Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing June 21-27, 2009
Rick Bayless: Top Chef Masters (Bravo Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 30 celebrities making special TV appearances the week of June 21.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
GUEST STARS
••Mario Batali (“Iron Chef America”) on “The Chopping Block,” 7 p.m. Friday on NBC.
••Rick Bayless (“Mexico One Plate at a Time”) on “Top Chef Masters,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Bravo.
••Leslie Bibb (“Confessions of a Shopaholic”) on “Kings,” 7 p.m. Saturday on NBC.
••Brenda Blethyn (“Secrets & Lies”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Sarah Chalke (“Scrubs”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Gary Cole (“Wanted”) on “The Cleaner,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on A&E.
••Peter Coyote (“The 4400″) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Tyne Daly (“Cagney & Lacey”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Paula Deen (“Paula’s Party”) on “Kathry Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” 9 p.m. Monday on Bravo.
••Emilio Estevez (“The Breakfast Club”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Spike Feresten (“Talkshow With Spike Feresten”) on “Mental,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Tyler Florence (“How to Boil Water”) on “The Next Food Network Star,” 8 p.m. Sunday on Bravo.
••The Fray (piano rock band) on “Today,” 7 a.m. Friday on NBC.
••Ina Garten (“Barefoot Contessa”) on “The Next Food Network Star,” 8 p.m. Sunday on Bravo.
••Robin Givens (“Head of the Class”) on “Everybody Hates Chris,” 8 p.m. Friday on CW.
••Whoopi Goldberg (“The View”) on “The Cleaner,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on A&E.
••Paul Michael Glaser (“Starsky & Hutch”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”) on “Million Dollar Password,” 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Tony Hawk (“Gleaming the Cube”) on “The Daily Habit,” 8 p.m. Friday on Fuel TV.
••Salma Hayek (“Frida”) on “30 Rock,” 8:31 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Chris Jericho (“WWF Smackdown!”) on “Aaron Stone,” 8 p.m. Monday on Disney XD.
••Adhir Kalayan (“Aliens in America”) on “Rules of Engagement,” 7:30 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Lucy Lawless (“Xena Warrior Princess”) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Jennifer Jason Leigh (“Synecdoche, New York”) on “Weeds,” 9 p.m. Monday on Showtime.
••Conan O’Brien (“The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien”) on “30 Rock,” 7 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Vincent Pastore (“The Sopranos”) on “The Chopping Block,” 7 p.m. Friday on NBC.
••Rachael Ray (“Rachael Ray”) on “Million Dollar Password,” 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Andy Richter (“Quintuplets”) on “Bones,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••John Taylor (Duran Duran) on “Samantha Who?” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Eli Wallach (“The Holiday”) on “Nurse Jackie,” 9:30 p.m. Monday on Showtime.
••Alicia Witt (“Cybil”) on “The Mentalist,” 9:01 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Top 55 TV Programs for June 21-27, 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 June 21:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, JUNE 21
••“Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life” (6 p.m. on BBC America): Marking the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his world-changing book, On the Origin of Species,” Sir David Attenborough (“Nature’s Most Amazing Events”) shares his personal insight on Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, explaining why he believes it’s more important now than ever before.
••“Exodus Earth” (8 p.m. on Science Channel, 101 on Cox Digital Cable, 193 on Dish Network, 258 on U-verse, 284 on DirecTV): In this six-part series, Dr. Basil Singer investigates whether people could possibly call Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturns’s moon Titan or Jupitor’s moons Callisto and Gliese 581c home in the future. The series continues with airings at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
••“HGTV $250,000 Challenge” (9 p.m. on HGTV): Builder Carter Oosterhouse (“Carter Can”) will lend his expertise to help the final two families create captivating new curb appeal to the front of the house and an outdoor oasis in the backyard. Once the dust settles, viewers will find out who wins $250,000.
••“Impact” (8 p.m. on ABC): David James Elliott (:JAG”), Natasha Henstridge (“Eli Stone”), Steven Culp (“ER”) and James Cromwell (“Babe”) star in this two-part, four-hour movie, which concludes June 28. They play a small group of international astronauts, scientists and soldiers who band together in a race against time to save humanity when a meteor shower results in a direct hit to the moon, leaving it on a collision course with Earth.
••“Just For Laughs” (6 p.m. on ABC): Gags featured in the Season 3 premiere of the hidden-camera comedy series include a massage chair with a mind — and hands — of its own and a bike ride in the park that turns into a race to the finish line.
••“Killer Hair” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Maggie Lawson (“Psych”) stars as Lacey Smithsonian, a fashion columnist for a Washington, D.C., newspaper who ends up reporting on more than just style when dead bodies keep mysteriously crossing her path.
••“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): David Suchet returns as Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective Hercule Poirot for a new series of adventures. In the new installment “Cat Among the Pigeons,” he investigates a case involving a Middle Eastern princess who is hidden in an English girls school until someone starts killing the teaching staff.
••“Merlin” (7 p.m. on NBC): This new drama updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend. When Merlin, a young man with magical powers, arrives in Camelot, he quickly makes enemies with Prince Arthur. But he begins using his talents not just to survive but also to unlock Camelot’s mystical secrets.
••“Ruby: The First 100 Pounds” (7 p.m. on Style Network): This special looks back at Ruby Gettinger’s journey, as the severely overweight Savannah resident has lost more than 100 pounds since the first season of her reality show. Season 2 of “Ruby” begins July 5.
••“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): After many years without incident, Florida residents were reminded in August of l992 of just how destructive a hurricane can be. The experience is told through the eyes of a young couple expecting their first child who ride out Hurricane Andrew in a bathroom.
••“Somali Pirate Takedown: The Real Story” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In April, news of U.S. Navy snipers bringing a swift end to the Somalia pirate standoff captivated the world. However, the heroic stories of the Maersk Alabama’s crew and the U.S. Navy’s courageous maneuvers have not been shared fully, until now.
••“Timewatch: The Last Day of World War I” (9 p.m. on Military Channel, 104 on Cox Digital Cable, 195 on Dish Network, 259 on U-verse, 287 on DirecTV): This special goes to the places where American, British, French, Canadian and German troops were fighting as the war came to an end on Nov. 11, 1918. It tells the story of soldiers who were killed in the final minutes leading up to the cease-fire, as well as those who lost their lives after the Armistice had been signed.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
••“Aaron Stone” (8 p.m. on Disney XD): Xero captures the world’s most feared fighter, World Champion Billy “The Body Bag” Cobb, to teach them the moves necessary to program his combat suit. Chris Jericho (“WWF Smackdown!”) guest stars.
••“Cheat Sheet to the Mysteries of the Universe” (8 p.m. on Science Channel, 101 on Cox Digital Cable, 193 on Dish Network, 258 on U-verse, 284 on DirecTV): Dr. Michio Kaku demystifies the universe with credible and understandable explanations.
••“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): A man is found handcuffed and stabbed in his hotel room, while a prank at the lab causes a rift in the CSI team and threatens their investigation. Lucy Lawless (“Xena Warrior Princess”) guest stars.
••“Gimme Sugar: Miami” (9 p.m. on Logo): Charlene reassesses her life in Season 2. She leaves the hills of the west coast and heads down to Miami to face the vibrant club scene and some of the toughest challenges yet.
••“History Detectives” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Featuring a broad range of historical periods, multiple cultures and fascinating personalities, five super sleuths set out to prove that an object found in an attic or backyard could be anything but ordinary.
••“Make It or Break It” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): Gymnastics newcomer Emily Kmetko (Chelsea Hobbs, “Lords of Dogtown”) has dreams of becoming an Olympic gymnast. But when she shows up at The Rock gymnastics training center in Colorado, she inadvertently shakes up the gym’s status quo.
••“Nurse Jackie” (9:30 p.m. on Showtime): An elderly patient (Eli Wallach, “The Holiday”) treats his serious heart disease with chicken soup. And pharmacist Eddie learns he is being replaced by an automated pill despenser, which is bad news for Jackie.
••“Rules of Engagement” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): After a long line of female assistants, Russell learns that a having a male assistant (Adhir Kalayan, “Aliens in America”) can be very advantageous.
••“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In the Season 2 premiere, Anne is dealing with the surprising news of her own pregnancy, while Amy is slowly adjusting to motherhood and a new life filled with midnight feedings and diaper changes.
••“Storm Stories” (7:30 p.m. on The Weather Channel): This episode follows three sets of Galveston County residents as they struggled for survival last September when the storm surge from Hurricane Ike came earlier than expected.
••“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 brother of series star Charlie Sheen) guest stars.
••“Weeds” (9 p.m. on Showtime): Just as Nancy gets strict instructions from her doctor to reduce her stress level, she gets an unexpected visit from her estranged sister, Jill (Jennifer Jason Leigh, “Synecdoche, New York”).
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
••“America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m. on NBC): The talent show is back for a fourth season with a new host — comic Nick Cannon — and returning judges David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan as contestants compete for a $1 million grand prize.
••“The Best Thing I Ever Ate” (8:30 p.m. on Food Network): Find out what food stars and chefs eat in their free time in this new series. In the premiere episode, Tyler Florence (“How to Boil Water”), Bobby Flay (“Iron Chef America”) and Ted Allen (“Food Detectives”) reveal the best places to get barbeque.
••“Better Off Ted” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): Executives Ted and Veronica try mingling with workers and realize they might be better off staying in a boss/employee relationship.
••“Bite Me With Dr. Mike” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): Extreme virologist and world traveler Dr. Mike Leahy knows first-hand how even the tiniest of earth’s creatures can create huge problems for unsuspecting travelers. In this new series, he makes it his mission to uncover everything that might want to bite, suck, sting or feed on unsuspecting travelers’ bodies, and he offers advice on how to avoid these encounters while traveling.
••“The Cleaner” (9 p.m. on A&E): Whoopi Goldberg (“The View”) guest stars in the Season 2 premiere as William’s former sponsor, who resurfaces when an addict he is called to help is one she currently sponsors. The addict (Gary Cole, “Wanted”) is a high-profile national news anchor who is a spokesperson for recovery and is struggling with his sobriety.
••“Golf in America” (9 p.m. on Golf Channel): Anthony Anderson (“Law & Order”) hosts this new series that will travel coast-to-coast to discover never-before-told stories, larger-than-life characters and inspirational people to capture the spirit of the game of golf.
••“Mental” (8 p.m. on Fox): The team encounters a movie star who suffered a psychotic breakdown on a nationally-televised talk show. Spike Feresten (“Talkshow With Spike Feresten”) guest stars.
••“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): While stuck working on a case over Christmas, the team searches for a suspect presumed dead…and begins to discover some startling personal revelations. Peter Coyote (“The 4400″) guest stars.
••“NYC Prep” (9 p.m. on Bravo): This new reality series chronicles the lives of a group of privileged teenagers who are key players in Manhattan’s elite high school scene. Whether it’s on sophisticated vacations or to a townhouse for an exclusive midnight party, their lives intertwine as they network, shop, party, study, date and write college applications.
••“P.O.V.” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Puerto Rican rapper Hamza Perez converts to Islam and starts a new religious community in Pittsburgh, hoping to spread his message of faith through hip-hop, only to have the FBI raid his mosque. The new documentary
••“New Muslim Cool” chronicles his surprising spiritual journey through an ever-changing America.
“Primetime: Family Secrets” (9 p.m. on ABC): This limited series goes behind closed doors and reveals firsthand the secrets most families never tak about. Topics explored include teen pregnancy and child abuse.
••“The Real Housewives Of New Jersey Reunion” (8 p.m. on Bravo): The ladies sit down for an explosive reunion special, which concludes at 8 p.m. Thursday. Hosting the first-season reunion is Bravo programming executive Andy Cohen.
••“The Superstars” (7 p.m. on ABC): This new competitive reality series pairs eight professional athletes with eight celebrities for a series of grueling physical challenges. Competitors include athletes Jennifer Capriati, Brandi Chastain and Bode Miller and celebrities Dan Cortese (“Joey”), Julio Iglesias Jr. (“Gone Country”) and Ali Landry (“Bella”).
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
••“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The Behavioral Analysis Unit becomes involved in the case of a family working together to abduct young women. Emmy nominated actor Tim Matheson (“The West Wing”) directed the episode.
••“Criss Angel: True Hollywood Story” (9 p.m. on E!): This installment will expose the secrets of this illusionist and “Mindfreak” star through candid interviews and never-before-seen footage.
••“Gospel Dream” (9 p.m. on Gospel Music Channel): Season 4 features 37 contestants between the ages of 16 and 40 pursuing their dream of a musical career Gospel/Christian music. Celebrity judges, including Michelle William (“Destiny’s Child”) and Kimberly Locke (“American Idol”), will determine the winner, who will receive record and music video exposure, among other prizes.
••“I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here” (7 p.m. on NBC): The last remaining star will be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle—winning the largest share of the prize for donation to charity.
••“Music Instinct: Science and Song” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This new documentary provides a groundbreaking exploration into how and why the human organism is moved by music. The program includes performances by Bobby McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma.
••“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine cringes at her mother’s constant disapproval, but when she goes home for Thanksgiving, she’s able to thwart one of her criticisms when she discovers a secret they have in common. Brenda Blethyn (“Secrets & Lies”) guest stars as Christine’s mother.
••“The Philanthropist” (9 p.m. on NBC): James Purefoy (“Rome”) stars in this new drama series as billionaire playboy Teddy Rist, whose life is changed irrevocably after he rescues a boy during a hurricane. Buoyed by the experience, Teddy resolves to channel his power, passion and money into helping those in need, while exorcising his own demons in the process.
••“Primetime: Crime” (9 p.m. on ABC): This limited series goes inside real cases with access to the criminal process, new investigations and exclusive interviews. The series also retraces the twists and turns of some cold cases, providing new clues and forensic evidence.
••“The Real World: Cancun” (9 p.m. on MTV): Season 22 invades the sandy beaches of Cancun with eight roommates who work hard and play harder while living it up in Mexico’s hottest hotel, ME Cancun.
••“Top Chef Masters” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Chicago based chef and Oklahoma native Rick Bayless (“Mexico One Plate at a Time”)is among the third group of competing chefs on the series. He cooks off against Cindy Pawlcyn, Wilo Benet and Ludo Lefebvre, and the top chef moves on the the champions round.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
••“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Derek’s mother, Carolyn (Tyne Daly, “Cagney & Lacey”), makes a surprise visit to Seattle and meets Meredith for the first time, as Mark tries to conceal his relationship with Lexie from her as well.
••“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): When Ted tells the gang Stella’s intimate secret, he must face the consequences of breaking her trust. Sarah Chalke (“Scrubs”) guest stars.
••“In the Motherhood” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Jane begins to feel inadequate as a parent when boyfriend Shep shows off his parenting skills and quickly bonds with her children. This is the first of the series’ final episoes scheduled to air over the next three Fridays.
••“The Mentalist” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): Lisbon fears that serial killer Red John is drawing Patrick Jane into a trap when the CBI team investigates the murder of a young girl and the abduction of her twin sister. Alicia Witt (“Cybil”) guest stars.
••“Penn & Teller: Bull****” (9 p.m. on Showtime): Season 7 will continue to feature the notoriously outspoken pair on their crusade to expose the inherent hypocrisy of many of the popular beliefs and sacred institutions in our culture.
••“Samantha Who?” (7 p.m. on ABC): When Sam starts dating rock superstar Tommy Wylder (Duran Duran’s John Taylor) – an idol from a youth that she has no recollection of — she becomes so embarrassed by Andrea and Dena’s fan-like reactions that she unintentionally begins to alienate them.
••“Soundstage” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Grammy-nominated One Republic offers rousing performances of hit singles “Apologize,” “Stop and Stare,” “Say (All I Need)” and “Mercy,” as well as other tracks from their debut CD “Dreaming Out Loud.”
FRIDAY, JUNE 26
••“Build It Bigger” (8 p.m. on Science Channel, 101 on Cox Digital Cable, 193 on Dish Network, 258 on U-verse, 284 on DirecTV): Host Danny Forster takes viewers behind the scene at NASA where he explores the space organization’s next generation rocket, Ares.
••“The Chopping Block” (7 p.m. on NBC): The four remaining teams prepare an Italian feast for patrons and guest stars including chef Mario Natali and Vincent Pastore (“The Sopranos”).
••“CMT Crossroads: Bryan Adams and Jason Aldean” (8 p.m. on CMT): Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Bryan Adams will share the stage with platinum-selling and chart-topping country rocker Jason Aldean in this new installment of the critically-acclaimed series.
••“The Daily Habit” (8 p.m. on Fuel TV): The show;s 900th episode features a tour of Tony Hawk’s office in Carlsbad, CA, a skating session with Tony Hawk and friends on his secret ramp, interviews, a skateboard cake and more.
••“Let Freedom Hum – An Evening of Comedy Hosted by Martin Short” (9 p.m. on TBS): In this special taped June 18 at The Vic in Chicago, Martin Short (“Saturday Night Live”) will perform his own comedy and introduce five comedians: John Pinette, Kathleen Madigan, Greg Giraldo, Tom Papa and Jeremy Hotz.
••“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The bombing of an influential charity’s headquarters forces the team to sift through various rumors about the true reach of the organization’s power. Paul Michael Glaser (“Starsky & Hutch”) guest stars.
••“Princess Protection Program” (7 p.m. on Disney): Selena Gomez (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) and Demi Lovato (“Sonny With a Chance”) star in this adventure comedy about two girls, a princess from a small kingdom and a small town girl, who team up to help the would-be queen pass for a regular teen.
••“Virtuality” (7 p.m. on Fox): Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (“New Amsterdam”) stars in this science-fiction thriller set in outer space and a seemingly limitless virtual reality. Aboard Earth’s first starship, the Phaeton, a crew of 12 astronauts is on the verge of embarking on an epic 10-year journey crucial to the survival of life on Earth. But as crew members go in and out of reality, they realize that a virus has entered their private world.
SATURDAY, JUNE 27
••“Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): This installment of the locally-produced program features a tour of Oklahoma City that starts with Nonna’s and Bricktown, travels down the Oklahoma River Trails and finishes at the National Memorial.
••“Doctor Who: The Next Doctor” (8 p.m. on BBC America): It’s Christman Eve in 1851 and Cyberman stalk the snow of Victorian London. When the Doctor (David Tennant, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) arrives to investigate a spate of mysterious deathes, he’s surprised to meet another Doctor (David Morrissey, “Viva Blackpool”) with his own sonic screw driver.
••“Ellen’s Bigger Longer and Wider Show” (8 p.m. on TBS): Ellen DeGeneres (“Ellen”) hosts this variety show that was taped June 17 at The Chicago Thearte. It features live music, dancers and unique specialty acts.
••“Kings” (7 p.m. on NBC): King Silas takes David on a pilfrimage while Queen Rose tries to protect her children. Leslie Bibb (“Confessions of a Shopaholic”) guest stars.
••“The Most AddictingGames Showdown” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In between new episodes of “iCarly” and “True Jackson, VP,” the winners of the best online games will be announced. “Pencil Racer 3: Drive It”, “50 States”, “Porta-Pusher” and “Bloons” are among the games nominated in 10 categories.
••“VH1 Storytellers: ZZ Top” (9 p.m. on VH1): The rock band that holds the record for the most enduring line-up of all original members celebrated its 40th anniversary with this performance taped at Chicago’s Congress Theatre. The Texas trio also took questions from the audience and told the stories behind such hits as “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man.”
–Penny TV
TV Premieres and Finales airing
March 29-April 4
Jill Scott in "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" (HBO Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of March 29.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“Any Dream Will Do,” 7 p.m. Sunday on BBC America (series premiere).
••“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” 7 p.m. Sunday on HBO (series premiere).
••“Thrillbillies,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Fuel TV (series premiere).
••“G4 Underground,” 8 p.m. Sunday on G4 (series premiere).
••“The Mighty Boosh,” 12 a.m. Monday on Comedy Central (series premiere).
••“Atom TV,” 1:30 a.m. Monday on Comedy Central (second-season premiere).
••“Greek,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (second season resumes).
••“Osbournes: Reloaded,” 8:20 p.m. Tuesday on Fox (series premiere).
••“Cupid,” 9:02 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (series premiere).
••“My Boys,” 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on TBS (third-season premiere).
••“Pretty Wicked,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Oxygen (series premiere).
••“Rate My Space With Angelo Surmelis,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on HGTV (third-season premiere).
••“Reno 911!” 9:30 p.m. Wednesday on Comedy Central (sixth-season premiere).
••“Free Radio,” 10 p.m. Thursday on VH1 (second-season premiere).
••“Mistresses,” 8 p.m. Friday on BBC America (second-season premiere).
••“Bang for Your Buck,” 8:30 p.m. Friday on HGTV (series premiere).
••“Special Agent Oso,” 7 a.m. Saturday on Disney (series premiere).
••“5 Ingredient Fix,” 8:30 a.m. Saturday on Food Network (series premiere).
••“Cooking For Real,” 11 a.m. Saturday on Food Network (series premiere).
••“Giada At Home,” noon Saturday on Food Network (second-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“DEA,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on SPIKE (second-season finale).
••“Life on Mars,” 9:02 p.m. Wednesday on ABC (series finale).
••“ER,” 8 p.m. Thursday on NBC (series finale).
••“Eleventh Hour,” 9:01 p.m. Thursday on CBS (first-season finale).
Top 55 TV Programs for March 29-April 2, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 29:
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
◊“Any Dream Will Do” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Graham Norton (“The Graham Norton Show”) hosts this new series in which judges and British viewers search for someone with star quality to take on the lead role in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Tony Award-winning composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is the head judge.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team reopoens the 1958 murder case of a successful newlywed real estate developer when new evidence indicates he may not have been killed were his body was found. Ken Howard (“The White Shadow”) and Johnathon Schaech (“That Thing You Do!”) guest star.
◊“A Conversation With … Lee Allan Smith” (6 p.m. on OETA-13): OETA broadcast journalist Dick Pryor talks to Lee Allan Smith about his life and some of the events he helped promote, including the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival and the Centennial Parade and Spectacular in 2007.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The team helps a family dedicated to protecting the wildlife community build a stronger and safer home, as well as an improved sanctuary for the dozens of animals they rescue. Justin Chambers (“Grey’s Anatomy”) helps welcome the family back on reveal day.
◊“G4 Underground” (8 p.m. on G4, channel 191 on Dish Network, 258 on Cox Digital Cable, 310 on DirecTV): Morgan Webb (“X-Play”) hosts this new documentary series examines controversial issues, tech phenomena and unique personalities that have impacted today’s pop culture.
◊“Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): Vicki Lawrence (“The Carol Burnett Show”) guest stars as Miley and Jackson’s Mamaw, who returns to keep an eye out when Robby heads off to his high school reunion.
◊“Jim Gaffigan: King Baby” (8 p.m. on Comedy Central): This new stand-up comedy special taped at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas, proves that no other comedian working today can romanticize laziness and over-indulgence like Jim Gaffigan (“My Boys”).
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): “Little Dorrit,” one of Charles Dickens’ lesser-known novels, becomes a five-part miniseries set in a world of chronic debt and financial collapse. Matthew Macfadyen (“Pride and Prejudice”) plays hero Arthur Clennam, newcomer Claire Foy is Amy “Little” Dorrit and Tom Courtenay (“The Golden Compass”) is her father, who has been incarcerated for 25 years for insolvency.
◊“The Mighty Boosh” (midnight on Comedy Central): This new British comedy follows wannabe glam rocker Vince Noir and jazz aficionado Howard Moon, who are in a band and living alongside a freelance shaman and talking gorilla.
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment “Kilauea: Mountain of Fire,” filmmaker Paul Atkins witnesses the cataclysmic meeting of 2000 degree lava and 75 degree ocean water in Hawaii. The latest eruption of Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, began in 1983, and it hasn’t stopped since, creating 544 acres of new land and cosuming 200 homes.
◊“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” (7 p.m. on HBO): Grammy winner Jill Scott stars as
Precious Ramotswe, the sensible and wise proprietor of the only female-owned detective agency in Botswana. The new series is based on Alexander McCall Smith’s mystery novels and was filmed in Botswana.
◊“Predator X” (7 p.m. on History): This new special unveils the discovery of one of the largest ocean predatorsd ever found. Just 800 miles from the North Pole, a team of paleontologists unearthed the fossilized remains of a Jurassic-Age Pliosaur estimated at 50 feet long, 45 tons and 150 million years old.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel, 66 on Cox Cable, 214 on Dish Network, 362 on DirecTV): Storm reporter Lanny Dean and police officer Tim Buckman find themselves on the open road during the Greensburg tornado on May 4, 2007. For both men, spotting severe weather is part of the job, but the job that day involved dodging an EF-5 tornado packing 200-mile-an-hour winds.
◊“Thrillbillies” (7 p.m. on Fuel TV, 265 on Cox Digital Cable, 618 on DirecTV): This new action comedy series follows a group of redneck friends who are on a journey for the ultimate thrill.
MONDAY, MARCH 30
◊“Atom TV” (1:30 a.m. on Comedy Central): Returning for a second season is this comedy show featuring a selection of random and hilarious web videos, each one of them developed or handpicked by the network.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): When Chuck expresses his feelings about his complicated relationship with Sarah, a heartless female agent (Tricia Helfer, “Battlestar Galactica”) is sent to evaluate Sarah’s performance as Chuck’s handler.
◊“Greek” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): A secret sorority spy and a new freshman (Jesse McCartney, “Summerland”) stir up some trouble as classes resume at Cyprus-Rhodes University.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Now that Nathan’s ability has been revealed and he has lost control of his operation, he and Claire go into hiding in Mexico. With Emile Danko (Zeljko Ivanek, “Damages”) now in control of the government operation, his plan to destroy everyone with abilities is set into motion.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): Mos Def (“Be Kind Rewind”) guest stars as a man injured in a bicicyle accident who is unable to move or communicate verbally. The episode was shot predominantly from the patient’s perspective.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): Allison dreams about a game show that detects whether or not you’re telling the truth, and when she awakes a game show buzzer goes off in her head whenever someone lies to her. Her newly acquired talent becomes very useful during the murder investigation of a young couple. Mark Steines (“Entertainment Tonight”) guest stars.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:31 p.m. on CBS): After getting invited to a much cooler party, Jeff and Audrey lie to Jennifer and Adam to get out of a dinner they are hosting. At the party, Russell hits on the girlfriend of Jerry Rice (former NFL wide receiver).
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): While investigating the murder of a jogger, Grace worries for her nephew when his father starts dating again. Emmy winner Kathy Baker (“Picket Fences”) guest stars.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Warren Beatty was born on this day in 1937, and TCM will celebrate by airing five of his films, including 1978’s “Heaven Can Wait” (7 p.m.) and 1974’s “Parallax” (11 p.m.).
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Charlie joins Alan, Herb and his next door neighbor (Michael Clarke Duncan, “The Green Mile”) in a night of alcohol-fueled reminiscences after Chelsea finds nude pictures of another woman on Charlie’s phone.
TUESDAY, MARCH 31
◊“100 Greatest One Hit Wonders Of The ‘80’s” (9 p.m. today through Friday on VH1): Judah Freidlander (“30 Rock”) hosts this five-part special that revisits the era that brought songs that we can’t get out of our head. The special features new interviews with some of the 1980’s top one-hit wonders, including Stacey Q, Animotion, Musical Youth, Frank Stallone, The Mary Jane Girls, Nu Shooz, Thomas Dolby, Kajagoogoo, Bow Wow Wow, Toni Basil and A Flock of Seagulls.
◊“According to Jim” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): When Jim realizes that Cheryl has taken a strong interest in yoga with a male instructor she raves about, he joins her class to find out what the hype is all about. Penny Marshall (“Laverne & Shirley”) directed the episode.
◊“Bad Girls Club Reunion” (8 p.m. on Oxygen): All eight bad girls reunite for one final fling in this special hosted by gossip blogger Perez Hilton (www.perezhilton.com). Hilton does his best to referee as tempers flare and gummy bears fly when the girls rehash all their disagreements.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The contestants get a blast from the past this week with visits by Season 5 winner Ali Vincent and Season 6 winner Michelle Aguilar, both filling in as host while Alison Sweeney is on maternity leave. The contestants are also surprised by the arrival of some old friends, whose return promises to shake up the competition.
◊“Cupid” (9 p.m. on ABC): This new romantic dramedy stars Bobby Cannavale (“Will & Grace”) as Trevor Pierce, a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love, Cupid, sent to earth to bring 100 couples together before he is allowed to return to Mt. Olympus.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): As the economy continues to spiral and a new administration promises to deliver comprehensive health care reform, “Frontline” correspondent T.R. Reid investigates the failures and future of the private insurance industry.
◊“My Boys” (9:30 p.m. on TBS): Get ready for a third round of good friends and good times. When the new season opens, P.J. will land her own newspaper column while also starting a new relationship that could finally prove to be “the one.”
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): Gibbs and the team must work with the shady CIA agent Trent Kort to put away one of NCIS’s most wanted. Christian Clemenson (“Boston Legal”) guest stars.
◊“Osbournes: Reloaded” (8:20 p.m. on Fox): This new series starring Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly Osbourne will feature audience interaction, rowdy comedy and hilarious stunts that will shock and amuse. The show will also venture off-stage with recurring segments including “Osbourne in the USA,” where members of the family go to work in places such as a fast-food drive-thru; and “Osbournes Meet the Osbournes,” where the family goes cross-country and lives with other Osbourne families.
◊“Pretty Wicked” (9 p.m. on Oxygen): DariDee English (“America’s Next Top Model” Season 7 winner) hosts this new series in which 10 divas put their looks aside and compete to see who is the most beautiful on the inside for a grand prize of $50,000.
◊“Trust Me” (8 p.m. on TNT): When Cochrane’s group is allowed to join in the pitch for a beer account that Sarah brought into the advertising agency, Tony’s temper sends him into an uncontrollable spin. Donna Murphy (“Hack”) guest stars.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
◊“Babar” (2:30 p.m. on ION): The animated series starring the internationally renowned elephant king returns to television, premiering first on ION and then airing Saturday morning on NBC. In this new episode, Alexander learns a hard lesson about responsibility when he lets his rowing team down.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team must profile a self-confessed serial killer who turns himself in but sends them on a massive manhunt to find his latest victims before it is too late. Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”), Ali Landry (“Eve”) and Nicholas Brendon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) guest star.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): The murder of a corporate “fixer” takes the CSIs into the disparate worlds of political corruption, personal betrayal and silicone dolls. Mykelti Williamson (“Forrest Gump”) guest stars as Chief of Detectives Brigham Sinclair.
◊“Ethanol Maze” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): This special tracks a corn growing season with a Nebraska farmer who hopes the push toward more biofuel production will boost corn prices. It also takes a look at alternative fuels research at the Argonne National Laboratory outside Chicago.
◊“The Final Inch” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This Oscar-nominated documentary chronicles the work, spirit and resilience of the millions of frontline workers in the Indian polio eradication program. More than 465,000 health workers go door-to-door every six to eight weeks, vaccinating more than 58 million children under age five, overcoming physical, logistical and sometimes cultural barriers to ensure every child takes the oral polio vaccine.
◊“I Get That a Lot” (7 p.m. on CBS): Celebrate April Fool’s Day with this new special featuring celebrities working ordinary jobs and confusing customers. Celebrity participants include Jessica Simpson (“The Dukes of Hazzard”) working at a computer repair store; Heidi Klum (“Project Runway”) working the counter at a pizza place; Jeff Probst (“Survivor”) running a cashier at a grocery store; Ice-T (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) posing as an athletic shoe salesman; LeAnn Rimes (“Northern Lights”) taking food orders at a Nashville diner; and Mario Lopez (“Extra”) selling hot dogs in New York’s Central Park.
◊“Jerusalem: Center of the World” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This new documentary delved into the historical facts and religious beliefs that have led so many thousands to live and die for this city.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): In the series finale, Sam Tyler’s past, present and future all confront him when he receives a phone call with instructions on how he can return to 2008. All he needs to do is complete three tasks, but a dizzying set of circumstances inside and out of the 1-2-5 makes him think twice.
◊“Rate My Space With Angelo Surmelis” (7:30 p.m. on HGTV): Host Angelo Surmelis returns with a third season of his big-budget makeover series. The premiere episode features an updated craftsman family room.
◊“Reno 911!” (9:30 p.m. on Comedy Central): Two new cops join the squad for Season 6. Sergeant Jack Delan (Ian Roberts) is a macho, by-the-book cop while Deputy Franky Rizzo (Jo Lo Truglio) is a big city cop who doesn’t play by the rules.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Lon Chaney was born on this day in 1883, and TCM will celebrate by airing three of his films: 1923’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame” (5 a.m.), 1925’s “The Phantom of the Opera” (7 a.m.) and 1926’s “Tell It to the Marines” (8:45 a.m.).
◊“Washington Journal” (5:50 a.m. on C-SPAN): Starting today, the top 27 videos in the 2009 StudentCam competition will air — one each day — followed by an interview with the winning students. Three of the winners are Jenks High School juniors. Sheema Golbaba took second place for her video “The U.S. and Iran: Force or Diplomacy?”, while Kenzie Clark and Alexia Dickey placed third with their documentary “Crossing New Borders.”
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): The half-eaten body of Cam’s former fiancee is found in the tiger cage at the zoo, and Booth and Brennan determine the death was no accident. Chad Lowe (“24”) guest stars.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): In the show’s 200th episode directed by William Friedkin (“The Exorcist”), Langston is shocked when his former student is found murdered and becomes the focus of a CSI investigation into the world of Mexican wrestling.
◊“Eleventh Hour” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): When a psychotic woman accuses the Deputy Director of the FBI of stealing her baby and keeping her forcibly medicated as part of a cover up, Dr. Hood is the only one who believes she may be telling the truth. Helen Slater (“Supergirl”) and Melissa Sagemiller (“Sleeper Cell”) guest star.
◊“The Entrepreneurs” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Anchored by CNBC’s Donny Deutsch, this installment features celebrity chef Rick Bayless from Oklahoma City and his business partner Manuel Valdez, who turned a love of Mexican food into the multi-million dollar Frontera Foods empire with a highly popular line of authentic Mexican food products, a hit TV show on PBS, and a series of best selling cookbooks.
◊“ER” (8 p.m. on NBC): In the two-hour series finale, Gates works on a teenager with serious alcohol problems following a dangerous drinking game with friends. Old friends from County General show up to lend their support as Dr. Carter (former cast member Noah Wyle) opens a medical facility for the underprivileged in Chicago. Alexis Bledel (“Gilmore Girls”) and Ernest Borgnine (“From Here to Eternity”) guest star.
◊“ER Retrospective” (7 p.m. on NBC): As television’s most Emmy-nominated series comes to a close, this hourlong retrospective takes a look back at the past 15 seasons at County General’s ER. Clips from some of the most memorable episodes will be featured along with interviews with many of the past and present stars of “ER.”
◊“Free Radio” (10 p.m. on VH1): This series, back for a second season, chronicles the story of Lance, a fictitious radio show intern (Lance Krall, “The Joe Schmo Show”) who fills in as host of the popular L.A. morning show, “Moron in the Morning,” after the original host defects to satellite radio.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Meredith, Cristina and Bailey come to Lexie and Sadie’s rescue when a routine surgery goes horribly wrong. Melissa George (“In Treatment”) guest stars.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Alec Guinness was born on this day in 1914, and TCM will celebrate by airing six of his films, including 1969’s “Our Man in Havana” (10:15 a.m.) and 1970’s “Cromwell” (4:15 pm.).
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
◊“Bang for Your Buck” (8:30 p.m. on HGTV): This new series will help homeowners find concrete answers to ensure a return on their remodeling investments. Each week, viewers will see how three different homeowners – all living in the same city – renovated the same room of their house for the same amount of money. Designers Monica Pedersen, Sabrina Soto, Lisa LaPorta and Lytel Young will help determine which homeowner has earned the most “bang for their buck.”
◊“Escape to Chimp Eden” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): South African chimpanzee rescuer Eugene Cussons returns for a second season, and cameras follow him to Angola and Sudan to liberate chimps locked within crates, tethered by a chain and inappropriately raised as human children.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): Melinda reconnects with some high school classmates after one of them dies mysteriously.
Rachael Leigh Cook (“She’s All That”) as one of Melinda’s former high school friends.
◊“Mistresses” (8 p.m. on BBC America): As the series begins Season 2, twelve months have elapsed and fans find the friends in various states of joy and pain. Struggling to learn from their past mistakes, Katie, Trudi, Siobhan and Jessica face new dilemmas, though the root of their problems remains the same – men and sex.
◊“NUMB3RS” (8 p.m. on CBS): When eight people, including two police officers, are executed in a coffee shop, a Los Angeles police detective gets the team on the case, and they uncover a trail of blackmail, romance and corruption. Jonathan Silverman (“The Single Guy”) guest stars.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): At a romance seminar for seniors led by Pepper McMasters (Marilu Henner, “The Celebrity Apprentice”), Constance is confronted by a lothario (Ed Begley Jr., “Gary Unmarried”) from her past.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Marlon Brando was born on this day in 1924, and TCM will celebrate by airing three of his films: 1960’s “The Fugitive Kind” (5 a.m.), 1954’s “On the Waterfront” (10:30 a.m.) and 1957’s “Sayonara” (12:30 p.m.).
◊“Yo Gabba Gabba!” (12:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Guest star Jack Black (“Tropic Thunder”) rides into Gabbaland on his mini-bike and runs out of gas. Lost and scared, Black meets each of the Gabba characters who become his friends and refuel the mini-bike so he can head home. Along the way he sings, dons DJ Lance’s orange jumpsuit and teaches the characters and the viewers at home a new Dancey Dance called the “Disco Roll.”
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
◊“5 Ingredient Fix” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): Host Claire Robinson proves delicious dishes only need five ingredients or less, which makes cooking easier, faster and irresistible.
◊“Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change” (6:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Queen Latifah (“Chicago”), John Mayer (Grammy winning musicain) and Elmo (“Sesame Street”) are featured in this new special that salutes the extraordinary courage and strength of military families and offers the general public a glimpse into what they often must endure.
◊“Cooking For Real” (11 a.m. on Food Network): This new series hosted by Sunny Anderson elevates the everyday meal by taking affordable, easy-to-find, easy-to-use ingredients and infusing them with diverse influences and rich flavor.
◊“Giada At Home” (noon on Food Network): In the Season 2 premiere, Giada De Laurentiis celebrates the arrival of spring with an Easter egg hunt and a meal that includes a crispy rack of lamb and lemon thyme bars.
◊“Love Takes Wing” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): When a fatal illness breaks out in a small mid-Western town, everyone must put aside their prejudices and trust in the skills of the town’s new doctor. Lou Diamond Phillips (“Wolf Lake”) directed and co-stars in the movie, which also features Cloris Leachman (“Malcolm in the Middle”), Sarah Jones (“Big Love”) and Haylie Duff (“Backwoods”).
◊“Nora Roberts’ High Noon” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Emilie de Ravin (“Lost”) plays a hostage negotiator who gets a nice break from her demanding job and her duties as a single mom when a handsome bar owner (Ivan Sergei, “Crossing Jordan”) begins to court her. But her life takes a turn for the worst when she is attacked by an unknown assailant and begins to receive a series of threatening messages.
◊“Special Agent Oso” (7 a.m. on Disney): Sean Astin (“Rudy”) provides the voice of Oso, a fuzzy, lovable, bumbling stuffed panda bear who is a special agent-in-training. This new animated series for preschoolers emphasizes discovery, humor and organizational skills.
16 TV Premieres and Finales airing
March 22-28
"The Penguins of Madagascar" (Nickelodeon Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of March 22.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“The Spectacular Spider-Man,” 6:30 p.m. Monday on Disney XD (network premiere).
••“Roomates,” 8 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (series premiere).
••“Sophie,” 8:30 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (series premiere).
••“Table For 12,” 9 p.m. Monday on TLC (series premiere).
••“Revealed,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Gospel Music Channel (series premiere).
••“American Idol Extra,” 6 p.m. Thursday on Fox Reality Channel (fourth-season premiere).
••“In the Motherhood,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC (series premiere).
••“The Penguins of Madagascar,” 8:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••“Camp Woodward,” 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Fuel TV (series finale).
••“Big Love,” 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO (third-season finale).
••“Eastbound & Down,” 9:30 p.m. Sunday on HBO (first-season finale).
••“The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (first-season finale).
••“Bad Girls Club,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Oxygen (third-season finale).
••“Real Vice Cops Uncut,” 10 p.m. Tuesday on SPIKE (second-season finale).
••“Little Miss Perfect,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Wetv (first-season finale).
••“Mistresses,” 8 p.m. Friday on BBC America (first-season finale).
Top 55 TV Programs for March 22-28, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 22:
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
◊“Big Love” (8 p.m. on HBO): In the third-season finale, Nicki’s web of secrets gets more tangled when a surprise visitor comes to see her at the compound.
◊“Camp Woodward” (7:30 p.m. on Fuel TV): This series, which followed three teenaged action sports athletes spending the summer at a sports training facility in Pennsylvania, ends its run. See what new tricks and life lessons Larry Schmidt and Cody Davis and BMXer Hunter Bagent take away from their camp experience.
◊“Cold Case” (8 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 dropping out of college and fully losing his grip on reality. Songs recorded by John Lennon are featured throughout the episode.
◊“The Color of Magic” (6 p.m. on ION): Based on the first two books in best-selling author Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, this four-hour miniseries follows the adventures of a wizardry student (David Jason, “Hogfather”) who guides a tourist (Sean Astin, “Rudy”) through a magical realm.
◊“Craig Ferguson: A Wee Bit O’ Revolution” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): “The Late, Late Show” host Craig Ferguson steps out from behind his desk for his first stand-up comedy special in which he speaks about his experiences in rehab and living life on the edge.
◊“Dateline” (6 p.m. on NBC): With exclusive accounts from insiders and whistleblowers speaking out for the first time, NBC News’ Chris Hansen reports on who knew what and when, and explains how risky home loans helped cause a chain reaction that led to failures on Wall Street and the near collapse of the American Economy.
◊“Eastbound & Down” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Kenny says goodbye to his life as a school teacher after scoring a big-league job offer in Miami.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The team travels to Tucson, Ariz., to rebuild the home for the family of a 14-year-old girl suffering from a life-threatening blood disease who has dedicated her life to spreading awareness about blood donations. Jo Frost (“Supernanny”) volunteers with Designer Eduardo Xol at one of the family’s blood drive events for collecting and redistributing toys for ill children in the community.
◊“Kings” (7 p.m. on NBC): Complications arise when Gath and Shiloh military officials gather to sign the much-anticipated peace treaty.David’s noticeable absence at the peace treaty signing is called into question by Gath’s leader, impeding the ceremony.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): A search and rescue operation is launched when a California family looking for a Christmas tree in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains gets lost when a snowstorm hits.
◊“The Unit” (9 p.m. on CBS): Series star Dennis Haysbert (Jonas) directed this episode in which the Unite fights to rescue Jonas’ old friend. But a broken helicopter gas tank and nearby guerillas impede their mission.
◊“Yellowstone” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new special follows the grey wolf, grizzly bear and herds of buffalo and antelope over the course of a year in one of the world’s most spectacular wildernesses.
MONDAY, MARCH 23
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck doesn’t know who to trust anymore when he finds the creator of the Intersect computer. Tony Hale (“Arrested Development”) guest stars.
◊“CMT Crossroads: Shooter Jennings and Jamey Johnson” (9 p.m. on CMT): Known for their outlaw ways and their tremendous songwriting, rocker Shooter Jennings and Grammy nominee Jamey Johnson come together for a concert special taped before an invitation only audience in Nashville earlier this month. The duo collaborate on Johnson’s “High Cost of Living,” “Between Jennings and Jones” and his Grammy-nominated single “In Color.” They also perform Jennings’ “God Bless Alabama” and a cover of his father, Waylon Jennings’ song, “Outlaw Bit.”
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): The identity of “Rebel” is revealed with chilling consequences. Swoosie Kurtz (“Pushing Daisies”) guest stars.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): Lucas and Julian hit a setback with the production of the film. Peyton and Haley help Mia with her new single. James Van Der Beek (“Dawson’s Creek”) guest stars.
◊“The Powder & the Glory” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Narrated by Jane Alexander, this one-hour presentation chronicles the lives and careers of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, two immigrant visionaries who started with next to nothing and transformed cosmetics into a necessity for all women.
◊“Roomates” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): Tamera Mowry (“Sister, Sister”) stars in this new comedy series that follows a group of friends in Manhattan trying to figure out love and life in their post-collegiate years.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): The death of a woman in the home of a well-known architect (Elias Koteas, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) opens Grace’s eyes to a new world. And Clay has a new friend (Malcolm David Kelley, “Lost”) who is also helping out at the police station.
◊“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In the first-season finale, Amy gives birth to her son as friends and family gather at the hospital to support the Juergens family. After hours of labor the baby is finally born, and a deliriously tired Amy and Ashley decide to name him together.
◊“Sophie” (8:30 p.m. on ABC Family): This new series follows Sophie Parker (Natalie Brown), who appears to have everything in order: a sweet boyfriend, a successful talent agency and good friends. But all at once, everything falls apart.
◊“The Spectacular Spider-Man” (6:30 p.m. on Disney XD): The network will welcome the animated series to its lineup with three back-to-back episodes from the show’s first season. The second season of the series, based on Marvel Entertainment’s popular Super Hero, will debut with all-new original episodes in Summer 2009.
◊“Table For 12″ (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series follows the Hayes family, previously seen on the TLC special “Twins, Twins, and Sextuplets.” Eric, a police officer, and Betty, a stay-at-home mom, raise a brood that consists of 12-year-old twin boys Kevin and Kyle, 10-year-old twins Kieran and Meghan, and 4-year-old sextuplets Tara, Rachel, Ryan, Connor, EJ and Rebecca, who has cerebral palsy and is extremely special to the family.
◊“Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): James travels to California to take a look at what is being hailed as the future of motoring — the hydrogen powered Honda Clarity. The star with the reasonably priced car segment features singer Tom Jones.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): The guys bump into Jake’s former teacher (Alicia Witt, Cybill”) who became a stripper after a fling with Charlie. Charlie tries to help her out by giving her a room and a job, but things spiral out of control.
TUESDAY, MARCH 24
◊“According to Jim” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Penny Marshall (“Laverne & Shirley”) directed this episode in which Jim realizes that Cheryl has taken a strong interest in yoga with a male instructor she raves about. Jim becomes jealous and tries to figure what the hype is all about by joining her class.
◊“Bad Girls Club” (9 p.m. on Oxygen): In the third-season finale, the girls return from Mexico for their final days in the house. But the days don’t end quietly when Amber M. admits that she has a problem with one of the roommate’s closets friends.
◊“Chuck Jones: Memories of Childhood” (7 p.m. on TCM): Oscar-winning filmmakers Peggy Stern and John Canemaker (‘‘The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation”) delve into the memories of Hollywood animator Chuck Jones, who created Daffy Duck, Pepe Le Pew and the Road Runner. The half-hour film also includes an interview with Jones and newly created animated segments.
◊“Cruise Inc: Big Money on the High Seas” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Get a look inside the $30 billion dollar cruise industry in this report from Correspondent Peter Greenberg, who spends seven days aboard the Norwegian Pearl, one of the newest in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. The 14-story floating city that sails the Caribbean has a full-service medical center, a state-of-the-art surveillance system and offers passengers everything from sushi-making to Bingo to Botox.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Interviews with leading fiscal experts and insiders in government finance illuminate this film, which investigates the causes, possible outcomes and potential solutions to America’s staggering $10 trillion debt.
◊“Nova: Extreme Ice” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This National Geographic special follows photojournalist James Balog to apline and arctic locations across the Northern Hemisphere to capture time-lapsed footage for his Extreme Ince Survey. His findings reveal massive glaciers and ice sheets splitting apart, collapsing and disappearing at a rate that has more and more scientists alarmed.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): During the search for a missing psychologist, the team discovers the victim’s brother was imprisoned for serial rape, which makes them question if his brother’s past is connected to the disappearance. Meanwhile, Martin’s relationship with Kim (Vanessa Marcil, “Las Vegas”) heats up.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
◊“Great Performances” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Ian McKellen (“Lord of the Rings”) gives a tour-de-force performance as Shapespeare’s tragic titular monarch in this special television adaptation of the Royal Shapespeare Company’s (RSC) production. This marks McKellen’s return to the RSC after a 17-year hiatus.
◊“Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): While investigating the murder of television reporter Dawn Prescott, detectives Lupo and Bernard discover that she was involved in a love triangle involving another reporter at the station.
◊“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the wake of a building collapse in a small town outside Washington, Lightman is brought in to determine who is at fault and winds up discovering a massive cover-up.
◊“Life” (8 p.m. on NBC): When a Los Angeles coroner is found murdered, his co-workers become prime suspects. Crews and Seever are under pressure to quickly solve the case, because if the killer is another coroner, countless murder cases could be compromised.
◊“Revealed” (7 p.m. on Gospel Music Channel): This new series takes viewers behind the scenes with gospel artists, who perform and share the stories behind the hits they have created. The first episode will feature Third Day with and in-depth look into the making of their album Revelation.
◊“Survivor: Tocantins” (7 pm. on CBS): This special Wednesday episode features a re-cap of what happened during the first 15 days in Tocantins, Brazil, and includes some never-before-seen footage.
◊“They Killed Sister Dorothy” (7 p.m. on HBO2): Martin Sheen (“The West Wing”) narrates this new documentary tells the story of a U.S. nun’s murder in the Brazilian rainforest and the trial that followed.
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
◊“American Idol Extra” (6 p.m. on Fox Reality Channel): Jillian Reynolds (“Good Day LA”) and Ace Young (Season 5 “American Idol ” finalist) co-host Season 4 of the series that gives viewers the first in-depth interview each week with the Top 10 Idol finalists, moments after their emotional elimination. Constantine Maroulis (Season 4 “American Idol” contender) returns as a special field correspondent.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): The half-eaten body of Cam’s former fiancee is found in the tiger cage at the zoo, and Booth and Brennan determine the death was no accident. Chad Lowe (“Life Goes On”) guest stars.
◊“ER” (9 p.m. on NBC): Many of the emergency room doctors and nurses help out at Camp Del Corazon, a camp for youngsters who have had open heart surgery. Tom Arnold (“Roseanne”) guest stars as the camp counselor.
◊“Hell’s Kitchen” (8 p.m. on Fox): During dinner service in a packed restaurant, tensions always run high. However, when a few celebrities (guest stars Eric McCormack and Robert Patrick) stop by for dinner the intensity really heats up.
◊“In the Motherhood” (7 p.m. on ABC): Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”) and Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) star in this new comedy that takes a look at the importance of family and friends while trying to juggle motherhood, work and love lives in an overly complicated modern world. It is based on a popular Web series of the same name.
◊“Private Practice” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): Cooper struggles with a patient’s mother, who is allowing her 12-year-old daughter to be sexually active. Josh Hopkins (“Swingtown”) and Amanda Detmer (“What About Brian”) guest star.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
◊“The Electric Company” (4 p.m. on OETA-13): With the help of her hypnotist uncle, Annie switches brains with Lisa. The Electric Company needs to find a way to switch them back before Annie ruins Lisa’s good name with her neighborhood pranks. Grammy award-winning musician Wyclef Jean guest stars.
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on NBC): Lyla is still reeling after discovering that her father gambled away her college fund after she has been accepted to the college of her dreams.
◊“The Game” (7:30 p.m. on CW): When the recently fired Tasha discovers that Kelly is still working at ISM, she accuses her friend of betrayal. Stacey Dash (“Clueless”) guest stars.
◊“Her Story” (7 p.m. on ESPN): Hannah Storm (“SportsCenter”) hosts this special that highlights up-and-coming athletes, as well as the issues they face. It includes interviews with Courtney and Ashley Paris, daughters of former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Bubba Paris, who will help the University Oklahoma contend for the NCAA women’s basketball title.
◊“Mistresses” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 1 finale, Trudi struggles with her shocking discovery about Paul, while Siobhan wrestles with her decision about keeping the baby.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): Fred Savage (“The Wonder Years”) directed this episode in which the catering team works the California College Conservative Union Caucus and anxiously awaits the arrival of keynote speaker Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
◊“Stargate: The Ark of Truth” (8 p.m. on SCI FI): This new movie starring “Stargate” series favorites Amanda Tapping, Beau Bridges, Ben Browder and Claudia Black, picks up after the “SG-1″ series finale. Searching for an ancient weapon which could help them defeat the sinister Ori force, SG-1 discovers it may be in the Ori’s own home galaxy and the crew finds themselves fighting two powerful enemies.
◊“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (7 p.m. on Fox): Fearing for her life, Sarah stashes John in a safe house with the only person she believes she can rely on, Charley Dixon (Dean Winters, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”).
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
◊The 22nd Annual Kids’ Choice Awards (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hosts this star-studded, slime-filled live telecast in which youngsters honor their favorites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television. Stars scheduled to appear include Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Michael Phelps, Rihanna, Will Smith, Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway and Reese Witherspoon.
◊“Nora Roberts’ Midnight Bayou” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Harvard-educated lawyer Declan Fitzpatrick (Jerry O’Connell, “Carpoolers”) gives up his comfortable life to buy a newly restored plantation manor near New Orleans. Legend has it the place is haunted, and shortly after Declan moves in, he starts hearing voices and seeing inexplicable apparations.
◊“The Penguins of Madagascar” (8:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new animated comedy series is based on the penguin brothers from the “Madagascar” movies. It features all-new adventures of Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private, who rule the roost at their Central Park Zoo home. Throughout the season, new animals will be introduced along with old friends from the “Madagascar” movies.
