Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Feb. 21-27, 2010
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 30 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Feb. 21.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
GUEST STARS
••Michael John Anderson (“Carnivele”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••John Aniston (“Days of Our Lives”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
••Elizabeth Banks (“Seabiscuit”) on “Modern Family,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Julie Benz (“Dexter”) on “Desperate Housewives,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Sarah Carter (“Shark”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Jon Cryer (“Two and a Half Men”) on “Hannah Montana,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Disney.
••Snoop Dogg (“Old School”) on “One Life to Live,” 1 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Deanna Dunagan (“August: Osage County”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
••Yani Gellman (“The Young and the Restless”) on “Greek,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
••Tony Hale (“Arrested Development”) on “NUMB3RS,” 7 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
••Chelsea Handler (“Chelsea Lately”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) on “Brothers & Sisters,” 9:01 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Michelle Kwan (Olympic figure skater) on “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” 6 p.m. Sunday on Nick Jr.
••Michael Learned (“The Waltons”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
••Chad Faust (“The 4400″) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
••Matt Letscher (“Eli Stone”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Gilles Marini (“Sex and the City”) on “Brothers & Sisters,” 9:01 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock”) on “Phineas and Ferb,” 7 a.m. Saturday on Disney XD.
••Peggy McCay (“Days of Our Lives”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Sienna Miller (“Keen Eddie”) on “Top Gear,” 7 p.m. Monday on BBC America.
••Kevin Nealon (“Weeds”) on “Til Death,” 6 p.m. Sunday on Fox).
••Edward Norton (“Primal Fear”) on “Modern Family,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Joe Penny (“Jake and the Fatman “) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Brooke Shields (“Lipstick Jungle”) on “The Middle,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••William Allen Young (“District 9”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
Pictured above: HANNAH MONTANA – “The Wheel Near My Bed (Keeps On Turnin’)” – When Lilly’s mom accepts a job in Atlanta, Robby invites Lilly to move into the Stewart home. But after Lilly overhears Miley complaining about their new living arrangement, she picks up and moves into her dad Kenneth’s cramped apartment only to find his antics even more harebrained than Miley’s, in a new episode of “Hannah Montana,” premiering SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 on Disney Channel. (DISNEY CHANNEL/DEAN HENDLER)
JON CRYER, MILEY CYRUS
Top 55 TV Programs for Feb. 21-27, 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 Feb. 21:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, FEB. 21, 2010
••”Academy Awards Preview With Chris Harrison” (7 p.m. on TV Guide Network): “The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison, who began his television career by covering local sports in Oklahoma City, profiles this year’s Academy Award nominees.
••“The British Academy Film Awards” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Hollywood and Britain’s biggest movie stars come together at London’s Royal Opera House to honor this year’s best in film. “Avatar,” “An Education” and “The Hurt Locker” lead the pack with eight nominations each. In previous years, many BAFTA wins have correctly predicted who walks away with the Academy Award a few weeks later.
••“Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Sarah rediscovers the love of her life (Gilles Marini, “Sex and the City”) while Kitty makes a grand entree in to politics with her family and new campaign manager by her side (Cheryl Hines, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”).
••“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team investigates the 1971 death of a teenage circus aerialist whose mid-act fall may have been the result of foul play. Guest stars include Joe Penny (“Jake and the Fatman “), Peggy McCay (“Days of Our Lives”) and Michael John Anderson (“Carnivale”). Several songs by The Doors will be featured throughout the episode.
••“Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): Susan causes quite a stir when she invites a former stripper into her home. Julie Benz (“Dexter”) guest stars.
••“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): While their new home is being built in Florida, the Wagstaff family flies to Tulsa to meet rockers KISS. Together, they work with Gibson and Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to provide instruments for Tulsa’s Wilson Middle School. The family runs a non-profit music school to provide services in the arts for everyone.
••“Hannah Montana” (7 p.m. on Disney): When Lilly’s mom accepts a job in Atlanta, Robby invites Lilly to move into the Stewart home. But after Lilly overhears Miley complaining about their new living arrangement, she picks up and moves into her dad’s cramped apartment. Jon Cryer (“Two and a Half Men”) guest stars.
••“King Tut Unwrapped” (7 p.m. on Discovery): World-renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass leads a forensic investigation into the life and times of King Tut that reveals for the first time the identity of Tut’s parents and grandparents, his cause of death and new details of his reign. The two-part special concludes at 7 p.m. Monday.
••”Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Invasion of the Giant Pythons” focuses on predatory pythons that have thrived in the protected wilderness of Everglades National Park, making the refuge more a killing ground than a haven for the endangered mamma;s, trees, plants, birds, turtles and alligators there.
••“School Gyrls” (6 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new musical comedy follows the adventures of three freshmen at an exclusive all-girls boarding school. It features a real-life teen pop group consisting of Mandy Rain, Jacquelyn Rae Pyles and Monica Parales. The movie also features guest appearances by Nick Cannon, Justin Bieber, Kristinia DeBarge, Reverend Run, Soulja Boy, Angie Stone and Pete Wentz.
••“Sinbad: Where U Been?” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): Sinbad returns to the stage after a 13-year absence from his last stand-up special. He discusses America’s new black president, the lighter side of the economic recession, the pitfalls of love and marriage and, of course, gives everyone the low down of where he’s been.
••”Sins of the Mother” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Jill Scott (“The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency”) stars in this new movie based on author Carleen Brice’s novel “Orange Mint and Honey.” It tells the story about the harsh realities of love, forgiveness and the closest bonds between mother and daughter.
••“Til Death” (6 p.m. on Fox): When Eddie and Joy befriend Stephen (Kevin Nealon, “Weeds”) and his wife Simona, Eddie clicks with them right away, which causes Joy to feel left out.
••“Undercover Boss” (8 p.m. on CBS): Joe DePinto, the chief executive and President of 7-Eleven, goes undercover in his own company where he discovers that one of his corporate policies has not been implemented on the frontlines.
••”Weather Proof” (8 p.m. on The Weather Channel): Learn how to handle dehydration, infection, hypothermia and more that can occur in the great outdoors to ruin a great camping trip. Co-hosts Stephanie Abrams and Newton Wimer test everything from rain gear and sleeping bags to bug repellant and first aid kits.
••“Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” (6 p.m. on Nick Jr.): The WuzzOlympic Games are coming to town, and coaching all the participants is Michelle Kwanzelberry (voiced by Olympian Michelle Kwan). Wubbzy and his pals get geared up to compete, and Michelle advises them to prepare, practice and have fun.
MONDAY, FEB. 22, 2010
••”American Masters” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): S. Epatha Merkerson (“Law & Order”) narrates the installment “Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun.” Hurtson was one of the most celebrated and most controversial fugures of the Harlem Renaissance.
••”Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised include photos by American photographer Edward Weston, a table crafted by master furniture maker George Nakashima and an exhibition piece made by Tiffany for the 1893 Columbian Exhibition in Chicago.
••”Best of Cake Boss” (8 p.m. on TLC): In this special episode, Buddy Valastro counts down his top five favorite cakes and re-lives some of the most memorable moments from the past two seasons.
••”Blood, Sweat & T-Shirts” (9 p.m. on Planet Green): In the Season 1 finale, six fashion victims embark on a journey in Mumbai, where they are put to work in the backstreet factories in Asia’s largest slum.
••“Greek” (9 p.m. on ABC Family): Ashleigh is worried that her new boyfriend, Pete (Yani Gellman, “The Young and the Restless”), might be another cheater. Her insecurities are only heightened when her nemesis, Gamma Psi Natalie, starts playing with Ashleigh’s head by insinuating that she and Pete are in a relationship.
••“Men of a Certain Age” (9 p.m. on TNT): Feeling guilty about his rapid downward spiral, Joe decides to stop gambling. Owen finds a new sense of purpose when he goes to work for a rival auto dealership. And Terry’s life spins out of control when his gig on a movie results in disasters at the apartment complex he manages.
••“NFL Full Contact” (9 p.m. on truTV): The New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head to London, as the NFL makes its third trip across the pond to bring America’s game to the United Kingdom. It may seem like a regular game on TV, but for the people behind the scenes, it’s a daunting task.
••“Nightline” (10:35 p.m. on ABC): This installment highlights a recent “Face-Off” debate on “Is it Okay to be Fat?” Cynthia McFadden moderated the discussion that tackles delicate questions related to dieting and obesity and how it relates to heath.
••“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Ben and Adrian have to deal with the repercussions from last week’s stunning turn of events at the school dance. Anson Williams (“Happy Days”) directed the episode.
••”Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Jeremy, Richard and James find themselves entered in a terrifying French ice race. Sienna Miller (“Keen Eddie”) is featured in the “star in a reasonable priced car” segment.
••”Ultimate Cake Off” (9 p.m. on TLC): Master cake decorators Kathy Scott, Bob Broughman and Beth Ayala compete to make the ultimate birthday cake for a Sweet 16 birthday celebration aboard the magical Scarlett Belle Riverboat.
TUESDAY, FEB. 23, 2010
••”American Idol” (7 p.m. om Fox): The top 12 female semifinalists take to the stage hoping to earn another week in the competition as they perform live for judges Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, as well as fans at home. On Wedneday, the top 12 male semifinalists perform. On the first live results show airing Thursday, two girls and two boys will be eliminated.
••”General Hospital” (2 p.m. on CBS): In the daytime drama’s 12,000th episode, the fallout continues from mobster Sonny Corinthos’ learning that undercover cop Dante is his son, and Elizabeth figures out who the father of her unborn child is.
••”The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): Alicia deals with tricky office politics when she’s asked to represent the firm’s senior partner after her husband, Peter, is arrested. Chelsea Handler (“Chelsea Lately”) guest stars as herself when she interviews Peter’s mistress on her show.
••”Independent Lens” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): “Behind the Rainbow” chronicles the story of how the African National Congress transformed from a liberation organization into South Africa’s ruling party.
••”The Little Couple” (9 p.m. on TLC): It’s moving day for Jen and Bill into their temporary rental. Things get crazy when Bill loses his watch that Jen gave him on their anniversary and when Rocky sneaks under the fence in their new backyard.
••”When Learning Comes Naturally” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This new special documents innovative outdoor education programs around the country created to help children understand and experience the wonders and joys of nature.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24, 2010
••”Aaron Stone” (7 p.m. on Disney XD): Season 2 finds champion video gamer Charlie Landers and his legendary crime-fighting avatar, Aaron Stone, taking their game to a whole new level when a group of new villains escape and threaten world domination.
••”Conviction Kitchen” (9 p.m. on Planet Green): The last week of the trainees’ three-month probation, and a star-studded graduation party is being planned.
••”CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Following a spray of machine gunfire, the CSI team rises from the chaos; however, when one member’s life is significantly changed, it proves to be the emotional motivation they need to piece together their lives and find the shooter. Sarah Carter (“Shark”) guest stars in a recurring role as Haylen Becall, a forensic school graduate who works as a crime scene clean-up technician and aspires to be a CSI.
••”Destroy Build Destroy” (7:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network): This live-action show, back for Season 2, features two groups of teenage contestants who get to destroy various objects and then build vehicles out of the wreckage.
••”Dude, What Would Happen” (7 p.m. on Cartoon Network): Returning for Season 2 are teen hosts C.J. Manigo, Jackson Rogow and Ali Sepasyar. They wonder what would happen if some wild event, scheme, or experiment were to occur and then try to create the event themselves.
••”Faces of America” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This hour chronicles how land came to define the settling and identity of the country, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. shows Oscar winner Meryl Streep how her eighth great-grandfather fought in Metacom’s War, while Eva Longoria Parker discovers that a land dispute in Spain forced her ancestors to depart for the New World in 1603.
••”The Middle” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Frankie fears that a confrontation with trashy neighbor Rita Glossner (Brooke Shields, “Lipstick Jungle”) is at hand when Sue has a run-in with her sons.
••”Modern Family” (7 p.m. on ABC): Claire is determined to surprise Phil with an amazing anniversary present – a private performance by one of their favorite musicians, Izzy LaFontaine (Edward Norton, “Primal Fear”). Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron call up their party-girl bestie, Sal (Elizabeth Banls, “Seabiscuit”), for a long overdue night out on the town.
••”One Life to Live” (1 p.m. on ABC): After spending time with his friend Bo Buchanan and his family, guest star Snoop Dogg (“Old School”) will head to Capricorn for his return engagement in Llanview.
THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 2010
••”The Deep End” (7 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 1 finale, the group struggle to close all of their cases before Cliff and Susan’s charity gala. Addy and Malcolm must find a way around a deceitful insurance company, while Dylan and Beth fight to keep a young client out of jail for a text messaged photo.
••“Past Life” (8 p.m. on Fox): When a young girl exhibits physical manifestations from traumatic past-life memories, she is dubbed a saint by the media and is brought to the team’s attention. From saint to sinner, the “Saint” Sarah case leads Kate and Price to a serial killer.
••”Police Women of Maricopa County” (8 p.m. on TLC): Season 2 follows four female deputies at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Phoenix. In the premiere episode, Detective Deborah Moyer takes part in a high-speed chase that ends in the tasing of a naked man.
••”Soundstage” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Willie Nelson and his eight-piece band perform highlights from his first-ever bluegrass album. He also mixes in elements of folk, blues, classic country, western swing and gospel in his “Soundstage” set.
FRIDAY, FEB. 26, 2010
••”The 41st NAACP Image Awards” (7 p.m. on Fox): The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People recognizes artistic achievements as well as people and projects that promote diversity in the arts during ceremonies at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. This year’s nominees include Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Morgan Freeman, Sandra Bullock, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Alica Keys, Rihanna and Whitney Houston. Tyler Perry will receive the Chairman’s Award.
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Season 3 opens with a special tribute to the Beatles’ iconic album, “Abbey Road.” The episode features Seal (“Something”), Counting Crows (“Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, The End”), Sugarland (“Come Together”) and Matchbox Twenty (“She Came In Through The Bathroom Window”), as well as other never-before-seen performances of songs from the album in conjunction with its 40th Anniversary.
••”Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison’s visions could help prevent a massive bioterror attack when samples of a deadly virus go missing. Matt Letscher (“Eli Stone”) and William Allen Young (“District 9”) guest star.
••”Turn the Beat Around” (9 p.m. on MTV): This new movie set in the competitive Los Angeles dance scene tells the story of Zoe (Romina D’Ugo), a struggling young dancer who gets the opportunity to fulfill her dreams when she convinces a wealthy nightclub owner to open a new club with a disco theme.The film features original remakes of classic disco songs by some of today’s most popular new acts.
SATURDAY, FEB. 27, 2010
••”Beauty and the Beasts: A Dark Tale” (8 p.m. on Syfy): In this re-imagining of a classic fairy tale, Estella Warren (“Planet of the Apes”) stars as a young Beauty with a gift for healing. She helps a deformed Prince (Rhett Gilles, “Wraiths of Roanoke”) regain his throne and defeat the ruthless nobleman who wants to be king.
••”Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team looks into the 1944 murder of the top pilot from the WASP program, a pioneering group of civilian women who volunteered to fly non-combat missions for the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII. Guest starring are Michael Learned (“The Waltons”) as a former WASP pilot, Deanna Dunagan (“August: Osage County”) as the ex-WASP commander, Chad Faust (“The 4400″) as a WASP flight instructor and John Aniston (“Days of Our Lives”) as a WWII Army Air Force pilot veteran.
••”Dance-a-Lot Robot” (5:25 a.m. on Disney): A combination of animation and live-action, this new short-form series stars Dance-A-Lot, a robot with rhythm. He teaches preschoolers simple original dance steps including the robot, the blue jay, the dinosaur stomp and the clock — all set to the music of Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh.
••”Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” (8 a.m. on Disney): Season 3 launches with the episode “Goofy’s Goofbot,” in which Goofy builds a super smart and strong toy robot that looks just like him. The third season will also feature the new physical fitness-themed short-form series, “Mickey Mousekersize.”
••”NUMB3RS” (7 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for a geneticist’s daughter who they suspect was abducted by her unstable mother, but become more concerned when they think the young girl may be a clone. Tony Hale (“Arrested Development”) guest stars as Russell Lazlo, an erratically brilliant biotech professor helping the team on the case.
••”Phineas and Ferb” (7 a.m. on Disney XD): Irving’s brother doesn’t believe that Phineas and Ferb are anything special, and since he claims to be the “truth detector,” he can prove it. Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock”) guest stars.
••“Pit Boss” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): Shorty and his team organize a car wash fundraiser to help pay for the many dog rescues that drain Shortywood Production’s bank account. But a thunderstorm threatens to ruin the big event.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Feb. 14-20, 2010
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 30 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Feb. 14.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
GUEST STARS
••Rosanna Arquette (“Pulp Fiction”) on “Private Practice,” 9:01 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Michael Badalucco (“The Practice”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon (“Eyes”) on “Human Target,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
••Mayim Bialik (“Blossom”) on “Til Death,” 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox, and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
••Christie Brinkley (“Vacation”) on “Ugly Betty,” 9:01 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Bruno Campos (“Nip/Tuck”) on “Private Practice,” 9:01 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Baron Davis (Los Angeles Clippers) on “The Forgotten,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Jordan Farmer (Los Angeles Lakers) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Laurence Fishburne (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday and “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Adam Goldberg (“The Unusuals”) on “NUMB3RS,” 7 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
••Rick Gonzalez (“Reaper”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Richard Kind (“Spin City”) on “Leverage,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TNT.
••Eva Longoria (“Desperate Housewives”) on “Sesame Street,” 9 a.m. Thursday on OETA-13.
••Martha MacIsaac (“Superbad”) on “Greek,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
••Debi Mazar (“Entourage”) on “Sesame Street,” 9 a.m. Tuesday on OETA-13.
••Sam Page (“Mad Men”) on “Greek,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
••Chazz Palminteri (“The Usual Suspects”) on “Modern Family,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sex and the City”) on “Sesame Street,” 9 a.m. Tuesday on OETA-13.
••Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”) on “Glenn Martin, DDS,” 7:30 p.m. Monday on Nickelodeon.
••Sarah Paulson (“Down with Love”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Walter Perez (“Fame”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Tyler Perry (“Madea Goes to Jail”) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Mitch Pileggi (“The X-Files”) on “Human Target,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox, and “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Autumn Reeser (“The O.C.”) on “Human Target,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
••J. August Richards (“Raising the Bar”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Peter Riegert (“Damages”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Raini Rodriguez (“Paul Blart: Mall Cop”) on “I’m in the Band,” 6 p.m. Monday on Disney XD.
••Kenny Rogers (“The Gambler”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Paul Rudd (“Role Models”) on “Sesame Street,” 9 a.m. Thursday on OETA-13.
••Sara Rue (“Eastwick”) on “Private Practice,” 9:01 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Oleysa Rulin (“High School Musical”) on “Greek,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
••Jeri Ryan (“Star Trek: Voyager”) on “Leverage,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TNT.
••Shakira (Grammy-winning singer) on “Ugly Betty,” 9:01 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Keesha Sharp (“Girlfriends”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Tom Verica (“American Dreams”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Kevin Weisman (“Alias”) on “Human Target,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
Top 55 TV Programs for Feb. 14-20, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman,
which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Feb. 14:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, FEB. 14
••“The Amazing Race” (7 p.m. on CBS): Oklahomans Jet and Cord McCoy are among the 11 teams competing in the 40,0000-mile race across five continents. Other teams include “Big Brother 11″ houseguests Jordan Lloyd and Jeff Schroeder, 2007 Miss South Carolina Teen USA Caite Upton and her boyfriend, Brent, and Cleveland Indian third-base coach Steve Smith and his daughter, Allison.
••“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): Newly discovered details about the mugger of Valen’s mother, a joint custody request from Miller’s ex and brewing legal hurdles for Rush (Kathryn Morris) vex those team members as they attempt to solve the 1983 murder of a graffiti artist. Guest starring are Michael Badalucco (“The Practice”), Rick Gonzalez (“Reaper”), Keesha Sharp (“Girlfriends”) and Walter Perez (“Fame”).
••“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Tyler Perry (“Madea Goes to Jail”) joins the team in Prince George’s County, MD, to help a couple who have put the well-being of neighborhood kids ahead of their own living conditions.
••“High Stakes Poker” (8 p.m. on GSN): Season 6 features the toughest line-up of professional poker players ever, resulting in the type of action that any poker fan would yearn for and learn from. Professional poker player Kara Scott joins Gabe Kaplan to co-host this season.
••“How to Make It in America” (9 p.m. on HBO): This new series follows two enterprising Brooklyn twentysomethings as they hustle their way through New York City trying to make a name for themselves in New York’s competitive fashion scene. Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition.
••“Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In this adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey,” Felicity Jones stars as in-love-with-love Catherine Morland, who is thrown into high society via her patrons. She falls in love, but monetary and social issues get in the way.
••“Sexting in America: When Privates Go Public” (8 p.m. on MTV): This 30 minute special examines how ‘sexting’ is impacting youth culture and relationships, the stakes involved and how this trend is becoming a new frontier for teen dating abuse.
••“Sextistics: Your Love Life” (8 p.m. on TLC): Ever wondered if there is a smoother path down the rocky road of love? Or how your love life matches up with the rest of the nation? This special reveals the startling answers.
••”The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): The Simpsons head to the 2010 Vancouver Games where Marge and Homer compete as part of a curling team. Bob Costas (guest-voicing as himself) reports.
••“Starstruck” (7 p.m. on Disney): Sterling Knight (“Sonny With A Chance”) and Danielle Campbell (“Prison Break”) star in this music and adventure-filled movie about a Hollywood pop star who, after meeting a down-to-earth girl visiting from the Midwest, is faced with either following his heart or doing what’s best for his career.
••”Til Death” (6:30 p.m. on Fox): Ally sends Doug to a shrink (Mayim Bialik, “Blossom”) to cure his mysterious illness.
••“Tool Academy 3” (8 p.m. on VH1): A new class of bad boyfriends and girlfriends learn what it takes to fix their relationships in Season 3.
••“Undercover Boss” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Coby Brooks, President and CEO of “Hooters” goes undercover in his own company, he finds himself struggling to keep up in a fast-paced kitchen and is, later, forced to take immediate action when a restaurant manager steps out of line.
••“The Visitors” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary follows the exhausting journey of individuals as they leave their homes every weekend and travel to various prisons in Upstate New York to visit loved ones. Every Friday night about 800 people, mostly women and children, gather at Columbus Circle in Manhattan and board buses. Depending on the destination, the trips can take 8 or 10 hours one way.
MONDAY, FEB. 15, 2010
••“The 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show” (7 p.m. today and Tuesday on USA Network): Tamron Hall (MSNBC Live”) will co-host the event with David Frei, longtime breeder-owner-handler and judge in the world of purebred dogs. Entries this year total 2,500 dogs representing 48 states, the District of Columbia and at least eight foreign countries. The highest breed entered is the Australian Shepherds with 44.
••”Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised in Hour One from Madison, Wisc., include an art deco charm bracelet, an heirloom 1938 Martin D-18 guitar and an angry letter from Frank Sinatra to Chicago Daily News columnist Mike Royko.
••“Celebrity Close Calls” (9 p.m. on BIO Channel): Celebrities Jane Seymour (“Modern Men”), Erik Estrada (“ChiPs”), Leif Garrett (“Popstar”) and Coolio (“Three Days to Vegas”) tell their tales where each were forced to face their own mortality in shocking, unexpected twists of fate. They describe the out of body visions they experienced and how they fought “the white light.” Garrett plunged his Porsche off a highway, paralyzing his passenger. Estrada was crushed by his motorcycle on the set of “ChiPs.” Coolio nearly died from an asthma attack. And Seymour was left fighting for her life after a routine injection gone wrong.
••“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Horatio Caine calls Las Vegas CSI Dr. Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne, “CSI”) to come to Miami when a severed leg found in the Everglades is discovered to belong to a girl who went missing in Las Vegas a week earlier.
••“Facing Ali” (8 p.m. on SPIKE): This documentary delves into the life of boxing legend Muhammad Ali in and out of the ring through the eyes of those who fought him. Among those interviewed are George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Ken Norton and Leon Spinks.
••“Greek” (9 p.m. on ABC Family): Casey is ready to discuss the future with Cappie, and the situation isn’t helped by handsome Washington politician Joel (Sam Page, “Mad Men”), who encourages Casey to envision a potential career in politics after she volunteers to help him with his voter registration campaign at the Cyprus Rhodes campus. Martha MacIsaac (“Superbad”) and Oleysa Rulin (“High School Musical”) also guest star.
••“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): While Barney tries to convince Robin to become an American citizen, Ted and Marshall’s fabled road trip takes a wrong turn when Marshall invites Lily. Guest star Kenny Rogers (“The Gambler”) narrates the audio book played during Marshall and Ted’s road trip.
••”I’m in the Band” (6 p.m. on Disney XD): Arlene (Raini Rodriguez, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”) invites Tripp and his band mates over to her house for a gathering honoring the demise of Hip Hop.
••”One Tree Hill” (7 p.m. on CW): Nathan tries to help Haley and Jamie confront Lydia’s seemingly hopeless situation. Series star Bethany Joy Galeotti (Haley) directed the episode
••“The Penguins of Madagascar” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In the show’s first special, “Dr. Blowhole’s Revenge,” Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”) guest stars as the penguins’ long-time nemesis out for revenge and to finally conquer the world.
••“Picturing the Presidents” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): This special that looks at the photos, caricatures and portraits that have captured, satirized and humanized past presidents. From the portrait that enraged LBJ to the bad-hair-day photograph that almost cost Lincoln the election, the pictures that elicit reactions are as divisive as the subjects themselves.
••“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): The new school counselor, Dr. Bink (Mayim Bialik, “Blossom”), organizes Grant High School’s first mother/daughter dance during which each group learns a great deal about the other and their respective personal lives.
••”Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Jeremy gets chased by the British Army in some of their latest and most deadly toys. Olympic gold-medal winning sprinter Usain Bolt is featured in the “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” segment.
••“Yoga Inc.” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary takes an in-depth look into the world of yoga, examining an ancient spiritual practice and its controversial transformation into a competitive, commercialized, multi-million dollar industry.
TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 2010
••”16 and Pregnant” (9 p.m. on MTV): This series, back for Season 2, looks inside the lives of 10 teenagers as they face the challenges that come with being a young parent. For 5-7 months, the series follows these teens as they navigate the unfamiliar territory and uncertainty of being pregnant.
••”The Forgotten” (9 p.m. on ABC): The Forgotten Network sets out to identify a 40-year-old woman found murdered in a local bar. One of the primary suspects is a superstar basketball player (Baron Davis, LA Clippers), who had an altercation with Jane Doe days before.
••”The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): As Alicia prepares to defend a scientist accused of arson, she is caught off guard when Peter’s attorney asks her to testify on Peter’s behalf sooner than she expected. Peter Riegert (“Damages”) guest stars as the judge in Peter’s appeal.
••”Independent Lens” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Mine/Home” explores the vital bond between humans and animals, as demonstrated in the attempts by Hurricane Katrina victims to find their pets.
••”Maneaters” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): Using real footage mixed with dramatic reconstructions, survivors of tiger and leopard attacks talk through their gut-wrenching encounters while experts explain the reasons why these predators are turning on people.
••”Paranormal Cops” (9:30 p.m. on A&E): In the season finale, a fellow police officer calls Ron and the team in to help uncover the mysteries surrounding his night job as a security guard at a banquet hall, where the investigators find there could be multiple spirits trying to communicate with the living.
••”Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Celebrity guest Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sex and the City”) gets some help from Super Grover while she’s waiting for Big Bird. Debi Mazar (“Entourage”) presents the word on the street, which is “humungous.”
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17, 2010
••”30 Bizarre Inventions” (7 p.m. on FLN): This special takes a look back at some of the more unique products that have been featured on television over the years.
••”CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): A big rig accident results in the discovery of an interstate trucking ring that specializes in human cargo and black market organ harvesting, which sets off a race against time to save a hostage. Laurence Fishburne (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) guest stars.
••”American Idol” (8 p.m. on Fox): This season’s Top 24 semifinalists will be revealed.
••”Faces of America” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Becoming American” explores the diverse journeys of new arrivals during the “century of immigration.” Stephen Colbert’s (“The Colbert Report”) great-great-grandfather escapes poverty in Ireland, while chef Mario Batali’s great-grandfather struggles in Montana, and the great-grandfather of Queen Noor of Jordan settles in New York.
••”Human Target” (7 p.m. on Fox): Chance, Winston and Guerrero devise an elaborate plan to break into a maximum-security high-rise to rescue a computer genius (Kevin Weisman, “Alias”) being held against his will. Autumn Reeser (“The O.C.”), Mitch Pileggi (“The X-Files”) and Garcelle Beauvais-Niloon (“Eyes”) guest star.
••”The Inbetweeners” (8:30 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 1 finale, four hapless heroes at Rudge Park Comprehensive all still trying to work out how to be cool. Season 2 begins Feb. 24.
••”Leverage” (9 p.m. on TNT): Surrounded by FBI, the team decides to hide in plain sight, while continuing to take down the corrupt mayor and his gunrunning partner. Little do they suspect that Nate has a different endgame in mind for them all in the Season 2 finale. Jeri Ryan (“Star Trek: Voyager”) and Richard Kind (“Spin City”) guest star.
••”Modern Family” (7 p.m. on ABC): Mitchell plants the seed in Jay’s head that he thinks one of Jay’s old buddies (Chazz Palminteri, “The Usual Suspects”) might be secretly gay.
••”Ugly Betty” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Things should be dreamy at a Bahamas resort, where even Shakira (portraying herself) is staying, but Betty has a nightmarish photo shoot after Willie learns her nemesis, Penelope Graybridge (Christie Brinkley, “Vacation”), snagged a coveted job.
••”The View” (10 a.m. on ABC): Victoria Beckham (“Spice World”) makes her first appearance as a celebrity guest co-host. Her first guest appearance on show as a guest was September 2009.
••”The Woman Who Stops Traffic” (7 p.m. on Planet Green): In the series finale, the journey of professional trouble-shooter Kris Murrin concludes. She provides several services to get the residents of Durham walking, cycling and using public transport.
THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 2010
••”CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (9 p.m. on CBS): Catherine, Nick and the rest of the team help Langston investigate a prostitution ring that may have harbored a hostage he has been searching for in Miami and New York while delving into a human trafficking operation.
••”Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): In his new role as Chief, Derek restores the hospital lecture series, and Richard, Bailey and Callie present to the group pivotal surgical cases from their pasts. Sarah Paulson (“Down with Love”) and J. August Richards (“Raising the Bar”) guest star.
••”LA Ink” (9 p.m. on TLC): This docu-series following tattoo artist Kat Von D and her shop, High Voltage, continues to feature new great tattoos with compelling stories behind them. However, it’s not all fun and games as Kat is forced to really manage her business and her employees.
••”Private Practice” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): As Violet continues to help Sam with Maya’s wedding, Naomi refuses to take part as she works with Addison and Pete to save the life of a 25-week-old premature baby. Rosanna Arquette (“Pulp Fiction”), Sara Rue (“Eastwick”) and Bruno Campos (“Nip/Tuck”) guest star.
••”Reporter” (8:30 p.m. on HBO): This documentary follows New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof as he goes in search of individuals whose stories reflect the desperate crisis unfolding in the war-torn Congo.
••”Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Celebrity guest Paul Rudd (“Role Models”) plays a prince attempting to rescue a pengiun in distress. Eva Longoria (“Desperate Housewives”) presents the word on the street, which is “exquisite.”
FRIDAY, FEB. 19, 2010
••”Comedy Central Presents” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Comedians Tony Rock and Doug Williams are featured in back-to-back premiere episodes for Season 14 of the stand-up talent showcase.
••”The Life and Times of Tim” (8:30 p.m. on HBO): This animated comedy series, back for Season 2, follows Tim, a twentysomething New Yorker who has a habit of befriending unreliable characters who repeatedly get him into serious trouble.
••”Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Allison develops a strange sensitivity to light, the sunglasses she wears reveal mysterious numbers that could tie into people’s life expectancies. Tom Verica (“American Dreams”) and Mitch Pileggi (“The X-Files”) guest star.
••”NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When two FBI agents are killed during a shootout with bank robbers, the team must investigate what exactly happened. Jordan Farmer (Los Angeles Lakers) guest stars.
••”Real Time With Bill Maher” (9 p.m. on HBO): Back for Season 8, this show allows host Bill Maher to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues and includes an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panelists and interviews with in-studio and satellite guests.
••”The Ricky Gervais Show” (8 p.m. on HBO): This new series animates podcasts voiced by Ricky Gervais, his longtime collaborator Stephen Merchant and friend Karl Pilkington, whose offbeat musings inspire many of the storylines. The podcasts, which first appeared on The Guardian website, earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most downloads.
SATURDAY, FEB. 20, 2010
••”NUMB3RS” (7 p.m. on CBS): Don and the team investigate a series of murders that they realize are being copied from scenes out of a soon-to-be-released movie. Adam Goldberg (“The Unusuals”) guest stars.
••“Precious: The Story Behind the Movie” (7 p.m. on TV Guide Network): This special documents the film’s journey from page to screen and includes never-before-seen film footage, interviews with the director and cast members, and reactions from filmgoers who have seen the movie and been touched by its story.
–Penny TV
TV Premieres, Finales and Marathons airing Feb. 7-13 (2010)
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 Feb. 7 (as well as a few marathons).
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
BEGINNINGS
••“Bathtastic,” 8:30 p.m. Sunday on DIY (third-season premiere).
••“Undervcover Boss,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS (series premiere).
••“Antiques Roadshow UK,” 3 p.m. Monday on BBC America (32nd-season premiere).
••“Winter Next X,” 4 p.m. Monday on Disney XD (series premiere).
••“Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp,” 8 p.m. Monday on VH1 (seventh-season premiere).
••“NFL Full Contact,” 9 p.m. Monday on truTV (series premiere).
••“Past Life,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox (special preview, series premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday).
••“Faces of America,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on OETA-13 (series premiere).
••“Inside NASCAR,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Showtime (series premiere).
••“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CBS (20th-season premiere).
••“Famous Crime Scene,” 8 p.m. Friday on VH1 (series premiere).
••“Kick Buttowski — Suburban Daredevil,” 7:30 a.m. Saturday on Disney XD (series premiere).
••“Survivors,” 7 p.m. Saturday on BBC America (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••“America’s Next Top Model Obsessed,” 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday on Oxygen.
••“Heroes,” 8 p.m. Monday on NBC (fourth-season finale).
••“Friday Night Lights,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on DirecTV (fourth-season finale).
••“The Haunted,” 9 p.m. Friday on Animal Planet (first-season finale).
••“Operation Wild,” 9 p.m. Friday on Planet Green (first-season finale).
MARATHONS
••“Jersey Shore,” 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday on MTV.
••“CSI,” noon Sunday to 3 a.m. Monday on SPIKE.
••“Last Restaurant Standing,” 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday on BBC America.
••“The Nanny,” 10 p.m. to midnight Monday through Feb. 14 on Nickelodeon.
Pictured above: PAST LIFE: Psychologist Dr. Kate McGinn (Kelli Giddish, second from L), Price Whatley (Nicholas Bishop, third from L), Dr. Malachi Talmadge (Richard Schiff, L) and Dr. Rishi Karna (Ravi Patel, R) investigate the world of the unexplained as they work together to solve decades-old mysteries in the new drama PAST LIFE premiering Thursday, Feb. 11, on FOX. Photo Credit: Jeremy Cowart/FOX
Top 55 TV Programs for Jan. 24-30, 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 Jan. 24:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, JAN. 24, 2010
◊“Big Love” (8 p.m. on HBO): Bill, Nicki and Cara Lynn hit the road for Washington, D.C., where Bill hopes to score an endorsement. Back home, Margene’s career triumph is marred by a case of mistaken identity.
◊“Cantore Stories” (9 p.m. on The Weather Channel): Hosted by meteorologist Jim Cantore, this new series follows him as he visits some of America’s most amazing climates and meets with extraordinary people who live there. From the swampy marshes of the Louisiana Bayou to the tropical rainforests of Hawaii, each half-hour episode of Cantore Stories will give viewers a glimpse of how residents adapt to life in such environments, as well as explore how these locations impact the world we live in.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team reopens the 2004 case of a teen who was wrongly sent to a juvenile detention center where he was killed before Valens could make good on his promise to get him released. Bobby Cannavale (“Third Watch”) and Steven Culp (“JAG”) guest star.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Three volleyball players mysteriously drop dead on the court while Calleigh’s testimony against Delko threatens his future as a CSI.
Cheryl Ladd (“Charlie’s Angels”) and Tia Carrere (“Dancing With the Stars”) guest star.
◊“CSI: NY” (7 p.m. on CBS): In a rebroadcast of the show’s 100th episode, the team tackles their most unusual case yet: two murder victims within two weeks, both named ‘Mac Taylor.’ Now, Det. Mac Taylor must determine the killer’s motive before they strike again. Chris Daughtrey (“American Idol”), Nelly (“The Longest Yard”), Julia Ormond (“The Wronged Man”) and Scott Wolf (“Everwood”) guest star.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): With music star Ashanti as the celebrity volunteer, the team travels to Buffalo, NY, to help Delores Powell, a Jamaican immigrant and community activist whose home is barely livable despite the work and repairs she has poured into it over the past five and a half years.
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Romola Garai (“Atonement”) has the title role in this new three-part adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic “Emma.” She’s a happily single young woman who thinks herself the perfect matchmaker for others. Her friend Mr. Knightley (Jonny Lee Miller, “Eli Stone”) has his doubts.
◊“Nick News: The Face of Courage” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new installment explores the world of kids who are living with cancer. They have been where no kid should have to go, and they have survived to share their stories – and their courage – with viewers. Linda Ellerbee, the show’s host, is an 18-year cancer survivor.
◊“The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge National Championships” (3 p.m. on ABC): The event features canines competing in dog diving, agility, 60-weave pole racing and freestyle flying Disc.Olympic diver Greg Louganis, who now trains dogs, competed in the agility event with his dog, Doby.
◊“The Tiniest Girl in the World” (8 p.m. on TLC): Two-year-old toddler Charlotte weighs only seven pounds. She could have a rare form of primordial dwarfism, but until her family gets an official diagnosis, her parents don’t know what treatment she needs or what her life expectancy is.
MONDAY, JAN. 25, 2010
◊“American Experience: Wyatt Earp ” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This documentary depicts the complexities and flaws of the Western lawman whose life is a lens on politics, justice and economic opportunity on the American frontier.
◊“Animal Planet Investigates: Dog Fighting Exposed” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new documentary features unparalleled commentary and never-before-seen footage in a rare look into the secretive world of organized dog fighting. It is the first in a line of quarterly specials that will take a comprehensive, investigative look at timely issues that impact both humans and animals.
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised in the first hour from Atlantic City include a Walt Whitman memoir inscribed by the author, a 19th-century bronze and marble statue by French sculptor Albert Ernest Carrier Belleuse and an oil painting by Canadian artists Cornelius Krieghoff.
◊“Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular” (5 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Olympic gold-medalist Brian Boitano teams up with Olympic figure skaters Peggy Fleming, Kimmie Meissner and Steven Cousins, who perform routines to the music of rock band Chicago.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck must go on his first solo mission to Paris, but he’ll be lucky to survive the flight. Kristin Kreuk (“Smallville”) and Stone Cold Steve Austin (“WWE Smackdown!”) guest star.
◊“Cinema Style: Designer Visions” (7 p.m. on FLN): Hosted by Lloyd Boston (“Closet Cases”), this special highlights the transformation of three New York City Soho lofts from empty places into signature spaces inspired by the Hollywood films “The Big Chill,” “Dinner at Eight” and “Girl With a Pearl Earring.” The projects are brought to life by notable interior designers Thom Filicia, Richard Mishaan and John Saladino.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): When Miami’s most hated man is murdered, Horatio and his CSI team search for his killer and his hidden treasure. Andrea Parker (“The Pretender”) guest stars.
◊“Damages” (9 p.m. on FX): In Season 3, high-powered lawyer Patty Hewes is overseeing the assets of a family accused of masterminding a Bernie Madoff-esque financial scheme. New cast members Lily Tomlin (“Murphy Brown”) and Len Cariou (“Brotherhood”) portray the heads of the family, and Martin Short (“Saturday Night Live”) plays their attorney. Campbell Scott (“Six Degrees”) and Keith Carradine (“Dexter”) also join the cast.
◊“The Electric Company” (4:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This re-invented version of the series, which returns for Season 2, is designed to appeal to today’s kids with fresh animation, music videos and exciting narrative storylines. It begins with a special three-episode recurring role by kid comedian Kyle Massey (“Cory in the House”), who plays Keith’s cousin, P.J.
◊“Greek” (9 p.m. on ABC Family): In the mid-season premiere, the ZBZ ladies are on edge thinking they may have been responsible for the Gamma Psi house burning down. Casey, Ashleigh and Rebecca lead their sorority sisters in an effort to hide all evidence pointing to the fact that they snuck into the Gamma Psi house prior to the big fire.
◊“Handy Manny School For Tools” (7:25 a.m. on Disney): Inspired by the Emmy-nominated series “Handy Manny” starring Wilmer Valderrama, this three-minute short-film series will feature Manny and his trusty tools alongside a set of 11 new tools: Beamer the laser level, Zip the power socket wrench, Pinzas the needle nose pliers, Sneeze the shop vac, Tick and Totts the socket wrenches, Roland the tool chest, Spinner the power drill and a family of crescent wrenches – dad Lefty, mom Lily and son Junior. The stories are designed to provide young viewers insight into cooperation and the value of individual talent.
◊“The Inbetweeners” (8 p.m. on BBC America): This six-part British comedy series offers a painfully funny take on the squirming humiliations of teenage life. It begins with the new kid in town, Will (Simon Bird), who has unwillingly had to move and change schools. He soon meets Simon (Joe Thomas), Jay (James Buckley) and Neil (Blake Harrison), who are neither that cool nor that credible.
◊“Life UneXpected” (8 p.m. on CW): Lux is torn when her boyfriend, Bug (Rafi Gavron, “24”), and best friend, Natasha, suggest that Cate and Baze may not be in it for the long haul and that Lux should return to her old life and the people who love her most of all.
◊“Men of a Certain Age” (9 p.m. on TNT): Joe goes to see his recently retired father (Robert Loggia, “Jagged Edge”), who gives new meaning to the word grumpy. Owen’s wife and mother get upset when a commercial for the auto dealership implies that Owen’s co-worker, Marcus, is actually Owen Sr.’s son. And Terry becomes obsessed over finding out why he has been rejected for a youth mentoring program.
◊“Secret Diary of a Call Girl Special” (9 p.m. on Showtime): Captured on camera for the first time, actress Billie Piper meets the woman she portrays in the series “Secret Diary of a Call Girl.” For six years she was known only as “Belle de Jour,” publisher of an infamous sex blog and several best-selling books. Two months ago, Brooke Magnanti stepped out of the shadows to reveal herself as the real “Belle.” Now a neuroscientist, she joined Piper in a London hotel room to impart secrets of the trade, offer anecdotes about some of her most amusing encounters, reflect on her regrets and giggle as she shares what she considers her greatest assets. Season 3 of the series starts Feb. 1.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Christina Applegate (“Samantha Who?”) presents the “Word on the Street”: Booth.
◊“Sound Tracks: Music Without Borders” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Music-related stories from around the globe are told in this new newsmagazine. Alexis Bloom is in Russia to report on the popularity of “A Man Like Putin,” a song praising the prime minister for more than his policies. And Arun Rath relates how Sacha Baron Cohen’s brother, Erran, used his musical talent to make amends to the people of Kazakhstan after “Borat.”
◊“Team Umizoomi” (10:30 a.m. on Nickelodeon): This new educational preschool series combines action-adventure missions with an interactive math curriculum designed to help kids develop self-confidence in their math abilities and appreciate the many ways in which mathematics shapes their world. It features a tiny team of superheroes who use their mighty math powers to help little kids solve big problems, and it is set to a soundtrack of preschool-friendly pop songs.
◊“Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 13 premiere, hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May set out to discover what “Top Gear” might have been like 60 years ago. In a race from London to Edinburgh, James drives an old Jaguar XK120 sports car, Richard rides a Vincent Black Shadow motorbike and Jeremy jumps on board the Tornado, a brand-new Peppercorn A1 Pacific Class steam locomotive built to the original blueprints used to create some of Britain’s finest locomotives back in the heyday of the railways.
◊“Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union” (9:30 p.m. on Showtime): Seven-time Emmy winner Tracey Ullman returns for a third season in her sketch comedy series that features a kaleidoscope of original characters and impersonations in a wide collection of skits that range from sardonic parody and social satire to Bollywood musicals.
TUESDAY, JAN. 26, 2010
◊“24/7 Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona” (9 p.m. on HBO): HBO takes its popular sports reality television formula from the boxing ring to the racetrack in this new four-part series. It follows the four-time Sprint Cup champion and his team as they prepare for the biggest NASCAR race of the year: the Daytona 500.
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): Singers Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry help Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi critique the talent at the Los Angeles auditions.
◊“The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): While representing the daughter of one of the partners at the law firm, Alicia finds herself attracted to her co-counsel and his unorthodox approach to defending their client, Chris Bowers (“Rescue Me”) guest stars as Alicia’s co-counsel.
◊“How to See a Black Hole” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): MIT astronomer Shep Doeleman shows viewers never before seen images of a black whole. To accomplish this, Doeleman has synchronized highly accurate atomic clocks with telescopes in Arizona, California and Hawaii. The result is essentially a telescope the size of a continent.
◊“Kitchen Nightmares” (8 p.m. on Fox): In this Americanization of a hit British series, which starts Season 2, chef Gordon Ramsay visits eateries that have fallen on hard times and shows their owners how to turn them around — whether it’s a menu makeover, new decor, a personnel shakeup or all of the above.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): When the government’s star witness in an embezzlement case is targeted by an assassin, it’s up to the team to help her make it home alive. Dina Meyer (“Burn Notice”) and Ryan Cutrona (“Mad Men,” “24″) guest star.
◊“Southland” (9 p.m. on TNT): Ben reveals details of his past to the department therapist and to his partner, John, making the motivation behind his decision to be a cop clear. Elsewhere, Dewey (C. Thomas Howell, “Hildalgo”) causes a rift in his relationship with his partner when he becomes star struck by Timmy Davis (Tom Sizemore, “Crash”), a famous, self-obsessed actor. But when he loses track of the actor, Chickie finds herself questioning her decision to take him on as her partner.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 27, 2010
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): Guest judges Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”) and Joe Jonas (“Jonas”) help Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi critique the talent at the Dallas auditions.
◊“Big Chef Takes on Little Chef” (7 p.m. on Planet Green): Six months after the critically acclaimed opening of a new Little Chef branch, Chef Heston Blumenthal is back to find out if the restaurant he transformed is keeping up with his standards.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team heads to New York’s Long Island to track a killer who mutilates his victims, each in a different way. Rossi would rather skip this one, too, as it’s his hometown, and the case turns out to have both personal and professional repercussions. Cynthia Watros (“Lost”) and D.B. Sweeney (“Jericho”) guest star.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Following a spray of machine gunfire, the CSI team rises from the chaos. But when one member’s life is significantly changed, it proves to be the emotional motivation they need to piece together their lives and ultimately find the shooter on a rebroadcast of the Season 6 premiere. Sarah Carter (“Shark”) guest stars.
◊“Launch My Line” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the opener of the two-part season finale, the designers scramble to put the rest of their fashion lines together — adding three new looks to complete their 10-piece collections for the fashion show, where the winner will be crowned.
◊“Leverage” (9 p.m. on TNT): The team is forced to work with their old enemy Sterling in order to free Nate’s ex-wife, Maggie (Kari Matchett, “Heartland”) from a Ukrainian jail and clear her name. Jeri Ryan (“Star Trek: Voyager”) guest stars as a member of the team.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Hugh Jackman (“Viva Laughlin”) presents the “Word on the Street”: Concentrate.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …” (9 p.m. on Sundance): In the Season 2 finale, Elvis Costello sits down with Bruce Springsteen. With his guitar in hand, Springsteen opens up about his pre-E Street Band bands, his early and current inspirations, and the resurgence of New Jersey. E Street Band members Nils Lofgren and Roy Bittan sit in for a couple of songs.
◊“Sports Jobs With Junior Seau” (9:30 p.m. on Versus): In the Season 1 finale, former NFL All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau finds out firsy hand that keeping bull riders from getting trampled and gored is one of the most dangerous jobs in all of sports.
◊“The Tavis Smiley Report” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In the first of four specials that will air throughout 2010, host Tavis Smiley goes behind the scenes with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as she completes her first year as America’s chief diplomat and looks ahead to the challenges of the next three years. Smiley has been granted exceptional access to Secretary Clinton and will accompany her on diplomatic missions abroad, to meetings on Capitol Hill and within the State Department itself to give the American public a candid and incisive view of the inner workings of U.S. diplomacy and international relations.
◊“Ugly Betty” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Wilhemina is furious when she discovers she has a drag queen impersonator – Wilhediva Hater (played by Vanessa Williams’ brother, Chris Williams). The fur flies with unexpected results amid guest stars who include RuPaul Charles (“Drag Race”) as Rudolph, the emcee of the cabaret. Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock from the Sun”) also guest stars.
THURSDAY, JAN. 28, 2010
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): When a human skeleton is discovered in the trenches of an old Civil War battleground, Brennan and Booth are called to the case. While Booth investigates suspects, Hodgins and lab intern Vincent Nigel-Murray (Ryan Cartwright, “Mad Men”) work to clean the bones of a stubborn clay residue. Meanwhile, Booth’s brother, Jared, (Brendan Fehr, “CSI: Miami”) returns from his travels with some suprising news.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When the CSIs are called to a murder scene at a familiar motel, Nick is thrown for a loop as he pieces together three separate murder investigations that all took place at the same establishment over the course of a year. Taylor Swift (singer) guest stars as Haley Jones, a teenaged girl whose family runs the seedy Vegas motel.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): The residents of Seattle Grace and Mercy West vie for surgeries and their careers as day one of the hospital merger begins. Meanwhile, Arizona stands by an enraged Callie when her father, Mr. Torres (Hector Elizondo, “Cane”), employs a priest to help convince her to date men, and Izzie experiences the brunt of her new surgical competition.
◊“Live for the Moment” (7 p.m. on CBS): In this new special host Jeff Probst (“Survivor”) takes Roger Childs, a family man diagnosed with ALS, on a series of adventures, creating family memories and sharing powerful life lessons. The inspirational way in which Roger lives his life just might change the way viewers live theirs.
◊“Private Practice” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Miranda Bailey brings a kidney transplant patient to Los Angeles, and Addison isn’t the only Oceanside Wellness doctor pleased to see her. Meanwhile the consequences of Addison’s emotional affair with Noah catch up with her, and Sheldon and Pete finally discover who the father of Violet’s baby is. Chandra Wilson (“Grey’s Anatomy”) guest stars.
◊“Soundstage” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): The Denver-based band The Fray takes the stage to perform. Among their hits they will sing are “You Found Me,” “Never Say Never,” “Over My Head (Cable Car)” and “How to Save a Life,” which has been heard on ‘‘Grey’s Anatomy,” ‘‘Scrubs,” ‘‘One Tree Hill” and ‘‘Cold Case.”
◊“The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): Hurting for money, takes a job at the Mystic Grill, where former high school football star Ben (Sean Faris, “Never Back Down”) works as a bartender.
FRIDAY, JAN. 29, 2010
◊“Dollhouse” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the series finale, which is set in the year 2020, Echo and her surviving Dollhouse crew attempt to restore order to a devastating future world before mankind is eliminated.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): In a rebroadcast of the Season 5 premiere directed by series star Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melinda gives birth to a baby boy who also has the gift of seeing spirits.
◊“Law & Order” (7 p.m. on NBC): A teenage boy is brutally murdered in a partking lot and the investigation draws attention to a vicious high school rivalry. Debra Winger (“Dawn Anna”) guest stars.
◊“Miss America Preview” (9 p.m. on TLC): Clinton Kelly (“What Not to Wear”) hosts this special that captures the excitement of all 53 Miss America contestants as they prepare for the 2010 Miss America Pageant.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): Don and the team must protect high-profile activist Benjamin Polk at a political rally, but it soon becomes a manhunt when they search for a sniper trying to kill Polk. Also, Charlie awaits an answer from Amita about his marriage proposal on a rebroadcast of the Season 6 premiere. Gary Cole (“Entourage”) guest stars.
◊“Shark Tank” (8 p.m. on ABC): A self-proclaimed “Shoe-Professah” from Chicago presents her sassy brand of mobile shoe parties, and the sharks get excited about a re-invention of the umbrella. There is also an update on the Life Belt and its inventor, Robert Allison, who passed up a million-dollar offer from the Sharks last season.
SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 2010
◊“The 2010 Miss America Pageant” (7 p.m. on TLC): Taylor Treat, an Ada native who is the first woman in her family to attend college, will represent Oklahoma at the 89th annual event. Mario Lopez will host the event, and seven judges, including Vivica A. Fox (“The Cougar”) and Rush Limbaugh (radio talk show host), will evaluate the contestants from the preliminaries through the final night of competition, airing live tonight from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Mary J. Blige (six-time Grammy winner) travels with the team to Erie, PA, to help Clara Ward, who has cast the adversity of her health and surroundings aside to run a nonprofit youth development and family center from her home.
◊“Lying to be Perfect” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Poppy Montgomery (“Without a Trace”) stars in this new original movie adapted from Sarah Strohmeyer’s novel “The Cinderella Pact.” It tells the story of Nola Devlin (Montgomery) and her two best friends who, in a last ditch effort to lose weight, band together to follow the advice of their “fairy godmother” and end up changing their lives forever.
◊“The Magic of Ordinary Days” (7 p.m. on CBS): A pregnant city girl (Keri Russell, “Felicity”) is married off to a farmer (Skeet Ulrich, “As Good as It Gets”) in this 2005 Hallmark Hall of Fame romance set in Colorado during World War II. They’re awkward and uncomfortable together at first, but by the time she has a chance to return to the city, she’s not sure she wants to go.
◊“Meteor Storm” (8 p.m. on Syfy): A passing meteor shower turns into a deadly storm from space that threatens to destroy San Francisco. As the city’s disaster official (Michael Trucco, “Battlestar Galactica”) tries to evacuate the population, a scientist (Kari Matchett, “Invasion”) races to unravel the mystery of the repeated strikes.
◊“Pit Boss” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): Shorty takes on a job for a new client requiring three little people to dress up as crawfish. When Choctaw native Ronald tells Shorty the costumes are demeaning and threatens not to participate, his job is on the line.
◊“Seducing Cindy” (8 p.m. on Fox Reality Channel): Cindy Margolis (“Austin Powers” International Man of Mystery”) searches for love in this new reality dating show. Over the course of eight episodes, she will put her heart on the line with 24 potential suitors in an attempt to find her ultimate soul mate. The men range from 18 – 71 years old and come from all walks of life, and they will battle through competitive tasks for a chance to stay on Cindy’s list of potential mates.
◊“The Story of Lassie” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In 1943, a collie catapulted to stardom in the MGM film “Lassie Come Home.” This special hosted by June Lockhart (Ruth Martin on the “Lassie” TV series) includes clips from Lassie’s feature films and TV series, as well as interviews with actors and directors who worked with the famous collie.
◊“Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team’s Road to Vancouver” (7 p.m. on NBC): This documentary follows American athletes as they prepare for the competition of their lives – the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. They push the limits of their bodies and equipment from preseason on-snow training in Portillo, Chile and Saas Fee, Switzerland, to the final days leading up the start of the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup competition in Sölden, Austria.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for Jan. 17-23, 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 Jan. 17:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, JAN. 17, 2010
◊“24″ (8 p.m. on Fox): In the Season 8 premiere airing over two consecutive nights, Jack Bauer finds himself drawn back into the adrenalized action after he learns of a plot to assassinate a prominent Middle East peacekeeper. Joining the cast this season are Katee Sackhoff (“Battlestar Galactica”), Freddie Prinze Jr. (“Freddie”), Mykelti Williamson (“Boomtown”), John Boyd (“Lady in the Water”), Jennifer Westfeldt (“Notes from the Underbelly”) and Chris Diamantopoulos (“The Starter Wife”).
◊“The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards” (7 p.m. on NBC): The Hollywood Foreign Press Association honors achievement in film and television from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., with Emmy winner Ricky Gervais (“The Office”) hosting the alcohol-fueled ceremonies. Mavis Spencer, daughter of Oklahoma actress Alfre Woodard, helps hand out awards as Miss Golden Globe.
◊“Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): Filmed in front of a packed house at the Brentwood Theater in Los Angeles, comedian and actor Aziz Ansari (“Parks and Recreation”) discusses topics ranging from sheets with fraudulent thread counts to the chubbiness of his young cousin, Harris.
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Kitty’s friend Buffy (Cheryl Hines, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) steps in where she doesn’t belong, pushing Kitty and Robert to another impasse over politics.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): After a private investigator’s remains are found buried in the cement foundation of a demolished building, Lilly and her team reopen the man’s 1974 murder case and discover the investigator had uncovered several unsavory things for his last few clients. Richard Moll (“Night Court”) and Matthew Willig (former NFL player) guest star.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Xzibit travels with Ty Pennington and the team to Suffield, Conn., to rebuild the small, fire-damaged and deteriorating home of the musical Hill family, who give the gifts of song and inspiration to their community.
◊“Freakiest Festivals” (8 p.m. on FLN): Host Adam Gertier is on a quest to take on America’s most bizarre and extreme festivals and events — from a cook-off in West Virginia where contestants use road kill as the main ingredient to a Colorado coffin race.
◊“Human Target” (7 p.m. on Fox): Adapted from a DC Comics book and graphic novel, this new action series follows Christopher Chance (Mark Valley, “Boston Legal”), a unique private security guard who saves his clients’ lives even if it means turning himself into a human target. Assisting him are Chance’s business partner, Winston (Chi McBride, “Pushing Daisies”), and hired gun Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley, “Watchmen”).
◊“Iron Chef America” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Chef Jose Garces, the winner of “The Next Iron Chef,” represents the Chairman in Kitchen Stadium for his first battle as an Iron Chef.
◊“Live at the Golden Globes With Carrie Ann & Chris” (5 p.m. on TV Guide Network): Carrie Ann Inaba (“Dancing With the Stars”) and Chris Harrison (“The Bachelor”) co-host the red carpet event that will feature interviews with nominees attending the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
◊“Why Planes Crash: Breaking Point” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): This special hosted by NBC News’ Lester Holt explores the terrifying consequences of plane crashes resulting from structural failure. It features dramatic animations that put viewers right next to passengers facing life or death situations — from an engine loss that caused the deadliest single airplane crash on U.S. soil to a decompression powerful enough to suck a flight attendant out of a plane.
◊“The Wronged Man” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Julia Ormond (“Legends of the Fall”) stars in the true story of Janet “Prissy” Gregory’s 22-year quest to overturn the sentence of wrongfully accused Calvin Willis (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, “The 4400”).
MONDAY, JAN. 18, 2010
◊“Accidentally on Purpose” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): While working on a story with Sully, Billie gets some surprising news about the newspaper. Meanwhile, Zack and Davis go into the sandwich business together. Executive producer Claudia Lonow’s brother, Michael Rapaport (“My Name is Earl”) returns as Sully, a sports reporter.
◊“American Character Along Highway 50″ (7 p.m. on USA Network): This special follows journalist Tom Brokaw as he travels across Highway 50 documenting the lives of Americans along the transcontinental road that connects the Pacific to the Atlantic. Brokaw captures the stories of real people and explores how their lives are being impacted economically, politically and culturally during these extraordinary times.
◊“American Pickers” (8 p.m. on History): This new series follows the adventures of Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, business partners of Antique Archaeology based in Iowa, who are professional “pickers” trolling America’s small towns to salvage rare collectibles and good junk from regular folks. They get their hands dirty in search of weird and wonderful Americana.
◊“Be Good Johnny Weir” (9:30 p.m. on Sundance): This new eight-part documentary series explores the life of one of America’s most outspoken and colorful sports figures, three-time U.S. National Figure Skating Champion and World Medalist Johnny Weir. He is as comfortable walking in a downtown New York fashion show as he is on the ice, and he is known for giving candid, irreverent, responses at press events.
◊“Beyond Wise Guys” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): Narrated by Paul Borghese (“Julie & Julia”) and executive produced by John Turturro (“The Bronx Is Burning”), this documentary shows how Italian-Americans transformed themselves from outsiders, stereotyped by the Hollywood establishment as mobsters, into industry insiders. Featured are interviews with well-known contemporary Italian-American filmmakers who used their heritage to positively shape the art and craft of American cinema.
◊“Big Time Rush” (7:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Four fun-loving best friends from Minnesota trade in hockey practice for vocal lessons in this new musical comedy series that chronicles the making of a music group. They move from Minneapolis to Hollywood after being discovered by an eccentric record executive during a nationwide casting call for a new boy band. But the boys quickly realize they have a very short window to prove to themselves that they are serious about their new career choice.
◊“The Buried Life” (9 p.m. on MTV): This new documentary series follows Duncan, Ben, Jonnie and Dave, who travel across the country in their purple bus named Penelope in an attempt to cross off items on their list of “100 things to do before they die.” The guys make a promise that for each item they cross off their list, they will help a perfect stranger accomplish one of their goals.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): When Awesome is mistaken for a super spy by the evil Sydney Price (Angie Harmon, “Law & Order”), Chuck must become his handler and show him the spy ropes.
◊“Fashion Police: The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards” (9 p.m. on E!): Host Joan Rivers will be joined by popular outspoken personalities Khloe Kardashian Odom, Giuliana Rancic and Jay Manuel to assess the fashion choices of Hollywood’s stars attending the event. They will debate over who deserves the titles of fashion’s biggest winners and losers.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Hiro’s life hangs in the balance as his brain tumor worsens, prompting him to subconsciously deal with some of his past decisions. George Takei (“Star Trek”) and David Anders (“Alias”) guest star.
◊“Obama’s America: 2010 and Beyond” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): Moderated by Chris Matthews (“Hardball”) and featuring radio host Tom Joyner, this two-hour special airing live from Texas Southern University in Houston will explore some of the most pressing and provocative issues connected to race and race relations in the U.S.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): Marshall insists that his attractibe co-worker, Jenkins (Amanda Peet, 2012), tell Lily what really happened after Lily won’t believe that Jenkins kissed him. Series star Neil Patrick Harris (Barney Stinson) directed this episode.
◊“I’m in the Band” (6 p.m. on Disney XD): This new music-filled comedy series follows a teenager who realizes his wildest dream when he joins his favorite rock band, Iron Weasel.
◊“Improv-Ice” (5 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Hosted by Olympic champions Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi, the live audience helps give an assist in picking the most innovative routines for the skaters to perform backed by the live music of the rock band the Goo Goo Dolls. Skating champions Sasha Cohen, Nancy Kerrigan, Kurt Browning, Evan Lysacek are among the performers.
◊“Life UneXpected” (8 p.m. on CW): This new series stars Brittany Robertson as Lux, an Oregon teenager who, after bouncing around from one foster home to another, decides to become an emancipated minor. Her quest reunites her with her biological father (Kristoffer Polaha), a bar owner who didn’t even know she existed, and her birth mother (Shiri Appleby), a local radio star.
◊“The Suite Life on Deck” (5:30 p.m. on Disney XD): Mr. Moseby forbids football on the Sky Deck so the students decide to play fantasy football instead. Cody enlists Kirby to teach him about football, and London unveils her secret weapon – Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kurt Warner.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Charlie endures a colonoscopy to get out of a trip to see Chelsea’s bigoted parents, only to return home and find them in his living room. Stacy Keach (“Titus”) guest stars as Chelsea’s father.
TUESDAY, JAN. 19, 2010
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): Guest judge Shania Twain (Grammy winner) helps Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi critique the talent at the Chicago auditions.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Host Alison Sweeney surprises the contestants with the news that this will be student/teacher week, in which the contestants on each team assume the role of either teacher or student. The teachers get to work out with the trainers and then have to teach the students what they learned.
◊“Love That Girl!” (8 p.m. on TV One): This new black sitcom stars Tatyana Ali (“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) as a young divorcee who returns home to southern California for a second chance in life and a career in her father’s real estate business. The four-episode series executive produced by Martin Lawrence (“Martin”) opens with back-to-back episodes and airs over three consecutive nights.
◊“The Millionaire Matchmaker” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In Season 3, matchmaker Patti Stanger and her staff once again give their big-bucks clients complete transformations with the help of personal shoppers, date coaches and therapists. In each episode, two wealthy clients are set up on dates hand-picked by Stanger based upon their beauty and intelligence.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): An international team of archeologists, architects and engineers is racing against time to save the Sphinx from erosion.
◊“Paranormal Cops” (9:30 p.m. on A&E): This new series follows a group of Chicago-area police officers who apply their forensic and investigative expertise to paranormal casework. Responding to the pleas of people who are victimized by distressing and inexplicable activities in their homes and workplaces, these cops bring their no-nonsense approach to hunting ghosts and real-life police skills to separate the fact from fiction.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”) helps Big Bird when he hurts his wing. Matthew Fox (“Lost”) presents the “Word on the Street”: “Bone.”
◊“White Collar” (9 p.m. on USA Network): The winter premiere begins where the fall season cliffhanger left off with the tables turned between Neal and Peter. After going deep into the underworld of corrupt Wall Street brokers, the question remains as to whose side Peter is on.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20, 2010
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): Guest judge Kristin Chenoweth (“Pushing Daisies”) helps Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi critique the talent at the Orlando auditions.
◊“Being Erica” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): In Season 2, Erica is more experienced in the ways of time travel and therapy. As she continues to move forward in her journey, she will come to understand that changing her life isn’t a quick fix. It involves facing an ever-expanding series of challenges.
◊“Human Spark” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Host Alan Alda gets a highly detailed scan of his brain, which for a man in his early 70s in in remarkably good shape. He learns that the human ability to imagine fires most fiercely when we are doing nothing at all.
◊“Human Target” (8 p.m. on Fox): Chance and Winston encounter some severe turbulance when they work together to protect a client they have never met from an assassin aboard a passenger plane. Courtney Ford (“Dexter”) and Alessandro Juliani (“Battlestar Galactica”) guest star.
◊“Mantracker” (9 p.m. on Science Channel): The chase continues with Season 2 of this adventure series that challenges the wits and wills of weekend warriors in an intense game of cat and mouse played out in the rough countryside. Each episode, two new competitors have a day and a half to reach a finish line that is 22 miles away without getting caught by the “Mantracker, a veteran outdoorsman trained in tracking and retrieving missing persons in the deep wilderness.
◊“Meteorite Men” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): This new series follows Geoff Notkin and Steve Arnold, who build and keep secret maps of locations where they believe meteorites have fallen. Armed with an assortment of high-tech equipment, they search these secret locations combating rugged terrain and challenging weather conditions in their pursuit of scientific treasures.
◊“Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): Mitchell plants the seed in Jay’s head that he thinks one of Jay’s old buddies, Shorty (Chazz Palminteri, “Analyze This”), might be secretly gay. Jay doesn’t believe it, although he now keeps noticing all the questionable signs.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine’s promising romance with therapist boyfriend Max (Eric McCormack, “Will & Grace”) threatens to be derailed by old flame Mr. Harris (Blair Underwood, “Dirty Sexy Money”).
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With Bruce Springsteen” (9 p.m. on Sundance): Host Elvis Costello sits down with Bruce Springsteen for a special two-part episode that concludes Jan. 27. With his guitar in hand, Springsteen opens up about his pre-E Street Band bands, his early and current inspirations and the resurgence of New Jersey. E Street Band members Nils Lofgren and Roy Bittan also sit in for a couple of songs.
THURSDAY, JAN. 21, 2010
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): When Liz Lemon decides to take the show on the road to cure a case of the winter blues for the staff, the anticipated trip doesn’t exactly go as planned. Julianne Moore (“Blindness”) guest stars.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Mr. White (Richard T. Jones, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) and his team of government agents put the Jeffersonian Lab on lock down and demand that Brennan and her forensics team determine a cause of death for an unidentified, but highly classified set of remains. Meanwhile, Booth’s boss, Andrew Hacker (Diedrich Bader, “The Drew Carey Show”), helps him break into the lab and determine the motive behind the mystery investigation.
◊“Burn Notice” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Michael, a blacklisted spy who finds himself stranded on Miami, takes on a violent con man in the winter premiere. Guest star Sharon Gless reunites with her “Cagney & Lacey” partner Tyne Daly, who plays Michael’s mother on the series.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): The CSI team explores the outwardly sedate world of professional golf after the body of a legendary player is discovered during a major tournament. Pro golfers Rocco Mediate, Gary McCord, Duffy Waldorf and Natalie Gulbis guest star as themselves.
◊“The Deep End” (7 p.m. on ABC): Leah Pipes (“Sorority Row”), Tina Majorino (“Big Love”), Matt Long (“Jack and Bobby”), Ben Lawon (“Neighbours”) and Mehcad Brooks (“True Blood”) star in this new drama that follows the tragedies and triumphs of five earnest twenty-something first-year associates fighting to stay afloat in one of Los Angeles’ top law firms.
◊“Food Tech” (8 p.m. on History): In this new series, food industry veteran Bobby Bognar criss-crosses the nation in search of the origins and production secrets behind the foods we love. In the premiere episode, he unearths the hidden mysteries in a cheeseburger and fries, including how they get the sesame seeds to stick to the bun and what it takes to stuff 20 tomatoes inside a ketchup bottle.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): After learning of Richard’s drinking problem, Derek confronts him for the sake of his friend and the hospital. Kim Raver (“Lipstick Jungle”) guest stars.
◊“Live From Lincoln Center” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Joshua Bell With Rriends @ the Penthouse” features the celebrated violinist performing with friends in the Kaplan Penthouse. His musical friends include Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth, Marvin Hamlisch and Frankie Moreno.
◊“The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): Jane and the team investigate the murder of the mayor’s aide. Sharon Lawrence (“NYPD Blue”) guest stars as Mayor Melba Walker Shannon.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Rocco Fiorentino (blind, sixth-grade jazz singer) stops by for some fun. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) presents the “Word on the Street”: “Miniature.”
◊“Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): Damon takes a trip to Georgia, where he surprises an old flame (Gina Torres, “Eli Stone”) and enlists her help to figure out how to open the tomb. In the process, Damon comes face to face with someone who is determined to make him pay for past wrongs.
FRIDAY, JAN. 22, 2010
◊“Caprica” (8 p.m. on Syfy): This new series follows two rival families and their patriarchs – Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz) and Joseph Adama (Esai Morales) – as they compete and thrive in the realm of the 12 Colonies. It will feature the passion, intrigue, political backbiting and family conflict in an omnipotent society that is at the height of its glory and on the brink of its fall.
◊“Dollhouse” (8 p.m. on Fox): Set in the year 2020, Echo and her surviving Dollhouse crew attempt to restore order to a devastating future world before mankind is eliminated in “Epitaph 2: The Return,” the series finale episode.
◊“Man Caves” (7:30 p.m. on DIY): In this two-and-a-half marathon, viewers get an insider’s look at the man caves of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison dreams of a schizophrenic child, who she later meets as the well-adjusted roommate of a missing psychiatric patient, and questions whether she was responsible for killing her own parents. Danielle Panabaker (“Shark”) guest stars as Summer Lowry, the schizophrenic young girl from Allison’s dreams.
◊“Spartacus: Blood and Sand” (9 p.m. on Starz): Australian actor Andy Whitfield stars as the gladiator warrior Spartacus in this new series. Lucy Lawless (“Xena: Warrior Princess”) plays Lucretia, who along with her husband, Batiatus, own the Ludus gladiator camp. They bought Spartacus hoping his fighting prowess will help them regain their status in the brutal world of gladiatorial contests.
◊“Supernanny” (7 p.m. on ABC): This special episode features the world’s first Super-Manny, Mike Ruggles, a Chicago native with more than 17 years of experience as a teacher and developmental therapist for children. But he faces his biggest challenge with a chaotic family of six from Colorado.
◊“Shark Tank” (8 p.m. on ABC): Things percolate between the Sharks and a husband and wife team from Santa Monica after Kevin O’Leary mocks their poorly executed business pitch about providing legal services at a coffee house. Another coffee-oriented pitch finds a man who has created a way to determine if a cup of Joe does or doesn’t contain caffeine.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7 p.m. on Disney): This special hourlong episode features guest stars Gregg Sulkin (Disney Channel UK’s “As The Bell Rings”) and Bridgit Mendler (“Good Luck Charlie”) reprising their roles as Alex’s new boyfriend, Mason, and Justin’s vampire girlfriend Juliet Van Heusen, who recently disappeared after being turned into a mummy’s minion.
SATURDAY, JAN. 23, 2010
◊“The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards” (7 p.m. on TNT and TBS): Actors honor their peers in the annual ceremony, which will air live from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. Betty White will receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.
◊“Arj Barker: LYAO” (11 p.m. on Comedy Central): This new stand-up special brings the “Flight of the Conchords” star to the stage to poke fun at controversial topics ranging from global warming to losing Pluto as a planet.
◊“Artie Lange: Jack and Coke” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): This special brings Artie Lange’s uncensored observations and incredible knack for funny storytelling to the stage. He talks about his competition with Heath Ledger and the opening monologue he’d do if he were ever asked to host the Oscars.
◊“Live at the Screen Actors Guild Awards With Carrie Ann & Chris” (5 p.m. on TV Guide Network): Carrie Ann Inaba (“Dancing With the Stars”) and Chris Harrison (“The Bachelor”) co-host the red carpet event that will feature interviews with nominees attending the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
◊“Mexican Made Easy” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): In this new series, professional chef and cookbook author Marcela Valladolid prepares a fresh take on Mexican food and shares simple and authentic recipes with viewers.
◊“The Screen Actors Guild Awards Red Carpet Show” (6:30 p.m. on TNT): People Magazines deputy managing editor Peter Castro and entertainment reporter Thea Andrews co-host this live pre-show telecast. They will interview this year’s nominees, past recipients and presenters as they walk down the red carpet on their way into the prestigious ceremony. Also on hand to report on the hottest red carpet styles and trends will be People StyleWatch correspondent Lori Bergamotto.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman,
which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Dec. 27:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, DEC. 27
◊“Augustus Saint-Gaudens: Master of American Sculpture” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Victor Garber (“Alias”) narrates this documentary that tells the story of the sculpture’s life. It also offers in-depth studies of five of his major works of art including the Standing Lincoln in Lincoln Park, Chicago.
◊“Brothers” (6 p.m. on Fox): Season 1 concludes with back-to-back episodes. In “Girls, Girls, Girls,” Adele sets Chill up on a blind date with a social worker from her school. In “Follow the Story,” a writer from a sports magazine comes to Houston for a story about Mike and spends time getting to know the Trainors.
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team tries to determine if a homeless and severely delusional paranoid schizophrenic killed his former psychiatrist by arson in 2004 before he dropped out of college and fully lost his grip of reality. Billy Lush (“The Black Donnellys”) and Jacqueline Obradors (“NYPD Blue”) guest star. Songs recorded by John Lennon are featured throughout the episode.
◊“Everest: Beyond the Limit” (7 p.m. on Discovery): Follow climbers in their quest to make it to the top of the world’s highest mountain in this series, which returns for its third season with three back-to-back episodes.
◊“Jesse Stone: Thin Ice” (7 p.m. on CBS): In this 2009 mystery, Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck), police chief in the little town of Paradise, Mass., accidentally becomes involved in a shootout on a Boston street that leaves a friend and fellow cop seriously wounded and causes him to be away from paradise for extended periods of time.
◊“Nick News: Kids to the Rescue” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This installment features stories of children and celebrities who are trying to save abandoned pets. Celebrities doing something about the hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs left at shelters due to economic problems include Lance Bass, Sophia Bush, Tony Hawk, Bonnie Hunt and Tiffani Thiessen.
◊“Three Sheets: New Year’s Eve in London” (9 p.m. on FLN): Host Zane Lamprey explores London’s bar scene on a New Year’s Eve adventure full of British classics and international delights. He learns how to make a “true” martini at Ian Fleming’s favorite bar, then downs a $100 tequila shot and a “bunny with a gun” – a rum and absinthe drink served in a fishbowl.
◊“The Sound of Music” (6 p.m. on ABC): Julie Andrews’ voice fills the hills in this Oscar winning musical based on the true story of Austria’s singing Von Trapp family. Her character, Maria, governess to a wealthy naval officer’s (Christopher Plummer) children, captures all their hearts, brings music into their lives and helps them flee the Nazis.
◊“Witness: The Kidnapping of Patty Hearst” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): This two-hour documentary will chronicle the 1974 capture and holding of Patricia Hearst, heiress to the Hearst media empire, by the Symbionese Liberation Army, a radical left-wing terrorist group with a violent past.
MONDAY, DEC. 28, 2009
◊“American Masters” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): “Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind ‘Little Women’” is a film biography about the celebrated author that stars Elizabeth Marvel (three-time Obie winner) as Alcott and Jane Alexander (Tony winner) as Alcott’s first biographer, Ednah Dow Cheney. Interwoven with dramatic scenes are interviews with Alcott scholars.
◊“Anjelah Johnson: That’s How We Do It” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Filmed on location at the Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, Texas, the comedienne reminisces about sneaking into night clubs at 14, never getting past the white belt in Karate and killing people with kindness.
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): A train trip to San Francisco takes a major detour when Leonard, Sheldon, Wolowitz and Raj discover that actress Summer Glau (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) is onboard. Nobel Laureate Dr. George Smoot, father of the Big Bang Theory of Creation, makes a cameo appearance.
◊“Broken Noses” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This documentary by fashion photographer Bruce Weber follows former Golden Gloves boxing champion Andy Minsker as he mentors teens as a boxing club in Portland and reveals troublesome aspects of his youth.
◊“Motor City Motors” (9 p.m. Monday on Discovery): This new series focuses on Dave and Jamie Kaye, founders of Detroit Bros. Custom Cycles. With dad John, the brothers tap into other Detroit-based talent to assemble builders and specialists to push the boundaries of automotive engineering and create one-of-a-kind vehicles.
◊“Olivia! The Munn-der Years” (6 p.m. on G4): Actress Olivia Munn, who was born in Oklahoma City and stars in “Greek.”, exposes the truth about her costume addiction, the hot sauce scandal and her first music video appearance.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): One of Charlie’s old partners in crime dies, leaving Charlie to reevaluate his own reckless lifestyle. Emilio Estevez (“The Breakfast Club”) and James Earl Jones (“The Great White Hope”) guest star.
TUESDAY, DEC. 29, 2009
◊“The 32nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors” (8 p.m. on CBS): Filmmaker Mel Brooks, composer Dave Brubeck, opera singer Grace Bumbry, actor Robert De Niro and singer Bruce Springsteen are honored in a star-studded gala from Washington, D.C., as performers from Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world pay tribute.
◊“Independent Lens” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Filmed over four years, “Scenes From a Parish” opens as the Rev. Paul O’Brien arrives at St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence, Mass. The young priest finds ethnic tensions churning in a working-class community. The story unfolds as both Father O’Brien and his flock struggle to hold fast to their faith in the face of dire circumstances.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): While investigating the death of a Marine, the team finds themselves intertwined in an inner city gang war. Muse Watson (“Prison Break”) guest stars.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): On the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species,” this installment reveals answers to the riddles that Darwin couldn’t explain.
◊“One Big Happy Family” (8 p.m. on TLC): This new series follows the Coles family. Mom, dad, daughter and son are each over 300 pounds. But as big as they are, their love for each other is bigger.
◊“Outer Space Astronauts” (10 p.m. on Syfy): In the fall finale, a younger Amos arrives on the ship and the crew becomes plagued by equipment problems, oxygen depletion and radioactive teeth.
◊“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this 1976 animated special, Father Time (voiced by narrator Red Skelton) asks the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph, to find the next Baby New Year before midnight on New Year’s Eve. The baby, named Happy, ran away because he was ridiculed by everyone he met due to his large ears.
◊“Web Soup: 2009 Golden Download Awards” (6 p.m. on G4): Chris Hardwick (“Halloween II”) hosts this special that honor the year’s most hilarious and insane viral videos in an array of categories such as finest achievement in webcam ranting and finest achievement in almost killing yourself. Viewers can also expect hilarious comedy skits and lots of exciting guest stars.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30, 2009
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): In this rebroadcast of the show’s 100th episode, the team tackles their most unusual case yet: two murder victims within two weeks, both named “Mac Taylor.” Now, Det. Mac Taylor, and 15 others with the same moniker, must determine the killer’s motive before they strike again. Guest stars include Chris Daughtry (“American Idol”), Julia Ormond (“Beach Girls”) and Rumer Willis (“Sorority Row”).
◊“Eastwick” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): When the ladies make a pact never to reveal what they did to Jamie, they realize they must go their separate ways. And sparks fly between Kat and her hot new neighbor, single dad Colin (Jerry O’Connell, “Crossing Jordan”), who has come to Eastwick with his young son Gene and a dark secret.
◊“Happy New Year, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this animated special, the Peanuts gang is ringing in 1986 and Marcie and Peppermint Patty are throwing a big New Year’s Eve bash. Charlie Brown plans to celebrate the holiday by curling up with a big book that weighs nearly as much as he does: Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.”
◊“The Imploders” (9 p.m. on TLC): In this new series, Eric and Lisa travel to Phoenix to bring down the 10-story Qwest Tower. There are hazards everywhere and Eric risks his life to bring it down safely using 235 pounds of explosive.
◊“P.O.V.” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new documentary “Patti Smith: Dream of Life” offers an intimate portrait of the singer, poet and artist. It features rare performances clips and is narrated by Smith, who celebrates her 63rd birthday today. The film was shot over the course of 11 years by fashion photographer Steven Sebring.
◊“The Real World: D.C.” (9 p.m. on MTV): This season brings together eight strangers in the nation’s capital. They are driven by their passions to make a change both personally and professionally while having their voices heard.
THURSDAY, DEC. 31, 2009
◊“10 Years in the Making” (7 p.m. on CNBC): CNBC correspondent Carl Quintanilla hosts this special that takes a look at the major achievements, innovations, staggering numbers, technological advancements, highlights, heroes and zeroes over the last 10 years. It will look at how far we’ve come over the last 10 years and how we continue to grow and achieve.
◊“Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live” (11 p.m. on Fox): This special will capture electrifying moments from Las Vegas and New York City, showcase memorable performances from the historic Billboard Music Awards and count down the Top 5 of the year in music, movies and television. Joining the celebration will be Eva Longoria Parker (“Desperate Housewives”), who invites viewers inside the grand opening of her new Las Vegas Latin steakhouse, Beso, and nightclub, Eve; and Carmen Electra (“Baywatch”), who is hosting a New Year’s Eve beach party in Las Vegas.
◊“Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years Eve With Ryan Seacrest” (9 p.m. on ABC): The 38th annual event hosted by Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest includes 3-and-a-half hours of special performances and reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the globe. Jennifer Lopez and Daughtry will perform live from Time Square while The Black Eyed Peas, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber and Colbie Caillat will perform from the new Aria at City Center in Las Vegas. Fergie (“Nine”) hosts the party segments from Las Vegas and “Good Morning America” correspondent Melissa Rycroft will report from Time Square.
◊“Edwin San Juan’s Pacific Rim Comedy” (7 p.m. on Showtime): Filipino comedian Edwin San Juan hosts this special featuring several of the best Asian comedians, including Joey Guila, from San Francisco, Bernadette Balagtas from the Philippines, Ron Josol from Canada, Dan Gabriel from Los Angeles and Paul Ogata from Hawaii.
◊“Goin’ Native: The Indian Comedy Slam” (9:05 p.m. on Showtime): Hosted by Native American comedian Charlie Hill, this special showcases some of the world’s best Native American Indian comedians — Charlie Hill, Larry Omaha, Howie Miller, as well as four up-and-comers making their mark on the Native American comedy scene: Marc Yaffee, Jim Rule, Vaughn Eagle Bear and JR Redwater.
◊“Live From Lincoln Center” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Baritone Thomas Hampson helps new music director Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic usher in the new year with an all-American program that includes George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs,” along with numbers from several Broadway musicals. Alec Baldwin hosts.
◊“Maz Jobrani: Brown & Friendly” (8 p.m. on Showtime): Maz Jobrani, an Iranian-American actor, writer and comedian, takes pride in breaking down stereotypes about Iranians and the Middle East in general and tackles everything from politics, race, religion, and stereotypes.
◊“Medium” (7 p.m. on CBS): When Allison begins having visions of strange symbols, she thinks it could be the after-effects from her brain surgery, but those symbols might
hold the key to discovering the identity of a notorious serial killer. Fisher Stevens (“Early Edition”) guest stars as Neal Greybridge, Allison’s Acquaintance from Physical Therapy.
◊“NBC’s New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly” (9 p.m. on NBC): Carson Daly (“Last Call With Carson Daly”) will host this two-hour special beginning in primetime and continuing at 10:30 p.m. with the countdown to 2010. Grammy winners Rihanna and Green Day are scheduled to perform live, and will perform live from New York City, and Natalie Morales (“Today”) and Alison Stewart (“As the World Turns”) will help Daly’s coverage of the celebration with live reports from Times Square.
◊“New Year. No Limits” (10 p.m. on ESPN): Action sports star Travis Pastrana, who has won four consecutive Rally America championships and nine X Games gold medals, attempts to shatter the car distance jump record of 171 feet by jumping his rally car off the Pine Street Pier onto a floating barge anchored in Long Beach, Calif’s Rainbow Harbor.
◊“New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin” (10 p.m. on CNN): Anderson Cooper (“Anderson Cooper 360″) will host live coverage of the New Year’s Eve celebration in New York City’s Times Square, while Kathy Griffin (“My Life on the D-List”) reports live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas with singer Lance Bass. Also helping with the coverage will be CNN anchor Don Lemon and CNNMoney.com’s Poppy Harlow in Time Square, correspondent Gary Tuchman at the annual Midnight Run in New York City’s Central Park, senior White House correspondent Ed Henry in Honolulu and correspondent John Zarrella in Key West, Florida.
◊“Rebels With a Cause: The Story of the American Football League” (6 p.m. on HBO): Hall of Fame member John Madden, who coached the Oakland Raiders to their Super Bowl XI victory, served as creative consultant for this 1995 documentary. It offers a retrospective look at the league that changed the face of pro football during its 10-year history.
◊“Top 9 on ’09″ (10 p.m. on MTV): When a major moment happened in 2009, people hit the web for continual story updates. Nine stories drew interest to the internet more than any others. Host Adrienne Bailon, along with co-hosts Shailene Woodley (“The Secret Life of the American Teenager”), Josi Loren (“Make It or Break It”) and the cast of “Jersey Shore” and “The Buried Life,” take viewers through a one-hour countdown of the nine biggest stories of 2009.
◊“Top 10 Performances of 2009″ (7 p.m. on MTV): Hosts will guide viewers through a 30-minute countdown featuring highlights from the MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Movie Awards, Ulalume Festival, Woodie Awards, MTV Spring Break and more.
FRIDAY JANUARY 1, 2010
◊“The 121st Tournament of Roses Parade” (10 a.m. on NBC, ABC, Travel, HGTV and Hallmark Channel): Al Roker (“Today”) and Nancy O’Dell (“Access Hollywood”) reunite for the ninth year to co-host NBC’s live, high-definition coverage of the parade from Pasadena, Calif. Hosting Hallmark Channel’s commercial-free coverage are Bob Eubanks (“The Newlywed Game”) and Stephanie Edwards (“The Girl With Something Extra”). With a 2010 theme of “A Cut Above The Rest,” the parade will pay tribute to everyday heroes and those who strive to make every effort better than the last. Serving as this year’s Grand Marshal will be Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, the heroic pilot who masterfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on New York City’s Hudson River after its two engines lost thrust following a bird strike.
◊“The Antonio Treatment” (9:30 p.m. on HGTV): Antonio Ballatore, the 2009 HGTV “Design Star” winner, brings his unabashed personality and rock n’ roll infused perspective to spaces that are in desperate need of stylistic salvation. This is a sneak peek at the new series that is scheduled to premiere in March.
◊“Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular” (3 p.m. on NBC): Olympic gold metal figure skater Brian Boitano presents a theatrically charged two-hour special backed by a live performance from musical guest Chicago. Featured skaters include Michael Weiss, Yuka Sato, Kimmie Meissner, Alissa Czisny, Steven Cousins, and pairs Elena Leonova and Andrei Khvalko and Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon.
◊“Curb Appeal: The Block” (1 p.m. on HGTV): Designer John Gidding, contractor Chip Wade and project manager Kimberly Lacy head to Atlanta for Season 4. In each episode they will overhaul one home’s exterior with a makeover so dramatic it is no longer considered the neighborhood eyesore. They will also make their way up and down the street to repaint front doors, add window boxes and provide smaller-scale makeovers that create instant impact and increase the value of the entire block. The show will air in its regular time slot swtarting at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
◊“Design Interns” (3 p.m. on HGTV): This new series gives 12 recent interior design graduates the chance to compete for a coveted year-long internship at a renowned interior design firm in Toronto, Canada. While challenges focus on real projects for real clients, each candidate will have to prove their worth at the firm in order to jumpstart their career in the real world of design. It will air in its regular tine slot starting at 9 p.m. Saturday.
◊“Disaster House” (11 a.m. on DIY): In the first of five new episodes airing during the network’s all-day “Disaster House” marathon, a car drives through a front doore, animals create havoc in an attic and a hosue is swept away by an avalanche. Other new episodes will air at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
◊“DocTalk” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This new series will feature in-depth looks into the world of documentary film, featuring one on one interviews with the
filmmakers and scenes from their films. The premiere episode will showcase Michael Jackson’s “This Is It,” Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story,” Rock Guitar Saga “It Might Get Loud” and “Zombie Girl: The Movie.”
◊“First Time Design” (2 p.m. on HGTV): This new series offers viewers the opportunity to bring their design vision to life for a real client. Along the way, a popular HGTV designer, such as Vern Yip, David Bromstad, and Lisa LaPorta, will offer professional advice to each amateur designer as he or she deals with client demands, time management and budget constraints. It will air in its regular time slot starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): Melinda and Sam go on a road trip into his past and end up in trouble, from bar fights to disruptive ghosts, and Melinda comes face-to-face with the biggest threat yet to her romantic hopes. Terri Polo (“Meet the Parents”) and Dan Castellenata (“The Simpsons”) guest star.
◊“Great Performances” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Julie Andrews hosts “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2010,” the 26th annual gala with the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of conductor Georges Pretre. The program features a festive collection of waltzes by the Strauss family.
◊“Hatin’ on ’09″ (1 p.m. on MTV): This 30-minute pop culture comedy clip show executive produced by Nick Cannon (“All That”) features a diverse group of today’s funniest comedians sharing their outspoken views on 2009’s biggest stories. The comedians, known as haters, will look back on the biggest celebrity gossip, television, movie, music, and web stories of the year, sometimes alone, and sometimes in heated debates. The haters Donnell Rawlings, Red Grant, Michelle Buteau, Eric Andre, Ali Wong, Maronzio Vance, Nore Davis, Tiffany Haddish and Charlemagne the God & Lil Duval.
◊“HGTV Dream Home 2010″ (8 p.m. on HGTV): Get an insider’s peek at the fully furnished custom-designed home that will be awarded to one lucky viewer in March. Located in Sandia Park along the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, the 3,900 square-foot home mixes Southwestern architecture with modern design.
◊“Jake Johannsen: I Love You” (8:30 p.m. on Showtime): Self-professed king of weird stories, Jake Johannsen, brings his hilarious insight and unique delivery to this new stand-up comedy special. The Iowa native waxes about everything from the hand sanitizer generation to the right approach to sneezing to the unique tax issues facing traveling comedians to “tapping out” during fights with your spouse.
◊“MTV’s Top 20 Under 25″ (noon on MTV): Miranda Cosgrove (“iCarly”) hosts this special that looks at 20 young stars under age 25 who should be watched in 2010. It includes entertainment stars from music, television, movies and sports and focuses on the young celebrities’ achievements, struggles and other happenings in 2009.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The investigation into a professor’s death takes a dangerous turn when the team finds that their lead suspect has ties to a radical animal rights group. Polly Walker (“Rome”) and Michael Stahl-David (“Cloverfield”) guest star.
◊“The Outdoor Room With Jamie Durie” (9 p.m. on HGTV): This stand-alone half hour makeover show is hosted by popular Aussie landscape expert and author Jamie Durie, who transforms one lucky homeowner’s uninspired backyard into a spectacular and sophisticated outdoor room using the world’s most amazing gardens and architectural elements as his inspiration. It will air in its regular time slot starting at 8 p.m. Saturday.
◊“The Squeeze” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): This new law enforcement documentary series examines how America’s biggest jail (Cook County in Illinois) is also a key weapon in fighting crime on Chicago’s streets.
SATURDAY, JAN. 2, 2010
◊2010 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game (2 p.m. on ESPNU): A total of 89 players, including wide receiver Demarco Cobbs from Tulsa Central, were selected to play in the second annual game that will air live from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Joining Cobbs on Team Blur being coached by former NFL coach Ted Marchibroda, will be linebacker Shaun Lewis from Texas, who is going to OSU, and quarterback Blake Bell from Kansas, who is going to OU.
◊“Demons” (9 p.m. on BBC America): This new series that takes a contemporary spin on the legacy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula witnesses the rise of the dark underworld of half-lives, monsters and in-humans that lie deep beneath the streets of modern-day London. Philip Glenister (“Life on Mars”) stars as the straight-talking American Rupert Galvin mandated to inspire the last descendent of Van Helsing (Christian Cooke, “Doctor Who”) to join forces and commit to living a double life.
◊“Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two” (7 p.m. on BBC America): The Doctor faces the end of his life as the Master’s plans hurtle out of control. With the sound of drums growing louder and an ancient trap closing around the Earth, the Doctor and Wilf must fight alone.
◊“How Do I Look?” (7 p.m. on Style Network): Fashion expert Jeannie Mai returns for a new season of helping guide the fashion flawed toward a brand new look and brighter outlook on life.
◊“I Get That A Lot” (7 p.m. on CBS): This special that originally aired on April Fool’s Day features celebrities pulling pranks on everyday people. Celebrities working ordinary jobs to confuse customers are Jessica Simpson (“The Dukes of Hazzard”), Heidi Klum (“Project Runway”), Jeff Probst (“Survivor”), Ice-T (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), Mario Lopez (“Extra”) and Grammy winner LeAnn Rimes.
◊“It’s Me or the Dog” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell returns for a second season of helping families overcome mind-boggling bad behavior.
◊“Underdog to Wonderdog” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): The Wonder Team takes their dramatic canine rescues to a new level for Season 2. Led by rescue coordinator Ryan Smith, the team invests themselves into the rescue and rehabilitation of shelter dogs as they attempt to match them with the perfect family. Smith is joined by professional dog trainer and author Andrea Arden; grooming and styling extraordinaire Ali McLennan; and the show’s canine carpenter, David Leon, who builds dream homes for the lucky new adoptees.
◊“What I Hate About Me” (8 p.m. on Style Network): Lisa Arch (“Clean House”) hosts this new makeover series that helps women tackle the 10 things they dislike most about themselves. After each confession, Arch is joined by a specialized expert and the pair work together to present the participant with an easy solution in a thoughtful and constructive way.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Dec. 13-19, 2009
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 30 celebrities making special TV appearances the week of March 15.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
GUEST STARS
••Tichina Arnold (“Everybody Hates Chris”) on“Brothers,” 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Christine Baranski (“The Good Wife”) on “The Big Bang Theory,” 8:31 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Tiki Barber (“NFL Monday Night Football”) on “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” 2 p.m. Monday on Nick Jr.
••Ned Beatty (“Roseanne”) on “Law & Order,” 7 p.m. Friday on NBC.
••Mary J. Blige (Grammy winner) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Beau Bridges (“My Name Is Earl”) on “The Closer,” 8 p.m. Monday on TNT.
••Jarrod Bunch (New York Giants) on “The Forgotten,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Jessica Capshaw (“The Practice”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Nick Chinlund (“Desperate Housewives”) on “The Mentalist,” 9 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Jude Ciccolella (“24″) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Snoop Dogg (“Old School”) on “Brothers,” 6 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Harvey Fierstein (“Hairspray”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Laird Hamilton (professional surfer) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Jimmy Johnson (“Fox NFL Sunday”) on “Brothers,” 6 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Kim Kardashian (“Keeping Up With the Kardashians”) on “CSY: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Alex Kingston (“ER”) on “FlashForward,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Gloria Loring (“Renegade”) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on My Network TV.
••Chad Lowe (“24”) on “Bones,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Vanessa Minnillo (“The Bold and the Beautiful”) on “CSY: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Leonard Nimoy (“Star Trek”) on “Fringe,” 8 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Ty Pennington (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) on “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” 2 p.m. Monday on Nick Jr.
••Lori Petty (“The Cleaner”) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Gabrielle Reece (professional volleyball player) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Joe Regalbuto (“Murphy Brown”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Carl Reiner (“Life With Bonnie”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Corey Reynolds (“The Closer”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Brian Scannell (“Brotherhood”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Molly Shannon (“Saturday Night Live”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Cybill Shepherd (“The L Word”) on “Eastwick,” 9:01 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Sherry Stringfield (“ER”) on “Law & Order,” 7 p.m. Friday on NBC.
••Nancy Travis (“The Bill Engvall Show”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Ralph Waite (“The Waltons”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Michaela Watkins (“Saturday Night Live”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Tuc Watkins (“One Life to Live”) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7 p.m. Tuesday on My Network TV.
Pictured above: CSI: NY — “Second Chances” — Det. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) takes a walk with Grace Chandler (Guest Star Vanessa Minnillo), on CSI: NY, Wednesday, Dec. 16 on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS
Top 55 TV Programs for Dec. 13-19, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Dec. 13:
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
SUNDAY, DEC. 13, 2009
◊“Brothers” (6 p.m. on Fox): With the help of cousin Kenny’s (Snoop Dogg, “Old School”) legal aid, Coach’s brother Maurice is released from jail and arrives at the Trainors’ home to spend time with the family. And Jimmy Johnson (former OSU and Dallas Cowboys football coach) stops by the restaurant to talk football.
◊“Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special” (9 p.m. on ABC): Oprah Winfrey will usher in the holidays at the White House, visiting President Obama and the First Lady as they prepare for their family’s first Christmas there. The special will include a one-on-one conversation with the president and will showcase behind-the-scenes preparations as the White House gets ready for the holiday season.
◊“The Christmas Hope” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): This new holiday movie stars Madeleine Stowe (“The Last of the Mohicans”) and James Remar (“Dexter”) as a couple in a troubled marriage. When Patricia, a social worker, brings home a foster child who has no place to go on Christmas, they set aside their differences to give the young girl a special holiday.
◊“Christmas With the Annie Moses Band” (6 p.m. on OETA-13): The Annie Moses band, an all-sibling group that plays an eclectic blend of classical, jazz and pop music, will perform a mix of holiday classics.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team tries to determine who murdered a minor league ice hockey player on the memorable night that the U.S. hockey team beat the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics. Jude Ciccolella (“24″) and Brian Scannell (“Brotherhood”) guest star in the episode, which features the music of Grammy winner Bob Seger.
◊“Dexter” (8 p.m. on Showtime): In the Season 4 finale, the final challenge between Dexter and Arthur comes. Debra finds out a long hidden truth. Rita admits that her marriage is troubled. Batista’s and LaGuerta’s relationship must face consequences.
◊“A Golden Christmas” (8 p.m. on ION): This new holiday film stars Andrea Roth (“Rescue Me”) as a recently widowed woman who decides she needs to start over and moves back home with her son. She hopes to buy the old house as a Christmas surprise, however, her plan goes awry when she discovers that her parents have already sold it.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Six-time Grammy winner Mary J. Blige traveled with the team to Erie, Pa., to help build a new home for Clara Ward, who has cast the adversity of her health and surroundings aside to run a nonprofit youth development and family center from her home.
◊“I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story” (8 p.m. on TV Guide Network): Piers Morgan (“America’s Got Talent”) will host this special that chronicles Susan Boyle’s journey from the small Scottish village of Blackburn to superstardom following her audition on “Britain’s Got Talent.” Her story will be told alongside performances and exclusive interviews with Susan, friends and celebrity fans.
◊“The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” (8 p.m. on A&E): This new real-life series chronicles the personal and professional lives of Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon as they prepare for a Jackson Five reunion, while also coming to terms with Michael’s tragic loss.
◊“Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In this new sequel to the 2006 movie “Santa Baby,” Jenny McCarthy returns as Mary Class, Santa’s business-minded daughter. She is forced to step in to help save Christmas when Santa (Paul Sorvino) decides he is tired of the responsibilities of the job.
◊“Life After Film School” (6:30 p.m. on Fox Movie Channel): Film students interview Jon Landau, producer of the upcoming film “Avatar.” He discusses his ongoing partnership with James Cameron and delivering James’ unique vision to the screen using newly developed 3-D technology that realistically bring the characters to life.
◊“Talhotblond” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): This film tells the true story of a tumultuous online romance turned chilling real-life murder. During a chance encounter in an online-gaming chatroom, Thomas Montgomery, a lonely husband and father of two, meets a 17-year-old girl named Jessi and convinces her that he is a young marine named Tommy. But his love for Jessi turns to jealous obsession as she flaunts another lover—a co-worker of his — and the love triangle saga ends with a twist that Montgomery never saw coming.
MONDAY, DEC. 14
◊“The 2009 WWE Slammy Awards” (7 p.m. on USA Network): Dennis Miller (“Saturday Night Live”) will host the 15th annual event that is World Wrestling Entertainment’s version of the Oscars. Award categories include WWE superstar of the year, WWE match of the year, and WWE diva of the year.
◊“Anatomy of a Pandemic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Ray Suarez (“PBS NewsHour”) reports from the front lines of the efforts to combat the H1N1 swine flu pandemic, including the vaccination program. The special also surveys the current health crisis in the context of earlier pandemics, such as the 1918 influenza outbreak that caused between 50 and 100 million deaths worldwide.
◊“Bank of Hollywood” (9 p.m. on E!): This new series hosted by comedian Bryan Callen unites a panel of celebrities to dish out money to people with the most compelling needs for cash. The panelists include best-selling author and entrepreneur Candy Spelling, international poker phenomenon Vanessa Rousso, Wilhelmina Models President Sean Patterson and Pussycat Dolls singer Melody Thornton who determine which hopefuls are truly deserving of their riches.
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): A visit from Leonard’s mother (Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife”) delights Sheldon and horrifies Leonard.
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): The discrediting of a crime lab frequently used by the LAPD brings several old cases up for review, including one Provenza closed seven years ago with his former partner, Det. Andrews (Beau Bridges, “Stargate: Continuum”) Andrews comes out of retirement to help with the case, but he isn’t exactly prepared to testify in the new trial, throwing a wrench into a case that is already interrupting Brenda and Fritz’s vacation plans.
◊“Every F—ing Day of My Life” (9 p.m. on HBO): This documentaty records the final days of freedom for one woman as she prepares to be incarcerated for the murder of her abusive husband. In the early-morning hours of May 1, 2005, Wendy Maldonado, a mother of four in Grant Pass, Ore., called 911 in hysterics. “I just killed my husband,” she confessed, adding, “I just want my kids to be safe.” When the operator asked how long her husband had abused her, Maldonado replied, “Every f—ing day of my life.”
◊“Healthy Minds: Bipolar Disorder” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Broadcast journalist Jane Pauley speaks candidly about living with bipolar disorder while she was co-host of the national TV morning show “Today.” She discusses the diagnosis, symptoms and treatment of her manic depression.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): House and the team encounter a teenager who collapsed during her high school Christmas program. They soon find the troubled teen dealt with more than her share of bullying at school, and as her condition continues to deteriorate, the team must delve deeper to get to the bottom of her mysterious illness. Lori Petty (“The Cleaner”) guest stars.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): The gang struggles to quit smoking while Robin clashes with her new jaded co-worker. Harvey Fierstein (“Hairspray”) guest stars as Lily’s smoking voice.
◊“Jennifer Hudson: I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this one-hour special, the Academy Award-winning singer and actress (“Dreamgirls”) heads back to her hometown of Chicago to share childhood memories of the music, people and places that set the stage for her success. Joining Hudson in her first holiday music special is Grammy winner Michael Buble.
◊“Lie to Me” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): During a political protest in Washington, D.C., a disgruntled farmer parks his explosives-packed tractor near the Treasury Department building, forcing Lightman and his team to make some crucial life-or-death decisions.
◊“Picturing the President: George Washington” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Today is the anniversary of Washington’s death (1799), and this documentary tells the story of the most famous American portrait – Gilbert Stuart’s painting of George Washington. The portrait captures the spirit of this victorious general, stalwart leader and pioneering president of the United States.
◊“The Sing-Off” (7 p.m. on NBC): In this new competitive reality series hosted by Nick Lachey (“Clash of the Choirs”), a cappella groups from across the United States vie for a recording contract with Sony. Each week, one group will be eliminated, and the series culminates Dec. 21 in a live finale where the winners will be decided by viewers.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Charlie coaches Jake on the art of infidelity while his girlfriend is away for Christmas. Carl Reiner (“Life With Bonnie”) guest stars as Marty Pepper, a legendary TV Producer, whom Evelyn invites to Charlie’s for Christmas dinner.
◊“The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): This week-long marathon offers viewers the opportunity to relive the saga from the start. It begins with the first two episodes, and two more will follow each night through Friday.
◊“What Would Jesus Buy?” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This documentary looks at the commercialization of Christmas as it follows the adventures of Reverend Billy Talen and the congregation of the Church of Stop Shopping. Their itinerary includes college campuses, shopping malls, suburban streets and Disneyland.
◊“Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” (2 p.m. on Nick Jr.): Widget and Wubbzy are hanging out with their friend, Ty Ty the Tool Guy (Ty Pennington, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”), when a nearby family lose their home due to the sneezes of a pet elephant. Ty Ty proposes that everybody band together to build the family a new house.
TUESDAY, DEC. 15, 2009
◊“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (7 p.m. on ABC): This hour will include the digitally-remastered 1965 special, as well as a series of Christmas-themed animated stories entitled “Charlie Brown Christmas Tales” in which each of the beloved PEANUTS characters – Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Sally – star in his or her own charming animated vignette.
◊“The Forgotten” (9 p.m. on ABC): The case of a John Doe (Jarrod Bunch, former New York Giants football player), left beaten on the street and ravaged by past injuries, leads The Forgotten Network into the world of professional football.
◊“Funniest Commercials of the Year” (9 p.m. on TBS): Kevin Nealon (“Weeds”) and Fred Willard (“Best in Show”) count down the cleverest commercials from around the world. The special features up to 50 spots, 10 of which are voted on by the public in advance to determine the funniest commercial of the year.
◊“Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live” (8 p.m. on Fox): Chef Gordon Ramsay (“Hell’s Kitchen”) will be giving America a one-on-one cooking lesson, providing viewers with a real-time demonstration and step-by-step instructions on how to cook a three-course meal in just 60 minutes. For a shopping list of ingredients to prepare the angel hair pasta with shrimp appetizer, Steak Diane with sauteed potatoes and peas main course and Quick Tiramisu dessert, go to http://blog.newsok.com/television.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): When the enlisted son of retired Colonel-turned-preacher is found dead, the team believes he may be the victim of a hate crime. Meanwhile, Gibbs’ father (Ralph Waite, “The Waltons”) comes for a holiday visit. Joe Regalbuto (“Murphy Brown”) and Corey Reynolds (“The Closer”) also guest star.
◊“Paranormal State” (9 p.m. on A&E): Season 4 continues to chronicle the case files of the Paranormal Research Society (PRS), a renowned group that began with Penn State University College Students. The team uses a cache of resources, including Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) recordings, client interviews, video documentation, cutting-edge technologies and old-fashioned research.
◊“Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal” (8 p.m. on A&E): Season 2 spotlights even more children who live with psychic abilities. Helping them uncover the truths and managing their abilities are psychic/mediums Chip Coffey, Chris Fleming and Kim Russo — who themselves grew up with these senses — and licensed therapist Edy Nathan.
◊“Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” (2 p.m. on Nick Jr.): Wubbzy and Daizy need to round out their footy-football card collections with the very rare Touchdown Tiki (Tiki Barber, “NFL Monday Night Football”) card. So when Earl gets it, they both try to become Earl’s best friend hoping he will give one of them his coveted card.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16, 2009
◊“Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Edward Hermann” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Tony Award-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell joins the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for an hour of favorite seasonal songs. The special also features actor Ed Hermann (“Gilmore Girls”) reading “The Christmas Story.”
◊“CNBC Investigates: Illegal Gambling” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This special takes an inside look at the multi-billion dollar business of illegal gambling. Millions are cashing in. Some get rich, while others pay the ultimate price.
◊“CSY: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): A reformed drug addict with everything to live for is found dead in an alley. The CSI’s discover he was the victim of a premeditated plot. Kim Kardashian (“Keeping Up With the Kardashians”) guest stars as a fiance of a recovered addict musician and musician Pat Monahan (“Train”) guest stars as the recovered addict. Vanessa Minnillo (“The Bold and the Beautiful”) and Lala Vazquez (“Charm School With Ricki Lake”) also guest star.
◊“Eastwick” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Max asks a reluctant Joanna to help him crack a famous unsolved Eastwick murder, but their snooping leads them to a perilous situation with Eleanor (Cybill Shepherd, “The L Word”).
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When Gary and Allison worry that Tom is hanging out with the wrong crowd at school, they take it upon themselves to probe into Tom’s personal life. Real-life husband and wife and professional athletes, Laird Hamilton (professional surfer) and Gabrielle Reece (professional volleyball player), guest star as themselves.
◊“Maxim’s Hottest Moments of 2009″ (9 p.m. on E!): Maxim Magazine counts down the most unforgettable moments — from scandalous proposals to outrageous outbursts.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine reluctantly attends her neighbor’s holiday block party where she discovers a juicy secret. Molly Shannon (“Saturday Night Live”) guest stars as Christine’s neighbor, Jeannie, and Michaela Watkins (“Saturday Night Live”) returns as Matthew’s girlfriend, Lucy.
◊“So You Think You Can Dance” (7 p.m. on Fox): Host Cat Deeley will reveal who has been chosen as America’s favorite dancer on the two-hour season finale.
◊“Top Chef: Las Vegas — Watch What Happens Reunion” (8 p.m. on Bravo): Host Padma Lakshmi, hed judge Tom Colicchio and judges Gail Simmons and Toby Young join Season 6′s chef’testants to answer questions from viewers and dish on the good, bad and overcooked.
THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2009
◊“Biography: Dave Thomas” (9 p.m. on CNBC): The installment “Dave Thomas: Made to Order” tells the inspirational story of the creator of Wendy’s, one of the most famous food chains in the United States.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): The half-eaten body of a doctor is found in the tiger cage at the zoo following a hospital charity event, and Booth and Brennan determine the death was no accident. They question the suspects, including Brandon Casey (Chad Lowe, “24”), who must be hypnotize in order to jog his memory about what he saw the night of the gala.
◊“Christmas in Connecticut” (7 p.m. on TCM): Barbara Stanwyck stars in this 1945 romatic comedy as a lifestyle journalist who is lauded by her readers as the most efficient homemaker in the countryside but who lives in a city apartment. But when her boss suggests she host a soldier on leave for the holidays, she needs to come up with a home, child and cooking skills fast.
◊“FlashForward” (7 p.m. on ABC): Mark, Demetri, Gough and MI6 agent Fiona Banks (Alex Kingston, “ER”) investigate a Blue Hand club and its possible connection to some recent suicides.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Everyone’s struggling after losing one of their own and turning to any distraction they can find. Meredith and Derek seem to be consummating their marriage anywhere and everywhere, while Cristina and Owen have been instructed to abstain from sex by Dr. Wyatt. Jessica Capshaw (“The Practice”) guest stars.
◊“The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): While Jane and the team examine the crime scene where a baseball scout is found murdered, Jane is clocked in the head by a ball and flashes back to his childhood with his overbearing father (Nick Chinlund, “Desperate Measures”).
◊“Saturday Night Live Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas” (7 p.m. on NBC): This holiday special will include guest appearances by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, brand-new sketches with the infamous troublemaker “Gilly” (played by Kristen Wiig), and favorite holiday-themed sketches from SNL’s 35-year history.
◊“The Truth About Online Anorexia” (7 p.m. on BBC America): British TV and radio personality Fearne Cotton examines the ongoing trend for super-slim women and immerses herself in the worrying world of “pro-ana” websites that encourage anorexia and starvation as a life choice.
◊“The Will: Family Secrets Revealed” (8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): The pilot episode of this potential series examines the compelling stories of family dynamics as the final wishes of their deceased loved ones are revealed.
FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2009
◊“ABC World News” (5:30 p.m. on ABC): Anchor Charles Gibson, who announced his retirement several months ago, will officially depart from the nightly newscast today. Replacement Diane Sawyer, who will anchor the Dec. 21 and 22 broadcasts, will permanently take over the anchor spot in January.
◊“Dollhouse” (7 p.m. on Fox): As his contract with the Dollhouse expires, Victor is released back into the world, where his military past threatens his future with Sierra. Meanwhile, Echo is deemed too dangerous and is sent into her worst nightmare.
◊“Four Weddings” (9 p.m. on TLC): Get a sneak peek at this new series in which four brides agree to be guests at each other’s weddings and then judge which one was the best. The 10-episode series premieres Jan. 30.
◊“Frosty the Snowman” (7 p.m. on CBS): Adapted from a popular Christmas song, this 1969 animated musical features the voice of Jackie Vernon as the happy-go-lucky snowman who comes alive when a youngster places a magic hat on his head.
◊“Frosty Returns” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): This animated 1992 special stars John Goodman as the voice of Frosty the Snowman, who arrives in the town of Beansborough following the first snowstorm. But his visit may have to be cut short when a new invention, a snow-removal spray called Summer Wheeze, is introduced.
◊“Law & Order” (7 p.m. on NBC): Detectives Cyrus Lupo and Kevin Bernard investigate the murder of an environmentalist’s wife. Ned Beatty (“Homicide: Life on the Street”) and Sherry Stringfield (“ER”) guest star.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When a super computer is the prime suspect in the death of cutting-edge scientist, the team must use new means to crack the case. Nancy Travis (“The Bill Engvall Show”) guest stars.
◊“Oxygen’s 25iest: Hollywood’s Most Outrageous Holiday Gifts” (10 p.m. on Oxygen): This special takes a close look inside the holiday gifting habits of celebrities, including Johnny Depp, Lauren Conrad and Lady Gaga. From a romantic over the top Christmas engagement in an igloo to stuffed animals and fake eyelashes, the gifts range from extravagant to just plain bizarre.
SATURDAY, DEC. 19, 2009
◊“Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In the one of the last three episodes starring David Tennant in the title role, all will be revealed as the Doctor and his companion Adelaide (Lindsay Duncan, “Rome”) face terror on the Red Planet in one of the scariest adventures yet. The remaining episodes starring Tennant will air over the holiday season as a two-part special.
◊“Elf” (7 p.m. on CBS): This 2003 comedy stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who was adopted by elves as an infant and grows up thinking he’s just a large version of his adoptive father (Bob Newhart). When Buddy finds out the truth about his parentage, he is crushed and goes out into the real world to find his dad (James Caan). Unfortunately, Dad has his own family and isn’t interested in rehashing the past.
◊“Sandra Lee Celebrates: Winter Wonderland Party” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Vy Higginsen, the leader of an organization that provides musical training to underprivileged youth, works with Sandra lee to throw an over-the-top holiday party for her neighborhood. With a classic holiday menu that will feed a large crowd – along with festive, budget-friendly décor ideas – viewers will see Sandra transform Vy’s traditional New York dwelling into the ultimate winter wonderland party.
◊“Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): James Franco makes his second appearance as host of show, and the British rock trio Muse is the musical guest.
◊“Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Cottage” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Peter O’Toole and Marcia Gay Harden star in this 2008 movie that looks at the inspiration nehind Thomas Kinkade’s painting The Christmas Cottage and how the artist was motivated to begin his career after discovering his mother was in danger of losing their family home.
◊“The Three Gifts” (7 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Dean Cain (“Out of Time”) stars in the spirited story as Jack Green, a toymaker who, along with his wife (Jean Louisa Kelly, “Yes Dear”), temporarily takes in three unruly orphans during the holiday season. The troublemakers soon turn their act around when they think that the Greens are considering adopting one of them, and do their best to get off the Naughty List.
◊“WWE Tribute to the Troops” (8 p.m. on NBC): WWE Superstars and Divas will head to Iraq this holiday season to put a smile on the faces of the troops serving in the U.S. military and to give thanks for their commitment to our country. This trip marks the seventh consecutive year that WWE will make its annual pilgrimage to the front lines.
–Penny TV
