Top 55 TV Programs for Dec. 6-12, 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. 6:
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
SUNDAY, DEC. 6, 2009
◊“Alice” (8 p.m. today and Monday on Syfy): This modern day spin on the classic stories by Lewis Carroll stars Oscar winner Kathy Bates (“Misery”) as the Queen of Hearts and Caterina Scorsone (“Crash”) as Alice.
◊“The Amazing Race” (7 p.m. on CBS): Season 15’s final three teams race home from Prague to the United States, with the finish line holding a $1 million prize for the first to cross it.
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): As the wedding grows closer, Justin’s resolve to stay sober is weakened as he and Rebecca harbor secrets that could make or break their relationship for good. Series star Matthew Rhys (Kevin Walker) makes his directorial debut.
◊“Burn Up” (8 p.m. today and Monday on Planet Green): Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”), Neve Campbell (“The Philanthropist”) and Rupert Penry-Jones (“Spooks”) star in this British miniseries. It is a high-stakes conspiracy thriller in which two friends – power players in the international oil industry – face a series of violent events and shocking revelations that could tear apart their friendship, their business, even civilization as we know it.
◊“Chainsaw Ice Sculptors” (9 p.m. on TLC): Enter the world of ice sculpting through three distinct personalities facing similar challenges. With chainsaws and chisels, these ice sages pour their heart, sweat and soul into creating works of art.
◊“Clash of the Dinosaurs” (7 p.m. on Discovery): This four-hour special, which concludes Dec. 13, combines cinematic photo-real 3D graphics and leading-edge anatomy and paleontology to show how dinosaurs survived in such a violent world.
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for the killer of a champion debater who was wrongly believed to have committed suicide after losing his first debate three months into his scholarship-funded schooling at a competitive top private high school. Reed Diamond (“Dollhouse”) guest stars as the debate team coach at the victim’s new school.
◊“Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In this new special, Dora and Swiper explore the past, present and future of Christmas. It includes a special holiday version of the “Dora the Explorer” theme song recorded by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteers Selena Gomez (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) and Usher (“Moesha”) travel with the team to Clarksville, Tenn., to give Trina Scott and her three daughters the good news that their problem-ridden home would be rebuilt in just seven days.
◊“I Survived …” (8 p.m. on Biography): Season 4 features all-new first person accounts from ordinary people catapulted into extraordinary situations who found the strength and courage to survive.
◊“Invasion of the Christmas Lights” (8 p.m. on TLC): This holiday special criss-crosses the United States to chronicle families of extreme Christmas lighting enthusiasts and document their glorious, outrageous and elaborate displays.
◊“Jonas” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Kevin is thrilled when he learns that Anya, his friend and president of the Scandinavian JONAS fan club, is going to be an exchange student at their school. Madison Riley (“Hatching Pete”) guest stars.
◊“Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction” (8 p.m. on HBO): The comic performs at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., in an act that tackles a variety of political topics but also includes candid riffs on Williams’ own life.
◊“Sexpo Australia” (9 p.m. on G4): Sasha Grey (“Girlfriend Experience”) hosts this two-hour special that offers unprecedented access to the world’s largest adukt expo. The annual four-day event in Australia covers all aspects of health, adult entertainment, sexuality and adult lifestyles for the curious consumer.
◊“Shatner’s Raw Nerve” (9 p.m. on Biography): Rush Limbaugh and Regis Philbin are the first two guests for the second season of William Shatner’s unique talk show. Every interview, Shatner attempts to probe his guest’s most fascinating and sensitive subjects and touch upon a “raw nerve.”
MONDAY, DEC. 7, 2009
◊“Born Again” (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary uncovers filmmaker Markie Hancock’s slow and painful break with her faith and devout Christian family as she experiences new directions for her life, including her sexual awakening as a lesbian.
◊“Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” (7 p.m. on Fox): The Grammy-winning and multiplatinum country singer performs holiday songs in addition to selections from her albums. Performers joining Underwood in this two-hour variety special include Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth, and “American Idol” winner David Cook.
◊“Circumcise Me: The Comedy of Yisrael Campbell” (9:30 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary chronicles the life journey of Christopher Campbell, a stand-up comedian who humorously recounts his tale of converting to Judaism three different times.
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): The squad investigates the death of a 12-year-old boy whose father and brother are both gang members. The boy is found dead in a known gang party house, but soon the case includes two more bodies at a different house related to the same crime.
◊“Handy Manny” (8 a.m. on Disney): Manny and the tools are enjoying a day at the beach when a marine biologist (voiced by Rosario Dawson, “Rent”) approaches them with an emergency – an orca whale has washed up on the shore.
◊“Healthy Minds” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installlment “Helping Our Troops,” experts in the military and mental health industry unite efforts and expertise to help soldiers who suffer from post-tramatic stress disorder.
◊“Holiday Celebration on Ice” (5 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield perform as a star-studded cast of Olympic, world and national figure skating champions celebrate the wonders of the holiday season.
◊“Men of a Certain Age” (9 p.m. on TNT): Ray Romano (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), Scott Bakula (“Quantum Leap”) and Andre Braugher (“Thief”) star in this new series as three longtime friends. Between daily lunches at a local diner and hikes in the hills overlooking Los Angeles, they do their best to support each other through the challenges mid-life throws at them.
◊“Million Dollar Listing” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the Season 3 finale, a broker invites Chad, Madison and Josh to help him with charity work, but egos clash as the agents try and work together.
◊“Moises Rules!” (4 p.m. today through Thursday on Disney XD): This new sports series invites youngsters to challenge Moises Arias (Rico in “Hannah Montana”) in fun sports competitions such as foam tetherball and finger football.
◊“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this 1970 animated special, Fred Astaire narrates this timeless tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney), a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others.
TUESDAY, DEC. 8, 2009
◊“Better Off Ted” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 2 premiere, Veridian Dynamics tries matchmaking employees based on their genetic compatibility in hopes of saving on health insurance bills from imperfectly bred children. Taye Diggs (‘‘Private Practice”) guest stars.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): All of the Season 8 contestants return for the live finale and for a chance to weigh in one last time. And one of the three finalists will win $250,000 and the “Biggest Loser” title.
◊“Handy Manny” (8 a.m. on Disney): When the automatic pizza rolling machine at Paulette’s Pizza Palace breaks, Manny and the tools must repair the machine so that Paulette (voiced by Giada De Laurentiis, “Everyday Italian”) is able to fulfill all the orders for her pizza special of the day.
◊“ID Investigates: The Madoff Mystery” (8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This new special hosted by former CBS anchor Thalia Assuras focuses on the Bernard Madoff financial scandal one year after it was first revealed. It examines more than the greed and deception of Madoff’s fraud by exploring the dire human consequences of Madoff’s crimes, beyond the financial ruin.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Between the Folds” profiles theoretical scientists and fine artists who have become modern-day paper folders, mastering the ancient art of origami and reinterpreting the world in paper as they create an offbeat combo of sensibilities toward art, creativity, science and meaning.
◊“National Christmas Tree Lighting 2009” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The 86th annual event took place Dec. 3 in Washington D.C., but this marks the first time PBS stations nationwide will broadcast the ceremony.
◊“Outer Space Astronauts” (8:30 p.m. on Syfy): This new comedy series follows eight vaguely courageous military personnel on board the O.S.S. Oklahoma who journey to the far reaches of the galaxy for knowledge and adventure. Five of the eight cast members in this series that melds live-action with 3D animation are from Oklahoma, including creator Russell Barrett (Captain Bruce Ripley).
◊“Prep & Landing” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): This new holiday special reveals the never-before-told tale of a high-tech organization of elves that ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared for the yearly visit from The Big Guy, their code name for Santa Claus. The voice cast includes Dave Foley (“NewsRadio”) as Wayne, Sarah Chalke (“Scrubs”) as Magee and Derek Richardson (“Men In Trees”) as Lanny.
◊“Scare Tactics” (8 p.m. on Syfy): In the fall finale, a receptionist at a doctor’s office is caught in the middle when a patient comes in demanding to be reattached to his former conjoined twin.
◊“Teen Mom” (9 p.m. on MTV): This new docu-series catches up with Maci, Amber, Catelynn and Farrah from the first season of “16 And Pregnant” to give viewers a deeper look at the lives of teenage parents. Told by each girl first hand, the series will depict the varied challenges young mothers face — from marriage or relationships, to high school or college, to new babies or life after adoption.
WEDNESDAY. DEC. 9, 2009
◊“Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009” (9 p.m. on ABC): Host Barbara Walters interviews some of the year’s most prominent people in entertainment, sports, politics and pop culture, including Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and Tyler Perry.
◊“Campus PD” (10 p.m. on G4): This new reality series heads to five college towns across the country — Tallahassee, Fla.; San Marcos, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Chico, Calif.; and Greenville, NC — and goes behind the scenes with police officers to give viewers an authentic glimpse at campus life and the measures they take to keep students safe.
◊“Cougar Town” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): A very wealthy potential home buyer (Scott Foley, Felicity”) feigns interest in an overpriced home in order to get Jules’ attention. Meanwhile, Ellie begrudgingly leaves the baby with Andy for a day to prove to herself that she trusts her husband.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): While Agent Hotchner takes a leave of absence from the Behavioural Analysis Unit, the team must regroup to solve a home invasion case. Rena Sofer (“24″) guest stars as home invasion victim, Erika Silverman.
◊“L.A. Holiday Celebration 2009″ (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This hourlong special presents highlights of the festive six-hour performance at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center last Christmas Eve. More than 1,000 performers participate in the free holiday-themed show, which has been sponsored annually since 1960 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors as a gift to local residents.
◊“Mercy” (7 p.m. on NBC): Veronica tries to get help for unresolved battle scars while everything else in her life falls apart. Jason Ritter (“Joan of Arcadia”) guest stars.
◊“Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): Christmas is in full swing at the Dunphy house until the kids get in some trouble and Phil and Claire threaten to take away Christmas until one of them fesses up. Fred Willard (“Best in Show:) guest stars as Phil’s dad.
◊“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (7 p.m. on Disney): This 1993 animated fantasy from Tim Burton (‘‘Edward Scissorhands”) takes the overlapping holiday scenario to the extreme. The Pumpkin King, ruler of Halloween Town, hatches a plan to kidnap Santa Claus and put his own ghostly spin on the yuletide season.
◊“Oklahomans” (7 p.m. on KWTV-9): University of Oklahoma football player Sam Bradford is interviewed on this locally-produced special. Host Becky Dixon also talks to Tony Award nominee Kelli O’Hara and Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson.
◊“Psychic Hollywood: The Search for Truth” (7 p.m. on E!): In this special, five celebrities with very personal issues search for help from four very different psychics. Alana Stewart turns to medium James Van Praagh to try to contact her friend, the late Farrah Fawcett; Trista and Ryan Sutter implore Derek Ogilvie to find out why their toddler is hitting and kicking Trista; Mark Curry calls on Shaman Durek to break free from an intangible force that’s holding him back; and Perla Hudson enlists psychic profiler Carla Baron to find her brother, who is missing and presumed dead.
◊“Secret Lives of Women” (10 p.m. on WEtv): The Season 1 finale takes viewers to The Moonlight Bunny Ranch, a legal brothel in Carson City, Nev., that employs women from all walks of life. From mothers to former teachers, nurses and members of the military, women work at Bunny Ranch to male a better life for themselves and their families.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …” (9 p.m. on Sundance): This music and talk show lets viewers in on intimate conversation and performance with host Elsi Costello and his guests, which for Season 2 include Bono, The Edge, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Ron Sexsmith, Neko Case, Jesse Winchester, Ray LaMontagne, Nick Lowe, Levon Helm, Richard Thompson and Allen Toussaint. The show is taped in front of a live audience at Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater in New York City and The Masonic Temple in Toronto, Canada.
◊“Top Chef: Las Vegas” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the Season 6 finale, the remaining three contestants vie for the title as they cook the best meal they’ve ever made.
THURSDAY, DEC. 10, 2009
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): Jack’s interest in a new social networking site unexpectedly reconnects him with a high school crush (Julianne Moore, “Blindness”).
◊“The 2009 Hollywood Christmas Parade” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): For the first time in its 80-plus year history, the Hollywood Christmas Parade will air nationally as a two-hour television primetime event. The holiday festivities will include celebrities from film, television and stage, including the 2009 Grand Marshal Susan Lucci (“All My Children”).
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Brennan makes plans to spend Christmas in El Salvador, but her father (Ryan O’Neal, “Miss Match”) convinces her to spend the holidays with him and Margaret Whitesell (Zooey Deschanel, sister of series star Emily Deschanel), a newly discovered distant relative.
◊“The Bubble Decade” (9 p.m. on CNBC): Correspondent David Faber reports on one of the most dramatic periods in the history of America’s financial markets. As the first decade of the 21st century draws to a close, Faber looks back at the tumultuous era, one marked by ambition and innovation, avarice and excess, and record highs – and lows – on Wall Street.
◊“Community” (7 p.m. on NBC): Anthony Michael Hall (“The Breakfast Club”) haunts the halls of Greendale Community College as a campus bully who challenges Jeff to a fight.
◊“Egypt’s Animal Mummies” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): The remains of more than four million mummies have been hidden within Egypt’s tombs. They are remnants not of the ancient pharaohs, but the perfectly preserved remains of animals. Using modern science, an international team of experts discovers how and why the Ancient Egyptians preserved their animals just like their kings.
◊“Michael McDonald — This Christmas: A Soundstage Special Event” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Singer Michael McDonald celebrates the holidays with yuletide favorites and some of his signature hits, performing such songs as ‘‘White Christmas,” ‘‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and ‘‘What Christmas Means to Me.”
◊“Parks and Recreation” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Leslie designs the Pawnee Winter Wonderland Festival but has to hide from the press when a meeting with a disgraced counsilman lands her in the middle of a sex scandal. Louis C.K. (“Lucky Louis”) guest stars.
◊“Pedigree Dogs Exposed” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This documentary lifts the lid on the true extent of health and welfare problems in pedigree dogs. With international perspectives and testimony from top experts including The British Kennel Club, it unravels the historical, social and cultural reasons why purebred dogs today are in so much trouble.
◊“Private Practice” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): After Pete discovers Violet dying on the floor of her home, having barely survived a violent attack from her patient, Katie (Amanda Foreman, “Felicity”), he rushes her to the hospital where Addison and Naomi fight to save her life.
◊“Viva Nelson Mandela: A Hero for All Seasons” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary helps celebrate 90 years of Nelson Mandela’s life by telling his complete story. A life of struggle, humanity, destiny and greatness is recalled and celebrated by those who knew him best and who worked with him in the quest to break the chains of oppression, taking us beyond the political and into the personal.
FRIDAY, DEC. 11, 2009
◊“Epitafios” (9 p.m. on HBO Latino): A prisoner of his past, Renzo begins hunting for the murderer alone. Ultimately, however, everything will end as it started in the Season 2 finale.
◊“Law & Order” (7 p.m. on NBC): A campaign volunteer is murdered in the midst of an election and the detectives become trapped in a haze of danger and political scandals. Benjamin Bratt (“The Cleaner”) guest stars.
◊“Straight No Chaser — Live in New York Holiday Edition” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This special featuring the men’s a cappella group includes new material, holiday favorites and the song that launched the Straight No Chaser’s success, “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
◊“TeenNick HALO Awards” (7 p.m. on TeenNick): This new concept in awards show is hosted and executive produced by Nick Cannon and features four celebrities — LeBron James, Alicia Keys, Hayden Panettiere and Justin Timberlake. They don’t receive the awards, but will they give them out to deserving teens in support of their philanthropic causes.
◊“Yes, Virginia” (7 p.m. on CBS): This new animated Christmas special is based on the 1897 true story of Virginia O’Hanlon, an 8-year-old girl who inspired the most famous newspaper editorial of all time by asking, “Is there a Santa Claus?” It features the voices of Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”), Jennifer Love Hewitt (“Ghost Whisperer”) and Alfred Molina (“Spider-Man 2″).
SATURDAY, DEC. 12, 2009
◊“30 for 30″ (8 p.m. on ESPN): The ESPN Film series concludes with “The U,” a two-hour documentary about the dramatic rise of the University of Miami football program in the 1980s. It looks at the program’s sudden and jolting transformation into a football powerhouse that essentially changed the rules of the game as told by the players, coaches, students and administrators who were there.
◊“Annihilation Earth” (8 p.m. on Syfy): With the world on the brink of both economic and ecological disaster, a physicist (Luke Goss, “Hellyboy II”) must discern whether the destruction of a cutting-edge super collider facility was the work of terrorists or his own miscalculation.
◊“Christmas in Canaan” (7 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Billy Ray Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”) stars in this story based on the book by Grammy Award winner Kenny Rogers and Donald Davenport. Cyrus plays widower Daniel Burton, who is doing his best to raise his three children on a limited income. But living in Canaan, Texas, during the Civil Rights Movement, he soon faces more than just financial difficulties.
◊“The Flight Before Christmas” (8:01 p.m. on CBS): A flying squirrel shows a young reindeer, who believes his long-lost father was part of Santa’s airborne sleigh team, how to soar into the sky in this holiday special featuring the voices of Emma Roberts (‘‘Nancy Drew”) and Norm MacDonald (‘‘Saturday Night Live”).
◊“Ghost Invervention” (8 p.m. on TLC): This new docu-series chronicles a case manager and a team of women with psychic abilities as they try to help different families who are struggling with paranormal activity in their homes.
◊“It’s a Wonderful Life” (7 p.m. on NBC): This marks the 60th anniversary of Frank Capra’s holiday classic starring James Stewart as small-town guy George Bailey, who defers one big dream after another to stay home, marry a local girl and run the family business. Facing financial ruin, he’s pulled from suicidal despair by an angel who shows him what a terrible place the world would be if he’d never lived.
◊“The Polar Express” (6 p.m. on Disney): An animated movie unlike any other, director Robert Zemeckis’ interpretation of Chris Van Allsburg’s holiday story features Tom Hanks in multiple roles through a technique called ‘‘motion capture,” which creates a pseudo-real look. Hanks is most recognizable as the conductor of a train that takes a youngster on a wild ride to the North Pole.
◊“Posse: The Young Guns on PBR” (7 p.m. on CMT): This special follows eight up and coming professional bull riders on their journey across America trying to become the next PBR champion. Among the hopefuls are Ryan Dirteater, 20, from Hulbert (won the Dickies Invitational in Dallas in January 2009) and Austin Meier, 22, from Kinta (won the first ever PBR Team Shootout).
◊“Sandra Lee Celebrates: Season of Surprise” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Last year, the Morgner family’s newborn triplets were barely well enough to be brought home for the holidays. This season, as the family gets ready for the holidays with three active one-year-olds, Sandra will show them creative ways to preserve lifelong family memories, incorporate heirloom party décor and prepare unforgettable holiday recipes. HGTV Design Star finalist Dan Vickery makes a special guest appearance and uses his carpentry skills to help Sandra create unique décor items for each child.
◊“Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): “Twilight” and “New Moon” star Taylor Lautner will make his hosting debut. “New Moon” made box office history with the biggest single opening day. The musical guest is Bon Jovi which will be making its fifth appearance on the show. The Grammy Award-winning band has sold more than 120 million albums and performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries.
◊“Video Game Awards 2009″ (7 p.m. on SPIKE): The live event will celebrate the year’s best video games, as well as offer a glimpse at the future of gaming in 2010 and beyond.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for Nov. 29-Dec. 5, 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 Nov. 29:
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
SUNDAY, NOV. 29, 2009
◊“The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert” (7 p.m. on HBO): This four-hour event spotlights a host of musicians with performances culled from live concerts in late October. Among the artists featured are Eric Clapton, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Friends Aretha Franklin, Metallica, Simon & Garfunkel, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, U2 and Stevie Wonder.
◊“650 Lb. Virgin: The Weight Is Over” (9 p.m. on TLC): After losing 400 pounds without resorting to gastric bypass surgery, David Smith has become an inspiration for others. Now, along with his trainer and best friend Chris, he’s on a mission to help reshape the nation.
◊“2009 Soul Train Awards Show” (8 p.m. on BET): Taraji P. Henson (“The Division”) and Terrence Howard (“Street Time”) co-host the event that features performances by Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Boyz II Men, Chrisette Michele, Erykah Badu, Brian McKnight and Mario.
◊“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (6 p.m. on ABC): Former “America’s Funniest Home Videos” host Bob Saget returns as a guest co-host with Tom Bergeron in an episode that salutes the show’s funniest moments in its two decades on the air. In its 20 seasons to date, the show has given away over $10 million in prize money and evaluated more than half a million videotapes from home viewers.
◊“A Dog Named Christmas” (8 p.m. on CBS): A mentally challenged young man (Noel Fisher, “The Riches”) with a penchant for caring for animals in need sets out to convince his family and community to participate in the local shelter’s inaugural “Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program.”
◊“The Dog Who Saved Christmas” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Mario Lopez (“Nip/Tuck”) provides the voice of Zeus, the misguided guard dog who saves the Bannister family’s Christmas when he thwarts a burglary attempt by two inept thieves.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Patrick Dempsey (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and the team travel to Lyme, NH, to tell Jay and Elena Marshall that their moldy and rotting home will be rebuilt in seven days.
◊“Frost/Nixon: The Original Watergate Interviews” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This program features David Frost’s entire 1977 Watergate interview with President Nixon. The original broadcast was watched by 45 million Americans and drew the biggest worldwide audience for a news interview.
◊“Half-Ton Teen: Confronting Addiction” (7 p.m. on TLC): Billy Roberts, once the world’s heaviest teenager, is gaining weight again. In the third installment of “Half Ton Teen,” doctors make a desperate attempt to save Billy from self-destruction.
◊“Legend of the Seeker” (5 p.m. on KOCB-34): Kahlan and Richard set out to rescue a mysterious girl named Annabelle (Aimee Teegarden, “Friday Night Lights”), the only other living Confessor, and try to prevent her from accidentally unleashing the powers she possesses.
◊“Pavarotti: Salute Petra” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This tribute concert taped October 2008 at the historial site of Petra in Jordan marks the first anniversary of the death of Luciano Pavarotti. The line-up features opera singers and musicians who performed with the Italian tenor, including Placido Domingo, Angela Gheorghiu and Andrea Bocelli.
MONDAY, NOV. 30, 2009
◊“Castle” (9 p.m. on ABC): Castle is wrestling with how to repair his relationship with Beckett, while struggling to finish his soon-to-be-published bestseller, Heat Wave. But circumstances force the pair back together to investigate the mysterious murder of a man found dead, tangled in the limbs of a tree. Authors Stephen J. Cannell and Michael Connelly guest star as themselves.
◊“Emeril Green California” (7 p.m. on Planet Green): This special takes viewers to one of the country’s most progressive and dedicated organic and sustainable farming areas – Sonoma and Napa Valleys.
◊“Hoarders” (9 p.m. on A&E): The second-season premiere introduces viewers to Augustine, whose son Jason was removed from her home by Child Protective Services 14 years ago, because of her hoarding. It follows Jason as he tries one last time to rescue his mother from the filth he escaped from years ago.
◊“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m. on ABC): This 1966 animated holiday story takes viewers inside a snowflake to Whoville, the magical land of the Whos. But high above this holiday-loving town resides the Grinch, a hateful creature with a heart three sizes too small, who despises Christmas and plots to steal it from the Whos. The voice cast includes Boris Karloff as The Grinch/Narrator and June Foray as Cindy Lou Who.
◊“Jim Thorpe: The World’s Greatest Athlete” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This special chronicles Jim Thorpe’s life — from his boyhood in Oklahoma and his gold-medal wins at the 1912 Summer Olympics to his advocacy of American Indian rights and self-sufficiency. It recounts these events and others through interviews with Thorpe’s surviving children, dramatic recreations and archival photos and film.
◊“The Lady From Shanghai” (7 p.m. on TCM): This 1948 thriller stars Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth and features the famed hall-of-mirrors climax. It is the first of four films guest programmer Anthony Hopkins (“The Silence of the Lambs”) selected to air. The others are 1948′S “The Treasure of Sierra Madre” (8:45), 1940′s “The Grapes of Wrath” (11 p.m.) and 1954′s “Rear Window” (1:15 a.m.).
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): Ted tries to prove he’s not pathetic for getting left at the altar, and Barney tries to impress Robin by fighting with patrons who are sitting in their favorite booth. Will Sasson (“MadTV”) guest stars.
◊“Intervention” (8 p.m. on A&E): The eighth-season premiere features Linda, who after graduating from college found success working as an extra in HollywoodBut her dreams died when she came down with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and started taking the painkiller Fentanyl.
◊“Shrek the Halls” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): This 2007 animated holiday special Shrek’s plans for a cozy family celebration end up spiraling into one truly unforgettable Christmas. The voice cast includes Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas.
◊“Smokey Robinson Tribute on Ice” (5 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Singer Smokey Robinson will perform while a stellar cast of Olympic, World and National figure skaters — including Brian Boitano, Todd Eldredge and Jennifer Robinson — cut through the ice.
TUESDAY, DEC. 1, 2009
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The final four contestants go home to reunite with family and friends and learn that when they return to the ranch, they will face their toughest challenge yet — running a full marathon. Cheering them along the way with me Season 7 winner Helen Phillips and finalists Tara Costa and Mike Morelli.
◊“Britain’s Missing Top Model” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In this new reality series, eight aspiring models — each with a disability — compete for a photo shoot with one of the United Kingdom’s best known fashion photographers, a four page spread in Marie Claire and an introduction to the head of a top modelling agency.
◊“Christmas Outside the Box” (6 p.m. on TLC): This special will unwrao the rituals of the holiday and reveal a day layeed with mystery, science and honored tradition.
◊“Eyes” (9 p.m. on DirecTV): In the series finale, Wyatt Markum, a bond trader, is murdered under the watch of Jimmy Doyle, a bodyguard and old friend of Harlan’s. The investigation is complicated by detective Ryan Giggs, who believes that Jimmy killed Wyatt. Meanwhile, Jeff’s mother, Dee Dee (Patti D’Arbanville, “New York Undercover”), has been scammed and asks her son for help in catching the con artist.
◊“The Forgotten” (9 p.m. on ABC): The Forgotten Network investigates the death of a John Doe found murdered and stuffed in the trunk of a car four months ago. The investigation takes a turn when a DNA test identifies the Doe as an ex-con who died four years ago. James Van Der Beek (“Dawson’s Creek”) guest stars.
◊“I’m Pregnant And …” (8:30 p.m. on Discovery Health): This new series follows the stories of women facing serious issues — emotional, physical, mental or circumstantial — as they navigate their nine-month journey through pregnancy. Topics explored throughout the six-part series include “I’m Pregnant and I’m Addicted,” “I’m Pregnant and I Have an Eating Disorder” and “I’m Pregnant and Over 55.”
◊“Invitation Only: Carrie Underwood” (8 p.m. on CMT): Checotah native Carrie Underwood takes the stage to perform her chart-toppers as well as music from her new album “Play On.” She also takes questions from fans and gives revealing and candid answers.
◊“Love In a Time of HIV” (8 p.m. on Showtime): Premiering on the 21st annual World AIDS Day, this documentary takes a walk in the shows of several people around the world living with HIV.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): The death of a NCIS agent leads Gibbs and Tony into the desert to locate a woman who holds the answer to the mystery. Lance Henriksen (“Millennium”) guest stars.
◊“Prep & Landing” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): This new holiday special reveals the never-before-told tale of a high-tech organization of elves that ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared for the yearly visit from The Big Guy, their code name for Santa Claus. The voice cast includes Dave Foley (“NewsRadio”) as Wayne, Sarah Chalke (“Scrubs”) as Magee and Derek Richardson (“Men In Trees”) as Lanny.
◊“Sci-Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible” (9 p.m. on Science Channel): This new series based on Dr. Michio Kaku’s best-selling book combines his knowledge of theoretical physics with his ability to turn high-level science into blueprints for light sabers, starships, time travel and more. In each episode, Dr. Kaku will illustrate how each fantastic invention would work and could be built.
◊“Scrubs” (8 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 9 premiere, J.D., Turk, Drs. Cox and Kelso and Intern Denise return to Sacred Heart to teach med school, while new med students Lucy, Drew, Cole and Maya are put through the ringer on their first day of school.
◊“Sherri” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): In the Season 1 finale, Sherri finds herself at a crossroads between re-kindling her relationship with Kevin and starting a new future with Randy.
◊“Transgendered and Pregnant” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special tells the story of a transgendered couple expecting a baby. In spite of ongoing hormone treatments, the male-to-female transgender wife managed to impregnate the female-to-male tramsgender husband, and cameras follow the couple throughout the pregnancy leading up to the birth of their first child.
◊“The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” (9 p.m. on CBS): The annual holiday-themed runway show returns to New York City and will feature supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes and Marisa Miller. The event will also feature model profiles, behind-the-scenes footage, red-carpet interviews and performances by three-time Grammy Award winners the Black Eyed Peas.
◊“Where the Water Meets the Sky” (9 p.m. on Sundance): Narrated by Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”), this documentary tells the story of a group of Northern Zambian women who learn how to use the art of filmmaking as a way to speak out about their lives and the plight of the staggering number of young women orphaned by AIDS in their country.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2, 2009
◊“Bank of Mom and Dad” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): Sarah, a 23-year-old self-proclaimed “urban sophisticate” from New Jersey, spends all of her money on clothes and food while her parents foot the bill for her real expenses on the season finale.
◊“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (7 p.m. on NBC): Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock”) and Zachary Levi (“Chuck”) co-host the 77th annual holiday celebration that has aired on NBC for 12 years. The tree lighting event will also feature performances by Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, The Roots, Shakira, and The Radio City Rockettes.
◊“Criminal Minds” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team travels to Fort Lauderdale during spring break to find a serial killer with multiple personalities who is targeting co-eds on vacation. Roma Maffia (“Nip/Tuck”) and Jackson Rathbone (“Twilight”) on “Criminal Minds,” 9 p.m. on CBS.
◊“Dog the Bounty Hunter” (8 p.m. on A&E): Season 6 opens with the show’s 150th episode, and Duane “Dog” Chapman’s target seems to have a taste for drugs and a record of reckless driving.
◊“Eastwick” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): While enduring a visit from her mother, Edie (Joanna Kerns, “Growing Pains”), Roxie discovers a newfound power. After Jamie’s failed attempt to poison Darryl lands Greta Noa (Rosanna Arquette, “The L Word”) in the hospital about to die, Darryl urges Kat to embrace her healing abilities so she can save his friend. Meanwhile, Jamie is forced to team up with Bun and Eleanor (Cybill Shepherd, “The L Word”) to finish the job on Darryl.
◊“The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night” (8 p.m. on CBS, 2:37 a.m. Friday on KWTV-9 in OKC): LL Cool J (“NCIS: Los Angeles”) host host this special broadcast live from Club NOKIA in Los Angeles. It will reveal Grammy nominations in several categories and the world premiere performance of Nick Jonas & the Administration, as well as appearances by Black Eyed Peas, Sugarland and Maxwell.
◊“Launch My Line” (10 p.m. on Bravo): Designers Dean and Dan Caten of DSQUARED2 host this new series that follows 10 professionals who are paired with 10 established fashion designers who will help them execute their dream clothing line.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m. on NBC): Officer Nate Kendall (Wentworth Miller, “Prison Break”) is called in to help Detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler solve a series of rape cases.
◊“Little Parents, First Baby” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): Dwarf couple Becky and Craig Hennon welcomed their first child earlier this year. Cameras revisit the family to see how they are faring and find out if they have learned whether their baby boy will also be a dwarf.
◊“Rebuilding America” (7 p.m. on CNBC): Are the manufacturing jobs in the U.S. gone forever? Does an economy that doesn’t produce anything have any real value? CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo and some leaders in manufacturing answer those questions and chart our path forward.
◊“Pixar Short Films” (6 p.m. on ABC Family): This two-hour presentation features 20 animated Pixar short films, including Academy Award winners “Tin Toy” (1988), “Geri’s Game” (1991) and “For the Birds” (2001) and Oscar nominees “Luxo Jr.” (1986), “Mike’s New Car” (2002), “Boundin” (2003), “One Man Band” (2005), “Lifted” (2006) and “Presto” (2008).
◊“Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Chef Gordon Ramsay returns for a fifth seaosn of taking on struggles restaurant ventures and passing on tips to owners on how best to cope with the credit crunch.
◊“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (7 p.m. on CBS, 2:37 a.m. Thursday on KWTV-9 in OKC): The longest-running holiday special in television history celebrates its 45th anniversary with this digitally-remastered version. The classic “Animagic” special features a musical score from Johnny Marks and the voice of Burl Ives.
◊“Sports Jobs With Junior Seau” (9 p.m. on Versus): The former New England Patriot linebacker trades in his helmet and pads and tries out the sometimes thankless byt extremely important jobs across the entire sports world. In the premiere episode, Seau will be working as part of the construction crew helping to build the new stadium for the New York Giants/Jets.
◊“Steven Seagal Lawman” (9 p.m. on A&E): This new real-life series chronicles martial arts expert and film star Steven Seagal’s work in law enforcement. For almost 20 years, he has been working as a fully-commissioned deputy with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana. Each episode will allow fans to ride shotgun with Seagal as he and an elite team of deputies respond to crimes-in-progress.
◊“Top Chef: Las Vegas” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The final chef’testants gear up for the high-stakes finale on Dec. 9, as the final four travel to Napa and get narrowed down to three. And the three finalists get a surprise wake-up and fight for the title.
◊“Tulsa A to Z” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Tulsa video historian Jack Frank takes viewers on a tour of unique and historical places across the city — from the Admiral Twins, the city’s last remaining drive-in, to the Indy 500 race cars built by Tulsan Jack Zink.
◊“Whatever, Martha!” (8 p.m. on FLN): To prove that she is in on the show’s joke, Martha Stewart joins co-hosts Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppelman Hutt on the couch to reminisce about some of her favorite TV segments, including Martha making a spice rubbed turkey with TV anchor Bryant Gumbel and showing off her new laundry room. The hosts also talk to Martha about what her life was like growing up.
THURSDAY, DEC. 3, 2009
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): Tracy takes on the ultimate Hollywood challenge in order to prove is commitment to his wife (Sheri Shepherd, “Sherri”).
◊“BBQ Pitmasters” (9 p.m. on TLC): Each episode of this new series travels to a different competition and shows viewers what it takes to win big in barbecue. An estimated 10 million people visit competitions each year to get up-close and personal with the leading chefs of America’s barbecue circuit. Among the competitions documented are the Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-Off in Illinois, Diamond State BBQ Championship in Delaware and The Big Pig Jig in Georgia.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): A hypnotist who uses her powers of persuasion to rob banks becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Jorja Fox reprises her role as Sara Sidle.
◊“Dwarf Adoption Story” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): This hour-long special follows the daily lives of David and Tina King, a dwarf couple who hope to adopt their second child — a 2-year-old dwarf from Albania.
◊“Echo: Queen of the Elephants” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This special spotlights the 1,200 elephants that live nestled at the foot of Africa’s tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro, and the researchers who study and hope to protect them. The Kenyan savannah is experiencing one of its worst droughts and, as a result, these elephants that cherish familial ties and experience emotions similar to those of humans must watch as their family members fall victim to thirst, starvation and poaching. It is estimated that hundreds of elephants have died as a result.
◊“FlashForward” (7 p.m. on ABC): Against Wedeck’s orders, Mark and Demetri travel to Hong Kong in search of the woman claiming to know details of Demetri’s fate; Lloyd tries to come clean about his and Simon’s involvement in the global blackout; and Zoey discovers the true meaning of her flashforward.
◊“In the House” (4:30 p.m. on Encore): Hollywood insiders Peter Bart and Peter Guber co-host this new entertainment news and interview show. It will deal with breaking news and industry trends in pop culture and will provide a platform for major stars, key filmmakers and other creative and business leaders who wish to comment on their industry.
◊“Inside the Mind of Google” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Maria Bartiromo (“Closing Bell”) reports on how two graduate students took a one-time research project and in barely a decade and turned it into a global technological powerhouse. With nearly two billion searches being done on its website every day, Google has access to an unprecedented amount of information about its users.
◊“Jersey Shore” (9 p.m. on MTV): This new series follows eight young adults as they move into a summer share to indulge in everything Seaside Heights, NJ, has to offer. It uncovers sometimes surprising, often hilarious and usually over-the-top personalities as they juggle work, love, nightlife, friendship and the drama that ensues. In the end, viewers see that there is more to these tan and buff individuals than hair gel.
◊“The Truth About Binge Drinking” (7 p.m. on BBC America): British pop star Michelle Heaton takes an investigative look into the world of binge drinking, which affects everyone from college to underage kids and from desperate housewives to young professionals.
FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 2009
◊“2009 mtvU Woodie Awards” (9 p.m. on MTV): For the sixth year in a row, college students from all over the country have nominated their favorite artists to vie for mtvU Woodie awards. Nominees Death Cab For Cutie and Matt & Kim will perform along with The Dead Weather, featuring Jack White (White Stripes, The Raconteurs), Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age), Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes, The Raconteurs) and Alison Mosshart (The Kills).
◊“Expecting 15 Babies” (7 p.m. on Discovery Health): Three families experience the dangerous business of giving birth to and raising multiples, including the first Hispanic sextuplets in the United States, an expecting mother of quadruplets and a family with 22-month-old quintuplets.
◊“One Life to Live” (1 p.m. on ABC): The All-American Rejects (rock band from Stillwater) will appear at Ultraviolet, and Rex surprises his son Shane with the honor of announcing the band. The multi-platinum group is currently making the rounds on an international tour for their latest musical offering, “When the World Comes Down,” and will perform “Mona Lisa” and “I Wanna” from the album.
◊“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (6:30 p.m. on ABC Family): In this film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s bestseller, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses magical powers of his own. Three more films in the “Harry Potter” series will air on the network this weekend: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (3 p.m. Saturday), “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (7 p.m. Saturday) and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (6:30 p.m. Dec. 6).
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): When samples of a deadly viral disease go missing, Allison’s visions could help prevent a massive bio-terror attack. Also, Scanlon is ready to propose to Lynn, but Bridgette’s dreams could foreshadow problems on the horizon. Matt Letscher (“Entourage”) guest stars as bio-pathologist Dr. Erik Westphal, who has been working with the virus.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA Network): In the series finale, Monk hunts down his wife Trudy’s killer.
◊“A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa” (7 p.m. on NBC): On Christmas Eve, Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo and the rest of the gang attempt to deliver three letters to Santa Claus. Guest starring in this special filled with song, mayhem and heaps of holiday spirit are Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Krakowski, Nathan Lane, Jesse L. Martin, Steve Schirripa, Tony Sirico, Uma Thurman and New York’s Mayor Bloomberg.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When the team foils a robbery of an armored car full of Federal Reserve money and recover bills that trace back to the infamous D.B. Cooper heist, they call on Agent Roger Bloom, who worked on the Cooper case, for help with the investigation. Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”) returns as former FBI Agent Roger Bloom.
◊“Pit Bulls and Paroles” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): Running the Villalobos Rescue Center is a financial strain, and it is getting harder for Tia Maria Torres to make ends meet.
◊“The Suite Life on Deck” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): While docked in Sweden, Zack and Cody learn from Mayor Ragnar (Ed Begley Jr., “Gary Unmarried”) that their ancestors were scoundrels, rather than heroes like they thought. Meanwhile, Marcus and Moseby get stuck in a furniture store trying to find a screw for Moseby’s nightstand.
◊“Ugly Betty” (8 p.m. on ABC): Things should be dreamy at the 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.
◊“White Collar” (9 p.m. on USA Network): In the fall finale, the FBI investigates a jewelry heist, and all clues point to Neal. Now Peter must figure out if Neal is telling the truth or pulling a con.
SATURDAY, DEC. 5, 2009
◊“12 Men of Christmas” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth (“Pushing Daisies”) stars in this romantic comedy, adapted from a novel by Phillipa Ashley. She plays a New York public relations executive who loses her job and her fiance at her office holiday party. To escape everything, she takes a job in Montana and channels her energy to help raise funds for the local search-and-rescue team by producing a steamy calendar of its hunky men.
◊“1000 Ways to Die” (11:30 p.m. on SPIKE): The series, begins Season 2 with back-to-back episodes, showcases some of the most outrageously true stories about those who died in the most unorthodox styles. It moves to at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on Dec. 9.
◊“A Boyfriend for Christmas” (4 p.m. on Lifetime): Kelli Williams (“Lie to Me”) stars in this holiday comedy as Holly, who professes that she doesn’t believe in Santa Claus since she can’t meet the man of her dreams.
◊“Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle” (7 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Single dad Seth Webster (James Van Der Beek) is in desperate need of a nanny. At his lowest point, Mrs. Merkle (Doris Roberts) appears and proves herself to be more-than-adept at handling his twin 6-year-old boys.
◊“Guy Fieri’s Top of the Class” (6:30 p.m. on Food Network): This behind-the-scenes special reveals what happens when aspiring teenage chefs gather in San Digo for the National proStar Invitational. Guy Fieri (“Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”) hosts the event as students race to complete a three-course meal before the hour runs out.
◊“Guy’s Disney Holiday” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Guy Fieri explores Disneyland during the holidays and shares the fun, excitement and charm that the park offers through its holiday-themes meals and treats.
◊“iQuite iCarly” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In this original movie based on the Nickelodeon series, a rift between iCarly BFFs’ Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove) and Sam Puckett (Jennette McCurdy) puts their friendship to the test and takes its toll on their popular web show.
◊“Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This special features Rockette performances that showcase the dancers’ signature precision dance style. Traditional fan favorites such as the “Living Nativity” scene and “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” have been in the show since its inception in 1933.
◊“Robin Hood” (8 p.m. on BBC America): Robin and Gisborne have been forced together to save their half brother and take down the evil Prince John. Tune in to the Season 3 finale find out if their alliance lasts or if Prince John takes down Robin Hood once and for all.
◊“Sandra Lee Celebrates: Magical Merry Christmas” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Following their 13-year-old daughter Kelsea through her recent recovery from cancer, the Henderson family now spends their holiday time brightening the lives of those still in need. Sandra will teach the Hendersons how to create the perfect food, decorations and tree trimmings for their own family, as well as arm them with useful tips on how to use their favorite holiday items to craft a moving ‘pay it forward’ tribute to the hospital where Kelsea spent so much time.
◊“Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam” (10 p.m. on Showtime): D.L. Hughley hosts this event that features stand-up from comedians Earthquake, Lavell Crawford, Melanie Comarcho and Arnez J. It was filmed live at the 13th annual American Black Film Festival in Miami.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for Nov. 22-28, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Nov. 22:
NOTE: Times are CT. For ET, add one hour.
SUNDAY, NOV. 22, 2009
◊“2009 American Music Awards” (7 p.m. on ABC): The 37th annual event will honor artists in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin and Contemporary Inspirational. And for the third year in a row, winners will be determined by online voting. Nominees with Oklahoma ties are Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire for favorite female country artist and Rascal Flatts for favorite country band and album.
◊“Bill Engvall: Aged and Confused” (8 p.m. on Comedy Central): In this standup comedy special filmed at the Vic Theater in Chicago, the Blue Collar comedian moves away from discussing family life and what it’s like raising kids to discussing all the little everyday things that drive him nuts.
◊“The Cleveland Show” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): Cleveland celebrates his first Thanksgiving with his new family. However, the holiday gets complicated when Roberta and Federline decide to celebrate on their own. Musical artists Daryl Hall and John Oates guest star as themselves.
◊“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (8 p.m. on HBO): In the Season 7 finale, a returned favor costs Larry quality time with Cheryl.
◊“Did the Mob Kill JFK?” (7 p.m. on Discovery): Featuring an exclusive interview with a secret FBI informant, this special tracks the nexus of organized crime, the Justice Department, the CIA and attempts to overthrow Cuban leader Fidel Castro culminating in that fateful day in Dallas.
◊“Future Earth: 100 Heartbeats” (7 p.m. on MSNBC): Wildlife expert Jeff Corwin hosts this two-hour special on the plight of endangered species and the environmental heroes around the world who are working to save them. At the current rate of extinction, scientists estimate that only half of the world’s animal species will remain by the end of the 21st century.
◊“The Haunted” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new series focuses on people whose animals act as mediaries to the afterworld. Often the subjects of the most intense paranormal hauntings, animals are commonly believed to be more sensitive to spirits than people. But when spirits afflict pets, the animals aren’t the only victims. Owners also fall prey to paranormal activity and will often stop at nothing to rid their homes and pets of paranormal spirits.
◊“JFK: The Ruby Connection” (8 p.m. on Discovery): This special sets out to answer this by recreating and restaging the Nov. 24, 1963, shooting of Oswald at the actual Dallas police station garage where Jack Ruby shot him. The same vintage cameras and lights will be used to illustrate minute-by-minute who was standing where and why.
◊“Meet the Natives USA” (10 p.m. on Travel Channel): This new series focuses on five tribesmen from the South Pacific island of Tanna who have come to the United States to see how Americans live and to deliver a message of peace from their supreme chief to the leaders of America.
◊“The Next Iron Chef” (8 p.m. on Food Network): The remaining two chefs walk into the hallowed halls of Kitchen Stadium to complete their final test with the Chairman looking on and host Alton Brown commentating from the side.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): Fed up with Bart’s constant pranks, Principal Skinner tells him there is a former Springfield Elementary student (Jonah Hill, “Funny People”) who is hailed as the best prankster ever.
◊“Storm Chasers” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In the new episode “Fight or Flight,” University of Oklahoma graduate Reed Timmer isn’t satisfied after he launches a remote control plane to drop data-probes into a tornado, so he punches right into an erratic storm, only to find himself with no time to get out of the way of the powerful vortices that surround him.
◊“Vampires From the Abyss” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): Journey to depths of more than 13,000 feet as Science Channel searches the oceans off San Francisco for one of the most unusual organisms on the planet — the Vampire Squid.
MONDAY, NOV. 23, 2009
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): After he’s humiliated on National Public Radio, Sheldon vows to destroy Kripke, while Wolowitz tries not to destroy his new relationship with Bernadette. “Battlestar Galactica” star Katee Sackhoff appears as herself, offering Wolowitz some relationship advice.
◊“Bus 174″ (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This special documents the terrifying tale of what happened in Rio de Janeiro on June 12, 2000, when bus 174 was taken hostage by an armed man threatening to shoot all the passengers. The event played out live on over Brazilian TV networks. It became a shocking example of the incompetence by local law enforcement agencies to properly handle the situation, which appeared to be coming to a safe and peaceful conclusion until the misguided acts of a policeman changed everything.
◊“Elbert Hubbard: An American Original” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Liev Schreiber (“The Manchurian Candidate”) narrates this documentary about the life of Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915), the flamboyant founder of the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, N.Y. The voice of Hubbard, an influential author, publisher, lecturer and entrepreneur, is provided by Adam Arkin (“Baby Bob”).
◊“Find My Family” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): With the help of a dedicated team of researchers, hosts Tim Green and Lisa Joyner guide people searching for lost loved ones through emotional journeys that will change their lives forever.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): On the eve of Thanksgiving, the team treats a brilliant physicist (Esteban Powell, “The Cleaner), who traded his career for a job as a courier because he found intelligence to be a burden that led to depression and addiction. A myriad of strange symptoms nearly stumps the doctors, who also wrestle with strained personal relationships.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): Barney freaks out when Marshall bequeaths a “slap bet” slap to Ted and Robin. Meanwhile, Lily’s estranged father (Chris Elliott, “Everybody Loves Raymond”) shows up for Thanksgiving.
◊“Jon and Kate Plus 8″ (8 p.m. on TLC): On the Season 5 finale, Kate and the kids milk cows at a dairy farm and Jon and the kids learn about firefighting. Then, Jon and Kate speak about recent life events, the series and ups and downs of the last few years.
◊“Lie to Me” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): Loker investigates the origin of a deadly stampede at an electronics store on the day after Thanksgiving.
◊“Live With Regis and Kelly” (9 a.m. on CBS): Hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa are in Las Vegas for a week of telecasts originating from the city’s new resort, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. In addition to a top-notch lineup of guests, the show will turn the spotlight on Las Vegas’ vibrant nightlife, elaborate stage productions and all of the sights and sounds of this unique oasis in the desert.
◊“The Martha Stewart Show” (2 p.m. on KSBI-52): Chef Emeril Lagasse joins Martha Stewart in the kitchen to prepare a Thanksgiving feast. And in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Martha will dedicate one segment per show to answer last-minute Thanksgiving questions via Twitter.
◊“Rita Rocks” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): When Rita’s PTA nemesis, Jennifer (Melissa Peterman, “Reba”), shows up at Bed & Bath Max blubbering about being broke and her husband running off with their maid, Rita helps her get a job at the store.
◊“Surviving the Holidays With Lewis Black” (7 p.m. on History): Armed with history and humor, Lewis Black (“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart”) explores the meaning of Kwanzaa, the history of Hanukkah, the real St. Nicholas and “interviews” ill-fated turkeys on a farm. Also appearing are Joy Behar, Bob Saget, David Alan Grier, Craig Ferguson and other comics.
TUESDAY, NOV. 24, 2009
◊“Apollo Wives” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This special looks at the wives of Apollo astronauts and what was required of them by their husbands, by NASA and by the media.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The five remaining contestants get a surprise visit from financial guru Suze Orman, who gives them tips on how toi be financially fit when they get home. Later, Hall of Fame football player Rod Woodson helps kick off an NFL challenge involving the weight they’ve each lost all season.
◊“Dancing With the Stars” (8:01 p.m. on ABC): The three remaining couples compete for the Season 9 championship. Singer Mya and her partner, Dmitry Chaplin, were early favorites to win.
◊“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 he’s arrested. Meanwhile, Peter’s evidentiary hearing hits the skids, leading Alicia to suspect that he may, in fact, actually be guilty of corruption. Chelsea Handler (“Chelsea Lately”) guest stars as herself when she interviews Peter Florrick’s mistress on her show.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): A look at our complex relationship with manufactured objects, the people who design them and the creative process behind their work.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): A dead Marine’s day job at a government think tank leads Gibbs and the team into the life of a 12-year-old prodigy who may be the killer’s next target. Lisa Sheridan (“Invasion”) guest stars as Facilities Coordinator Krista Dalton. Francis Capra (“Veronica Mars”) guests as Gang Member Eddie Castillo. Ray Mabus, the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy, will make a cameo appearance.
◊“NCIS: Los Angeles” (8 p.m. on CBS): Forensic scientist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette, “NCIS”) joins the Los Angeles NCIS team when a murder case resembles the pattern for a serial killer she has been tracking.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This new installment follows heading dream researchers to witnes the experiments they use to investigate the world of sleep.
◊“Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” (9 p.m. on HBO): The 152nd edition profiles an organization for paralyzed football players, follows one man’s triumphant return to Ironman competition and revisits the NFL’s efforts to curb alcohol-induced fan misconduct.
◊“So You Think You Can Dance” (7 p.m. on Fox): The top 12 dancers twist, turn and tango for the chance to get a ticket on the “Hot Tamale Train.” This is the last week that the judges decide who goes home, and then it will be solely up to America.
◊“V” (7 p.m. on ABC): On the November cliffhanger, Erica looks to uncover a biological threat from the visitors, Anna befriends a special guest inside the mothership and Chad does an investigative report on the V healing centers. The series will return with new episodes in March.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25, 2009
◊“American Masters” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment focuses on the music of folk singer Woody Guthrie, whose songs have been recorded by artists ranging from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the Irish rock band U2.
◊“Ben 10: Alien Swarm” (6 p.m. on Cartoon Network): This new live-action movie based on the popular animated franchise follows Ben (Ryan Kelley, “Prayers for Bobby”) as he breaks ranks from the Plumbers — a secret organization that battles alien forces — to help a mysterious young woman from his past uncover an alien threat to our world.
◊“The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?” (7 p.m. on NBC): This special will feature more that 40 contestants from seasons one through seven, showing how they look now and sharing what they’ve been doing with their lives since being on the show. Former players, some of whom will be surprised by visits from trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, will also share major milestones, from getting married to having children.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): On the show”s 100th episode, the Behavioral Analysis Unit races to help Hotchner find The Reaper (C. Thomas Howell, “The Outsiders”) and save his family before it’s too late. D.B. Sweeney (“Jericho”) also returns as US Marshall Kassmeyer.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): In the culmination of a multi-episode mystery, Mac and his team uncover the dark lair of a murderous madman, the Compass Killer (Skeet Ulrich, “Jericho”). But as they race to save his fourth victim, the sunrise presents one final surprise that no one ever expected.
◊“Eastwick” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Thrilled when Darryl arranges an art show for her work at his mansion — and invites New York art maven Greta Noa (Rosanna Arquette) — Roxie forgets that his motives might be less than pure. Joanna turns to her power to get her life back on track, but swiftly discovers that every action, magical or otherwise, has its consequences.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When Gary lets Louise attend the popular girls party, he tries to keep it a secret from Allison. Meanwhile, Sasha contemplates having more than a working relationship with Gary. Victoria’s Secret Model Marisa Miller guest stars as Brittney, a fashion store clerk.
◊“Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Mr. Schuester and his glee club check out their hair-raising competition, but there’s even scarier stuff going on elsewhere, as Kurt gives Rachel a makeover. Eve guest stars as the rival glee club’s instructor.
“The Jazz Baroness” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This special documents the enduring relationship between British-born heiress Pannonica Rothschild (“Nica” for short) and pianist-composer Thelonious Monk. It was directed by Nica’s great-niece Hannah Rothschild and features the voice of Helen Mirren (“The Queen”), who reads Nica’s words.
◊“Man Shops Globe” (9 p.m. on Sundance): Keith Johnson, buyer-at-large for the innovative specialty retailer Anthropologie, continues his search for unusual good while on vacation in Argentina. In the Palermo area, he combs through the offerings at a flea market, checks in with his favorite fabric merchant, who sells hand-loomed pieces from remote parts of the country and takes in two stores specializing in 20th Century pieces.
◊“Man v. Food” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): Host Adam Richman visits Little Rock, Ark., to taste the mammoth Quadruple Hubcap Burger and compete in the Shut Up Juice Spicy Pulled Pork Challenge.
◊“Modern Family” (7 p.m. on ABC): Claire and Mitchell’s mother, Dede (Shelley Long,” Cheers”), drops in for a surprise visit and is determined to make amends with everyone she offended during what has been deemed “the incident” at Jay and Gloria’s wedding.
◊“Secrets of the Dead” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The episode “Mumbai Massacre” revisits the events of Nov. 26, 2008, when a wave of orchestrated terrorism was transmitted live around the world via cell phones, the Internet, texting and social networks such as Twitter. That same technology enabled the terrorists to coordinate and plan their attacks.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Ricardo Montalban was born on this day in 1920, and TCM celebrates by airing seven of his films, including 1952′s “My Man and I” (9:45 a.m.), 1966′s “The Money Trap” (3:15 p.m.) and 1966′s “The Singing Nun” (5 p.m.).
◊“A Very Monkey Christmas” (7 a.m. on OETA-13): This holiday special finds Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat preparing for Christmas, when they encounter a dilemma–neither can figure out what to give the other for a present. It features classic Christmas carols, as well as three original songs –”Are You Ready?”, “Something As Special as You”, and “Christmas Monkey.”
THURSDAY, NOV. 26, 2009
◊“2009 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” (8 a.m. on NBC): “Today” show’s Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira and Al Roker will co-host the 83rd annual event, which has aired on NBC since 1948. More than 8,000 participants, including marching bands, celebrities, clowns, floats and giant helium balloons, will once again convene on the Upper West Side to bring the magic of the season to life. Joining the balloon team this year will be Spider-Man, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Ronald McDonald and Sailor Mickey Mouse.
◊“2009 National Dog Show Presented by Purina” (11 a.m. on NBC): Three new American Kennel Club-recognized breeds — the Irish Red and White Setter, Norwegian Buhund and Pyrenean Shepherd — will be among more than 150 breeds competing for best in breed, group winner and best in show honors at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. America’s top-ranked show dog, a Scottish Terrier named Sadie, is also entered in the event, which is co-hosted by John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld”) and David Frei (expert analyst).
◊“Beyonce: I Am … Yours” (8 p.m. on ABC): An intimate performance of Beyonce’s appearance at the Encore at Wynn in Las Vegas last summer in which she tells the story of her career through music and dance. It includes never-before-seen footage of her off stage life and rare childhood video.
◊“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this 1973 animated special, the pressure is on for Charlie Brown after Peppermint Patty decides she and the gang will have Thanksgiving dinner at ‘‘Chuck’s” house. The holiday classic is followed by “This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers,” in which Charlie Brown and the Peanuts crew experience firsthand the lifestyle of the early settlers and celebrate the first Thanksgiving.
◊“CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” (8 p.m. on CNN): Anderson Cooper (“Anderson Cooper 360″) hosts the third annual event that spotlights everyday citizens changing the world. Culled from more than 9,000 submissions and selected by a Blue Ribbon panel that included Whoopi Goldberg,Elton John, Kirk Cameron and Ted Turner, the Top Ten Heroes will each be awarded $25,000. Also, Carrie Underwood will perform at the gala.
◊“Cool Tools Hardware Show 2009″ (7 p.m. on DIY): “Cool Tools” host Chris Grundy visits the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas to check out more than 850,000 square feet of the latest in tools.
◊“Kaleidoscope” (3 p.m. on Fox): This holiday variety special features Olympic skating champions and Grammy Award-winning music artists. Scott Hamilton, who will kake his first television performance since being diagnosed with a brain tumor five years ago, will skate to the music of fellow cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John. Also performing will be Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan and Olympic figure skating hopefuls Johnny Weir and Rachael Flatt.
◊“NBC’s People of the Year” (8 p.m. on NBC): Matt Lauer (“Today”) looks back at the year’s most memorable celebrities, politicians and pop stars and invites the public to vote on-line for the person of the year.
◊“Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City” (9 p.m. on ABC): This special was taped last summer when Paul McCartney performed at Shea Stadium in Queens, NY. Also featured is footage of the Beatles concert at Shea Stadium 44 years ago, as well as an interview with McCartney talking about those early days and what it was like to return and sing many of those Beatles songs today.
◊“Punkin Chunkin 2009″ (8 p.m. on Science Channel): This special highlights the Delaware-based World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA) competition, in 110 competitors from 20 states try to launch a pumpkin one mile. “The Road to Punkin Chunkin” at 7 p.m. captures the high pressure blowups, breakdowns and sparks throughout the journey for chunkin glory.
◊“The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS” (8 a.m. on CBS): Maggie Rodriguez and Dave Price from “The Early Show” will anchor the event, which will feature the 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiivng Day Parade live from New York City, as well as a performance by country music artist Reba McEntire from Oklahoma. Additional performances during the parade include the Broadway casts of “West Side Story” and “Ragtime” and the off-Broadway cast of “Dreamgirls.” And Jamie Kennedy (“Ghost Whisperer”) will offer an additional viewpoint of the parade as the “Man on the Street” as he reports and interacts with the crowd.
◊“There’s a Rhino In My House” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Safari park owners Judy and John Travers have devoted their lives to protecting black rhinos in eastern Zimbabwe. When a tragic turn of events leaves a baby rhino, warthog and hyena orphaned, Judy takes on the task of rasing all three in her home.
FRIDAY, NOV. 27, 2009
◊“Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Best from the Road” (9 p.m. on Food Network): Host Guy Fieri takes a look back at some of his most memorable visits to joints across the country. The special highlights local favorites, good food and crazy characters.
◊“Great Performances” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Superstar Sting welcomes the holidays with an atmospheric musical celebration of wintertime.The special, taped near his hometown of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in northern England, features new songs, as well as Sting’s interpretation of classical favorites.
◊“I’m in the Band” (5:45 p.m. on Disney XD): This is a special preview of a new music-filled comedy series that follows teenager Tripp Campbell (Logan Miller, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”) as he joins his favorite “vintage” rock band, Iron Weasel, and sets out to help them make an epic comeback. The series is scheduled to premiere in January.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison slips into a coma during a murder investigation and her spirit inhabits the body of a man named Todd Emory (Jeffrey Tambor, “Arrested Development”), who may be a suspect in the case.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA Network): Monk returns to the place where he first heard about Trudy’s murder and kicks off an investigation of great significance. Casper Van Dien (“Starship Troopers”) guest stars.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team has only four hours to stop a group of hijackers who take a bus full of Hollywood tourists hostage. Fisher Stevens (“Early Edition”) guest stars.
◊“Say Yes to the Dress: Nightmares and Dreams” (8 p.m. on TLC): This special installment highlights some of the most entertaining, emotional and plain wacky moments from the previous three seasons, including loud bridal parties, opinionated moms, picky brides and extremely unusual requests.
◊“Shameless” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Season 5 of the award-winning British comedy series follows the lives of the Gallagher clan and their extended network of lovers, friends and foes at a public housing project in Manchester, England.
◊“Skyrunners” (4 p.m. on Disney XD): This new sci-fi adventure movie follows teenage brothers Tyler (Joey Pollari) and Nick Burns (Kelly Blatz, “Aaron Stone”) who commandeer a small UFO that crashes near their town. They soon learn the spacecraft is “alive” and there’s an alien plot to take over Earth.
◊“VH1 Storytellers: Foo Fighters” (10 p.m. on VH1): This special features a collection of the Foo Fighters’ greatest hits as well as a performance of their new single “Wheels.” Viewers will also get to hear the band members share their stories and inspiration behind each song.
SATURDAY, NOV. 28, 2009
◊“Big Time Rush” (7:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This is a special preview of a new comedy series that chronicles the journey of four best friends who are given the opportunity of a lifetime when they get a chance to be part of the Los Angeles pop music scene. The series is scheduled to premiere in early 2010.
◊“Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure” (9 a.m. on ABC Family): This one-hour animated movie features Meaghan Martin (“10 Things I Hate About You”) and Jonathan Morgan Heit (“Bedtime Stories”) as the voices of Easton and Weston, two high-strung elves who monitor the North Pole Weather Center. It features the new song “When You Dream” by Tena Clark, music producer, songwriter and CEO/chief creative officer of DMI Music & Media Solutions.
◊“Magic of Audrey” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This special captures the allure and charisma of actress Audrey Hepburn and includes film clips and rare footage of screen tests and interviews.
◊“The National Tree” (7 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Evan Williams (“Degrassi: The Next Generation”) stars as a 17-year-old video blogger who submits the winning entry in a contest to find a new national Christmas tree. The Sitka Spruce was planted when he was born by his father (Andrew McCarthy, “St. Elmo’s Fire”), and the two of them drive it to Washington, D.C. for a ceremony with the President.
◊“Sandra Lee Celebrates: Holiday Homecoming” (7 p.m. on Food Network): Sandra Lee helps create a holiday homecoming part for Christina Sobiloff, a Peace Corps Volunteer stationed in Burkina Faso, Africa, who returns home to Creskill, N.J., for the holidays.
◊“The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Host Suze Orman talks to “The Biggest Loser” trainer Jilian Michaels about the health-wealth connection.The episode also features never-before-seen clips of Suze’s one-on-one meetings with “The Biggest Loser” contestants.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Nov. 15-21, 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 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Nov. 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.
GUEST STAR
(All times are CT, for ET add one hour)
••Elizabeth Banks (“Seabiscuit”) on “Modern Family,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Natasha Bedingfield (British pop singer) on “True Jackson, VP,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon.
••Tabatha Coffey (“Tabatha’s Salon Takeover”) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Stephen Collins (“7th Heaven”) on “Private Practice,” 9:01 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Nathan Corddry (“United States of Tara”) on “30 Rock,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Madison De La Garza (“Desperate Housewives”) on “Sonny With a Chance,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Disney.
••David Duchovny (“Californication”) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Frankie Faison (“Silence of the Lambs”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Dave Foley (“News Radio”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Max Gail (“Barney Miller”) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Troy Garity (“Soldier’s Girl”) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers player) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“(500) Days of Summer”) on “Saturday Night Live,” 10:29 p.m. Saturday on NBC.
••Craig ‘‘muMs” Grant (“Oz”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Jennifer Grey (“Dirty Dancing”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Tim Gunn (“Project Runway”) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Kadeem Hardison (“A Different World”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Lady Gaga (musical artist) on “Gossip Girl,” 8 p.m. Monday on CW.
••Heather Locklear (original “Melrose Place”) on “Melrose Place,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
••Russ Mitchell (“The Early Show”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Eddie Murphy (“Imagine That”) on “America’s Next Top Model,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CW.
••Nelly (“The Longest Yard”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Edward Norton (“Primal Fear”) on “Modern Family,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”) on “30 Rock,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Mandy Patinkin (“Criminal Minds”) on “Three Rivers,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Mitch Pileggi (“The X-Files”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Kim Raver (“Lipstick Jungle”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Peter Riegert (“Damages”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Fisher Stevens (“Early Edition”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Skeet Ulrich (“Jericho”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Tom Verica (“American Dreams”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Ralph Waite (“The Waltons”) on “Bones,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Tyler James Williams (“Everybody Hates Chris”) on “True Jackson, VP,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon.
Pictured above: Three Rivers — The Luckiest Man- Andy (Alex O’Loughlin, left) treats a car crash victim named Victor (Mandy Patinkin, right) dying from ALS who asks to be to taken off of life support so his organs can be used to save others. Meanwhile, David tends to a foster parent with pulmonary hypertension who refuses admission to the hospital, on THREE RIVERS (CBS Photo)
Top 55 TV Programs for Nov. 15-21, 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 Nov. 15:
(All times are CT, for ET add one hour)
SUNDAY, NOV. 15, 2009
◊“Aliens of the Amazon” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): Scientists venture deep into the Amazon to discover some of the most unfamiliar and bizarre creatures in the jungle called Treehoppers. These animals speak using vibrations and ward off prey by forming alliances with other creatures.
◊“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (6 p.m. on ABC): With the first $100,000 prize of the season to be awarded, here are the videos in the running: “Hidden Honkers,” a car alarm prank; “U Don’t Know Uvulas,” a little girl with a smarty pants vocabulary; “Ballpark Promise,” a Dodger fan catching a ball; “Laser Chasers,” a Great Dane and a little boy chasing a laser pointer; “Soda Bottle Blowout,” a kid’s science experiment having explosive results; and “Boohoo in the Loo,” a little boy pitching a fit in the bathroom.
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): Lilly and the team investigate the 1991 murder of a 14-year-old foster child who was starting to establish herself as a talented rapper. She was killed just a few months after she and her sister were placed with new foster parents. Kadeem Hardison (“A Different World”) and Craig ‘‘muMs” Grant (“Oz”) guest star.
◊“DriveThru” (7:30 p.m. on Fuel TV): In Season 6 of this surf adventure series, Pat O’Connell (“Endless Summer II”), Benji Weatherley (former World Tour competitor) and free surfer/recording artist Donavon Frankenreiter attempt to drive through both the East and West Coasts of Australia in search of the best waves.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer David Duchovny (“Californication”) traveled with the team to Lena, IL, to tell Joey and Philip Stott that their uninhabitable house and farm will be rebuilt in seven days.
◊“Joined For Life: Abby and Brittany Turn 16″ (9 p.m. on TLC): Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel are about to turn 16. That means they’re very busy with schoolwoork, sports, social activities and, yes, testing for their driver’s license.
◊“Masterpiece Contemporary” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment “Collision,” a Friday-afternoon traffic pileup on a superhighway snarls the lives of 10 strangers who add up to a confounding puzzle for Detective Inspector John Tolin (Douglas Henshall, “Primeval”). He must work with his estranged former lover, Senior Investigating Officer Ann Stallwood (Kate Ashfield), to try to get to the bottom of what happened and why.
◊“The Prisoner” (7 p.m. today through Tuesday on AMC): This reinterpretation of the 1960s British TV series will air from 7 to 9 p.m. over three consecutive nights. Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ”) stars as a man known only as Number Six, who awakens to find himself trapped in “The Village” with no memory of how he got there.
◊“Sonny With a Chance” (7 p.m. on Disney): Zora gets challenged by the studio head’s daughter, Dakota, to sell the most Blossom Scout cookies ever, and Sonny steps in to help Zora win. Madison De La Garza (“Desperate Housewives”) guest stars as young Sonny.
◊“Three Foot Giant” (9 p.m. on Biography): This special profiles 30-year-old Sean Stephenson who, at three feet tall and permanently confined to a wheelchair, defies the odds every day and changes people’s lives with his “anything is possible” philosophy. The special follows Stephenson as he prepares to throw out the first-pitch at a Chicago White Sox game, practices intense one-on-one therapy with a client and goes out on a first date.
◊“Three Rivers” (8 p.m. on CBS): Andy treats a car crash victim dying from ALS who asks to be to taken off of life support so his organs can be used to save others. Mandy Patinkin (“Criminal Minds”), a double corneal transplant recipient, guest stars.
◊” Tough Love” (8 p.m. on VH1): Back for a second season are professional matchmakers Steve Ward and his mother JoAnn Ward, who will help a new group of unlucky-in-love women who are willing to do whatever it takes to find Mr. Right. Along the way, Steve will share his unique male perspective in attempt to reform each of their “destructive” dating habits.
◊“WWII in HD” (8 p.m. today through Thursday on History): Gary Sinise narrates this 10-hour series that presents the story of the war as viewed through the eyes of 12 Americans — including Army captain Charles Scheffel from Enid — who fought in or contributed to the war effort. Their in-the-moment accounts are delivered with emotional impact by some of Hollywood’s top talents, and Ron Livingston (“Defying Gravity”) provides the voice of Scheffel, who also appears.
MONDAY, NOV. 16, 2009
◊“10 Vampires We Love” (9:30 p.m. on E!): This special explores the vampire phenomenon and counts down toe 10 sexiest vampires of all time.
◊“American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The installment “The 1930s: Surviving the Dust Bowl” spotlights the people who refused to give up on the land and a way of life despite the desertification of the once bountiful wheat fields.
◊“The 100 Mile Challenge” (8 p.m. on Planet Green): In the “Final Stretch” episode, the families gather one last time to look back at their 100-day experiences in which they consumed only food and drink produced within a 100-mile radius of their home town of Mission, British Columbia.
◊“Chef Academy” (10 p.m. on Bravo): Meet Jean Christophe Novelli, world renowned Michelin and 5AA Rosette award-winning chef with restaurants in London, France and South Africa. This new series chronicles Novelli’s move to Los Angeles as he opens a test program for a top-notch culinary institute and trains and transforms those who aspire to cook like professionals.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): When the CSIs investigate who or what caused a horrific car accident, both drivers’ darkest secrets are revealed. Los Angeles Laker player Pau Gasol guest stars as a person of interest in the case.
◊“Dear Food Network: Thanksgiving Top 10” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Food Network personalities Giada De Laurentiis, Ted Allen Tyler Florence and other share their turkey recipes, carving tips, sensational sides, delivious desserts and specialty drinks.
◊“The Doctors” (3 p.m. on KWTV-9): Barbra Streisand (“What’s Up, Doc?”) calls the show’s doctors to discuss her crusade to support heart health awareness for women, a cause which led her to create and endow the Barbra Streisand Women’s Cardio Vascular Research and Education Program at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
◊“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Hoping to impress the elitist theater kids at NYU, Blair sets her sights on landing a private concert with Lady Gaga (performing in this episode).
◊“Heroes” (7 p.m. on NBC): Samuel learns just how powerful he can become and takes dangerous measures to reach his full potential. Ravi Kapoor (“Crossing Jordan”) guest stars.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): After House’s medical license is reinstated, he reclaims his role as Head of Diagnostics in time to treat Hank Hardwick (Troy Garity, “Soldier’s Girl”), an adult film star admitted to Princeton Plainsboro for pulsating eye pain.
◊“Inside the Actors Studio: Jon Bon Jovi” (7 p.m. on Bravo): Host James Lipton interviews Jon Bon Jovi, who began playing music in clubs at age 16, has sold over 120 million albums and earned a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination.
◊“Jon and Kate Plus 8″ (8:30 p.m. on TLC): Kate Gosselin shares never-before-seen footage from Season 5, including the Kate celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary with the kids.
◊“Mystery Diagnosis” (9 p.m. on Discovery Health): Season 8 opens with segments on a newborn exhibiting strange symptoms but no visible reaction to fevers or pain and a seemingly healthy woman experiencing seizures and blackouts.
◊“Stud Finder 2009″ (9 p.m. on DIY): This special focuses on the network’s search to find the next do-it-yourself star and features the five finalists in head-to-head competition with one another. The winner gets a show on DIY.
◊“Quiero Mis Quinces” (8 p.m. on MTV Tr3s): Season 4 follows nine young Hispanic girls who set out to plan their Quinceañera, a unique celebration of their 15th birthday and official entry into womanhood.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Chelsea invites her beautiful college roommate (Tricia Helfer, “Battlestar Galactica”) to stay at the house while she gets over a bad breakup.
TUESDAY, NOV. 17, 2009
◊“Being Neil Armstrong” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Andrew Smith, aurthor of the best-selling book “Moondust,” sets out across America to find out about the real Neil Armstrong since walking on the moon. Smith meets people who knew the national hero and finds the places where Armstrong lived and woked.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Fashion guru Tim Gunn (“Project Runway”) and hair stylist Tabatha Coffey (“Tabatha’s Salon Takeover”) return for the annual make-over episode to help the remaining six contestants look fabulous before they give speeches about their weight loss journeys to motivate others at a TV Guide Magazine event.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): “A Death in Tehran” investigates the life and death of Neda Soltani, who was shot and killed on the streets of Tehran, Iran, during protests over the country’s presidential election last summer. Her death was captured on a cell-phone camera and uploaded to the Web.
◊“Good Morning America” (7 a.m. on ABC): Barbara Walters interviews former Vice Presidential candidate and Alaska Governer Sarah Palin in conjunction with the release of her memoir “Going Rogue: An American Life.” Portions of the interview will also air on “Nightline” (10:35 p.m. today), “Good Morning America” (7 a.m. Wednesday) and “20/20″ (9 p.m. Friday).
◊“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 and Russ Mitchell (“The Early Show”) guest stars as himself, interviewing Peter Florrick.
◊“Independent Lens” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “No Subtitles Necessary: Lazzlo & Vilmos” provides an intimate portrait of the 50-year journey of two giants of modern cinematography — Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond — and the deep bond of brotherhood that transcended every imaginable boundary.
◊“The Little Couple” (9 p.m. on TLC): Jen and Ben head to New York to appear on “The Dr. Oz Show” to discuss skeletal dysplasia for a TV audience. But nerves begin to kick in as they get closer to showtime.
◊“Melrose Place” (8 p.m. on CW): Ella and Caleb are stunned when agency owner Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear, original ‘Melrose Place”) walks into WPK and immediately fires half the staff, including Caleb.
◊“Merry Madagascar” (7 p.m. on NBC): In this holiday sequel to the animated feature “Madagascar,” Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria (voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith) must deliver Santa’s presents to save Christmas when St. Nick gets amnesia following a crash landing on their island.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Becoming Human: Unearthing Our Earliest Ancestors” looks at how we became the creative humans of today and what really happened to the Neanderthals who faded into extinction.
◊“The Standard Snowboard Show” (7 p.m. on Fuel TV): Season 6 features future stars of the sport, including Halldor Helgason and Jason Dubois.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18, 2009
◊“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW): In the Cycle 13 finale, the final two girls must pull out all the stops to impress the judges and nail their final CoverGirl commercial in Hawaii. Eddie Murphy (“Imagine That”) attends the final runway show, and the episode is followed by a special look back at the season with never-before-seen clips.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): After a body falls from the 59th Street Bridge, the CSI team finds a compass near the body pointing east, and realizes it’s the third victim of the “Compass Killer.” Skeet Ulrich (“Jericho”) returns as Hollis Eckhart, the “Compass Killer.” Nelly (“The Longest Yard”) returns as Terrence Davis, an informant who helps Detective Flack.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Gary turns to Allison after he makes a disastrous attempt to prepare a fancy Thanksgiving feast for Sasha, Curtis, Jack and the kids. Max Gail (“Barney Miller”) returns as Gary’s Dad, Jack.
◊“Gotta Catch Santa Claus” (6 p.m. on ABC Family): This animated musical adventure follows two youngsters as they atempt to track down Santa Claus (voiced by William Shatner, “Star Trek”) and prove he still exists.
◊“In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Singer Janet Jackson will sit down with host Robin Roberts for an exclusive television interview. The private pop star, who was known to be extremely close with her brother, Michael, will allow cameras into her Malibu home for the first time.
◊“Lost Cave Temples of the Himalaya” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In a remote corner of the Himalaya, in the forbidden kingdom of Mustang, a team of climbers clambers into mysterious caes for the first time and uncovers ancient cave temples lost to the modern world.
◊“Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): With a history of giving bad gifts, 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 friend, Sal (Elizabeth Banks, “Seabiscuit”) for a long overdue night out on the town.
◊“Mustang — Journey of Transformation” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Richard Gere (“Amelia”) narrates the story of a Tibetan culture pulled back from the brink of extinction through the restoration of its most sacred sites: the 15th-century Buddhist monasteries and the art within.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine sets Richard up on a date with a gorgeous, passionate woman who works out at her gym, while Richard’s friend, Tom, continues trying to woo Christine. Jennifer Grey (“Dirty Dancing”), who is married to series star Clark Gregg (Richard), guest stars as Richard’s lusty blind date. Dave Foley (“News Radio”) returns as Tom, Richard’s friend who has a longstanding crush on Christine.
◊“Secrets of Shangri-La” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In the legendary kingdom of Mustang, a remote corner of the Himalaya previously off-limits to outsiders, a team of explorers and scientists climbs for the first time into human-carved caves thousands of years old.
◊“Top Chef: Las Vegas” (9 p.m. on Bravo): This week’s challenge is based on the Bocuse d’Or, a prestigious cooking competition founded by noted chef Paul Bocuse, whose son, Jerome, serves as a guest judge along with American chef Thomas Keller. Chefs Daniel Boulud, Alex Stratta, Gavin Kaysen, Timothy Hollingsworth and Traci Des Jardin also appear.
THURSDAY, NOV. 19, 2009
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): When Liz’s apartment building is converted to condos, she has to make a drastic change to her living arrangements. Nathan Corddry (“United States of Tara”) and Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”) guest star.
◊“The 2009 World Magic Awards” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): The two-hour awards presentation brings together the world’s top illusionists, escape artists and sleight-of-hand masters and will feature 14 heart-stopping performances. Scheduled to appear are Lance Burton, Franz Harary, Ed Alonzo, Katalin, Barry & Stuart, Morgan, Greg Frewin and Tommy Wind.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Booth’s grandfather Hank (Ralph Waite, “The Waltons”) comes to live with him and tags along as Brennan and Booth investigate ashes and charred remains found by a real estate agent while showing a property to prospective buyers.
◊“Family Armor” (9 p.m. on TLC): Deep in the heart of Texas, two Mormon brothers-in-law run a cutting-edge bulletproofing business that turns everyday cars into tricked-out gadget-filled fortresses. The family devotes their time to work, kin and religion … and along the way they get to shoot guns and blow up things.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): As Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s pass, Miranda is visited by her father, William (Frankie Faison, “Silence of the Lambs”), who disapproves of her choices in life.
◊“Mortal Lessons” (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary is about two women battling lung cancer on the surface, yet it is really about living life.
◊“Private Practice” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Addison is shaken by the unwelcome arrival of her father (Stephen Collins, “7th Heaven”) to Los Angeles, Cooper is arrested when he refuses to cooperate in a case involving a longtime patient and Pete fights to keep a terminally ill patient alive long enough for him to meet his new daughter.
◊“Project Runway” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): After the grueling weeks in the workroom and knocking off their competition, the remaining designers prove to the judges they have the skills and vision to make it in the fashion business. The finalists are given their biggest challenge yet — to create a complete collection to show during New York Fashion week.
◊“Secrets of Twilight” (9:30 p.m. on E!): Giuliana Rancic (“Giuliana & Bill”) hosts this special that is packed with interviews, backstage gossip and clips from the latest movie in the “Twilight” saga, “New Moon.”
◊“Terror in Mumbai” (7 p.m. on HBO): CNN host Fareed Zakaria, a native of Mumbai, narrates this documentary that chronicles the bloody period in 2008 when a band of 10 young Pakistani men made coordinated attacks across the city, leaving more than 170 people dead. The film includes recordings of cell-phone calls between the gunmen and those controlling them, as well as interrogation footage of the lone surviving shooter.
◊“Top 20 Celebs Gone Good” (7 p.m. on VH1): VH1 has partnered with DoSomething.org, the nation’s largest not-for-profit for young people and cause, to help separate the stars that really care from those who just like to smile for the cameras. This special will reveal the top 20 do-gooders that visitors to CelebsGoneGood.com helped choose as 2009’s Top 20 Celebs Gone Good for their charity work. Nominees include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey and Carrie Underwood.
◊“Wild Horse Redemption” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): At a prison in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, hard-core criminals are given 90 days to tame wild mustang horses. Most of the inmates who volunteer for the program have never even ridden a horse.
FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2009
◊“Damned to Heaven” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary examines issues of polygamy, abuse and under-age marriage practiced in the Colorado City, Ariz.-based Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) cult guided by Warren Jeffs. It features interviews with former FLDS members that capture honest feelings about Jeffs and life within the community.
◊“General Hospital” (2 p.m. on ABC): Golden Globe winner James Franco (“James Dean”) joins the cast in the recurring role of Franco, a mystery person who comes to Port Charles and will be intertwined with many other residents in town.
◊“Happily Ever Faster” (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series profiles the Las Vegas wedding chapel The Chapel of the Flowers that has a complete wedding services menu and caters to upwards of 50 couples a day. In the premiere episode, chapel planner Melody attempts to enlist William Shatner (“Star Trek”) as best man for a Trekkie wedding.
◊“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:06 p.m. on ABC): Host Jimmy Kimmel welcomes “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner to the show to coinciding with the release of the movie in theaters on the same night. Also, rock band Death Cab for Cutie will perform music from “The Twilight Saga: New Moon’s” original motion picture soundtrack, including the single “Meet Me on the Equinox.”
◊“Larry the Cable Guy’s Hula-Palooza Christmas Luau” (8 p.m. on CMT): This 90-minute variety show will feature Larry along with friends, including Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”), Caroline Rhea (“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”), George Lindsey (“The Andy Griffith Show”) and Angela Little MacKenzie (“Reno 911”). In addition to the holiday-themed comedy and sketches set on the fictional island of Hula-Poola, the special will include musical performances by Billy Currington and the Zac Brown Band.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Allison develops a strange sensitivity to light, the sunglasses she wears reveal mysterious numbers which could tie into people’s life expectancies. Tom Verica (“American Dreams”) and Mitch Pileggi (“The X-Files”) guest star.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA Network): Monk finds his return to the police force to be more challenging than he expected when he becomes involved in the case of a serial killer.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When robbers hit a diamond exchange and take hostages, Don and the team find an unlikely ally in convict John Buckley (Fisher Stevens, “Early Edition”), who may help the team’s investigation when they believe the men are copying Buckley’s criminal strategies.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7 p.m. on Disney): After Harper learns her family is moving away, the Russos offer to let Harper live with them. While cleaning out the basement to make room for Harper, Alex shrinks herself down to fit in her old doll house. Yara Shahidi (“Imagine That”) guest stars.
SATURDAY, NOV. 21, 2009
◊“The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): In addition to getting a sneak peek at Suze Orman’s upcoming visit to “The Biggest Loser,” she also explains why viewers shouldn’t give in to the sale signs in store windows this season.
◊“Sit Down, Shut Up” (11 p.m. on Fox): In the series finale, Sue gives Andrew an ultimatum to turn around the drama department. He writes his magnum opus, a musical starring the teachers with Miracle (voice of Oklahoma actress Kristin Chenoweth) as the female lead.
◊“True Jackson, VP” (7:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In the one-hour special episode “Flirting With Fame,” True’s crushing on a new boy at school named Justin (Tyler James Williams, “Everybody Hates Chris”). aND In an attempt to show True his romantic side, Justin enlists the help of superstar Natasha Bedingfield to perform “These Words” for the duo.
◊“Turtles Forever” (9 a.m. on CW): This special incorporates the three distinctive versions of the Turtles as they appeared in their original iterations: 1984 black and white comic book; late 1980’s/early 1990’s animated TV series; and their current animated series.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Nov. 8-14, 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 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Nov. 8.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
GUEST STARS
••Nicole Anderson (“Jonas”) on “Imagination Movers,” 9 a.m. Saturday on Disney.
••Justin Bieber (teen pop singer) on “True Jackson VP,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon.
••Chris Bowers (“Rescue Me”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Care Bears on Fire (tween punk rock band) on “True Jackson VP,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon.
••Charisma Carpenter (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) on “Legend of the Seeker,” 4 p.m. Sunday on KOCB-34.
••Nick Chinlund (“Desperate Housewives”) on “The Mentalist,” 9 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Matt Davis (“Legally Blonde”) on “The Vampire Diaries,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CW.
••Jason Dolley (“Good Luck Charlie”) on “Imagination Movers,” 9 a.m. Saturday on Disney.
••Guy Fieri (“Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”) on “Garage Mahal,” 9:30 p.m. Monday on DIY.
••Laurence Fishburne (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS, and “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••David Gallagher (“7th Heaven”) on “Smallville,” 7 p.m. Friday on CW.
••Joel Grey (“Cabaret”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Chuck Hittinger (“ER”) on “Jonas,” 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Disney.
••Kelly Hu (“Martial Law”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Penny Johnson Jerald (“24″) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Swoosie Kurtz (“Pushing Daisies”) on “Rita Rocks,” 9 p.m. Monday on Lifetime.
••Drew Lachey (“The Comebacks”) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on My Network TV.
••Nick Lachey (“Charmed”) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7 p.m. Tuesday on My Network TV.
••Padma Lakshmi (“Top Chef”) on “Watch What Happens,” 11 p.m. Thursday on Bravo.
••Virginia Madsen (“Smith”) on “Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA Network.
••Eric McCormack (“Will & Grace”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act”) on “Desperate Housewives,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Paula Newsome (“Women’s Murder Club”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••First Lady Michelle Obama on “Sesame Street,” 9 a.m. Tuesday on OETA-13.
••Kelly Pickler (“American Idol”) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Amy Pietz (“Caroline in the City”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Lou Diamond Phillips (“La Bamba”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Teri Polo (“I’m With Her”) on “Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA Network.
••Kim Raver (“24″) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Adam Rodriguez (“CSI: Miami”) on “Ugly Betty,” 8 p.m. Friday on ABC.
••Gavin Rossdale (musical artist) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••“Sesame Street” characters on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader,” 7 p.m. Monday on CMT.
••Alan Thicke (“Growing Pains”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Jacob Vargas (“Traffic”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Nadine Valezquez (“My Name Is Earl”) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Pictured above: Photo: First Lady Michelle Obama, Muppets & Cast in “MICHELLE OBAMA PALNTS A GARDEN.” PHOTO CREDIT – Richard Termine
TV Premieres and Finales airing Nov. 8-14, 2009
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 Nov 8.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“Legend of the Seeker,” 4 p.m. on KOCB-34 (second-season premiere).
••“The Time I …,” 6:55 p.m. Sunday on Disney (series premiere).
••“Lopez Tonight,” 10 p.m. Monday on TBS (series premiere)(pictured at right).
••“Full Throttle Saloon,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on truTV (series premiere).
••“Secrets of the Dead,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on OETA-13 (ninth-season premiere).
••“Ghost Hunters Academy,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Syfy (series premiere).
••“True Jackson, VP,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon (second-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“Bored to Death,” 8:30 p.m. Sunday on HBO (first-season finale).
••“Mad Men,” 9 p.m. Sunday on AMC (third-season finale).
••“Lincoln Heights,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (fourth-season finale).
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Top 55 TV Programs for March 15-21, 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 Nov. 8:
SUNDAY, NOV. 8, 2009
◊“Bored to Death” (8:30 p.m. on HBO): In the Season 1 finale, George, Jonathan and Ray accept a challenge from George’s publishing rival, Richard, and agree to a tripleheader boxing match — the guys from Edition against the GQ crew.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team investigates the murder of an accomplished 45-year-old Mexican-born jockey who “disappeared” within hours of losing a race he’d long planned as his last before retirement. The music of Santana will play exclusively throughout the episode. Jacob Vargas (“Traffic”) guest stars as the slain jockey’s apprentice.
◊“Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): Susan believes Katherine may be Julie’s assailant while Angie confronts Nick about the secret he’s withholding from her. Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act”) guest stars.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Kellie Pickler travels with the team to Beavercreek, Ohio, to tell James Terpenning, a wheelchair sports champion and mentor to disabled Iraqi War veterans, that he and his family will have a newly rebuilt home in seven days.
◊“Gabriel Iglesias: I’m Not Fat … I’m Fluffy” (8 p.m. on Comedy Central): This all-new stand-up special features the comedian’s perfect blend of impeccable voice skills and an uncanny knack for hilarious storytelling. Iglesias’s high-caliber performance was filmed in front of a packed house at the historic Plaza Theatre in El Paso, Texas.
◊“Jonas” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Joe discovers Stella is going on a date with the star jock Van Dyke Tosh (Chuck Hittinger, “ER”), so he has a date, as well.
◊“Keeping Up With the Kardashians: The Wedding” (7 p.m. on E!): After a whirlwind romance, Khloe Kardashian takes a magical journey down the aisle with Los Angeles Lakers star Lamar Odom. Join Kim, Kourtney and the whole Kardashian clan along with Hollywood’s elite for an insider’s look at this star-studded event.
◊“Legend of the Seeker” (4 p.m. on KOCB-34): In Season 2, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd will encounter an array of new characters, both good and evil, and they will be tested in ways that they never could have imagined. The trio will discover that in defeating the bloodthirsty tyrant Darken Rahl, their victory is short-lived as they inadvertently unleashed an even greater evil on the world. Charisma Carpenter (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) guest stars as a wicked Mord’Sith named Triana.
◊“Mad Men” (9 p.m. on AMC): As Don has a meeting with Connie, Pete has a chat with his clients, and Betty receives an interesting piece of advice in the Season 3 finale.
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The black mamba hasn’t been studied in the wild much, because most people who encounter this large, deadly snake kill it on sight. But in this new episode, a team of snake handlers in Swaziland braves the danger to conduct a six-week study of the deadly reptile.
◊“The Prince & Me: Holiday Honeymoon” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In this sequel to “The Prince & Me: The Royal Wedding,” newlyweds Queen Paige (Kam Heskin) and King Edvard (Chris Geere) try to escape the spotlight by honeymooning in Belavia. But instead they end up uncovering a plot against the Danish monarchy.
◊“Stacked: CMA Nominees 2009″ (9:30 a.m. on CMT): This special features the CMA Awards nominees in the video of the year category — Randy Houser’s “Boots On,” Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” Bill Currington’s “People Are Crazy,” Brad Paisley’s “Start a Band” duet with Keith Urban and Geirge Strait’s “Troubadour.” The 43rd annual CMA Awards ceremony will air live at 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
◊“Storm Chasers” (9 p.m. on Discovery): Reed Timmer aims to step up from aggressive chaser to extreme scientist with his new military-grade radar capable of measuring wind speeds inside a twister. And he gets his vehicle inside the circulation of an EF3 for the intercept of a lifetime.
◊“Surviving 2012″ (8 p.m. on Discovery): This special explores the most plausible planetary disasters that 2012 may bring to determine whether or not the end of life on Earth really is lurking just around the corner.
◊“The Time I …” (6:55 p.m. on Disney): This new short-form series features young viewers sharing milestones in ther lives. The 1-2 minute segments include the stories “The Time I…Became a Big Sister” by 12-year-old Jasmine, “The Time I….Rode an Elephant” by 12-year-old Tiana, “The Time I….Flew By Myself” by 8-year-old Reese and “The Time I…Won a Blue Ribbon at the Country Fair” by 10-year-old cousins Hope and Logan.
MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on CMT): Host Jeff Foxworthy welcomes Bert, Grover, Prairie Dawn, Zoe and Cookie Monster for a week-long event celebrating the 40th anniversary of “Sesame Street.” A different co-host will be featured each day of the week as contestants test there knowledge of grade-school level questions on the fast-paced game show.
◊“BBC World News America” (6 p.m. on BBC America): A special edition of the show broadcasts live from Berlin on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. German-born Matt Frei, who reported from Berlin on the day the Wall fell 20 years ago, returns to his native country to anchor the program from the historic Brandenburg Gate.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Horatio Caine calls Dr. Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) 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.
◊“Garage Mahal” (9:30 p.m. on DIY): Guy Fieri (“Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”) throws down his carving knife and picks up a hammer to help the DIY Network crew and host Brian Corsetti build a vintage diner style garage, complete with rolling car and custom back bars, diamond plate wainscoting and chair rail, black and white murals and a half-ton of classic auto parts.
◊“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Not satisfied with just being Queen of Constance Billard, Jenny sets her sights on becoming Queen of all the Upper East Side. Leighton Meester;s new single “Somebody to Love” is featured, along with a guest performance from all-girl rock band Plastiscines.
◊“How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Filmmaker Leslie Woodhead, who first met the Beatles in 1962 when he worked on a film in the Liverpool Cavern Club, talks to Russians who grew up listening to the Beatles and found hope and inspiration in their music and their message of rebellion.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): After Barney and Robin hit a rough patch in their relationship, Lily devises the perfect plan to break them up, calling in help from Robin’s famous friend, Alan Thicke.
◊“Lincoln Heights” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Cassie tells Charles she wants to apply to school in New York, and Lizzie gets into trouble at school.
◊“Lopez Tonight” (10 p.m. on TBS): Comedian and actor George Lopez headlines this new late-night talk show that will feature a street-party feel with pumped-up music, audience interaction and a format that is open to change each day. His prmeiere-night guests include Ellen DeGeneres (“Ellen”), Eva Longoria-Parker (“Desperate Housewives”) and Kobe Bryant (NBA player).
◊“One Tree Hill” (7 p.m. on CW): Series star Sophia Bush (Brooke) directed this episode in which devastating news threatenes to derrail Brook and Julian’s fairytale romance.
◊“Rita Rocks” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): Swoosie Kurtz (“Pushing Daisies”) guest stars as Rita’s overly judgmental mother, Marilyn. Rita scrubs down the house and hides all the junk food to prepare for a visit from Marilyn, who decides to stay a couple weeks longer to spend more quality time with Rita and the family.
◊“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (noon on KOCB-34): Meredith Vieira won’t be the only person asking questions on the game show. Starting today, she will get assistance from celebrities such as Senator John McCain, Vanessa Williams (“Ugly Betty”), Jane Lynch (“Glee”), Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”) and Robin Roberts (“Good Morning America”). Monday is also the first day of the “Million Dollar Tournament of Ten” that will feature the season’s top 10 contestants who will get a shot at a $1 million question.
TUESDAY, NOV. 10, 2009
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Playing the game for charity are celebrities Nick Lachey (“Charmed”) and Drew Lachey (“The Comebacks”).
◊“Disaster House” (9 p.m. on DIY): Host Josh Temple and his team drop a 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis from nearly 100 feet to replicate years of damage a normal driveway can endure and what homeowners can do to repair common problems. He also uses a Pumpkin Cannon to shoot a variety of fruits at a home mailbox to show viewers how to repair theirs.
◊“Full Throttle Saloon” (9 p.m. on truTV): This new series takes viewers behind-the-scenes at The Throttle, a biker bar in Sturgis, S.D. The 30-acre indoor/outdoor bar features several large stages, a burn-out pit, a tattoo parlor, zip lines, a wrestling ring, restaurants, dozens of stores, hundreds of cabins for rent and parking for thousands of bikes. It is only open two weeks a year during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
◊“The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): While representing the daughter of one of the partner’s 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.
◊“In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville” (9 p.m. on ABC): Take a backstage tour of the country music scene with Robin Roberts (“Good Morning America”) as she goes home with Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood and Nashville residents Tim McGraw and Martina McBride. Also on the itinerary are interviews with Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn and Rosanne Cash.
◊“Independent Lens” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): In “D Tour,” documentarian Jim Granato tells the story of Pat Spurgeon, an aspiring indie rocker whose life and career suffer a setback when one of his kidneys begins to fail. The film follows him as he searches for a donor while on tour with his band Rogue Wave.
◊“James May on the Moon” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Driven by his passion for technology, “Top Gear” presenter James May seeks out both the astronauts and the men who built the space vehicles. And through manipulation of archive footage, May buckles up with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, lands the Eahle and takes a space walk.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): With the team’s help, Vance faces his demons while uncovering a complex relationship with a killer that puts his whole family in danger. Kelly Hu (“Martial Law”), Penny Johnson Jerald (“24″) and Paula Newsome (“Women’s Murder Club”) guest star.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): The world’s largest informal children’s educator celebrates its 40th birthday today, which is the exact day the series debuted on television four decades ago. The new season will feature a new show opening, a new nature curriculum and the new First Lady Michelle Obama, who appears in the premiere epusode and teaches “the street’s” residents about the many benefits of planting a garden and healthy eating.
◊“Starz Inside: Sex and the Cinema” (9 p.m. on Starz): This special explores how sexually charged films reflect out own sexual liberation. It also looks at many films that push the boundary, from mainstream studio films to producyt that comes from the porn industry.
◊“The Will: Families Divided” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This special explores the intrigue, legal wrangling and high emotions surrounding real-life stories of family inheritance — whether there is a valid will or not.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11, 2009
◊“The 43rd Annual CMA Awards” (7 p.m. on ABC): Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, the reigning CMA female and male vocalists of the year, co-host the event for the second consecutive year. Both are also nominees and are scheduled to perform, along with Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift and George Strait.
◊“Apocalypse: The Second World War” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Martin Sheen (“The West Wing”) narrates this six-part series featuring footage filmed by those who witnessed the war first-hand. This footage was deemed ‘unfit’ for civilians to see. Until now. It has been restored, colorized and transferred to high definition. The series will air over six consecutive nights.
◊“Change the World: American Heroes” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Craftsman Carter Oosterhouse and designer Monica Pedersen transform homes in Philadelphia and St. Louis into comfortable and welcoming places for veterans who are transitioning back to civilian life.
◊“Coca-Cola: The Real Story Behind the Real Thing” (8 p.m. on CNBC): With unprecedented access, CNBC pulls back the curtain on Coca-Cola, revealing never-before-seen labs, secret archives and high-tech product testing. Cameras follow Coke’s urgent campaign to reinvent itself after years of losing ground to arch-rival Pepsi in the race to develop new beverages.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit follows a trail of murders that seems to align with the tour schedule of a rock star. Gavin Rossdale plays a Goth performer who has become lost in the frightening alter-ego he portrays on stage — an alter-ego the BAU team suspects may be a brutal serial killer.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Dr. Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) rushes to New York when Det. Mac Taylor and his team identify a woman hidden in a big rig following an accident as someone he interviewed in Miami related to his missing person’s case. Though the woman disappears after the accident, Langston and Mac discover they’re onto an interstate trucking ring that specializes in human cargo and black market organ harvesting.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Allison is jilted when her new “friend,” Sophia (Nadine Valezquez, “My Name Is Earl”), prefers Gary’s company over hers.
◊“Ghost Hunters Academy” (9 p.m. on Syfy): In this new spinoff of “Ghost Hunters,” two members of The Atlantic Paranormal Society — technical manager Steve Gonsalves and evidence analyst Dave Tango — show a group of college students how to investigate reports of paranormal activity.
◊“POV” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new documentary “The Way We Get By” tells the stories behind a group of retired and elderly citizens in Maine who have taken it upon themselves to greet every troop plane arriving or departing Bangor, which is the last and first piece of U.S. soil many soldiers see before and after their deployments.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Max (Eric McCormack, “Will & Grace”) points out to Christine that she quits anything that gets too hard, including relationships, which is one of the reasons he chose to be her therapist rather than her boyfriend.
◊“Return to Duty” (8 p.m. on MTV): Viewers of “The Real World: Brooklyn” may remember the emotional moment when cast member and Army vet Ryan Conklin was unexpectedly recalled for a second tour of duty in Iraq. In this documentary, Conklin takes viewers through the year since that day, offering a soldier’s view of America’s changing military presence in the long war in Iraq.
◊“Secrets of the Dead” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new episode “Airmen and the Headhunters” recounts the rescue of a U.S. bomber crew shot down over the jungles of Japanese-occupied Borneo during World War II. Dayak tribesmen, known for taking the heads of their enemies, fed and protected the airmen.
THURSDAY, NOV. 12, 2009
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Dr. Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) continues the search for the young girl taken hostage as part of the human trafficking operation. It leads him to investigate a prostitution ring in Las Vegas that may harbor the missing woman.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): When Owen recruits his fellow Iraqi War vet, Dr. Teddy Altman, as the new cardiothoracic surgeon, Cristina questions Teddy’s abilities in the operating room and the nature of their past relationship. Joel Grey (“Cabaret”) and Kim Raver (“24″) guest star.
◊“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 Housewives”).
◊“Stateline: Behind the Curtain” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment of OETA’s award-winning documentary series unveils what it takes to maintain Oklahoma’s world class museums and attractions. Attractions featured include the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, home to thousands of varieties of sea life; the J.M. Davis Gun Museum in Claremore that could outfit an army; and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, which prepares for performances days in advance of the curtain.
◊“The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): A mysterious new history teacher (Matt Davis, “Legally Blonde”) arrives at the high school. And when Elena, Bonnie and Caroline hold a seance, the results are stranger than any of them expected.
FRIDAY, NOV. 13, 2009
◊“Great Performances” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Motown Records, “Stevie Wonder: Live At Last” features the American musician in a concert performance at London’s O2 Arena.
◊“Invitation Only: Tim McGraw” (8 p.m. on CMT): Country music artist Tim McGraw returns to the stage to perform his biggest hits and music from his latest album “Southern Voice.” He also takes questions from fans and gives revealing and candid answers.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison fears the worst about Ariel’s new boyfriend when she suspects him of murdering a man. Also, Bridgette posts embarrassing videos of a man on the Internet and gets into trouble. Amy Pietz (“Caroline in the City”) guest stars as the mother of Ariel’s boyfriend in this episode directed by David Arquette (“Scream”).
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): While tracking down a felon running a heroin ring inside a prison, Agent Ian Edgerton (Lou Diamond Phillips, “La Bamba”) becomes a murder suspect when the informant he meets with ends up dead, sending a desperate Edgerton over the edge when he takes a member of Don’s team hostage.
◊“Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): DC Comics’ “The Wonder Twins” Jayna and Zan (David Gallagher, 7th Heaven) show up in Metroplolis to help The Blur fight crime. But they end of botching several rescues.
◊“Ugly Betty” (8 p.m. on ABC): Hilda’s bad-boy high school flame and Betty’s schoolgirl crush — Bobby Talercio (Adam Rodriguez, “CSI: Miami”) — teaches at Justin’s school, causing the sisters to both doubt their feelings for “nice guys” — such as Archie (Ralph Macchio, “The Karate Kid”), in Hilda’s case.
SATURDAY, NOV. 14, 2009
◊“5 Ingredient Fix” (11:30 a.m. on Food Network): Host Claire Robinson prepares all her Thanksgiving recipes with five or fewer ingredients. She cooks up roasted turkey breast with gravy, cornbread dressing and a ginger pumpkin tart.
◊“Ask Aida” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): Create a Thanksgiving feast with host Aida Mollenkamp’s crowd-pleasing menu. She fixes an apple-sage roast turkey, whole wheat stuffing and a pecan pumpkin crunch. She also shares her simple recipe for hearty pan gravy.
◊“Cougar Town” (4 p.m. on SoapNet): This two-hour marathon includes the first three episodes (as well as the fifth episode) of the ABC series starring Courteney Cox as a recently divorced single mother exploring the truths about dating and aging.
◊“Everything She Ever Wanted” (7 p.m on Lifetime Movie Network): This two-part miniseries, which concludes Nov. 15, stars Gina Gershon (“Bound”) as a Southern woman whose storybook wedding signals the beginning of a nightmare marriage that is ultimately upended by greed and violence. It is inspired by a true story.
◊“Flower Girl” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Marla Sokoloff (“The Practice”) stars in this new romance as Laurel, a florist who can’t seem to find the man of her dreams. But when her grandmother (Marion Ross) tries to fix Laurel up with the perfect man, before she knows it, she has not one but two potential suitors on her hands and must decide if its time to follow her heart or her head.
◊“Imagination Movers” (9 a.m. on Disney): In the episode “A Fairy Tale Ending,” the Movers must convince Cinderella to go home and back to her story so she can have her fairy tale ending with Prince Charming. The episode features the debut of the new original song “When You Grow Up.” Nicole Anderson (“Jonas”) and Jason Dolley (“Good Luck Charlie”) guest star as Cinderella and Prince Charming.
◊“Oklahoma Hall of Fame” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The 2009 Oklahoma Hall of Fame class of 2009 is inducted. The seven Oklahoma honorees are: C. Kendric Fergeson, Altus; Marlin G. “Ike” Glass, Jr., Newkirk; V. Burns Hargis, Stillwater; Polly A. Nichols, Oklahoma City; Lee Roy Selmon, Eufaula; Steven W. Taylor, McAlester; and Wayman Lawrence Tisdale, Tulsa, who will be inducted posthumously.
◊“Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): January Jones (“Mad Men”) makes her “SNL” debut as host. Back for their second appearance are musical guests The Black Eyed Peas, three-time Grammy Award winners.
◊“Super Dave’s Spike-Tacular” (10 p.m. on SPIKE): Emmy winner Bob Einstein returns as Super Dave Osbourne, self-described as the greatest daredevil superstar entertainer of all time, as he prepares for a weekly death-defying stunt. Stunts he will attempt in the four-part special event include trying to break the NASCAR speed record on a track loaded with explosives, breaking the speed record in the Guinness Book of World Records for a hybrid vehicle, challenging the world’s six greatest paintball players and stepping into the Octagon with former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
◊“The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): The five warning signs that your financial advisor doesn’t have your best interest at heart.
◊“True Jackson, VP” (7:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In the Season 2 premiere, True is determined to save her school’s design department from budget cuts and decides to hold a fundraising concert. Making special celebrity appearances are teen pop singer Justin Bieber and Brooklyn tween punk rock band Care Bears on Fire.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Alex Wolff
Nov. 1, 2009 – Alexander Draper Wolff,
who plays Alex on “The Naked Brothers Band” (2007-09 on Nickelodeon), turns 12 today.
He played himself in the 2009 TV movie “Mr. Troop Mom.”
His first acting role was as Alex in the 2005 TV movie “The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie.” He was 8.
Best wishes to Alex and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
TV Premieres (no Finales) airing Nov. 1-7, 2009
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 (none are ending) the week of Nov. 1.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“Sex Rehab With Dr. Drew,” 9 p.m. Sunday on VH1 (series premiere).
••“Styl’d,” 9 p.m. Sunday on MTV (series premiere).
••“For the Love of Ray J,” 8 p.m. Monday on VH1 (second-season premiere).
••“I Want to Work for Diddy,” 9 p.m. Monday on VH1 (second-season premiere).
••“V,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (series premiere).
••“Tabatha’s Salon Takeover,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Bravo (second-season premiere).
••“Flowers Uncut,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TLC (series premiere).
••“Cold Blood,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Investigation Discovery (second-season premiere).
••“The Real Housewives of Orange County,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Bravo (fifth-season premiere).
••“Fanboy and Chum Chum,” 8 p.m. Friday on Nickelodeon (series premiere).
••“Live From Abbey Road,” 10 p.m. Friday on Sundance (third-season premiere).
••“Handy Manny,” 7:30 a.m. Saturday on Disney (third-season premiere).
••“Til Debt Do Us Part,” 9 p.m. Saturday on CNBC (series premiere).
••“The Wanda Sykes Show,” 10 p.m. Saturday on Fox (series premiere).
