“Glamour Belles” debuts April 6 on Lifetime
Brooke, Stephanie, Jared, Paige, JoAnn and Nikki star in the new Lifetime reality series "Glamour Belles." Lifetime Photo by Katherine Bomboy
New reality series “Glamour Belles” will premiere the first of its six half-hour episodes at 9 p.m. April 6 on Lifetime Television.
“Glamour Belles” is centered on Union City, Tenn. pageant gown shop Joann’s Gowns, where its employees assist girls from throughout the country hoping to to buy the perfect dress that will help lead them to the biggest pageant crown, according to a news release.
Leading in this assistance is store owner Paige Burcham Carlton. She is joined by store manager Jared Hamlin, assistant manager Nikki Williams, salesgirl Brooke Beachum, seamstress Stephanie Sergerson, and the shop’s original owner JoAnn Burcham, Paige’s mother.
Magilla Entertainment is producer of the series, with Matt Ostrom, Brian Flanagan and Laura Palumbo Johnson serving as executive producers.
Lifetime to introduce reality series “Coming Home” March 6
"Coming Home" premieres at 9 p.m. March 6 on Lifetime Television - Photo Courtesy of RelativityREAL
Lifetime Television is set to premiere the all-new reality series “Coming Home,” featuring U.S. soldiers’ surprise family reunions across the country after serving long tours of duty on behalf of the country, at 9 p.m. March 6.
Paying tribute to American armed forces personnel and their families, “Coming Home” will follow the surprise reunions of soldiers from all five branches of the military with their spouses, children, parents and other loved ones as they return home from active duty throughout the world, according to a news release,
Former “American Idol” finalist Matt Rogers will serve as host of the series’ 13 hour-long episodes, with each show featuring five reunions.
“Coming Home” is produced by RelativityREAL, LLC with Tom Forman and Star Price serving as executive producers.
Garth Brooks’ song “Unanswered Prayers” converts well into Lifetime movie
Eric Close and Samantha Mathis in "Unanswered Prayers" - Lifetime Photo by Kent Eanes
If you’re familiar with Oklahoma country star Garth Brooks’ song “Unanswered Prayers,” you’ll already know the basic plot line of the new Lifetime movie based on the tune.
The movie “Unanswered Prayers” is the story of Ben Beck (Eric Close), who is happily married to Lorrie (Samantha Mathis) and he has a good life running a family business with her and raising their teenage son Jesse (Tony Oller ).
However, Ben’s high school sweetheart Ava Andersson (Mädchen Amick) comes back into town, divorced and lonely, and memories of younger days and dreams return.
Ben is faced with deciding whether he still wants to try and make those dreams he once had come true with Ava, or realizing that the love and family he has now make him happier than he ever could’ve hoped for.
Close, Mathis and Amick make their roles believable without going over the melodramatic edge, as well as drawing sympathy for each character in their own way.
Though in a smaller part, Patty Duke also gives solid support as Lorrie’s mother Irene.
The message of the song “Unanswered Prayers,” written by Garth Brooks, Pat Alger and Larry Bastian, has been translated well into this Lifetime movie.
Brooks also served as an executive producer on the film.
“Unanswered Prayers,” premieres at 8 p.m. Monday on Lifetime.
Read about Brandy McDonnell’s interview with executive producer Garth Brooks in The Oklahoman Sunday and more from co-star Patty Duke in The Oklahoman on Monday.
Both stories will be online at NewsOK.com, and/or you can go to Brandy’s blog directly for her article at blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Mädchen Amick and Eric Close in "Unanswered Prayers" - Lifetime Photo by Anthony Platt
Lifetime’s “One Angry Juror” a satisfying story
Jessica Capshaw in "One Angry Juror." - Lifetime Photo by Katie Yu
Jessica Capshaw stars in the Lifetime movie “One Angry Juror,” which is based on a true story about an attorney who fights for justice on behalf of a man accused of murder.
Not such an unusual story line, except there’s the little twist of Capshaw’s character, New Orleans lawyer Sarah Walsh, first serving as a juror in the trial of this defendant, Walter Byrd (Shomari Downer).
Walsh, not looking forward to jury duty, starts out apathetic towards Byrd, but then comes to believe he’s innocent and deadlocks the jury to secure a mistrial.
When the case is retried, she joins defense attorney Donald Burston (Jeremy Ratchford) and detective Derrick White (Michael Jai White) in an effort to prove Byrd’s innocence.
Walsh is usually a corporate attorney and there is the fish out of water element in this story because of her taking on such a different type of case, but it’s handled well for the most part, with her determination and sense of justice proving her sincerity in wanting to help her client.
Capshaw is completely authentic in this role without displaying over-the-top righteousness and Downer emits empathy for his character as he clings to the hope Walsh gives him for a chance at a better life.
“One Angry Juror” airs at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15 on Lifetime Television.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Kim Raver discusses her role in Lifetime movie “Bond of Silence
Kim Raver in "Bond of Silence" - Lifetime Photo
How do you forgive someone who’s responsible for bringing great tragedy into your life?
The answer to that question is what Kim Raver explores in the Lifetime Television movie “Bond of Silence.”
Raver, 41, who also stars on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” fielded questions via a phone conference recently to discuss her role and the movie, inspired by the true story of Katy Hutchison, whose husband was mysteriously killed while trying to calm a neighbor’s out-of-control New Year Eve’s party.
Q: What was it about the project that spoke to you and made you want to take up your vacation time doing it?
A: I love doing new projects. I was definitely looking for something that I found compelling enough to take away from vacation time, and I just thought, I’ve never done a real life story, and I thought it was really interesting.
I think the turning point for me was when I read her book, the director sent me …. and I thought, her, the way she handled this tragedy, I found interesting.
I think, you know, we all deal with certain things in our lives, and how she was able to turn it around, and I don’t know many people who are able to kind of go through something like that and then forgive and go on this whole sort of second journey …. She worked with the person who killed her husband afterwards to sort of tell her story … Her resilience with learning how and why this happened and then her ability to forgive was kind of a key factor for me.
Q: Did you get to work with Katy Hutchison a lot while making this movie?
A: She was very available … I think her book was one of the greatest assets for me, and when I needed her, there were some key things that I was able to discuss with her, but she was not on set every day, and I think that was a joint agreement.
Q: Why do you think people would want to take their time to tune in and watch this film?
A: Because I think it relates to a lot of people. I think it relates to kids. I think it relates to parents … and really everyone else.
We all deal with difficult moments in our lives, whether they’re in the past, or to come, or right now, and there’s this amazing element of how she gets through this tragedy and also how she gets through her community, because they kind of turn on her.
And, so dealing with conflict, … I think it’s a really kind of amazing story with what she went through, so I think it’s appealing to a big group of people.
Q: What message do you hope this movie delivers, especially to teenagers and their parents?
A: I don’t really think of it in terms of “what is this going to teach people?” … What I can say is what I got out of it.
It’s an incredible, illuminating vision of forgiveness and, also, an eye-opener. I have two children and … what a horrific thing can happen to a child’s life, I really consider him a child, they were like 17 years old. Because of the drugs and alcohol and the lack of communication about anger, one kid killed someone.
Maybe parents and kids who are watching it together will be having discussions about what’s going on at their school and what’s going on in their lives, and it’ll help parents and their kids talk, because I think having those discussions is what will help.
That’s what Katy was doing … trying to make sure that kids know that they’re not alone. Maybe that’s what people will take away from it.
“Bond of Silence,” co-starring Greg Grunberg, will air Monday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. on Lifetime.
– Melissa Hayer
Gabrielle Union to guest star on Lifetime’s “Army Wives”
Gabrielle Union, left, and Brigid Brannagh in "Army Wives." - Lifetime Television Photo
Gabrielle Union (“FlashForward”) will be a guest star on an episode of “Army Wives,” airing Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. on Lifetime.
In this show, Pamela (Brigid Brannagh) and her partner Clayton Boone (Lee Tergesen) happen upon a murder in Charleston, according to a news release.
This brings Atlanta police detective Gina Maddox (Union) to town to clear the prime suspect’s name and take her home to testify as a key witness for a case Maddox has been working.
“Army Wives” follows the lives of a diverse group of women (and one man) who live with their spouses and families on an active army post.
The series, in its fourth season, is filmed in Charleston, South Carolina and its stars include Brannagh, Kim Delaney, Sally Pressman, Brian McNamara and Catherine Bell.
“Drop Dead Diva” star Brooke Elliott fond of Oklahoma
Brooke Elliott of "Drop Dead Diva" - Lifetime Television Photo
When actress Brooke Elliott, star of Lifetime Television’s “Drop Dead Diva,” thinks of her time in Oklahoma, she thinks about a “jumpin’ little juke joint” in Stillwater.
Elliott took a few minutes out of her filming schedule recently to talk about the show and her Oklahoma ties via a phone interview.
“I love … Eskimo Joe’s. I have tons of Eskimo Joe’s clothes and cups in my house, ’cause I love Eskimo Joe’s,” Elliott said. “It’s a fond memory. I like that store and the whole gig.”
Elliott, 35, who was born in Minnesota, moved around a lot with her family when she was a child, and one of the family’s stops was Enid for about four years.
Now, she’s a star in a prime-time television series that airs at 8 p.m. Sundays. She still comes back to Oklahoma at Christmastime to visit her parents and sister, who live in the state.
“Drop Dead Diva” is about Deb, a model wannabe who dies in a car accident and whose soul ends up in the body of plus-size, recently deceased attorney Jane, played by Elliott. Through a twist of fate and divine intervention, Deb restarts her life as Jane. Surprises and enlightening situations ensue in this comedy-drama.
When asked about the filming of the second season of “Drop Dead Diva” Elliott said, “I think it’s going great. Hopefully the audience is loving what we’re giving them and keeps coming back.”
In hints about upcoming shows, Elliott said, “We’re going to have a little bit of some news with Tony (David Denman) … there’ll be some fun stuff with Kate (Levering, who plays Kim Kaswell) and Parker (Josh Stamberg) that will come up. And Grayson (Jackson Hurst) and Jane will confront some new things between the two of them.”
What does Elliott like most about playing Jane in “Drop Dead Diva”?
“I like that it’s so vast of a role,” she said. “I’m not actually stuck in some type of box. … I get to play from here to there and every emotion in between, and that’s really freeing and challenging as an actor.”
Elliott said it’s really fun to play Deb in Jane’s body, since Jane’s brain influences Deb’s behavior.
“It’s fun to go through the script and try and figure out, ‘OK, what does Deb know? What does Jane add to this? Does she know that word in the law, in the court? Does she not?’ And it’s really fun to figure that out,” Elliott said.
– Melissa Hayer
Tia and Tamara Mowry star in “Double Wedding” on Lifetime Movie Network
Tamera Mowry and Tia Mowry in "Double Wedding" - Lifetime Movie Network Photo
Tia and Tamara Mowry are the stars and executive producers of “Double Wedding,” a Lifetime Movie Network Original Movie.
Tia Mowry (“The Game”) plays Deanna Warren and Tamera Mowry (“Strong Medicine”) plays her twin sister Danielle. The sisters plan their grandparents’ recommitment wedding and start a sibling rivalry to see who can settle down first and find the perfect boyfriend to bring to the ceremony, according to a news release.
The pair unintentionally start dating the same man who believes they are one and the same person.
How will this romantic comedy end up?
Tune in to the Lifetime Movie Network for “Double Wedding” June 20 at 7 p.m. to find out.
Tamera Mowry and Tia Mowry in "Double Wedding" - Lifetime Movie Network Photo
Top 55 TV Programs for April 25-May 1, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of April 25:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2010
••2010 Nadia Comaneci International Invitational (8 p.m. on KAUT-43): Olympic gymnastics champ Nadia Comaneci hosts this event along with her husband, Olympic champion and for University of Oklahoma gymnast Bart Conner. The competition taped February at the Cox Arena in Oklahoma City features future gymnastics stars from around the country, as well as athletes from the top clubs in Romania, the Ukraine, Australia, Peru, Canada, Israel, Venezuela and Mexico.
••”The Amazing Race” (7 p.m. on CBS): When teams face two roadblocks in a single leg for the first time on the series, two teams discover just how costly cab rides can be.
••”America the Story of Us” (8 p.m. on History): Liev Schreiber (“Taking Woodstock”) narrates this new 12-hour series that chronicles the story of how America was invented. It covers 400 years of American history, looking at the moments where Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress.
••”Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): More than one member of the Walker family suspects she might be pregnant, Nora offers to take her aging mother in (Marion Ross, “Happy Days”) when it’s discovered she has dementia, and Luc gets an exciting delivery in the mail.
••”Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. on NBC): Donald Trump mixes up the teams and assigns them to create an original celebrity workout for 24 Hour Fitness and bring in donations.
••”Deadly Honeymoon” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Two young Denver newlyweds, Lindsey (Summer Glau, “Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles”) and Trevor Forrest (Chris Carmack, “Drop Dead Diva”) embark on their honeymoon cruise. What begins as a dream vacation devolves into a night of wild partying, infidelity and strange encounters with a group of passengers.
••”The Emeril Lagasse Show” (7 p.m. on ION): Chef Emeril Lagasse and special guest Sherri Shepherd (“The View”) enjoy a Hawaiian-themed celebration on this “Staycation” episode.
••”Girl Meets Gown” (9 p.m. on WE): This new series reveals what it truly takes for a bride-to-be to find the perfect gown that will compliment her style and make her shine on the most important day of her life. The creative and hard-working team at Stardust Celebrations in Dallas, one of the largest bridal boutiques in America, help the brides in their quest.
••”Into the Universe With Stephen Hawking” (8 p.m. on Discovery): In this four-part series, viewers will gain access to the mind of professor Stephen Hawking, who is physically confined but mentally free to explore the mysteries of the universe.
••”The Pacific” (8 p.m. on HBO): The Marines, including the newly christened “Sledgehammer,” continue the battle of Peleliu against an enemy determined to fight to the last man. Devastated by the loss of a revered leader, and witnessing unimaginable barbarity on both sides, Sledge veers to the very edge of moral collapse.
••”Ray Johnston Band: Road Diaries” (7 p.m. on HDNet): This eight-part series follows Ray Johnston, a cancer survivor and former Dallas Maverick point guard, as he and his band travel across the country trying to make it in the music business. The true focus and backdrop is the uplifting, behind-the-scenes story of the band’s leader, Ray Johnston, and his heroic battle with leukemia.
••”The Real Story: The Exorcist” (9 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Perhaps the scariest part of thye 1973 movie “The Exorcist” is that it’s not a work of complete fiction. This is the story of the ritual that took place in 1949 to rid a boy of demons, culled from witness accounts and written records. The events that inspired the film are detailed along with interviews of top neuroscientists who try to determine whether the forces at work were supernatural or psychological.
••”River Monsters” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Extreme angler and biologist Jeremy Wade goes on a worldwide mission to solve freshwater fish mysteries. Season 2 will take him to such locations as the Congo, Thailand, South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, Alaska and Florida to try to capture some amazing creatures and tell their tales.
••”TV Land Awards ’10″ (8 p.m. on TV Land): Tim Allen (“Home Improvement”) hosts the eighth annual event dedicated to reuniting and celebrating some of the most memorable TV performers of the past. Among the schedule honorees are the casts of “Glee,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
••”When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story” (8 p.m. on CBS): Spanning more than 30 years, this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation is based on the true story of the enduring but troubled love between Lois Wilson (Winona Ryder, “Mr. Deeds”), co-founder of Al-Anon, and her alcoholic husband Bill Wilson (Barry Pepper, “Saving Private Ryan”), co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010
••”10 Things I Hate About You” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Bianca plans to take first place in Padua High’s talent show. That is, until Chastity steals her song. Josie Loren and Cassie Scerno from “Make It or Break It” guest star.
••“24” (8 p.m. on Fox): With only six hours left, the clock races toward the series finale as President Allison Taylor faces impossible choices and much to the dismay of CTU, she enlists a private security firm to complete a sensitive task led by Mark Bledsoe (D.B. Sweeney, “Eight Men Out”). Meanwhile, Jack calls in a favor to his old friend Rick Vickers (Michael Madsen, (“Reservoir Dogs”) before he embarks upon a crucial mission of his own.
••”American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The documentary “My Lai” examines one of the darkest chapters of the Vietnam War: the 1968 My Lai massacre, its cover-up and the soldiers who broke rank to halt the attrocities.
••”Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised in Hour 2 from Phoenix include a 1982 bronze maquette by renowned sculptor Henry Moore and an heirloom amethyst jewelry collection.
••”Beyond Conviction” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary follows the courageous journey of three individuals as they face their assailants and hope to find peace and salvation.
••”The Big Bang Theory” (8:31 p.m. on CBS): A visit from Leonard’s mother (Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife”) delights Sheldon and horrifies Leonard.
••”Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): Host Andrew Zimmern’s appetite for the most unique foods is never satisfied. In the Season 5 premiere, he travels to Thailand to sample whole-roasted bamboo rat, cow bile and dung beetles, among other local delicacies.
••“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): When Lily’s ex-husband, Dr. William van der Woodsen (Billy Baldwin, “Dirty Sexy Money”), shows up unexpectedly in Manhattan, Serena finally gets the reunion she has so desperately wanted with her father, but the circumstances turn out to be far from ideal.
••“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): House and the team take on the case of a woman Julia (Sarah Wayne Callies, “Prison Break”), who is in an open marriage and becomes ill during a date with her on-the-side boyfriend. Meanwhile, House tests Wilson’s relationship with Sam (Cynthia Watros, “Lost”).
••”How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): Barney freaks out when Marshall bequeaths a “slap bet” slap to Ted and Robin. Meanwhile, Lily’s estranged father (Chris Elliott, “Everybody Loves Raymond”) shows up for Thanksgiving.
••”Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): When a mother of 10 adopted special needs children is found dead, the detectives uncover an affair and a reality TV show offer. Jim Gaffigan (“My Boys”) guest stars.
••”Rules of Engagement” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When Audrey forces Jeff to give up his hockey tickets and go to her boss’s party with her instead, he spends the night trying to avoid learning the score of the game. At the game, meanwhile, Russell is mortified when Timmy roots against the home team.
••”Runaway Squad” (9 p.m. on A&E): In the series finale, New York City provate investigator Joe Mazzilli continues to hunt down runaways and reunite them with their families.
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2010
••”9 By Design” (9 p.m. on Bravo): With the birth of their seventh child, Bob and Cortney Novogratz invite friends and family to their home to celebrate baby Major’s christening that will include a live performance from their good friend, singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega.
••”30 for 30″ (7 p.m. on ESPN): The documentary “Run Ricky Run” features footage of NFL running back Ricky Williams recorded during his time away from football. He became a media punching bag when he left the sport in 2004, but he has since redeemed himself as a father and a teammate.
••“90210” (7 p.m. on Fox): The gang is preparing for the SAT’s when Silver disagrees with Teddy’s decision to skip college to focus on his tennis career and things grow even more tense when she meets his movie star father, Spence (Ryan O’Neal, “Miss Match”).
••”The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The remaining seven contestants head to Dallas to inspire Texans to get healthy and join them as they run a 5K at the Cotton Bowl. Sesaon 8 fan favorite Abby Rike makes a special appearans and invites Jillian to speak at her old high school.
••”The City” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): In Season 2, Whitney Port, Roxy Olin, Olivia Palermo and Erin Kaplan continue to traverse the New York City fashion industry and their relationships with each other.
••”Dinner With the Band” (9:30 p.m. on IFC): Hosted by New York City chef Sam Mason, this new cooking show combines culinary delights, musical performances and conversations with select acclaimed indie music artists. Artists scheduled to appear include Rufus Wainwright, The Devil Makes Three, The Mountain Goats, Andrew WK, My Brightest Diamond, Murder City Devils, Lightspeed Champion, Theophilus London and Vega.
••”Explorer” (9 p.m. on National Geographic): The new episode “Fatal Insomnia” looks at an extremely rare disease passed down through generations. The primary symptom of FFI — fatal familial insomnia — is sleeplessness, but with a tragic twist: Victims are dead within months.
••”Food Party” (9 p.m. on IFC): Brooklyn fringe artist Thu Tran created and hosts this series, which returns for a second season., Shot on location in Brooklyn in a handmade, technicolor cardboard kitchen, Thu interacts with a cavalcade of puppets, humans, baked goods and vegetables, as the gang embarks on journeys to bizarre and unexpected lands.
••”Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment looks at the vaccine war, in which scientific medicine and the public health establishment are battling a coalition of paents, celebrities, politicians and activists over wther vaccines are a great achievement or a scourge on health.
••”Future Food” (9 p.m. on Planet Green): The staff at MOTO restaurant in Chicago let a bunch of youngsters come up with menu ideas, which include eyeballs, deep fried deer head with tree bark utensils and dirty socks with rocks — all made out of vegetables.
••”Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Kurt sets his dad (Mike O’Malley, “Yes, Dear”) up with an unexpected partner, and Sue demands that the Cheerios go on a crazy diet in preparation for a big interview with “Splits” magazine. Meanwhile, April Rhodes (Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies”) returns to save Will and the glee club.
••”The Hills” (9 p.m. on MTV): In the seventh and final season, fans can expect to see Audrina Patridge dating singer Ryan Cabrera and Kristin Cavallari dealing with rumors of drug abuse. But will former star Lauren Conrad return for the big goodbye? Maybe.
••”NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): Gibbs and Special Agent T.C. Fornell (Joe Spano, “NYPD Blue”) try to uncover the truth when a polygraph specialist’s night job takes a dangerous turn that leads to murder.
••”NCIS: Los Angeles” (8 p.m. on CBS): NCIS investigates the murder of a Navy officer entangled in the world of Hollywood glitz and glamour as the team is joined at Hetty’s request by LAPD liaison Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen, “Fired Up!”).
••”Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Mind Over Money” delves into arguments about the world of finance and explores behavioral economics, which aims to incorporate human psychology into finance.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2010
••”Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): When a grief-stricken Hotchner takes a leave of absence from the Behavioral Analysis Unit to ponder his future career, Rossi and the team must regroup to solve a home invasion case. Rena Sofer (“Blind Justice”) guest stars.
••”Desperate Landscapes” (9 p.m. on DIY): Host and licensed contractor Jason Cameron visits the Las Vegas home of magician Penn Jillette (“Dancing With the Stars”) for a landscape renovation. It took Jason Cameron and his team 16 hours of sweat to turn Jillette’s 10,000 square foot front yard into an oasis complete with artificial turf, desert plants and more.
••”Great Performances” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): David Tennant (“Doctor Who”) reprises his role as the melancholy Dane in this television adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed 2008 stage production of “Hamlet.” The presentation also stars Patrick Stewart (X-Men”) as King Claudius, the murderer of Hamlet’s father.
••”Happy Town” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): This new drama focuses on the residents of Haplin, Minn., also known as “Happy Town.” They have enjoyed an uneasy peace for the past five years, but that is about to change. Still haunted by a number of unsolved kidnappings, Haplin now faces a disturbing new crime that brings all of its unresolved fears to the surface.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): When a man is accused of murdering his daughters, detective Stabler’s former partner (Sharon Stone, “Bobby”) takes the case.
••“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): Zoe enlists the Lightman Group to investigate a star college football player accused of statutory rape. Jennifer Beals (“The L Word”) and James Marsters (“Angel”) guest star.
••”The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Matthew and Richard try to evict an elderly lady (Marion Ross, “Happy Days”) from the apartment they want to rent.
••”Sunset Daze” (9 p.m. on WE): This new reality series set in a retirement community in Surprise, Ariz., reveals seniors reconnecting with their youth and having the best time of their lives.
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010
••“Ask a Lawyer 2010” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This annual community service provided by the Oklahoma Bar Association gives the public the opportunity to call in during the live broadcast and speak with attorneys on various areas of the law.
••”CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): A legendary comic from the good old days of Las Vegas is set to reunite with his partner on stage for one night only, until one half of the famous duo is found dead. Tim Conway (“The Carol Burnett Show”) guest stars as legendary comic Knuckles Pratt and Jennifer Tilly (“Out of Practice”) guest stars as his wife.
••”Fringe” (8 p.m. on Fox): While Walter deals with some upsetting news, he tells Olivia’s niece a fairy tale that includes musical performances by Olivia and Angent Broyles.
••“The Marriage Ref” (9 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity panelists Matthew Broderick (“The Producers”), Sarah Silverman (“The Sarah Silverman Program”) and Martin Short (“Damages”) offer their wit, wisdom and unique opinions to couples in marital tiffs.
••”The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): When a media mogul is murdered, Patrick Jane and the CBI team investigate cult leader Bret Stiles (Malcolm McDowell, “Entourage”), who may have had an axe to grind following the publication of a critical story about his group.
••”The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Pam and Jim work on their first sales pitch together to Donna (Amy Pietz, “Aliens in America”), the manager of a local restaurant. But Michael keeps misreading the signals she’s putting out.
••”True Crime With Aphrodite Jones” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): In this installment, journalist and bestselling author Aphrodite Jones sets out to prove that the allegations of child abuse against Michael Jackson were as responsible for his early death as sleep-inducing drugs.
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2010
••“Bill Moyers Journal” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In his final program, host Bill Moyers reports on people working for a chance and has a “World of Ideas” conversation with a leading public thinker.
••”I Shouldn’t Be Alive” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): A former special forces man travelled to the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania to go on a solo hiking expedition. The trip takes a turn for th4e worse when he is swept off a ledge by an avalanche.
••”The Life & Times of Tim” (8:30 p.m. on HBO): In the Season 2 finale, Tim loses his job when the Chairman of Omnicorp flies in from the United Kingdom.
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are The Killers, Chairlift and Florence and The Machine.
••”Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): After a neighbor (Jonathan Silverman, “In Case of Emergency”) is murdered, Allison’s fears for her own family prompt her to install a high-tech talking burglar alarm, which she later suspects may be communicating with Marie. Also, Ariel meets a ghost (Greg Germann, “Ally McBeal”) who could help her get into the college of her choice.
••”Miami Medical” (9 p.m. on CBS): In order to show the importance of their facility, Dr. Proctor is forced to give a speech proving just how vital he and his team are in the minutes following a major accident. Shari Belafonte (“Hotel”) guest stars as Kimberly Davis, a hospital donor and Mike Farrell (“M*A*S*H,” “Providence”) guest stars as Dr. Carl Willis, a hospital administrator.
••”Who Do You Think You Are?” (7 p.m. on NBC): Director Spike Lee (“Do the Right Thing”) learns about his ancestors in the Season 1 finale. The one question that he wanted answered — “Who owned my family?” — takes him to Texas, where he comes face to face with an unlikely relative.
SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010
••”10 on Top” (10 a.m. on MTV): Lenay Dunn hosts this new show that countdowns the Top 10 most texted and talked about young celebs of the week. Viewers will get the very latest on their favorite superstar entertainers, what deals they landed, whose hearts they broke and whose star is shining brightest.
••”Accused at 17″ (8 p.m. on Lifetime): When 17-year-old Bianca’s two best friends find out that Bianca’s boyfriend cheated on her with a classmate, all three play a prank on the girl that goes horribly wrong. Nicole Gale Anderson (“Jonas”) and Cynthia Gibb (“Fame”) star.
••“Brothers” (11:30 p.m. on Fox): Mike and Chill hire their cousin Kenny (Snoop Dogg, “Soul Plane”), a shady lawyer who specializes in debt and fraud, to recover Mike’s laundered assets. But when Kenny is only able to locate funds donated to a children’s charity, Mike wrestles with a tough decision.
••”Dov Davidoff: The Filthy Operation” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Dov Davidoff’s urban flavor, Jersey accent and ADD comedic style brings out the funny in such issues as prejudice in politics and school lunches, gay rights, the relationship between transvestites and transformers and why men don’t stop for directions.
••”The Mentalist” (8 p.m. on CBS): While Jane and the team examine a crime scene where a baseball scout was found murdered, Jane is clocked in the head by a ball and flashes back to his childhood with his overbearing father (Nick Chinlund, “Desperate Housewives”).
••”When I Was 17″ (10 a.m. on MTV): In this enlightening new series, each episode will focus on the lives of three uniquely different celebrities. It will explore their family life, friendships, romantic relationships, part-time jobs and the things they did, or didn’t do, to get them to where they are today.
••”Made Presents: Kiss & Tell: The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating” (11 a.m. on MTV): The experts of “Kiss & Tell” teach an insecure high school boy how to become a more confident and romantically successful individual. Viewers will also hear firsthand from teenage girls about what they look for in a boyfriend.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Nicole Sullivan
April 21, 2010 — Nicole
Julianne Sullivan, who played Rita Clemens on “Rita Rocks” (2008-09 on Lifetime), turns 40 today.
She played Holly Shumpert on “The King of Queens” (2001-07).
Her first acting role was as Young Woman in a 1991 episode of “Herman’s Head.” She was 21.
Best wishes to Nicole and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Actress-Comedienne, mother of two and Jenny Craig client Nicole Sullivan lost 35 pounds in 16 weeks* on the Jenny Craig program; Sullivan appears in a bikini in this week's issue of PEOPLE Magazine. *Clients following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 pounds per week. (PRNewsFoto/Jenny Craig, Inc.)
