TV Premieres and Finales airing June 14-20
"True Blood" (HBO Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of June 14.
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
••“True Blood,” 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO (second-season premiere).
••“Hammertime,” 9 p.m. Sunday on A&E (series premiere).
••“Real Estate Intervention,” 10 p.m. Sunday on HGTV (series premiere).
••“It’s On with Alexa Chung,” 11 a.m. Monday on MTV (series premiere).
••“Zeke and Luther,” 7:30 p.m. Monday on Disney XD (series premiere).
••“Joe Buck Live,” 8 p.m. Monday on HBO (series premiere).
••“Wedding Day,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on TNT (series premiere).
••“The First 48,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on A&E (ninth-season premiere).
••“HawthoRNe,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on TNT (series premiere).
••“The Lazy Environmentalist,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Sundance (series premiere).
••“Chopped,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Food Network (series premiere).
••“Deliver Me,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Discovery Health (third-season premiere).
••“NYC Prep,” 10 p.m. Tuesday on Bravo (series premiere).
••“Saving Grace,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on TNT (third-season premiere).
••“Dance Your Ass Off,” 10 p.m. Tuesday on Oxygen (series premiere).
••“The Othersiders,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Cartoon Network (series premiere).
••“Survive This,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on Cartoon Network (series premiere).
••“Gordon Ramsay’s F Word,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on BBC America” (fourth-season premiere).
••“I Survived a Japanese Game Show,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC (second-season premiere).
••“Jeffrey and Cole Casserole,” 10 p.m. Friday on Logo (series premiere).
••“Can You Duet,” 7 p.m. Saturday on CMT (second-season premiere).
••“BrainRush,” 7 p.m. Saturday on Cartoon Network (series premiere).
••“Destroy Build Destroy,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Cartoon Network (series premiere).
••“The Singing Bee,” 9 p.m. Saturday on CMT (second-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“Greek,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (second-season finale).
••“Pros vs. Joes,” 10 p.m. Monday on SPIKE (fourth-season finale).
••“The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Bravo (first-season finale).
••“The Unusuals,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on ABC (series finale).
••“Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” 7 p.m. Friday on Fox (second-season finale).
••“The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom,” 8 p.m. Saturday on SPIKE (first-season finale).
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Top 55 TV Programs for June 14-20, 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 14:
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
◊“Cool Tools: Builders Show 2009″ (6 p.m. on DIY): Chris Grundy (”Cool Tools”) and Matt Blashaw (”Project Xtreme”) provide viewers a behind-the scenes peek at the latest in industry innovations from the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, which is not open to the public.
◊“Hammertime” (9 p.m. on A&E): Take a peek inside the life of Stanley Burrell, who rapped and danced his way into the hearts of America in the 1990s as MC Hammer. Known for his thrilling stage shows, powerful dance moves, catchy pop hits and his community commitment, Hammer faced some very public financial woes and now lives a more economically balanced life in Oakland, Calif. with Stephanie, his wife and confidant of more than 23 years, and their family of six kids ranging in ages 4-21. In the series premiere, the Hammer family does some much needed Spring cleaning, uncovering lost memorabilia and wardrobe from Hammer’s closet.
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): “Killers in Eden” revisits the amazing relationship that developed between whalers and killer whales in the early 20th century. They were both after the same quarry — the humpbacks and other baleen whales that migrated north in the waters off Eden, Australia — and they learned to work together and share the spoils.
◊“Real Estate Intervention” (10 p.m. on HGTV): In this new weekly series, host Sabrina Soto and real estate expert Mike Aubrey will offer a reality check to hopeful home sellers as they navigate through the ever-changing real estate market. During each episode Mike will guide an eager-to-sell family on a tour of similar homes to help them learn from their competition and provide them with straightforward real estate advice. Sabrina will then check back with the homeowners a few weeks later to see if they listened to Mike’s advice.
◊“True Blood” (8 p.m. on HBO): In the backwoods Louisiana town of Bon Temps, the mystery surrounding the serial killer has finally been solved. But just as things are settling down, deadly new twists threaten Sookie Stackhouse and everyone around her as Season 2 begins..
◊“Twins By Surprise” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): This new special recounts the stories of four women who believed they were pregnant with one child — but actually gave birth to two.
MONDAY, JUNE 15
◊“America at a Crossroads” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Journalist and activist Asra Nomani tells a personal story in the new episode “Mosque in Morgantown.” India-born and U.S.-raised, Nomani moved to Morgantown, W.Va., with her family at age 10. She was working in Pakistan after 9/11 when a broken relationship, a surprise pregnancy and a friend’s murder drove her to return to her hometown, where she found her childhood mosque had been taken over by men she considered extremists.
◊“Greek” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In the Season 2 finale, Casey is sent into an emotional tailspin, questioning her relationship with Max and her lingering feelings for Cappie.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Robin rediscovers the “Woo Girls,” a group of single girls who like to go out and party. Meanwhile, Ted pitches Barney a design for his company’s new headquarters. Jamie-Lynn Sigler (”The Sopranos”) guest stars.
◊“It’s On with Alexa Chung” (11 a.m. on MTV): British television personality Alexa Chung hosts this new daily talk/variety show featuring interviews with celebrity guests and musical performances from mainstream and indie artists, along with Internet-found talent and topical pop culture news.
◊“Joe Buck Live” (8 p.m. on HBO): This new series hosted by sportscaster Joe Buck catches viewers up on the most interesting stories and personalities in sports. The first edition focuses on sports and celebrity.
◊“Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Kathy earns a Grammy nomination for best comedy album, so she begins calling former Grammy winners at their homes to solicit votes. Kathy’s obsession takes her all the way to Canada for a meeting with Lily Tomlin (“The West Wing”), one of only two women to have won a Grammy for best comedy album.
◊“Little Parents, Big Pregnancy” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special follows Becky and Craig Hennon, a dwarf couple awaiting the birth of their first child. With a 75 percent chance of giving birth to a dwarf, the Hennons have chosen to not know their child’s fate ahead of time — nor will they know what kind of dwarfism he may have.
◊“Zeke and Luther” (7:30 p.m. on Disney XD): This new series follows two fearless sidewalk surfers and best friends who put their right foot forward to master the art form of skateboarding (which is also their principle method of transportation). Along the way, they navigate the literal and figurative luge of teen years with all of its tricks, grinds, obstacles and occasional slams.
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
◊2009 CMT Music Awards (7 p.m. on CMT): Bill Engvall (”The Bill Engvall Show”) will host the eighth annual event live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. Artists with Oklahoma ties who are nominated and/or scheduled to perform include Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire.
◊“Births Beyond Belief” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): This new special introduces viewers to three mothers with unique, unconventional birthing plans. From the exotic to the extraordinary, these empowered parents will stop at nothing to pursue their dream births.
◊“Chopped” (9 p.m. on Food Network): Ted Allen (”Food Detectives”) hosts this new series that challenges four up-and-coming chefs to turn a selection of everyday ingredients into an extraordinary three-course meal. After each course, a contestant gets “chopped” until the last man or woman left standing claims victory.
◊“Dance Your Ass Off” (10 p.m. on Oxygen): Tony Award-winning actress Marissa Jaret Winokur (”Hairspray”) hosts this new dance/weight loss competition series that gives viewers a glimpse into the lives of the contestants who have had issues with their weight and hope to dance to unleash their inner thin.
◊“Deliver Me” (9 p.m. on Discovery Health): Meet doctors Alane Park, Yvonne Bohn and Allison Hill — friends, mothers and partners in a busy OB/GYN practice. In Season 3, viewers will have a front-row seat for all the drama, emotion and challenges — both professional and personal — the doctors confront every day.
◊“The First 48″ (8 p.m. on A&E): For homicide detectives, the clock starts ticking the moment they are called. Their chance of solving a case is cut in half if they don’t get a lead in the first 48 hours. Season 9 of the non-fiction investigative series takes viewers behind the scenes of real-life investigations with unprecedented access to crime scenes, forensic processing, and interrogations.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new report “Breaking the Bank,” producer Michael Kirk attempts to untangle how things went so wrong so quickly in the banking industry and what’s being done to stabilize the situation, focusing on one of the highest-profile institutions affected — Bank of America.
◊“HawthoRNe” (8 p.m. on TNT): This new series stars Jada Pinkett Smith as Christina Hawthorne, the chief nursing officer at a busy hospital who fights for her patients and helps the doctors, administrators and her fellow nurses keep their priorities straight.
◊“I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): Enid resident Elizabeth Hess explains how she did not know she was pregnant until she gave birth. The 19-year-old college freshman had put on some extra weight, but she simply attributed it to gaining the “freshman 15.”
◊“The Lazy Environmentalist” (8 p.m. on Sundance): In this new series, author, radio and television personality Josh Dorfman will seek out environmental skeptics who are experts in fields as diverse as fashion, food, architecture, business and design in order to prove that a green lifestyle can meet the demands of their professional and private lives.
◊“NYC Prep” (10 p.m. on Bravo): This new docu-series chronicles the lives of a group of privileged teenagers who are key players in Manhattan’s elite high school scene. Students who travel in packs – 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.
◊“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the season finale, all five housewives attend Teresa’s end of the year party. The night turns ugly as shocking secrets come out and alliances are revealed.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): When Grace tries to reach out to a young drug addict who shares visions of Earl, Grace winds up in the middle of what could be a plot by an anti-government group linked to the recent death of a police officer.
◊“Wedding Day” (7 p.m. on TNT): In this new series, deserving people in need get help making their wedding dreams come true. Hosts and wedding planners Alan Dunn and Diann Valentine make it happen with help from the couple’s family, friends and neighbors. In the premiere, they create a day to remember for Holli, who was involved in a near-fatal crash.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): When a young woman is abducted from an affluent neighborhood, the Behavioral Analysis Unit looks to area residents for answers to her disappearance. Michael Boatman (”Spin City”) guest stars.
◊“Gordon Ramsay’s F Word” (8 p.m. on BBC America”): In Season 4 of the series, the world-renowned chef shares his passion for great cuisine and gets people eating, cooking, thinking and talking about food. In addition to offering easy to make, healthy recipes, Gordon’s joined by a revolving cast of celebrities, their friends and families. He challenges them to prepare a three-course meal for 50 diners using recipes that anyone can cook at home. But the diners get to decide if the food’s up to scratch and if they’ll pay the bill.
◊“Great Performances” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Josh Groban (”Ally McBeal”), Idina Menzel (”Wicked”) and Adam Pascal (”Rent”) headline this concert revival of the show “Chess” from London’s Royal Albert Hall. Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, the male half of the group ABBA, scored the music for the 1986 project, which is a love story set during the Cold War as U.S. and Soviet chess champs faced off.
◊“I Survived a Japanese Game Show” (8 p.m. on ABC): Host Rome Kanda (“The Pink Panther”) returns for a second season of leading 12 American contestants through zany challenges in Japan. The winner will take home $250,000.
◊“Obese and Pregnant” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): This new special introduces the stories of three expectant mothers experiencing the joy and fear of carrying a child — while also carrying more than 100 extra pounds.
◊“The Othersiders” (7 p.m. on Cartoon Network): This new reality-adventure series follows five friends on real missions to explore mysterious, reportedly haunted locations in search of evidence that will confirm or deny the existence of paranormal activity.
◊“The Queen and I” (7 p.m. on HBO2): Thirty years after joining the revolution to overthrow the Shah and the monarchy in Iran, Emmy-nominated filmmaker Nahid Persson Sarvestani remains fascinated by the former queen, Farah Diba, whose fairytale life had intrigued her as a child. Now, disillusioned by the Islamic revolution that betrayed her dreams of equality and democracy and forced her into exile, Sarvestani turns her camera on this unlikely subject. This documentary chronicles their time together, the differences they bridged and the improbable friendship they forged.
◊“Survive This” (7:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network): les Stroud (”Survivorman”) hosts this new reality series challenges teenagers ages 14 to 17 to push their limits, overcome fears and develop lifelong survival skills. Each episode aims to test endurance, wits and self-determination.
◊“The Unusuals” (9 p.m. on ABC): In the series finale, Beaumont and Cole go undercover to find a criminal who breaks into apartments and shoots adult films.
◊“Wipeout” (7 p.m. on ABC): Raging Rapids, Aqua Launch, Crazy Sweeper, King of the Mountain, Waterfall Turntables and Fender Bender are among the wild and outrageous new obstacles included in this week’s episode, as contestants go head to head through four rounds to win the title of “Wipeout Champion” and the $50,000 grand prize.
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
◊“Freebirthing” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): This new special chronicles the growing movement of women in the United States and the United Kingdom who are defying medical advice to give birth with no drugs, no midwife and no medical support. Supporters claim this is how having a baby was always meant to be — but doctors say “freebirthing” has terrible risks.
◊“So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m. on Fox): It’s elimination night on the competition series, and two of the final 18 dancers will be sent home.
◊“Soundstage” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): In this installment, singer-songwriter Jackson Browne performs tunes from his 2008 album, “Time the Conqueror,” as well as such classics as “Doctor My Eyes” and “Boulevard.”
◊“Supernatural” (8 p.m. on CW): In this episode, that will air in black and white, Dean and Sam investigate several murders at Oktoberfest. The first victim was found with bite marks on her neck, much like a vampire would leave, while the second victim has wounds that look like a werewolf attack. After a mummy rises from his crypt, Dean determines that a shape-shifter demon is terrorizing the town as iconic monsters from the old Hollywood movies.
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
◊“Celebrity Rides: Hollywood’s Speeding Bullitt” (1 p.m. on DIY Network): Chad McQueen, son of actor Steve McQueen, builds his version of a 1968 GT Fastback Mustang made famous by the movie “Bullitt” starring his dad.
◊“The Chopping Block” (7 p.m. on NBC): This reality/competition series, which was pulled after three low-rated Wednesday telecasts in March, returns to NBC’s schedule today to air its final five episodes on Fridays.
◊“Don’t Forget the Lyrics” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the Season 2 finale, Deanna Della Cioppa, an Italian caterer and family restaurant owner, competes to help our her family.
◊“Double Identical Twins: Four Years Later” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): This new special follows the latest adventures of the Morris family, who grew from three members to seven after the birth of a rare set of quads: two identical boys and two identical girls. It examines how this family navigates medical and life challenges, and manages to brave it all with a sense of humor.
◊“Jeffrey and Cole Casserole” (10 p.m. on Logo): In this new webcam-based series, Jeffery and Cole mix their stand-up comedy, traditional sketches, banter and musical numbers to bring the audience a serving of their outrageous comedic casserole.
◊“Mr. Troop Mom” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): George Lopez (”George Lopez”) stars as a single dad who must climb mountains, ford streams and more as “Team Mom” in order to bond with his tween daughter. The film also stars Jane Lynch (”Glee”) as camp director Ms. Hulka and features a special appearance by Nat and Alex Wolff (”The Naked Brothers Band”).
◊“Samantha Who?” (8 p.m. on ABC): After finally telling current boyfriend Owen (James Tupper, “Men in Trees”) that she lives with ex-boyfriend Todd, Sam discovers that Owen’s best friend is also his ex-girlfriend, Willow. But when a romantic spark ignites between Todd and Willow, Sam finds herself becoming jealous and must decide which man is most important in her life.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
◊“BrainRush” (7 p.m. on Cartoon Network): Host Lamorne Morris puts players to the test with questions and brainteasers all while strapped into an amusement park ride.
◊“Can You Duet” (7 p.m. on CMT): Viewers will witness the on- and off-stage drama in creating a dynamic musical duo in Season 2 of the country music competition series. In addition to critiquing each performance and deciding who will advance to the next round, judges Naomi Judd, Big Kenny of the multi-platinum duo Big & Rich and Big Machine Records’ President Scott Borchetta will serve as mentors to guide, groom and develop the duets along the way.
◊“Destroy Build Destroy” (7:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network): Two teams, with the guidance and assistance of professionals, compete by destroying a large structure, rebuilding it into something different and then destroying it again. Host Andrew W.K. moderates the mayhem, as each week new teams face new challenges to build from the debris, with strategy, wits and teamwork deciding which team’s creation out-performs the other—and whose hard work goes up in smoke.
◊“Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): This installment of the locally-produced program showcases the Tulsa Talons and Oklahoma City Redhawks minor league baseball teams, the Guthrie Sports Museum and McGee Creek Lake.
◊“Dream Riders” (7 p.m. on Travel Channel): In this award-winning documentary film, Bill Roulston persuades his son Nico to make a 4,000 mile bicycle journey across the United States in a last ditch effort to rebuild their failing relationship.
◊“Eli Stone” (9 p.m. on ABC): When a news anchor from one of the biggest media corporations loses his job, Eli, Taylor, Matt and Maggie share an awkward car ride to Sonoma to question a witness. This is the first of the series’ final episodes scheduled to air over the next four Saturdays.
◊“The Singing Bee” (9 p.m. on CMT): Melissa Peterman (”Reba”) hosts this new version of the game show that tests contestants’ knowledge of lyrics to well-known country music songs and eliminates those who fail to accurately sing the song lyrics correctly.
◊“The Ultimate Fighter” (8 p.m. on SPIKE): Sixteen American and 16 British fighters will compete in middleweight and welterweight divisions in the live season finale.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
12 TV Premieres and Finales airing May 24-30
Chris Vance: "Mental" (CBS 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 May 24.
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
••“Mas Sabe el Diable,” 7 p.m. Monday on Telemundo (series premiere).
••“Intervention,” 8 p.m. Monday on A&E (seventh-season premiere).
••“Jon & Kate Plus 8.” 8 p.m. Monday on TLC (fifth-season premiere).
••“Cake Boss,” 9 p.m. Monday on TLC (series premiere).
••“Obsessed,” 9 p.m. Monday on A&E (series premiere).
••“Here Come the Newlyweds,” 9:02 p.m. Monday on ABC (series premiere).
••“Hitched or Ditched,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on CW (series premiere).
••“Man Caves,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on DIY (third-season premiere).
••“Mental,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox (series premiere).
••“Science of the Movies,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Science Channel (series premiere).
••“The Little Couple,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on TLC (series premiere).
••“Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Oxygen (fourth-season premiere).
“Beautiful People,” 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on Logo (series premiere).
“Wipeout,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC (second-season premiere).
“The Goode Family,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC (series premiere).
“Your Worst Animal Nightmares,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on Animal Planet (series premiere).
“Tattoo Highway,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on A&E (series premiere).
“Nature’s Most Amazing Events,” 7 p.m. Friday on Discovery (first two installments of 6-part series).
“What Not to Wear,” 8 p.m. Friday on TLC (seventh-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“In Treatment,” 9 p.m. Monday on HBO (second-season finale).
••“Reaper,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CW (second-season finale).
••“Ladette to Lady,” 7 p.m. Friday on Sundance (third-season finale).
••“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” 10:35 p.m. Friday on NBC (series finale).
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Top 55 TV Programs for May 24-30, 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 May 24:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, MAY 24
◊“2009 National Memorial Day Concert” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): For the fourth time, Emmy winner Gary Sinise (“CSI: NY”) and Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”) return as co-hosts for this concert honoring the men and women in America’s armed forces. Broadcast from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, this year’s 20th anniversary telecast includes appearances by Colin Powell and actors Katie Holmes, Dianne Wiest and Laurence Fishburne, as well as singers Katharine McPhee, Trace Adkins and Denyce Graves.
◊“Diamonds” (8 p.m. on ABC): In this new two-part TV movie, the daughter of U.S. Senator Joan Cameron (Judy Davis) is killed in a massacre at an African diamond mine. That starts a chain of events that uncovers the darkest secrets of the international diamond trade.
◊“Stand” (8 p.m. on TV One): This documentary chronicles a road trip taken by broadcaster Tavis Smiley and 10 black male friends. The journey took place around the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): A total of six tornadoes appeared throughout Oklahoma in February 2009, but the most powerful of these destroyed the entire town of Lone Grove.
MONDAY, MAY 25
◊“American Experience: Buffalo Bill” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): William “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s legendary exploits helped create the myth of the American West. This program draws upon rich archival materials of the period to explore the man behind the legend, revealing the complexity of Buffalo Bill’s extraordinary life.
◊“Cake Boss” (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series focuses on master baker Buddy Valastro as he struggles to make his bakery in Hoboken, N.J., a household name.
◊“Hallowed Grounds” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This Memorial Day special visits American military cemeteries in 23 countries, including England, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Tunisia and the Philippines. It weaves historical elements with contemporary scenes of the cemeteries and features personal stories of the men and women who are buried there.
◊“Here Come the Newlyweds” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): Comedian Pat Bullard hosts this new series in which nine just-married couples compete for a life-changing cash prize to help kick-start their new lives together and realize their dreams.
◊“In Treatment” (9 p.m. on HBO): In the Season 2 finale, Paul and Gina reach a crossroad in their relationship.
◊“Intervention” (8 p.m. on A&E): This Emmy-nominated series opens Season 7 with new profiles of individuals at the boiling point of a personal crisis. They are confronted by friends and family who have made the decision to plan an intervention.
◊“Jon & Kate Plus 8” (8 p.m. on TLC): Season 5 features more adventures of the Gosselin family, comprised of parents Jon & Kate, plus eight-year-old twins and a set of sextuplets. This season, the family celebrates the sextuplets’ fifth birthday and tackles training the new puppies.
◊“Mas Sabe el Diable” (7 p.m. on Telemundo): This new primetime novela tells the story of Angel, a young man who never met his father and grew up torn between his mother’s love and the wild world of his neighborhood streets.
◊“Obsessed” (9 p.m. on A&E): This new series profiles people suffering from extreme anxiety disorders and their efforts to overcome them.
◊“Our City Dreams” (6 p.m. on Sundance): This special visits the creative spaces of five women artists, each of whom possesses her own energy, drive and passion. The artists profiled are Nancy Spero, Marina Abramovic, Kiki Smith, Ghada Amer and Swoon.
◊Six Gun Birthday Salute to John Wayne: Encore Westerns (202 on Cox Digital Cable, 342 on Dish Network, 529 on DirecTV, 940 on U-verse) celebrates The Duke’s 102nd birthday by airing 28 hours of his movies, beginning with “The Undefeated” at 7 p.m. The marathon is interspersed with interviews with former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Senators John McCain and John Kerry, director Steven Spielberg, producer Norman Lear, Wayne’s son Ethan and others.
◊“Super Why! Hurray for Heroes” (7 a.m. on OETA-13): This special two-hour marathon includes two new interactive episodes featuring the page-turning storybook adventures of Super Why and his fellow reading superheroes as they unveil what the power of reading can do. In-between the episodes, youngsters will share their thoughts about what it means to be a hero.
TUESDAY, MAY 26
◊“Alice Neel” (6 p.m. on Sundance): One of the great portrait painters of the 20th century, Alice Neel reinvented the genre by expressing the inner landscape of her subjects, which included luminaries such as Andy Warhol, Bella Abzug and Allen Ginsberg as well as her neighbors in Spanish Harlem. Alice Neel’s grandson Andrew Neel directs this biography of an influential but emotionally troubled painter.
◊“Beautiful People” (9:30 p.m. on Logo): Inspired by the eccentric childhood of style guru Simon Doonan, this new series delves inside Simon’s youthful memories and his desire to escape suburban working class Reading, England.
◊“Gallery” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): OETA’s Emmy-winning arts and culture series travels to the nation’s capitol to share the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian with Oklahomans. The grand opening witnessed the largest gathering ever of Native American tribes to converge on our nation’s capital.
◊“Hitched or Ditched” (8 p.m. on CW): This new series focuses on couples in long-term relationships who have not taken the leap into marriage yet. Will they or won’t they say “I do”?
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment titled “Steal a Pencil for Me” focuses on concentration camp prisoner Jack Polak, who shared the same barracks as both his wife, Manja, and his new love, Ina. Manja objects to Jack and Ina’s relationship, so the two rely on writing love letters to each other to gain the strength they need to survive.
◊“Jail” (8 p.m. on My Network TV): Back-to-back episodes follow individuals from their initial booking through their first moments in a Tulsa slammer.
◊“The Little Couple” (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series follows newlyweds Bill Klein and Jen Arnold, who are both under four feet tall and share their unique perspectives on life, love, and marriage.
◊“Man Caves” (8 p.m. on DIY): In the Season 3 premiere, hosts Jason Cameron and Tony Siragusa build a free-standing, office-style man cave for “The Office” star Rainn Wilson.
◊“Mental” (8 p.m. on Fox): This new medical drama follows Dr. Jack Gallagher (Chris Vance), a young psychiatrist who serves as Director of Mental Health Services at a Los Angeles hospital. At work he must reconcile his unorthodox treatment methods with his conservative boss, hospital administrator Nora Skoff (Annabella Sciorra), a woman with whom he shares a romantic past.
◊“New World Order” (5:45 p.m. on IFC): This documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the underground movement of people who want to expose “global elitists,” whom they claim are covertly masterminding a series of destructive events to cause a mass breakdown of the world’s economy and society.
◊“Reaper” (7 p.m. on CW): In the Season 2 finale, Sam and Andi try to find Tony (Ken Marino, “Party Down”) to help them translate the scroll Nina brought back from Hell.
◊“Science of the Movies” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): This new series explores the scientific world that exists behind the screen, spotlighting the visionary artists, entrepreneurial spirit, innovative technology and techniques responsible for creating unforgettable moments in blockbuster films.
◊“Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood” (9 p.m. on Oxygen): Actress Tori Spelling and her husband, Dean McDermott, open their fourth season as they return to the pressures of living and working in Tinseltown, this time with the added stress of new parenthood.
◊“TV’s 50 Funniest Phrases” (7 p.m. on NBC): NBC and The Paley Center for Media count down 50 of the all-time funniest catch phrases said on television in this two-hour special. With great scenes from the shows and interviews with the stars who brought the lines to life, this program will celebrate the history and humor of catch phrases.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
◊“American Masters” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In “Hollywood Chinese,” B.D. Wong (‘‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), Nancy Kwan (‘‘Flower Drum Song”) and Joan Chen (‘‘The Last Emperor”) are among the artists sharing their perspectives on how Chinese people have been portrayed in film over the past 90 years.
◊“Criminal Minds” (9 p.m. on CBS): While investigating the kidnapping of a young boy in Las Vegas, Dr. Reid begins to have dreams that may help reveal some buried memories from his childhood. Jane Lynch (”Glee”) guest stars as Dr. Reid’s mother.
◊“George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert” (7 p.m. on CBS): Currently riding the crest of a 25-year career, ‘‘the king of country” is saluted by peers and colleagues at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Scheduled performers include Brooks & Dunn, Jamie Foxx, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, John Rich, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Womack.
◊“The Goode Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): This new animated series from Mike Judge (“King of the Hill”) follows Gerald and Helen Goode, a couple determined to obliterate their carbon footprint on the planet. They’re zealous vegans, they drive a hybrid and they recycle everything possible.
◊“Joan Mitchell: Portrait of an Abstract Painter” (6 p.m. on Sundance): This documentary reflects on the life and art of the late Joan Mitchell. She is revealed as a pioneering female artist and one of the only women who was part of the Abstract Expressionist circle in New York.
◊“The Nine” (9 p.m. on DirecTV): This series aired in 2000 on ABC but was cancelled after nine episodes. All 13 episodes that were produced, including four that were never broadcast, will air on DirecTV’s 101 Network over the next 13 weeks.
◊“Tattoo Highway” (9 p.m. on A&E): In this new series, master tattoo artist Thomas Pendelton and his wife-business partner, Monica, take a cross-country road trip in a 1970s tour bus they have transformed into a rolling tattoo parlor.
◊“True Hollywood Stories: 10 Greatest Stories Ever Told” (9 p.m. on E!): The 500th episode of this documentary series counts down the most memorable installments. The 10 subjects that made the cut were chosen for aspects of their stories that continue to have relevance today.
◊“Wipeout” (7 p.m. on ABC): Season 2 returns with contestants competing on the world’s largest extreme obstacle course. New obstacles include Hurtles and Sweeper Gyro, Gears of Doom and the Motivator, a massive anvil that sneaks up on contestants.
THURSDAY, MAY 28
◊“The 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee” (7 p.m. on ABC): Tom Bergeron (“Dancing with the Stars”) hosts live television coverage of the final championship rounds as 293 spellers from around the world compete. ESPN will air semifinal rounds from 9 a.m. to noon.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When the CSI team investigates a case involving the world of domination, Grissom pays a visit to Lady Heather (Melinda Clarke, “The O.C.”) to help find some answers.
◊“Guest of Cindy Sherman” (6 p.m. on Sundance): This documentary is a snapshot of photographer Cindy Sherman through her relationship with artist-turned-cable TV-host, Paul Hasegawa-Overacker, aka Paul H-O.
◊“Kick Like a Girl” (5 p.m. on HBO): This documentary tells the story of a third-grade soccer team that defied gender prejudice to compete with the boys.
◊“The Oprah Effect” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This news special hosted by Carl Quintanilla goes inside businesses to explain Oprah Winfrey’s unparalleled impact on their bottom line, their secrets to getting on her show and how this so-called Oprah Effect continues to translate her brand and others into big business.
◊“Supernatural” (8 p.m. on CW): Sam and Dean are stunned when the spirits of Meg (Oklahoma actress Nikki Aycox, “Over There”) and Agent Henricksen appear and accuse the Winchesters of failing them.
FRIDAY, MAY 29
◊“Agnes Martin: With My Back to the World” (6 p.m. on Sundance): “I’m very careful not to have ideas, because they’re inaccurate,” says abstract expressionist painter Agnes Martin in this documentary about her. But it’s a lie, as she was full of ideas and dispenses them engagingly in the course of this film.
◊“Don’t Forget the Lyrics” (7 p.m. on Fox): Gary Dell Abate (“Baba Booey” from “The Howard Stern Show”) takes center stage to fill in missing lyrics in the hopes of raising $1 million dollars for LIFEbeat, a music industry charity that fights AIDS. When he gets stuck locking in his lyrics, Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray) backs him up.
◊“Ladette to Lady” (7 p.m. on Sundance): It is the final week, and with it will bring the emergence of a lady. The three final ladettes are not only trying to complete their tasks with high marks, but get ready for the graduation ceremony.
◊“Nature’s Most Amazing Events” (7 p.m. on Discovery): This six-hour high definition series spotlights explosive events of nature triggered by seasonal change and vast climate change. The first two installments feature polar bears battling climate change and grizzly bear cubs emerging from winter dens. The remaining installments air Saturday and May 31.
◊“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (10:35 p.m. on NBC): “Tonight Show” heir Conan O’Brien is scheduled to be the final guest to sit on the couch during Jay Leno’s last show as host of the franchise. O’Brien, who has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” 16 times previously, will be taking over the hosting duties on June 1.
◊“Un-Broke: What You Need to Know Anout Money” (8 p.m. on ABC): This special takes an unconventional look at the fundamentals of everyday finance with all the facts about credit cards, mortgages and investing in a fresh new format combining information and humor. Will Smith (”Seven Pounds”) gets down to basics with a boardroom full of corporate finance executives while the Jonas Brothers teach screaming teenage girls the mysteries of the stock market.
◊“What Not to Wear” (8 p.m. on TLC): Hosts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly return for a seventh season of makeovers that transform the fashion-challenged from the inside and out. The season premiere features Mayim Bialik (“Blossom”).
SATURDAY, MAY 30
◊“American Idol Rewind: Carrie Underwood Special” (5 p.m. on TV Guide Network, (4 on Cox, 117 on Dish Network, 237 on DirecTV): Through clips and interviews, find out what inspired the girl from Checotah to audition for Season 4 of ◊“American Idol.” She also reveals how she made her very first appearance before the judges a memorable one — by clucking like a chicken.
◊“Maneater” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Sarah Chalke stars in this miniseries as a shallow socialite with an elaborate plan to lasso a filmmaker to marry her. It concludes May 31.
◊“Nature’s Most Amazing Events” (7 p.m. on Discovery): The next two installments of this high definition series feature more than a million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migrating on Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains and nearly a billion sardines arriving along South Africa’s east coast.
◊“OKC Metro” (5:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Host Gerry Bonds discusses the recent University of Oklahoma women’s basketball season with head coach Sherri Coale and freshman sensation Whitney Hand.
◊“Pete Correale: The Things We Do For Love” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Comedian Pete Correale discusses why gossiping, assembling IKEA furniture and going to nude beaches just wouldn’t be the same without his wife.
◊“Pushing Daisies” (9 p.m. on ABC): ABC has canceled this comedy series, but the network the remaining three unseen episodes. In this episode, Emerson and Chuck team up when Ned refuses to use his “gift.” Richard Benjamin (”Henry Poole Is Here”) and George Segal (”Just Shoot Me!”) guest star.
◊“Safe Harbor” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Treat Williams (“Everwood”) and Nancy Travis (”The Bill Engvall Show”) star in this true story of a Florida couple helping troubled boys chart a new course for their lives.
– Penny TV
Casting for “RuPaul’s Drag Race” kicks off May 1
Miss an episode of Logo’s original series “RuPaul’s Drag Race”? Catch Season 1 episodes online at www.RuPaulsDragRace.com.
Want to be a contestant on second season of the show? Casting begins May 1 on www.RuPaulsDragRaceCasting.com. Drag performing hopefuls will have the opportunity to submit themselves for consideration for the show which gives viewers a bird’s eye view of what it takes for these performers to transform themselves, as well as a few secrets about the artistry of drag.
Season 2 is scheduled for an early 2010 premiere on Logo (channel 183 on Cox Digital Cable and U-verse, 272 on DirecTV).
On the first season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” thousands applied but only nine men were chosen to fight for the title of America’s next drag queen superstar. Bebe Zahara Benet won the title, as well as $20,000 cash, a headlining tour, a feature photo spread in PAPER Magazine and a portrait by renowned photographer Greg Gorman for the l.a. Eyeworks designer eyewear campaign.
–Penny TV
