Jeremy Sumpter, “Clubhouse”) becomes a victim of freshman hazing but begins to win the respect of the town and his team after he wins his first game.
◊“Late Night With Conan O’Brien” (11:37 p.m. on NBC): Talk show host Conan O’Brien signs off as host of “Late Night.” He will take over “The Tonight Show” hosting duties on June 1. Jimmy Fallon will take over the reins as “Late Night” host on March 2.
◊“Mistresses” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This new series chronicles the adventures of four 30-something friends with one thing in common — infidelity. Starring are four of Britain’s leading actresses, Sarah Parish (“Viva Blackpool”), Sharon Small (“About a Boy”), Orla Brady (“Shark”) and Shelley Conn (“Innocence”).
◊“Real Time With Bill Maher” (9 p.m. on HBO): The comedian and commentator returns for a seventh season of
roundtable discussions with panelists and interviews with in-studio and satellite guests.
◊“Smothered: The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This special examines the turmoil that surrounded the 1960s variety show “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” including the events that led to its cancellation.
◊“The Soup Awards” (9:30 p.m. on E!): Host Joel McHale presents spray-painted-gold soup cans to celebrities and reality TV gluttons who make for such great “Soup” all year long.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Philosophy Dept. and include 1952’s ”Pat and Mike” (7:45 a.m.), 1941’s “Sergeant York” (4:30 p.m.) and 1967’s “The Graduate” (11 p.m.).

SATURDAY, FEB. 21
◊The 2009 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards (4 p.m. on IFC): Steve Coogan (“Tropic Thunder”) hosts the this year’s ceremony that will air uncut, uncensored and commercial free (an edited rebroadcast of the event will air at 9 p.m. on AMC). Nominees for best feature are “Ballast,” “Frozen River,” “Rachel Getting Married,” “Wendy and Lucy” and “The Wrestler.”
◊“Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live from the Fillmore” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Recorded in her hometown of San Francisco at the historic Fillmore rock venue, comedienne Aisha Tyler tackles such important topics as staying in shape, married life, honesty and her drinking habits.
◊“Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Renowned for his expertise in wildlife and conservation, Jeff Corwin sets his sights on exploring human culture through regional cuisine in this primetime special. He enjoys countless surprises and unforgettable flavors as he interacts with natives and showcases how exotic foods and customs uniquely shape each community.
◊“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (7 p.m. on NBC): When celebrity illusionist Miles Stone disappears from his own stunt, Goren and Eames must explore the exclusive and very secretive world of magic and magicians in order to unravel the mystery. Paul Shaffer (“Late Show With David Letterman”) guest stars.
◊“Taking Chance” (7 p.m. on HBO): This fact-based drama stars Kevin Bacon as Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, the volunteer military escort who accompanied the body of Chance Phelps, a 19-year-old lance corporal killed in Iraq, home to Wyoming.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the American History Dept. and include 1944’s ”Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” (7 a.m.), 1989’s “Glory” (4:30 p.m.) and 1953’s “From Here to Eternity” (7 p.m.).
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Baylor in men’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

–Penny TV

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Program Planner: Jan. 18-24

Posted by television

on January 16, 2009 at 6:00 am

SUNDAY, JAN. 18
◊“America’s Next Top Model Obsessed” (10 a.m. on Oxygen): In addition to airing a 12-hour marathon of the most current season, this programming block will include vignettes featuring past contestants and judges.
◊“Another Cinderella Story” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): This high-energy, comedic twist on the classic fairy tale stars Selena Gomez (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) as downtrodden teen Mary Santiago, Drew Seeley (“High School Musical” concert tour) as pop idol Joey Parker and Jane Lynch (“Talladega Nights”) as Dominique, Mary’s evil legal guardian.
◊“Big Love” (8 p.m. on HBO): In the face of a do-it-yourself market and a crackdown on polygamists, Bill wants to protect his growing family and his chain of Home Plus superstores by diversifying his business operations and building neighborhood goodwill. And as if his life wasn’t complicated enough already, he wants to take a fourth wife.
◊“Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): In the show’s 100th episode, neighborhood handyman Eli Scruggs (Beau Bridges, “Stargate SG-1”) dies, and all the women reminisce about how he touched their lives — from helping Gabrielle (Eva Longoria Parker) make friends when she was new to Wisteria Lane to lending a hand to an overwhelmed Lynette (Felicity Huffman).
◊“Flight of the Conchords” (9 p.m. on HBO): In the show’s second season, transplanted New Zealanders Jemaine and Bret resort to a variety of unconventional strategies in an attempt to jump-start their lives and music careers.
◊“The L Word” (8 p.m. on Showtime): A major character is dead, and the show’s final season will be devoted to flashbacks of the events leading up to the tragedy.
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This new adaptation of Emily Bronte’s novel “Wuthering Heights” stars Tom Hardy (‘‘Marie Antoinette”) as Heathcliff, the foundling who is taken in by a wealthy family and falls in love with his adoptive sister, Cathy (Charlotte Riley).
◊“Oklahoma High School Sports Express” (11 p.m. on KOKH-25): This locally-produced sports show hosted by Van Shea Iven will feature plays of the year from football and highlights from several basketball tournaments.
◊“State of Creativity” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): The premiere episode of this documentary series focuses on Kyle Bratcher, 7, from Midwest City and his battle against radiation necrosis, a devastating consequence of cancer treatments performed to save his life.
◊“United States of Tara” (9 p.m. on Showtime): Tony Collette (“Little Miss Sunshine”) plays the title character, a wife and mother who has several alternate personalities, including a promiscuous teenage girl, a happy homemaker and a biker dude.
◊“We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial” (6 p.m. on HBO): Scheduled performers for the event that kicks off the inaugural opening festivities are Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas A&M in women’s basketball action airing live at 3 p.m. on FSOK.

MONDAY, JAN. 19
◊“The American Future: A History by Simon Schama” (7 p.m. today and Tuesday on BBC America): This four-part series shot against the backdrop of the U.S. presidential campaign features historian Simon Schama traveling throughout America to dig deep into the conflicts of its history to understand just what is at stake right now. Schama is a Professor of Art History and History at Columbia University.
◊“CSI: NY” marathon (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday on SPIKE): It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and SPIKE celebrates with 10 back-to-back episodes of the CBS crime drama.
◊“Look Around You” (12 a.m. on Cartoon Network): This British comedy series offers parodies of educational programs of the ‘70s and early ‘80s. Series creators Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz start in the show and perform the music for the series.
◊“The Powerpuff Girls Rule!!!” (7 p.m. on Cartoon Network): This new half-hour animated special follows super-powered sisters Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup as they take to the skies once more for their biggest battle yet. Craig McCracken, who created the Emmy-winning series “The Powerpuff Girls,” selected his favorite episodes for a 14-hour marathon airing from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
◊“Paranormal State” (9 p.m. on A&E): Ryan Buell, the director and founder of the Paranormal Research Society (PRS), returns for a third season of this real-life series. He and his group of Penn State University students delve into other worlds to solve a variety of cases.
◊“The Story of India” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Michael Wood’s “10,000-year epic” concludes with the coming of Islam to the Indian subcontinent and the time of the British occupation of India.
◊“Will Work For Food” (7:30 p.m. on Food Network): Adam Gertner, who was a finalist on Season 4 of “The Next Food Network Star,” pairs his comedic timing with an adventurous spirit in this new series.

TUESDAY, JAN. 20
◊“10 Items of Less” (10 p.m. on TBS): Paramount rejects Leslie’s idea of holding a Star Trek convention at Greens & Grains, so he decides to hold a Star Trok convention instead. And when Jolene Blalock from “Enterprise” shows up for her celebrity appearance, an exploding refrigerator compressor traps her in the store.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): On the night of Barack Obama’s historic inauguration, the series examines the rich personal and political biography of the 44th president of the United States.
◊“The Neighborhood Inaugural Ball” (7 p.m. on ABC): This event airing live from the Washington Convention Center will include the President and First Lady’s first dance of the night and performances by various recording artists.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment titled “The Big Energy Gamble” looks at what’s being done to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels. Actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr. and ‘‘Science Guy” Bill Nye are among the commentators.
◊Presidential Inauguration 2009 (9 a.m. on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox News, 10 a.m. on PBS): Barack Obama takes the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Patricia Neal was born on this day in 1926, and TCM celebrates by airing seven of her films, including 1949′s “John Loves Mary” (8:30 a.m.) and 1968′s “The Subject was Roses” (4:30 p.m.).
◊Norman takes on Westmoore in high school basketball action airing live at 6 p.m. on Cox.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The Behavioral Analysis Unit becomes involved in the case of a family working together to abduct young women. Tim Matheson (“The West Wing”) directs the episode.
◊“Lie to Me” (8:02 p.m. on Fox)(Fox Photo of cast above): This new series stars Tim Roth as superobservant Dr. Cal Lightman, who works with law enforcement. His specialty is lie detecting; he can spot a fib a mile away, and this skill is in demand from more than just the police.
◊“Lost Clip Show” (7 p.m. on ABC): This special will take an in-depth look at the mysteries of the island, its inhabitants, the Oceanic 6, outside influences such as Charles Widmore, and also delve into some of the questions that have been answered, and others that still remain a mystery. The show’s fifth season premieres at 8 p.m.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Missouri in men’s basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Nebraska in men’s basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPNU.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Colorado in women’s basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on Cox.

THURSDAY, JAN. 22
◊The 2009 Academy Awards Nominations (7:30 a.m. on ABC, NBC, CBS, E!): Nominations for the 81st annual Academy Awards will be announced. Oscars will be handed out at the awards ceremony airing live Feb. 22 on ABC.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): As time runs out for Bailey’s young patient, Meredith fights to grant a death row inmate’s wish to donate his organs to the boy. Jessica Capshaw (“The Practice”) and Eric Stoltz (“Mask”) guest star.
◊“Living With rhe Tribe” (10 p.m. on Travel): In Season 3, explorers Mark Anstice and Oliver Steeds travel to the Peruvian Amazon to experience life with the remote Machigenga.
◊“The This Old House Hour” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): A Brooklyn brownstone built in 1904 is the show’s latest renovation project. The building used to be a rooming house and will be transformed into a three-family home. Designer Carole Freehauf joins the team for this project.
◊Winter X Games (8 p.m. on ESPN): Coverage of the 13th annual sporting event begins with finals in snowmobiling, SuperPipe skiing and snowboarding. ESPN and ABC will televise 15 hours of live high-definition programming through Jan. 25.

FRIDAY, JAN. 23
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on NBC): Smash struggles with his confidence on the field as Coach Taylor preps him for college tryouts.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): Series star Jennifer Love Hewitt (Melinda Gordon) makes her directorial debut with this episode, in which Melinda confronts a crisis that grips the whole town — the unearthing of a grave that leads to a mass haunting.
◊“Supernanny” (8 p.m. on ABC): Jo Frost handles two sets of twins at once for the first time when she returns to the United Kingdom on a mission to save a family on the brink.
◊“Wolverine and the X-Men” (7 p.m. Friday on Nicktoons, channel 153 on Cox Digital Cable, 178 on Dish Network): This new animated series based on Marvel Comic’s popular Super Heroes follows Wolverine as he reunites the X-Men in an attempt to save the world.
◊Edmond Memorial takes on Edmond North in high school basketball action airing live at 6 p.m. on Cox.

SATURDAY, JAN. 24
◊“The Diplomat” (6 p.m. on ION): This four-hour miniseries inspired by actual events stars Dougray Scott as Ian Porter, a disillusioned British diplomat who is believed to be doing business with a Russian arms and drugs trafficker. When he refuses to cooperate with Scotland Yard, suspicions mount and Porter must try to complete his secret mission before warring intelligence agencies and incompetent police forces cause irreparable damage to worldwide security.
◊“Gone Country” (7 p.m. on CMT): Singer John Rich (Big & Rich) returns as host of this series that brings together celebrities hoping to create a hit country music single. Contenders for Season 3 are Rock and Roll Hall of Famer George Clinton, Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner; actress Taylor Dayne (“Rude Awakening”), The Monkees drummer Micky Dolenz, percussionist Sheila E., actor Richard Grieco (“Booker”) and “American Idol” alum Justin Guarini.
◊“Miss America Live” (7 p.m. on TLC): Mario Lopez (“The Bold and the Beautiful”) will host the 84th annual event live from the Planet Holllywood Resort and Casino in Nevada. Representing Oklahoma will be Kelsey Cartwright of Collinsville.
◊“Prayers for Bobby” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Sigourney Weaver plays a devout mother who can’t accept her son’s homosexuality and urges him to get more involved in the church. Eventually the young man is overcome with depression and commits suicide, and his guilt-ridden mother reaches out to the gay and lesbian community and becomes a gay rights activist.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Texas A&M in women’s basketball action airing live at 6 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Nebraska in men’s basketball action airing live at 3 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Baylor in men’s basketball action airing live at 3 p.m. on ESPNU.
◊Games from the Jenks Basketball Tournament will air live at 7 p.m. on Cox.

–Penny TV

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Add words to E! Celebrity Addictionary

Posted by television

on January 7, 2009 at 7:00 am

   Stargument is self-explanitory. An argument between stars. But what about swag hag?
   That’s a celebrity who will pose for a photo in exchange for products or services.
   These words were coined by fans and are included in the Celebrity Addictionary available online at www.eonline.com/. So is pop-a-razzi, the act of punching a celebrity photographer.
   Anyone who wants to submit words or phrases to the language dedicated to the world of entertainment and pop culture can do so. The new section within E! Online also allows users to partake in “word-off” competitions and “there oughta be a word for” challenges to help define the latest celebrity antics.
   If Hollywood lingo isn’t your thing, check out these sites: The Office Addictionary on http://office-words.www.nbc.com/ and Comedy Central’s Political Addictionary on www.indecision2008.com/.
–Penny TV

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Happy Birthday, Ali Lohan

Posted by television

on December 22, 2008 at 4:00 am

   Dec. 22, 2008 — Aliana Lohan, who plays herself on the E! Entertainment reality series “Living Lohan, turns 15 today.
   Her most recent acting role is as Traci in the 2008 movie “Mostly Ghostly.”
   Her first TV appearance was in the 2002 documentary “Driven” (featuring her sister, Lindsay Lohan). She was 9.
   Best wishes to Ali and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV

Pictured at right: Ali Lohan arrives at a special screening of We TV’s “High School Confidential”, a four year look at the lives of 12 teen girls, from freshmen year to graduation, at The Times Center, Wednesday, March. 5, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer).

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Program Planner: Dec. 21-27

Posted by television

on December 18, 2008 at 9:00 am

SUNDAY, DEC. 21
◊“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (6 p.m. on ABC): Holiday-themed clips include a montage of Santa mishaps (26 Santa falls in 35 seconds) and a boy who loses some loose teeth when he tries to open gift wrapping with his mouth.
◊“A Christmas Proposal” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Nicole Eggert (“Baywatch”) and Tom Arnold (“Roseanne”) star in this 2008 holiday film about an attorney who will do whatever it takes to stop the demolition of the small ski town of Fillmore.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Host Ty Pennington and his crew rescue an animal-loving Wyoming family from their toxic home filled with life-threatening radon gases. Pro soccer player David Beckham presents a soccer scholarship to a member of the family, and singer Wynonna performs for the volunteers.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8 p.m. on ABC): The Jonas Brothers (“Living the Dream”) and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo make an appearance in the “Akers Family” episode. Two of the Akers girls were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, and the “Home” crew builds a more accessible home for them.
◊“Million Dollar Password” (7 p.m. on CBS): The modern update of the classic game show returns for a second season with Regis Philbin as host. William Shatner (“Boston Legal”) and Aisha Tyler (“Ghost Whisperer”) are the celebrity players in the season premiere.
◊“Skins” (9 p.m. on BBC America): In the first-season finale, it’s the day of gang’s exam results and Chris’s funeral. They have all made a pact not to look at their grades until after they’ve said goodbye to Chris.

MONDAY, DEC. 22
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The special edition “Roadshow Remembers” celebrates the best appraisals of the show’s first decade, including a collection of original Franki Lloyd Wright sketches and planning documents valued between $100,000 and $125,000.
◊“Christmas at Luther: Night of Glory, Dawn of Peace” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The symphony orchestra, hand bell choir and Christmas Brass and Percussion Ensemble from Luther College in Iowa perform holiday favorites in this annual holiday concert.
◊“Forbes’ Celebrity 100 2008: Who Made Bank” (9:30 p.m. on E!): Forbes Magazine picks its top 100 stars, ranking them according to income, web hits and pop culture popularity in the year ending June 2008.
◊“The Hills” (9 p.m. on MTV): When Lauren and Heidi have a run-in, they put their feud aside and remember why they used to be friends on the fourth-season finale. It is followed by a live “after show” featuring a performance by The Pussycat Dolls.
◊“Jesus in India” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new documentary explores questions surrounding Jesus’ whereabouts from the ages of 12 to 30. It also delves into the legend that Jesus survived the crucifixion and secretly returned to India, where he lived out his days.
◊“The Life a House Built: The 25th Anniversary of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This new documentary celebrates the quarter century that the former president and his wife have spent working with Habitat for Humanity, which uses volunteer labor from the community to build homes for the needy.
◊“Momma’s Boys” (8 p.m. on NBC): Dana White, Ultimate Fighting Championship president, and some of the UFC’s top trainers and fighters put the 32 women through a demanding challenge as the Moms look on to determine which of the young women are the best mates for their sons.
◊“Prison Break” (8 p.m. on Fox): In the show’s fall finale, Lincoln and his new partners arrive in Miami to recover Scylla from its shocking new owner, and Sarah searches for a missing Michael, who learns some surprising information about his past.
◊“UFC 92 Countdown” (10 p.m. on SPIKE): This special provides a glimpse into the preparation and training camps of the fighters set to headline the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Rice in men’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on FSOK.

TUESDAY, DEC. 23
◊10th Annual A Home for the Holidays With Faith Hill (7 p.m. on CBS): The country singer will host the latest edition of the annual special that advocates adoption. Other performers include Melissa Etheridge, Jamie Foxx and Tim McGraw. Presenting stories about foster care adoption will be Kristin Chenoweth (“Pushing Daisies”), Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) and Martin Short (“Saturday Night Live”).
◊“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m. on ABC): The original 1966 animated special featuring Boris Karloff as the narrator and The Grinch, will air with additional footage from a “making of” documentary. Among those interviewed for the documentary was Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel.
◊“Frank TV” (10 p.m. on TBS): Impressionist Frank Caliendo spoofs Donald Trump taking over Tom Hanks’ role in Forrest Gump, William Shatner trying to weasel his way into the new “Star Trek” movie and Jack Nicholson following up his sorority pillow-fight workout video with a sorority pillow-fight kit.
◊“Funniest Commercials of the Year: 2008″ (8 p.m. on TBS): Kevin Nealon (“Weeds”) returns as host for the fourth annual event that features up to 50 spots, 10 of which were voted as the year’s best commercials.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): “Grey Gardens: From East Hampton to Broadway” traces the impact of the lives of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, “Little Edie,” on art, fashion and popular culture.
◊“Rediscovered” (8 p.m. on ABC): The producers of this new special went through decades of audition tapes from young hopefuls and brought five of them, now grown, to Los Angeles for another chance to show their stuff. Donny and Marie Osmond host the special, which also has clips from the very early work of Britney Spears and others who did make it big.
◊“ABC’s The List” (9 p.m. on ABC): Australia’s popular TV personality Rove Hough will host this new special that will take viewers on a funny, informative and provocative countdown through everything that’s happening in the world of entertainment and pop culture.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24
◊“A Christmas Story” (7 p.m. on TBS): This 1983 comedy will air nonstop for the next 24 hours. Peter Billingsley stars as Ralphie, whose desire for a Red Ryder BB gun leads to hilarious complications. It is based on the writings of Jean Shepherd, who also narrates the movie.
◊“Christmas on Mars” (11 p.m. on Sundance): This unconventional holiday film from the Oklahoma-based art-rock group The Flaming Lips makes its world television premiere. The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne directed the film with Bradley Beesley and George Salisbury and wrote the screenplay.
◊“Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The King’s Singers, England’s premier vocal choral ensemble, join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra for a Christmas celebration.
◊“It’s a Wonderful Life” (7 p.m. on NBC): This 1946 holiday classic stars James Stewart as the financially ruined family man who wants to end it all … until an apprentice angel (Henry Travers) shows him how much worse off the world would be without him.
◊“Yule Log: The Golden Age of Christmas” (8 p.m. on WGN): Listen to nine hours of classic radio programs while watching the flames burn on the Yule Long hearth. Among the radio versions of classic Christmas programs are “Burns & Allen,” “Fibber McGee & Molly” and “The Great Gildersleeve.”

THURSDAY, DEC. 25
◊“2 Movie Guys Holiday Countdown Spectacular” (6:30 p.m. on KFOR-4, 9 p.m. on KAUT-43): Ryan and Lucas host a half-hour holiday special featuring appearances by Oklahoma celebrities, including the All American Rejects, the OKC Thunder Girls, Count Gregore, Jason White, Bart Connor and Nadia Comaneci.
◊“Hallmark Heroes With Regis Philbin” (7 p.m. on Hallmark): This new special honors ordinary people with extraordinary hearts. Jane Seymour (“Dear Prudence”) is also recognized for her effort on behalf of the Measles Initiative of the American Red Cross.
◊“Heroes at Home” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): In this special, six veterans of the war in Iraq — five men and one woman — share their experiences. All were injured in the line of duty and are struggling to put their lives back together and care for their families.
◊“The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): A repeat of the show’s 2007 Christmas episode.
◊“Supernatural” (8 p.m. on CW): It’s Christmas time, and Sam and Dean investigate a series of murders where the victims were pulled up through the chimney.
◊“Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” (9 a.m. on ABC): Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa (“Live With Regis and Kelly”) co-host the festivities from Orlando, Fla., while Ryan Seacrest (“American Idol”) handles the duties at Disney World’s Calfornia counterpart. Scheduled performers during the 25th annual parade are Miley Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”), Tulsa resident David Cook (“American Idol”) and the Jonas Brothers (“Camp Rock”).
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Humphrey Bogart was born on this day in 1899, and TCM celebrates by airing five of his films, including 1942′s “Casablanca” (7 p.m.) and 1941′s “The Maltese Falcon” (11 p.m.).

FRIDAY, DEC. 26
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on Fox): A bank teller who can’t pass the class gets a second chance at cash when “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” host Wayne Brady invites her to carry a tune and sing for money on this speciall crossover edition.
◊“CMT Online Awards 2008″ (2:30 p.m. on CMT): Kellie Pickler (“American Idol”) hosts the third annual event. The winner in each category received the highest number of streams, clicks and views on www.CMT.com. Presenters include Jessica Simpson (“The Dukes of Hazzard”), Larry the Cable Guy (“Witless Protection”) and Hulk Hogan (“American Gladiators”).
◊“E! Special: Jennifer Aniston” (8 p.m. on E!): A profile of the former “Friends” star who has appeared in a string of blockbuster movies.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): A ghost who believes he is Santa Claus (Gordon Clapp, “NYPD Blue”) has lost touch with the true meaning of Christmas, and it is up to Melinda to help him discover the true gift of giving.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): Charlie works to find an extremely rare comic that was stolen during a deadly robbery at a comic book convention Christopher Lloyd (“Taxi”) guest stars.

SATURDAY, DEC. 27
◊“30 Minute Meals” (9 a.m. on Food Network): Host Rachael Ray whips up a quick and casual New Year’s Eve meal. She starts with steakhouse sliders with a side of mini steak fries. As a side, she makes a gorgonzola spinich artichoke dip.
◊“CMT Top 20 Countdown of the Year” (10 a.m. on CMT): Host Lance Smith counts down the year’s best country music videos. Contenders include Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift.
◊“A Kiss at Midnight” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Faith Ford (“Murphy Brown”) and Dyan Cannon (“Heaven Can Wait”) star in this new romantic comedy about a personal matchmaker who finds herself competing for business against a computer program, while she struggles with her own emotions.

–Penny TV

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Program Planner: Nov. 30-Dec. 6

Posted by television

on November 27, 2008 at 9:00 am

SUNDAY NOV. 30
◊“Britney Spears: For the Record” (8 p.m. on MTV): Britney Spears granted access to filmmaker Phil Griffin to tell her side of the story in her own words in this 90-minute documentary. It includes footage of Spears recording her new album “Circus” that will be released Dec. 2 on her 27th birthday.
◊“Britz” (7 p.m. today and Monday on BBC America): This two-part drama tells the story of brother and sister Sohail and Nasima (Riz Ahmed, Manjinder Virk), British-born Muslims who have conflicting personal experiences in post 9/11 Britain.
◊“Cheech & Chong Roast” (9 p.m. on TBS): In this new special, friends and fellow stars pay tribute to Richard Anthony “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong. Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) hosts the event and roasters include Tom Arnold (“Roseanne”), television journalist Geraldo Rivera, magicians Penn & Teller and Wilmer Valderrama (“That ’70s Show”).
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): Rush and the team reopen the 2005 murder case of a young black politician who vowed to rid the lower-class neighborhood he grew up in of drug dealers. Jonathan LaPaglia (“The District”) guest stars as Assistant District Attorney Curtis Bell.
◊“Faith Hill, Joy to the World” (7 p.m. on CMT): backed by an orchestra led by conductor David Campbell, the Grammy winner performs holiday favorites from her upcoming Christmas album “Joy to the World.”
◊“Home For the Holidays” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Monica Pedersen (“Designed to Sell”) hosts this new special that shows viewers how HGTV’s top designers celebrate the season. Among those sharing holiday traditions with viewers are Vern Yip (“Deserving Design”), Kim Myles (“Myles of Style”) and Steve Watson (“Don’t Sweat It”).
◊“Laffapalooza!” (10 p.m. on TBS): Tracy Morgan (“30 Rock”) hosts this comedy show that will feature performances by comedians Mark Curry, Sheryl Underwood, Earthquake, Corey Holcomb and Lavell Crawford.
◊“Mindhunter” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): Former FBI agent John Douglas interviews two of the nation’s most disturbing and violent serial killers, Joseph Kondro and Donald Harvey.
◊“Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” (9:30 p.m. on E!): The series once again takes viewers inside the heartwarming, hilarious and refreshingly normal home life of this international icon and his family. Visitors to “Tha Hood” in Season 2 include football superstars Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, David Spade (“Just Shoot Me”) and Roy Jones Jr. (“The Matrix Reloaded”).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Connecticut in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

MONDAY, DEC. 1
◊“All of Us” (5 p.m. on Showtime): Airing on World AIDS Day, this new documentary profiles Mehret Mandefro, a doctor from Ethiopia who’s studying — and trying to stop — the spread of HIV among black American women.
◊“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7:32 p.m. on ABC): Boris Karloff (“Frankenstein”) narrates and voices the
green-skinned grouch in this 1966 animated holiday story loved by all tall and small.
◊“Handy Manny” (8 a.m. on Disney): When Manny’s new vintage motorcycle breaks down on a deserted road, the tools are afraid they won’t be able to fix it before it gets dark. They search the motorcycle’s saddlebags and discover Flicker, a talking flashlight, that joins the cast in this animated series recently honored with an Environmental Media Award for best children’s live action/animated television program.
◊“I Am Because We Are” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new documentary about Malawi’s AIDS orphans was written and produced by Madonna.
◊“I Survived …” (8 p.m. on Biography): Season 2 features all-new first-person survival accounts of ordinary people who encountered extraordinary challenges to their lives and survived to tell about it.
◊“Mom’s Cooking” (10 a.m. on Lifetime): In each episode of this new culinary series, host Joe Corsano follows participants as they surprise and enlist their mother to teach them how to make a treasured recipe step-by-step.
◊“Shrek the Halls” (7 p.m. on ABC): “Twas the night before Christmas and not a swamp rat did creep, as mother and babe played kazoo in their sleep….” That’s the story America’s favorite green ogre tells his family in this animated special featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Woody Allen was born on this day in 1935, and TCM celebrates by airing three of his films — 1969′s “Take the Money and Run” (1:30 p.m.), 1977’s “Annie Hall” (3 p.m.) and 1986’s “Hannah and Her Sisters” (5 p.m.).

TUESDAY, DEC. 2
◊2008 World Music Awards (7 p.m. on My Network TV): The 20th annual event will include performances by Alicia Keys, Kid Rock, Beyonce, Solange and others. Ringo Starr will accept the Diamond Award on behalf of The Beatles for selling more records than any other recording-artist in the history of the music industry.
◊“According to Jim” (8 p.m. on ABC): Jim Belushi returns for his eighth season as Jim, an all-American guy who is devoted to his wife and their five children. He loves his family, but he continues to test his wife’s patience with his stubborn antics.
◊“The Bad Girls Club” (9 p.m. on Oxygen): Season 3 will bring seven new “bad girls” together in a Los Angeles mansion. They have issues with anger, trust and control, and claim they want to change.
◊“Party Monsters: Cabo” (9 p.m. on E!): This new competition reality series takes nine party planners to the oceanfront LG Villa in Cabo to see who can throw the ultimate party. The contestants will present their party ideas to celebrity guests including P. Diddy, Carmen Electra, Brody Jenner and Lil Jon. The winner will receive a coveted celebrity event-planner position at LG worth $100,000.
◊“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this perennial favorite created in 1970 by Rankin-Bass Productions, Fred Astaire narrates the story of Kris Kringle, a young boy with a desire to do good things for others.
◊“Shatner’s Raw Nerve” (9 p.m. on Biography): Emmy winner William Shatner (“Boston Legal”) headlines his own edgy and off-beat celebrity interview series. In each 30-minute episode, Shatner will attempt to probe his guest’s most sensitive subjects and touch upon a “raw nerve.”

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3
◊“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (7 p.m. on NBC): David Cook from Tulsa and Joe Don Rooney from Picher are planning to perform during the 76th annual tree lighting extravaganza at Rockefeller Center. Rooney will be there with his bandmates from Rascal Flatts. The telecast will be in high definition, so it will feel like you are there (except you won’t be as cold as those standing outside). Al Roker (”Today”) will host the event.
◊“Eyes on Kenya” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Join Sir Roger Moore, Louis Gossett, Jr., Dean Cain, Shannon Elizabeth and other celebrities as they travel through Kenya. They travel through Nairobi visiting children in need, then go on safari to view animals in the wild.
◊“The Grammy Nominations Concert Live: Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night” (8 p.m. on CBS): For the first time, nominations for The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will announced live. The special will also celebrate the grand opening of the Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE and feature performances by Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, B.B. King, John Mayer and Taylor Swift.
◊“Jacques D’Amboise in China: The Other Side of the World” (5:30 p.m. on HBO): This new special chronicles the dancer’s journey to Shanghai to direct a cross-cultural ensemble in a performance for the Shanghai Grand Theatre. D’Amboise is the founder of the National Dance Institute in New York City.
◊“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (7 p.m. on CBS): The navigational prowess of “the most famous reindeer of all” will again illuminate Santa Claus’ way into the Christmas season with this digitally re-mastered version of the 1964 animated special. Burl Ives narrates the story based on the popular song of the same title by Johnny Marks.
◊“Secret Millionaire” (7 p.m. on Fox): Based on the hit British series of the same name, this unscripted drama reveals the personal return that participating millionaires receive when they leave their fortunes to invest in those less fortunate.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new music/talk series features an intimate conversation between host Elvis Costello and his guests, punctuated by musical performances by Costello, his guests and a wide variety of musicians. Confirmed guests for the 13-part series include Sir Elton John (first episode), Tony Bennett, Lou Reed and President Bill Clinton.
◊“The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” (9 p.m. on CBS): Models Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Doetzen Kroes, Adriana Lima, Marisa Miller and Miranda Kerr hit the runway for this edition of the special. Heidi Klum is also scheduled to make an appearance, and Usher is the musical guest.

THURSDAY, DEC. 4
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When a young singer is found dead outside an infamous Las Vegas nightclub, the CSI team uncovers a link between the present day crime and a murder from over 50 years ago. Golden Globe Award winner Tippi Hedren (“The Birds”) and Emmy Award winner Robert Guillaume (“Benson”) guest star.
◊“Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): This list is drawn from the year’s most prominent names in entertainment, sports, politics and pop cultre. A few of the people making the 2008 honor roll include Tom Cruise, Tina Fey, Will Smith, Rush Limbaugh, Miley Cyrus and Michael Phelps. Last year, “Harry Potter” scribe J.K. Rowling took the No. 1 spot.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Cristina is awarded the first solo surgery among the residents, but must give it up and choose her replacement. Guest stars include Melissa George (“Alias”), Mary McDonnell (“Battlestar Gallactica”) and Kevin McKidd (“Rome”).
◊“Eleventh Hour” (9 p.m. on CBS): When college students in Oklahoma begin dying of the bends — a condition of sudden decompression normally seen in scuba divers — Dr. Hood’s investigation uncovers a medical cover-up on campus.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Washington in men’s college basketball action airing live at 10 p.m. on FSOK.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on USC in men’s college basketball action airing live at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

FRIDAY, DEC. 5
◊“Greatest Holiday Moments: TV & Film Countdown” (7 p.m. on NBC): This new special counts down the most memorable holiday moments from the big and small screens, from the old standbys such as ‘‘It’s a Wonderful Life” to modern classics such as ‘‘Home Alone.”
◊“Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Drake Bell and Josh Peck reunite to make holiday memories in this original TV movie. Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”) and mixed martial arts fighter Kimbo Slice guest star as a fair-minded judge and good-hearted ex-jailbird who help Drake and Josh keep their Christmas promise to a family of foster kids.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The bombing of a charity’s headquarters forces the team to sift through various rumors about the true reach of the organization’s power. Paul Michael Glaser (“Starsky & Hutch”) guest stars.

SATURDAY, DEC. 6
◊“The Christmas Choir” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Emmy winner Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”) and Jason Gedrick (“Windfall”) star in the new movie inspired by the true story of an accountant who convinces a nun to turn members of a homeless shelter into a choir.
◊“CMT Giants: Alan Jackson” (8 p.m. on CMT): This tribute to country music superstar Alan Jackson will feature performances by George Strait, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert.
◊“Flirting With Forty” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Heather Locklear (“Spin City”) stars as a divorced mother of two on the brink of her 40th birthday who, while on vacation, enters into a romance with a younger man (Robert Buckley, “Lipstick Jungle”).

–Penny TV

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Program Planner: Nov. 23-29

Posted by television

on November 20, 2008 at 6:00 am

SUNDAY, NOV. 23
◊2008 American Music Awards (7 p.m. on ABC): Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returns as host of the 35th annual event. Top nominees are Alicia Keys (5), Coldplay (4), The Eagles (4). Nominees with Oklahoma ties are Garth Brooks (favorite male artist, favorite album), Reba McEntire (favorite female artist), Carrie Underwood (favorite female artist, favorite album), Brooks & Dunn (favorite band, duo or group), Rascal Flatts (favorite band, duo or group, favorite album).
◊“24: Redemption” (7 p.m. on Fox): Here’s a two-hour prequel to the events of Season 7 (scheduled to begin January 11 and 12). Counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is in South Africa dealing with an international crisis as the United States prepares to inaugurate a new president, Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones).
◊“Al Roker Reporting: Armed in America” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): Al Roker (“Today”) teams up with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to find out how this federal agency is working to eliminate gun crimes in the United States.
◊“A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): Stephen Colbert (“The Colbert Report”) hosts this holiday special featuring musical guests Toby Keith, Feist, John Legend, Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello, along with former “Daily Show” colleague Jon Stewart.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): Lilly and the team re-open the 1953 case of a pin-up girl when a fan’s crime scene photo provides new evidence in the case. Tania Raymonde (“Lost”) joins the cast as Frankie Rafferty, a smart and feisty lab technician.
◊“Masterpiece Special: The Unseen Alistair Cooke” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): To mark the centenary of Alistair Cooke’s birth in 2008, this documentary traces the brodcaster’s life using his own words, comments from those who knew him and his own home movies dating back to the 1930s.
◊“True Blood” (8 p.m. on HBO): In the first-season finale, Sookie finds a link to the murders in Bon Temps and lands in the killer’s sights. Bill makes a risky move to save her.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): While attending PopCon, Alex reveals to her best friend, Harper, that she and her brothers are wizards-in-training. Lee Meriwether (“Batman”) guest stars as a TV Battle Diva attending the comic book convention.

MONDAY, NOV. 24
◊“The Rape of Europa” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Joan Allen (“The Contender”) narrates this new documentary that chronicles the efforts of scholars, governments and others to locate the millions of pieces of art stolen by Germany’s Third Reich during World War II.
◊“Samantha Who?” (8:32 p.m. on ABC): Sam’s decision to invite boyfriend Owen (James Tupper, “Men in Trees”) for dinner to meet her parents turns into a disaster when Owen’s philosophy about chicken farms rubs chicken farm owner Howard the wrong way.
◊Steven Seagal movie marathon (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on SPIKE): See the action movie actor, who is a 7th-dan black belt in aikido, in four back-to-back films: 2005’s “Today You Die” (8 a.m.), 2007’s “Urban Justice” (10 a.m.), 2003’s “Out for a Kill” (noon) and 2003’s “Belly of the Beast” (2 p.m.).
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Jake disappears with the daughter of Charlie’s neighbor, and Charlie is left to cover his back. Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Green Mile”) guest stars.

TUESDAY, NOV. 25
◊“The Biggest Loser 6” (7 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito (“Dancing With the Stars”) helps the contestants make a healthy version of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
◊“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (7 p.m. on ABC): This classic Peanuts special from 1973 signals the start of the holiday season. It will be followed by another Peanuts cartoon, “This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers.”
◊“Dancing With the Stars” (8 p.m. on ABC)(ABC Photo above features “Dancing With the Stars” contestants Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson): The winner of the seventh season is announced. All the eliminated celebrities return for one last spin across the floor.
◊“Frontline” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The new report “The Hugo Chavez Show” profiles Venezuela’s controversial and outspoken president and the revolution he claims is turning his country into an anti-capitalist beacon for Latin America.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): Dr. House and Thirteen are taken hostage by a man willing to kill for a diagnosis. Zeljko Ivanek (“Damages”)guest stars.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): The team must relay on information from some questionable individuals to stop a criminal bent on stealing government secrets. David Eigenberg (“Sex and the City”) guest stars.
◊“The Real Housewives of Orange County” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Tamra Barney, Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough and Lauri Peterson return for a fourth season that is laced with searing emotion and high drama. Posing an immediate threat is Gretchen Rossi, a new housewife on the block.
◊“The Shield” (9 p.m. on FX): In the series finale, the Barn looks into a woman’s disappearance and the arrival of a major drug shipment.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Ricardo Montalban was born on this day in 1920, and TCM celebrates by airing four of his films, including 1949’s “Neptune’s Daughter” (7 a.m.) and 1952’s “My Man and I” (10:30 a.m.).

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26
◊“The 2008 World Magic Awards” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”) hosts the event that honors today’s best magicians. Scheduled to perform are Lance Burton and The Amazing Jonathan.
◊“Dirty Sexy Money” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): While the Darlings are away for Thanksgiving, Clark the chauffeur offers his version of various Darling family rumors to a persistent reporter. Donna Mills (“Knots Landing”) guest stars.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Allison wants the family to celebrate Thanksgiving at her house, but Gary insists on holding the feast at his place. Jane Curtin (“Kate and Allie”) and Martin Mull (“Roseanne”) guest star as Allison’s parents.
◊“Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In the second hour of the miniseries’ finale, Queen Elizabeth II’s children, grandchildren and other relatives talk about their lives and roles in the “family business.”
◊“Private Practice” (8 p.m. on ABC): Addison receives a surprise visit from her brother (Grant Show, “Melrose Place”). His presence not only causes trouble for Addison, but for Naomi and Sam, as well.
◊“Rosie Live” (8 p.m. on NBC): Emmy winner Rosie O’Donnell (“The Rosie O’Donnel Show”) returns to television with a live variety special showcasing a wide array of celebrity guests, musical acts, comedy skits and a giant giveaway for both the in-studio and home audiences.
◊“That Moment! With Jake Steinfeld” (7 p.m. on WGN): Jake Steinfeld, motivational coach, bestselling author, fitness expert and founder of Major League Lacrosse and ExerciseTV, interviews Harrison Ford (“Indiana Jones” movies), Pastor Joel Osteen and The Jonas Brothers.
◊“Top Chef” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The contestants join the Grammy winning rock Band Foo Fighters for a tour stop in Rochester, NY.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Marist in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on Cox.

THURSDAY, NOV. 27
◊“CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” (8 p.m. on CNN): CNN anchor Anderson Cooper hosts the second annual event that spotlights ordinary citizens who accomplished extraordinary deeds. Among the 10 finalists for the Hero of the Year award (which includes a $100,000 cash prize) is Tad Agoglia, founder of First Response Team of America that goes into disaster sites and helps clean up in the immediate aftermath. Agoglia and his team traveled to Picher following the deadly May 10 tornado.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Grissom and his team battle the flu when they are called upon by Deputy District Attorney Madeline Klein (Bonnie Bedelia, “The Division”) to investigate the deaths of several key witnesses for a grand jury case against a Las Vegas gang.
◊“Dirty Jobs” marathon (8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Discovery): Join host and perpetual apprentice Mike Rowe for this 18-hour marathon featuring viewers’ favorite episodes.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8:02 p.m. on ABC): A freak ice storm not only nrings trauma patients to Seattle Grace, it brings a mysterious military doctor as well. Kathy Baker (“Picket Fences”), Mariette Hartley (“One Life to Live”) and Bernadette Peters (“Living Proof”) guest star.
◊“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” (8 a.m. on NBC): “Today” personalities Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Al Roker co-host the 82nd annual parade in New York City. The trip down Broadway will feature Oklahoma actress Kristin Chenoweth, Miley Cyrus, Trace Adkins, David Archuleta, The Cheetah Girls, James Taylor and Andy Williams, as well as 13 giant character helium balloons, 10 marching bands, 28 floats and more than 1,700 cheerleaders, dancers, singers and performers.
◊“The National Dog Show Presented By Purina” (11 a.m. on NBC): John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld”) returns as host of the purebred canine competition that is expected to feature more than 2,000 of the nation’s leading dogs representing more than 150 breeds.
◊“The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS” (7 a.m. on CBS): “The Early Show” anchors Dave Price and Maggie Rodriguez will cover the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live from New York’s Time Square. Clay Aiken (“American Idol”), Jessica Leccia (“Guiding Light”) and Julie Pinson (“As The World Turns”) will drop by to chat with Price and Rodriguez during the broadcast.
◊“VH1 Storytellers” Kid Rock” (8 p.m. on VH1): Kid Rock performs songs off of his latest double platinum-selling album, Rock ‘N Roll Jesus, in addition to past hits, backed by his Twisted Brown Trucker Band. Kid Rock will also share his inspiration and the stories behind his songs.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Gonzaga in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

FRIDAY, NOV. 28
◊“25 Great Holiday Ideas” (8 p.m. on HGTV): Designers Angelo Surmelis and Erinn Valencich will demonstrate how to recreate 25 decorating and entertaining ideas that were submitted online by viewers.
◊“Abby in Wonderland” (5 a.m. on OETA-13): Follow “Sesame Street” characters Abby and Elmo down the rabbit hole in this re-imagining of Lewis Carrol’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Grover plays the Mad Hatter, the Cookie Monster is the Cheshire Cat and Bert and Ernie are Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.
◊“Deadlist Catch” marathon (8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Discovery): Go on an 18-hour voyage with the captains and crews who do one of the deadliest jobs in the world — crab fishing in the Bering Sea.
◊“Forbes Top 20 Celebrity Cash Couples: Crazy Double Incomes” (7 p.m. on E!): Brad or Angelina? Beyonce or Jay Z? Seal or Heidi? Find out which half of these mega-star duos is making the most money.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA): In the new holiday episode titled “Mr. Monk and the Miracle,” three homeless men seek out Monk’s services. Natalie convinces the private detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder to investigate the death of their friend.
◊“Psych” (9 p.m. on USA): Shawn and Gus help a little girl get a “mall Santa” out of jail in time for Christmas in this new holiday episode. But they soon realize that their clients are con artists who have a big score planned. Phylicia Rashad guest stars as Gus’ mom.
◊“SpongeBob SquarePants” marathon (7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nickelodeon): The day-long marathon concludes with four new episodes: “The Slumber Party/Grooming Gary” (7 p.m.), “Porous Pockets” (7:30 p.m.), “Krusty Krushers/The Card” (8 p.m.) and “Dear Vikings/Ditchin” (8:30 p.m.). Also look for a preview of Nickelodeon’s new series “The Penguins of Madagascar” at approximately 7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOV. 29
◊“The Comedy Festival Presents: Funniest Movies of the Year 2008” (9 p.m. on TBS): Impressionist Frank Caliendo (“Frank TV”) hosts this countdown of the year’s funniest movies. Viewers voted for the Top 10 comedies of 2008 on www.tbs.com.
◊“Ellen’s Even Bigger, Really Big Show” (8 p.m. on TBS): Emmy winner Ellen DeGeneres (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”) hand-picked the performers appearing in this variety show. As host, Ellen will also perform her own stand-up comedy and take part in several humorous vignettes.
◊“Moonlight & Mistletoe” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Tom Arnold (“Roseanne”) and Candace Cameron Bure (“Full House”) star in this new holiday family film. What begins as a simple effort to pull her dad out of debt ends up rekindling his daughter’s belief in the magic of Christmas.
◊“Sputnik Mania” (9 p.m. on History): On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into space. This new special tells the story of the launch and includes a collection of interviews and recently declassified insights into the high-level decisions that followed the dawn of the space age.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State Univertsity in college football action airing live at either 2:30 or 7 p.m. on ABC.

–Penny TV

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Invite E! family to Thanksgiving

Posted by television

on November 15, 2008 at 7:00 am

   Want to spend Thanksgiving Day with Denise Richards? How about Snoop Dog?
   E! Entertainment and People’s Choice will let viewers pick the TV family to be featured in a Thanksgiving Day marathon Nov. 27 on E!
   To vote, go to www.pcaVOTE.com anytime between now and Nov. 19. The choices are between “Denise Richards: It’s Complicated,” “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood,” Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “Dr. 90210.”
   Here is what E! has to say about the nominees:
♦♦♦“Denise Richards: It’s Complicated” — Opening up her life for the first time, this reality series follows actress Denise Richards as she navigates Hollywood, romance and motherhood following a tumultuous year in the tabloid headlines. From being a single mom, to having her dad move in with her, to getting back out on the dating scene, this popular series showcases the very human side of one of today’s most high-profile stars.
♦♦♦“Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” — This series takes viewers inside the heartwarming, hilarious and refreshingly normal home life of this international icon and his family. Despite the fact that Snoop is touring regularly, acting in film and television and running Doggy Style Records, his family is his top priority, including his wife Boss Lady (Shanté) who really rules the roost, sons Spank (Cordé) and Rook (Cordell), daughter Choc who is the ultimate daddy’s girl and Anthony, Snoop’s hairstylist’s son who has been “adopted” into Tha Dogg Pound.
♦♦♦“Keeping Up with the Kardashians” — This series brings fans inside the crazy, sexy lives of one of Hollywood’s most talked about families. This modern day blended household, run by boisterous momager Kris and low-key Olympic icon Bruce Jenner, is frenzied and dramatic but always entertaining. Kim, one of Hollywood’s fastest rising stars, along with her sisters Kourtney and Khloe, have become staples on the hip LA social scene, while still juggling their busy careers and family commitments.
♦♦♦“Dr. 90210″ — When the denizens of sunny southern California want to look like a million bucks, they know exactly which zip code to head to. E! takes viewers into the exam rooms and on to the surgery tables of the patients making requests from the simple tuck to the outrageous transformation. In addition, fans get an up-close look at the personal lives of Dr. Robert Rey and the family of Beverly Hills doctors they’ve come to know and love.

FOLLOW-UP: And the winning family is …

The votes were tallied on the People’s Choice website, pcaVOTE.com, and “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” took first prize.
On November 27, E! will air a 5-hour marathon of back-to-back episodes, featuring Kim, Kris, Kourtney and the rest of E!’s favorite family.

Quotes from the winning family:

“I am so excited we won the poll! Since this year on Thanksgiving our family is all split up: Rob will be in NYC with Adrienne, I will be in New Orleans with Reggie so it will be good to watch the whole family together even if it’s just on TV! I can’t wait to see the madness!” – Kim Kardashian

“Bruce and I are thrilled that Keeping Up With The Kardashians won the online E! viewer poll!!! Now we will have something to watch while I cook Thanksgiving dinner. We are Thankful for all of our amazing fans who watch our show and keep up with us… wooohoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” – Kris Jenner

“What a better way to spend thanksgiving than with our crazy, fun family? At least you will enjoy your holiday feeling normal, while you watch all the madness.” – Kourtney Kardashian

– Penny TV

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Oklahoman wins Emmys

Posted by television

on September 15, 2008 at 11:43 am

   Matthew Mungle, who graduated from Atoka High School in 1975, collected two Emmys at the 2008 Creative Arts Emmy Awards handed out Saturday in Los Angeles.
   Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”) and Sarah Chalke (“Scrubs”) co-hosted the event that mostly recognizes excellence in key technical disciplines and behind-the-scenes crafts essential to television production.
   Mungle, one of Hollywood’s premiere special makeup effects artists, won Emmys for his work on Showtime’s “Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union” (outstanding makeup for a single-camera series, non-prosthetic) and HBO’s “John Adams” (outstanding prosthetic makeup for a series, miniseries, movie or special).
   Mungle (pictured above) now has five Emmys to his credit, as his prosthetic creations also earned him statuettes in 2003 (TNT’s “Door to Door”), 2001 (Fox’s “The X-Files”) and 1993 (HBO’s Citizen Cohn”).
   The Creative Arts Emmy ceremony was not broadcast live, but E! Entertainment had cameras rolling and will air the awards show as a two-hour special at 7 p.m. Saturday. (The 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air live at 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC).
   Other recognizable winners at the Creative Arts Emmys included:

◊Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Tim Conway for “30 Rock” (NBC).
◊Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Kathryn Joosten for “Desperate Housewives” (ABC).
◊Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Glynn Turman for “In Treatment” (HBO).
◊Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Cynthia Nixon for “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC).
◊Outstanding Reality Program: Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (Bravo).
◊Outstanding Animated Program (less than an hour): The Simpsons (Fox).
◊Outstanding Animated Program (an hour or more): South Park (Comedy Central).
◊Outstanding Children’s Program: Tie, Classical Baby (HBO) and Nick News with Linda Ellerbee (Nickelodeon).
◊Outstanding Nonfiction Series: American Masters (PBS).
Outstanding Nonfiction Special: Autism: The Musical (HBO).

–Penny TV

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