Top 55 TV Programs for May 2-8, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of May 2:
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010
••”Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. pm NBC): Both teams are assigned the task of creating three radio commercials for Clockwork Home Services. To impress the executives, the teams must create original commercials for the company’s plumbing, electrician and heating & air conditioning services, and one team may have pushed the envelope too far.
••”Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): In the two-part Season 7 finale, Rush tries to ignore her father’s appeals to give her troublemaker sister (Nicki Aycox, “Dark Blue”) another chance after she suddenly resurfaces. Music by The Rolling Stones will play throughout the second hour.
••”The Emeril Lagasse Show” (7 p.m. on ION): Chef Lagasse and guest Chef Mario Batali (“Mario Eats Italy”) prepare the ultimate Italian feast. They show viewers how to make homemade ravioli, eggplant parmesan and fresh mozzarella.
••“Family Guy” (8 p.m. on Fox): In the milestone 150th episode, Brian and Stewie get locked in a bank vault where they are forced to deal with each other on a whole new level. The one-hour event also includes never-before-seen musical footage.
••“Funk Flex Full Throttle” (1 p.m. on MTV2):This new series takes viewers along for a high-adrenaline ride as Flex switches lanes from interviewing the hottest names in hip-hop to creating the freshest rides at his car customization shop. Drake will kick off the premiere episode by talking about the whirl-wind experiences he has encountered as the one biggest artists leading in to the release of his freshman album. Other entertainers stopping by the shop to chop it up with Flex this season include Juelz Santana, Fabolous, Mike Epps, Diddy, Swizz Beatz, Nicki Minaj, Young Money, Trey Songz, Jim Jones, Maino, Red Café, Jadakiss and Ludacris.
••”Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): As “Foyle’s War” returns for another season, the war in Europe is over and Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen) hopes his crime-fighting days are, too. But murder knows no respite in the seaside town of Hastings, and the chief must solve a trio of his most challenging cases yet.
••”The Pacific” (8 p.m. on HBO): Increasingly frustrated by his role campaigning for war bonds, Basilone convinces the Marines to allow him to train troops headed for combat. Transferred to Camp Pendleton, he enjoys a whirlwind romance with an initially reluctant female Marine, Lena Riggi.
••”The Real Story: Silence of the Lambs” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): This special reveals the inspiration for “Silence of the Lambs” writer Thomas Harris. While researching for his book, Harris spent time in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, immersed in the case-files of serial killers. This unit’s researchers are interviewed and reveal some gruesome details about real-life killers Ed Gein, Ted Bundy and others.
••”Seeing vs. Believing” (7 p.m. on TLC): This special features soap star Ricky Paull Goldin (“All My Children”) and his skeptic friend Jeff Gurtman as they journey across America to seek the truth behind great stories of unexplained phenomena.
••“Til Death” (6 p.m. on Fox): When Joy loses her job at Eddie’s school, she accepts a position as Stephen’s (Kevin Nealon, “Weeds”) executive assistant. The new gig leaves her miserable, leading Eddie and Mr. White (Martin Mull, “Roseanne”) to scheme a way to get Joy her old job back. Series star Joely Fisher (Joy) directed the episode.
MONDAY, MAY 3, 2010
••”10 Things I Hate About You” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Kat enlists Cameron’s help to spy on Patrick, who is upset when he finds the duo in disguise watching him outside an office building. Rachel Hunter (“Gravity”) guest stars as herself.
••”American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Roads to Memphis” tells the disparate yet fatefully entwined stories of assassin James Earl Ray and his target, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is told through eyewitness testimony from King’s inner circle and the officials involved in Ray’s capture and prosecution following an intense two-month international manhunt.
••”Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised in Hour 3 from Phoenix include a violin made by the Gagliano family in Naples in the early 1800s and a violin bow made in France in the shop of Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume.
••”Anxious” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special chronicles the journey of two people battling severe anxiety disorders as they attempt to control their anxiety to ultimately reclaim their lives.
••”Best Food Ever” (9 p.m. on TLC): John Goodman (“Roseanne”) hosts this new series that takes viewers on a coast-to-coast journey to uncover the best places to satisfy any craving. It locates the USA’s tastiest treasures to discover the brains behind the mouthwatering methods and innovative ingredients used in each amazing meal.
••”Castle” (9 p.m. on ABC): A high profile chef is found frozen to death in the kitchen of a hot New York restaurant. Complications ensue when Castle and the restaurant owner, an old high school girlfriend of Beckett’s, share an attraction. Rocco Dispirito (“The Restaurant”) guest stars in the episode as a fan of the dead chef and a fan of Castle’s books.
••”Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck and Sarah are assigned to train under Craig and Laura Turner (Fred Willard, “Anchorman,” and Swoosie Kurtz, “Pushing Daisies”), a married CIA team. Despite their impeccable record, the Turners hate one another.
••”CSI: Miami” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): After a seemingly perfect jewel heist ends in murder, Delko returns to look for the culprit when evidence in the case is stolen from the lab. Christian Campbell (“Casino Jack”), Kathleen Robertson (“Tin Man”), Tim Russ (“iCarly”) and Kevin Weisman (“Alias”) guest star.
••”Enraged” (9 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special follows the daily lives of two individuals whose intense, uncontrollable anger has wreaked havoc on their lives — and on their loved ones.
••”Fame and Recovery” (8 p.m. on A&E): This special provides a look at addiction, survival, recovery and redemption through the eyes of Hall of Fame football player Lawrence Taylor and former Miss USA Tara Conner.
••”Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Will’s return to the Upper East Side continues to stir up problems for Serena, Lily and his long-standing rival, Rufus. William Baldwin (“Dirty Sexy Money”) guest stars.
••”High Score” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary takes a look at die-hard gamers who refuse to abandon the classic arcade games of yesteryear. The 80′s live on for these enthusiasts, who compete against each other and history to record the world’s highest scores.
••”House” (7 p.m. on Fox): The team takes on the case of an ailing groom-to-be (Adam Garcia, “Hawthorne”) with secrets from a previous relationship and a fiancee with many questions. And during a boys’ night out, House, Chase and Foreman visit a karaoke bar and perform a Gladys AKnight & the Pips classic.
••“King of Dirt” (8 p.m. on DIY Network): Host Gino Panaro and his brother Ralph travel tp Tennessee’s Dollywood to create a special landscape for the 25th anniversary of the Dolly Parton-themed amusement park.
••”Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): When the body of a young model is found burning in an alley, Detective Cyrus Lupo and Detective Kevin Bernard go in search of her killer. They quickly discover that just before her death, Brenna crashed an upscale political event, hosted by Senator Peterson (Tony Roberts, “The Thorns”) and his wife, Camille (Kathy Baker, “Boston Public”).
••”The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Season 2 follows sisters Caroline and Dina Manzo (who happen to be married to brothers), their sister-in-law Jacqueline Laurita, long time family friend Teresa Giudice and Danielle Staub. Whether they are throwing a family function, out for a night on the town, or just gossiping with the girls, the ladies always find a way to be over the top and stay true to their own Jersey style.
••”Romantically Challenged” (8:32 p.m. on ABC): Perry’s struggle to fire his enthusiastic but lousy assistant, Erin (Anna Camp, “True Blood”), lands him in an unwanted relationship with her. And Shawn is reluctant to watch Lisa’s coworker’s cute dog until he realizes what a great chick magnet the little guy is.
••”Rules of Engagement” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Audrey pushes it too far with a surrogate mother (Jaime Pressly, “My Name Is Earl”) who she and Jeff are considering paying to have their baby. Meanwhile, Russell shamelessly pokes fun at Jennifer and Adam’s wedding Web site.
••”Ultimate Chili Challenge” (9 p.m. on TLC): This special showcases the art of making red chili (did you know that red chili has no beans, pasta or other fillers?) and gives viewers the chance to follow five contestants as they create culinary masterpieces with help from their secret ingredients. Watch as the contestant’s battle the heat- both in and out of the kitchen- to make their perfect chili.
••”The Woman With 15 Personalities” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special spotlights a person living with dissociative identity disorder, a condition in which a person displays several distinct identities, each with its own perception of the environment. It reveals how this often misunderstood illness affects their daily lives, and provides insight into what it is like to manage multiple personalities who all want a voice.
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2010
••”30 on 30″ (7 p.m. on ESPN): The new installment “The 16th Man” features actor Morgan Freeman (“Invictus”), producer Lori McCreary (“Invictus”) and director Cliff Bestall (“Passing the Message”) telling the story about what it meant to South Africa’s healing process when the country played host to the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
••”90210″ (7 p.m. on CW): Teddy invites a nervous Silver to meet her father, Spence (Ryan O’Neal, “Paper Moon”), for the second time, and the meeting doesn’t go quite as planned. Adrianna records a duet with Javier Luna (Latin recording artist Diego Boneta), a famous young pop singer.
••”The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The remaining six contestants get $1,000 shopping sprees before heading to the salon to meet celebrity hair stylist Jonathan Antin (“Blow Out”) and begin their makeovers. Then it’s time for amazing reveals and emotional reunions with loved ones. Later the contestants and their guests are treated to a concert from recording artist Ashanti, who shares her inspirational music.
••”Born Schizophrenic” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special examines the world of children with schizophrenia through the eyes of the Schofield family, whose 7-year-old daughter January is one of only two children ever to receive this diagnosis. In spite of her genius IQ and typically soft-spoken manner, Jani regularly battles vivid hallucinations, delusions and uncontrollable violent rage.
••”Freezing” (8:30 p.m. on Sundance): Elizabeth McGovern (“Ragtime”) and Hugh Bonneville (“Iris”) star in this British miniseries about a London couple that find themselves slipping from the top rungs of their glamorous professions. The miniseries will premiere on three consecutive nights.
••”Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): “College, Inc.” looks at the promise and explosive growth of the for-profit higher education industry. Through interviews with school executives, government officials, admissions counselors, former students and industry observers, it explores the tension between the industry that says it’s helping an underserved student population obtain a quality education and marketable job skills and critics who charge the for-profits with churning out worthless degrees that leave students with a mountain of debt.
••”Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Sue Sylvester is mortified when a video of her rendition of Olivia Newton-John’s classic “Physical” is unearthed. Guest stars include Olivia Newton-John (“Grease”) and Molly Shannon (“Saturday Night Live”).
••”NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): DiNozzo finds himself increasingly captivated by a woman he’s never met while investigating the murder of her brother. Ashley Scott (“Jericho”) guest stars as ZNN reporter Tricia Hutton, the victim’s missing sister. Rena Sofer (“24,” “General Hospital”) reprises her role as attorney Margaret Allison Hart.
••”Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Over the course of 30 years, plant and animal life has returned to the barren landscape of Mt. St. Helens after the erruption in 1980. But there’s a new threat — the mountain, too, is coming back to life.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2010
••“10 Grand In Your Hand” (8:30 p.m. on DIY Network): This series, back for Season 3, shows homeowners how to cut up to $10,000 from their renovation and remodeling projects.
••“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW): Special guest judge and “Lord of the Rings” actress Sarah McLeod welcome the remaining models to the Hobbiton in New Zealand, where the girls do a quick five-frame photo shoot.
••”The Big Bang Theory” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Sheldon winds up in traffic court when he gets a ticket because of Penny. Stan Lee (Marvel Comics) guest stars.
••”CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Mac is determined to seek justice when a 14-year-old boy is shot in front of his 12-year-old brother. Madchen Amick (“My Own Worst Enemy”) guest stars.
••”Fly Girls” (8 p.m. on CW): In the Season 1 finale, Jon moves to Los Angeles to work things out withy Nikole. During a layover in Miami, Mandy and Louise fall for the same guy, causing a rift between the best friends.
••”How’d You Get So Rich?” (9 p.m. on TV Land): Joan Rivers (“The Celebrity Apprentice”) returns for a second season to take viewers on a journey to meet mega-rich millionaires who worked hard and struck gold. As she tours the most lavish and extravagant homes, she introduces viewers to folks who made a lot of money in out of the ordinary, fascinating ways and asks all the questions no one else would – in the way only Joan can.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m. on NBC): When a woman form a growing lesbian community is found dead, Detectives Benson and Stabler must work with a local activist (Kathy Griffin, “My Life on the D List”) to uncover the truth behind the woman’s death.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): When a pregnant woman is raped, Detectives Olivia Benson and Eliot Stabler arrive at the hospital to find that she has fled. Even when someone is arrested for a similar offense, assistand district attorney Jo Marlowe (Sharon Stone, “Bobby”) says she doesn’t have a case in court unless they find the victim and get a statement from her.
••”Live From Lincoln Center” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Alan Alda (“M*A*S*H”) hosts “Perlman, Ax and Ma at The Penthouse.” It features longtime friends violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Emanuel Ax and cellist Yo-Yo Ma perform Felix Mendelssohn’s popular Piano Trios together.
••”Mercy” (7 p.m. on NBC): When a friend from their Iraq days shows up unexpectedly, Veronica and Sands are suddenly faced with a life-altering decision. Meanwhile, a former flame (Jennifer Esposito, “Jules Fattore”) comes back into Briggs life, with dangerous consequences.
••”The Middle” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Mother’s Day for Frankie is anything but serene when she finds herself doing more for Mike and the kids and less for herself. But she learns that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when she escapes the family for a few hours to go to her mom’s (Marsha Mason, “The Goodbye Girl”) and ends up acting like a child by making her mom wait on her hand-and-foot.
••”My Strange Addiction” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special refines the blurry line between normal behavior and compulsions, showcasing four individuals battling obsessive behaviors that are on the verge of taking over their lives. It presents the firsthand accounts of the fixations of a woman who eats chalk, a fanatical runner, a compulsive shopper and an excessive tanner.
••”The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. on CBS): After a good-looking cop, who Old Christine assumes is a stripper, alerts her that there is a prowler in the neighborhood, she convinces Matthew to stay over. Meanwhile, New Christine goes into labor — on Old Christine’s birthday. Tim Meadows (“the Bill Engvall Show”) returns as New Christine’s and Old Christine’s OB/GYN.
••”Sweat Equity” (8 p.m. on DIY Network): Licensed contractor Amy Matthews helps homeowners determine which home improvement projects are the smartest. Season 7 will also provide how-to information so that homeowners can do some of the basic work themselves.
••“Worst-Case Scenario” (9 p.m. on Discovery): This new six-part series based on the best-selling series of books features survival expert Bear Grylls (“Man vs. Wild”) portraying potentially life-threatening situations to demonstrate how to survive in a worst-case scenario.
THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010
••”30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): Liz Lemon meets her mother’s (Anita Gillette, “The War at Home”) old flame, while Jack Donaghy’s mother, Colleen (Elaine Stritch, “The Ellen Burstyn Show”), gets tangled in his relationships with Avery Jessup (Elizabeth Banks, “Scrubs”) and Nancy Donovan. Jenna’s mother, Verna (Jan Hooks, “3rd Rock from the Sun”) returns, while Tracy learns a lesson from his “mom” (Novella Nelson, “The Starter Wife”). Also guest starring are Buzz Aldrin (“Dancing With the Stars”), Cheyenne Jackson (“United 93”) and Patti Lupone (“Oz”).
••”Bipolar Mysteries: Families in Crisis” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): In this special, cameras follow a small community of mothers of bipolar kids as they juggle their multitude of medications, mood shifts and far-flung scheduling routines. Once isolated and completely helpless, these mothers of bipolar children are for the first time finding solace—in each other.
••”The Dudesons in America” (9 p.m. on MTV): Four Finnish extreme stuntmen and pranksters want to take over America as they try to win over local townsfolk and whatever authorities they’ll likely encounter while doing the dumbest things imaginable. Among their pranks are walking on stilts into a bullring with a very angry bull and trying to reach Uranus in their self-built space rocket.
••”FlashForward” (7 p.m. on ABC): Demetri and Agent Banks (Alex Kingston, “ER”) attempt to track down a killer as questions arise about the universe course-correcting itself, when people who thought they’d escaped their fates are found dead. James Callis (“Battlestar Galactica”) also guest stars.
••”Fringe” (8 p.m. on Fox): Peter teams up with Sheriff Mathis (Martha Plimpton, “Parenthood”) on a serial murder investigation with ties to Newton (Sebastian Roche, “General Hospital”). Meanwhile, Walter copes with the possibility of being sent back to St. Claire’s.
••“Heavy Haulers” (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series documents the dangerous and dirty exploits of Jeremy Patterson and his larger-than-life family as they move superstructures across America for a living.
••“The Imploders” (7 p.m. on TLC): This series follows the Idaho-based Kelly family as they struggle to manage family life on the road while running a dangerous demolition business.
••“The Marriage Ref” (9 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity panelists Gwyneth Paltrow (“Iron Man 2”), Greg Giraldo (“Last Comic Standing”) and Jerry Seinfeld (“Seinfeld”) offer their wit, wisdom and unique opinions to couples in marital tiffs.
••”The Martha Stewart Show” (2 p.m. on KSBI-52): On this special Mother’s Day show, guests Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Chef Marco Canora (Hearth & Terrior) are joined in-studio by their moms to cook and craft in front of an audience filled with mothers and their sons.
••”The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): Patrick Jane and the CBI team investigate the death of a mathematical genius by a gun-wielding clown. Lucy Davis (“The Office” and wife of series star Owain Yeoman) guest stars.
••”The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Michael suspects Donna (Amy Pietz, “Aliens in America”) is cheating on him and puts Dwight Schrute on the case. Meanwhile, Andy is frustrated when no one takes his customer’s complaint seriously.
••”Sergio” (7 p.m. on HBO): This documentary tells the story of the dashing diplomat who served in the United Nations for more than 30 years. He was considered by some a cross between James Bond and Bobby Kennedy. In 2003, just after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Sergio reluctantly agreed to serve as the Secretary General’s special representative in Baghdad.
••”Ultimate Parkour Challenge” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): This new series showcases the growing extreme sport of parkour. In each episode, athletes challenge themselves and each other as they put their parkour skills to the test in different urban environments. In parkour, athletes move as efficiently as possible from point A to point B. They must jump, roll, climb, leap, sprint, flip and fly, flowing over walls, cars, stairs, railings and 10-foot rooftop gaps between 5 story buildings.
••”The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): Isobel (Mia Kirshner, “The L Word”) returns to town and stuns Alaric with her attitude and her demands that he arrange a meeting with Elena. When mother and daughter finally meet, Isobel refuses to answer most of Elena’s questions but reveals that she will stop at nothing to find the mysterious invention Jonathan Gilbert (David Anders, “Heroes”) has been searching for.
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010
••”Friday Night Lights” (7 p.m. on NBC): Season 4 had its first run on DirecTV, but now everyone with a television can enjoy the drama set in Dillon, Texas, where high school football brings the community together. As season four opens, a redistricting plan has left Dillon a town divided. After being ousted from his role as head coach at Dillon High School, Coach Taylor finds himself faced with the daunting task of building a football team from scratch as well as motivating and disciplining the unmanageable East Dillon Lions.
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are Mika, Bloc Party and La Roux.
••”Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): A distressed Ariel begins to lose hours and then years of time in her life and must look to her future self to find out how to get back to the present. Michael Rady (“Melrose Place”) guest stars in this episode directed by series star Miguel Sandoval (district attorney Manuel Devalos).
••”Miami Medical” (9 p.m. on CBS): When Miami’s Calle Cubana celebration turns violent, the Alpha Team finds themselves battling an increased workload. Meanwhile, Dr. Zambrano takes special interest in a young teenager left for dead on the hospital’s driveway. Chad Faust (“The 4400″) guest stars as Todd, a trauma patient.
••”Need to Know” (7:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Peabody Award-winning broadcast journalist Alison Stewart and Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and Newsweek editor Jon Meacham will co-anchor this new weekly primetime news and public affairs series. It will cover five primary beats — the economy, the environment and energy, health, national security and culture.
••”The Oprah Winfrey Show” (4 p.m. on ABC): Joining Oprah Winfrey for this broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall is five-time Grammy-winning artist Christina Aguilera. She will perform the single “Not Myself Tonight” from her forthcoming album “Bionic” (in stores June 8) and also open up about motherhood and her career during an exclusive interview.
••“Primetime: What Would You Do?” (8 p.m. on ABC): Using hidden cameras and actors to see how people react when placed in provocative situations, this special report takes real-life situations and records the everyday dilemmas that test character and values. Two more installments will air over the next two weeks, with more scheduled for June and July.
••”Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): Much to Clark’s surprise, Martha Kent (Annette O’Toole, “The Huntress”) returns to Smallville with her new boyfriend, Perry White (Michael McKean, “Laverne & Shirley”) in tow.
SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2010
••”Loni Love: America’s Sister” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Opening with a unique dance number, the performance chronicles Loni’s hilarious observations and adventures from her travels around the globe. She covers everything from illegal immigration, reality TV, religion and pirates.
••”Meet My Mom” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): When a recently divorced mom (Lori Loughlin, “90210”) is paid a surprise visit by her son’s army pen-pal (Johnny Messner, “Killer Instinct”), it might just be love at first sight.
••”Mongolian Death Worm” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Sean Patrick Flanery (“Young Indiana Jones”) and Victoria Pratt (“Day Break”) star in this new movie as a treasure hunter and United Nations aide worker who find themselves battling local bandits while searching for Genghis Khan’s secret tomb in central Mongolia. The crypt is guarded by man-eating Mongolian death worms, who grow very angry at being disturbed.
••”Rescued” (7 p.m. on CNN): Soleded O’Brien hosts this special that chronicles the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake through the eyes of two orphans, Cendy and Marc Kenson. They were abandoned years ago by their parents but later taken in at the orphanage of an American missionary family. Musical artist Wyclef Jean, a son of Haiti, will provide voice-overs of the Creole translations in the program, along with award-winning Haitian novelist Edwidge Danticat.
••”Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): Betty White (“The Golden Girls”) guest hosts the show for the first time, partly as a result of a grass-roots campaign from fans using social networking sites such as Facebook. Jay-Z will make his third appearance as musical guest in studio 8H.
••”The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Financial advisor Suze Orman gets a surprise “Can I Afford It?” call from celebrity chef Paula Deen (“Paula’s Party”).
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for April 25-May 1, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of April 25:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2010
••2010 Nadia Comaneci International Invitational (8 p.m. on KAUT-43): Olympic gymnastics champ Nadia Comaneci hosts this event along with her husband, Olympic champion and for University of Oklahoma gymnast Bart Conner. The competition taped February at the Cox Arena in Oklahoma City features future gymnastics stars from around the country, as well as athletes from the top clubs in Romania, the Ukraine, Australia, Peru, Canada, Israel, Venezuela and Mexico.
••”The Amazing Race” (7 p.m. on CBS): When teams face two roadblocks in a single leg for the first time on the series, two teams discover just how costly cab rides can be.
••”America the Story of Us” (8 p.m. on History): Liev Schreiber (“Taking Woodstock”) narrates this new 12-hour series that chronicles the story of how America was invented. It covers 400 years of American history, looking at the moments where Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress.
••”Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): More than one member of the Walker family suspects she might be pregnant, Nora offers to take her aging mother in (Marion Ross, “Happy Days”) when it’s discovered she has dementia, and Luc gets an exciting delivery in the mail.
••”Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. on NBC): Donald Trump mixes up the teams and assigns them to create an original celebrity workout for 24 Hour Fitness and bring in donations.
••”Deadly Honeymoon” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Two young Denver newlyweds, Lindsey (Summer Glau, “Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles”) and Trevor Forrest (Chris Carmack, “Drop Dead Diva”) embark on their honeymoon cruise. What begins as a dream vacation devolves into a night of wild partying, infidelity and strange encounters with a group of passengers.
••”The Emeril Lagasse Show” (7 p.m. on ION): Chef Emeril Lagasse and special guest Sherri Shepherd (“The View”) enjoy a Hawaiian-themed celebration on this “Staycation” episode.
••”Girl Meets Gown” (9 p.m. on WE): This new series reveals what it truly takes for a bride-to-be to find the perfect gown that will compliment her style and make her shine on the most important day of her life. The creative and hard-working team at Stardust Celebrations in Dallas, one of the largest bridal boutiques in America, help the brides in their quest.
••”Into the Universe With Stephen Hawking” (8 p.m. on Discovery): In this four-part series, viewers will gain access to the mind of professor Stephen Hawking, who is physically confined but mentally free to explore the mysteries of the universe.
••”The Pacific” (8 p.m. on HBO): The Marines, including the newly christened “Sledgehammer,” continue the battle of Peleliu against an enemy determined to fight to the last man. Devastated by the loss of a revered leader, and witnessing unimaginable barbarity on both sides, Sledge veers to the very edge of moral collapse.
••”Ray Johnston Band: Road Diaries” (7 p.m. on HDNet): This eight-part series follows Ray Johnston, a cancer survivor and former Dallas Maverick point guard, as he and his band travel across the country trying to make it in the music business. The true focus and backdrop is the uplifting, behind-the-scenes story of the band’s leader, Ray Johnston, and his heroic battle with leukemia.
••”The Real Story: The Exorcist” (9 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Perhaps the scariest part of thye 1973 movie “The Exorcist” is that it’s not a work of complete fiction. This is the story of the ritual that took place in 1949 to rid a boy of demons, culled from witness accounts and written records. The events that inspired the film are detailed along with interviews of top neuroscientists who try to determine whether the forces at work were supernatural or psychological.
••”River Monsters” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Extreme angler and biologist Jeremy Wade goes on a worldwide mission to solve freshwater fish mysteries. Season 2 will take him to such locations as the Congo, Thailand, South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, Alaska and Florida to try to capture some amazing creatures and tell their tales.
••”TV Land Awards ’10″ (8 p.m. on TV Land): Tim Allen (“Home Improvement”) hosts the eighth annual event dedicated to reuniting and celebrating some of the most memorable TV performers of the past. Among the schedule honorees are the casts of “Glee,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
••”When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story” (8 p.m. on CBS): Spanning more than 30 years, this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation is based on the true story of the enduring but troubled love between Lois Wilson (Winona Ryder, “Mr. Deeds”), co-founder of Al-Anon, and her alcoholic husband Bill Wilson (Barry Pepper, “Saving Private Ryan”), co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010
••”10 Things I Hate About You” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Bianca plans to take first place in Padua High’s talent show. That is, until Chastity steals her song. Josie Loren and Cassie Scerno from “Make It or Break It” guest star.
••“24” (8 p.m. on Fox): With only six hours left, the clock races toward the series finale as President Allison Taylor faces impossible choices and much to the dismay of CTU, she enlists a private security firm to complete a sensitive task led by Mark Bledsoe (D.B. Sweeney, “Eight Men Out”). Meanwhile, Jack calls in a favor to his old friend Rick Vickers (Michael Madsen, (“Reservoir Dogs”) before he embarks upon a crucial mission of his own.
••”American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The documentary “My Lai” examines one of the darkest chapters of the Vietnam War: the 1968 My Lai massacre, its cover-up and the soldiers who broke rank to halt the attrocities.
••”Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised in Hour 2 from Phoenix include a 1982 bronze maquette by renowned sculptor Henry Moore and an heirloom amethyst jewelry collection.
••”Beyond Conviction” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary follows the courageous journey of three individuals as they face their assailants and hope to find peace and salvation.
••”The Big Bang Theory” (8:31 p.m. on CBS): A visit from Leonard’s mother (Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife”) delights Sheldon and horrifies Leonard.
••”Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): Host Andrew Zimmern’s appetite for the most unique foods is never satisfied. In the Season 5 premiere, he travels to Thailand to sample whole-roasted bamboo rat, cow bile and dung beetles, among other local delicacies.
••“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): When Lily’s ex-husband, Dr. William van der Woodsen (Billy Baldwin, “Dirty Sexy Money”), shows up unexpectedly in Manhattan, Serena finally gets the reunion she has so desperately wanted with her father, but the circumstances turn out to be far from ideal.
••“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): House and the team take on the case of a woman Julia (Sarah Wayne Callies, “Prison Break”), who is in an open marriage and becomes ill during a date with her on-the-side boyfriend. Meanwhile, House tests Wilson’s relationship with Sam (Cynthia Watros, “Lost”).
••”How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): Barney freaks out when Marshall bequeaths a “slap bet” slap to Ted and Robin. Meanwhile, Lily’s estranged father (Chris Elliott, “Everybody Loves Raymond”) shows up for Thanksgiving.
••”Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): When a mother of 10 adopted special needs children is found dead, the detectives uncover an affair and a reality TV show offer. Jim Gaffigan (“My Boys”) guest stars.
••”Rules of Engagement” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When Audrey forces Jeff to give up his hockey tickets and go to her boss’s party with her instead, he spends the night trying to avoid learning the score of the game. At the game, meanwhile, Russell is mortified when Timmy roots against the home team.
••”Runaway Squad” (9 p.m. on A&E): In the series finale, New York City provate investigator Joe Mazzilli continues to hunt down runaways and reunite them with their families.
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2010
••”9 By Design” (9 p.m. on Bravo): With the birth of their seventh child, Bob and Cortney Novogratz invite friends and family to their home to celebrate baby Major’s christening that will include a live performance from their good friend, singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega.
••”30 for 30″ (7 p.m. on ESPN): The documentary “Run Ricky Run” features footage of NFL running back Ricky Williams recorded during his time away from football. He became a media punching bag when he left the sport in 2004, but he has since redeemed himself as a father and a teammate.
••“90210” (7 p.m. on Fox): The gang is preparing for the SAT’s when Silver disagrees with Teddy’s decision to skip college to focus on his tennis career and things grow even more tense when she meets his movie star father, Spence (Ryan O’Neal, “Miss Match”).
••”The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The remaining seven contestants head to Dallas to inspire Texans to get healthy and join them as they run a 5K at the Cotton Bowl. Sesaon 8 fan favorite Abby Rike makes a special appearans and invites Jillian to speak at her old high school.
••”The City” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): In Season 2, Whitney Port, Roxy Olin, Olivia Palermo and Erin Kaplan continue to traverse the New York City fashion industry and their relationships with each other.
••”Dinner With the Band” (9:30 p.m. on IFC): Hosted by New York City chef Sam Mason, this new cooking show combines culinary delights, musical performances and conversations with select acclaimed indie music artists. Artists scheduled to appear include Rufus Wainwright, The Devil Makes Three, The Mountain Goats, Andrew WK, My Brightest Diamond, Murder City Devils, Lightspeed Champion, Theophilus London and Vega.
••”Explorer” (9 p.m. on National Geographic): The new episode “Fatal Insomnia” looks at an extremely rare disease passed down through generations. The primary symptom of FFI — fatal familial insomnia — is sleeplessness, but with a tragic twist: Victims are dead within months.
••”Food Party” (9 p.m. on IFC): Brooklyn fringe artist Thu Tran created and hosts this series, which returns for a second season., Shot on location in Brooklyn in a handmade, technicolor cardboard kitchen, Thu interacts with a cavalcade of puppets, humans, baked goods and vegetables, as the gang embarks on journeys to bizarre and unexpected lands.
••”Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment looks at the vaccine war, in which scientific medicine and the public health establishment are battling a coalition of paents, celebrities, politicians and activists over wther vaccines are a great achievement or a scourge on health.
••”Future Food” (9 p.m. on Planet Green): The staff at MOTO restaurant in Chicago let a bunch of youngsters come up with menu ideas, which include eyeballs, deep fried deer head with tree bark utensils and dirty socks with rocks — all made out of vegetables.
••”Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Kurt sets his dad (Mike O’Malley, “Yes, Dear”) up with an unexpected partner, and Sue demands that the Cheerios go on a crazy diet in preparation for a big interview with “Splits” magazine. Meanwhile, April Rhodes (Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies”) returns to save Will and the glee club.
••”The Hills” (9 p.m. on MTV): In the seventh and final season, fans can expect to see Audrina Patridge dating singer Ryan Cabrera and Kristin Cavallari dealing with rumors of drug abuse. But will former star Lauren Conrad return for the big goodbye? Maybe.
••”NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): Gibbs and Special Agent T.C. Fornell (Joe Spano, “NYPD Blue”) try to uncover the truth when a polygraph specialist’s night job takes a dangerous turn that leads to murder.
••”NCIS: Los Angeles” (8 p.m. on CBS): NCIS investigates the murder of a Navy officer entangled in the world of Hollywood glitz and glamour as the team is joined at Hetty’s request by LAPD liaison Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen, “Fired Up!”).
••”Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Mind Over Money” delves into arguments about the world of finance and explores behavioral economics, which aims to incorporate human psychology into finance.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2010
••”Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): When a grief-stricken Hotchner takes a leave of absence from the Behavioral Analysis Unit to ponder his future career, Rossi and the team must regroup to solve a home invasion case. Rena Sofer (“Blind Justice”) guest stars.
••”Desperate Landscapes” (9 p.m. on DIY): Host and licensed contractor Jason Cameron visits the Las Vegas home of magician Penn Jillette (“Dancing With the Stars”) for a landscape renovation. It took Jason Cameron and his team 16 hours of sweat to turn Jillette’s 10,000 square foot front yard into an oasis complete with artificial turf, desert plants and more.
••”Great Performances” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): David Tennant (“Doctor Who”) reprises his role as the melancholy Dane in this television adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed 2008 stage production of “Hamlet.” The presentation also stars Patrick Stewart (X-Men”) as King Claudius, the murderer of Hamlet’s father.
••”Happy Town” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): This new drama focuses on the residents of Haplin, Minn., also known as “Happy Town.” They have enjoyed an uneasy peace for the past five years, but that is about to change. Still haunted by a number of unsolved kidnappings, Haplin now faces a disturbing new crime that brings all of its unresolved fears to the surface.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): When a man is accused of murdering his daughters, detective Stabler’s former partner (Sharon Stone, “Bobby”) takes the case.
••“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): Zoe enlists the Lightman Group to investigate a star college football player accused of statutory rape. Jennifer Beals (“The L Word”) and James Marsters (“Angel”) guest star.
••”The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Matthew and Richard try to evict an elderly lady (Marion Ross, “Happy Days”) from the apartment they want to rent.
••”Sunset Daze” (9 p.m. on WE): This new reality series set in a retirement community in Surprise, Ariz., reveals seniors reconnecting with their youth and having the best time of their lives.
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010
••“Ask a Lawyer 2010” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This annual community service provided by the Oklahoma Bar Association gives the public the opportunity to call in during the live broadcast and speak with attorneys on various areas of the law.
••”CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): A legendary comic from the good old days of Las Vegas is set to reunite with his partner on stage for one night only, until one half of the famous duo is found dead. Tim Conway (“The Carol Burnett Show”) guest stars as legendary comic Knuckles Pratt and Jennifer Tilly (“Out of Practice”) guest stars as his wife.
••”Fringe” (8 p.m. on Fox): While Walter deals with some upsetting news, he tells Olivia’s niece a fairy tale that includes musical performances by Olivia and Angent Broyles.
••“The Marriage Ref” (9 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity panelists Matthew Broderick (“The Producers”), Sarah Silverman (“The Sarah Silverman Program”) and Martin Short (“Damages”) offer their wit, wisdom and unique opinions to couples in marital tiffs.
••”The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): When a media mogul is murdered, Patrick Jane and the CBI team investigate cult leader Bret Stiles (Malcolm McDowell, “Entourage”), who may have had an axe to grind following the publication of a critical story about his group.
••”The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Pam and Jim work on their first sales pitch together to Donna (Amy Pietz, “Aliens in America”), the manager of a local restaurant. But Michael keeps misreading the signals she’s putting out.
••”True Crime With Aphrodite Jones” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): In this installment, journalist and bestselling author Aphrodite Jones sets out to prove that the allegations of child abuse against Michael Jackson were as responsible for his early death as sleep-inducing drugs.
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2010
••“Bill Moyers Journal” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In his final program, host Bill Moyers reports on people working for a chance and has a “World of Ideas” conversation with a leading public thinker.
••”I Shouldn’t Be Alive” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): A former special forces man travelled to the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania to go on a solo hiking expedition. The trip takes a turn for th4e worse when he is swept off a ledge by an avalanche.
••”The Life & Times of Tim” (8:30 p.m. on HBO): In the Season 2 finale, Tim loses his job when the Chairman of Omnicorp flies in from the United Kingdom.
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are The Killers, Chairlift and Florence and The Machine.
••”Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): After a neighbor (Jonathan Silverman, “In Case of Emergency”) is murdered, Allison’s fears for her own family prompt her to install a high-tech talking burglar alarm, which she later suspects may be communicating with Marie. Also, Ariel meets a ghost (Greg Germann, “Ally McBeal”) who could help her get into the college of her choice.
••”Miami Medical” (9 p.m. on CBS): In order to show the importance of their facility, Dr. Proctor is forced to give a speech proving just how vital he and his team are in the minutes following a major accident. Shari Belafonte (“Hotel”) guest stars as Kimberly Davis, a hospital donor and Mike Farrell (“M*A*S*H,” “Providence”) guest stars as Dr. Carl Willis, a hospital administrator.
••”Who Do You Think You Are?” (7 p.m. on NBC): Director Spike Lee (“Do the Right Thing”) learns about his ancestors in the Season 1 finale. The one question that he wanted answered — “Who owned my family?” — takes him to Texas, where he comes face to face with an unlikely relative.
SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010
••”10 on Top” (10 a.m. on MTV): Lenay Dunn hosts this new show that countdowns the Top 10 most texted and talked about young celebs of the week. Viewers will get the very latest on their favorite superstar entertainers, what deals they landed, whose hearts they broke and whose star is shining brightest.
••”Accused at 17″ (8 p.m. on Lifetime): When 17-year-old Bianca’s two best friends find out that Bianca’s boyfriend cheated on her with a classmate, all three play a prank on the girl that goes horribly wrong. Nicole Gale Anderson (“Jonas”) and Cynthia Gibb (“Fame”) star.
••“Brothers” (11:30 p.m. on Fox): Mike and Chill hire their cousin Kenny (Snoop Dogg, “Soul Plane”), a shady lawyer who specializes in debt and fraud, to recover Mike’s laundered assets. But when Kenny is only able to locate funds donated to a children’s charity, Mike wrestles with a tough decision.
••”Dov Davidoff: The Filthy Operation” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Dov Davidoff’s urban flavor, Jersey accent and ADD comedic style brings out the funny in such issues as prejudice in politics and school lunches, gay rights, the relationship between transvestites and transformers and why men don’t stop for directions.
••”The Mentalist” (8 p.m. on CBS): While Jane and the team examine a crime scene where a baseball scout was found murdered, Jane is clocked in the head by a ball and flashes back to his childhood with his overbearing father (Nick Chinlund, “Desperate Housewives”).
••”When I Was 17″ (10 a.m. on MTV): In this enlightening new series, each episode will focus on the lives of three uniquely different celebrities. It will explore their family life, friendships, romantic relationships, part-time jobs and the things they did, or didn’t do, to get them to where they are today.
••”Made Presents: Kiss & Tell: The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating” (11 a.m. on MTV): The experts of “Kiss & Tell” teach an insecure high school boy how to become a more confident and romantically successful individual. Viewers will also hear firsthand from teenage girls about what they look for in a boyfriend.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for April 11-17, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of April 11:
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2010
••”Army Wives” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): Season 4 returns to follow the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women – and one man – living with their spouses and families on an active army post. The season opens with Denise and Frank coming to terms with the decisions that their son, Jeremy, made in last season’s finale.
••”Basketball Wives” (9 p.m. on VH1): In this new reality series, seven closely knit women who are either the wives, ex-wives or girlfriends of superstar players of the National Basketball Association lean on one another for support as they try to juggle their responsibilities as mothers and businesswomen.
••”Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business” (8 p.m. on VH1): This new reality series follows musical siblings Brandy and Ray J Norwood as they try to take over the reins of the family business (Rn’B Productions) from their mom Sonja as she steps down.
••”Brothers & Sisters” (8 p.m. on ABC): In an effort to get to the root of the secret that William’s nemesis, Dennis York, holds over their heads, the Walkers recall their memories, both good and horrifying, of their family’s days at Ojai Foods in 1986. Then, as they continue to flashback to their younger days, they finally recall the shocking secret and the shameful cover-up that led to York’s power play, and are forced to deal with the remorse of a tragic event. Guest starring as the young Walkers are Colin Egglesfield (“Melrose Place”), Kay Panabaker (“Summerland”), Anna Wood (“Nice Guy Johnny”), Cody Longo (“Make It or Break It”), Kasey Campbell (“Weeds”) and Dylan Larsen.
••”Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. on NBC): Both teams are tasked with creating a commercial for Right Guard while dealing with various setbacks. NBA standouts Clyde Drexler and Scottie Pippen guest star.
••”Cowboys in Tall Grass” (6:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Prior to Euro-American settlement in the 1820s, one of the major landscape features of North America was 240 million acres of tallgrass prairie. But between 1830 and 1900, the tallgrass prairie was transformed to farmland. This program highlights prairie preservation efforts and explores how the tallgrass prairie ecosystem may serve as a model for a sustainable agriculture of the future.
••”Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Jeff Gordon (race car driver) travels with Ty Pennington and his team to South Carolina to assist Amanda and Derrick Suggs, who had just started their own family when they took in Amanda’s younger siblings to keep them from being separated in foster care. WWE Divas The Bella Twins and WWE superstars Big Show and R-Truth also appear.
••”Life” (7 p.m. on Discovery): The new installment “Hunters and Hunted” includes a mother orca that steals elephant seal pups from a nursery pool to teach her calf a brand new form of predation. It is followed by the new installment “Insects,” which includes Japanese red bug juveniles eating a rare fruit, which their mother collects from the forest floor.
••”Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Airing on Holocaust Remembrance Day, this new adaptation of “The Diary of Anne Frank” aims to be the most faithful rendering of Anne’s (Ellie Kendrick, “An Education”) account of her family’s two-year ordeal of hiding from the Nazis.
••”Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Moment of Impact: Jungle” looks at the bio-engineering of jungle residents, both on the ground and in the forest canopy.
••”The Pacific” (8 p.m. on HBO): Basilone’s celebrity grows as he travels across the country on the war bonds tour. On Pavuvu, Sledge, assigned to the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, is briefly reunited with Phillips.
••”Panda Breeding Diary” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): This special tells the story of the gentle giants of China’s Wolong Panda Research and Conservation Center and the dedicated researchers who’ve cracked the code to keep this species alive.
••“Til Death” (6 p.m. on Fox): With Eddie’s brother, Charlie, and his new boyfriend, Terence, coming to visit, Eddie isn’t exactly looking forward to a weekend of wine-tasting and antiquing. Much to Eddie’s surprise, though, he hits it off with Terence as they both opt to watch football over participating in the planned weekend activities. When Charlie breaks up with Terence, Joy sides with Charlie and ends up questioning her relationship with Eddie. Richard Kind (“Mad About You”) and Bill Fagerbakke (“SpongeBob SquarePants”) guest star.
••”Treme” (9 p.m. on HBO): This new series is set in New Orleans three months after Hurricane Katrina, as residents try to rebuild their lives in the wake of the storm. The cast includes Steve Zahn, Melissa Leo, Khandi Alexander, Kim Dickens, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce and John Goodman.
••”The Tudors” (8 p.m. on Showtime): In the fourth and final season, King Henry VIII is 30 years into his reign. He takes a fifth wife, teen queen Katherine Howard (Tamzin Merchant, “Princess Kaiulani”), in the season premiere. Katherine, 17, is different from earlier wives in more ways than age. Far from being nobility, she was discovered by some of the King’s friends in a boarding house for wayward young ladies.
••”What Chilli Wants” (9:30 p.m. on VH1): Music star Chilli turns to relationship expert Tionna Smalls in her quest to find a man who measures up to Chilli’s demands, which include good looks, fondness for kids, a sense of humor and abstinence from smoking, drinking and eating pork.
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2010
••”Among the Righteous: Lost Stories from the Holocaust in Arab Lands” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Narrated by Robert MacNeil (“The Robert MacNeil Report”), this new documentary follows the eight-year journey of Robert Satloff, head of a respected Washington, DC policy center. He traveled four continents to find an Arab, who in the face of the German and Fascist occupation of North Africa, took action to save his Jewish neighbors during the Holocaust.
••”Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised in Hour 3 from Denver include two circa 1958 prototype chairs, a salesman’s sample canoe and a 1941 Martin guitar.
••”The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): A fight between Leonard and Penny threatens their relationship, while Sheldon battles his nemesis Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) in a bowling alley.
••”Castle” (9 p.m. on ABC): When Castle appears on a late-night talk show to promote his book, Heat Wave, host Bobby Mann (Tom Bergeron, ••”Dancing With the Stars”) leans in during a commercial break and whispers, “They want me dead.” When Mann dies later that night, seemingly of natural causes, Castle has to convince Beckett that there was foul play. Also guest starring are Bill Bellamy (“Fastlane”), Kelly Carlson (“Nip/Tuck”), Dan Cortese (“Surviving Suburbia”), French Stewart (“Misconceptions”) and Fred Willard (“Back to You”).
••”Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck must go on his first solo mission to Paris, but he’ll be lucky to survive the flight. Stone Cold Steve Austin (“WWE Smackdown!”) and Kristin Kreuk (“Smallville”) guest star.
••”CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Spring Break raises the body count in Miami when the CSI team splits up to solve three different murders. Chelsea Hobbs (“Make It or Break It”) guest stars.
••”Extreme Forensics” (8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): Season 2 returns with more cases involving suspects that try to outsmart authorities, only to be captured due to the use of forensice science.
••“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): When a newborn disappears from the nursery, Princeton Plainsboro goes on lockdown, preventing anyone from entering, leaving or moving within the hospital. While House and his team members are trapped in various parts of the building, new insights about the team’s personal histories, relationships and regrets surface. David Strathairn (“Temple Grandin”) guest stars in the episode directed by series star Hugh Laurie (Dr. House).
••”The Last Supper” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary follows a former prison inmate chef who creates final meals for convicts on death row. The film also looks at the discrepancy between historical meaning and contemporary use of the “last supper” tradition that has lost its connection with the past.
••“Life Unexpected” (7 p.m. on CW): With her wedding fast approaching, Cate must confront her true feelings for the two men in her life, Baze and Ryan. To complicate Cate’s already conflicted feelings, on the day of the wedding, Lux reveals something that threatens to change all of their lives forever.
••”The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): Today’s episode features a wedding shower for engaged couples. Model Rachel Reynolds and new husband, baseball player David Dellucci, sport the wedding attire to be bid on by contestants. Special prizes offered to competing engaged couples include honeymoon trips, a heart-shaped tub, registry gifts, his and her items — and one couple will win $10,000 in cash.
••”Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): Grace reunites with a childhood friend who is in jail for killing her husband, but things aren’t what they seem. The squad investigates the disappearance of a young woman, and Grace begins to wonder if Earl has been watching over her since she was a girl.
••”Trauma” (8 p.m. on NBC): Nancy and her father clash over his new role as the head of the Trauma center. Elsewhere, Ira (Richard Kind, “Mad About You”), known for his tendency to call in repeatedly for medical assistance, resurfaces.
••”Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Jake’s new friend, Eldridge, is a bad influence but Alan really likes his hot mom. Courtney Thorne-Smith (“According to Jim”) guest stars as Eldridge’s mom.
••”VH1 Tough Love Couples” (8 p.m. on VH1): Back for a second season, matchmaking mother and son team Steve and JoAnn Ward welcome six couples who are all on the brink of deciding whether to get engaged or break up. Over the course of eight weeks, Steve and JoAnn will put these couples to the test to see if they are truly a perfect match.
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010
••”9 by Design” (10 p.m. on Bravo): This new reality series follows Bob and Cortney Novogratz, who run a Manhattan renovation and design firm. They are also are busy raising six children and have a seventh on the way.
••”30 For 30″ (7 p.m. on ESPN): In the new installment “No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson,” filmmaker Steve James returns to his hometown of Hampton, Va., to take a personal look at a bowling alley brawl in 1993 and examine its impact of future Allen Iverson, a high school standout at the time who went to jail because of the incident.
••“90210” (7 p.m. on CW): Liam receives a surprise visit from his father, Finn (Scott Patterson, “Gilmore Girls”), just released from prison.
••”The Big Gay Sketch Show” (9 p.m. on Logo): Season 3 is back with laugh-out-loud antics, sassy celebrity impersonations and twisted sketches that will appeal to anyone who’s a little askew.
••”The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): This week’s pop challenge finds the contestants piling quarters, each worth $10, on to platters and then trying to balance the platters as long as they can to win the money they’re holding. Afterwards, financial expert Suze Orman talks with the contestants about their financial health, along with Season 8 winner Danny Cahill, who she predicted would win.
••”Construction Intervention” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In this new series, 20-year construction veteran Charlie “The Bulldog” Frattini and his crew use their engineering expertise – and passion for the business – to transform botched construction jobs and rebuild dreams.
••”Deadliest Catch” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Season 6 takes viewers through some of the roughest situations the captains and crews have ever had to face on the high seas. From treacherous weather conditions to crew conflict to the death of beloved Captain Phil Harris, each of this season’s 16 episodes bring viewers into the intimate world of these crab fisherman.
••”Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment goes behind closed doors at the White House, in Congress and the boardrooms of the giant healthcare lobby to examine the political battles and costly compromises that defined the Obama administration’s efforts toward healthcare reform.
••”Glee” (8:28 p.m. on Fox): The spring premiere picks up as New Directions is fresh off their win at Sectionals and feeling on top of the world. With an extra spring in their step, they get to work on new numbers for Regionals, incuding a rendition of The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye.” Idina Menzel (“Wicked”) and Jonathan Groff (“One Life to Live”) guest star.
••”The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): After a popular high school quarterback dies of an overdose of painkillers, Alicia represents the physician (Russell Hornsby, “Lincoln Heights”) who prescribed the medication.
••”Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Joan Allen (“Face/Off”) narrates the documentary “Blessed Is the Match” about Hannah Senesh, the World War II-era poet and diarist who became a paratrooper and resistance fighter and was captured, tortured and ultimately executed by the Nazis.
••“Melrose Place” (8 p.m. on CW): In the Season 1 finale, Amanda fires Ella from WPK. However, not one to go out without a fight, Ella searches for anything to blackmail Amanda. Unfortunately for one of the ladies, the end result is worse than she could have ever imagined.
••”The Millionaire Matchmaker” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the Season 3 finale, Patti Stanger is not too happy to hear that the millionaire she will be helping is returning client Zagros Bigvand, who last season broke her rules and created quite a scandal that he was booted from the club.
••”NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): A dead Marine’s day job at a government think tank leads Gibbs and the team into the life of a 12-year-old prodigy who may be the killer’s next target. Lisa Sheridan (“Invasion”) guest stars as Facilities Coordinator Krista Dalton. Francis Capra (“Veronica Mars”) guests as Gang Member Eddie Castillo.
••”Parenthood” (9 p.m. on NBC): Adam juggles his family’s schedules while Sarah’s relationship goes to the next level. Minka Kelly (“Friday Night Lights”) and Jason Ritter (“W”) guest star.
••”Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This episode investigates the universe’s distant past and the dark matter and dark energy that constitute the vast majority of the stuff in the unierse.
••”Tiny & Toya” (9 p.m. on BET): Season 2 of this reality series delves deeper into the lives of Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, former member of Xscape and girlfriend of rapper T.I., and best friend Antonia “Toya” Carter, ex-wife of Lil’ Wayne, as they continue to balance motherhood, family, fame and creating businesses of their own.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2010
••”Cougar Town” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): Jules is thrilled for the chance to take care of Travis after his first big break-up. But when Jules discovers the truth about the break-up, she comes to an unwelcome realization about herself. Sheryl Crow (Grammy winner) guest stars.
••”CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): A death row inmate’s (Harold Perrineau, “Lost”) final request brings Dr. Hawkes to a Pennsylvania prison and face-to-face with a tragic incident that he has kept secret for many years, just as a prison riot erupts and traps Hawkes inside. Ozzy Osbourne’s new song “Let Me Hear You Scream” will have its world premiere during the episode.
••“Human Target” (7 p.m. on Fox): When Chance’s former boss makes a move to bring him back into the fold, flashbacks reveal the events that lead to Chance, Winston and Guerrero’s unlikely partnership in the Season 1 finale. Armand Assante (“Breaking Point”), Lee Majors (“The Fall Guy”) and Amy Acker (“Happy Town”) guest star.
••”In Plain Sight” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Agent Wade Guthrie is shot during an undercover weapons deal. When he wakes up, he learns he has been protected by Witsec’s Mary Shannon during nhis three-year coma. Rita Moreno (“Cane”), Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) and Tess Harper (“Crash”) guest star.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Officer Nate Kendall (Wentworth Miller, “Prison Break”) is called in to help detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler solve a series of rape cases along with executive assistant district attorney Sonya Paxton (“Christine Lahti, “Chicago Hope”).
••”Making The Crooked Straight” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This documentary tells the story of an American doctor who serves the sick and poor of Ethiopia. In addition to offering hospital care, Dr. Rick Hodes shares his home with more than 20 children, providing them with a loving environment, an education and medical treatment.
••”Modern Family” (7 p.m. on ABC): After reconnecting on Facebook, Phil invites his old high school girlfriend (Judy Greer, “27 Dresses”) to drop by the house. But this friendly visit quickly turns into trouble. Meanwhile Jay accidentally kills Manny’s beloved pet turtle, then goes to extremes to cover his tracks.
••”The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Old Christine takes a cranky, very pregnant New Christine to a fancy salon to prepare her for the impromptu wedding that Richard is secretly planning. Scott Bakula returns as Old Christine’s ex-boyfriend and New Christine’s father, Papa Jeff.
••”Ugly Betty” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): In the series’ finale, which features appearances by familiar faces from the past, Betty finds it hard to tell Daniel important news about her future. When she does, his reaction surprises her, but not Claire.
••”When Families Grieve” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Katie Couric (“CBS Evening News”) and the “Sesame Street” muppets are featured in this special that presents families’ personal stories about coping with the death of a parent, as well as strategies that have helped these families move forward.
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2010
••“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): The team’s latest case takes Brennan back to her alma mater, Burtonsville High School, where she and Booth investigate the discovery of an unidentified skull and upper torso. Robert Englund (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”) guest stars.
••”CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Hodges and Wendy take a group of high school CSI Explorer Scouts on a field trip, they embellish their role in solving cases and take their assignment a little bit too far. Lucas Grabeel (“High School Musical”) guest stars in the episode written by series stars Liz Vassey (Wendy Simms) and Wallace Langham (Hodges).
••“Fringe” (8 p.m. on Fox): When passengers aboard a commuter train appear to have died a still death, it seems that a switch was flipped because all cell phones, mp3 players, laptops, batteries and bodies have been drained of power. When the investigation leads them to Alistair Peck (Peter Weller, “RoboCop”), a very powerful man who has tremendous energy with severe consequences, an ironic set of circumstances surface.
••”Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): After learning of Richard’s drinking problem, Derek confronts him for the sake of his friend and the hospital, Izzie returns, hoping to reconcile with Alex, and tensions run high between Teddy, Cristina and Owen in the aftermath of Cristina’s startling confession. Kim Raver (“24″) guest stars.
••”Models of the Runway” (10 p.m. on Lifetime): In Part 1 of the second-season finale, the three finalist models prepare for the walk in Bryant Park.
••”Saturday Night Live in the 2000s: Time and Again” (8 p.m. on NBC): This behind-the-scenes documentary chronicles the highs and lows of the comedy show. Among those interviewed are creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels and many of the stars of the show, including Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Bill Hader, Chris Kattan, Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler. Also offering insight are some of the show’s most memorable hosts, including Alec Baldwin, Christopher Walken and Justin Timberlake.
••“Supernatural” (8 p.m. on CW): In the show’s 100th episode, Dean begins to think the only way to stop Lucifer is to say yes to Michael, but the angels decide they don’t need him anymore.
••“The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): While Stefan struggles to control his new situation, Elena and Jeremy are surprised by a visit from their uncle, John Gilbert (David Anders, “24”).
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are Gossip, The Mars Volta and Friendly Fires.
••”Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison fears the worst about Ariel’s new boyfriend when she suspects him of murdering a man. Also, Bridgette posts embarrassing videos of a man on the Internet and gets into trouble. Amy Pietz (“Caroline in the City”) guest stars in the episode directed by David Arquette (“In Case of Emergency”).
••”Miami Medical” (9 p.m. on CBS): The Alpha team finds surprising connections between themselves and the victims of a tent collapse they are treating. Meanwhile, Dr. Deleo and Dr. Zambrano’s playful flirtation begins to draw attention from the hospital staff. Sarah Drew (“Everwood”) guest stars as Emily, the bride. Valente Rodriguez (“George Lopez”) guest stars as Fortunato, a patient who bonds with Dr. Proctor.
••”Secrets of the Mountain” (7 p.m. on NBC): Family business leads to an adventure of a lifetime for single mom Dana James (Paige Turco, “The Agency”) and her three kids when the family faces a series of mysteries and a dark secret that drives them deep into danger. Barry Bostwick (“Spin City”) and Shawn Christian (“Days of our Lives”) in the two-hour backdoor pilot.
••“Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): An explosion rocks the lab, and Lois is rescued by John Corben (Brian Austin Green, (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) who was a subject of multiple experiments.
••”Spartacus: Blood and Sand” (9 p.m. on Starz): In order to get his revenge, Spartacus enlists the help of an accomplice in the Season 1 finale.
••”What Not to Wear Awards Show” (8 p.m. on TLC): Hosts Stacy and Clinton hosts this special that looks back at the most shocking transformations, biggest breakdowns and most moving stories from the show. They fondly and fearfully reminisce over the fashion fiascos and the dazzling transformations of hundreds of contributors.
••”Wizards of Waverly Place” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Alex, Justin and Max are shocked to discover that their Uncle Kelbo (Jeff Garlin, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) has transformed into international music sensation Shakira (Grammy winner guest starring as herself) after he failed to follow the Main Eleven Wizards Rules.
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2010
••”Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): This installments of the locally-produced series spotlights Norman’s Birdie’s Nest and the Tallgrass near Pawhuska.
••”Doctor Who” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 5 premiere, the Doctor has regenerated into a brand-new man (Matt Smith, “Secret Diary of a Call Girl”). But danger strikes before he can even recover – his time machine, the Tardis, is wrecked, and he has just 20 minutes to save the world.
••”Patricia Cornwell’s The Front” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): In this second adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s Win Garano novels, Massachusetts D.A. Monique Lamont (Andie MacDowell) gets state police investigator Garano (Daniel Sunjata) to help her tie a 40-year-old Watertown murder case to the Boston Strangler.
••”Strikeforce Saturday Night Fights” (8 p.m. on CBS): Mixed martial arts (MMA) returns to primetime with three title fights featuring five of the top MMA fighters in the world from their respective weight classes. The event will air live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn.
••”The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Suze Orman returns from her visit to “The Biggest Loser” ranch with financial concerns for the contestants. Season 8 winner Danny Cahill from Broken Arrow talks about his past hevay debt and its connection to his weight.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for March 14-20, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 14:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2010
••”30 for 30″ (8 p.m. on ESPN): The new documentary ‘‘Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks” explores how Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers became the most despised opponent of the New YorkKnicks.
••”America’s Worst Driver” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): In this new series, bad drivers in eight cities compete in various driving challenges to identify the worst local driver. The participant earning the distinction of the worst from each city will watch as their car is destroyed before moving on to the finale.
••”Antonio Treatment” (9 p.m. on HGTV): ‘‘HGTV Design Star” Sesaon 4 winner Antonio Ballatore helps transform lackluster homes, offices, restaurants, stores, recording studios and more into radically original-yet functional-custom creations. In the second hour of the series premiere, he helps Mario Lopez (“Nip/Tuck”) upgrade his home and office gyms from makeshift spaces into a boxer’s paradise. He also receives a visit from boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard.
••”The Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. on NBC): In the two-hour Season 3 premiere, Donald Trump divides 14 celebrities into men versus women and instructs them to choose a team name. Their first task is running a New York City diner. The celebrities are Darryl Strawberry, Cyndi Lauper, Bret Michaels, Sharon Osbourne, Michael Johnson, Holly Robinson Peete, Bill Goldberg, Carol Leifer, Sinbad, Summer Sanders, Rod Blagojevich, Maria Kanellis, Curtis Stone and Selita Ebanks.
••”Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team reopens the case of a dock worker who was moonlighting as an indy-circuit wrestler until he was shot dead in 1986, and Valens secretly looks into a lead on the man who mugged and raped his mother. Roddy Piper (“The Portal”) and Jay Thomas (“Murphy Brown”) guest star.
••”The Cutting Edge: Fire & Ice” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Figure skater Alexandra ‘‘Alex” Delgado (Francia Raisa), who gave up competing in favor of teaching after her partner became injured, agrees to team up with banned speed skater James McKinsey (Brendan Fehr, ‘‘Roswell”). But their relationship on and off the ice heats up as they get closer to competition.
••”Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): Gaby and Angie head to New York in search of Danny and Ana. While in the Big Apple, a chance encounter with supermodels Heidi Klum and Paulina Porizkova leads Gaby to an unexpected revelation about herself. Julie Benz (“Dexter”) also guest stars.
••”Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The design team stops in Slaughterville, Okla., to help build a home for Brian and Audra Skaggs. Their son, Jhett, 3, survived a heart transplant at eight months of age, but the family’s moldy, rotting, termite-ridden home poses serious risks to his weakened immune system. Helping with the build are celebrity guest designer Jillian Harris (“The Bachelorette”), Xzibit (“Hoodwinked!”), Ideal Homes of Norman and almost 2,000 volunteers.
••”Fatal Attractions” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): This three-part miniseries gets inside the minds of people who own venomous reptiles, deadly big cats and chimpanzees to see what drives their obsessions. While their love, admiration and intrigue is genuine, these exotic pet owners often ignore the fact that their choice of a pet could cost them, innocent bystanders or their beloved pets their lives. It kicks off with the reptile episode, followed by big cats (March 21) and chimpanzees (March 28).
••”Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): In the third-season finale, Miley Stewart faces the biggest decision of her life – whether to say goodbye to her life in Malibu or to listen to her heart and return to her Crowley Corners ranch and beloved horse Blue Jeans in Tennessee. Meanwhile, Jackson moves into his own apartment, Lilly is contemplating what to do after her mom accepts a job in Atlanta and Oliver must decide whether to stay with his two best friends or go on the road to pursue his fledgling music career.
••”Killer Aliens” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): Florida is being overrun by lethal Burmese pythons, feral hogs, Nile monitor lizards and Gambian rats the size of cats. With no natural predators, their populations are spreading disease, destroying vegetation and crops, preying on native species and harming humans.
••”Minute to Win It” (6 p.m. on NBC): Guy Fieri hosts this new game show that leads competitors through a series of challenges using everyday household items. Each game has a 60-second time limit, and 10 have to be completed to win $1 million.
••“National Geographic Magazine’s Top Photos of the Year” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This special counts down the Top 10 photos from the magazine and reveals the stories behind the photographs.
••”The Pacific” (8 p.m. on HBO): Based on the true stories of three World War II Marines, this 10-part miniseries follows them from their first battle with the Japanese on Guadalcanal to their return home. In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Sgt. John Basilone (Jon Seda) departs for the Pacific, Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale) joins the Marines, and Eugene Sledge (Joe Mazzello) cannot enlist because of a heart murmur.
••”Sonny With a Chance” (7 p.m. on Disney): Season 2 follows Sonny as she lives out her dream of starring on her favorite sketch comedy show for tweens, “So Random!” in Hollywood. She tries to balance her friendships with the everyday problems that pop up at school and on set.
••”Sons of Tucson” (8:30 p.m. on Fox): This new family comedy follows three young brothers (Benjamin Stockham, Frank Dolce, Matthew Levy) who hire a charming slacker (Tyler Labine, ‘‘Reaper”) to pose as their dad when their real father is sent to prison.
••”Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro” (8 p.m. on MTV): This 90-minute documentary features a group of artists and activists as they attempt to reach the top of Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness of the global clean water crisis. Grammy-nominated musician Kenna is the mastermind behind the expedition, and he will be joined by Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch, Lupe Fiasco, Santigold, Isabel Lucas, Elizabeth Gore, Alexandra Cousteau, Kick Kennedy and more.
••”Til Death” (6 p.m. on Fox): When Joy and Eddie meet their rather unconventional new neighbors, Eddie can’t seem to get the idea of being with a younger woman out of his head. Gilbert Gottfried (“Greg the Bunny”) guest stars.
••“Ultimate Power Builders” (7 p.m. on Planet Green): In downtown Guangzhou, China, one of the greenest structures is being built. The 71-storey building known as Pearl River Tower will rely on just wind and sunlight for its power supply.
••”Ultimate Recipe Showdown” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Guy Fieri returns for the third season of this culinary competition. Each episode pits four great home cooks against one another for a $25,000 prize. In this first of six episodes, the contestants have just 30 minutes to dish up the ultimate comfort food recipe.
••”Weather Proof” (8 p.m. on The Weather Channel): In the episode “Tornadoes: The Twisted Truth,” host Newton Wimer creates a special test to reveal just how safe a safe room really is in tornado-like conditions.
MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2010
••”Castle” (9 p.m. on ABC): When Castle and Beckett are called to a wedding to investigate the death of a bridesmaid, Castle is stunned to discover that the soon-to-be bride is his old flame, Kyra (Alyssa Milano, “Charmed”).
••“Celtic Thunder — It’s Entertainment” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Filmed in front of a live studio audience in Toronto, this show is musical review spans six decades and reflects the romance and nostalgia of times gone by.
••”CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): After the lab is attacked, Horatio must give in to a gunman’s bizarre request to save five hostages, including the newest CSI team member, Jesse Cardoza. Sharif Atkins (“ER”) and Robert Gant (“Queer as Folk”) guest star.
••”Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Casey carries out a side mission for his old commanding officer (Robert Patrick, “Terminator 2: Judgement Day”) that leads to him committing treason.
••“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): In this episode directed by Andrew McCarthy (“Pretty in Pink”) Rufus and Lily grow suspect of Jenny’s relationship with Damien.
••”Greek” (9 p.m. on ABC Family”): Casey and Cappie get a surprise visit from Cappie’s parents, April (Lea Thompson, “Back to the Future”) and Tobias (Jim Abele, “24″), who proceed to invite the couple to join them on a camping trip. While at first reluctant, Casey decides to go, in hopes that they may be able to encourage Cappie to choose a major and graduate with her.
••”HGTV Dream Home Giveaway” (7 p.m. on HGTV): A new, contemporary Pueblo-style home near Santa Fe, N.M., awaits the winner of the 14th annual giveaway. Host Jamie Durie (“The Outdoor Room With Jamie Durie”) will be on location, using stealth maneuvers to surprise the winner at home.
••”Home Rules” (8 p.m. on HGTV): In this new series, life coach and former WNBA player Fran Harris will explore why a frazzled family is struggling to find harmony at home. After assessing the issue, Fran will help the family establish rules to help ease the pandemonium, and a designer will help create a well-designed space that enhances the family’s life.
••”How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): After Barney and Robin hit a rough patch in their relationship, Lily devises the perfect plan to break them up, calling in help from Robin’s famous friend, Alan Thicke (“Growing Pains”).
••”Jessica Simpson’s The Price of Beauty” (9 p.m. on VH1): In this new reality series, Jessica Simpson and her closest friends embark on a worldwide tour to examine what constitutes beauty in different cultures and what measures women will take in order to achieve it.
••”Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Season 14 features a new search for the greatest driving road in the world, a novel approach to caravanning and the invention of a new motor sport…well sort of. The premiere episode also features Eric Bana (“Hulk”), who does a lap in the reasonably priced car segment.
••”Transform Me” (9:30 p.m. on VH1): Each episode of this new series follows the makeover of one woman badly in need of a transformation — on the outside and inside. They’ll be transformed by three transgender women, including Laverne Cox (“I Want to Work for Diddy”).
••”Zeke and Luther” (6:30 p.m. on Disney XD): Season 2 of the skateboarding comedy series kicks off with an episode that pays homage to a seminal sitcom moment, as Zeke attempts to jump a shark.
TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010
••”90210″ (7 p.m. on CW): Ryan meets free-spirited Laurel (Kelly Lynch, “The L Word”) at a bar, but soon they move to her car so they can get to know each other even better.
••“Andrew Rieu Live from Dresden” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Recorded at the Semper Opera House in 2008, this is not only a concert, but also a readl wedding party. The bride and groom are part of the famous “Vienna Debutantes.”
••”Bad Girls Club Reunion Special” (9 p.m. on Oxygen): Perez Hilton (celebrity blogger) hosts this two-part reunion special that concludes March 23. The “Bad Girls” come together for the first time since living together, and mayhem ensues as Hilton instigates rivalries and plans surprise guest visits.
••”The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chef Curtis Stone (“The Celebrity Apprentice”) stops by to help host Alison Sweeney judge a food cook-off challenge. Each team has 30 minutes to make an appetiser, entree and dessert using only 12 ingredients.
••”The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): In an emergency courtroom set up in a hospital, Alicia and Will battle Patti Nyholm (Martha Plimpton, “Parenthood”) and an insurance company that refuses to pay for life-saving in-utero surgery. Alan Cumming (“The L Word”) also guest stars.
••”Justified” (9 p.m. on FX): From the pages of crime novelist Elmore Leonard comes this series about Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), a no-nonsense deputy U.S. marshal who returns to his native Kentucky to fight crime. In the premiere episode, Givens goes up against a buddy from his youth, Boyd Crowder, who has resurfaced as a violent white-power leader.
••“Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too” (10 p.m. on Oxygen): This new dating competition series features three former “Bad Girls Club” members — Amber (Season 3), Kendra (Season 4) and Sarah (Season 3) vying for the man of their dreams from a pool of 13 eligible bachelors. After a series of challenges and intimate group dates each week, in the end, only one Bad Girl and her beau will be left standing.
••”Marriage Under Construction” (10 p.m. on HGTV): This new weekly series follows newlyweds Natalie and Rodney as they purchase, renovate and decorate their new home. An expert foreman and an aspiring designer will help the couple transform their new house into a home as they adjust to married life and managing a household budget.
••”NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): The team discovers striking similarities between themselves and their Coast Guard Investigative Services counterparts when a Navy diver seeking sunken treasure is found dead. Diane Neal (“Law & Order”) and Shanna Moakler (“Law & Order”) guest star.
••”NCIS: Los Angeles” (8 p.m. on CBS): The investigation of a drive-by shooting has the NCIS team searching Los Angeles for the dead marine’s younger brother who may be the next target and the one with the answers. Sticky Fingaz Jones (“Platinum”) guest stars.
••”Samurai” (7 p.m. on History Channel): Actor/martial arts champ Mark Dacascos (“The Crow”) takes a personal journey in search of the life and legacy of Japan’s most celebrated and enigmatic warrior.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2010
••”Addicted” (9 p.m. on TLC): This new docu-series will demonstrate the debilitating disease of addiction and how it not only affects the addict but the family as well. Interventionist Kristina Wandzilak will pull from her own experiences to help bring a level of understanding and compassion to the healing process.
••“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): When two bodies are discovered at the north and south ends of the city, Mac and the team deftly begin to navigate the trail of evidence left behind by the killer. Skeet Ulrich (“Jericho”) and Sarah Carter (“Shark”) guest star.
••”Destination Truth” (9 p.m. on Syfy): The crew heads to Ireland in search of the legendary leprechaun. Allison Scagliotti (“Warehouse 13″) and Kris Williams (“Ghost Hunters”) are guest investigators.
••”Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When Gary finds out that he and Allison’s divorce papers were never filed, he uses the information to manipulate her into giving him his stuff back. Rachael Harris (“The Hangover”) and Lara Spencer (“Entertainment Tonight”) guest star.
••“Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): Claire feels slightly inadequate when her old friend, Valerie (Minnie Driver, “The Riches”), visits and is nothing like Claire remembered. Meanwhile Jay has an unsettling locker room moment when he and Cameron go play racquetball.
••”The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): After Barb has her lawyer send over divorce papers, Christine hires an aggressive divorce attorney (Corbin Bernsen, “Psych”), who convinces her that Barb owes her alimony.
••”The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): The longest-running game show celebrates St. Patrick’s Day by giving away prizes such as a greem Mini Cooper convertible adna trip to Ireland. With most of the audience in a sea of green, the luck of the Irish seems to work for several contestants who come away as big winners.
••“Priests in Concert at Liverpool” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Internationally acclaimed artists The Priests perfom inspirational classic at the historic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool, England.
••“Scrubs” (7 p.m. on ABC): On the Season 9 finale, the med students of Winston University finally find something to be thankful for when Cole identifies his true calling in surgery, Drew finds the love of his life and Lucy finds the inspiration to become a doctor.
••“South Park” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): The foul-mouthed fourth-graders return for more shenanigans Season 14.
••”Ugly Americans” (9:30 p.m. on Comedy Central): This new animated horror-comedy series follows Mark Lilly, a social worker at the “Department of Integration,” as he helps new citizens, both human and “other,” adapt to hectic life in New York City. There are easier tasks than weaning vampires off blood, socializing land-whales and housebreaking werewolves, but Mark is up to the challenge.
••“Ugly Betty” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Justin loves his acting class, helmed by the eccentric Lena Korvinka (Carol Kane, “American Dreamer”), and finds himself in an unexpected triangle with his new pals, Austin and Lily. When Betty drops by class, she’s smitten with a cool young playwright whom she will profile for Mode.
THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010
••“Afghan Star” (8 p.m. on HBO): Since 2005, millions in Afghanistan have been tuning in to Tolo TV’s “American Idol”-style series. This documentary chronicles contestants on the show and the country’s ongoing struggle for modernity.
••“Archer” (9 p.m. on FX): In the Season 1 finale, questions about the identity of Archer’s real father lead him into a trap and a confrontation with Malory.
••“Benise: The Spanish Guitar” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Flamenco guitarist Benise’s special will transport viewers to exotic place with video, new songs and an ever-changing set.
••”Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Booth’s grandfather Hank (Ralph Waite, “The Waltons”) comes to live with him and tags along as Brennan and Booth investigate ashes and charred remains found by a real estate agent while showing a property to prospective buyers.
••“FlashForward” (7 p.m. on ABC): Mark is suspended from duty at the FBI and must meet with a Bureau-appointed therapist in order to regain his badge. But he resumes his own investigation into his disappearance of Lloyd. The series is scheduled to air without repeats through the end of the season.
••“The Marriage Ref” (9 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity panelists Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”), Martha Stewart (“Martha”) and Cedric the Entertainer (“The Steve Harvey Show”) offer their wit, wisdom and unique opinions to couples in marital tiffs.
••“My First Sale” (7:30 p.m. on HGTV): Each episode of this new series follows a different first-time home-seller as he or she face the frustrations of a challenging real estate market. Viewers will get valuable takeaway information and expert advice to help demystify the home sales process.
••”Parks and Recreation” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): After Jerry gets mugged by a bunch of kids, Leslie meets with the head park ranger (Andy Samberg, “Saturday Night Live”) in hopes of improving park safety.
••“Selling New York” (8 p.m. on HGTV): This new series follows a colorful group of assertive, razor-sharp brokers from two upscale boutique real estate firms, The Core Group and the Kleier family of Gumley Haft Kleier. These realtors will do whatever it takes to sell a property, from scheduling photo shoots and last-minute open houses to pampering a potential buyer with an excursion to New York Fashion Week.
••“Tough as Nails” (8:30 p.m. on HGTV): This new docu-drama follows successful Boston developer Cindy Stumpo as she juggles the demands of running her booming construction business and living her family life.
••”True Crime With Aphrodite Jones” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): In this installment, journalist and bestselling author Aphrodite Jones uncovers new information about the fall of former football player O.J. Simpson.
FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010
••“CMT Crossroads” (9 p.m. on CMT): Taped before an invitation only audience, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band bring their tropical tastes and rousing performances to each other’s hit songs such as Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” and “Son of a Sailor” and Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” and “Toes.”
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are Green Day, Bat for Lashes and Starsailor.
••“Thin Ice” (7 p.m. on ABC): Elisabeth Hasselbeck (“The View”) and Kurt Browning (Canadian figure skating champion) co-host this event, in which pro figure skaters compete in pairs for a panel of judges led by Kristi Yamaguchi and Dick Button. The winners are decided by a combination of the judges’ scores and viewer votes and will be revealed March 21. Competitors include Jamie Sale, Patrice Lauzon, Shizuka Arakawa, Shae-Lynn Bourne, David Pelletier, John Zimmerman and Michael Weiss.
••”Who Do You Think You Are?” (7 p.m. on NBC): Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”) travels from Los Angeles to Belarus and uncovers the answer to her father’s life-long unasnwered question.
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
••“Freakiest Foods” (9 p.m. on FLN): Host Adam Gertler takes a peek as some of the most unique and unusual foods around the country, including pork brain sandwiches, Rocky Mountain oysters and tempura battered tarantula.
••“Handy Manny Big Race” (6 p.m. on Disney): In this primetime special for preschoolers and parents, Manny and the tools hit the motor speedway as a pit crew for the highly anticipated Wood Valley 500. NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. guest stars.
••“Healing Hands” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): A near-death experience leaves Buddy (Eddie Cibrian), a humble janitor, with the ability to heal others through a simple touch, and he feels newly empowered when strangers start coming to him for help. But as his gift begins to jeopardize his own health, as well as his plans with the woman he loves (Lisa Sheridan), he must decide what is more important: others’ futures or his own.
••”Kick Buttowski — Suburban Daredevil” (7:30 a.m. on Disney XD): Kick causes the school bus to get trapped during a blizzard. Without the support of class president Kendall (Emily Osment, “Hannah Montana”), Kick and Gunther take it upon themselves to rescue their classmates by creating a snowmobile.
••“Moveable Feast” (10:30 a.m. on OETA-13): This special brings together six American chefs, including Oklahoma native Rick Bayless (“Mexico One Plate at a Time”), to represent the diversity of food and culture in the United States.
–Penny TV
The Hasslebecks — Elisabeth from “The View” and Tim from ESPN — trade places for a day
Elisabeth Hasselbeck knows sports. She captained the Boston College women’s softball team to back-to-back Big East Conference championships. And she completed the Boston Marathon in 1999.
So she should fit right in when she swaps jobs with her husband, Tim Hasselbeck. Elisabeth will spend Tuesday (Jan. 19) afternoon on the ESPN campus in Bristol, Conn., where she will appear in Tim’s place on ESPN programs, including NFL Live (3 p.m.), to discuss the NFL playoffs and other sports topics.
Her favorite football team, by the way, is the Seattle Seahawks, whose starting quarterback happens to be Matt Hasselbeck (Tim’s brother).
The real test will be when Tim takes her seat on “The View” panel Thursday, Jan. 28, at the ABC studios in New York. He will share his perspective and match wits with co-hosts Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd and Barbara Walters as they discuss the latest news, celebrity gossip and events of the day.
“Hopefully I can pull this off, because I see her preparation on a regular basis each week – reading, and watching cable news shows, other television programs and upcoming movies,” said Tim, who spent six seasons in the NFL (2002-07). “I will enjoy this because I know they will have fun with me at ‘The View’ and, of course, when I get back to work at ESPN. I’m sure I’ll have a greater appreciation for what she does on a day-in and day-out basis.”
Elisabeth, who met Tim at Boston College and married him in 2002, said. “So many times we ask, ‘How did work go today?’ Undoubtedly we will be finding out the hard way as we switch jobs. The question then will be, ‘What have we gotten ourselves into?’ ”
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman,
which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Dec. 27:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, DEC. 27
◊“Augustus Saint-Gaudens: Master of American Sculpture” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Victor Garber (“Alias”) narrates this documentary that tells the story of the sculpture’s life. It also offers in-depth studies of five of his major works of art including the Standing Lincoln in Lincoln Park, Chicago.
◊“Brothers” (6 p.m. on Fox): Season 1 concludes with back-to-back episodes. In “Girls, Girls, Girls,” Adele sets Chill up on a blind date with a social worker from her school. In “Follow the Story,” a writer from a sports magazine comes to Houston for a story about Mike and spends time getting to know the Trainors.
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team tries to determine if a homeless and severely delusional paranoid schizophrenic killed his former psychiatrist by arson in 2004 before he dropped out of college and fully lost his grip of reality. Billy Lush (“The Black Donnellys”) and Jacqueline Obradors (“NYPD Blue”) guest star. Songs recorded by John Lennon are featured throughout the episode.
◊“Everest: Beyond the Limit” (7 p.m. on Discovery): Follow climbers in their quest to make it to the top of the world’s highest mountain in this series, which returns for its third season with three back-to-back episodes.
◊“Jesse Stone: Thin Ice” (7 p.m. on CBS): In this 2009 mystery, Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck), police chief in the little town of Paradise, Mass., accidentally becomes involved in a shootout on a Boston street that leaves a friend and fellow cop seriously wounded and causes him to be away from paradise for extended periods of time.
◊“Nick News: Kids to the Rescue” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This installment features stories of children and celebrities who are trying to save abandoned pets. Celebrities doing something about the hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs left at shelters due to economic problems include Lance Bass, Sophia Bush, Tony Hawk, Bonnie Hunt and Tiffani Thiessen.
◊“Three Sheets: New Year’s Eve in London” (9 p.m. on FLN): Host Zane Lamprey explores London’s bar scene on a New Year’s Eve adventure full of British classics and international delights. He learns how to make a “true” martini at Ian Fleming’s favorite bar, then downs a $100 tequila shot and a “bunny with a gun” – a rum and absinthe drink served in a fishbowl.
◊“The Sound of Music” (6 p.m. on ABC): Julie Andrews’ voice fills the hills in this Oscar winning musical based on the true story of Austria’s singing Von Trapp family. Her character, Maria, governess to a wealthy naval officer’s (Christopher Plummer) children, captures all their hearts, brings music into their lives and helps them flee the Nazis.
◊“Witness: The Kidnapping of Patty Hearst” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): This two-hour documentary will chronicle the 1974 capture and holding of Patricia Hearst, heiress to the Hearst media empire, by the Symbionese Liberation Army, a radical left-wing terrorist group with a violent past.
MONDAY, DEC. 28, 2009
◊“American Masters” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): “Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind ‘Little Women’” is a film biography about the celebrated author that stars Elizabeth Marvel (three-time Obie winner) as Alcott and Jane Alexander (Tony winner) as Alcott’s first biographer, Ednah Dow Cheney. Interwoven with dramatic scenes are interviews with Alcott scholars.
◊“Anjelah Johnson: That’s How We Do It” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Filmed on location at the Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, Texas, the comedienne reminisces about sneaking into night clubs at 14, never getting past the white belt in Karate and killing people with kindness.
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): A train trip to San Francisco takes a major detour when Leonard, Sheldon, Wolowitz and Raj discover that actress Summer Glau (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) is onboard. Nobel Laureate Dr. George Smoot, father of the Big Bang Theory of Creation, makes a cameo appearance.
◊“Broken Noses” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This documentary by fashion photographer Bruce Weber follows former Golden Gloves boxing champion Andy Minsker as he mentors teens as a boxing club in Portland and reveals troublesome aspects of his youth.
◊“Motor City Motors” (9 p.m. Monday on Discovery): This new series focuses on Dave and Jamie Kaye, founders of Detroit Bros. Custom Cycles. With dad John, the brothers tap into other Detroit-based talent to assemble builders and specialists to push the boundaries of automotive engineering and create one-of-a-kind vehicles.
◊“Olivia! The Munn-der Years” (6 p.m. on G4): Actress Olivia Munn, who was born in Oklahoma City and stars in “Greek.”, exposes the truth about her costume addiction, the hot sauce scandal and her first music video appearance.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): One of Charlie’s old partners in crime dies, leaving Charlie to reevaluate his own reckless lifestyle. Emilio Estevez (“The Breakfast Club”) and James Earl Jones (“The Great White Hope”) guest star.
TUESDAY, DEC. 29, 2009
◊“The 32nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors” (8 p.m. on CBS): Filmmaker Mel Brooks, composer Dave Brubeck, opera singer Grace Bumbry, actor Robert De Niro and singer Bruce Springsteen are honored in a star-studded gala from Washington, D.C., as performers from Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world pay tribute.
◊“Independent Lens” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Filmed over four years, “Scenes From a Parish” opens as the Rev. Paul O’Brien arrives at St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence, Mass. The young priest finds ethnic tensions churning in a working-class community. The story unfolds as both Father O’Brien and his flock struggle to hold fast to their faith in the face of dire circumstances.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): While investigating the death of a Marine, the team finds themselves intertwined in an inner city gang war. Muse Watson (“Prison Break”) guest stars.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): On the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species,” this installment reveals answers to the riddles that Darwin couldn’t explain.
◊“One Big Happy Family” (8 p.m. on TLC): This new series follows the Coles family. Mom, dad, daughter and son are each over 300 pounds. But as big as they are, their love for each other is bigger.
◊“Outer Space Astronauts” (10 p.m. on Syfy): In the fall finale, a younger Amos arrives on the ship and the crew becomes plagued by equipment problems, oxygen depletion and radioactive teeth.
◊“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this 1976 animated special, Father Time (voiced by narrator Red Skelton) asks the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph, to find the next Baby New Year before midnight on New Year’s Eve. The baby, named Happy, ran away because he was ridiculed by everyone he met due to his large ears.
◊“Web Soup: 2009 Golden Download Awards” (6 p.m. on G4): Chris Hardwick (“Halloween II”) hosts this special that honor the year’s most hilarious and insane viral videos in an array of categories such as finest achievement in webcam ranting and finest achievement in almost killing yourself. Viewers can also expect hilarious comedy skits and lots of exciting guest stars.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30, 2009
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): In this rebroadcast of the show’s 100th episode, the team tackles their most unusual case yet: two murder victims within two weeks, both named “Mac Taylor.” Now, Det. Mac Taylor, and 15 others with the same moniker, must determine the killer’s motive before they strike again. Guest stars include Chris Daughtry (“American Idol”), Julia Ormond (“Beach Girls”) and Rumer Willis (“Sorority Row”).
◊“Eastwick” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): When the ladies make a pact never to reveal what they did to Jamie, they realize they must go their separate ways. And sparks fly between Kat and her hot new neighbor, single dad Colin (Jerry O’Connell, “Crossing Jordan”), who has come to Eastwick with his young son Gene and a dark secret.
◊“Happy New Year, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this animated special, the Peanuts gang is ringing in 1986 and Marcie and Peppermint Patty are throwing a big New Year’s Eve bash. Charlie Brown plans to celebrate the holiday by curling up with a big book that weighs nearly as much as he does: Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.”
◊“The Imploders” (9 p.m. on TLC): In this new series, Eric and Lisa travel to Phoenix to bring down the 10-story Qwest Tower. There are hazards everywhere and Eric risks his life to bring it down safely using 235 pounds of explosive.
◊“P.O.V.” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new documentary “Patti Smith: Dream of Life” offers an intimate portrait of the singer, poet and artist. It features rare performances clips and is narrated by Smith, who celebrates her 63rd birthday today. The film was shot over the course of 11 years by fashion photographer Steven Sebring.
◊“The Real World: D.C.” (9 p.m. on MTV): This season brings together eight strangers in the nation’s capital. They are driven by their passions to make a change both personally and professionally while having their voices heard.
THURSDAY, DEC. 31, 2009
◊“10 Years in the Making” (7 p.m. on CNBC): CNBC correspondent Carl Quintanilla hosts this special that takes a look at the major achievements, innovations, staggering numbers, technological advancements, highlights, heroes and zeroes over the last 10 years. It will look at how far we’ve come over the last 10 years and how we continue to grow and achieve.
◊“Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live” (11 p.m. on Fox): This special will capture electrifying moments from Las Vegas and New York City, showcase memorable performances from the historic Billboard Music Awards and count down the Top 5 of the year in music, movies and television. Joining the celebration will be Eva Longoria Parker (“Desperate Housewives”), who invites viewers inside the grand opening of her new Las Vegas Latin steakhouse, Beso, and nightclub, Eve; and Carmen Electra (“Baywatch”), who is hosting a New Year’s Eve beach party in Las Vegas.
◊“Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years Eve With Ryan Seacrest” (9 p.m. on ABC): The 38th annual event hosted by Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest includes 3-and-a-half hours of special performances and reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the globe. Jennifer Lopez and Daughtry will perform live from Time Square while The Black Eyed Peas, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber and Colbie Caillat will perform from the new Aria at City Center in Las Vegas. Fergie (“Nine”) hosts the party segments from Las Vegas and “Good Morning America” correspondent Melissa Rycroft will report from Time Square.
◊“Edwin San Juan’s Pacific Rim Comedy” (7 p.m. on Showtime): Filipino comedian Edwin San Juan hosts this special featuring several of the best Asian comedians, including Joey Guila, from San Francisco, Bernadette Balagtas from the Philippines, Ron Josol from Canada, Dan Gabriel from Los Angeles and Paul Ogata from Hawaii.
◊“Goin’ Native: The Indian Comedy Slam” (9:05 p.m. on Showtime): Hosted by Native American comedian Charlie Hill, this special showcases some of the world’s best Native American Indian comedians — Charlie Hill, Larry Omaha, Howie Miller, as well as four up-and-comers making their mark on the Native American comedy scene: Marc Yaffee, Jim Rule, Vaughn Eagle Bear and JR Redwater.
◊“Live From Lincoln Center” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Baritone Thomas Hampson helps new music director Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic usher in the new year with an all-American program that includes George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs,” along with numbers from several Broadway musicals. Alec Baldwin hosts.
◊“Maz Jobrani: Brown & Friendly” (8 p.m. on Showtime): Maz Jobrani, an Iranian-American actor, writer and comedian, takes pride in breaking down stereotypes about Iranians and the Middle East in general and tackles everything from politics, race, religion, and stereotypes.
◊“Medium” (7 p.m. on CBS): When Allison begins having visions of strange symbols, she thinks it could be the after-effects from her brain surgery, but those symbols might
hold the key to discovering the identity of a notorious serial killer. Fisher Stevens (“Early Edition”) guest stars as Neal Greybridge, Allison’s Acquaintance from Physical Therapy.
◊“NBC’s New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly” (9 p.m. on NBC): Carson Daly (“Last Call With Carson Daly”) will host this two-hour special beginning in primetime and continuing at 10:30 p.m. with the countdown to 2010. Grammy winners Rihanna and Green Day are scheduled to perform live, and will perform live from New York City, and Natalie Morales (“Today”) and Alison Stewart (“As the World Turns”) will help Daly’s coverage of the celebration with live reports from Times Square.
◊“New Year. No Limits” (10 p.m. on ESPN): Action sports star Travis Pastrana, who has won four consecutive Rally America championships and nine X Games gold medals, attempts to shatter the car distance jump record of 171 feet by jumping his rally car off the Pine Street Pier onto a floating barge anchored in Long Beach, Calif’s Rainbow Harbor.
◊“New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin” (10 p.m. on CNN): Anderson Cooper (“Anderson Cooper 360″) will host live coverage of the New Year’s Eve celebration in New York City’s Times Square, while Kathy Griffin (“My Life on the D-List”) reports live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas with singer Lance Bass. Also helping with the coverage will be CNN anchor Don Lemon and CNNMoney.com’s Poppy Harlow in Time Square, correspondent Gary Tuchman at the annual Midnight Run in New York City’s Central Park, senior White House correspondent Ed Henry in Honolulu and correspondent John Zarrella in Key West, Florida.
◊“Rebels With a Cause: The Story of the American Football League” (6 p.m. on HBO): Hall of Fame member John Madden, who coached the Oakland Raiders to their Super Bowl XI victory, served as creative consultant for this 1995 documentary. It offers a retrospective look at the league that changed the face of pro football during its 10-year history.
◊“Top 9 on ’09″ (10 p.m. on MTV): When a major moment happened in 2009, people hit the web for continual story updates. Nine stories drew interest to the internet more than any others. Host Adrienne Bailon, along with co-hosts Shailene Woodley (“The Secret Life of the American Teenager”), Josi Loren (“Make It or Break It”) and the cast of “Jersey Shore” and “The Buried Life,” take viewers through a one-hour countdown of the nine biggest stories of 2009.
◊“Top 10 Performances of 2009″ (7 p.m. on MTV): Hosts will guide viewers through a 30-minute countdown featuring highlights from the MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Movie Awards, Ulalume Festival, Woodie Awards, MTV Spring Break and more.
FRIDAY JANUARY 1, 2010
◊“The 121st Tournament of Roses Parade” (10 a.m. on NBC, ABC, Travel, HGTV and Hallmark Channel): Al Roker (“Today”) and Nancy O’Dell (“Access Hollywood”) reunite for the ninth year to co-host NBC’s live, high-definition coverage of the parade from Pasadena, Calif. Hosting Hallmark Channel’s commercial-free coverage are Bob Eubanks (“The Newlywed Game”) and Stephanie Edwards (“The Girl With Something Extra”). With a 2010 theme of “A Cut Above The Rest,” the parade will pay tribute to everyday heroes and those who strive to make every effort better than the last. Serving as this year’s Grand Marshal will be Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, the heroic pilot who masterfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on New York City’s Hudson River after its two engines lost thrust following a bird strike.
◊“The Antonio Treatment” (9:30 p.m. on HGTV): Antonio Ballatore, the 2009 HGTV “Design Star” winner, brings his unabashed personality and rock n’ roll infused perspective to spaces that are in desperate need of stylistic salvation. This is a sneak peek at the new series that is scheduled to premiere in March.
◊“Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular” (3 p.m. on NBC): Olympic gold metal figure skater Brian Boitano presents a theatrically charged two-hour special backed by a live performance from musical guest Chicago. Featured skaters include Michael Weiss, Yuka Sato, Kimmie Meissner, Alissa Czisny, Steven Cousins, and pairs Elena Leonova and Andrei Khvalko and Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon.
◊“Curb Appeal: The Block” (1 p.m. on HGTV): Designer John Gidding, contractor Chip Wade and project manager Kimberly Lacy head to Atlanta for Season 4. In each episode they will overhaul one home’s exterior with a makeover so dramatic it is no longer considered the neighborhood eyesore. They will also make their way up and down the street to repaint front doors, add window boxes and provide smaller-scale makeovers that create instant impact and increase the value of the entire block. The show will air in its regular time slot swtarting at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
◊“Design Interns” (3 p.m. on HGTV): This new series gives 12 recent interior design graduates the chance to compete for a coveted year-long internship at a renowned interior design firm in Toronto, Canada. While challenges focus on real projects for real clients, each candidate will have to prove their worth at the firm in order to jumpstart their career in the real world of design. It will air in its regular tine slot starting at 9 p.m. Saturday.
◊“Disaster House” (11 a.m. on DIY): In the first of five new episodes airing during the network’s all-day “Disaster House” marathon, a car drives through a front doore, animals create havoc in an attic and a hosue is swept away by an avalanche. Other new episodes will air at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
◊“DocTalk” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This new series will feature in-depth looks into the world of documentary film, featuring one on one interviews with the
filmmakers and scenes from their films. The premiere episode will showcase Michael Jackson’s “This Is It,” Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story,” Rock Guitar Saga “It Might Get Loud” and “Zombie Girl: The Movie.”
◊“First Time Design” (2 p.m. on HGTV): This new series offers viewers the opportunity to bring their design vision to life for a real client. Along the way, a popular HGTV designer, such as Vern Yip, David Bromstad, and Lisa LaPorta, will offer professional advice to each amateur designer as he or she deals with client demands, time management and budget constraints. It will air in its regular time slot starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): Melinda and Sam go on a road trip into his past and end up in trouble, from bar fights to disruptive ghosts, and Melinda comes face-to-face with the biggest threat yet to her romantic hopes. Terri Polo (“Meet the Parents”) and Dan Castellenata (“The Simpsons”) guest star.
◊“Great Performances” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Julie Andrews hosts “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2010,” the 26th annual gala with the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of conductor Georges Pretre. The program features a festive collection of waltzes by the Strauss family.
◊“Hatin’ on ’09″ (1 p.m. on MTV): This 30-minute pop culture comedy clip show executive produced by Nick Cannon (“All That”) features a diverse group of today’s funniest comedians sharing their outspoken views on 2009’s biggest stories. The comedians, known as haters, will look back on the biggest celebrity gossip, television, movie, music, and web stories of the year, sometimes alone, and sometimes in heated debates. The haters Donnell Rawlings, Red Grant, Michelle Buteau, Eric Andre, Ali Wong, Maronzio Vance, Nore Davis, Tiffany Haddish and Charlemagne the God & Lil Duval.
◊“HGTV Dream Home 2010″ (8 p.m. on HGTV): Get an insider’s peek at the fully furnished custom-designed home that will be awarded to one lucky viewer in March. Located in Sandia Park along the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, the 3,900 square-foot home mixes Southwestern architecture with modern design.
◊“Jake Johannsen: I Love You” (8:30 p.m. on Showtime): Self-professed king of weird stories, Jake Johannsen, brings his hilarious insight and unique delivery to this new stand-up comedy special. The Iowa native waxes about everything from the hand sanitizer generation to the right approach to sneezing to the unique tax issues facing traveling comedians to “tapping out” during fights with your spouse.
◊“MTV’s Top 20 Under 25″ (noon on MTV): Miranda Cosgrove (“iCarly”) hosts this special that looks at 20 young stars under age 25 who should be watched in 2010. It includes entertainment stars from music, television, movies and sports and focuses on the young celebrities’ achievements, struggles and other happenings in 2009.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The investigation into a professor’s death takes a dangerous turn when the team finds that their lead suspect has ties to a radical animal rights group. Polly Walker (“Rome”) and Michael Stahl-David (“Cloverfield”) guest star.
◊“The Outdoor Room With Jamie Durie” (9 p.m. on HGTV): This stand-alone half hour makeover show is hosted by popular Aussie landscape expert and author Jamie Durie, who transforms one lucky homeowner’s uninspired backyard into a spectacular and sophisticated outdoor room using the world’s most amazing gardens and architectural elements as his inspiration. It will air in its regular time slot starting at 8 p.m. Saturday.
◊“The Squeeze” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): This new law enforcement documentary series examines how America’s biggest jail (Cook County in Illinois) is also a key weapon in fighting crime on Chicago’s streets.
SATURDAY, JAN. 2, 2010
◊2010 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game (2 p.m. on ESPNU): A total of 89 players, including wide receiver Demarco Cobbs from Tulsa Central, were selected to play in the second annual game that will air live from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Joining Cobbs on Team Blur being coached by former NFL coach Ted Marchibroda, will be linebacker Shaun Lewis from Texas, who is going to OSU, and quarterback Blake Bell from Kansas, who is going to OU.
◊“Demons” (9 p.m. on BBC America): This new series that takes a contemporary spin on the legacy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula witnesses the rise of the dark underworld of half-lives, monsters and in-humans that lie deep beneath the streets of modern-day London. Philip Glenister (“Life on Mars”) stars as the straight-talking American Rupert Galvin mandated to inspire the last descendent of Van Helsing (Christian Cooke, “Doctor Who”) to join forces and commit to living a double life.
◊“Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two” (7 p.m. on BBC America): The Doctor faces the end of his life as the Master’s plans hurtle out of control. With the sound of drums growing louder and an ancient trap closing around the Earth, the Doctor and Wilf must fight alone.
◊“How Do I Look?” (7 p.m. on Style Network): Fashion expert Jeannie Mai returns for a new season of helping guide the fashion flawed toward a brand new look and brighter outlook on life.
◊“I Get That A Lot” (7 p.m. on CBS): This special that originally aired on April Fool’s Day features celebrities pulling pranks on everyday people. Celebrities working ordinary jobs to confuse customers are Jessica Simpson (“The Dukes of Hazzard”), Heidi Klum (“Project Runway”), Jeff Probst (“Survivor”), Ice-T (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), Mario Lopez (“Extra”) and Grammy winner LeAnn Rimes.
◊“It’s Me or the Dog” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell returns for a second season of helping families overcome mind-boggling bad behavior.
◊“Underdog to Wonderdog” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): The Wonder Team takes their dramatic canine rescues to a new level for Season 2. Led by rescue coordinator Ryan Smith, the team invests themselves into the rescue and rehabilitation of shelter dogs as they attempt to match them with the perfect family. Smith is joined by professional dog trainer and author Andrea Arden; grooming and styling extraordinaire Ali McLennan; and the show’s canine carpenter, David Leon, who builds dream homes for the lucky new adoptees.
◊“What I Hate About Me” (8 p.m. on Style Network): Lisa Arch (“Clean House”) hosts this new makeover series that helps women tackle the 10 things they dislike most about themselves. After each confession, Arch is joined by a specialized expert and the pair work together to present the participant with an easy solution in a thoughtful and constructive way.
–Penny TV
TV Premieres and Finales airing Dec. 6-12
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 Dec 6.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
BEGINNINGS
••“I Survived …,” 8 p.m. Sunday on Biography (fourth-season premiere).
••“Shatner’s Raw Nerve,” 9 p.m. Sunday on Biography (second-season premiere).
••“Moises Rules!” 4 p.m. Monday on Disney XD (series premiere).
••“The Closer,” 8 p.m. Monday on TNT (fifth season resumes).
••“Men of a Certain Age,” 9 p.m. Monday on TNT (series premiere).
••“Better Off Ted,” 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (second-season premiere).
••“Outer Space Astronauts,” 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Syfy (series premiere).
••“Teen Mom,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on MTV (series premiere).
••“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Sundance (second-season premiere).
••“Campus PD,” 10 p.m. Wednesday on G4 (series premiere).
••“Ghost Invervention,” 8 p.m. Saturday on TLC (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••“The Amazing Race,” 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS (15th-season finale).
••“Million Dollar Listing,” 9 p.m. Monday on Bravo (third-season finale).
••“Rita Rocks,” 9 p.m. Monday on Lifetime (second-season finale).
••“The Biggest Loser,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC (eighth-season finale).
••“Scare Tactics,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Syfy (fall finale).
••“Top Chef: Las Vegas,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Bravo (sixth-season finale).
••“Secret Lives of Women,” 10 p.m. Wednesday on WEtv (first-season finale).
••“Epitafios,” 9 p.m. Friday on HBO Latino (second-season finale).
••“30 for 30,” 8 p.m. Saturday on ESPN (series finale).
Top 55 TV Programs for Dec. 6-12, 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 Dec. 6:
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
SUNDAY, DEC. 6, 2009
◊“Alice” (8 p.m. today and Monday on Syfy): This modern day spin on the classic stories by Lewis Carroll stars Oscar winner Kathy Bates (“Misery”) as the Queen of Hearts and Caterina Scorsone (“Crash”) as Alice.
◊“The Amazing Race” (7 p.m. on CBS): Season 15’s final three teams race home from Prague to the United States, with the finish line holding a $1 million prize for the first to cross it.
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): As the wedding grows closer, Justin’s resolve to stay sober is weakened as he and Rebecca harbor secrets that could make or break their relationship for good. Series star Matthew Rhys (Kevin Walker) makes his directorial debut.
◊“Burn Up” (8 p.m. today and Monday on Planet Green): Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”), Neve Campbell (“The Philanthropist”) and Rupert Penry-Jones (“Spooks”) star in this British miniseries. It is a high-stakes conspiracy thriller in which two friends – power players in the international oil industry – face a series of violent events and shocking revelations that could tear apart their friendship, their business, even civilization as we know it.
◊“Chainsaw Ice Sculptors” (9 p.m. on TLC): Enter the world of ice sculpting through three distinct personalities facing similar challenges. With chainsaws and chisels, these ice sages pour their heart, sweat and soul into creating works of art.
◊“Clash of the Dinosaurs” (7 p.m. on Discovery): This four-hour special, which concludes Dec. 13, combines cinematic photo-real 3D graphics and leading-edge anatomy and paleontology to show how dinosaurs survived in such a violent world.
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for the killer of a champion debater who was wrongly believed to have committed suicide after losing his first debate three months into his scholarship-funded schooling at a competitive top private high school. Reed Diamond (“Dollhouse”) guest stars as the debate team coach at the victim’s new school.
◊“Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In this new special, Dora and Swiper explore the past, present and future of Christmas. It includes a special holiday version of the “Dora the Explorer” theme song recorded by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteers Selena Gomez (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) and Usher (“Moesha”) travel with the team to Clarksville, Tenn., to give Trina Scott and her three daughters the good news that their problem-ridden home would be rebuilt in just seven days.
◊“I Survived …” (8 p.m. on Biography): Season 4 features all-new first person accounts from ordinary people catapulted into extraordinary situations who found the strength and courage to survive.
◊“Invasion of the Christmas Lights” (8 p.m. on TLC): This holiday special criss-crosses the United States to chronicle families of extreme Christmas lighting enthusiasts and document their glorious, outrageous and elaborate displays.
◊“Jonas” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Kevin is thrilled when he learns that Anya, his friend and president of the Scandinavian JONAS fan club, is going to be an exchange student at their school. Madison Riley (“Hatching Pete”) guest stars.
◊“Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction” (8 p.m. on HBO): The comic performs at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., in an act that tackles a variety of political topics but also includes candid riffs on Williams’ own life.
◊“Sexpo Australia” (9 p.m. on G4): Sasha Grey (“Girlfriend Experience”) hosts this two-hour special that offers unprecedented access to the world’s largest adukt expo. The annual four-day event in Australia covers all aspects of health, adult entertainment, sexuality and adult lifestyles for the curious consumer.
◊“Shatner’s Raw Nerve” (9 p.m. on Biography): Rush Limbaugh and Regis Philbin are the first two guests for the second season of William Shatner’s unique talk show. Every interview, Shatner attempts to probe his guest’s most fascinating and sensitive subjects and touch upon a “raw nerve.”
MONDAY, DEC. 7, 2009
◊“Born Again” (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary uncovers filmmaker Markie Hancock’s slow and painful break with her faith and devout Christian family as she experiences new directions for her life, including her sexual awakening as a lesbian.
◊“Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” (7 p.m. on Fox): The Grammy-winning and multiplatinum country singer performs holiday songs in addition to selections from her albums. Performers joining Underwood in this two-hour variety special include Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth, and “American Idol” winner David Cook.
◊“Circumcise Me: The Comedy of Yisrael Campbell” (9:30 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary chronicles the life journey of Christopher Campbell, a stand-up comedian who humorously recounts his tale of converting to Judaism three different times.
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): The squad investigates the death of a 12-year-old boy whose father and brother are both gang members. The boy is found dead in a known gang party house, but soon the case includes two more bodies at a different house related to the same crime.
◊“Handy Manny” (8 a.m. on Disney): Manny and the tools are enjoying a day at the beach when a marine biologist (voiced by Rosario Dawson, “Rent”) approaches them with an emergency – an orca whale has washed up on the shore.
◊“Healthy Minds” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installlment “Helping Our Troops,” experts in the military and mental health industry unite efforts and expertise to help soldiers who suffer from post-tramatic stress disorder.
◊“Holiday Celebration on Ice” (5 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield perform as a star-studded cast of Olympic, world and national figure skating champions celebrate the wonders of the holiday season.
◊“Men of a Certain Age” (9 p.m. on TNT): Ray Romano (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), Scott Bakula (“Quantum Leap”) and Andre Braugher (“Thief”) star in this new series as three longtime friends. Between daily lunches at a local diner and hikes in the hills overlooking Los Angeles, they do their best to support each other through the challenges mid-life throws at them.
◊“Million Dollar Listing” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the Season 3 finale, a broker invites Chad, Madison and Josh to help him with charity work, but egos clash as the agents try and work together.
◊“Moises Rules!” (4 p.m. today through Thursday on Disney XD): This new sports series invites youngsters to challenge Moises Arias (Rico in “Hannah Montana”) in fun sports competitions such as foam tetherball and finger football.
◊“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this 1970 animated special, Fred Astaire narrates this timeless tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney), a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others.
TUESDAY, DEC. 8, 2009
◊“Better Off Ted” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 2 premiere, Veridian Dynamics tries matchmaking employees based on their genetic compatibility in hopes of saving on health insurance bills from imperfectly bred children. Taye Diggs (‘‘Private Practice”) guest stars.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): All of the Season 8 contestants return for the live finale and for a chance to weigh in one last time. And one of the three finalists will win $250,000 and the “Biggest Loser” title.
◊“Handy Manny” (8 a.m. on Disney): When the automatic pizza rolling machine at Paulette’s Pizza Palace breaks, Manny and the tools must repair the machine so that Paulette (voiced by Giada De Laurentiis, “Everyday Italian”) is able to fulfill all the orders for her pizza special of the day.
◊“ID Investigates: The Madoff Mystery” (8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This new special hosted by former CBS anchor Thalia Assuras focuses on the Bernard Madoff financial scandal one year after it was first revealed. It examines more than the greed and deception of Madoff’s fraud by exploring the dire human consequences of Madoff’s crimes, beyond the financial ruin.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Between the Folds” profiles theoretical scientists and fine artists who have become modern-day paper folders, mastering the ancient art of origami and reinterpreting the world in paper as they create an offbeat combo of sensibilities toward art, creativity, science and meaning.
◊“National Christmas Tree Lighting 2009” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The 86th annual event took place Dec. 3 in Washington D.C., but this marks the first time PBS stations nationwide will broadcast the ceremony.
◊“Outer Space Astronauts” (8:30 p.m. on Syfy): This new comedy series follows eight vaguely courageous military personnel on board the O.S.S. Oklahoma who journey to the far reaches of the galaxy for knowledge and adventure. Five of the eight cast members in this series that melds live-action with 3D animation are from Oklahoma, including creator Russell Barrett (Captain Bruce Ripley).
◊“Prep & Landing” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): This new holiday special reveals the never-before-told tale of a high-tech organization of elves that ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared for the yearly visit from The Big Guy, their code name for Santa Claus. The voice cast includes Dave Foley (“NewsRadio”) as Wayne, Sarah Chalke (“Scrubs”) as Magee and Derek Richardson (“Men In Trees”) as Lanny.
◊“Scare Tactics” (8 p.m. on Syfy): In the fall finale, a receptionist at a doctor’s office is caught in the middle when a patient comes in demanding to be reattached to his former conjoined twin.
◊“Teen Mom” (9 p.m. on MTV): This new docu-series catches up with Maci, Amber, Catelynn and Farrah from the first season of “16 And Pregnant” to give viewers a deeper look at the lives of teenage parents. Told by each girl first hand, the series will depict the varied challenges young mothers face — from marriage or relationships, to high school or college, to new babies or life after adoption.
WEDNESDAY. DEC. 9, 2009
◊“Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009” (9 p.m. on ABC): Host Barbara Walters interviews some of the year’s most prominent people in entertainment, sports, politics and pop culture, including Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and Tyler Perry.
◊“Campus PD” (10 p.m. on G4): This new reality series heads to five college towns across the country — Tallahassee, Fla.; San Marcos, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Chico, Calif.; and Greenville, NC — and goes behind the scenes with police officers to give viewers an authentic glimpse at campus life and the measures they take to keep students safe.
◊“Cougar Town” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): A very wealthy potential home buyer (Scott Foley, Felicity”) feigns interest in an overpriced home in order to get Jules’ attention. Meanwhile, Ellie begrudgingly leaves the baby with Andy for a day to prove to herself that she trusts her husband.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): While Agent Hotchner takes a leave of absence from the Behavioural Analysis Unit, the team must regroup to solve a home invasion case. Rena Sofer (“24″) guest stars as home invasion victim, Erika Silverman.
◊“L.A. Holiday Celebration 2009″ (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This hourlong special presents highlights of the festive six-hour performance at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center last Christmas Eve. More than 1,000 performers participate in the free holiday-themed show, which has been sponsored annually since 1960 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors as a gift to local residents.
◊“Mercy” (7 p.m. on NBC): Veronica tries to get help for unresolved battle scars while everything else in her life falls apart. Jason Ritter (“Joan of Arcadia”) guest stars.
◊“Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): Christmas is in full swing at the Dunphy house until the kids get in some trouble and Phil and Claire threaten to take away Christmas until one of them fesses up. Fred Willard (“Best in Show:) guest stars as Phil’s dad.
◊“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (7 p.m. on Disney): This 1993 animated fantasy from Tim Burton (‘‘Edward Scissorhands”) takes the overlapping holiday scenario to the extreme. The Pumpkin King, ruler of Halloween Town, hatches a plan to kidnap Santa Claus and put his own ghostly spin on the yuletide season.
◊“Oklahomans” (7 p.m. on KWTV-9): University of Oklahoma football player Sam Bradford is interviewed on this locally-produced special. Host Becky Dixon also talks to Tony Award nominee Kelli O’Hara and Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson.
◊“Psychic Hollywood: The Search for Truth” (7 p.m. on E!): In this special, five celebrities with very personal issues search for help from four very different psychics. Alana Stewart turns to medium James Van Praagh to try to contact her friend, the late Farrah Fawcett; Trista and Ryan Sutter implore Derek Ogilvie to find out why their toddler is hitting and kicking Trista; Mark Curry calls on Shaman Durek to break free from an intangible force that’s holding him back; and Perla Hudson enlists psychic profiler Carla Baron to find her brother, who is missing and presumed dead.
◊“Secret Lives of Women” (10 p.m. on WEtv): The Season 1 finale takes viewers to The Moonlight Bunny Ranch, a legal brothel in Carson City, Nev., that employs women from all walks of life. From mothers to former teachers, nurses and members of the military, women work at Bunny Ranch to male a better life for themselves and their families.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …” (9 p.m. on Sundance): This music and talk show lets viewers in on intimate conversation and performance with host Elsi Costello and his guests, which for Season 2 include Bono, The Edge, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Ron Sexsmith, Neko Case, Jesse Winchester, Ray LaMontagne, Nick Lowe, Levon Helm, Richard Thompson and Allen Toussaint. The show is taped in front of a live audience at Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater in New York City and The Masonic Temple in Toronto, Canada.
◊“Top Chef: Las Vegas” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the Season 6 finale, the remaining three contestants vie for the title as they cook the best meal they’ve ever made.
THURSDAY, DEC. 10, 2009
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): Jack’s interest in a new social networking site unexpectedly reconnects him with a high school crush (Julianne Moore, “Blindness”).
◊“The 2009 Hollywood Christmas Parade” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): For the first time in its 80-plus year history, the Hollywood Christmas Parade will air nationally as a two-hour television primetime event. The holiday festivities will include celebrities from film, television and stage, including the 2009 Grand Marshal Susan Lucci (“All My Children”).
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Brennan makes plans to spend Christmas in El Salvador, but her father (Ryan O’Neal, “Miss Match”) convinces her to spend the holidays with him and Margaret Whitesell (Zooey Deschanel, sister of series star Emily Deschanel), a newly discovered distant relative.
◊“The Bubble Decade” (9 p.m. on CNBC): Correspondent David Faber reports on one of the most dramatic periods in the history of America’s financial markets. As the first decade of the 21st century draws to a close, Faber looks back at the tumultuous era, one marked by ambition and innovation, avarice and excess, and record highs – and lows – on Wall Street.
◊“Community” (7 p.m. on NBC): Anthony Michael Hall (“The Breakfast Club”) haunts the halls of Greendale Community College as a campus bully who challenges Jeff to a fight.
◊“Egypt’s Animal Mummies” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): The remains of more than four million mummies have been hidden within Egypt’s tombs. They are remnants not of the ancient pharaohs, but the perfectly preserved remains of animals. Using modern science, an international team of experts discovers how and why the Ancient Egyptians preserved their animals just like their kings.
◊“Michael McDonald — This Christmas: A Soundstage Special Event” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Singer Michael McDonald celebrates the holidays with yuletide favorites and some of his signature hits, performing such songs as ‘‘White Christmas,” ‘‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and ‘‘What Christmas Means to Me.”
◊“Parks and Recreation” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Leslie designs the Pawnee Winter Wonderland Festival but has to hide from the press when a meeting with a disgraced counsilman lands her in the middle of a sex scandal. Louis C.K. (“Lucky Louis”) guest stars.
◊“Pedigree Dogs Exposed” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This documentary lifts the lid on the true extent of health and welfare problems in pedigree dogs. With international perspectives and testimony from top experts including The British Kennel Club, it unravels the historical, social and cultural reasons why purebred dogs today are in so much trouble.
◊“Private Practice” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): After Pete discovers Violet dying on the floor of her home, having barely survived a violent attack from her patient, Katie (Amanda Foreman, “Felicity”), he rushes her to the hospital where Addison and Naomi fight to save her life.
◊“Viva Nelson Mandela: A Hero for All Seasons” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary helps celebrate 90 years of Nelson Mandela’s life by telling his complete story. A life of struggle, humanity, destiny and greatness is recalled and celebrated by those who knew him best and who worked with him in the quest to break the chains of oppression, taking us beyond the political and into the personal.
FRIDAY, DEC. 11, 2009
◊“Epitafios” (9 p.m. on HBO Latino): A prisoner of his past, Renzo begins hunting for the murderer alone. Ultimately, however, everything will end as it started in the Season 2 finale.
◊“Law & Order” (7 p.m. on NBC): A campaign volunteer is murdered in the midst of an election and the detectives become trapped in a haze of danger and political scandals. Benjamin Bratt (“The Cleaner”) guest stars.
◊“Straight No Chaser — Live in New York Holiday Edition” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This special featuring the men’s a cappella group includes new material, holiday favorites and the song that launched the Straight No Chaser’s success, “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
◊“TeenNick HALO Awards” (7 p.m. on TeenNick): This new concept in awards show is hosted and executive produced by Nick Cannon and features four celebrities — LeBron James, Alicia Keys, Hayden Panettiere and Justin Timberlake. They don’t receive the awards, but will they give them out to deserving teens in support of their philanthropic causes.
◊“Yes, Virginia” (7 p.m. on CBS): This new animated Christmas special is based on the 1897 true story of Virginia O’Hanlon, an 8-year-old girl who inspired the most famous newspaper editorial of all time by asking, “Is there a Santa Claus?” It features the voices of Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”), Jennifer Love Hewitt (“Ghost Whisperer”) and Alfred Molina (“Spider-Man 2″).
SATURDAY, DEC. 12, 2009
◊“30 for 30″ (8 p.m. on ESPN): The ESPN Film series concludes with “The U,” a two-hour documentary about the dramatic rise of the University of Miami football program in the 1980s. It looks at the program’s sudden and jolting transformation into a football powerhouse that essentially changed the rules of the game as told by the players, coaches, students and administrators who were there.
◊“Annihilation Earth” (8 p.m. on Syfy): With the world on the brink of both economic and ecological disaster, a physicist (Luke Goss, “Hellyboy II”) must discern whether the destruction of a cutting-edge super collider facility was the work of terrorists or his own miscalculation.
◊“Christmas in Canaan” (7 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Billy Ray Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”) stars in this story based on the book by Grammy Award winner Kenny Rogers and Donald Davenport. Cyrus plays widower Daniel Burton, who is doing his best to raise his three children on a limited income. But living in Canaan, Texas, during the Civil Rights Movement, he soon faces more than just financial difficulties.
◊“The Flight Before Christmas” (8:01 p.m. on CBS): A flying squirrel shows a young reindeer, who believes his long-lost father was part of Santa’s airborne sleigh team, how to soar into the sky in this holiday special featuring the voices of Emma Roberts (‘‘Nancy Drew”) and Norm MacDonald (‘‘Saturday Night Live”).
◊“Ghost Invervention” (8 p.m. on TLC): This new docu-series chronicles a case manager and a team of women with psychic abilities as they try to help different families who are struggling with paranormal activity in their homes.
◊“It’s a Wonderful Life” (7 p.m. on NBC): This marks the 60th anniversary of Frank Capra’s holiday classic starring James Stewart as small-town guy George Bailey, who defers one big dream after another to stay home, marry a local girl and run the family business. Facing financial ruin, he’s pulled from suicidal despair by an angel who shows him what a terrible place the world would be if he’d never lived.
◊“The Polar Express” (6 p.m. on Disney): An animated movie unlike any other, director Robert Zemeckis’ interpretation of Chris Van Allsburg’s holiday story features Tom Hanks in multiple roles through a technique called ‘‘motion capture,” which creates a pseudo-real look. Hanks is most recognizable as the conductor of a train that takes a youngster on a wild ride to the North Pole.
◊“Posse: The Young Guns on PBR” (7 p.m. on CMT): This special follows eight up and coming professional bull riders on their journey across America trying to become the next PBR champion. Among the hopefuls are Ryan Dirteater, 20, from Hulbert (won the Dickies Invitational in Dallas in January 2009) and Austin Meier, 22, from Kinta (won the first ever PBR Team Shootout).
◊“Sandra Lee Celebrates: Season of Surprise” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Last year, the Morgner family’s newborn triplets were barely well enough to be brought home for the holidays. This season, as the family gets ready for the holidays with three active one-year-olds, Sandra will show them creative ways to preserve lifelong family memories, incorporate heirloom party décor and prepare unforgettable holiday recipes. HGTV Design Star finalist Dan Vickery makes a special guest appearance and uses his carpentry skills to help Sandra create unique décor items for each child.
◊“Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): “Twilight” and “New Moon” star Taylor Lautner will make his hosting debut. “New Moon” made box office history with the biggest single opening day. The musical guest is Bon Jovi which will be making its fifth appearance on the show. The Grammy Award-winning band has sold more than 120 million albums and performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries.
◊“Video Game Awards 2009″ (7 p.m. on SPIKE): The live event will celebrate the year’s best video games, as well as offer a glimpse at the future of gaming in 2010 and beyond.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for Oct. 25-31, 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 Oct. 25:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, OCT. 25
◊“Bored to Death” (8:35 p.m. on HBO): Jonathan is enlisted to retrieve a sex tape that a female escort is using to extort money from a married New Jersey man. Patton Oswalt (“The King of Queens”) guest stars.
◊“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (8 p.m. on HBO): Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld (“Seinfeld”) consider incorporating Larry’s latest real-life experience, involving a bare-midriff assistant and a crying Jesus, into the reunion show.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The design team rebuilds the crumbling Illinois home of Nathan Montgomnery, who gave up a lucrative engineering career to start a charity that feeds hundreds of hungry families in his community. Chefs Rocco DiSpirito (“Dancing With the Stars”), Sandra Lee (“Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee”), Spike Mendalsohn (“Top Chef”) and Art Smith (“Top Chef Masters”) will be the celebrity volunteers for this build.
◊“He’s My Antonio” (9 p.m. on VH1): Antonio Sabato Jr. concludes his search for love in Hawaii with the final two women, Brooke and Miranda. Both women are convinced that they are his true love, and Antonio is agonizing over his choice.
◊“Masterpiece Contemporary” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The Emmy-winning series returns for a new season with a new host — Scottish actor David Tennant (“Doctor Who”) — and a new drama about the real-life negotiations that led up to the end of apartheid in South Africa. William Hurt, Jonny Lee Miller, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Derek Jacobi star in “Endgame.”
◊“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Choo Choo Express” (6 a.m. on Disney): Mickey and pals climb aboard the Clubhouse Choo Choo Train for a snow-filled adventure. Grammy Award-winning alternative rock band They Might Be Giants and the Sensational Six each perform a new song in the special.
◊“Sandra’s Money Saving Meals” (11 a.m. on Food Network): Sandra Lee (“Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee”) returns for a second season of sharing creative recipes that save money and time. In this installment, she cooks up blackened catfish and BBQ beef stir fry.
◊“Three Rivers” (8 p.m. on CBS): Following a bus crash, the parents of a football player must make a heartbreaking decision whether to donate his organs. Dr. Travis Stork (“The Doctors”) guest stars as Dr. Travis, an anesthesiologist.
◊“Who Speaks for Islam?” (9 p.m. on Link TV, channel 375 on DirecTV, 9410 on Dish Network): This new series explores global attitudes of Anti-Americanism and Islamophobia and tracks evolving portrayals of Muslims in Hollywood. It will also be streams on LinkTV.org.
MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009
◊“American Experience: The 1930s” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This five-part series examines America’s response to the unprecedented economic crisis, high unemployment and environmental catastrophe that threatened the nation during one of history’s most tumultuous decades. It begins with stock market collapse in “The Crash of 1929.”
◊“Cake Boss” (9 p.m. on TLC): In Season 2, expect to see Buddy Valastro and his family create cakes that continue to defy expectations. In the season premiere, they create an engagement ring box cake.
◊“Dr. G: Medical Examiner” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): Medical examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia draws viewers into a world of mystery and forensics with her relentless determination to discover the truth and provide answers to families’ lingering questions about the death of their loved ones.
◊“Emeril’s Culinary Adventures: Napa” (7 p.m. on Planet Green): Chef Emeril Lagasse’s tour of wine country includes a visit to a farm that uses solar power and biodiesel fuels for all its energy needs and explores the in’s and out’s of organic farming.
◊“Extreme Paranormal” (9 p.m. on A&E): Shaun, Nathan and Jason investigate Pennhurst State School and Hospital, a decrepit mental asylum in eastern Pennsylvania where people have reported strange sightings since the facility’s closing in 1986. The team also travels to the allegedly haunted Manchac Swamp just outside New Orleans.
◊“Greek” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): Everyone is packing their bags and heading home for Thanksgiving, but Casey and Rusty find themselves stranded at college when their parents leave them behind for Maui. This episode’s promotes volunteerism as part of the show’s “Pledge Yourself to do Something” campaign.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): When the gang suspects that Barney has a girlfriend after he mysteriously leaves MacLaren’s, they decide to follow him. Frances Conroy (“Six Feet Under”) guest stars as Barney’s mother.
◊“Lincoln Heights” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): R&B singer Trey Songz holds a contest and Tay dazzles him with an inspired performance. But when Eddie’s father-son project coincides with his big night, Tay must choose between his dream and his father’s feelings.
◊“No Excuses” (9:30 p.m. on VH1): Hip-Hop artist and entrepreneur Percy Miller – aka Master P – helps turn one former gang member’s life around, showing him the amazing things you can do when you stop making excuses.
◊“One Tree Hill” (7 p.m. on CW): Dan brings Renee onto his television show, leaving Nathan and Haley powerless to stop him from revealing the truth of her pregnancy to the world. Series star James Lafferty (Nathan) directed the episode.
◊“Real Chance of Love 2: Back in the Saddle” (8 p.m. on VH1): It’s been another wild ride to find love for Real and Chance this season. Deep, dark secrets will be revealed when the boys fly the final five ladies to Miami Beach in the shows’ finale.
◊“RiP: A Remix Manifesto” (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary explores the meaning of copyright in the digital age where the wall between producers and users has been irrevocably torn down. It follows several key individuals who seek to redefine originality in the future, including mash-up musical phenomenon Girl Talk (Greg Gillis).
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Charlie joins Alan, Herb and his next door neighbor in a night of alcohol-fueled sexual reminiscences after Chelsea finds nude pictures of another woman on his phone. Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Green Mile”) reprises his role as Charlie’s neighbor.
TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 2009
◊“Big Ideas for a Small Planet” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Soleil Moon Frye (“Punky Brewster”) and Cindy Crawford (“Fashion Flashback”) are among the innovators working on ideas that will help parents raise their babies in a green environment. Ideas include frozen organic baby food, green diapers and the eco-friendly baby store.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Derek Jeter, a four-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees, gives the contestants a pep talk about the importance of teamwork before they embark on a wild baseball challenge.
◊“The Bold and the Beautiful” (12:30 p.m. on CBS): Jordan Lloyd (“Big Brother 11″ winner) and Jeff Schroeder (voted America’s favorite houseguest on “Big Brother 11″) appear in flashback scenes of a high school homecoming dance in the 1980s (complete with era-appropriate wardrobe and hair).
◊“Flipping Out” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The “Flipping Out” gang reuniite to discuss the show’s third season. Jeff and Ryan come face to face to talk about the serious accusations made about Ryan’s business practices.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Close to Home” chronicles how the middle class is faring in the recession by focusing on the stories of the owner, employees and patrons of a New York City salon.
◊“General Hospital” (2 p.m. on ABC): Jonathan Jackson (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) returns to the daytime drama in the role of Lucky Spencer, son of super couple Luke and Laura, which he created as a teenager. Lucky wants his former wife, Elizabeth, to remarry him, but unbeknownst to him, Elizabeth has strong feelings for Lucky’s brother, Nikolas.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): In the documentary “Journals of a Wily School,” the police in Kolkata, India, offer a young pickpocket a full pardon if he helps track down more notorious criminals.
◊“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m. on ABC): The 1966 half-hour animated Halloween-themed Peanuts special created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz returns. It will air in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming.
◊“The Little Couple” (9 p.m. on TLC): As the next step in their journey toward having a child, Jen and Bill make an appointment with a pulmonologist to discover Jen’s lung capacity.
◊“30 for 30: Muhammad and Larry” (7 p.m. on ESPN): In 1980, Muhammad Ali was preparing to fight for an unprecedented fourth heavyweight title against his friend and former sparring partner Larry Holmes. This special features unseen footage from the build-up to that fight that was filmed by documentarians Albert and David Maysles.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): While investigating the death of a Marine, the team finds themselves intertwined in an inner city gang war. Muse Watson (“Prison Break”) reprises his role as Gibb’s mentor, Mike Franks.
◊“Scream 2009″ (9 p.m. on Spike): Tobey Maguire presents a tribute to Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee at the fourth annual event honoring all things science-fiction, fantasy and horror. The two-hour extravaganza will also include previews of the upcoming films “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “Shutter Island.”
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009
◊“The Botany of Desire” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This special explores the natural history of four plants — the apple, the tulip, marihuana and the potato — and the corresponding human desires — sweetness, beauty, intoxication and controlling nature — that link their destinies to our own. Featured are the potato fields if Idaho and Peru, the apple orchards of New England, the tulip markets of Amsterdam and a medical marijuana hot house.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team travels to Fort Lauderdale during spring break to find a serial killer with multiple personalities who is targeting co-eds on vacation.Roma Maffia (“Nip/Tuck”) and Jackson Rathbone (“Twilight”) guest star.
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on DirectTV): As Season 4 opens, a redistricting plan has left Dillon a town divided. Having been ousted from his role as head coach at Dillon High School, Coach Taylor finds himself faced with the daunting task of building a football team from scratch as well as motivating and disciplining the unmanageable East Dillon Lions players. The drama will air commercial free on The 101 Network.
◊“Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space” (7 p.m. on NBC): In this special based on the 2009 animated film, Susan Murphy (Reece Witherspoon) and the Monsters now work with the U.S. government as special operatives. When an alien presence is detected in Susan’s hometown right before Halloween, the team is dispatched to investigate.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine considers herself popular by association when Ritchie is asked to a dance by the most popular girl in school, and Matthew and Richard try to evict an elderly woman (Marion Ross, “Happy Days”) from the apartment they hope to rent.
◊“Top Chef: Las Vegas” (9 p.m. on Bravo): After a “TV dinner” quickfire challenge, the remaining cheftestants visit head judge Tom Colicchio’s Craft Steak restaurant in Las Vegas to cook for actress Natalie Portman and friends.
THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 2009
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): Liz and Jack venture down south to Kenneth’s hometown to discover new talent. Betty White (“The Golen Girls”) and Jeff Dunham (“The Jeff Dunham Show”) guest star.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): When Isaac, the hospital lab tech, has an inoperable tumor wrapped around his spine, he turns to Dr. Derek Shepherd to do the impossible, and Derek tests the Chief’s authority when Richard objects to moving forward with the risky surgery. Series star Chandra Wilson (Dr. Miranda Bailey) directed the episode.
◊“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (9 p.m. on FX): In an effort to “support the war,” the gang decides to put on a wrestling show for the returning troops calling themselves “The Birds of War.” Rowdy Roddy Piper (“WF SmackDown!”) guest stars.
◊“The League” (9:30 p.m. on FX): This new comedy series follows a circle of friends involved in a fantasy football league and focuses on male friendship, marriage, parenting, suburbia and growing up – or refusing to grow up.
◊“Lives That Changed the World: Muhammad Ali” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): On this date in 1960, a new fighter won his first professional fight. Muhammad Ali went on to become one of the most prolific sports personalities of the 20th century.
◊“The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): Patrick Jane and the California Bureau of Investigation
team investigates the death of a wealthy man who witnesses say was killed by a ghost haunting his mansion. Frances Fisher (“Eureka”) guest stars.
◊“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Find out what really went down in Atlanta when the Southern gals reconvene for a two-part reunion special. In part one, they reveal how they relaly fel about all the catfights and wig-pulling.
FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 2009
◊“Cyberchase” (10 a.m. on OETA-13): The annual “Halloween Howl” bash in Castleblanca promises to be spooktacular…until Hacker takes over the Mayor’s Castle and brings its seven stone gargoyles to life. Obeying Hacker’s every command, the gargoyles capture the Mayor and imprison him in the dungeon. To gain control of the creepy creatures, the CyberSquad must figure out how to use division to evenly split up bunches of garlic and rock candy.
◊“Dollhouse” (8 p.m. on Fox): Echo is sent to stop Senator Daniel Perrin (Alexis Denisof, “Angel”) before he can expose the Dollhouse’s secrets. Adelle and Topher travel to the Washington D.C. Dollhouse where they meet its genius programmer, Bennett Halverson (Summer Glau, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”), a woman with a mysterious past connection to Echo.
◊“Ghost Adventures Live” (7 p.m. on Travel Channel): Paranormal investigators Zak Bagans, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin voluntarily lock themselves in one of America’s most haunted locations, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia, for this live seven-hour event. Viewers at home will have total access to the investigation via webcams and online chats with the crew at www.travelchannel.com/ghostadventures.
◊“Halloween on Ice” (7 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Halloween comes early this year with a twist (and a triple axel). This special, which combines Halloween haunts with some of the world’s most accomplished skaters, features the music of Mannheim Steamroller and performances by Olympic medalists Nancy Kerrigan, Todd Eldredge and Elvis Stojko.
◊“Invitation Only: Brooks and Dunn” (9 p.m. on CMT): Ronnie Dunn from Tulsa and his country music partner, Kix Brooks, perform some of their biggest hits before a small studio audience in Nashville. They also host an informal question and answer session and talk about reaching their decision to part ways after their tour in 2010.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison has vivid nightmares that insert her into scenes from the classic horror film “Night of the Living Dead,” which leave her with unexplained cuts and bite marks and possible clues that could lead her to a funeral director’s murderer. The cast will be inserted into scenes from George Romero’s timeless zombie fest throughout the episode. Aida Turturro (“The Sopranos”) guest stars.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When strange, almost paranormal happenings are observed at a decommissioned air base, the spooky occurrences take on a decidedly different tone when the team is brought in to investigate the mystery of a dead woman found there. John Michael Higgins (“Best in Show”), Silas Weir Mitchell (“Prison Break”), Sam Lloyd (“Scrubs”), and Jennifer Elise Cox (“The Brady Bunch Movie”) guest star.
◊“The Real Story: The Amityville Horror” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): On November 13, 1974, police discovered six members of the DeFeo family – father, mother and four of their five children – shot to death inside their home at 112 Ocean Ave. in the quiet village of Amityville, NY. Ronald, the eldest son, was found guilty of the murders. With the help of eye witness accounts, extraordinary archival footage and psychological drama, learn the facts and reveal new evidence behind the “Horror.”
◊“Super Why!” (8 a.m. on OETA-13): It’s Halloween in Storybrook Village and Pig is so frightened that he won’t go trick-or-treating with friends. The Super Readers pay a storybook visit to Little Ghost, who’s a bit of a scaredy cat himself, to teach him there’s more to Halloween than meets the eye.
◊“Ugly Betty” (8 p.m. on ABC): Betty is overwhelmed with her editorial work, so Wilhemina assigns Marc to be Betty’s temporary assistant. Betty’s story idea to cover the worst jobs in New York goes south when she has to dress up as a hot dog and do a Bollywood dance number. Dylan Baker (“Kings”) and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“The Sopranos”) guest star.
◊“The Vampire Princess” (8 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Two skeletons were found in Schwarzenberg Castle, Bohemia. Their decapitated heads were between their legs, weighed down by stones, and wooden stakes were driven through chest cavities. They may help decipher the spine-chilling story of an infamous Austrian princess. Princess Eleanor was not only a main character in the original version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but she was also notable for keeping captive wolves and bathing in their milk. Now the notes of her extraordinary autopsy have been found, and they help reveal why she became an infamous recluse and how she died.
◊“Zombie Girl: The Movie” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This film chronicles the journey of Austin, Texas-based film enthusiast Emily Hagins, 12, as she spends two years writing, directing and editing her first feature-length motion picture, the zombie movie titled “Pathogen.” She battles everything from budget shortfalls to self-doubt, all while coming of age as a teenager.
SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 2009
◊“Hanging Shadows: Perspectives on an Italian Horror Cinema” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This special presents a historical overview of the giallo genre, exploring its genesis and chronicling the films, directors, and personalities that made up its golden age. This group of films and filmmakers helped redefine the horror genre that forever changed the way we think of horror films.
◊“The Locator” (8 p.m. on WEtv): In the Season 3 finale, Troy Dunn helps a woman and her stepfather locate her biological dad.
◊“Phineas and Ferb” (7 a.m. on Disney XD): At their yard sale, Dad accidentally sells Candace’s favorite childhood doll, Mary McGuffin, to Dr. Doofenshmirtz who has been looking for the rare doll for Vanessa ever since her 5th birthday. When Vanessa’s mom, Charlene, donates the doll to a thrift store, Vanessa races to get it back, while Phineas and Ferb help Candace find Mary McGuffin. Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) guest stars.
Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) on “Phineas and Ferb,” 7 a.m. Saturday on Disney XD.
◊“The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This Halloween edition of the show features a masked mystery guest. And one caller asks about spending $100 in a baby Halloween costume.
◊“The True Story of Mary Celeste” (11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): On December 5, 1872, the brigantine Mary Celeste was found adrift in the Atlantic, its captain and crew nowhere to be found. The mystery of this “ghost ship” has remained unanswered for over 135 years. Now, with the help of a newly discovered transcript documenting the ship’s final five days, Smithsonian Channel brings this unsolved case to a close.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for Oct. 18-24, 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 Oct. 18:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, OCT. 18, 2009
◊“Alex’s Day Off” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): Alexandra Guarnaschelli, professional chef, working mom and passionate home cook, invites viewers to share her down-to-earth recipes. She shows how cooking her personal and playful style of American, French and Italian fare can be elegant and approachable, with a side of sass.
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Having just returned from France, Sarah distracts Kitty through chemo treatments with tales of her intense romance with a French artist (Gilles Marini, “Sex and the City”).
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team delves into the 1970 murder of a musician who tried to keep his involvement with the Philadelphia Soul scene a secret from his strict preacher father for whom he was an organist. Loretta Devine (“Grey’s Anatomy”) guest stars.
◊“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (8 p.m. on HBO): Larry learns to embrace the upside of disability without actually being disabled, and looks to disprove the rumor that Rosie O’Donnell can kick his butt.
◊“An Engtlishman in New York” (9 p.m. on Logo): This film follows the life of famed writer and performer Quentin Crisp at the peak of his career in the late 1970’s. Upon the recent success of Crisp’s famous autobiography-turned-film, “The Naked Civil Servant,” Quentin (John Hurt) leaves the U.K. to offer lectures and performances in New York City. The film explores Quentin’s psyche as he faces the consequences of his casual quip stating that AIDS was “a fad,” leading to social rejection and obscurity.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The design team travels to Lancaster, Texas, to rebuild the home of Carlton Marshall, who lost most of his mobility and all of his hearing after being shot while leading a Dallas Police Department SWAT team. Country singer Trace Adkins is the celebrity volunteer for this build.
◊“Halloween Block Party” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Three families join forces with lifestyle experts and event planners Michael Russo, Kelley Moore and Eddie Ross to create a Halloween neighborhood bash. The special will offer up design tricks and treats on decor, food, pumpkin carving, floral arrangements, tablescapes and entertainment to help viewers get their haunt on this Halloween.
◊“Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): Hannah fills in for Kara DioGuardi (“American Idol”) alongside judges Andy and Byron on reality show “America’s Top Talent.” Her stint as a guest judge turns complicated when Oliver auditions and delivers a knock-out performance.
◊“I Am a Champion” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This documentary follows three athletes in their quest to compete in the 40th annual Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games held May 13-15 in Stillwater.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The murder of a small-time criminal leads Lewis and Hathaway to a prominent Oxford don-turned-celebrity athiest in “Inspector Lewis, Series II: The Point of Vanishing.”
◊“Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)” (8 p.m. on IFC): This six-part documentary series airing today through Friday will feature interviews with the surviving Python troupe members, who tell their life story and reveal deeper truths alongside the more tried and tested Python history lessons.
◊“Occupation” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This new drama captures the lives of three British soldiers caught physically and emotionally in the cross-fire of the Iraq war. Amid growing sectarian conflict and a boom time fuelled by billions of dollars from the U.S., their dreams of riches, love and making a difference come to define not just their lives but also the occupation itself.
◊“On the Case With Paula Zahn” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): In this new weekly newsmagazine, Paula Zahn steps away from the traditional anchor chair and into the field to interview the pivotal figures shaping stories. Her interviews, including several exclusives where people are speaking for the first time, lift the secrecy on acts of deceit, malice and revenge.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): “Treehouse of Horror XX” features three new tales of the strange, spooky and supernatural. It begins with a homage to classic Alfred Hitchcock movies, followed by a parody of the horror film “28 Days Later” and a nod to the Broadway musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”
◊“Storm Chasers” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In Season 3, University of Oklahoma graduate Reed Timmer and his team return with their newly armored chase vehicle “The Dominator,” racing to be first on the storm scene ahead of IMAX filmmaker Sean Casey and his monster tank-like TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle).
◊“Three Rivers” (8 p.m. on CBS): In order to save his life, Andy tries a risky new procedure on his wife’s partner who suffers from an aortic aneurism. Lennie James (“Jericho”) guest stars as Dr. Timothy Maguire, a cardiologist.
◊“Timewatch: The Rebel Pharaoh’s Lost City” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Archaeologosts in the central Egyptian desert make an extraordinary discovery of an ancient cemetery whee 1,000 people from the Pharaoh’s lost capital of Amarna are buried. The 3,500-year-old bones tell a remarkable new story about these peoplke and their city.
◊“Witness to Waco” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): This new documentary provides an in-depth look into the Branch Davidians, a religious cult led by David Koresh in the late 1980s and early 1990s that ultimately met with a tragic end. Featured are interviews with survivors of the tragedy and rarely-seen footage of David Koresh and other members of the group inside the compound throughout the siege of the property.
MONDAY, OCT. 19, 2009
◊“American Carny: True Tales from the Circus Side Show” (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): Magician Penn Jillette narrates this special that explores the world of American circus entertainers and features behind-the-scenes footage with some of the world’s most interesting acts.
◊“Arthur” (3:30 p.m. on OETA-13): When Lakewood Elementary’s lunch lady Mrs. MacGrady is diagnosed with cancer, Arthur and his friends all react differently to the news. Lance Armstrong (seven-time Tour De France winner) makes a special appearance to show Francine and the Elwood City residents how they can take a stand, or ride a bike, for cancer survivors.
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): While Sheldon settles a score with his nemesis, Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Wolowitz begs Leonard to get Penny to set him up with one of her friends.
◊“Bud Greenspan Presents: Beijing 2008 — America’s Olympic Glory” (6 p.m. on Showtime): With behind-the-scenes footage and a poignant narrative, this film features six American stories. Among those profiled are gymnast Nastia Liukin, swim team captain Jason Lezak and fencers Keeth and Erinn Smart.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Alexx Woods (Khandi Alexander) and Eric Delko return to help the CSIs stop a deadly outbreak in Miami.
◊“Dr. G: America’s Most Shocking Cases” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): Medical examiner Jan “Dr. G” Garavaglia opens the files on astonishing forensic investigations. She demonstrates how the impact of these deaths extends far beyond the morgues of their investigators.
◊“Extreme Paranormal: New Mexico State Penitentiary” (9 p.m. on A&E): Paranormal investigators Shaun, Nathan and Jason explore an abandoned maximum security lockup where visitors claim the tortured souls of inmates, who were violently murdered in the worst prison riot in U.S. history, still linger. The investigators want to see if there is any truth behind the legend in this potentially volatile paranormal environment and go as far as recreating moments of this horrific event, shedding their own blood, to provoke the violent spirits to show themselves to the cameras.
◊“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Dan invites Olivia (Hilary Duff, “Lizzie McGuire”) to meet Rufus and Lily, which leads to all sorts of problems for the new couple.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): The team takes on the case of a reckless police detective who has a family history of sudden heart failure that killed his father, grandfather and great-grandfather all at age 40. Jon Seda (“Close to Home”) guest stars.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): While Barney tries to convince Robin to become an American citizen, Ted and Marshall’s fabled road trip takes a wrong turn when Marshall invites Lily. Kenny Rogers (“The Gambler”) narrates the audio book played on Marshall and ted’s road trip.
◊“Latin Music USA” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The final two installments of this four-hour series focus on Mexican-Americans in California, Texas and elsewhere in the Southwest creating their own musical voice during the latter half of the 20th century, as well as the Latin pop explosion at the turn of the 21st century that introduced artists such as Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Shakira to the English-language market.
◊“Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags” (8 p.m. on HBO): For generations, New York City’s Garment District was the lifeblood of the city. But in recent years, with the increased globalization of clothing manufacturing, this once-thriving district has continued to shrink. This documentary tells the story of this vanishing industry through the voices of the people who experienced its highs and lows.
◊“The View” (10 a.m. on ABC): Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who has been on maternity leave since Aug. 7, returns. “The View” creator, executive producer and co-host Barbara Walters said, “We’ve missed Elisabeth both on and off the air. We’ve missed her opinions and her good humor. I am so happy she is coming back.”
TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 2009
◊“18 Kids and Counting” (8 p.m. on TLC): The Duggars take a trip to Oklahoma to see what life is like working on a farm.
◊“90210″ (7 p.m. on CW): It’s Halloween at the Beverly Hills Beach Club and Adrianna channels Marilyn Monroe to help her deal with the end of her relationship with Navid. Silver and Kelly (Jennie Garth, “Beverly Hills, 90210″) continue to have differing opinions about caring for Jackie (Ann Gillespie, , “Beverly Hills, 90210″).
◊“Catch 21″ (5:30 p.m. on GSN): Contestants on today’s show are “Deal or No Deal” models Leyla Milani, Patricia Kara and Marisa Petroro.
◊“Eyes” (9 p.m. on DirecTV): In the first of seven never-before-seen episodes, Harlan works with a former colleague to uncover a counterfeiting scheme and with a reluctant Las Vegas detective (Stephen Baldwin, “The Usual Suspects”) to stop a burglary ring. The detective drama starring Tim Daly premiered on ABC in 2005 but was canceled after five episodes.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In “The Warning,” producer-director Michael Kirk sifts through the ashes of the economic meltdown in search of pivotal moments when things might have gone much differently.
◊“The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): Alicia and Will have only 72 hours to find the smoking gun that proves the train company, and not the three engineers, is responsible for the crash, thus securing the widows their pensions the company is holding back. Martha Plimpton (“Parenthood”) guest stars as the train company’s very pregnant attorney.
◊“Shark Tank” (7 p.m. on ABC): In the season finale, an entrepreneur who sells customized Bobble Heads wants an investment from the sharks to create an extension of his already lucrative business. But it becomes a battle of wills when the Sharks won’t bite unless he gives up a stake in his successful business.
◊“Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL?” (7 p.m. on ESPN): This documentary showcases the remarkable influence the United States Football League (USFL) had on football history and looks at what forced the league out of business.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 2009
◊“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW): The girls put their interviewing skills to the test as they interview Jessica Lowndes from “90210″ on the set of “The Insider.” Kim Kardashian is this week’s guest judge.
◊“CNN Presents: Latino in America” (8 p.m. on CNN): Soledad O’Brien anchors this two-part documentary that examines the growing diversity of America, revealing insight into a changing nation on the eve of the U.S. census that is expected to officially confirm that Latino Americans are the largest minority group within the country. It concludes Thursday.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team hunts a suspect who impregnates young women and has them give birth before murdering them.
Max Gail (“Barney Miller”), Hallee Hirsh (“ER”), Diana Scarwid (“Wonderfalls”) and Mae Whitman (“Acceptance”) guest star.
◊“Dodsworth” (7 p.m. on TCM): Walter Huston reprises his Broadway performance in this 1936 adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ novel. This is the firsy of four classic films picked by guest programmer Dennis Miller The other films Miller presents along with TCM host Robert Osborne are 1949′s “The Third Man” (9 p.m.), 1941′s “Suspicion” (11 p.m.) and 1948′s “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (1 a.m.).
◊“Great Performances” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Join the opening night festivities for conductor Gustavo Dudamel’s inaugural gala concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
◊“Living With Ed” (8 p.m. on Planet Green): This series chronicles chronicles the lives of eco-activist/actor Ed Begley. Jr. and his frequently exasperated wife Rachelle Carson Begley. The third season will follow the couple as they embark on an unlikely trip to Vegas, a wedding anniversary getaway only Ed could organize and a major home renovation.
◊“Lock ‘N Load” (7 p.m. on Showtime): This new reality series offers viewers a fly-on-the-wall look at “The Shootist” gun store in Englewood, Colo., where expert gunslinger Josh T. Ryan interacts with customers. The hidden camera, revealed after the transaction is completed, insures a particularly candid and revealing take on why we buy guns.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine begins seeing a therapist who shares office space with Matthew, although it’s unclear to both whether to pursue therapy or romance. Eric McCormack (“Will & Grace”) guest stars as Dr. Max Kershaw, the therapist/love interest.
THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 2009
◊“American Chopper” (8 p.m. on TLC): Life at Orange County Choppers is forever changed now that Jr. and Mikey have been squeezed out of the business. Even with all the drama, the guys in the shop must forge ahead as they build a bike for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
◊“Catch 21″ (5:30 p.m. on GSN): Host Alfonso Ribeiro welcomes three of his former castmates from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” to the show as contestants. Taking part in the challenge are James Avery, Tatyanna Ali and Karyn Parsons.
◊“The Jeff Dunham Show” (8 p.m. on Comedy Central): Comic-ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings his suitcase posse of comedic cohorts — including Walter, Peanut, Bubba J, Jose Jalapeno on a Stick and Achmed the Dead Terrorist — to this new series featuring Dunham and puppets in performance before a live studio audience as well as interacting with people around Los Angeles.
◊“Nitro Circus” (8:30 on MTV): The cast put on the brakes long enough to spill their guts about all the jaw-dropping makes and laughter-inducing misfires from their risk-fuelled second season.
◊“Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” (8 p.m. on MTV): In Season 2 of the show, where fantasies come alive inside, the adventures have been bigger and the action wilder.
◊“Stateline” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): The lawless black gold boomtowns of early 20th century Oklahoma were a fertile field for the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan’s power faded with the dust bowl but never completely disappeared from Oklahoma. Secret groups survive and operate in towns all over the state to this day.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Joan Fontaine was born on this day in 1917, and TCM celebrates by airing three of her films — 1938′s “Blond Cheat” (10 a.m.), 1952′s “Ivanhoe” (11:15 a.m.) and 1953′s “The Bigamist” (1:15 p.m.).
FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 2009
◊“Brothers” (7 p.m. on Fox):Trainor’s newest hostess spreads some juicy rumors to help attract customers to Trainor’s, but when her gossip attracts Nancy O’Dell (“Access Hollywood”), Kim Kardashian (“Keeping Up With the Kardashians”) stops by the restaurant to set the record straight.
◊“Dollhouse” (8 p.m. on Fox): Sierra is forced to face her past as her connection to the Rossum Corporation leads to obsession and murder. Keith Carradine (“Complete Savages”) guest stars.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): On the show’s 100th episode, Allison investigates an infant’s kidnapping. But Joe worries when she becomes too attached to the little boy. Also, Bridgette and Joe are amazed when Marie plays the clarinet perfectly without one lesson while Bridgette struggles to learn to play.
◊“My Super Psycho Sweet 16″ (9 p.m. on MTV): This new original movie produced by MTV tells the story of Madison Penrose (Juliana Guill, “Friday the 13th”), a spoiled high school queen bee, and Skye Rotter (Lauren McKnight, “House of Fear”), the class outcast whose father committed a series of grisly murders. Madison’s plans for the ultimate birthday bash are ruined when Skye’s dad crashes the party.
◊“The Suite Life on Deck” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): When recording artist Jordin Sparks (“American Idol”) comes aboard the S.S. Tipton for a concert, Zack, Cody and Marcus write a song for her to sing.
◊“Supernanny” (7 p.m. on ABC): A dad at odds with his teenage daughter brings his family to the brink on the Season 5 premiere. Supernanny Jo Frost pushes the parents to closely examine their marriage.
◊“Til Death” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): When Doug’s father gives him and Ally a large sum of money, they struggle with the decision to keep it or give it back. Barry Bostwick (“Spin City”) and Richard Lewis (“Anything But Love”) guest star.
◊“Trading the Globe” (7 p.m. on CNBC): This special will teach viewers how to think about emerging markets as a source of returns, how to access these markets and how to incorporate trading them into the formula for success in the coming years.
◊“Ugly Betty” (8 p.m. on ABC): Betty fires on all cylinders to get a big scoop with Gucci’s new designer, Evan York (Hamish Linklater, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”). Meanwhile Daniel begins to attend a bereavement group, where he meets Natalie (Jamie-Lynn Sigler, “The Sopranos”), a sexy girl who takes him out for an interesting night on the town.
◊“White Collar” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Matthew Bomer (“Chuck”) and Tim DeKay (“Carnivale”) wstar in the new drama about an unlikely partnership between a con artist and an FBI agent. In the series premiere, they hunt an elusive and vicious counterfeiter known as the “Dutchman.”
SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 2009
◊“24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto” (9:15 p.m. on HBO): This four-episode, all-access series follows Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, two of boxing’s brightest stars, as they prepare for their Nov. 14 pay-per-view showdown in Las Vegas. Pacquiao seeks to continue his reign as the sport’s pound-for-pound king, while Cotto looks to prove that his ring skills are ideal for derailing the Pacquiao express.
◊“The Academy: Orange County Fire” (8 p.m. on Fox Reality Channel): This new series will take viewers on a journey with 28 recruits of differing backgrounds as they endure 18 weeks of intense physical training for the Orange County Fire Authority in California.
◊“Always and Forever” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Rena Sofer (“24″) and Dean McDermott (“Tori and Dean”) star in this new original movie about high school sweethearts who reunite at their high school reunion. As they reminisce over old times, the memories and laughs lead to rekindled feelings from their abandoned relationship.
◊“America’s Cutest Dog” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): This special counts down the most cuddly and aww-inspiring canine moments caught on camera.
◊“Blackboards and Bullies: Are Your Kids Safe?” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This special explores the roots of violent incidents in America’s school systems and tangible ways for communities to improve child safety. Using case studies and interviews with leading experts, it shows the consequences of American adolescent violence and provides information to families on how to protect their children.
◊“Extreme Sweets” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Adam Gertler (“Will Work For Food”) goes in search of America’s most unusual sweets, including worm-covered caramel apples and a treat so spicy that he has to sign a waiver to eat it.
◊“Ghost Town” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Gil Gerard (“Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”) and Billy Drago (“Charmed”) star in this film about a busload of college students that takes a wrong turn on a back road and ends up in a town inhabited by the ghosts of outlaws who return to earth every 13 years to refight a shoot-out.
–Penny TV
