Top 55 TV Programs for May 31-June 6, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of May 31:
SUNDAY, MAY 31
◊“The 2009 MTV Movie Awards” (8 p.m. on MTV): Andy Samberg (“Saturday Night Live”) hosts the 18th annual event live from Universal City, Calif. The films “Twilight” and “Slumdog Millionaire” both received nominations in six categories.
◊“Aqua Teen Hunger Force” (10:45 p.m. on Cartoon Network): In the animated show’s first live-action episode, rapper T-Pain portrays the Auqua Teen’s roommate Frylock, whose animated form looks like a floating box of french fries.
◊“Breaking Bad” (9 p.m. on AMC): On the Season 2 finale, Skyler and Walt collide as her frustration with his secrecy finally comes to a head. Also, Jesse self-destructs after a personal blow, forcing Walt to come to his aid.
◊“HGTV’s $250,000 Challenge” (9 p.m. on HGTV): Drew Lachey (“Dancing With the Stars”) hosts this new winner-take-all design competition in which five neighboring families compete to create the best design in their own home. The winner gets a cash prize that can help them pay off their mortgage.
◊“Ice Road Truckers” (8 p.m. on History): Season 3 heads to Alaska, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where a group of elite truckers face their most perilous journey yet. They have less than three monthys to shuttle critical supplies to the oil camps of Alaska’s North Slope.
◊“Into the Storm” (8 p.m. on HBO): Continuing the story that began in 2002’s “The Gathering Storm,” this production finds Winston Churchill (Brendan Gleeson, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) reflecting on how he guided Britain through World War II as he, wife Clemmie (Janet McTeer) and their daughter spend a holiday in France awaiting word on whether he has been elected prime minister for a postwar term.
◊“Jesse James Is a Dead Man” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): Each week in this new series, Jesse James (“Monster Garage”) will take on a different challenge that could literally kill him. The challenge he faces in the premiere episode is riding a Nitro-fueled motorcycle.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Inspector Wallander (Kenneth Branagh) is stunned by the murder of three teenagers on Midsummer’s Eve and sent into a spiral of intense guilt when a colleague also is found dead in the final installment of the series titled “One Step Behind.”
◊“Nature’s Most Amazing Events” (7 p.m. on Discovery): The final two installments of this six-part high-definition series feature the Kalahari Desert at the peak of the dry season and the arrival of summer along the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia.
◊“Platinum Weddings” (9 p.m. on WEtv): Black tie glamour meets SOuthern charm at Mollie and Jason’s wedding. The couple’s 280 guests will be trated to an all-expense-paid weekend in Atlanta.
MONDAY, JUNE 1
◊“Deal or No Deal” (6 and 10 p.m. weekdays on GSN): Beginning today, the network will begin airing the first three seasons of the hour-long version of this game show hosted by Howie Mandel.
◊“Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): As the summer draws to a close in the Hamptons, Serena and Nate have everyone fooled into thinking they are a couple to cover up the fact that Nate has been hooking up with a married older woman (Madchen Amick, “My Own Worst Enemy”) and Serena has been secretly mourning her break-up with Dan.
◊“Greek” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Overwhelmed with loneliness since Max left for his internship, Casey finds herself latching onto her ZBZ sister’s social activities and interfering with Rusty’s new blossoming romance with Jordan. Gregory Michael (“Dante’s Cove”) guest stars.
◊“Here Come the Newlyweds” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): The eight remaining just-married couples get slightly embarrassed when famous psychosexual therapist Dr. Ruth drops by to give them relationship tips.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): A gun-wielding man (Zeljko Ivanek, “Damages”) takes House, Thirteen and several patients from the waiting room hostage in Cuddy’s office. The man claims to be sick with a long undiagnosed illness and demands medical attention from the best doctor in the hospital.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): While out for dinner with the gang, Ted runs into someone from his past that prompts each of them to think about how they would handle bumping into someone they’d rather forget. Sarah Chalke (“Scrubs”) and Eric Braeden (“The Young and the Restless”) guest star.
◊“I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” (7 p.m. on NBC): Ten celebrities are dropped into the jungles of Costa Rica, where they undergo tests of their survival skills, with viewers deciding which player will be eliminated each week. Celebrities include Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (“The Hills”), Janice Dickinson (“The Janice Dickinseon Modeling Agency”), Stephen Baldwin (“The Usual Suspects”), John Salley (“Confessions of a Shopaholic”), Torrie Wilson (“WWF Smackdown!”) and former Sanjaya Malakar (“American Idol”).
◊“Kathy Griffin: The Footage You Weren’t Meant to See” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Relive all the good and bad time from the first four seasons of two-time Emmy-winning series “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” — all through Kathy’s comic eye. The special also includes unseen moments from the show.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): In the Season 5 finale, Allison dreams of a future where an unfamiliar man is comforting her after the loss of her entire family. She later meets the same unfamiliar man in her waking life whihc investigating a case.
◊“Muhammad Ali: Made in Miami” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This film chronicles the boxer’s arrival in Miami in 1960. Over the next few years, Ali evolved both professionally and politically.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): Audrey discovers that Russell is a closeted fan of Broadway musicals, a fact she promises to keep secret in exchange for free theater tickets. Bob Odenkirk (“The Larry Sanders Show”) guest stars.
◊“The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): Conan O’Brien, the dominant late-night host at 11:35 p.m. for the past 14 seasons, will succeed Jay Leno as host of the preeminent series on late-night television.
◊“TV411” (10 a.m. on OETA-13): Some 70 million adults in America cannot read, write or speak English well enough to seek a job promotion or help their children with homework. This program is full of useful tips, such as how to decipher a pay check, keep a family medical history and get the most out of reading.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
◊“According to Jim” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): When Jim chokes on a shrimp puff, he dies and arrives at Heaven’s gate. As Jim attempts to prove his good works to God (Lee Majors, “The Fall Guy”), his sister-in-law, Dana, represents the Devil (Erik Estrada, “CHiPs”), arguing that Jim’s selfishness should mean a certain trip to hell.
◊“Earth 2100″ (8 p.m. on ABC): This ABC News special hosted by Bob Woodruff takes viewers on a journey through what the next century could have in store and shows viewers what can be done to avoid disaster.
◊“Is Your House Killing You?” (8:30 p.m. on Sundance): The network premieres the seven-part Australian reality series hosted by environmental scientists Dr. Peter Dingle and Cedric Cheong, who have extensive experience in the field of indoor air pollution. Each episode introduces an Australian family that has reason to suspect their homes may be endangering their health and well-being.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): In the Season 10 finale, an error jeopardizes a murder case and the detectives rush to find more evidence before the killer takes revenge on the squad.
◊“Man vs. Wild” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Host Bear Grylls takes Will Ferrell (“Land of the Lost”) along with him for an extreme adventure in the Swedish hinterland.
◊“Mental” (8 p.m. on Fox): Director of Psychiatric Services Dr. Jack Gallagher and psychiatrist Dr. Veronica Hayden-Jones are called to the ER for a psych consult where they meet Melissa Ranier (Nicholle Tom, “(“The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman”), a woman presenting as seven months pregnant. However, the doctors are informed by the ER physician that the patient’s ultrasound did not reveal a baby.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): Dr. Reid embarks on his own investigation into the murder of a young boy years earlier in Las Vegas that he strongly believes has a connection to his own childhood. Jane Lynch (“Two and a Half Men”) guest stars as Dr. Reid’s mother, Diana Reid.
◊“Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): In the Season 19 finale, the murder of a charity executive leads detectives on a trail of political intrigue. The investigation takes a turn when claims of stalking and blackmail surface.
◊“Make Me a Supermodel” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The final three models go head-to-head with two major photo shoots and an extended catwalk challenge. Fashion photographer Matthew Rolston joins the four judges for the final deliberation.
◊“Man Land” (10 p.m. on HGTV): This new series explores men’s design machismo and offers viewers ideas for “manspace makeovers.” It also reveals how the women in these men’s lives feel about their guy having a separate space and how that space has changed their relationship.
◊“Renegade Genius” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Meet Thomas Gold, an original thinker whose radical theories have transformed the way science views the origin of life, how we hear sounds and what we know about space.
◊“Smile Pinki” (6 p.m. on HBO): Recent Oscar winner for best documentary short subject, this program profiles the fairytale journey of Pinki and Ghutaru, two children in rural India born with cleft lips, who are given new hope to live normal lives through the generosity and dedicated efforts of local doctors and social workers.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (7 p.m. on CBS): A disastrous visit from Mrs. Hofstadter (Christine Baranski, “Cybill”) brings Leonard and Penny closer together.
◊“Burn Notice” (8 p.m. on USA): As Season 3 opens, Michael emerges from the ocean a free agent but one who is being investigated by the police as he takes on a new job extraditing a thug.
◊“General Hospital” (2 p.m. on ABC): Lexi Ainsworth from Oklahoma City will make her debut on the ABC daytime drama today. She has been cast as Kristina, the daughter of mob boss Sonny Corinthos and princess Alexis Davis.
◊“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (7 p.m. on ABC): The late-night talk show will air special half-hour primetime shows on each night ABC airs the NBA basketball finals. Each night, Jimmy will deliver up-to-the minute news addressing the hottest topics of the day in his monologue and welcome various guest stars.
◊“The Listener” (9 p.m. on NBC): This new series stars Craig Olejnik (“The Timekeeper”) as Toby Logan, a young paramedic who goes about his rounds helping people in crisis while keeping a big secret: He has telepathic powers, which he uses discreetly in both his job and his personal life.
◊“Royal Pains” (9 p.m. on USA): This new drama starring Mark Feuerstein (“Good Morning, Miami”) centers on a young, blacklisted doctor whose career is revived when he becomes a doctor for hire to the rich and famous in The Hamptons.
◊“Supernatural” (8 p.m. on CW): Dean is transported back in time and is shocked when he lands in Lawrence, Kan. Dean isn’t sure why he was sent back so he begins to enjoy the time with his parents and newfound grandfather (Mitch Pileggi, “The X-Files”), who may be hiding a secret that is key to Sam and Dean’s entire predicament.
◊“Tosh.0″ (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): In this twist on pop culture shows, comedian Daniel Tosh lampoons the latest videos, blogs, vlogs, websites and technologies, as well as offering “Web Redemption” to those who have already humiliated themselves online.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
◊“Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” (7 p.m. on Fox): Twins from Orlando compete. They are in for a real 80’s treat when surprise guest, Colin Hay from Men at Work, completes the lyrics to the pop hit “Who Can It Be Now.”
◊“Ghost Adventures” (8 p.m. on Travel Channel): In this series, paranormal investigators search for haunted locations. During their search, they interview locals about the hauntings and place themselves with evil spirits during overnight lockdowns.
◊“Good Morning America” (7 a.m. on ABC): John Legend (Grammy winner) performs during the 2009 Summer Concert Series airing live from New York City’s Central Park.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): While on a date, David catches a disappearing act at a magic show but quickly becomes involved in the performance when the magician really vanishes. Penn Jillette (“Dancing With the Stars) guest stars.
◊“Whale Wars” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society battle whalers, the elements and one another in the show’s second season that features new and returning crew members.
◊“Samantha Who?” (8 p.m. on ABC): Samantha teams up with her mother for a dance competition in order to beat Regina’s nemesis, Paula Drake (Cybill Shepherd, “Cybill”). The only problem is that “old” Sam could dance, whereas “new” Sam is gliding on two left feet. Mark Ballas (“Dancing With the Stars”) guest stars as Paula’s dance partner.
◊“Today” (7 a.m. on NBC): The Dave Matthews Band (Grammy winner) performs during the 2009 Toyota Concert Series airing live from New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
◊“1 vs. 100″ (6 p.m. on GSN): Beginning today, the network will begin airing the entire series run of the game show hosted by Bob Saget. Episodes will also air at noon Sundays starting June 7.
◊“Come Dance at My Wedding” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): John Schneider (“Smallville”), Roma Downey (“Touched by an Angel”), Brooke Nevin (“Worst Week”) and Christopher Jacot (“Eureka”) star in this new movie about an estranged father and daughter who may be light-on-their-feet, but who still have a few moves to learn if they are to move forward as a family.
◊“Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): This installment of the locally-produced program showcases the UCO Jazz Lab in Edmond, the Wild Things Farm in Pocola, Tulsa’s Inn at Woodward Park and Keystone Ancient Forest.
◊“The Game Show Awards” (8 p.m. on GSN): Howie Mandel (“Deal or No Deal”) hosts the inaugural event aimed at celebrating excellence in the genre of games. The show includes special tributes to Bob Barker (“The Price is Right”), game show producer Mark Goodson and Monty Hall (“Let’s Make a Deal”).
◊“Housecat Housecall” (9:30 a.m. on Animal Planet): This show returns for a second season of helping cat lovers resolve their feline dilemmas, from unruly behavior to lifestyle adjustments.
◊“Iron Maiden: Flight 666″ (11 p.m. on VH1): On February 8, 2008, British heavy rock legends Iron Maiden embarked on an ambitious and adventurous tour. The band gave full access to a film crew to document their journey and this high-definition documentary is the result. With the entire touring crew and 12 tons of music and stage equipment on board, the band flew 50,000 miles and performed in 23 sold-out stadium and arena shows across Asia, Australia and North, Central and South America.
◊“Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This special explores the historical context of Johnny Cash’s concert album recorded Jan. 13, 1968 at Folsom Prison. It weaves interviews with archival photography to evoke the spirit of that day.
◊“Pushing Daisies” (9 p.m. on ABC): Emerson gets a lead in his daughter Penny’s whereabouts when he investigates the murder of millionaire Roland Stingwell. The prime suspect: Penny’s no-good mama, Lila Robinson (Gina Torres, “Standoff”), who ran off with the girl years ago. Meanwhile, an awkward Randy Mann (David Arquette, “In Case of Emergency”) tries to romance Olive.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for May 10-16, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which
includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of May 10:
SUNDAY, MAY 10
◊“The Amazing Race” (7 p.m. on CBS): The final three teams race from Beijing to Maui for the final leg and the chance to claim the $1 million prize.
◊“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (6 p.m. on ABC): Seven finalists compete for the last $100,000 video prize of the season. Videos include a little boy with a Lego stuck on his tooth; a kid retrieving his basketball from an overly friendly Labrador; a fake lotto ticket prank; friends dumping their roommate in the trash; a little boy who names the presidents and their famous quotes; and do-gooders saving a squirrel stuck in a tree.
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): When the Walker family reaches out to Tommy, they’re devastated to find that he may be unwilling to accept their help on the third-season finale. Meanwhile, Robert and Kitty reach a crossroads in their marriage that they may not be able to successfully navigate.
◊“Celebrity Apprentice” (7 p.m. on NBC): Live from the Museum of Natural History in New York City, it’s the season finale. The two finalists must choose among former contestants to fill out their new teams. Then Trump reveals the final task: a pre-theatre VIP party for a Cirque du Soleil show.
◊“A Change of Face” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): In the premiere of this three-part series, cameras go into the operating room to follow three accomplished New York City surgeons who dedicate their lives to perfect, save and reconstruct the human face. They operate at the most critical moments, using cutting-edge medical science, working to transform their patients’ faces and lives.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): In the conclusion of the two-part sixth-season finale, the team intensifies their quest to find the person behind the 2005 slaying of a female cadet. Daniel Baldwin (“Grey Gardens”), Jesse Plemons (“Friday Night Lights”) and Joe Penny (“Jake and the Fatman”) guest star. Pearl Jam songs will be featured throughout the show.
◊“Family Guy” (8 p.m. on Fox): After Peter discovers the writing of Stephen King, he imagines his family and friends in three of King’s most famous works. First, Peter, Quagmire, Cleveland and Joe – as 12-year-olds – travel along a railroad track on a journey of self-discovery narrated by Richard Dreyfuss (guest-voicing as himself). Second, Brian is injured in a bad car crash only to be “rescued” by his “number one fan,” Stewie. Finally, Cleveland and Peter become fast friends in prison.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery! Wallander” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In his first recurring television role, Kenneth Branagh (“Valkyrie”) brings the scruffy Swedish sleuth Kurt Wallander to life for a trio of gritty cases. The three 90-minute whodunits begin with “Sidetracked” and continue with “Firewall” and “One Step Behind” — each adapted from one of Henning Mankell’s international best-selling novels.
◊“The Memory Loss Tapes” (8 p.m. on HBO): This installment of the four-part documentary series “The Alzheimer’s Project” captures the devastating experience of memory loss from the point of view of the person with the disease.
◊“Meteorite Men” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): Modern day treasure hunters Geoff Notkin and Steve Arnold have travelled the world for years to search as a team for remnants of ancient meteorites. In this special, viewers find the pair in Brenham, Kansas where for more than a century pieces of a large meteorite that fell thousands of years ago have been unearthed.
◊“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” (7 p.m. on HBO): When the agency is hit in a string of break-ins, Grace inspects the damage and reconstructs the crime. Meanwhile, Precious receives an unnerving phone call: Note Mokoti is back in town.
◊“Sandra’s Money Saving Meals” (11 a.m. on Food Network): In her new daytime cooking series, Sandra Lee (“Semi-Home Cooking”) features incredible budget-friendly recipes for every day of the week. To maximize cost-saving success, Sandra shares unique ideas for savvy supermarket shopping, proper pantry stocking and menu price points.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): Marge and Lisa visit the nail salon where they engage in a spirited debate as to whether a woman can be smart, powerful and beautiful all at the same time. To prove their point, they spin four tales of famous women featuring famous Springfield faces: Selma as Queen Elizabeth I, Lisa as Snow White, Marge as Lady Macbeth and Maggie (guest voice Jodie Foster) as the idealistic architect protagonist from Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead.”
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): On February 3, 2009, a massive snowfall followed by melting and refreezing creates horrific driving conditions in Indiana. This sudden burst of snowfall, coupled with impatient driving, leads to what will become the biggest pileup in state history – 35 vehicles strewn across Interstate-69 just outside Indianapolis.
◊“Street Warrior” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): Army sergeant Jack Campbell (Max Martini, “Saving Private Ryan”) returns home from Iraq to visit his brother, who is clinging to life in a coma. Jack discovers that his brother was forced to fight in an underground fight club to replay a gambling debt, and he seeks revenge.
◊“The Unit” (9 p.m. on CBS): On the fourth-season finale, the Unit must locate and diffuse three sets of dirty bombs headed for unknown locations across the United States. Meanwhile, the team prepares for a wedding of one couple and the end of a marriage for another.
MONDAY, MAY 11
◊“24″ (8 p.m. on Fox): Innocent lives remain in the line of fire as this day draws to a close. Jack is faced with an unthinkable situation while his imperiled daughter (Elisha Cuthbert, (“Are You Afraid of the Dark?”), gets involved.
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (7 p.m. on CBS): In the Season 2 finale, Penny is conflicted when Leonard and his friends decide to spend the summer working at the North Pole.
◊“Castle” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 1 finale, Castle and Beckett investigate the murder of a missing plastic surgeon who is found dead in the front seat of his car after a week of being parked curbside. As they delve into the twisted world of surgery obsessed patients and secret operations, Castle experiences a fatherly rite of passage as Alexis attends her first prom.
◊“Charm School With Ricki Lake” (8 p.m. on VH1): Host Ricki Lake (“Hairspray”) faces the challenging task of transforming thye outrageous women from “Rock of Love Bus With Bret Michaels” and “Real Chance of Love” into selfless angels through various acts of charity. The women will have to take on real responsibilities with non-profit organizations and contribute their time to a different charity each week.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): The CSIs investigate the case of a man boiled alive, Julia spirals out of control, and one of the team’s darkest secrets comes to light. Elizabeth Berkley (“The L Word”) guest stars.
◊“Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): This flashback episode introduces characters for a spin-off series involving the mother of Serena before she became a mom. Brittany Snow (“American Dream”) plays Lily Rhodes as a 17-year-old Valley Girl in the 1980s. The episode also features a performance by No Doubt.
◊“Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?” (6:30 p.m. on HBO): This installment of the four-part documentary series “The Alzheimer’s Project” was inspired by Maria Shriver’s children’s book “What’s Happening to Grandpa? and her own experience with her father, Sargent Shriver, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. She provides commentary and guidance in five lessons that offer advice on how grandchildren can cope with the experiences of having loved ones with the disease.
◊“Greek” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Cappie and the Kappa Tau’s scramble to return a stash of stolen goods from around the campus after an Omega Chi pledge breaks in and discovers the stockpile. Helen Slater (“Smallville”) guest stars as Dr. Stephanopoulos.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the season finale, House and the team take on a case of mind over matter as a patient’s right and left brain struggle for dominance. Meanwhile, when House refuses to make an appearance in the clinic, Cuddy takes an unconventional approach to force House to make up the time with a particular patient (Carl Reiner, “Ocean’s Thirteen”).
◊“Hubble Live: The Final Mission” (12:30 p.m. on Science Channel, 101 on Cox Digital Cable, 193 on Dish Network, 258 on U-verse, 284 on DirecTV): The network will air live coverage of the Space Shuttle Atlantis launch. This is the fourth and final mission to repair the Hubble telescope.
◊“Inside the Actors Studio” (6 p.m. on Bravo): Emmy and Golden Globe winner Danny DeVito (‘‘Taxi”) chats with host James Lipton about the production company (Jersey Films) he founded with wife Rhea Perlman (‘‘Cheers”), as well as his string of comedy successes that include his role in the FX sitcom ‘‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on NBC): Allison is distraught about the contract she signed at her new job which forbids her from sharing her dreams with anyone outside the company. Tracy Pollan ((“Natalee Holloway”) and David Morse (“Hack”) guest star.
◊“Momentum in Science” (7 p.m. on HBO): This installment of the four-part documentary series “The Alzheimer’s Project” takes viewers inside the laboratories and clinics of 25 leading scientists and physicians, revealing some of the most cutting-edge research advances.
◊“Ni Hao, Kai-Lan” (10 a.m. on Nickelodeon): Back for Season 2, this animated preschool series will take preschoolers on interactive adventures with Kai-lan and her friends as they learn new Chinese words and phrases. This season will also focus on more complex social emotional issues like hitting and separation anxiety, providing lessons to preschoolers on how to better express and deal with their feelings.
◊“Nursery University” (6:30 p.m. on Showtime): The new special explores current-day New York City where a post 9-11 baby boom has turned the pre-school admissions process into a blood sport. With more than 20 applicants for every available spot, parents exhaust contacts and bank accounts to secure application forms.
◊“One Tree Hil” (8 p.m. on CW): Peyton and Lucas’ wedding day has finally arrived and surprise guests attend.Haley plays an unexpected role in the ceremony while Nathan hopes to be called up to the NBA. Nick Lachey (“Charmed”) guest stars.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): While on a double date with Brad and his partner Jackie, Jeff gets annoyed when Jackie helps himself to his meal. Not wanting to hurt Jackie’s feelings, Audrey demands Jeff keep quiet about the incident. Sam Harris (“The Class”) returns as Brad’s Partner, Jackie.
◊“Weaponizers” (8 p.m. on Discovery): This new series combines creativity, military-like strategy and engineering as two teams of master builders — dubbed “Weaponizers” — turn ordinary vehicles into remote-controlled machines of destruction. Once all testing is complete, the teams command their vehicles for the two-round competition.
◊“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (noon on KOCB-34): Samantha Harris (“Dancing With the Stars”) will sit in as celebrity guest host this week. The host chair has been helmed by Meredith Vieira since the show’s syndication launch in 2002.
TUESDAY, MAY 12
◊“90210″ (8 p.m. on CW): West Beverly High School’s Hollywood-themed prom is full of surprises, but first Harry warns his students that any non-school sponsored parties after the prom will be met with serious consequences. The episode features a performance by The Veronicas.
◊“According to Jim” (7 p.m. on ABC): Jim uses his passion for sports to connect with son Kyle. But sports-challenged Kyle identifies more with fellow sci-fi nerd Andy, forcing a reluctant Jim to dress up as a Cyclops at a sci-fi convention in order to win his son back. William “Refrigerator” Perry (former Chicago Bears player) guest stars.
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the show’s 300th episode, the top three finalists from Season 8 take the stage for a live performance. Tune in to see who impresses the judges and who buckles under the pressure.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): In the live finale, all of the Season 7 contestants return for a special reunion and a chance to weigh in one last time. One of the three finalists will be named the biggest loser and win $250,000.
◊“Caregivers” (6 p.m. on HBO): This installment of the four-part documentary series “The Alzheimer’s Project” is a collection of five family portraits that illustrate caring for different stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Each highlights the sacrifices, struggles and successes made by those experiencing their loved ones’ descent into dementia.
◊“Cupid” (9 p.m. on ABC): Trevor aims his Cupid love arrow toward Jack, a radio disc jockey with a love for classic rock n’ roll, and one of his listeners, a single mom named Sarah. On the couple’s first date, Jack and Trevor arrange a performance by Robert Harrison, the lead singer from the indie band Future Clouds and Radar.
“Fringe” (8:04 p.m. on Fox): Setting the stage for the Season 1 finale are a sudden and unexpected attack on someone with close ties to Fringe Division, the return of bioterrorist David Robert Jones and the disappearance of Walter. Find out more about the mysterious events surrounding our trio when questions are answered, observations made, loyalties are tested and the elusive William Bell (Leonard Nimoy, “Star Trek”) is finally introduced.
“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment titled “The Madoff Affair” unravels the complicated story of the world’s first global Ponzi scheme, a scam orchestrated by Bernard Madoff that began in the 1960s when he tapped money from Jewish businessmen with promises of steady returns on their investments. Despite repeated Securities and Exchange Commission investigations, Madoff kept running his scam until December, when he admitted it was all ‘‘one big lie.”
“Invention Nation” (9 p.m. on Planet Green, channel 102 on Cox Digital Cable, 194 on Dish Network, 286 on DirecTV, 465 on U-verse): Hosts Micah Donovan, Christopher Martin and Nobu Adilman drive their vegtable oil-powered bus across the U.S. in a quest to uncover earth-friendly inventions. Back-to-back premiere episodes are titled “Deep Fried Diesel” and “Human Powered.”
“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): After a security breach at the SecNav’s residence leads to the death of an ICE agent, Gibbs and the team are forced to work with ICE and the FBI to find his killer. Joe Spano (“NYPD Blue”) guest stars as senior FBI agent T.C. Fornell.
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (10 p.m. on Bravo): In this new entry in the “Housewives” franchise, three of the five women are related by blood or marriage. While family remains a priority for each of these women, their shopping, decorating, dating and even fighting are all over-the-top.
TCM Birthday Tribute: Katharine Hepburn was born on this day in 1907, and TCM celebrates by airing six of her films, including 1938′s “Holiday” (8:45 a.m.) and 1956′s “The Rainmaker” (2:15 p.m.).
“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): Jack grudgingly agrees to search for Hannah’s boyfriend, who disappears after he runs away from Chicago to be with her in New York. Series star Eric Close (Martin Fitzgerald) directed this episode.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
◊“America’s Next Top Model (7 p.m. on CW): In the 12th-season finale, the two finalists shoot their Seventeen magazine cover, then show the judges their fiercest moves when they crawl down the final runway. Upon announcing America’s Next Top Model, Tyra and the winner celebrate the moment with a photo shoot.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): When Stella discovers that New Yorkers are being murdered over ancient Greek artifacts, she hands over her badge to follow a clue that leads to Greece and, together with Mac, she uncovers one of the greatest mysteries in history. Series star Melina Kanakaredes (Stella) wrote the episode.
◊“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): After a terrorist bombing outside of Washington, DC, FBI Agent Ben Reynolds (Mekhi Phifer, “ER”) calls on The Lightman Group to help identify those responsible and prevent more attacks. Zoe (Jennifer Beals, “The L Word”) helps Lightman with the investigation, and both are concerned about their daughter’s safety.
◊“Lost” (8 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 5 finale, Jack’s decision to put a plan in action in order to set things right on the island is met with some strong resistance by those close to him.
◊“Make Me a Supermodel” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The remaining models display items from Grammy Award-winning music producer Dallas Austin’s Rowdy fashion line and take part in a photo shoot with Patrik Andersson. Then they struggle through a catwalk elimination challenge that they must negotiate on wheels.
◊“One Life to Live” (1 p.m. on ABC): The Pussycat Dolls will perform their hit single, the English version of A. R. Rahman’s Oscar-winning song “Jai Ho” (“You Are My Destiny”), during the Llanview High School prom. Additionally, lead singer Nicole Scherzinger will act in scenes with Eddie Alderson (Matthew Buchanan).
◊“Rapper Wives: True Hollywood Story” (9 p.m. on E!): This special features new interviews and intimate access to women who’ve been front and center in the sexy and sometimes scandalous lives of hip hop artists DMX, Mos Def, Paul Wall, Luke Campbell and the late Big Pun.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (7 p.m. on CBS): After learning that his marriage is in trouble, Audrey agrees to allow their friend Steve (Tony Hale, “Arrested Development”) stay with her and Jeff. However, she soon regrets her decision after discovering Steve enjoys giving “inappropriate” hugs.
◊“Wa$ted” (8:30 p.m. on Planet Green, channel 102 on Cox Digital Cable, 194 on Dish Network, 286 on DirecTV, 465 on U-verse): Annabelle Gurwitch (“Pollock”) returns to host a second season of this show that take the average household full of eco-horros and turns it into a clean, green haven that saves participants cash in the process.
◊“World War II: Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Pragmatism prevailed in secret meetings held by Joseph Stalin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill during World War II, with each leader negotiating for the economic and political interests of his country. Historian Laurence Rees chronicles the unknown story of Stalin’s backroom dealings with both the Nazis and the Allies in the new episode ‘‘Cracks in the Alliance.”
THURSDAY, MAY 14
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): Liz enjoys new found fame as a relationship expert. Alan Alda (“M*A*S*H”), Sherri Shepherd (“The View”) and Clay Aiken (“American Idol”) guest star.
◊“Being Erica” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): On the Season 1 finale, Erica must face the death of her only brother, whom she lost without warning. Dr. Tom sends her back to the night of his death for one last chance to say goodbye. But Erica does the unthinkable, leading to a surprise ending that will change the fate of her and everyone around her forever.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Nearly everyone is a suspect when a corpse is discovered at a popular nightclub called The Lab in the season finale, ‘‘The End in the Beginning.” Former series regular Eric Millegan reprises his role as Dr. Zack Addy; Motley Crue, Ryan O’Neal and Brendan Fehr also guest star.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): In the Season 9 finale, a cache of missing chips from a closed down casino turn up in Vegas and a string of murders follow. That leads Langston to use deadly force for the first time in his career as a CSI. Gerald McRaney (“Jericho”) and Cynthia Watros (“Lost”) guest star.
◊“CSI: NY” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): When transferring Robert Dunbrook’s son (Thad Luckinbill, “The Young and the Restless”) from prison to court, the NYPD is ambushed by a group of professional kidnappers who kill a member of the team. Also guest starring in the Season 5 finale are Craig T. Nelson (“Coach”) and recording artist Nelly.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): After soending time with a fellow cancer paient, Izzie contemplates whether or not to move forward with a risky surgery. In the second part of the Season 5 finale, George delivers stunning news to Bailey, sending shockwaves throughout the hospital.
◊“Hell’s Kitchen” (8 p.m. on Fox): Chef Ramsay offers the final two chefs some encouraging words of advice before they go head-to-head in the final dinner service. Creativity, consistency, determination and patience are key ingredients both chefs need in order to win and receive a head chef position at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.
◊“My Name is Earl” (7 p.m. on NBC): When Dodge tells Joy he doesn’t want Darnell ro speak at career day, she enlists Earl to pretend to be his father. Norman MacDonald (“Saturday Night Live”) guest stars.
◊“Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): On the Season 8 finale, Oliver tells Clark he must kill Davis, as Doomsday is a serious threat and must be stopped at all costs. However, Clark struggles with taking a human life, so the Green Arrow and his team decide to take matters into their own hands.
◊“Stateline: The People” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment focuses on Oklahoma efforts to preserve American Indian traditions, languages and sacred places.
◊“Supernatural” (8 p.m. on CW ): The apocalypse is coming, and Sam and Dean prepare for the fight in very different ways in the Season 4 finale. Sam joins Ruby on a final run to kill Lilith, while Castiel and Zachariah tell Dean it’s time to play his part in stopping Lucifer.
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): Betty teams with Matt and Marc for their all-important final YETI project, a photo shoot with Grammy winner Adele. But Matt’s slacking off could jeopardize everything they’ve worked for. Christine Baranski ((“Happy Family”) guest stars.
FRIDAY, MAY 15
◊“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (7 p.m. on ABC): This season’s three $100,000 video winners compete for the grand prize in the Season 19 finale. The winner of this year’s best video will receive a membership in Disney Vacation Club and enjoy a choice of vacations from hundreds of destinations around the world every year for 50 years.
◊“Don’t Tell the Bride” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This new series gives $20,000 to 12 cash-strapped couples to create the wedding of their dreams. But here’s the catch—the couple are spilt up for the month leading up to the nuptials, and the groom has to pull off the whole thing in secret. The bride will see the invitations when they come in the mail, the dress hours before she wears it up the aisle and the reception venue and meal when she arrives with the rest of her guests.
◊“The Game” (7 p.m. on CW): In the Season 3 finale, Melanie decides she wants to get married to Derwin right away before the baby arrives, even if it means giving up her dream wedding.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): Melinda worries for her unborn child when she experiences a visit from a ghost on the Season 4 finale.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When Amita is abducted, Don and the team’s frantic search for her leads them to a charismatic sociopath, but it is up to Charlie to discover what the suspect’s bizarre plans for her are on the Season 5 finale. Lou Diamond Phillips (“La Bamba”) and James Callis (“Battlestar Galactica”) guest star.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): Ron forces the team to work his 20-year high school reunion in hopes of proving that he is not the irresponsible party animal he was back then. Jennifer Coolidge (“Legally Blonde”) guest stars.
◊“Prison Break” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the two-hour series finale, familiar faces return to help Michael with his last shot at getting Scylla in the proper hands and dismantling The Company once and for all.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Joseph Cotton was born on this day in 1905, and TCM celebrates by airing four of his films, including 1943′s “Shadown of a Doubt” (8:15 a.m.) and 1949′s “The Third Man” (9:45 a.m.).
SATURDAY, MAY 16
◊“Jim Jefferies” (9 p.m. on HBO): Starring in his first HBO solo special, this rising stand-up star unleashes his outrageous brand of comedy.
◊“MADtv” (10 p.m. on Fox): Fred Willard (“Back to You”) returns to bid a final farewell to the series by hosting “MADtv Gives Back.” Alumni Alex Borstein, Mo Collins, Will Sasso and Debra Wilson Skelton return to recreate their notable MADtv characters as the show takes a look back at the fan-favorite sketches that put this side-splitting sketch comedy series on the map on the series finale.
◊“Talkshow With Spike Feresten” (11 p.m. on Fox): Comedy duo Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim of “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” visit Spike for late-night parodies and laughs on the show’s season finale.
◊“Beverly Hills Groomer” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): This spinoff from “Groomer Has It” documents the trials and tribulations of 2008 groomer of the year Artist Knox as he recruits furry and fabulous clients, raises funds to open his own shop, balances the demands of being a single father and hopes to beat the odds of becoming a business success.
◊“Primeval” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 3 opener, Nick Cutter is still reeling from Stephen’s death and the extent of his wife Helen’s betrayal. As he fights to re-focus his embattled team, the anomalies continue to present an unrelenting series of threats.
◊“Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): Will Ferrell, an “SNL” cast member for seven seasons, returns as a second-time host of the show for the season finale. Green Day will make their third appearance as “SNL” musical guest.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs
for April 19-25, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which
includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of April 19:
SUNDAY, APRIL 19
◊“Cake Boss” (9 p.m. on TLC): After beginning a week completely jam-packed with cake orders, Buddy gets a call from a customer he cannot possibly turn down – a photo spread in Brides Magazine. But last minute changes mean Buddy has to crack the whip to make the deadline.
◊“The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler” (8 p.m. on CBS): Academy Award winner Anna Paquin (“The Piano”) stars in this fact-based drama as 2007 Nobel Peace Prize nominee Irena Sendler, who is credited with saving the lives of 2,500 Jewish children while she was working as a Polish Catholic social worker during World War II.
◊“Death of the Old West” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Just before sunrise on April 19, 1909, a mob of men — many believed to be community leaders in Ada — avenged the murder of a local rancher by lynching the four suspects in a livery stable behind the city jail. To mark the 100th anniversary of the event, this documentary examines the chain of events that preceded the hanging and the fallout that continues to stir emotions to this day.
◊“HGTV Green Home 2009″ (7 p.m. on HGTV): Craftsman Carter Oosterhouse (“Carter Can”) hosts this on-air tour of the eco-friendly home in Florida that is part of the second annual HGTV Green Home Giveaway grand prize package. In addition to the 2,430-square foot contemporary Spanish-style cottage, the winner will recive a new GMC Sierra Hybrid car.
◊“In Plain Sight” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Mary McCormack returns for Season 2 as Mary Shannon, a U.S. Marshal working in the highly specialized branch of the witness protection program (WITSEC), who relocates Federal Witnesses – many of them career criminals and many others, just the innocents who have had the misfortune of witnessing a crime.
◊“Knights of Bloodsteel” (8 p.m. on SCI FI): David James Elliott (“JAG”), Natassia Malthe (“Elektra”) and Christopher Lloyd (“Taxi”) star in this four-hour, two-night movie event set against the backdrop of knights, sorcerers and dragons where heroes battle the forces of darkness. It concludes at 8 p.m. Monday.
◊“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (8 p.m. on USA Network): The stepdaughter of a powerful city councilman narrowly escapes death when her boyfriend is killed in what appears to be a drug-related shooting, but Detectives Goren and Eames soon discover the victim had been planning to blackmail the politician. Kathy Baker “Boston Public”) guest stars.
◊“Miss USA 2009″ (6 p.m. on NBC): Billy Bush (“Access Hollywood”) and Nadine Velazquez (“My Name Is Earl”) co-host the event live from Las Vegas. Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Representing Oklahoma is Lauren Lundy.
◊“My Fake Fiance” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Melissa Joan Hart (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”) and Joey Lawrence (“Dancing With the Stars”) star in this new romantic comedy about two people who can’t stand each but decide to get married for the money and gifts. Just as true love never runs smoothly, neither does true distain and despite their mutual commitment to fraud, these two unlikely partners begin to soften towards each other.
◊“Natalee Holloway” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Teenager Natalee Holloway vanished in 2005 while visting Aruba on a senior class trip. This new movie focuses on Natalee’s mom, Beth Twitty, and her work to solve the mystery that shattered her family’s life. It is based on Twitty’s book “Loving Natalee: A Mother’s Testament of Hope and Faith.”
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA): In the new installment titled “The Loneliest Animals,” scientists attempt to breed new generations of nearly extinct species, such as Yangtze turtles and Spix macaws.
◊“Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): Cameras follow law professor Robert Blecker, one of America’s most impassioned crusaders for capital punishment, to Riverbend Maximum Security Institution outside of Nashville. There he meets Daryl Holton, who, in 1997, methodically lined up his four children in an auto shop and shot them to death. Sentenced to death, Holton has declined to file any of his permitted appeals as he prepares to die.
◊“Rock of Love Bus With Bret Michaels Reunion Special” (8 p.m. on VH1): Find out what’s happening in the lives of the women since their wild ride on the show. Will old feuds resurface? Has Bret’s search for love finally ended? Tune in to find out.
◊“Running in Heels” (7 p.m. on Style Network): As winter hits its peak, Joanna announces that they will be doing a Mexico shoot. But who among the staff at Marie Claire magazine will be chosen to go?
◊“Sit Down, Shut Up” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): The new animated comedy focuses on the dysfunctional faculty and staff at a high school in a small Florida fishing town as they strive to do anything but teach. The voice talent for the series includes Will Arnett (“Arrested Development”), Jason Bateman (“Arrested Development”), Kristin Chenoweth (“Pushing Daisies”), Will Forte (“Saturday Night Live”), Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”), Nick Kroll (“Caveman”), Cheri Oteri (“Saturday Night Live”) and Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”).
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): A combination of weather events in the Canadian Rocky Mountains created a weak snow base that lead to a number of fatal avalanches, the 2nd deadliest in Canadian history, on December 28, 2008. Sixteen men in total were killed, including one of the four mean on the rescue team. In an unbelievable story of survival, the three survivors make a heart wrenching decision to leave their buried friends until the danger of further avalanches is passed.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas A&M in college softball action airing live at noon on ESPN.
MONDAY, APRIL 20
◊“American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Part two of “We Shall Remain” focuses on Shawnee warrior Tecumseh and his brother, the prophet Tenskwatawa, who organized an ambitious pan-Indian resistance movement.
◊“Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed” (8 p.m. on My Network TV): The Masked Magician reveals the secrets behind how to make a playing card pass through a glass windor and how to survive underwater while holding your breath for 18 minutes.
◊“Cash Cab” (5:30 p.m. on Discovery): Host Ben Bailey is is back for a fourth season of picking up unsuspecting contestants on the streets of New York City and giving them a chance to win big money on the way to their destination. New this season, random contestants are given the opportunity to double their winnings in the “double ride” portion of the show.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): When Chuck and Sarah go AWOL to rescue Chuck’s father, they discover that spending time together without any surveillance allows for unchartered chemistry. Tony Hale (“Arrested Development”) and Chevy Chase (“Saturday Night Live”) guest star.
◊“For the Love of Ray J” (9 p.m. on VH1): Fourteen women started out vying for the heart of singer Ray J. But after many romantic dates and intense challenges, Ray must now decide if he is ready to settle down with one of the remaining three.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Sylar continues his unusual partnership and begins to have an unexpected identity crisis. Clint Howard (“Frost/Nixon”) guest stars.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): After Stella and Ted make the spontaneous decision to get married in three days, the presence of their exes destroys what was to be the “happiest day of their lives.” Sarah Chalke (“Scrubs”) guest stars.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): Victoria (Daphne Zuniga, “Beautiful People”) returns to lure Brooke back to Clothes Over Bro’s.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:31 p.m. on CBS): Jeff invites Audrey to watch him play softball, hoping to show her that he’s not an old fogy after he falls asleep while watching a movie. Orlando Jones (“MADtv”) guest stars.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Harold Lloyd was born on this day in 1893, and TCM celebrates by airing eight of his films, including 1920′s “High and Dizzy (5 a.m.) and 1932′s “Movie Crazy” (10:30 a.m.).
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
◊“The 12th annual Interactive Achievement Awards” (7 p.m. on IFC): Jay Mohr (“Gary Unmarried”) hosts the event that was taped Feb. 19 and recognizes the year’s best games, computer games, online entertainment, outstanding individuals and groundbreaking development teams. The big winner was LittleBigPlanet (Sony Computer Entertainment America) which won eight awards.
◊“90210” (8 p.m. on CW): Series star Rob Estes (Harry Wilson) directed this episode in which Donna (Tori Spelling, “Beverly Hills, 90210”) reveals details of her separation to Kelly (Jennie Garth, “Beverly Hills, 90210”), and the two search for locations so Donna can open a clothing store in Beverly Hills.
◊“Build It Bigger” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): Costing more than $1.1 billion, the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium will be the largest sports complex ever constructed in the United States. It covers 73 acres and features 80,000 seats, the largest operable glass door in the world and two 180 foot long HD video screens.
◊“Carbon Cops” (8:30 p.m. on Sundance): The reality-style show follows six families as they are led through a fascinating step-by-step process of auditing their current use of energy in order to lessen their carbon footprint and the effects of global warming on the planet.
◊“Eco-Trip: The Real Cost of Living” (8 p.m. on Sundance): Eco-adventurer David de Rothschild hosts this series that traces the eco-life of an everyday item (chocolate, light bulb, cell phone, etc.) from production to disposal, revealing the environmental, social and health effects along the way. Each episode leads to a world of greener alternatives presented by de Rothschild.
◊“Fringe” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): As a suicide incident occurs at New York’s Grand Central station, Agent Dunham simultaneously witnesses the event while asleep and dreaming in Boston. The episode was written and directed by Oscar winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind”).
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment titled “Poisoned Waters,” correspondent Hedrick Smith examines the rising hazards to human health and the ecosystem, and why it is so hard to keep our waters clean.
◊“Life After People: The Series” (9 p.m. on History): This series picks up where the network’s January 2008 special left off. It will reveal the fate of the complex structures we’ve built, the creatures that take our place and the history we leave behind.
◊“The Phone” (9 p.m. on MTV): Justin Timberlake is an executive producer for this new competitive reality series in which players receive a phone call invitation to participate in a movie-like drama. If they accept, they become part of one of two teams confronted by a series of mental and physical challenges for a chance to win up to $50,000.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Anthony Quinn was born on this day in 1915, and TCM celebrates by airing six of his films, including 1955′s “The Naked Street” (8 a.m.) and 1962′s “Requiem for a Heavyweight” (5 p.m.).
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
◊“As Seen on TV” (8 p.m. on CNBC): CNBC correspondent Darren Rovell takes a look at the world of infomercials. He speaks to the pitch people and the inventors and executives who produced the greatest products. He also shows viewers how the infomercial world works and explores various products and their claims.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): A man falls 52 stories to his death, and his body goes missing after it hits the ground. With no body to process, the CSIs must treat this strange development as a missing persons case. Craig T. Nelson (‘‘Coach”) and Thad Luckinbill (‘‘The Young and the Restless”) guest star.
◊“Dress My Nest” (10 p.m. on Style Network): Interior design guru Thom Filicia rescues desperate homeowners from their drab, unstylish and out-of-touch décor in Season 4. No project is too big, as Thom rolls up his sleeves to help roommates, single mothers, couples and even Audrina Patridge (“The Hills”) overcome daunting design challenges.
◊“Ghost Hunters” (8 p.m. on SCI FI): Jason and Grant have enlisted the crew from “Ghost Hunters International” to investigate unexplained activity on their newly purchased property in Whitefield, N.H.
◊“Jean Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Chris Noth (“Sex and the City”) narrates this new two-hour installment titled “Call of the Killer Whale.” Jean-Michel Cousteau and his team examine the social connections between humans and Killer Whales. Included is footage from the two-and-a-half year ordeal Cousteau oversaw to rehabilitate and release the “Free Willy” whale into the wild.
◊“Law & Order” (7 p.m. on NBC): The murder of a plaintiff in a high profile lawsuit with a major airline leads detectives to a lawyer who will do anything to protect his big payday. Mercedes Ruehl (“Loving Leah”) guest stars.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m. on NBC): A young girl is kidnapped and Det. Elliot Stabler must work with an ex-convict (Ron Eldard, “Blind Justice”) to get her back.
◊“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): Jennifer Beals (“The L Word”) guest stars as Asst. U.S. Attorney Zoe Landau, Lightman’s ex-wife and Emily’s mother. When she enlists Lightman to help investigate an arson case in which the only eyewitness is a 5-year-old boy, it becomes clear that she and Lightman still have feelings for each other.
◊“Lost: The Story of the Oceanic 6″ (8 p.m. on ABC): This special will explore what happened to the Oceanic 6 and the remaining island survivors during the three years after Ben moved the island.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Ex-husband Richard joins Christine on a dinner date with her new boyfriend, Patrick (Tim DeKay, ‘‘Tell Me You Love Me”).
◊“Scrubs” (7 p.m. on ABC): As J.D. plans to move closer to Sam, he reaches out to make peace with Kim (Elizabeth Banks, “W.”) and finds that she has a new boyfriend (Scott Foley, “The Unit”).
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
◊The 11th Annual Billboard Latin Music Awards (7 p.m. on Telemundo): Aylin Mujica and Alan Tacher will co-host the event live from Coral Gables, Florida. Flex is up for 13 awards, while Enrique Iglesias is a finalist in 10 categories.
◊The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards (7 p.m. on Gospel Music Channel): Artists from every style of gospel and Christian music come together for a night of music and celebration. Nominees for artist of the year are Casting Crowns, Steve Curtis Chapman, Fireflight, Marvin Sapp, Third Day, Toby Mac and Chris Tomlin.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Catherine revisits one of the very first cases she worked as a CSI when the convicted felon in the murder (Henry Thomas, “ET”) claims the verdict was based on faulty evidence.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): As she endures aggressive treatment for her cancer, Izzie throws herself into planning Derek and Meredith’s wedding. Hector Elizondo (“Pretty Woman”) and Amy Madigan (“Carnivale”) guest star.
◊“The Millionaire Matchmaker” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Patty Stanger searches for a match for Farrah, former member of Destiny’s Child, who has been hurt in previous relationships and is very guarded in her dating life.
◊“The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Michael’s new company struggles to make early morning deliveries while the office tries to get their expense reports in on time after Angela enforces Dunder Mifflin’s policy. Idris Elba (“The Wire”) guest stars.
◊“Private Practice” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): When a pregnant woman starts to show signs of heart complications, Addison rushes her St. Ambrose where Noah is standing by to help. Josh Hopkins (“Swingtown”) and Idina Menzel (“Rent”) guest star.
◊“Samantha Who?” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Sam wants to give Todd a fresh start and offers to go on a “first date” with him. But Todd doesn’t trust her boss, billionaire Winston Funk (Billy Zane, “Titanic”), who continues his relentless quest to get “new” Sam to continue the affair they had before her accident.
◊“Southland” (9 p.m. on NBC): When officer Ben Sherman reveals details of his past to the department therapist and his training officer, John Cooper, the motivation behind his decision to be a cop becomes clear. C. Thomas Howell (“A Gunfighter’s Pledge”) and Tom Sizemore (“Crash”) guest star.
◊“Trouble the Water” (7:30 p.m. on HBO): Equipped with meager supplies and a camcorder, aspiring rap star Kimberly Roberts and her husband, Scott, filmed this documentary when they and their 9th Ward neighbors became trapped in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
◊“The Game” (7:30 p.m. on CW): Malik meets his half-sister (Lisa Tucker, “American Idol”) and sees an unmistakably familiar tattoo on her lower back, causing him to wonder whether they slept together before they knew they were related.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): A soap opera “remote” shoot descends on Grandview, and Melinda unearths a story as soapy as the show it’s disrupting. Thad Luckinbill (“The Young and the Restless”) and Kellie Martin (“Life Goes On”) guest star.
◊“Hatching Pete” (7 p.m. on Disney): Pete Ivey (Jason Dolley, “Cory in the House”) is a quiet 16-year-old who must stand in for his outgoing best friend Cleatus Poole (Mitchel Musso, “Hannah Montana”) when Cleatus cannot complete his duties as their high school mascot, a chicken. The chicken mascot, with Pete anonymously behind the mask, soon becomes the main attraction at school.
◊“Iron Man: Armored Adventures” (6 p.m. on Nicktoons): This new series based on Marvel’s armored Super Hero follows a teenage Tony Stark as he attempts to balance the pressures of being a teen with his responsibilities as Iron Man. The rock band Rooney performs the show’s original theme song.
◊“Mighty Jungle” (4:30 p.m. on Sprout): This new live-action puppet series follows the adventures of three jungle friends — a meerkat named Babu, a gorilla named Bruce and a rhino named Rhonda. The silly situations that the friends find themselves in, the fantastical characters that they come into contact with and the mayhem that ensues are created or inspired by real kids.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When the FBI is called in to investigate a series of home invasions, the team uses Charlie and his math skills to help profile the suspects. But when his calculations go awry during a raid, Don suffers a life-threatening injury. Alan Blumenfeld (“Heroes”) and Michael Gaston (“Fringe”) guest star.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): Constance and Casey try to console the daughter of an angry Hollywood mogul (J.K. Simmons, ‘‘The Closer”) when only nerds show up for her birthday party.
◊“Return to Tarawa” (9 p.m. on Military Channel): Ed Harris (“Pollock”) narrates this special that documents World War II veteran Leon Cooper’s mission to preserve the hallowed ground at Red Beach on Tarawa Island. The battle at Tarawa was the U.S. Navy’s first major amphibious assault and more than 1,600 American servicemen died.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Shirley MacLaine was born on this day in 1934, and TCM celebrates by airing four of her films, including 1963′s “Irma La Douce” (10:30 a.m.) and 1961′s “The Children’s Hour” (5 p.m.).
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
◊2009 Nadia Comaneci International Invitational (noon on KFOR-4): Olympic champion Sandra Izbasa from Romania headlines the list of international elite gymnasts representing eighth countries and competing for team, all-around and individual honors at the event held in Oklahoma City. Calling the action are Bart Conner (1984 Olympic gold medalist) and Nastia Liukin (2008 Olympic gold medalist). The hourlong highlight show also includes a profile of Nadia Comaneci (1976 and 1980 Olympic gold medalist).
◊“Ashes to Ashes” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 1 finale, Alex reaches the day her parents were killed and believes that if she can prevent that fatal car bombing, she can escape her exile into 1981 and return to her daughter in 2008.
◊“Chasing a Dream” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): When a high school athlete’s dream is cut short, his best friend (Andrew Lawrence, “Oliver Beene”) throws himself into training for the race of his life. Treat Williams (“Everwood”) and Joanna Going (“Close to Home”) also star.
◊“I Want to Save Your Life” (9 p.m. on WEtv): In this new intervention series, nutrition and public health advocate Charles Stuart Platkin follows unsuspecting subjects on their daily routines to identify their negative patterns.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for March 29-April 2, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 29:
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
◊“Any Dream Will Do” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Graham Norton (“The Graham Norton Show”) hosts this new series in which judges and British viewers search for someone with star quality to take on the lead role in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Tony Award-winning composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is the head judge.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team reopoens the 1958 murder case of a successful newlywed real estate developer when new evidence indicates he may not have been killed were his body was found. Ken Howard (“The White Shadow”) and Johnathon Schaech (“That Thing You Do!”) guest star.
◊“A Conversation With … Lee Allan Smith” (6 p.m. on OETA-13): OETA broadcast journalist Dick Pryor talks to Lee Allan Smith about his life and some of the events he helped promote, including the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival and the Centennial Parade and Spectacular in 2007.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The team helps a family dedicated to protecting the wildlife community build a stronger and safer home, as well as an improved sanctuary for the dozens of animals they rescue. Justin Chambers (“Grey’s Anatomy”) helps welcome the family back on reveal day.
◊“G4 Underground” (8 p.m. on G4, channel 191 on Dish Network, 258 on Cox Digital Cable, 310 on DirecTV): Morgan Webb (“X-Play”) hosts this new documentary series examines controversial issues, tech phenomena and unique personalities that have impacted today’s pop culture.
◊“Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): Vicki Lawrence (“The Carol Burnett Show”) guest stars as Miley and Jackson’s Mamaw, who returns to keep an eye out when Robby heads off to his high school reunion.
◊“Jim Gaffigan: King Baby” (8 p.m. on Comedy Central): This new stand-up comedy special taped at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas, proves that no other comedian working today can romanticize laziness and over-indulgence like Jim Gaffigan (“My Boys”).
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): “Little Dorrit,” one of Charles Dickens’ lesser-known novels, becomes a five-part miniseries set in a world of chronic debt and financial collapse. Matthew Macfadyen (“Pride and Prejudice”) plays hero Arthur Clennam, newcomer Claire Foy is Amy “Little” Dorrit and Tom Courtenay (“The Golden Compass”) is her father, who has been incarcerated for 25 years for insolvency.
◊“The Mighty Boosh” (midnight on Comedy Central): This new British comedy follows wannabe glam rocker Vince Noir and jazz aficionado Howard Moon, who are in a band and living alongside a freelance shaman and talking gorilla.
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment “Kilauea: Mountain of Fire,” filmmaker Paul Atkins witnesses the cataclysmic meeting of 2000 degree lava and 75 degree ocean water in Hawaii. The latest eruption of Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, began in 1983, and it hasn’t stopped since, creating 544 acres of new land and cosuming 200 homes.
◊“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” (7 p.m. on HBO): Grammy winner Jill Scott stars as
Precious Ramotswe, the sensible and wise proprietor of the only female-owned detective agency in Botswana. The new series is based on Alexander McCall Smith’s mystery novels and was filmed in Botswana.
◊“Predator X” (7 p.m. on History): This new special unveils the discovery of one of the largest ocean predatorsd ever found. Just 800 miles from the North Pole, a team of paleontologists unearthed the fossilized remains of a Jurassic-Age Pliosaur estimated at 50 feet long, 45 tons and 150 million years old.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel, 66 on Cox Cable, 214 on Dish Network, 362 on DirecTV): Storm reporter Lanny Dean and police officer Tim Buckman find themselves on the open road during the Greensburg tornado on May 4, 2007. For both men, spotting severe weather is part of the job, but the job that day involved dodging an EF-5 tornado packing 200-mile-an-hour winds.
◊“Thrillbillies” (7 p.m. on Fuel TV, 265 on Cox Digital Cable, 618 on DirecTV): This new action comedy series follows a group of redneck friends who are on a journey for the ultimate thrill.
MONDAY, MARCH 30
◊“Atom TV” (1:30 a.m. on Comedy Central): Returning for a second season is this comedy show featuring a selection of random and hilarious web videos, each one of them developed or handpicked by the network.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): When Chuck expresses his feelings about his complicated relationship with Sarah, a heartless female agent (Tricia Helfer, “Battlestar Galactica”) is sent to evaluate Sarah’s performance as Chuck’s handler.
◊“Greek” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): A secret sorority spy and a new freshman (Jesse McCartney, “Summerland”) stir up some trouble as classes resume at Cyprus-Rhodes University.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Now that Nathan’s ability has been revealed and he has lost control of his operation, he and Claire go into hiding in Mexico. With Emile Danko (Zeljko Ivanek, “Damages”) now in control of the government operation, his plan to destroy everyone with abilities is set into motion.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): Mos Def (“Be Kind Rewind”) guest stars as a man injured in a bicicyle accident who is unable to move or communicate verbally. The episode was shot predominantly from the patient’s perspective.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): Allison dreams about a game show that detects whether or not you’re telling the truth, and when she awakes a game show buzzer goes off in her head whenever someone lies to her. Her newly acquired talent becomes very useful during the murder investigation of a young couple. Mark Steines (“Entertainment Tonight”) guest stars.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:31 p.m. on CBS): After getting invited to a much cooler party, Jeff and Audrey lie to Jennifer and Adam to get out of a dinner they are hosting. At the party, Russell hits on the girlfriend of Jerry Rice (former NFL wide receiver).
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): While investigating the murder of a jogger, Grace worries for her nephew when his father starts dating again. Emmy winner Kathy Baker (“Picket Fences”) guest stars.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Warren Beatty was born on this day in 1937, and TCM will celebrate by airing five of his films, including 1978’s “Heaven Can Wait” (7 p.m.) and 1974’s “Parallax” (11 p.m.).
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Charlie joins Alan, Herb and his next door neighbor (Michael Clarke Duncan, “The Green Mile”) in a night of alcohol-fueled reminiscences after Chelsea finds nude pictures of another woman on Charlie’s phone.
TUESDAY, MARCH 31
◊“100 Greatest One Hit Wonders Of The ‘80’s” (9 p.m. today through Friday on VH1): Judah Freidlander (“30 Rock”) hosts this five-part special that revisits the era that brought songs that we can’t get out of our head. The special features new interviews with some of the 1980’s top one-hit wonders, including Stacey Q, Animotion, Musical Youth, Frank Stallone, The Mary Jane Girls, Nu Shooz, Thomas Dolby, Kajagoogoo, Bow Wow Wow, Toni Basil and A Flock of Seagulls.
◊“According to Jim” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): When Jim realizes that Cheryl has taken a strong interest in yoga with a male instructor she raves about, he joins her class to find out what the hype is all about. Penny Marshall (“Laverne & Shirley”) directed the episode.
◊“Bad Girls Club Reunion” (8 p.m. on Oxygen): All eight bad girls reunite for one final fling in this special hosted by gossip blogger Perez Hilton (www.perezhilton.com). Hilton does his best to referee as tempers flare and gummy bears fly when the girls rehash all their disagreements.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The contestants get a blast from the past this week with visits by Season 5 winner Ali Vincent and Season 6 winner Michelle Aguilar, both filling in as host while Alison Sweeney is on maternity leave. The contestants are also surprised by the arrival of some old friends, whose return promises to shake up the competition.
◊“Cupid” (9 p.m. on ABC): This new romantic dramedy stars Bobby Cannavale (“Will & Grace”) as Trevor Pierce, a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love, Cupid, sent to earth to bring 100 couples together before he is allowed to return to Mt. Olympus.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): As the economy continues to spiral and a new administration promises to deliver comprehensive health care reform, “Frontline” correspondent T.R. Reid investigates the failures and future of the private insurance industry.
◊“My Boys” (9:30 p.m. on TBS): Get ready for a third round of good friends and good times. When the new season opens, P.J. will land her own newspaper column while also starting a new relationship that could finally prove to be “the one.”
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): Gibbs and the team must work with the shady CIA agent Trent Kort to put away one of NCIS’s most wanted. Christian Clemenson (“Boston Legal”) guest stars.
◊“Osbournes: Reloaded” (8:20 p.m. on Fox): This new series starring Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly Osbourne will feature audience interaction, rowdy comedy and hilarious stunts that will shock and amuse. The show will also venture off-stage with recurring segments including “Osbourne in the USA,” where members of the family go to work in places such as a fast-food drive-thru; and “Osbournes Meet the Osbournes,” where the family goes cross-country and lives with other Osbourne families.
◊“Pretty Wicked” (9 p.m. on Oxygen): DariDee English (“America’s Next Top Model” Season 7 winner) hosts this new series in which 10 divas put their looks aside and compete to see who is the most beautiful on the inside for a grand prize of $50,000.
◊“Trust Me” (8 p.m. on TNT): When Cochrane’s group is allowed to join in the pitch for a beer account that Sarah brought into the advertising agency, Tony’s temper sends him into an uncontrollable spin. Donna Murphy (“Hack”) guest stars.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
◊“Babar” (2:30 p.m. on ION): The animated series starring the internationally renowned elephant king returns to television, premiering first on ION and then airing Saturday morning on NBC. In this new episode, Alexander learns a hard lesson about responsibility when he lets his rowing team down.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team must profile a self-confessed serial killer who turns himself in but sends them on a massive manhunt to find his latest victims before it is too late. Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”), Ali Landry (“Eve”) and Nicholas Brendon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) guest star.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): The murder of a corporate “fixer” takes the CSIs into the disparate worlds of political corruption, personal betrayal and silicone dolls. Mykelti Williamson (“Forrest Gump”) guest stars as Chief of Detectives Brigham Sinclair.
◊“Ethanol Maze” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): This special tracks a corn growing season with a Nebraska farmer who hopes the push toward more biofuel production will boost corn prices. It also takes a look at alternative fuels research at the Argonne National Laboratory outside Chicago.
◊“The Final Inch” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This Oscar-nominated documentary chronicles the work, spirit and resilience of the millions of frontline workers in the Indian polio eradication program. More than 465,000 health workers go door-to-door every six to eight weeks, vaccinating more than 58 million children under age five, overcoming physical, logistical and sometimes cultural barriers to ensure every child takes the oral polio vaccine.
◊“I Get That a Lot” (7 p.m. on CBS): Celebrate April Fool’s Day with this new special featuring celebrities working ordinary jobs and confusing customers. Celebrity participants include Jessica Simpson (“The Dukes of Hazzard”) working at a computer repair store; Heidi Klum (“Project Runway”) working the counter at a pizza place; Jeff Probst (“Survivor”) running a cashier at a grocery store; Ice-T (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) posing as an athletic shoe salesman; LeAnn Rimes (“Northern Lights”) taking food orders at a Nashville diner; and Mario Lopez (“Extra”) selling hot dogs in New York’s Central Park.
◊“Jerusalem: Center of the World” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This new documentary delved into the historical facts and religious beliefs that have led so many thousands to live and die for this city.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): In the series finale, Sam Tyler’s past, present and future all confront him when he receives a phone call with instructions on how he can return to 2008. All he needs to do is complete three tasks, but a dizzying set of circumstances inside and out of the 1-2-5 makes him think twice.
◊“Rate My Space With Angelo Surmelis” (7:30 p.m. on HGTV): Host Angelo Surmelis returns with a third season of his big-budget makeover series. The premiere episode features an updated craftsman family room.
◊“Reno 911!” (9:30 p.m. on Comedy Central): Two new cops join the squad for Season 6. Sergeant Jack Delan (Ian Roberts) is a macho, by-the-book cop while Deputy Franky Rizzo (Jo Lo Truglio) is a big city cop who doesn’t play by the rules.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Lon Chaney was born on this day in 1883, and TCM will celebrate by airing three of his films: 1923’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame” (5 a.m.), 1925’s “The Phantom of the Opera” (7 a.m.) and 1926’s “Tell It to the Marines” (8:45 a.m.).
◊“Washington Journal” (5:50 a.m. on C-SPAN): Starting today, the top 27 videos in the 2009 StudentCam competition will air — one each day — followed by an interview with the winning students. Three of the winners are Jenks High School juniors. Sheema Golbaba took second place for her video “The U.S. and Iran: Force or Diplomacy?”, while Kenzie Clark and Alexia Dickey placed third with their documentary “Crossing New Borders.”
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): The half-eaten body of Cam’s former fiancee is found in the tiger cage at the zoo, and Booth and Brennan determine the death was no accident. Chad Lowe (“24”) guest stars.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): In the show’s 200th episode directed by William Friedkin (“The Exorcist”), Langston is shocked when his former student is found murdered and becomes the focus of a CSI investigation into the world of Mexican wrestling.
◊“Eleventh Hour” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): When a psychotic woman accuses the Deputy Director of the FBI of stealing her baby and keeping her forcibly medicated as part of a cover up, Dr. Hood is the only one who believes she may be telling the truth. Helen Slater (“Supergirl”) and Melissa Sagemiller (“Sleeper Cell”) guest star.
◊“The Entrepreneurs” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Anchored by CNBC’s Donny Deutsch, this installment features celebrity chef Rick Bayless from Oklahoma City and his business partner Manuel Valdez, who turned a love of Mexican food into the multi-million dollar Frontera Foods empire with a highly popular line of authentic Mexican food products, a hit TV show on PBS, and a series of best selling cookbooks.
◊“ER” (8 p.m. on NBC): In the two-hour series finale, Gates works on a teenager with serious alcohol problems following a dangerous drinking game with friends. Old friends from County General show up to lend their support as Dr. Carter (former cast member Noah Wyle) opens a medical facility for the underprivileged in Chicago. Alexis Bledel (“Gilmore Girls”) and Ernest Borgnine (“From Here to Eternity”) guest star.
◊“ER Retrospective” (7 p.m. on NBC): As television’s most Emmy-nominated series comes to a close, this hourlong retrospective takes a look back at the past 15 seasons at County General’s ER. Clips from some of the most memorable episodes will be featured along with interviews with many of the past and present stars of “ER.”
◊“Free Radio” (10 p.m. on VH1): This series, back for a second season, chronicles the story of Lance, a fictitious radio show intern (Lance Krall, “The Joe Schmo Show”) who fills in as host of the popular L.A. morning show, “Moron in the Morning,” after the original host defects to satellite radio.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Meredith, Cristina and Bailey come to Lexie and Sadie’s rescue when a routine surgery goes horribly wrong. Melissa George (“In Treatment”) guest stars.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Alec Guinness was born on this day in 1914, and TCM will celebrate by airing six of his films, including 1969’s “Our Man in Havana” (10:15 a.m.) and 1970’s “Cromwell” (4:15 pm.).
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
◊“Bang for Your Buck” (8:30 p.m. on HGTV): This new series will help homeowners find concrete answers to ensure a return on their remodeling investments. Each week, viewers will see how three different homeowners – all living in the same city – renovated the same room of their house for the same amount of money. Designers Monica Pedersen, Sabrina Soto, Lisa LaPorta and Lytel Young will help determine which homeowner has earned the most “bang for their buck.”
◊“Escape to Chimp Eden” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): South African chimpanzee rescuer Eugene Cussons returns for a second season, and cameras follow him to Angola and Sudan to liberate chimps locked within crates, tethered by a chain and inappropriately raised as human children.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): Melinda reconnects with some high school classmates after one of them dies mysteriously.
Rachael Leigh Cook (“She’s All That”) as one of Melinda’s former high school friends.
◊“Mistresses” (8 p.m. on BBC America): As the series begins Season 2, twelve months have elapsed and fans find the friends in various states of joy and pain. Struggling to learn from their past mistakes, Katie, Trudi, Siobhan and Jessica face new dilemmas, though the root of their problems remains the same – men and sex.
◊“NUMB3RS” (8 p.m. on CBS): When eight people, including two police officers, are executed in a coffee shop, a Los Angeles police detective gets the team on the case, and they uncover a trail of blackmail, romance and corruption. Jonathan Silverman (“The Single Guy”) guest stars.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): At a romance seminar for seniors led by Pepper McMasters (Marilu Henner, “The Celebrity Apprentice”), Constance is confronted by a lothario (Ed Begley Jr., “Gary Unmarried”) from her past.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Marlon Brando was born on this day in 1924, and TCM will celebrate by airing three of his films: 1960’s “The Fugitive Kind” (5 a.m.), 1954’s “On the Waterfront” (10:30 a.m.) and 1957’s “Sayonara” (12:30 p.m.).
◊“Yo Gabba Gabba!” (12:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Guest star Jack Black (“Tropic Thunder”) rides into Gabbaland on his mini-bike and runs out of gas. Lost and scared, Black meets each of the Gabba characters who become his friends and refuel the mini-bike so he can head home. Along the way he sings, dons DJ Lance’s orange jumpsuit and teaches the characters and the viewers at home a new Dancey Dance called the “Disco Roll.”
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
◊“5 Ingredient Fix” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): Host Claire Robinson proves delicious dishes only need five ingredients or less, which makes cooking easier, faster and irresistible.
◊“Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change” (6:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Queen Latifah (“Chicago”), John Mayer (Grammy winning musicain) and Elmo (“Sesame Street”) are featured in this new special that salutes the extraordinary courage and strength of military families and offers the general public a glimpse into what they often must endure.
◊“Cooking For Real” (11 a.m. on Food Network): This new series hosted by Sunny Anderson elevates the everyday meal by taking affordable, easy-to-find, easy-to-use ingredients and infusing them with diverse influences and rich flavor.
◊“Giada At Home” (noon on Food Network): In the Season 2 premiere, Giada De Laurentiis celebrates the arrival of spring with an Easter egg hunt and a meal that includes a crispy rack of lamb and lemon thyme bars.
◊“Love Takes Wing” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): When a fatal illness breaks out in a small mid-Western town, everyone must put aside their prejudices and trust in the skills of the town’s new doctor. Lou Diamond Phillips (“Wolf Lake”) directed and co-stars in the movie, which also features Cloris Leachman (“Malcolm in the Middle”), Sarah Jones (“Big Love”) and Haylie Duff (“Backwoods”).
◊“Nora Roberts’ High Noon” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Emilie de Ravin (“Lost”) plays a hostage negotiator who gets a nice break from her demanding job and her duties as a single mom when a handsome bar owner (Ivan Sergei, “Crossing Jordan”) begins to court her. But her life takes a turn for the worst when she is attacked by an unknown assailant and begins to receive a series of threatening messages.
◊“Special Agent Oso” (7 a.m. on Disney): Sean Astin (“Rudy”) provides the voice of Oso, a fuzzy, lovable, bumbling stuffed panda bear who is a special agent-in-training. This new animated series for preschoolers emphasizes discovery, humor and organizational skills.
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 March 15:
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
◊“Au Pair 3: Adventure in Paradise” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): The Caldwell family returns in the third installment of the movie franchise, as the family hits the tropical beaches. Gregory Harrison (“Trapper John, M.D.”) stars.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team members try to curtail their emotions as they search for the person who shot both Jeffries and the elderly long-time owner of the corner convenience store Jeffries had entered on his way home from work.
◊“Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): Country music star Toby Keith from Moore will be among the roasters making this event unfor-git-able for Larry the Cable Guy. Other roasters include Drew Carey, Nick DiPaolo, Jeff Foxworthy, Greg Giraldo, Lisa Lampanelli, Dan Marino and Jeffrey Ross.
◊“Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): When Susan tries to impress Jessie (Swoosie Kurtz, “Pushing Daisies”), a teacher at work, Jessie comes away with the wrong impression.
◊“Eastbound & Down” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Convinced he’s lost his stuff, Kenny ecides to give up his comeback dreams and move on as a working stiff. But his resolve is tested by arrogant car dealer Ashley Schaeffer (“Will Ferrell, “Semi-Pro”).
◊“Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): As a publicity stunt, Hannah pretends to be the girlfriend of fellow celebrity Austin Rain when, in reality, they can’t stand each other. Nancy O’Dell (“Access Hollywood”) guest stars.
◊“HGTV Dream Home Giveaway 2009” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Tune in to find out who wins the Victorian-style home in Sonoma, Ca. It is part of the $2 million grand-prize package that also includes a 2009 GMC Acadia.
◊“Kings” (7 p.m. on NBC): This contemporary retelling of the biblical David and Goliath story follows the adventures of David Shepherd (Chris Egan, “Eragon”), a young soldier who crosses enemy lines to save the life of another soldier who turns out to be the son of King Silas Benjamin (Ian McShane, “Deadwood”).
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): A winter storm in northern California caused a private plane with three people on board to crash in Yosemite Park. This episode captures the amazing rescue in blizzard conditions.
◊“Tough Love” (9 p.m. on VH1): In this new series, matchmaker Steven Ward will examine the bad habits of eight women and retrain them on the basics of dating and maintaining a relationship.
MONDAY, MARCH 16
◊“Betty Ford: The Real Deal” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Jane Alexander (“Tell Me You Love Me”) narrates this new documentary profiling the life of an outspoken former First Lady who became a pioneer in substance abuse treatment. It features never-before-seen photos and film footage, plus interviews with Mrs. Ford, her four children and close friends.
◊“Built From Disaster” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): Engineers and designers learn hard lessons from tragic disasters at stadium, skyscrapers, bridges and ships. This series investigates the lessons learned since catastrophes such as the Hillsborough stadium disaster, the Minneapolis bridge collapse and the skinging og the Estonia in the Baltic Sea.
◊“Death on a Factory Farm” (9 p.m. on HBO): This documentary chronicles an investigation into alleged abuses that took place at a hog farm in Creston, Ohio.
◊“Dhani Tackles the Globe” (8 p.m. on Travel Channel): Dhani Jones, a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, embarks on a global sports odyssey as host of this new series. In each episode, he tries his hand at a new sport, including rugby in England, muay thai in Thailand, hurling in Ireland and dragon boat racing in Singapore.
◊“Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): The Constance Billard and St. Jude seniors put on a production of “The Age of Innocence” and find their personal lives mirroring conflicts in the play. Sebastian Stan (“Kings”) guest stars.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): Dr. House and the team take on the case of Morgan (Judy Greer, “27 Dresses”) who works in a nursing home with a pet cat who only sleeps next to people if they are about to die – and does so with alarmingly accuracy.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Ted is shocked to learn that Lily is not only responsible for his breakup with Karen (Laura Prepon, “That ’70s Show”), but many of his former girlfriends, as well.
◊“Kyle XY” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): In the series finale, Kyle learns what Cassidy and Latnok’s true plans are for Adam’s experiment and must stop them at all costs.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): When Allison’s old car sputters and dies, Joe surprises her with an immaculate used car after being tipped off to a great deal. Unfortunately, the Dubois’ discover that the car is at the center of a horrific, unsolved crime. Kelly Preston (“The Tenth Circle”) guest stars.
◊“The Navigator” (7 p.m. on TCM): Director John Landis (“An American Werewold in London”) is today’s guest programmer on TCM, and this 1924 Buster Keaton comedy is one of the seven films he picked for broadcast. Among his other selections are three shorts featuring Roscoe “Fatty Arbuckle, a classic musical, a cult horror film and a masterful thriller from Alfred Hitchcock.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): Jeff is surprised to learn that his new friend he made at the gym is gay. Orlando Jones (“Men in Trees”) guest stars.
◊“Runnin’ Down a Dream: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers” (6:45 a.m. on Sundance): Peter Bogdanovich directed this film, which recently won the Grammy Award for best long form music video. It focuses on 2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and tells a story three decades in the making of a band and its front man.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): While the squad investigates the death of a drug dealer at an apartment complex, Ham and Butch run into Bobby, who is still undercover.
◊“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Series guest star John Schneider (“Smallville”) directed this episode in which Amy is in the hospital and slides in and out of sleep as she waits to get her epidural during labor.
◊“Speed Dreams” (9 p.m. on Documentary Channel): Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Automotive, Porsche factory GT driver Wolf Henzler and drag racing specialist Jason Whitfield of Whitfield Racing discuss personal experiences on and off the track that have propelled him to auto racing success.
◊“Today” (7 a.m. on NBC): Meredith Vieira and Al Roker will don Irish green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the Emerald Isle. Today, they will broadcast live from Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow, a sprawling country estate known as one of Ireland’s most famous house and gardens. On Tuesday, they will broadcast live from The Dublin Castle in Dublin City Centre and from along the route of the famed St. Patrick’s Festival Parade.
TUESDAY, MARCH 17
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Six-time Emmy winner Carol Burnett (“The Carol Burnett Show”) guest stars as a former dancer caught up in the murder of a young couple.
◊“The Mentalist” (8 p.m. on CBS): After Patrick loses his sight in an explosion, he is forced to rely on his other senses to help him solve the murder of a financial adviser. Gregory Itzin (‘‘24”) guest stars.
◊“Modern Toss” (10 p.m. on IFC): This new series is a partially-animated, distinctly adult British comedy complete with gross-out moments, profanity and inappropriate cartoon characters. It was created by former journalists Mick Bunnage and Jon Link is based on their comic and website also dubbed “Modern Toss.”
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): A boxer’s death leads Vance to start up his own investigation, causing a sparring match with Gibbs, on NCIS, Tuesday, March 17 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Paula Newsome (“Women’s Murder Club”) guest stars.
◊“Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” (9 p.m. on HBO): March means nonstop basketball action, and this installment serves up three compelling basketball stories, plus a profile of unorthodox skier Bode Miller.
◊“Reaper” (7 p.m. on CW): Ben would like to introduce Nina to Sam and Sock, but he’s concerned they won’t accept her because she’s a demon.
◊“State of Creativity” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This new installment of OETA’s documentary series titled “Pizza boxes and 3-D animation” looks at two ideas that are playing important roles in educating Oklahoma’s workforce.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for a missing trial consultant and tries to narrow down the list of suspects involved with his disappearance. Vanessa Marcil (“Las Vegas”) guest stars as a juror on a murder trial on which the victim had recently consulted.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
◊“Better Off Ted” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): This new office comedy follows a successful good guy Ted (Jay Harrington) who runs research and development at the morally questionable Veridian Dynamics. No achievement is too far-fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): Agent Hotchner revisits the first case he worked at the Behavioral Analisus Unit when details come forth that one of the deadliest serial killers in New England’s history has struck again after a 10-year hiatus. C. Thomas Howell (‘‘The Outsiders”) guest stars.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): When a former medical examiner is found murdered, a white powder found at the scene provides the CSIs with a major lead in tracking the killer when it is discovered that the powder is heroin made from human bodies. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz (“7th Heaven”) and Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy bassist) guest star as Bonnie and Clyde wannabes.
◊“General Hospital” (2 p.m. on ABC): NASCAR driver Jeff Burton pays a visit to Port Charles and has a comedic run-in with race-car enthusiast and top neurosurgeon Dr. Patrick Drake (Jason Thompson), who does not recognize the 21-time winner on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition.
◊“Global Warming: The New Challenge With Tom Brokaw” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In this follow-up piece to his Emmy winning 2006 special, journalist Tom Brokaw interviews some of the world’s leading experts about what Americans should be prepared for in the coming years. The special also takes a close look at the most promising scientific, technological, and economic solutions our nation can offer in the fight against global warming.
◊“Inside the FBI” (7 p.m. on Discovery): Discovery Channel was granted unprecedented access to the inner workings of the San Diego field office. For the first time, viewers will follow along with the agents as they build a case against one of the largest and deadliest gangs in southern California – the Mexican Mafia.
◊“Journey to Planet Earth: The State of the Planet’s Oceans” (10:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Matt Damon (“The Bourne Ultimatum”) hosts this new installment of the award-winning environmental series. It investigates the health and sustainability of the world’s oceans, with a special emphasis on issues affecting marine preserves, fisheries, and coastal ecosystems in the United States and worldwide.
◊“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): When Lightman is hired to find a corporate spy at a pharmaceutical company, he discovers a high-level conspiracy surrounding a new drug that could put thousands of lives at risk. D.W. Moffett (“Friday Night Lights”) guest stars.
◊“Life” (8 p.m. on NBC): With Reese still on loan to the FBI, Crews is assigned a new partner, Detective Jane Seever (new cast member Gabrielle Union, “Night Stalker”).
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): When Detective Sam Tyler poses as a streetwise tough to infiltrate a vicious New York City gang suspected of truck hijackings, he’s pushed to the limit not to blow his cover, and he reveals a much darker side. Paige Turco (“The Agency”) guest stars.
◊“The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): Making an appearance during a special Dodger-themed showcase are Los Angeles Dodgers players James Loney, Russell Martin, Delwyn Young, James McDonald, and Mark Loretta, as well as former Dodgers Bobby Castillo, Kenny Landreaux and “Sweet” Lou Johnson.
◊“Toughest Cowboy” (10 p.m. on SPIKE): This reality series tested 12 cowboys in three major disciplines — bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. The winner will receive a ranch in Wyoming.
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): As Liz spends more time with her boyfriend Drew, she finds that his handsomeness has allowed him to bypass many of the usual frustrations of daily life. Meredith Vieira (“Today”) guest stars.
◊“Hometown Baghdad” (10:30 p.m. on Sundance): Beginning its account in spring 2006, this documentary knits together the daily experiences and testimonies of three Baghdad university students. It is one of three programs airing on the network today to mark the sixth anniversary of the start of the war with Iraq. The other two are “Heavy Metal in Baghdad” (9 p.m.) and “No End in Sight” (12:15 a.m.).
◊“My Name Is Earl” (7 p.m. on NBC): After he apologizes to a crazy witch lady (Betty White, “The Golden Girls”) for all the trouble he caused her as a kid, Earl faces his fears and tries to make it up to her. But when she turns out to be crazier than Earl thought, he and Randy wind up in a life-or-death situation along with a bunch of their friends.
◊“The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Michael has big plans for his 15th anniversary party at Dunder Mifflin, but is in for a shock when the new, no-nonsense Vice President (Idris Elba, “The Wire”) has some ideas of his own.
◊“Private Practice” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): After Addison discovers that a mentally unbalanced pregnant patient has lost her baby, Violet must convince her that the baby has died and that surgery is necessary. Amanda Detmer (“What About Brian”) guest stars.
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
◊“Dollhouse” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): Echo becomes the perfect wife for a lonely internet mogul (Patton Oswalt, “The King of Queens”).
◊“The Electric Company” (4 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new episode titled “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s Just Frozen,” Keith gets frozen like a statue when he’s zapped by one of Manny’s gadgets. Making guest appearances are rocker Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy bassist) and Tony Award winning composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda.
◊“Head Case” (9 p.m. on Starz): Dr. Elizabeth Goode (Alexandra Wentworth, “In Living Color”) is back in session for Season 2 of this comedy. She plays the judgmental and unconventional “it therapist” to Hollywood’s celebrity elite. Macy Gray (“Lackawanna Blues”) pays a visit in the season premiere.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): Ken Marino (“Veronica Mars”) and Jane Lynch (“Role Models”) star in this new comedy series that follows a Los Angeles catering team – a sextet of Hollywood wannabes stuck working for tips while hoping for their “big break.”
◊“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (8 p.m. on Cartoon Network): In the first-season finale, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s squad of troopers have a new mission – rescuing the small Jedi team from General Grievous on Hypori.
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
◊“Cops” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the show’s 750th episode, an officer on the graveyard shift in Sacramento, CA, is called to investigate a traffic stop where the driver has passed off illegal substances to the passenger.
◊“The Locator” (8 p.m. Saturday on Wetv): Troy Dunn, an Enid High School graduate who helps reunite loved ones, returns for Season 2 of his feel-good show. He has been reconnecting people for 20 years, however, and has located more than 40,000 men, women and children.
◊“MADtv” (10 p.m. on Fox): Kathy Griffin (“My Life on the D-List”) hosts a special episode honoring MADtv alum Michael McDonald and his fan-favorite characters, including “Stuart Larkin,” “Mofaz,” “Dr. Phil,” “Hugh Laurie” and “Maury Povich.”
◊“Nora Roberts’ Northern Lights” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): In an attempt to start a new life after the death of his work partner, a former Baltimore policeman (Eddie Cibrian, “Third Watch”) accepts a job as chief of police in a small Alaskan town. But the moment he meets a feisty bush pilot (LeAnn Rimes, “Holiday in Your Heart”), he finds himself falling in love.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for March 8-14, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 8:
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
◊“Breaking Bad” (9 p.m. on AMC): Series star Bryan Cranston (Walter White) directed the Season 2 premiere, in which Walt continues to straddle conflicting worlds — a ruthless swirl of drugs, murder and mayhem and a complex, emotionally fraught domestic life.
◊“Candy Girls” (9:30 p.m. on E!): This new series tracks the efforts of talent agent Danielle to manage some of the most sought-after women in the music video industry.
◊“The Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. on NBC): Each team must create and costume a comic book character, and present it to the Zappos.com executive. From the beginning, the project manager for the men is caught in a battle of wills with one of his teammates. On the women’s side, one celebrity is uncomfortable in her role as the costume model, while another member of the team falls ill.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team reopens the 1976 case of a murdered 17-year-old after a newfound photo of her on the back of a motorcycle exposes her connection to a notoriously vicious gang. Jeff Fahey (“Lost”) guest stars.
◊“Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): Hannah and her dancers are desperate to find a replacement for their usual choreographer, Tina (Carrie Ann Inaba, “Dancing With the Stars”) after she injures herself.
◊“Keeping Up With the Kardashians” (9 p.m. on E!): Life for the Kardashians in Season 3 is filled with ups and downs as each member struggles to find their place in the chaotic household.
◊“The L Word” (8 p.m. on Showtime): In the final episode of the series, what starts out as a celebration of friendship quickly ends in a web of betrayal and deceit. The girls find themselves in the slammer with Sergeant Duffy (Lucy Lawless, “”Battlestar Galactica”), and the investigation into Jenny’s death begins.
◊“A Night With Dwayne Johnson” (6 p.m. on Starz): This programming block features three of The Rock’s films — “National Treasure Book of Secrets” (6 p.m.), “The Game Plan” (8:10 p.m.) and “College Road Trip” (10:05 p.m.). Throughout the evening, an exclusive sneak peek at his newest movie, “Disney’s Race to Witch Mountain,” will air.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): Hurricane Ike, which hit Texas Sept. 13, 2008, and ranks as the third most-costly U.S. hurricane ever, drew national attention for the calamity it caused, especially in Galveston where many people had to face its wrath. First-hand experiences are told by a couple who barely survived before being air lifted to safety and a Coast Guard vet who was forced to swim for hours through debris-laden waters before being rescued by a National Guard helicopter.
◊“Tool Academy” (9 p.m. on VH1): The final two contestants face off for one last challenbge before taking final exams with resident relationship counselor Trina Dolenz.
◊“The Unit” (9 p.m. on CBS): While the Unit initiates a new team member, Jonas must coach his daughter before her military-ordered media tour. Julie Chen (“The Early Show”) guest stars as herself.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas in women’s college basketball action airing live at 2:30 p.m. on FSOK.
MONDAY, MARCH 9
◊“American Stamps” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This new documentary focuses on the designers and artists who create postage stamps. It also includes the history of stamps in America, the criteria for selecting stamp subjects and how stamp artwork gets checked for authenticity.
◊“Battles BC” (8 p.m. on History): This new series uses cutting-edge animation techniques and the expertiese of military historians to show leaders from the ancient world in some of the greatest conflicts in history. The premiere episode is “Hannibal: The Annihilator.”
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (7 p.m. on CBS): A train trip to San Francisco takes a major detour when Leonard, Sheldon, Wolowitz and Raj discover that actress Summer Glau (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) is onboard. The episode also features a cameo by Nobel Laureate Dr. George Smoot, the father of the Big Bang Theory of Creation.
◊“Castle” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): This new series stars Nathan Fillion (“Firefly”) as Richard Castle, a successful mystery novelist with a mischievous streak. In the premiere episode, Rick is called upon to help Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), a New York police detective, on a case in which a serial killer is staging murder scenes as depicted in Rick’s novels.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): The CSIs make a shocking discovery about their murder victim, while Horatio tries to save his son from Julia’s erratic behavior. Elizabeth Berkley (“The L Word”) guest stars.
◊“Dancing With the Stars” (7 p.m. on ABC): Season 8 of the ballroom dancing series returns with 13 new competitors. They include Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, (the youngest competitor ever), singers Belinda Carlisle, Jewel and Lil Kim, actors David Alan Grier and Gilles Marini, rodeo star Ty Murray and and Hall of Fame football player Lawrence Taylor.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): When Sylar comes face-to-face with his long lost father (John Glover, “Smallville”), the reunion proves to be what he least expected.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): House and the team take on the case of Nick (Jay Karnes, “The Shield”), a book editor who loses his inhibition and starts insulting coworkers at a dinner party one night before falling ill.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Lily and Marshall are less than thrilled when Ted reunites with his ex-girlfriend (Laura Prepon, “That 70s Show”) from college.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): Series star Bethany Joy Galeotti (Haley James Scott) directed this episode in which Lucas wrestles with casting for his movie while Peyton tries to prepare for their wedding.
◊“Masters of Illusion” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Featured are the magic illusions of Joe Monty (“Drill Through Head” illusion), Rick Thomas (“Levitation”), Arthur (“Hour Glass”), Nathan Gibson (Street Magic”), Dale Salwak (“Cabaret”), Taylor Hughes (“Into Box”) and Mac King (“Invisibility”).
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): After a long line of female assistants, Russell learns that a having a male assistant (Adhir Kalayan, “Aliens in America”) can be very advantageous.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): Grace’s niece, Sayre, is arrested after attending a Scavenger Party where teens share drugs they raided from their parents’ medicine cabinets. Whne the squad tries to figure out what combination of drugs landed Sayre’s best friend in a coma, they realize some of the drugs were laced with something potentially deadly.
◊“The Wonder Pets! Join the Circus!” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): It’s summer vacation and the Wonder Pets rescue a young circus lion named Cubby from falling off a circus train. The Penguin Ringmaster is so impressed with the Wonder Pets that he offers them jobs at the circus.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The winning team of the 24-hour fitness relay race gets 24 hours of luxury, but some contestants have trouble resisting temptation during the getaway. Oklahoma City musician K.C. Clifford will be featured in a one-minute segment.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Former cast member Stephanie March reprises her role as Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot, who returns to the SVU team when a pediatrician found guilty of molesting patients is killed. She shows up at the crime scene after three years in the witness protection program.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): After two Marines are ambushed, the NCIS team finds the investigation leads back to Gibbs’ hometown, where secrets about his past are revealed. Ralph Waite (“The Waltons”) guest stars as Gibbs’ father.
◊“WCG Ultimate Gamer” (9 p.m. on SCI FI): This new series showcases 12 contestants competing in challenges that include traditional video game play as well as real-life video game simulations. The winner will get $100,000 cash and the ultimate Samsung electronics package, as well as become a VIP representative of the WCG (World Cyber Games).
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team investigates when the teenage son of a Secret Service agent disappears and discovers a long festering secret that set in motion a deadly chain of events. Steven Weber (“Brothers & Sisters”) returns as Clark Medina, the New Head of the Missing Persons Squad.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
◊“The Chopping Block” (7 p.m. on NBC): In this new cooking competition series starring chef Marco Pierre White, eight couples compete to open a restaurant in New York City. The series will expose the unseen pitfalls and behind-the-scenes madness that goes into opening a restaurant in the most competitive city in the world.
◊“Clean House Comes Clean” (10 p.m. on Style Network): Through bloopers, never-before-seen footage and commentary from the cast and show participants, viewers get a chance to witness favorite moments from an new perspective in the show’s fourth season.
◊”Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): Agent Prentiss has a personal connection to one of the victims in a series of deaths with religious overtones. Walton Goggins (“The Shield”) guest stars.
◊“Ghost Hunters” (8 p.m. on SCI FI): Season 5 kicks off with a trip to Philadelphia to investigate the historic – and allegedly haunted – building that was once the home of famous seamstress Betsy Ross.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): When two air hostesses end up dead, Sam and Annie go undercover. Gina Gershon (“Snoops”) and Mark Linn-Baker (“Perfect Strangers”) guest star.
◊”The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine is initially flattered when another scatterbrained mother at Ritchie’s school considers her a “rock,” but quickly tires of the responsibility of being responsible. Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock from the Sun”) guest stars as Christine’s new friend.
◊“Scrubs” (7 p.m. on ABC): Dr. Kelso’s beautiful but unethical replacement, Dr. Maddox (Courteney Cox, “Friends”), shakes things up at Sacred Heart, while J.D. struggles to manage a new crop of incompetent interns and Carla helps Elliott put her ego in check.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): When Liz can’t scheme her way out of jury duty, the “”TGS” cast and crew are left unmanaged. Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”) guest stars.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Series star David Boreanaz (Seeley Booth) directed this episode in which a bungee-jumping couple plunges off a bridge on their wedding day only to come face-to-face with a corpse lying at the bottom of a gorge.
◊“Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): In this new series, Bridget Marquardt (“The Girls Next Door”) sets out to immerse herself in the local cultures at some of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world.
◊“Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House” (9 p.m. on VH1): After 30 days of therapy and sober living, it is time for the cast members to leave. Watch as Rodney King, Seth Binzer, Amber Smith, Andy Dick, Steven Adler, Nikki McKibbin and Mary Carey make their final steps toward recovery with the help of Dr. Drew.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Langston and Riley are taken hostage during the aftermath of a shootout in a normally quiet Las Vegas neighborhood. Denzel Whitaker (“The Great Debaters”) guest stars.
◊“ER” (9 p.m. on NBC): Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle, “The Librarian”) gets a surprise visit from an old friend while waiting for his kidney transplant.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): After learning at a deposition that more of his patients have died than survived, Derek decides to quit, even as Meredith refuses to give up on him. Loretta Devine (“Boston Public”) guest stars.
◊“Private Practice” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): Addison is attracted to a colleague at St. Ambrose Hospital who turns out to be more than she bargained for. Josh Hopkins (“Swingtown”) guest stars.
◊“Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): Linda Lake (Tori Spelling, “Beverly Hills, 90210”) returns to Metropolis and threatens to expose Clark’s secret unless he promises to give her exclusive information on the red-blue blur so she can become a star reporter again.
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): Betty meets Matt’s mother (Christine Baranski, “Happy Family”), but things don’t go as she expects. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina gets creative to solve a cash flow problem.
◊“Warriors With Terry Schappert” (9 p.m. on History): This new series travels the globe with Green Beret Terry Schappert as he experiences the training, rituals and weapons of history’s most iconic warrior cultures.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
◊“Dollhouse” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): Imprinted as a visually impaired woman, Echo must infiltrate a heavily guarded cult in order to rescue a woman held against her will.
◊“The Electric Company” (4 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new episode titled “Dirty Laundy,” Manny steals a Skeleckian meteorite in order to power his letter-stealing gizmo. Making guest appearances are designer Marc Ecko, R&B star Mario and Tony Award winning composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda.
◊“Everybody Hates Chris” (7 p.m. on CW): Chris reluctantly agrees to hold onto a stash of marijuana for a criminal on the run, but he finds it difficult to find an appropriate hiding place that won’t get him in trouble. Tisha Campbell-Martin (“Rita Rocks”) guest stars in the episode directed by Debbie Allen (“Fame”).
◊“The Game” (7:30 p.m. on CW): With encouragement from Melanie and Kelly, Tasha realizes she’s finally ready to introduce Malik to his father, Chauncey (Michael Boatman, “Spin City”).
◊“Most Haunted” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): The investigative team visits England’s Jedburgh Castle, which has a history of strange sightings, odd happenings and sounds of phantom pipe music.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team has only hours to investigate a last-minute tip that could exonerate a dangerous mob boss on the eve of his execution. Gina Gershon (“Snoops”) guest stars as Los Angeles police detective Danielle Hill.
◊“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (7 p.m. on Fox): Jesse flashes back to a life-altering mission aboard her submarine, the Jimmy Carter. Sarah and John decide they can’t continue living in their house and make plans to leave.
◊“Wife Swap” (7 p.m. on ABC): After five years and 198 families, the series celebrates its 100th episode by swapping two fan favorites from past episodes. The families selected for the special swap are the storm-chasing, science-obsessed Heene family from Colorado and the psychic, performing arts-loving Silvers from Florida.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
◊“The Graham Norton Show” (9 p.m. on BBC America): British talk show host Graham Norton brings together the best of trends, current stories and celebrity culture for a fifth season of his multi-award winning show.
◊“Relative Stranger” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Following the death of his father, a former football star (Eriq LaSalle, “ER”) is forced to return home to the family he left six years earlier. But his return opens old wounds that must be addressed in order for the family to heal.
◊“Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush” (8 p.m. on HBO): This special taped during the show’s run at Broadway’s Cort Theatre finds the comedian inhabiting President George W. Bush, one of his favorite characters from “Saturday Night Live.” He provides insights into Bush’s Texas-Connecticut childhood, his academic and social career at Yale, his stint as a major league baseball co-owner, his emergence as a political figure and governor, and his tenure as president.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for March 1-7, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 1:
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
◊“The Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. on NBC): The lineup for the second celebrity edition of Donald Trump’s competitive reality series includes comedian Andrew Dice Clay, singers Brian McKnight and Clint Black, actress-model Claudia Jordan, red-carpet denizens Joan and Melissa Rivers, socialite Khloe Kardashian and former pro sports stars Herschel Walker and Dennis Rodman (he attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant).
◊“The Golden Girls” (7:30 a.m. on Hallmark Channel): The Emmy-winning series starring Bea Arthur, Betty White, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan (she was born in Healdton) joins the network’s lineup. And it kicks off with this 18-hour marathon. Beginning Monday, the show will air weekdays at 8 a.m., 3 p.m. and 11 p.m., Saturdays at 5 a.m. and Sundays at 7:30 a.m.
◊“High Stakes Poker” (8 p.m. on GSN): Season 5 of television’s richest cash game show in history will feature a minimum cash buy-in of $200,000. AJ Benza (“E! Mysteries & Scandals”) and Gabe Kaplan (“Welcome Back Kotter”) return as host and analyst, respectively. Among the world’s top professional, online and recreational players competing are Doyle Brunson, Phil Laak and Tom Dwan and Sam Simon.
◊“Jesse Stone: Thin Ice” (8 p.m. on CBS): Tom Selleck (“Magnum, P.I.”) reprises his role as Jesse Stone in the fifth installment of the mystery movie franchise based on the best-selling series of books by Robert B. Parker. In this new mystery, Paradise, Mass. Police chief Jesse Stone finds himself in trouble with the Town Council when he inadvertently becomes involved in a shoot-out on a Boston street.
◊“Running in Heels” (7 p.m. on Style Network): This new docu-series reveals what life is really like at the top and the bottom of a major fashion magazine.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Psychology Department and include 1952’s “Limelight” (6 a.m.), 1958’s “Vertigo” (2:15 p.m.) and 1957’s “The Three Faces of Eve” (7 p.m.).
MONDAY, MARCH 2
◊“The Ax Men” (9 p.m. on History): The first-ever non-fiction series about the treacherous life of Pacific Northwest timber cutters is back for a second season. Going deeper into the forest, high into the sky and even down into the sea, the new season follows two leading teams from last season along with three new companies, all racing to fall the most timber during logging’s most dangerous season.
◊“The Bachelor” (7 p.m. on ABC): Jason Mesnick, the first single dad in “Bachelor” history, will offer his last rose to one of the final two women he selected. The season finale will be followed by the hourlong special “The Bachelor: After the Finale Rose, Part 2” that includes updates on the couple and the woman Jason didn’t choose.
◊“BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup” (6:30 p.m. on HBO): Tennis broadcasters Mary Carillo, Billie Jean King and John McEnroe will team up for live coverage of the inaugural event that pits four of the world’s top female tennis players – 2009 Australian Open Champion Serena Williams, 2008 Grand Slam champions Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic, and 2008 year-end World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic – against each other in a one-night-only single elimination competition. The prize pool is $1.2 million.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): When pirates take over a luxury yacht, Delko’s future as a CSI is threatened just as his relationship with Calleigh moves to the next level. Sean Combs (“A Raisin In the Sun”) guest stars as Defense Attorney Derek Powell.
◊“Forgotten Ellis Island” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This is the first film produced about the abandoned immigarnt hospital on Ellis Island, the largest port of entry in the United States. In an era before antiboitics, tens of thousands of immigrant patients were separated from family, detained in the hospital and healed from illness before becoming citizens.
◊“The Haney Project” (8 p.m. on Golf Channel): In the first installment of this new real-life series, golf instructor Hank Haney will attempt to fix the swing of NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley. The series will also visit some of the best golf courses around the country and feature golf tips for people who play the game.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When the gang suspects that Barney has a girlfriend after he mysteriously leaves MacLaren’s, they decide to follow him. Frances Conroy (“Six Feet Under”) guest stars as Barney’s mother.
◊“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (11:37 p.m. on NBC): “Saturday Night Live” alum Jimmy Fallon takes over the reins as “Late Night” host. He is the third host of “Late Night” since its inception in 1982 with then-host David Letterman. Fallon’s “Late Night” will depart from Letterman and O’Brien’s Studio 6A and cross the hall to Studio 6B in NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza headquarters in New York.
◊“Late Show With David Letterman” (10:35 p.m. on CBS): U2, the Grammy-winning rock band from Ireland, will perform an unprecedented five nights in a row on the show. On Tuesday’ the band will release its 12th album, “No Line on the Horizon.”
◊“Masters of Illusion” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): This new episode features the magic illusions of Tony Clark (“Bottle Thru Man” illision), David Williamson (“Needles”), Jeff McBride (“Rain Catching Bowls”), Nathan Burton (“Microwave of Death”) and Mark Cannon (“Handcuff Spikes Escape”).
“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): Devalos asks Allison to help his friends find their daughter, who seems to have left town with no explanation. Blythe Danner (“Huff”) guest stars.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): In the Season 3 premiere, Audrey discovers that Russell is a closeted fan of Broadway musicals, a fact she promises to keep secret in exchange for free theater tickets. Meanwhile, Adam and Jennifer take dancing lessons in preparation for their wedding. Bob Odenkirk (“The Larry Sanders Show”) guest stars.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): Season 2 resumes with new episodes starring Holly Hunter as Oklahoma City police detective Grace Hanadarko. Guest star Christina Ricci (“Monster”) begins a three-episode arc as Abby Charles, a uniform cop and single mother making a rotation through the squad.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Journalism Department and include 1940’s “Foreign Correspondent” (7:15 a.m.), 1931’s “The Front Page” (1 p.m.) and 1940’s “The Philadelphia Story” (8:30 p.m.).
TUESDAY, MARCH 3
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito returns to take the contestants to a restaurant, where he teaches them how to make healthier choices when eating out.
◊“First Lady of Jamaica” (9 p.m. on WEtv, 128 on Dish Network, 260 on DirecTV): Journalist Daborah Roberts gets a VIP tour of the Caribbean island from Lorna Golding, the Jamaican Prime Minister’s wife.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Mia Lorimer (Clea Duvall, “Carnivale”) claims to have been raped in an attempt to hide neing abused by her husband. Their tennants are aware of the abuse, but in fear of being evicted, do not report it.
◊“Reaper” (7 p.m. on CW): Season two finds Sam wrestling with the recent discovery that he may be the son of the Devil. But Sam quickly learns that getting groomed to take over the “family business” comes with a whole new litany of headaches.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Geography Department and include 1962’s “Mutiny on the Bounty” (9 a.m.), 1949’s “Tulsa” (3 p.m.), 1955’s “Oklahoma!” (4:30 p.m.) and 1937’s “The Hurricane” (9:15 p.m.).
◊“Unconquered: Allan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Released in 1913 as prisoners of war, Sam and Blossom Haozous passed down oral traditions of the Apache people to their son, Allan Houser. These shared memories molded his artwork and helped him become one of the 20th century’s most important artists. Houser passed thee same experienced down to his sons who are fulfilling their destinies as the next generation of American Indian artists.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team investigates when the teenage son of a Secret Service agent disappears and discovers a long festering secret that set in motion a deadly chain of events. Guest star Steven Weber (“Brothers & Sisters”) returns as Clark Medina, the new head of the Missing Persons Squad.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Kansas State in men’s college basketball action airing live at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
◊“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW, 10 p.m. on KOCB-34): Thirty-four finalists travel to Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas where they take part in the first photo shoot for Season 12. Host Tyra Banks picks the final 13 contestants who will move to a New York City loft and compete for title of “America’s Next Top Model.”
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): A serial killer who disguises his victims’ demise by creating car accidents to mask their earlier deaths is the subject of a Behavioral Analysis Unit manhunt. William Mapother (“Lost”) and Wil Wheaton (“Numb3rs”) guest star.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): On Mac’s flight to D.C., an air marshal is found murdered shortly after take off. Mac is certain the killer is on board and searches for the murder weapon. Recording artist Nelly (“The Longest Yard”) guest stars.
◊“Kitchen Impossible” (8 p.m. on DIY, channel 111 on Dish Network, 171 on Cox Digital Cable, 230 on DirecTV): Dated kitchens are transformed into modern spaces in this new series hosted by Marc Bartolomeo, a carpenter and electrician. He helps homeowners get the job done right while demonstrating to viewers all the tips and tools needed for building the kitchen of their dreams.
◊“Life” (8 p.m. on NBC): A woman is found in a pool of blood sitting at a rable with a romantic dinner set for two. The investigation leads Crews and Reese to a support group for lottery winners full of eccentric characters. Erik Estrada (“CHiPs”) guest stars.
◊“Make Me a Supermodel” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Supermodel Tyson Beckford returns as host for Season 2 of the series that follows 16 models as they compete for a contract with New York Model Management, a fashion pictorial in Cosmopolitan magazine and a $100,000 cash prize. Australian supermodel Nicole Trunfio joins the show as mentor to the female models.
◊“Mantracker” (9 p.m. on Science Channel, 101 on Cox Digital Cable, 193 on Dish Network, 284 on DirecTV): This new series will introduce viewers to two weekend warriors each week. The challengers have 36 hours to reach a destination more than 22 miles away. Not only do they have to contend with the rugged terrain, but they must also outwit the “Mantracker,” who is using a horse to capture them before they reach the finish line.
◊“Tulsa Deco” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Film historian Jack Frank takes a tour of Tulsa’s art deco buildings that root in the 1920s oil boom as the city’s way of showing off its wealth. The special includes visits to Christ the King church, Will Rogers High School, the Fairgrounds Pavilion and J. Paul Getty’s “bunker” house near Sheridan and Virgin streets.
◊“Wonderland” (9 p.m. on DirecTV’s 101 Network): In the short-lived ABC show’s never-before-seen series finale, appropriately titled “Hello Goodbye,” Banger and Neil use truth serum on a murderer who wants to be deemed unfit to stand trial.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Missouri in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on KOCB-34.
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): Liz befriends a pregnant teenaged donut shop employee in an attempt to adopt her baby. John Lithgow (“3rd Rock from the Sun”) guest stars.
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): This special “Wild Card” episode features the judges’ favorite remaining contestants. Each will perform, and then the judges will select the final three contestants who will round out the Top 12.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Nick pieces together three separate cases that occurred at the same motel during the course of one year. Musical recording artist Taylor Swift (“Hannah Montana: The Movie”) guest stars as Haley Jones, a teenaged girl whose family runs the seedy Vegas motel.
◊“Eleventh Hour” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): Dr. Hood must root iut the source of a poison cluster that claims victims all over Philadelphia. Mariel Hemingway (“Manhattan”) guest stars as a mither exposed to the toxins.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Addison (guest star Kate Walsh, “Private Practice”) returns to Seattle Grace to perform groundbreaking surgery. She is taken aback by all of the changes in her old co-workers’ lives.
◊“Kath & Kim” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Kath and Phil get ready for their bachelor and bachelorette parties. Before going out on the town, Athena (Maya Rudolph, “Saturday Night Live”) gives Kath, Kim and Tina some of her special tea which leads to an interesting night.
◊“My Name Is Earl” (7 p.m. on NBC): Earl reminisces about the fun he and Randy had when they got to go to Chaz Dalton’s Space Academy as children. But when Earl decides to visit Chaz (Curtis Armstrong, “Van Wilder”), he soon realizes that his childhood hero is not what he remembers.
◊“Private Practice” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): Addison and Charlotte work together to save the lives of a pregnant woman in a coma and her unborn child.
◊“Stateline: Television Pioneers, Part 2” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment of OETA’s award-winning documentaru series takes viewers back to a time before cable, when color television was a luxury and only a lucky few owned a remote. Stations in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Ada and Lawton filled the broadcast day with programs like “The Bud Wilkinson Show,” “Wallace Wildlife,” and “Lewis Meyer’s Bookshelf.” Teens tuned in to “Dance Party and “The Scene,” while late night viewers looking for a thrill stayed up for “Shock Theater” and “Mazeppa Pompazoidi’s Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting.”
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Texas A&M in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on Fox Sports Oklahoma (FSOK).
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
◊“20/20: Siegfried & Roy: The Magic Returns” (8 p.m. on ABC): Elizabeth Vargas anchors this special edition that will feature exclusive interviews with Siegfried & Roy at their home in Las Vegas, highlights from the duo’s career and reports on Roy Horn’s recovery from the tiger attack in 2003. It also includes clips from the entertainers’ farewell performance on Feb. 28 at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
◊“Bret Michaels: The True Hollywood Story” (8 p.m. on E!): This all-access pass to the Poison frontman’s life story reveals his rise from rat-infested Hollywood apartments to stadiums packed with screaming fans. It includes rare performance video of Poison’s earliest incarnation called “Paris,” and never-before-seen photos and home video from Michaels’ childhood.
◊“The Electric Company” (4 p.m. on OETA-13): Grammy-winning musician Wyclef Jean guest stars in the new episode titled “Curricular Goals,” in which Jessica is set to face Danny in a chess tournament.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
◊“Ashes to Ashes” (8 p.m. on BBC America): This sequel to the hit British series “Life on Mars’ focuses on Detective Inspector Alex Drake, who is shot and lands in 1981. She comes face-to-face with Detective Chied Inspector Gene Hunt, the relic of old-fashioned policing she read about in Sam Tyler’s reports. Alex thinks she is in a coma and needs Hunt’s help to go after Layton, the man who shot her in 2008.
◊“Bound by a Secret” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Meredith Baxter (“Family Ties”) and Lesley Ann Warren (“In Plain Sight”) star as two old friends who share a life-long secret are forced to face the truth – and its consequences – when one is diagnosed with a terminal illness and wants to put all her affairs in order.
◊“The Essentials” (7 p.m. on TCM): Emmy winner Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”) joins TCM host Robert Osborne for a new season of this weekly movie showcase. They will introduce “essential” classic films that everyone should see, beginning with 1935’s “A Night at the Opera.”
◊“Last Chance” (10 p.m. on weTV, channel 128 on Dish Network, 260 on DirecTV): Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) is writer, director and star of this film about a woman in a small town who’s been stripped of all aspirations. Cranston wrote the movie as a Valentine for his wife, Robin Dearden, who stars as the lead character.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State in men’s college basketball action airing live at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
–Penny TV
Top 60 TV Programs for Feb. 15-21
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Feb. 15:
SUNDAY, FEB. 15
◊The 51st annual Daytona 500 (1 p.m. on Fox): NASCAR opens the 2009 season with the top-rated event in American motorsports. Country music artist Keith Urban will headline the 2009 Daytona prerace show live at noon, performing three of his No. 1 songs prior to the drop of the green flag.
◊“The Amazing Race 14” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christie Volkmer from Choctaw is Oklahoma’s first contender for the six-time Emmy Award-winning reality-competition program that hits the road for Season 14. She and teammate Jodi Wincheski from Houston make up one of 11 teams that will travel one of the most grueling courses ever assembled on the race – spanning 40,000 miles and nine countries in just 22 days.
◊“Eastbound & Down” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Danny McBride (“Pineapple Express”) stars in this new six-part comedy series. He plays Kenny Powers, a former pro baseball pitcher whose self-destructive behavior ruined his career. Now he’s back in his North Carolina hometown teaching physical education at his old middle school.
◊“Food Nework Challenge” (7 p.m. on Food Network): Four pastry chefs design a cake for Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 birthday. Miley’s grandmother is among the panel of judges who will decide with chef wins $10,000 and the chance to serve their cake to the teen star.
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Timothy Spall (“Harry Potter” movies) stars as Fagin, leader of a gang of boy thieves, in this new two-part adaptation of the Dickens classic “Oliver Twist.” Newcomer William Miller stars as Oliver.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Art Dept. and include 1958’s ”The Horse’s Mouth” (10 a.m.), 1956’s “Lust for Life” (2:15 p.m.) and 1943’s “No Time for Love” (7 p.m.).
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Harper is helping Mr. Frenchy, a famous fashion designer, during Fashion Week, and enlists Alex’s help to care for a one-of-a-kind dress. When Alex ruins it, she decides to host the designer’s show at the Waverly Sub Station in an attempt to fix things. Cindy Crawford (“Fashion Flashback”) and Willie Garson (“Sex and the City”) guest star.
◊“World’s Heavist Man Gets Married!” (7 p.m. on TLC): This special profiles the wedding of Manuel Uribe to his longtime girlfriend, Claudia Solis. In 2006, Uribe tipped the scales at 1,232 lbs., but now he is 400 lbs. lighter and seizing his second chance at life and love.
MONDAY, FEB. 16
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The first hour from Wichita, Kan., features a 1949 payroll check made out to professional baseball rookie Mickey Mantle. It is valued between $30,000 and $50,000.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck and Sarah’s latest assignment forces them to pose as a happily married couple living in the suburbs. They meet some interesting characters including Brad (Andy Richter, “Andy Barker, P.I.”), a cheerful next-door neighbor in the stationary business, and Sylvia (Jenny McCarthy, “John Tucker Must Die”), a seductive and attractive woman who lives across the street and has her eye on Chuck.
◊“Dadnapped” (7 p.m. on Disney): Emily Osment (“Hannah Montana”) and George Newborn (“Father of the Bride”) star in this new daughter-father action comedy set in and around the fictional Western town of Mercury. Melissa and her father, Neil, the author of a popular action hero book series, attend a conference and become part of a prank dad-napping.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Sylar and Luke embark on a road trip to find Sylar’s father, but are secretly being hunted by Nathan’s agents. Moira Kelly (“The West Wing” ) guest stars.
◊“ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): U.S. skaters Johnny Wier and Evan Lysacek were among the competitors at this competition held Dec. 10-14 in South Korea.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): Series star Patricia Arquette (Allison) makes her directorial debut in this episode, in which Allison’s strange behavior leads to an explosive discovery that may change the future of Joe’s business.
◊“Right America: Feeling Wronged” (7 p.m. on HBO): In this new documentary, filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi (daughter of Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives). hits the road to ask conservative Americans to share their thoughts on the way the country is changing.
◊“Sex … With Mom and Dad” (3 p.m. on MTV): Dr. Drew Pinsky returns for Season 2, which will incorporate vintage sex education footage into the show that features therapy sessions and homework assignments for famlies in crisis.
◊“Simon Schama’s Rough Crossings” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Writer-narrator Simon Schama reconstructs the journey of black slaves who were offered their freedom if they fought for Britain during the American Revolution. They were resettled in Nova Scotia, which proved a poor fit for those from the Deep South. So arrangements were made to transport them to Sierra Leone, where worse conditions awaited.
◊“Spectacular!” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon)(Nickelodeon Photo of “Spectacular!” cast above): Taking center stage in this new TV movie for tweens is a talented teen rebel (Nolan Gerard Funk, “Smallville”) who is on an unpredictable road to rock stardom. Tammin Sursok (“The Young and the Restless”) also stars in the film, which features 10 original songs.
◊“Stealing Lincoln’s Body” (8 p.m. on History): This new special explores the final chapter of the 16th president, who was assassinated in 1865 but did not come to reat in his hometown of Springfield, Ill., until 1901. For the first time, Lincoln walks and moves according to the historical record, thanks to new digital visualizations.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Criminology Dept. and include 1938’s ”Boys’ Town” (7 a.m.), 1944’s “Double Indemnity” (2:30 p.m.) and 1991’s “Bugsy” (11:15 p.m.).
◊“True Beauty” (9 p.m. on ABC): In week seven, contestants attend a red carpet party where they will be the guests of honor and be judged on their poise and presentation as they walk the red carpet and work the crowd. But there’s a twist: The contestants will each have a date, and their dates are their parents.
◊“The Young and the Restless” (11 a.m. on CBS): Marcia Wallace (“The Bob Newhart Show”) guest stars as Ammie Wilkes, a woman who poses possible danger to Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper).
TUESDAY, FEB. 17
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): For the next three Tuesdays, 12 different semifinalists will perform. During Wedneday’s live results shows, the three contestants with the highest number of votes — one male, one female and the next top vote-getter, will secure spots in the Top 12.
◊“Dogg After Dark” (8 p.m. on MTV): Rapper, record producer, entrepreneur and actor Snoop Dogg will host this new weekly variety talk show from Los Angeles hotspot Kress on Hollywood Boulevard. The show will feature interviews with A-list celebrities and musicians, sketch-comedy segments and musical performances.
◊“Independent Lens” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): “Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life” revisits the life of composer and pianist, who was Duke Ellington’s right-hand man and wrote some if his best-known songs. Dule Hill (“Psych”) plays Strayhorn in re-enactments.
◊“Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Dr, Melinda Warner’s expertiese comes into play when a homeopathic doctor (Martin Mull, “The Ellen Show”) goes on trial for the death of a girl with AIDS.
◊“The Real Housewives Of New York City” (10 p.m. on Bravo): The series franchise returns to the New York social scene for a second season. Alex, Bethenny, Jill, Luann and Ramona, along with new cast member Kelly Killoren Bensimon, continue to juggle their careers and home lives with busy calendars.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Dance Dept. and include 1937’s ”Shall We Dance” (9:30 a.m.), 1951’s “Royal Wedding” (2:30 p.m.) and 1952’s “Million Dollar Mermaid” (7 p.m.).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas Tech in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on Cox.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18
◊“Against the Elements” (9 p.m. Wednesday on Science Channel, 101 on Cox Digital Cable, 193 on Dish Network, 284 on DirecTV): This new series explores the science behind the most heart-stopping natural disasters ever captured on camera. Forensic investigations reveal what caused these catastophes and shows what scientists have learned from the past that will protect us in the future.
◊“American Masters” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About” profiles one of Broadway’s best directors and choreographers. It includes never-before-scene rehearsal footage and interviews with many of his colleagues, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Chita Rivera and Stephen Sondheim.
◊“High School Reunion” (9 p.m. on TV Land): Nineteen classmates from the 1988 graduating class of Arizona’s Chandler High School come together for a special reunion in Hawaii. Chad Ramirez, head rodeo coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, is among them.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): After New York City Councilman Bobby Prince is caught with a hooker during a police raid on a motel, he shares a secret with Det. Sam Tyler.
◊“Lost” (8 p.m. on ABC): The way back to the island is revealed to members of the Oceanic 6, but there’s trouble ahead when not all of them wish to return.
◊“Rick Steves’ Iran” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): World traveler Rick Steves journeys to Iran in hopes of getting to know this ancient country and to better understand the 70 million people living there.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …” (8 p.m. on Sundance): Host Elvis Costello welcomes his wife, jazz artist Diana Krall. She is interviewed by the program’s executive producer, Elton John.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Law Dept. and include 1942’s ”The Talk of the Town” (8:15 a.m.), 1929’s “Madame X” (noon) and 1954’s “The Caine Mutiny” (9 p.m.).
◊“Top Chef” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The final chef’testants will need to “kick it up a notch” to impress guest judge and famed chef Emeril Lagasse. This supersized episode also features a twist that changes the face of game as the field is narrowed from four to three.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Texas Tech in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
THURSDAY, FEB. 19
◊“Being Erica” (9 p.m. on SoapNet, channel 170 on Cox Digital Cable, 188 on Dish Network, 262 on DirecTV): This new series follows the life of Erica Strange, 32, who is given chances to revisit various events from her past that caused regret and attempts to fix them. Newcomer Erin Karpluk plays Erica.
◊“Biography: Mötley Crüe” (9 p.m. on BIO, channel 119 on Dish Network, 164 on Cox Digital Cable, 266 on DirecTV): This new installment takes viewers through the nearly 30 years career span of one of the most infamous rock bands that sold more than 45 million records worldwide. The LA quartet – made up of lead singer Vince Neil, drummer Tommy Lee, bass player Nikki Sixx and guitarist Mick Mars – parlayed whiplash hard-rock songs, melodic power ballads and a hedonistic image into superstardom and lived the rock & roll lifestyle to its fullest.
◊“ER” (9 p.m. on NBC): It’s Valentine’s Day in the ER and Neela seems to be under the spell of Dr. Brenner. Meanwhile, Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) makes a surprise return to the ER.
◊“Gallery” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): One segment in this locally-produced show focuses on Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee, the only university in the country that offers courses in boot and saddle making.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Cristina calls the abilities of a renown surgeon into question after she botches a standard procedure. Faye Dunaway (“Network”) guest stars as Dr. Campbell.
◊“Kath & Kim” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Kath discovers that she is still married to her ex Rusty (guest star Ron White) and must find him in order to finalize their divorce. Busy Philipps (“Dawson’s Creek”) guest stars.
◊“My Name Is Earl” (7 p.m. on NBC): Darnell’s absentee father (Danny Glover, “Lethal Weapon”) arrives in Camden claiming he needs to make amends with his son. Earl and Randy smell trouble and go to warn Joy and Darnell.
◊“Sin City Law” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new two-part documentary, which concludes Feb. 26, chronicles Las Vegas criminal cases.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Dept. of Education and include 1955’s ”Blackboard Jungle” (7 a.m.), 1939’s “Goodbye Mr. Chips” (5 p.m.) and 1938’s “Pygmalion” (7 p.m.).
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): Wilhelmina fears she’s lost her edge in the fashion world because she’s been spending too much time with Conner. Bernadette Peters (“Living Proof”) guest stars.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on NBC): New quarterback J.D. McCoy (Jeremy Sumpter, “Clubhouse”) becomes a victim of freshman hazing but begins to win the respect of the town and his team after he wins his first game.
◊“Late Night With Conan O’Brien” (11:37 p.m. on NBC): Talk show host Conan O’Brien signs off as host of “Late Night.” He will take over “The Tonight Show” hosting duties on June 1. Jimmy Fallon will take over the reins as “Late Night” host on March 2.
◊“Mistresses” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This new series chronicles the adventures of four 30-something friends with one thing in common — infidelity. Starring are four of Britain’s leading actresses, Sarah Parish (“Viva Blackpool”), Sharon Small (“About a Boy”), Orla Brady (“Shark”) and Shelley Conn (“Innocence”).
◊“Real Time With Bill Maher” (9 p.m. on HBO): The comedian and commentator returns for a seventh season of
roundtable discussions with panelists and interviews with in-studio and satellite guests.
◊“Smothered: The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This special examines the turmoil that surrounded the 1960s variety show “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” including the events that led to its cancellation.
◊“The Soup Awards” (9:30 p.m. on E!): Host Joel McHale presents spray-painted-gold soup cans to celebrities and reality TV gluttons who make for such great “Soup” all year long.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Philosophy Dept. and include 1952’s ”Pat and Mike” (7:45 a.m.), 1941’s “Sergeant York” (4:30 p.m.) and 1967’s “The Graduate” (11 p.m.).
SATURDAY, FEB. 21
◊The 2009 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards (4 p.m. on IFC): Steve Coogan (“Tropic Thunder”) hosts the this year’s ceremony that will air uncut, uncensored and commercial free (an edited rebroadcast of the event will air at 9 p.m. on AMC). Nominees for best feature are “Ballast,” “Frozen River,” “Rachel Getting Married,” “Wendy and Lucy” and “The Wrestler.”
◊“Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live from the Fillmore” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Recorded in her hometown of San Francisco at the historic Fillmore rock venue, comedienne Aisha Tyler tackles such important topics as staying in shape, married life, honesty and her drinking habits.
◊“Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Renowned for his expertise in wildlife and conservation, Jeff Corwin sets his sights on exploring human culture through regional cuisine in this primetime special. He enjoys countless surprises and unforgettable flavors as he interacts with natives and showcases how exotic foods and customs uniquely shape each community.
◊“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (7 p.m. on NBC): When celebrity illusionist Miles Stone disappears from his own stunt, Goren and Eames must explore the exclusive and very secretive world of magic and magicians in order to unravel the mystery. Paul Shaffer (“Late Show With David Letterman”) guest stars.
◊“Taking Chance” (7 p.m. on HBO): This fact-based drama stars Kevin Bacon as Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, the volunteer military escort who accompanied the body of Chance Phelps, a 19-year-old lance corporal killed in Iraq, home to Wyoming.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the American History Dept. and include 1944’s ”Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” (7 a.m.), 1989’s “Glory” (4:30 p.m.) and 1953’s “From Here to Eternity” (7 p.m.).
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Baylor in men’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
–Penny TV
Top 80 TV Programs for Feb. 8-14
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Feb. 8:
SUNDAY, FEB. 8
◊The 51st Annual Grammy Awards (7 p.m. on CBS): Rapper Lil Wayne is up for eight trophies at this year’s edition of the music industry’s top awards. Nominees with Oklahoma ties include Trisha Yearwood, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Kings of Leon, MercyMe, Elvin Bishop and Tom Paxton.
◊“1000 Ways to Die” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): This news series showcases true stories about those who succumbed to the grim reaper in the most unorthodox styles.
◊The British Academy Film Awards (7 p.m. on BBC America): Shawnee-born actor Brad Pitt is up for awards in two categories — leading actor for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and supporting actor for “Burn After Reading.” Duncan-born director Ron Howard received a nominations for his film “Frost/Nixon.” The ceremony takes place at the Royal Opera House in London.
◊“The CollegeHumor Show” (8:30 p.m. on MTV): Created by two high school friends to share their crazy photos and stories while in college, CollegeHumor.com has grown into a pop culture phenomenon with six million loyal monthly readers. This new series provides an offbeat look into the company that creates some of today’s most popular Internet comedy.
◊“A Father’s Promise” (7 p.m. on MSNBC): Al Roker (“Today”) hosts this documentary that examines why so many fathers fall out of their children’s lives, particularly in the inner city. It includes a round-table discussion with Tiki Barber (“Today”), Newark, N.J., mayor Cory Booker and Rev. Eugene Rivers, a Boston pastor.
◊“Great Performances” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This new installment “Hit Man: David Foster and Friends” features the songwriter, producer and maestro to the stars on stage in Las Vegas with Blake Shelton, Josh Groban, Celine Dion and others.
◊“HGTV Showdown” (8 p.m. on HGTV): To kickoff the show’s second season, interior designer Genevieve Gorder (“Dear Genevieve”) and carpenter Carter Oosterhouse (“Carter Can”) will take on challengers Monica Pedersen (“Designed to Sell”) and Eric Stromer (“Over Your Head”) in a family room design battle.
◊“How’s Your News” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): This new series focuses on a team of reporters with disabilities who drive across America in a customized tour bus documenting their experiences and laughs along the way.
◊NFL Pro Bowl (3:30 p.m. on NBC): The NFL season comes to an end with the Pro Bowl, being held for the 30th consecutive year in Honolulu. Next year’s game moves to Miami, the host city for Super Bowl XLIV, and will be played the weekend before the NFL championship.
◊“Nick News With Linda Ellerbee” (8 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In this installment titled “We Shall Not Be Moved,” youngsters of all races unite to make changes in their neighborhoods, schools and in themselves through political action, poetry and art.
◊“Nitro Circus” (9 p.m. on MTV): Travis Pastrana, a nine-time X Games gold medalist, has built an empire doing things previously thought impossible and always unadvisable. In this new series, he qill play an irrational game of one-upsmanship with his equally insane and entertaining buddies, including professional mountain biker Jim DeChamp and professional female motocross racer Jolene Van Vugt.
◊“Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” (8 p.m. on MTV): Skateboarder Rob Dyrdek (“Rob & Big”) continues to try new things in this new reality series. His new place of operation is a 25,000 square foot industrial complex he turnd into the world’s first indoor concrete skate plaza, complete with zip-lines and foam pits.
◊“The Science of Sex Appeal” (7 p.m. on Discovery): This new special looks at every detail of human sex appeal and explores it in terms of its evolution and function.
◊“Sonny With a Chance” (7 p.m. on Disney)(Disney Channel Photo above): Demi Lovato (“Camp Rock”) stars in this new comedy series as Sonny Munroe, a talented girl from the Midwest who relocates to Los Angeles to join the cast of a popular sketch comedy show for teens and tweens.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Anthropology Dept. and include 1982’s ”Poltergeist” (8:15 a.m.), 1953’s “Roman Holiday” (4:45 p.m.) and 1945’s “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (7 p.m.).
◊“XIII” (8 p.m. on NBC): The first femal president of the United States is assassinated during a speech, and the only suspect is a man found wounded in the woods three months later. He has amnesia, and the only clue to his identity is the Roman numeral XIII tattooed on his chest.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State University in women’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 p.m. on FSOK.
MONDAY, FEB. 9
◊The Second Annual BET Honors” (8 p.m. on BET): Gabrielle Union (“Night Stalker”) hosts the second annual event that recognizes African-American achievers who have made great strides in their careers while giving back to the community. This year’s honorees include songstress Mary J. Blige, filmmaker Tyler Perry, choreographer Judith Jamison, basketball player Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Congressman James E. Clyburn and television host B. Smith.
◊“American Experience” (12:29 a.m. on OETA-13): The new episode “The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln” remembers the 16th president of the United States — born 200 years ago this week — by focusing on the two months following his assassination. Actor Will Patton (“A Mighty Heart”) reads the words of assassin John Wilkes Booth.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Horatio and the team go head-to-head with a defense attorney (Sean Combs, “A Raisin In the Sun”) who may be involved in a murder cover-up.
◊“The Girls of Hedsor Hall” (8 p.m. on MTV): In this new series, 12 of America’s rowdiest girls will be sent to prim-and-proper England for a complete transformation. Former Miss USA Tara Conner serves as the school’s visiting instructor.
◊“Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): With Chuck missing since his father’s funeral, Uncle Jack (Desmong Harrington, “Dexter”) arrives on the Upper East Side to help Chuck pick up the messy pieces. But first he has to find him.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Following a chain of unexpected events, the Heroes are on the run from, their latest adversary and one of their own, Nathan Petrelli. Dan Byrd (“Aliens in America”) and Zeljko Ivanek (“Damages”) guest star.
◊“Lagerfeld Confidential” (6 p.m. on Sundance): Shot over the course of three years, this new documentary offers an entertaining visit with German-born fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. He is shown photographing Nicole Kidman for an ad campaign, en roite to a lunch with Princess Caroline and in his Paris study sketching dresses for his new collection.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Business Dept. and include 1960’s ”The Apartment” (8:15 a.m.), 1945’s “Mildred Pierce” (2:45 p.m.) and 1951’s “The Man in the White Suit” (9 p.m.).
◊“Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May return to the U.S., taking three new generation muscle cars on an trip from San Francisco to the heart of Utah.
◊“Trust Me” (9 p.m. on TNT): Mason promises Denise Raynor (Donna Murphy, “Passion”), CEO of Rothman Greene & Mohr, that his group is pinning its awards hopes on their new writer, Sarah. But Sarah is becoming unhappy in her new job and is being wooed by the Mink Group’s nemesis.
◊“Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show” (live from 7-8 p.m. on USA and 8-10 p.m. on CNBC): Twenty-five hundred dogs are entered in the 133rd annual event, but only one will claim the best in show title. Today’s coverage includes the hound, terrier, non-sporting and herding group competition. On Tuesday, the sporting, working, toy and best In show competition will air live from 7-10 p.m. on USA.
TUESDAY, FEB. 10
◊“10 Items or Less” (10 p.m. on TBS): Leslie makes a huge financial error when trying to hold a special sale to celebrate the store’s 150th anniversary.
◊“Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m. on ABC): This 1975 special was taken directly from the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz’s famed comic strip. It will be followed by the 2002 special “A Charlie Brown Valentine.”
◊“The Biggest Loser 7” (7 p.m. on NBC): On the show’s 100th episode, a balancing competition will bring the winner a coveted prize — a 24-hour visit from a loved one back home.
◊“DEA” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): For Season 2, the network was given exclusive access to follow a group of special agents and task force officers in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s northern New Jersey headquarters. They risk their lives daily in the ongoing battle against illegal drugs.
◊“From G’s to Gents” (9 p.m. on MTV): Fonzworth Bentley returns to take a new group of rowdy bad boys and help them clean up their act. At the end of Season 2, the winner will walk away with $100,000.
◊“Leverage” (9 p.m. on TNT): Jonathan Frakes (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) directs this episode in which the team uncovers an attempt to rig a court trial for which Parker happens be serving as a juror. Brent Spiner (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Armin Shimerman (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”) and Lauren Holly (“NCIS”) guest star.
◊“T.I.’s Road to Redemption: 45 Days to Go” (8 p.m. on MTV): This new series chronicles the Grammy winning rapper’s year on probation before serving jail time for an arrest stemming from his earlier life. He completed 1,000 hours of community service to reduce his sentence.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the English Dept. and include 1970’s ”Scrooge” (9:30 a.m.), 1955’s “Richard III” (4:30 p.m.) and 1991’s “Enchanted April” (9 p.m.).
◊“Wingman” (8 p.m. on FLN, channel 113 on Dish Network, 172 on Cox, 232 on DirecTV): Thew new dating reality series follows date-challenged men and women in their search for soul mates. Guiding them alioing their path to success is stand-up comedian and relationship columnist Michael Somerville.
◊Tulsa Washington takes on Tulsa Edison in high school basketball action airing live at 6:30 p.m. on Cox.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Texas in men’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on KOCB-34.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): The judges decide which hopefuls make the final cit and earn coveted spots in the Top 36.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): A Russian tourist is found stabbed to death and the CSIs come face to face with the frightening realities of human trafficking. Julia Ormond (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) guest stars as Deputy Inspector Gillian Whitford.
◊“House of Payne” (9:30 p.m. on TBS): Ella has been exercising and dieting with no results and decides to step up her weight-loss plan by going to a health and wellness ranch.
◊“Important Things With Demetri Martin” (9:30 p.m. on Comedy Central): Stand-up comedian Demetri Martin is the creator, executive producer and star of this new sketch comedy series. He mixes stand-up comedy, sketches, animation, studio bits and music to explore one “important thing” per episode. The subject of the first episode is “timing.”
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): Death threats targeting rock star Sebastian Grace expose Sam and Chris to the anything-goes rock and roll lifestyle, including Grace’s groupie, “Rocket Girl,” and an FBI agent known as “The Sorcerer” (Wallace Shawn, “The L Word”).
◊“Looking for Lincoln” (12:58 a.m. on OETA-13): Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. (“Oprah’s Roots”) explores the roots of President Lincoln and addresses many of the controversies surrounding the 16th president by interpreting evidence from those who knew him and those who study him today.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello with …” (8 p.m. on Sundance): Host Elvis Costello welcomes indie duo She & Him (comprised of actress Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward) and singer-songwriters Jakob Dyland and Jenny Lewis.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Zoology Dept. and include 1954’s ”20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (8:30 a.m.), 1963’s “The Birds” (2:30 p.m.) and 1943’s “Lassie Come Home” (9 p.m.).
◊“Uneven Fairways” (8 p.m. on Golf Channel): Samuel L. Jackson (“Lakeview Terrace” hosts this new special that chronicles an era when honor and fair play took a backseat to segregation. It reveals the story of the little-known, but rich history of the African-Americans who had the courage to stand up for their rights and pave the way for future stars of golf.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Iowa State in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on KWTV-9.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Baylor in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
THURSDAY, FEB. 12
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): Jack prepares for an unconventional Valentine’s Day spent at church with girlfriend Elisa (Salma Hayek, “Frida).
◊The 40th NAACP Image Awards (7 p.m. on Fox): Oscar winner Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”) and actor-screenwriter Tyler Perry co-host the event that celebrates diversity in the arts. Two Nobel Peace Prize winners, former Vice President Al Gore and Kenyan activist Wangari Muta Maathai, are this year’s recipients of the Chairman’s Award.
◊“Animal Armageddon” (8 p.m on Aninal Planet): This new series sheds light on the evolution of Earth’s creatures and reveals the fragile and perilous nature of our planet.
◊“Cosby” marathon (7 p.m. to 1 a.m. today through Sunday on TV Land): Walk down memory lane as Denise, Theo, Vanessa and Rudy experience the growing pains of approaching adulthood and give Cliff and Clair more than one reason to look forward to an empty nest.
◊“Delocated” (9:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network): In this new live-action series, “Jon” testifies against the Russian Mafia and is placed undercover with his family in a New York City loft. But rather than live quietly through a witness protection program, “Jon” convinces his family to become ski-masked reality stars and have their adventures chronicled for television audiences.
◊“ER” (9:01 p.m. on NBC): Former cast member Eriq La Salle (Dr. Peter Benton) directs this episode in which a car accident in the ambulance bay leaves a mother severely injured and in need of hip surgery.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Addison (Kate Walsh), Naomi (Audra McDonald) and Sam (Taye Diggs) rush the ailing Archer (Grant Show) to Seattle Grace and reunite with old friends Derek and Mark to help save his life.
◊“Making the Band 4” (8 p.m. on MTV): The new season picks up where it ended, with Danity Kane shattered and Day 26 determined not to suffer the same fate.
◊“The Millionaire Matchmaker” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Patti Stanger is at the top of her game as owner of a Los Angeles-based elite matchmaking service in which she helps wealthy men find the women of their dreams. But there’s a twist for Season 2, as Patti adds female millionairesses and gay millionaire clients to the mix.
◊“My Name Is Earl” (7 p.m. on NBC): Adjusting to her new wealthy lifestyle proves difficult when Joy struggles to fit in with her trophy-wife neighbors. Morgan Fairchild (“Falcon Crest”) and Joan Van Ark (“Knots Landing”) guest star.
◊“Survivor: Tocantins” (7 p.m. on CBS): Left stranded in the wilds of Brazil for 39 days, the Season 18 castaways will battle scorching temperatures, torrential downpours, and dangerous wildlife all in an effort to outwit, outplay, and outlast one another in order to win $1 million.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Chemistry Dept. and include 1943’s ”Madame Curie” (9:30 a.m.), 1954’s “The Dam Busters” (2 p.m.) and 1959’s “Bell, Book and Candle” (9 p.m.).
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): Betty tapes a video tribute for Claire Meade’s 60th birthday that’s very revealing, just not in the way she planned. But the real shocker comes when Betty accidentally leaves the camera on at home and discovers some revealing footage about Ignacio.
◊“Victor Borge: 100 Years of Music & Laughter” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Comedienne Rita Ruder narrates this special that features the Danish-born entertainer’s funniest and most memorable skits.
FRIDAY, FEB. 13
◊“Aaron Stone” (6 p.m. on Disney XD, channel 151 on Cox Digital Cable, 174 on Dish Network, 292 on DirecTV): This new series on Disney XD, which launched today in place of Toon Disney, focuses on Charlie Landers, the reigning world champion in the popular online game “Hero Rising.” When a billionaire recluse tells Charlie that “Hero Rising” is actually a test game for real secret agents, Charlie is recruited to be the real-life crime fighter Aaron Stone.
◊“Dollhouse” (8:01 p.m. on Fox): Eliza Dushku (“Tru Calling”) stars in this new series about a group of secret operatives called ‘‘Actives” whose personalities are wiped clean after each mission. Then they get a new set for the next job. Also starring are Tahmoh Penikett (‘‘Battlestar Galactica”) and Olivia Williams (‘‘Miss Austen Regrets”).
◊“Psych” (9 p.m. on USA): Series star James Roday (Shawn Spencer) co-wrote and directed this episode, in which Shawn and Gus are hired by a childhood friend to find a missing camp counselor. The counselor disappeared near their old sleep away campgrounds. Justin Bateman (“Family Tues”) guest stars.
◊“Reading Rainbow” (noon on OETA-13): Host Levar Burton (“Roots”) tells a series of stories, asking if they are fact or fiction. A small panel of children offer their opinions on the stories.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Religion Dept. and include 1960’s ”Elmer Gantry” (9 a.m.), 1943’s “A Guy Named Joe” (4:45 p.m.) and 1982’s “Sophie’s Choice” (10:15 p.m.).
◊Norman North takes on Westmoore in high school basketball action airing live at 6:15 p.m. on Cox.
◊“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (7 p.m. on Fox): An injured Sarah is guided by the image of John’s father, Kyle Reese, while Weaver’s move to protect John Henry results in deadly consequences.
SATURDAY, FEB. 14
◊“90210″ (7 p.m. on CW): Naomi, comfortable with her new living situation, is meddediately taken by Liam (Matt Lanter, “Heroes”), a hot bartender at her hotel.
◊“Before You Say I Do” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): When the love of his life is too afraid to commit to marriage, a desperate man’s wish will send him back 10 years to rework history in order to ensure his future with the woman he wants to marry. David Sutcliffe (“Gilmore Girls”) and Jennifer Westfeldt (“Notes from the Underbelly”) star.
◊“Christopher Titus: Love is Evol” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): Christopher Titus (“Titus”) takes the stage and riffs his way to Loverville as he tackles relationships, divorce and the root of all “evol” in this new comedy special.
◊“My Music: Love Songs of the 50s and 60s” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This cross-over pop and R&B special includes never-before-seen performances with archival favorites from the pre-Beatles era. Among the artists featured are Doris Day, Johnny Ray and Perry Como.
◊“Privileged” (8 p.m. on CW): Megan is thrilled when Will tells her that his father is starting a new magazine based on their idea.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Sociology Dept. and include 1951’s ”A Place in the Sun” (9:30 a.m.), 1937’s “The Awful Truth” (3:15 p.m.) and 1955’s “Love is a Many Slendored Thing” (7 p.m.).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas Tech in men’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Iowa State in men’s college basketball action airing live at 3 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Kansas in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on KWTV-9.
–Penny TV
Top 60 TV Programs for Feb. 1-7
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Feb. 1:
SUNDAY, FEB. 1
◊“Bathtastic!” (7 p.m. on DIY, channel 111 on Dish Network, 171 on Cox Digital Cable, 230 on DirecTV): DIY expert Matt Muenster hosts this new series that shows viewers ways they can revitalize their bathrooms with just a few days and a little elbow grease. It premieres with five back-to-back episodes.
◊“Cold Case” (7 p.m. on CBS): After a substantial splatter of the blood of a popular deaf teen who went missing in 2006 is discovered in a storage room at the high school for the deaf he attended, the team attempts to find the boy’s body and killer. Shoshannah Stern (“Jericho”) guest stars as an obsessed ex-girlfriend of the victim.
◊“The Office” (9:30 p.m. on NBC): In this special post Super Bowl episode, some of the office workers try to secretly watch a bootlegged Hollywood movie during the workday. Guest stars Jessica Alba (“Fantastic Four”) and Jack Black (“Be Kind, Rewind”) will play characters in the bootleg movie.
◊“Oklahoma Passage” (1 p.m. on OETA-13): This five-hour dramatic film that originally aired on OETA in April 1989 dramatizes 150 years of Oklahoma history. The encore presentation has been digitally remastered.
◊“Puppy Bowl V” (2 p.m. on Animal Planet): This alternative to the Super Bowl features a bunch of pups frolicking in a stadium-shaped pen, with a halftime show featuring by kittens. Performing the National Anthem will be Pepper the Parrot.
◊“Shameless” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This British comedy-drama, beginning Season 4, follows the lives of the Gallagher clan and their extended network of lovers, friends and foes at Chatsworth Estate, a public housing project in Manchester, England.
◊Super Bowl XLIII (5:30 p.m. on NBC): This is NBC’s first NFL title game telecast in 11 years. Al Michaels and John Madden will call the action live from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform at halftime.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Communications Dept. and include 1963’s ”Bye Bye Birdie” (9 a.m.), 1937’s “Artists & Models” (1 p.m.) and 1951’s “Ace in the Hole” (7 p.m.).
◊“Wipeout Superball Sunday” (during halftime of Super Bowl): Hosted by John Anderson (ESPN’s “SportsCenter”), John Henson (“Talk Soup”) and Michael Irvin (former Dallas Cowboy), this event features 13 cheerleaders trying to blitz 13 couch potato guys in a special football-inspired edition of the hit summer series. More hilarious antics will air immediately following the game.
MONDAY, FEB. 2
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): In this 3-D episode, Chuck foils a plan to kill international rock star Tyler Martin (Dominic Monaghan, “Lost”). Later, Tyler convinces Chuck to go out on the town, which only leads to a night of trouble.
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): An extremely overweight body turns up in the trunk of a car, a body that happens to be that of a man who stole $3 million in diamonds from his own jewelry store. But the body is in such bad shape, it’s impossible to determine the cause of death. When the team finally tracks down a possible witness, they get quite a shock.
◊“For the Love of Ray J” (9:30 p.m. on VH1): In this new reality series featuring Ray J (“One on One”), 14 women move into his bachelor mansion and compete to win his heart through a series of challenges, dates and eliminations.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Months after explosions brought down Pinehurst and Primatech, the heroes try to put the past behind them and begin new lives. Emmy winner Zeljko Ivanek (“Damages”) guest stars as “The Hunter” as the third season continues with “Volume 4: Fugitives.”
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the show’s 100th episode, House and the team take on the case of a woman who collapsed in the middle of a cooking class. When they learn that the patient gave up her career as a highly renowned cancer researcher in order to pursue her own personal happiness, the members of the team question their own happiness.
◊“I Love Money 2” (8 p.m. on VH1): Hosted by Craig J. Jackson, the new season will pit 19 fan favorite contestants from “Rock of Love,” “I Love New York,” “Flavor of Love” and “Real Chance of Love” against each other for a chance to win $250,000.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): Patricia Arquette returns for a fifth season as Allison Dubois, the wife and mother who uses her psychic power to help the police solve murders.
◊“Ni Hao, Kai-lan” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Today is the eighth day of the Chinese New Year, and this animated series that teaches Mandarin to tots debuts the new primetime special. It follows Kai-lan and her friends as they hike to the ladybug festival and learn the importance of listening to friends.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): Series star Bethany Joy Galeotti (Haley) directs this episode, in which Lucas wrestles with casting for his movie while Peyton tries to prepare for their wedding.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Economics Dept. and include 1940’s ”Comrade X” (7:15 a.m.), 1954’s “Sabrina” (5 p.m.) and 1945’s “Brewster’s Millions” (7 p.m.).
◊“Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): In this Winter Olympics special, the team travels to Norway where they attempt Olympics events in cars. A rocket-powered mini is fired off a ski jump, they tackle to biathlon with 4x4s and the Jaguar XK races a speed skater.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Convinced that Alan’s family doesn’t fully appreciate him, Melissa invites him to live with her and her mom. Carol Kane (“Taxi”) guest stars as Alan’s mother.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Tennessee in women’s college basketball action airing live at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
TUESDAY, FEB. 3
◊“10 Items or Less” (10 p.m. on TBS): After being humiliated by SuperValueMart in competing car washes for charity, Leslie decides to put his whistling talent to good use. He manages to surprise everyone by getting airplay for his tunes and a distribution offer from SuperValueMart. Kim Coles (“Living Single”) guest stars.
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): Contestants vie for a semifinalist position during the grueling next phase of the auditions. The “Hollywood Round” episodes will air today, Wednesday and Feb. 10.
◊“Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This collection of the musical group’s most memorable songs will give new fans an opportunity to catch up on their success and old fans a chance to reminisce.
◊“The IT Crowd” (10 p.m. on IFC): The United Kingdom’s offbeat sitcom returns for a third season. It follows the adventures of Roy, Moss and Jen, who continue against the odds to be employed by Reynholm Industries as IT consultants.
◊“Leverage” (9 p.m. on TNT): To discover where an investment broker hid money he swindled from a charity, the team tricks the financier into entering a rehab facility to deal with his addictions to nicotine patches, porn, gambling, lying and eating.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Architecture Dept. and include 1932’s ”Grand Hotel” (9 a.m.), 1953’s “Julius Caesar” (11 a.m.) and 1942’s “My Sister Eileen” (9 p.m.).
◊Westmoore takes on Southmoore in high school basketball action airing live at 6:15 p.m. on Cox.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4
◊“The Exterminators” (9:30 p.m. on A&E): This new series follows Billy Bretherton and his family who run Vexcon, one of Louisiana’s busiest pest removal companies, as they balance family life with the drama of running a successful business.
◊“George Carlin: The Mark Twain Prize” (12:29 a.m. on OETA-13): For the first time in its 11-year history, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is being presented posthumously. The announcement that Carlin was this year’s recipient came about a week before he died.
◊“Katie Couric’s All Access Grammy Special” (8 p.m. on CBS): CBS News anchor Katie Couric will interview past and present Grammy nominees, including Justin Timberlake, Lil’ Wayne, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift. Grammy nominees Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Jonas Brothers, Metallica, Kid Rock and others will also make appearances.
◊“Knight Rider” (7 p.m. on NBC): Mike’s old Army friend recruits his help to investigate the suspicious death of a tough-as-nails drill sergeant named Jack Burber (Tiki Barber, “Today”).
◊“Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): An NYPD officer troubled over mounting financial difficulties is killed by fellow police officers after taking hostages at gunpoint. As detectives Lupo and Bernard look into the incident, they discover valuable stolen documents hidden in the officer’s apartment, along with a dead body.
◊“Life” (8 p.m. on NBC): When a retired NASA pilot is shot to death mid-flight, Charlie Crews and Dani Reese work to narrow down the list of suspects who include the dead pilots son and his current business partner.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): Sam Tyler receives a mysterious phone call that leads to a headless body. Simultaneously Lt. Hunt finds a severed head delivered in a gift box to the precinct, which sets off the discovery of a chain of bizarre decapitations.
◊“The Priests in Concert at Armagh” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): The Priests’ three Roman Catholic clergymen from Northern Ireland are trained vocalists brought together ny their faith and passion for music. This performance took place at Armagh, one of Ireland’s most prestigious cathedrals.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello with …” (8 p.m. on Sundance): Host Elvis Costello welcomes jazz musician Herbie Hancock, winner of last year’s Grammy Award for album of the year.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Music Dept. and include 1938’s ”The Great Waltz” (7 a.m.), 1951’s “Tales of Hoffman” (4:30 p.m.) and 1946’s “Night and Day” (7 p.m.).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas A&M in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on KOCB-34.
Okahoma State University takes on Texas Tech in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPNU.
THURSDAY, FEB. 5
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): Liz discovers she has a handsome and newly single neighbor, Dr. Drew Baird (Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”), she;d like to meet after receiving his mail by mistake. However, in true Liz fashion, their chance at getting to know one another doesn’t begin so well.
◊“American Originals: Westminster Dog Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This special reports on the big business of this prestigious dog show. The program also traces Westminster’s history from it roots in the bar of New York’s Hotel Westminster in 1876 to today’s event.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): During the course of an investigation, the CSIs discover that their victim, a young woman who was murdered and found with several different blood types in her system, is the daughter of a wanted criminal. Jason Lewis (“Sex and the City”) and Nicholas Turturro (“NYPD Blue”) guest star.
◊“Eleventh Hour” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): When one of the government’s experiments to enhance the abilities of its soldiers goes lethally off track, Dr. Jacob Hood is called upon to investigate what went wrong. Judd Nelson (“Suddenly Susan”) guest stars.
◊“ER” (9:01 p.m. on NBC): Dr. Morgenstern (William H. Macy, “Wild Hogs”) decides to visit County General when he finds out an old mentor is gravely ill.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Bailey, who is encouraged by her work on recent cases and by Dr. Dixon (Mary McDonnell, “Battlestar Galactica”), considers a new direction for her medical career.
◊“Kath & Kim” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Kath and Kim are in the running to host a dinner for country music star Wynonna Judd (guest starring as herself), but they must first be interviewed by Wynonna’s people.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Biology Dept. and include 1960’s “The Time Machine” (6 a.m.), 1961’s “The Parent Trap” (12:30 p.m.) and 1966’s “Georgie Girl” (9 p.m.).
◊Tulsa Union takes on Broken Arrow in high school wrestling action airing live at 6:15 p.m. on Cox.
FRIDAY, FEB. 6
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on NBC): Tyra gets wooed by Cash, the new bad boy rodeo star in town, and says goodbye to her relationship with Landry.
◊“Jockeys” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new series chronicles the lives of seven 112-pound jockeys and their 1,200-pound horses during the course of a 30-day racing season.
◊“Red Green Story: We’re All in This Together” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): This new special is a retrospective and behind-the-scenes celebration of the long-running public television comedy hit from Canada.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Physics Dept. and include 1984’s ”2010” (9 a.m.), 1939’s “Only Angels Have Wings” (1 p.m.) and 1950’s “Seven Days to Noon” (7 p.m.).
SATURDAY, FEB. 7
◊“Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” (7 p.m. on TNT): Cuba Gooding Jr. has the title role in this new film based on the true story of Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, whose lifelong journey led him to become director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
◊“The Good Witch’s Garden” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): In this sequel to 2008’s “The Good Witch,” Cassie Nightingale (Catherine Bell, “Army Wives”) finds herself at a crossroads when a stranger shows up claiming ownership of her family home, Grey House.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the World History Dept. and include 1963’s ”Cleopatra” (6:45 a.m.), 1962’s “Lawrence of Arabia” (3 p.m.) and 1943’s “Sahara” (8:45 p.m.).
◊“Welk Stars: Through the Years” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Mary Lou Metzger hosts this 2-hour special that salutes members of Lawrence Welk’s musical family and showcases musical productions from past shows.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Colorado in men’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊Okahoma State University takes on Kansas in men’s college basketball action airing live at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
–Penny TV
