TV Premieres and Finales airing June 21-27
"Make It or Break It" (ABC Family Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of June 21.
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
••“Just For Laughs,” 6 p.m. Sunday on ABC (third-season premiere).
••“Merlin,” 7 p.m. Sunday on NBC (series premiere).
••“The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (second-season premiere).
••“History Detectives,” 8 p.m. Monday on OETA-13 (seventh-season premiere).
••“Make It or Break It,” 8 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (series premiere).
••“Gimme Sugar: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on Logo (second-season premiere).
••“The Superstars,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (series premiere).
••“America’s Got Talent,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on NBC (fourth-season premiere).
••“The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Food Network (series premiere).
••“Bite Me With Dr. Mike,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Travel Channel (series premiere).
••“The Cleaner,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on A&E (second-season premiere).
••“Golf in America,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Golf Channel (series premiere).
••“NYC Prep,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Bravo (series premiere).
••“Primetime: Family Secrets,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (series premiere).
••“Gospel Dream,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Gospel Music Channel (fourth-season premiere).
••“The Philanthropist,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on NBC (series premiere).
••“Primetime: Crime,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on ABC (series premiere).
••“The Real World: Cancun,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on MTV (22nd-season premiere).
••“Penn & Teller: Bull…,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Showtime (seventh-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“HGTV $250,000 Challenge,” 9 p.m. Sunday on HGTV (first-season finale).
••“Women Behind Bars,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Wetv (first-season finale).
••“I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on NBC (second-second finale).
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
Top 55 TV Programs
for April 19-25, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which
includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of April 19:
SUNDAY, APRIL 19
◊“Cake Boss” (9 p.m. on TLC): After beginning a week completely jam-packed with cake orders, Buddy gets a call from a customer he cannot possibly turn down – a photo spread in Brides Magazine. But last minute changes mean Buddy has to crack the whip to make the deadline.
◊“The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler” (8 p.m. on CBS): Academy Award winner Anna Paquin (”The Piano”) stars in this fact-based drama as 2007 Nobel Peace Prize nominee Irena Sendler, who is credited with saving the lives of 2,500 Jewish children while she was working as a Polish Catholic social worker during World War II.
◊“Death of the Old West” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Just before sunrise on April 19, 1909, a mob of men — many believed to be community leaders in Ada — avenged the murder of a local rancher by lynching the four suspects in a livery stable behind the city jail. To mark the 100th anniversary of the event, this documentary examines the chain of events that preceded the hanging and the fallout that continues to stir emotions to this day.
◊“HGTV Green Home 2009″ (7 p.m. on HGTV): Craftsman Carter Oosterhouse (”Carter Can”) hosts this on-air tour of the eco-friendly home in Florida that is part of the second annual HGTV Green Home Giveaway grand prize package. In addition to the 2,430-square foot contemporary Spanish-style cottage, the winner will recive a new GMC Sierra Hybrid car.
◊“In Plain Sight” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Mary McCormack returns for Season 2 as Mary Shannon, a U.S. Marshal working in the highly specialized branch of the witness protection program (WITSEC), who relocates Federal Witnesses – many of them career criminals and many others, just the innocents who have had the misfortune of witnessing a crime.
◊“Knights of Bloodsteel” (8 p.m. on SCI FI): David James Elliott (”JAG”), Natassia Malthe (”Elektra”) and Christopher Lloyd (”Taxi”) star in this four-hour, two-night movie event set against the backdrop of knights, sorcerers and dragons where heroes battle the forces of darkness. It concludes at 8 p.m. Monday.
◊“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (8 p.m. on USA Network): The stepdaughter of a powerful city councilman narrowly escapes death when her boyfriend is killed in what appears to be a drug-related shooting, but Detectives Goren and Eames soon discover the victim had been planning to blackmail the politician. Kathy Baker “Boston Public”) guest stars.
◊“Miss USA 2009″ (6 p.m. on NBC): Billy Bush (”Access Hollywood”) and Nadine Velazquez (”My Name Is Earl”) co-host the event live from Las Vegas. Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Representing Oklahoma is Lauren Lundy.
◊“My Fake Fiance” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Melissa Joan Hart (”Sabrina the Teenage Witch”) and Joey Lawrence (”Dancing With the Stars”) star in this new romantic comedy about two people who can’t stand each but decide to get married for the money and gifts. Just as true love never runs smoothly, neither does true distain and despite their mutual commitment to fraud, these two unlikely partners begin to soften towards each other.
◊“Natalee Holloway” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Teenager Natalee Holloway vanished in 2005 while visting Aruba on a senior class trip. This new movie focuses on Natalee’s mom, Beth Twitty, and her work to solve the mystery that shattered her family’s life. It is based on Twitty’s book “Loving Natalee: A Mother’s Testament of Hope and Faith.”
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA): In the new installment titled “The Loneliest Animals,” scientists attempt to breed new generations of nearly extinct species, such as Yangtze turtles and Spix macaws.
◊“Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): Cameras follow law professor Robert Blecker, one of America’s most impassioned crusaders for capital punishment, to Riverbend Maximum Security Institution outside of Nashville. There he meets Daryl Holton, who, in 1997, methodically lined up his four children in an auto shop and shot them to death. Sentenced to death, Holton has declined to file any of his permitted appeals as he prepares to die.
◊“Rock of Love Bus With Bret Michaels Reunion Special” (8 p.m. on VH1): Find out what’s happening in the lives of the women since their wild ride on the show. Will old feuds resurface? Has Bret’s search for love finally ended? Tune in to find out.
◊“Running in Heels” (7 p.m. on Style Network): As winter hits its peak, Joanna announces that they will be doing a Mexico shoot. But who among the staff at Marie Claire magazine will be chosen to go?
◊“Sit Down, Shut Up” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): The new animated comedy focuses on the dysfunctional faculty and staff at a high school in a small Florida fishing town as they strive to do anything but teach. The voice talent for the series includes Will Arnett (“Arrested Development”), Jason Bateman (”Arrested Development”), Kristin Chenoweth (”Pushing Daisies”), Will Forte (“Saturday Night Live”), Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”), Nick Kroll (“Caveman”), Cheri Oteri (”Saturday Night Live”) and Henry Winkler (”Happy Days”).
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): A combination of weather events in the Canadian Rocky Mountains created a weak snow base that lead to a number of fatal avalanches, the 2nd deadliest in Canadian history, on December 28, 2008. Sixteen men in total were killed, including one of the four mean on the rescue team. In an unbelievable story of survival, the three survivors make a heart wrenching decision to leave their buried friends until the danger of further avalanches is passed.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas A&M in college softball action airing live at noon on ESPN.
MONDAY, APRIL 20
◊“American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Part two of “We Shall Remain” focuses on Shawnee warrior Tecumseh and his brother, the prophet Tenskwatawa, who organized an ambitious pan-Indian resistance movement.
◊“Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed” (8 p.m. on My Network TV): The Masked Magician reveals the secrets behind how to make a playing card pass through a glass windor and how to survive underwater while holding your breath for 18 minutes.
◊“Cash Cab” (5:30 p.m. on Discovery): Host Ben Bailey is is back for a fourth season of picking up unsuspecting contestants on the streets of New York City and giving them a chance to win big money on the way to their destination. New this season, random contestants are given the opportunity to double their winnings in the “double ride” portion of the show.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): When Chuck and Sarah go AWOL to rescue Chuck’s father, they discover that spending time together without any surveillance allows for unchartered chemistry. Tony Hale (”Arrested Development”) and Chevy Chase (”Saturday Night Live”) guest star.
◊“For the Love of Ray J” (9 p.m. on VH1): Fourteen women started out vying for the heart of singer Ray J. But after many romantic dates and intense challenges, Ray must now decide if he is ready to settle down with one of the remaining three.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Sylar continues his unusual partnership and begins to have an unexpected identity crisis. Clint Howard (“Frost/Nixon”) guest stars.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): After Stella and Ted make the spontaneous decision to get married in three days, the presence of their exes destroys what was to be the “happiest day of their lives.” Sarah Chalke (”Scrubs”) guest stars.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): Victoria (Daphne Zuniga, “Beautiful People”) returns to lure Brooke back to Clothes Over Bro’s.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:31 p.m. on CBS): Jeff invites Audrey to watch him play softball, hoping to show her that he’s not an old fogy after he falls asleep while watching a movie. Orlando Jones (”MADtv”) guest stars.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Harold Lloyd was born on this day in 1893, and TCM celebrates by airing eight of his films, including 1920’s “High and Dizzy (5 a.m.) and 1932’s “Movie Crazy” (10:30 a.m.).
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
◊“The 12th annual Interactive Achievement Awards” (7 p.m. on IFC): Jay Mohr (”Gary Unmarried”) hosts the event that was taped Feb. 19 and recognizes the year’s best games, computer games, online entertainment, outstanding individuals and groundbreaking development teams. The big winner was LittleBigPlanet (Sony Computer Entertainment America) which won eight awards.
◊“90210” (8 p.m. on CW): Series star Rob Estes (Harry Wilson) directed this episode in which Donna (Tori Spelling, “Beverly Hills, 90210”) reveals details of her separation to Kelly (Jennie Garth, “Beverly Hills, 90210”), and the two search for locations so Donna can open a clothing store in Beverly Hills.
◊“Build It Bigger” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): Costing more than $1.1 billion, the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium will be the largest sports complex ever constructed in the United States. It covers 73 acres and features 80,000 seats, the largest operable glass door in the world and two 180 foot long HD video screens.
◊“Carbon Cops” (8:30 p.m. on Sundance): The reality-style show follows six families as they are led through a fascinating step-by-step process of auditing their current use of energy in order to lessen their carbon footprint and the effects of global warming on the planet.
◊“Eco-Trip: The Real Cost of Living” (8 p.m. on Sundance): Eco-adventurer David de Rothschild hosts this series that traces the eco-life of an everyday item (chocolate, light bulb, cell phone, etc.) from production to disposal, revealing the environmental, social and health effects along the way. Each episode leads to a world of greener alternatives presented by de Rothschild.
◊“Fringe” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): As a suicide incident occurs at New York’s Grand Central station, Agent Dunham simultaneously witnesses the event while asleep and dreaming in Boston. The episode was written and directed by Oscar winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind”).
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment titled “Poisoned Waters,” correspondent Hedrick Smith examines the rising hazards to human health and the ecosystem, and why it is so hard to keep our waters clean.
◊“Life After People: The Series” (9 p.m. on History): This series picks up where the network’s January 2008 special left off. It will reveal the fate of the complex structures we’ve built, the creatures that take our place and the history we leave behind.
◊“The Phone” (9 p.m. on MTV): Justin Timberlake is an executive producer for this new competitive reality series in which players receive a phone call invitation to participate in a movie-like drama. If they accept, they become part of one of two teams confronted by a series of mental and physical challenges for a chance to win up to $50,000.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Anthony Quinn was born on this day in 1915, and TCM celebrates by airing six of his films, including 1955’s “The Naked Street” (8 a.m.) and 1962’s “Requiem for a Heavyweight” (5 p.m.).
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
◊“As Seen on TV” (8 p.m. on CNBC): CNBC correspondent Darren Rovell takes a look at the world of infomercials. He speaks to the pitch people and the inventors and executives who produced the greatest products. He also shows viewers how the infomercial world works and explores various products and their claims.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): A man falls 52 stories to his death, and his body goes missing after it hits the ground. With no body to process, the CSIs must treat this strange development as a missing persons case. Craig T. Nelson (‘‘Coach”) and Thad Luckinbill (‘‘The Young and the Restless”) guest star.
◊“Dress My Nest” (10 p.m. on Style Network): Interior design guru Thom Filicia rescues desperate homeowners from their drab, unstylish and out-of-touch décor in Season 4. No project is too big, as Thom rolls up his sleeves to help roommates, single mothers, couples and even Audrina Patridge (”The Hills”) overcome daunting design challenges.
◊“Ghost Hunters” (8 p.m. on SCI FI): Jason and Grant have enlisted the crew from “Ghost Hunters International” to investigate unexplained activity on their newly purchased property in Whitefield, N.H.
◊“Jean Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Chris Noth (”Sex and the City”) narrates this new two-hour installment titled “Call of the Killer Whale.” Jean-Michel Cousteau and his team examine the social connections between humans and Killer Whales. Included is footage from the two-and-a-half year ordeal Cousteau oversaw to rehabilitate and release the “Free Willy” whale into the wild.
◊“Law & Order” (7 p.m. on NBC): The murder of a plaintiff in a high profile lawsuit with a major airline leads detectives to a lawyer who will do anything to protect his big payday. Mercedes Ruehl (“Loving Leah”) guest stars.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m. on NBC): A young girl is kidnapped and Det. Elliot Stabler must work with an ex-convict (Ron Eldard, “Blind Justice”) to get her back.
◊“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): Jennifer Beals (“The L Word”) guest stars as Asst. U.S. Attorney Zoe Landau, Lightman’s ex-wife and Emily’s mother. When she enlists Lightman to help investigate an arson case in which the only eyewitness is a 5-year-old boy, it becomes clear that she and Lightman still have feelings for each other.
◊“Lost: The Story of the Oceanic 6″ (8 p.m. on ABC): This special will explore what happened to the Oceanic 6 and the remaining island survivors during the three years after Ben moved the island.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Ex-husband Richard joins Christine on a dinner date with her new boyfriend, Patrick (Tim DeKay, ‘‘Tell Me You Love Me”).
◊“Scrubs” (7 p.m. on ABC): As J.D. plans to move closer to Sam, he reaches out to make peace with Kim (Elizabeth Banks, “W.”) and finds that she has a new boyfriend (Scott Foley, “The Unit”).
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
◊The 11th Annual Billboard Latin Music Awards (7 p.m. on Telemundo): Aylin Mujica and Alan Tacher will co-host the event live from Coral Gables, Florida. Flex is up for 13 awards, while Enrique Iglesias is a finalist in 10 categories.
◊The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards (7 p.m. on Gospel Music Channel): Artists from every style of gospel and Christian music come together for a night of music and celebration. Nominees for artist of the year are Casting Crowns, Steve Curtis Chapman, Fireflight, Marvin Sapp, Third Day, Toby Mac and Chris Tomlin.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Catherine revisits one of the very first cases she worked as a CSI when the convicted felon in the murder (Henry Thomas, “ET”) claims the verdict was based on faulty evidence.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): As she endures aggressive treatment for her cancer, Izzie throws herself into planning Derek and Meredith’s wedding. Hector Elizondo (”Pretty Woman”) and Amy Madigan (”Carnivale”) guest star.
◊“The Millionaire Matchmaker” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Patty Stanger searches for a match for Farrah, former member of Destiny’s Child, who has been hurt in previous relationships and is very guarded in her dating life.
◊“The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Michael’s new company struggles to make early morning deliveries while the office tries to get their expense reports in on time after Angela enforces Dunder Mifflin’s policy. Idris Elba (”The Wire”) guest stars.
◊“Private Practice” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): When a pregnant woman starts to show signs of heart complications, Addison rushes her St. Ambrose where Noah is standing by to help. Josh Hopkins (”Swingtown”) and Idina Menzel (”Rent”) guest star.
◊“Samantha Who?” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Sam wants to give Todd a fresh start and offers to go on a “first date” with him. But Todd doesn’t trust her boss, billionaire Winston Funk (Billy Zane, “Titanic”), who continues his relentless quest to get “new” Sam to continue the affair they had before her accident.
◊“Southland” (9 p.m. on NBC): When officer Ben Sherman reveals details of his past to the department therapist and his training officer, John Cooper, the motivation behind his decision to be a cop becomes clear. C. Thomas Howell (“A Gunfighter’s Pledge”) and Tom Sizemore (“Crash”) guest star.
◊“Trouble the Water” (7:30 p.m. on HBO): Equipped with meager supplies and a camcorder, aspiring rap star Kimberly Roberts and her husband, Scott, filmed this documentary when they and their 9th Ward neighbors became trapped in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
◊“The Game” (7:30 p.m. on CW): Malik meets his half-sister (Lisa Tucker, “American Idol”) and sees an unmistakably familiar tattoo on her lower back, causing him to wonder whether they slept together before they knew they were related.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): A soap opera “remote” shoot descends on Grandview, and Melinda unearths a story as soapy as the show it’s disrupting. Thad Luckinbill (”The Young and the Restless”) and Kellie Martin (”Life Goes On”) guest star.
◊“Hatching Pete” (7 p.m. on Disney): Pete Ivey (Jason Dolley, “Cory in the House”) is a quiet 16-year-old who must stand in for his outgoing best friend Cleatus Poole (Mitchel Musso, “Hannah Montana”) when Cleatus cannot complete his duties as their high school mascot, a chicken. The chicken mascot, with Pete anonymously behind the mask, soon becomes the main attraction at school.
◊“Iron Man: Armored Adventures” (6 p.m. on Nicktoons): This new series based on Marvel’s armored Super Hero follows a teenage Tony Stark as he attempts to balance the pressures of being a teen with his responsibilities as Iron Man. The rock band Rooney performs the show’s original theme song.
◊“Mighty Jungle” (4:30 p.m. on Sprout): This new live-action puppet series follows the adventures of three jungle friends — a meerkat named Babu, a gorilla named Bruce and a rhino named Rhonda. The silly situations that the friends find themselves in, the fantastical characters that they come into contact with and the mayhem that ensues are created or inspired by real kids.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When the FBI is called in to investigate a series of home invasions, the team uses Charlie and his math skills to help profile the suspects. But when his calculations go awry during a raid, Don suffers a life-threatening injury. Alan Blumenfeld (”Heroes”) and Michael Gaston (”Fringe”) guest star.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): Constance and Casey try to console the daughter of an angry Hollywood mogul (J.K. Simmons, ‘‘The Closer”) when only nerds show up for her birthday party.
◊“Return to Tarawa” (9 p.m. on Military Channel): Ed Harris (“Pollock”) narrates this special that documents World War II veteran Leon Cooper’s mission to preserve the hallowed ground at Red Beach on Tarawa Island. The battle at Tarawa was the U.S. Navy’s first major amphibious assault and more than 1,600 American servicemen died.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Shirley MacLaine was born on this day in 1934, and TCM celebrates by airing four of her films, including 1963’s “Irma La Douce” (10:30 a.m.) and 1961’s “The Children’s Hour” (5 p.m.).
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
◊2009 Nadia Comaneci International Invitational (noon on KFOR-4): Olympic champion Sandra Izbasa from Romania headlines the list of international elite gymnasts representing eighth countries and competing for team, all-around and individual honors at the event held in Oklahoma City. Calling the action are Bart Conner (1984 Olympic gold medalist) and Nastia Liukin (2008 Olympic gold medalist). The hourlong highlight show also includes a profile of Nadia Comaneci (1976 and 1980 Olympic gold medalist).
◊“Ashes to Ashes” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 1 finale, Alex reaches the day her parents were killed and believes that if she can prevent that fatal car bombing, she can escape her exile into 1981 and return to her daughter in 2008.
◊“Chasing a Dream” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): When a high school athlete’s dream is cut short, his best friend (Andrew Lawrence, “Oliver Beene”) throws himself into training for the race of his life. Treat Williams (”Everwood”) and Joanna Going (”Close to Home”) also star.
◊“I Want to Save Your Life” (9 p.m. on WEtv): In this new intervention series, nutrition and public health advocate Charles Stuart Platkin follows unsuspecting subjects on their daily routines to identify their negative patterns.
–Penny TV
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.
