Top 55 TV Programs for March 22-28, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 22:
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
◊“Big Love” (8 p.m. on HBO): In the third-season finale, Nicki’s web of secrets gets more tangled when a surprise visitor comes to see her at the compound.
◊“Camp Woodward” (7:30 p.m. on Fuel TV): This series, which followed three teenaged action sports athletes spending the summer at a sports training facility in Pennsylvania, ends its run. See what new tricks and life lessons Larry Schmidt and Cody Davis and BMXer Hunter Bagent take away from their camp experience.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team tries to determine if a homeless and severely delusional paranoid schizophrenic killed his former psychiatrist by arson in 2004 — before dropping out of college and fully losing his grip on reality. Songs recorded by John Lennon are featured throughout the episode.
◊“The Color of Magic” (6 p.m. on ION): Based on the first two books in best-selling author Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, this four-hour miniseries follows the adventures of a wizardry student (David Jason, “Hogfather”) who guides a tourist (Sean Astin, “Rudy”) through a magical realm.
◊“Craig Ferguson: A Wee Bit O’ Revolution” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): “The Late, Late Show” host Craig Ferguson steps out from behind his desk for his first stand-up comedy special in which he speaks about his experiences in rehab and living life on the edge.
◊“Dateline” (6 p.m. on NBC): With exclusive accounts from insiders and whistleblowers speaking out for the first time, NBC News’ Chris Hansen reports on who knew what and when, and explains how risky home loans helped cause a chain reaction that led to failures on Wall Street and the near collapse of the American Economy.
◊“Eastbound & Down” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Kenny says goodbye to his life as a school teacher after scoring a big-league job offer in Miami.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The team travels to Tucson, Ariz., to rebuild the home for the family of a 14-year-old girl suffering from a life-threatening blood disease who has dedicated her life to spreading awareness about blood donations. Jo Frost (”Supernanny”) volunteers with Designer Eduardo Xol at one of the family’s blood drive events for collecting and redistributing toys for ill children in the community.
◊“Kings” (7 p.m. on NBC): Complications arise when Gath and Shiloh military officials gather to sign the much-anticipated peace treaty.David’s noticeable absence at the peace treaty signing is called into question by Gath’s leader, impeding the ceremony.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): A search and rescue operation is launched when a California family looking for a Christmas tree in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains gets lost when a snowstorm hits.
◊“The Unit” (9 p.m. on CBS): Series star Dennis Haysbert (Jonas) directed this episode in which the Unite fights to rescue Jonas’ old friend. But a broken helicopter gas tank and nearby guerillas impede their mission.
◊“Yellowstone” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new special follows the grey wolf, grizzly bear and herds of buffalo and antelope over the course of a year in one of the world’s most spectacular wildernesses.
MONDAY, MARCH 23
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck doesn’t know who to trust anymore when he finds the creator of the Intersect computer. Tony Hale (”Arrested Development”) guest stars.
◊“CMT Crossroads: Shooter Jennings and Jamey Johnson” (9 p.m. on CMT): Known for their outlaw ways and their tremendous songwriting, rocker Shooter Jennings and Grammy nominee Jamey Johnson come together for a concert special taped before an invitation only audience in Nashville earlier this month. The duo collaborate on Johnson’s “High Cost of Living,” “Between Jennings and Jones” and his Grammy-nominated single “In Color.” They also perform Jennings’ “God Bless Alabama” and a cover of his father, Waylon Jennings’ song, “Outlaw Bit.”
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): The identity of “Rebel” is revealed with chilling consequences. Swoosie Kurtz (”Pushing Daisies”) guest stars.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): Lucas and Julian hit a setback with the production of the film. Peyton and Haley help Mia with her new single. James Van Der Beek (”Dawson’s Creek”) guest stars.
◊“The Powder & the Glory” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Narrated by Jane Alexander, this one-hour presentation chronicles the lives and careers of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, two immigrant visionaries who started with next to nothing and transformed cosmetics into a necessity for all women.
◊“Roomates” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): Tamera Mowry (”Sister, Sister”) stars in this new comedy series that follows a group of friends in Manhattan trying to figure out love and life in their post-collegiate years.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): The death of a woman in the home of a well-known architect (Elias Koteas, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) opens Grace’s eyes to a new world. And Clay has a new friend (Malcolm David Kelley, “Lost”) who is also helping out at the police station.
◊“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In the first-season finale, Amy gives birth to her son as friends and family gather at the hospital to support the Juergens family. After hours of labor the baby is finally born, and a deliriously tired Amy and Ashley decide to name him together.
◊“Sophie” (8:30 p.m. on ABC Family): This new series follows Sophie Parker (Natalie Brown), who appears to have everything in order: a sweet boyfriend, a successful talent agency and good friends. But all at once, everything falls apart.
◊“The Spectacular Spider-Man” (6:30 p.m. on Disney XD): The network will welcome the animated series to its lineup with three back-to-back episodes from the show’s first season. The second season of the series, based on Marvel Entertainment’s popular Super Hero, will debut with all-new original episodes in Summer 2009.
◊“Table For 12″ (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series follows the Hayes family, previously seen on the TLC special “Twins, Twins, and Sextuplets.” Eric, a police officer, and Betty, a stay-at-home mom, raise a brood that consists of 12-year-old twin boys Kevin and Kyle, 10-year-old twins Kieran and Meghan, and 4-year-old sextuplets Tara, Rachel, Ryan, Connor, EJ and Rebecca, who has cerebral palsy and is extremely special to the family.
◊“Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): James travels to California to take a look at what is being hailed as the future of motoring — the hydrogen powered Honda Clarity. The star with the reasonably priced car segment features singer Tom Jones.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): The guys bump into Jake’s former teacher (Alicia Witt, Cybill”) who became a stripper after a fling with Charlie. Charlie tries to help her out by giving her a room and a job, but things spiral out of control.
TUESDAY, MARCH 24
◊“According to Jim” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Penny Marshall (”Laverne & Shirley”) directed this episode in which Jim realizes that Cheryl has taken a strong interest in yoga with a male instructor she raves about. Jim becomes jealous and tries to figure what the hype is all about by joining her class.
◊“Bad Girls Club” (9 p.m. on Oxygen): In the third-season finale, the girls return from Mexico for their final days in the house. But the days don’t end quietly when Amber M. admits that she has a problem with one of the roommate’s closets friends.
◊“Chuck Jones: Memories of Childhood” (7 p.m. on TCM): Oscar-winning filmmakers Peggy Stern and John Canemaker (‘‘The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation”) delve into the memories of Hollywood animator Chuck Jones, who created Daffy Duck, Pepe Le Pew and the Road Runner. The half-hour film also includes an interview with Jones and newly created animated segments.
◊“Cruise Inc: Big Money on the High Seas” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Get a look inside the $30 billion dollar cruise industry in this report from Correspondent Peter Greenberg, who spends seven days aboard the Norwegian Pearl, one of the newest in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. The 14-story floating city that sails the Caribbean has a full-service medical center, a state-of-the-art surveillance system and offers passengers everything from sushi-making to Bingo to Botox.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Interviews with leading fiscal experts and insiders in government finance illuminate this film, which investigates the causes, possible outcomes and potential solutions to America’s staggering $10 trillion debt.
◊“Nova: Extreme Ice” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This National Geographic special follows photojournalist James Balog to apline and arctic locations across the Northern Hemisphere to capture time-lapsed footage for his Extreme Ince Survey. His findings reveal massive glaciers and ice sheets splitting apart, collapsing and disappearing at a rate that has more and more scientists alarmed.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): During the search for a missing psychologist, the team discovers the victim’s brother was imprisoned for serial rape, which makes them question if his brother’s past is connected to the disappearance. Meanwhile, Martin’s relationship with Kim (Vanessa Marcil, “Las Vegas”) heats up.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
◊“Great Performances” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Ian McKellen (”Lord of the Rings”) gives a tour-de-force performance as Shapespeare’s tragic titular monarch in this special television adaptation of the Royal Shapespeare Company’s (RSC) production. This marks McKellen’s return to the RSC after a 17-year hiatus.
◊“Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): While investigating the murder of television reporter Dawn Prescott, detectives Lupo and Bernard discover that she was involved in a love triangle involving another reporter at the station.
◊“Lie to Me” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the wake of a building collapse in a small town outside Washington, Lightman is brought in to determine who is at fault and winds up discovering a massive cover-up.
◊“Life” (8 p.m. on NBC): When a Los Angeles coroner is found murdered, his co-workers become prime suspects. Crews and Seever are under pressure to quickly solve the case, because if the killer is another coroner, countless murder cases could be compromised.
◊“Revealed” (7 p.m. on Gospel Music Channel): This new series takes viewers behind the scenes with gospel artists, who perform and share the stories behind the hits they have created. The first episode will feature Third Day with and in-depth look into the making of their album Revelation.
◊“Survivor: Tocantins” (7 pm. on CBS): This special Wednesday episode features a re-cap of what happened during the first 15 days in Tocantins, Brazil, and includes some never-before-seen footage.
◊“They Killed Sister Dorothy” (7 p.m. on HBO2): Martin Sheen (”The West Wing”) narrates this new documentary tells the story of a U.S. nun’s murder in the Brazilian rainforest and the trial that followed.
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
◊“American Idol Extra” (6 p.m. on Fox Reality Channel): Jillian Reynolds (”Good Day LA”) and Ace Young (Season 5 “American Idol ” finalist) co-host Season 4 of the series that gives viewers the first in-depth interview each week with the Top 10 Idol finalists, moments after their emotional elimination. Constantine Maroulis (Season 4 “American Idol” contender) returns as a special field correspondent.
◊“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 (”Life Goes On”) guest stars.
◊“ER” (9 p.m. on NBC): Many of the emergency room doctors and nurses help out at Camp Del Corazon, a camp for youngsters who have had open heart surgery. Tom Arnold (”Roseanne”) guest stars as the camp counselor.
◊“Hell’s Kitchen” (8 p.m. on Fox): During dinner service in a packed restaurant, tensions always run high. However, when a few celebrities (guest stars Eric McCormack and Robert Patrick) stop by for dinner the intensity really heats up.
◊“In the Motherhood” (7 p.m. on ABC): Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”) and Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) star in this new comedy that takes a look at the importance of family and friends while trying to juggle motherhood, work and love lives in an overly complicated modern world. It is based on a popular Web series of the same name.
◊“Private Practice” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): Cooper struggles with a patient’s mother, who is allowing her 12-year-old daughter to be sexually active. Josh Hopkins (”Swingtown”) and Amanda Detmer (”What About Brian”) guest star.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
◊“The Electric Company” (4 p.m. on OETA-13): With the help of her hypnotist uncle, Annie switches brains with Lisa. The Electric Company needs to find a way to switch them back before Annie ruins Lisa’s good name with her neighborhood pranks. Grammy award-winning musician Wyclef Jean guest stars.
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on NBC): Lyla is still reeling after discovering that her father gambled away her college fund after she has been accepted to the college of her dreams.
◊“The Game” (7:30 p.m. on CW): When the recently fired Tasha discovers that Kelly is still working at ISM, she accuses her friend of betrayal. Stacey Dash (”Clueless”) guest stars.
◊“Her Story” (7 p.m. on ESPN): Hannah Storm (”SportsCenter”) hosts this special that highlights up-and-coming athletes, as well as the issues they face. It includes interviews with Courtney and Ashley Paris, daughters of former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Bubba Paris, who will help the University Oklahoma contend for the NCAA women’s basketball title.
◊“Mistresses” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 1 finale, Trudi struggles with her shocking discovery about Paul, while Siobhan wrestles with her decision about keeping the baby.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): Fred Savage (”The Wonder Years”) directed this episode in which the catering team works the California College Conservative Union Caucus and anxiously awaits the arrival of keynote speaker Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
◊“Stargate: The Ark of Truth” (8 p.m. on SCI FI): This new movie starring “Stargate” series favorites Amanda Tapping, Beau Bridges, Ben Browder and Claudia Black, picks up after the “SG-1″ series finale. Searching for an ancient weapon which could help them defeat the sinister Ori force, SG-1 discovers it may be in the Ori’s own home galaxy and the crew finds themselves fighting two powerful enemies.
◊“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (7 p.m. on Fox): Fearing for her life, Sarah stashes John in a safe house with the only person she believes she can rely on, Charley Dixon (Dean Winters, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”).
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
◊The 22nd Annual Kids’ Choice Awards (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hosts this star-studded, slime-filled live telecast in which youngsters honor their favorites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television. Stars scheduled to appear include Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Michael Phelps, Rihanna, Will Smith, Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway and Reese Witherspoon.
◊“Nora Roberts’ Midnight Bayou” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Harvard-educated lawyer Declan Fitzpatrick (Jerry O’Connell, “Carpoolers”) gives up his comfortable life to buy a newly restored plantation manor near New Orleans. Legend has it the place is haunted, and shortly after Declan moves in, he starts hearing voices and seeing inexplicable apparations.
◊“The Penguins of Madagascar” (8:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new animated comedy series is based on the penguin brothers from the “Madagascar” movies. It features all-new adventures of Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private, who rule the roost at their Central Park Zoo home. Throughout the season, new animals will be introduced along with old friends from the “Madagascar” movies.
Oklahomans added to reality contestants list
Mark Smith from Tahlequah will compete on the new SCI FI Channel series “WCG Ultimate Gamer” premiering at 9 p.m. Tuesday (March 10).
He is one of 12 players who will tackle various video game challenges for a chance to win $100,000 and a gig as VIP representative for World Cyber Games.
Smith (pictured at right in SCI FI Channel photo) is also one of 37 reality contestants with Oklahoma ties. Following is a list of these local TV personalities. It is believed to be complete, but if someone is missing from the list, please email psoldan@opubco.com.
Reality contestants with Oklahoma ties:
••Matt Breitzke, Bixby, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 8 semifinalist, Top 36, 2009)
••Travis Brorsen and Presley, Perry, CBS’s “Greatest American Dog” (Season 1 winner, 2008)
••Champ Devere (brothers Niles and Beau Johnson), Konawa, CMT’s “Can You Duet” (Season 1, Top 25, 2008)
••David Cook, Tulsa, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 7 winner, 2008)
••Leah Darrow, Oklahoma City, UPN’s “America’s Next Top Model” (Season 3, Top 13, 2004)
••Melinda Doolittle, Tulsa, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 6, Top 3,, 2007)
••Michael “Cowboy” Ellis, Durant, CBS’s “Big Brother” (Season 5 runner-up, 2004)
••Kayne Gillaspie, Norman, Bravo’s “Project Runway” (Season 3, Top 5, 2006)
••Cassie Grisham, Norman, CW’s “America’s Next Top Model” (Season 3, Top 8, 2004)
••Amanda and Neill Harmer, Bethany, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (Season 5, Top 8, 2008)
••The Herndon Twins (sisters Addi Panter and Jala Verner), Edmond, CMT’s “Can You Duet” (Season 1, Top 12, 2008)
••Tara Huckeby, Shawnee, ABC’s “The Bachelor” (Season 5 runner-up, 2004)
••George Huff, Norman, Fox’s American Idol” (Season , Top 5, 2004)
••Amy “Amis” Jenkins, Bartlesville, CW’s “America’s Next Top Model” (Season 10, Top 14, 2008)
••Teresa Keegan, Tulsa, Bravo’s “Top Design” (Season 2, Top 8, 2008)
••Miranda Lambert, Tishomingo, USA Network’s “Nashville Star” (Season 1, Top 3, 2003)
••Scout Cloud Lee, Stillwater, CBS’s “Survivor” (Season 9, Top 3, 2004)
••Nathan Marlow, Edmond, CBS’s “Big Brother” (Season 4, Top 8, 2003)
••Jason Meadows, Calera, USA Network’s “Nashville Star” (Season 3 runner-up, 2005)
••John Paul Merritt, Oklahoma City, ABC’s “The Bachelorette” (Season 3 runner-up, 2005)
••Valerie Naifeh, OKC, ABC’s “The Great Domestic Showdown” (Season 1, Top 3, 2004)
••Carri Perrier, Oklahoma City, ABC’s The Bachelor” (Season 12, Top 14, 2008)
••Brandon Quinton, Ada, CBS’s “Survivor” (Season 3, Top 8, 2001)
••Jason Ramsey, Oklahoma City, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (Season 3, Top 50, 2006)
••Carolyn Ridenour, Tulsa, ABC’s “The Bachelor” (Season 6, Top 25, 2004)
••Kahlen Rondot, Broken Arrow, UPN’s “America’s Next Top Model” (Season 4 runner-up, 2005)
••Jacob John Smalley, Oklahoma City, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 2 semifinalist, 2003)
••Mark Smith, Tahlequah, SCI FI’s “WCG Ultimate Gamer” (Season 1 contender, 2009)
••Phil Stacey, Shawnee, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 6, Top 6, 2007)
••Tommy Stanley, Cushing, NBC’s “Nashville Star” (Season 6, Top 8 2008)
••Krysta Starkey, Oklahoma City, ABC’s “The Bachelor” (Season 6, Top 25, 2004)
••Blaine Twilley, Tulsa, ABC’s “The Bachelorette” (Season 4, Top 6, 2008)
••Carrie Underwood, Checotah, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 4 winner, 2005)
••Christie Volkmer, Choctaw, CBS’s “The Amazing Race” (Season 14 contender, 2009)
18 TV Premieres and Finales airing March 8-14, 2009
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of March 8.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“Breaking Bad,” 9 p.m. Sunday on AMC (second-season premiere).
••“Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” 9 p.m. Sunday on E! (third season premiere).
••“Candy Girls,” 9:30 p.m. Sunday on E! (series premiere).
••“Dancing With the Stars,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC (eighth-season premiere).
••“Battles BC,” 8 p.m. Monday on History (series premiere).
••“Castle,” 9:02 p.m. Monday on ABC (series premiere).
••“WCG Ultimate Gamer,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on SCI FI (series premiere).
••“The Chopping Block,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on NBC (series premiere)(NBC Photo above).
••“Idol Tonight,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on TV Guide Network (fourth-season premiere).
••“Ghost Hunters,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on SCI FI (fifth-season premiere).
••“Clean House Comes Clean,” 10 p.m. Wednesday on Style Network (fourth-season premiere).
••“Warriors,” 9 p.m. Thursday on History (series premiere).
••“Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Travel Channel (series premiere).
••“Most Haunted,” 9 p.m. Friday on Travel Channel (season premiere).
••“The Graham Norton Show,” 9 p.m. Saturday on BBC America (fifth-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“The L Word,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Showtime (series finale).
••“Tool Academy,” 9 p.m. Sunday on VH1 (first-sesaon finale).
••“Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House,” 9 p.m. Thursday on VH1 (season finale).
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
Happy Birthday, Dakota Fanning
Feb. 23, 2009 – Hannah Dakota Fanning, who played Allie Keys in the TV miniseries “Taken” (2002 on SciFi), turns 15 today.
She will play Cassie Holmes in upcoming movie of “Push.”
Her first acting role was as Delia Chadsey on the TV series “ER” (2000 episode titled “The Fastest Year”). She was 6.
Best wishes to Dakota and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Dakota Fanning poses for a photo at the 40th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/FOX).
Happy Birthday, Zooey Deschanel
Jan. 17, 2009 – Zooey Claire Deschanel, who played DG in the Sci Fi Channel original miniseries on “Tin Man,” turns 29 today.
She played Kat on the Showtime series “Weeds” (four episodes in 2006-07).
Her first acting role was as Elena on “Veronica’s Closet” (1998 episode titled “Veronica’s Fun and Pirates Are Crazy”). She was 18.
Best wishes to Zooey and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Zooey Deschanel attends the presentation of the movie “Yes Man” in Rome, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Sandro Pace).
Program Planner: Jan. 11-17
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Jan. 11:
SUNDAY, JAN. 11
◊The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (7 p.m. on NBC): The Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s awards gala honors achievements in both television and motion pictures. Steven Spielberg is the 2009 Cecil B. DeMille Award winner and Rumer Willis (daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis) is this year’s Miss Golden Globe.
◊“24″ (7 p.m. today and Monday on Fox): The CTU is dismantled and Jack Bauer is on trial in the seventh season premiere. The series celebrates its milestone 150th episode during the fourth hour of the two-night premiere.
◊“Feeding Frenzy” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): Host Chris Douglas heads to all corners of the globe to locate and study dangerous animals and learn about their predatory ways. Three back-to-back episodes focus on crocodiles in the everglades, lions in Africa and bears in Alaska.
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment titled “The Dragon Chroniles,” reptile expert Romulus Whitaker sets off to find out if dragon stories are based on real animals and if any are still to be found.
◊“Tool Academy” (9 p.m. on VH1): This new series sends nine unsuspecting bad boys to relationship boot camp, where they will be schooled in subjects like honesty, fidelity, maturity and communication.
MONDAY, JAN. 12
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): One of the items brought to the Palm Springs Convention Center for appraisal is a costume dress that was literally sewn onto Marilyn Monroe for her role in 1959’s “Some Like It Hot.” It is estimated to be worth $150,000 to $250,000.
◊“Inside the Actors Studio” (6 p.m. on Bravo): Laura Linney, who has three Emmys on her shelf and three Oscar nominations to her name, discusses her life and her work with host James Lipton.
◊“Kyle XY” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): In the show’s third season, Kyle is pushed by greater forces to rise to new levels. But to do so, he may have to sacrifice relationships with those he holds most dear.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): Cast member Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) directs this episode titled “ A Hand to Take Holld of the Scene.” Mouth and Millicent struggle to remain a couple while Brooke tries to figure out Julian’s intentions.
◊“Rita Rocks” (7:30 p.m. on Lifetime): Deborah Gibson (“Celeste in the City”) guest stars as Cindy, Rita’s former Bangles-cover band mate who returns years later to apologize for leaving the band the night of their most important gig.
◊“The Secret Life of an American Teenager” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Anson Williams (“Happy Days”) directs the new episode titled “Baked Nevada,” in which Amy and Ben realize that their marriage is not legal.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
TUESDAY, JAN. 13
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. today and Wednesday on Fox): Ryan Seacrest is back as host of the show, now in its eighth season. There is a new judge, as Kara DioGuardi joins Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. Other changes this season include expanding the number of semifinalists to 36 and bringing back the wild-card round.
◊“The Ascent of Money” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This new special puts the current global financial crisis in the full context of financial hyistory. Niall Ferguson, author of the book on which the program is based, speaks with leading experts, including financier George Soros and Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volker.
◊“Chopped” (9 p.m. on Food Network): Ted Allen (”Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) hosts this new series that challenges up-and-coming chefs to turn a selection of everyday ingredients into an extraordinary three-course meal. Each week, a rotating panel of judges will decide whose dishes shine and award the winner $10,000.
◊“Lost Tapes” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): Legend has it that freshwater octopus lurks in Oklahoma’s lakes and rivers. A group of high school graduates claim to have had an encounter with the creature, and their story is told in the episode titled “Oklahoma Octopus.”
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14
◊“Gordon Ramsay’s F Word” (2 p.m. on BBC America): World renowned chef Gordon Ramsay serves up a third season of his show in which he gets people eating, cooking, thinking and talking about food.
◊“Lost” (7 p.m. on ABC): The network rebroadcasts last season’s three-part finale to refresh fans’ memories in anticipation of next week’s season premiere.
◊“Make ’em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (7 p.m. on PBS): Billy Crystal (”Soap”) hosts and Amy Sedaris (“Strangers With Candy”) narrates this new six-part miniseries that chronicles over 100 years of American comedy. Each episode focuses on a distinct genre, including slapstick, satire and fast-talking wise guys.
◊“Robert Schimmel: Life Since Then” (9 p.m. on Showtime): Comedian Robert Schimmel, who has had a heart attack and cancer, mines both of them for laughs in his typical outrageous style.
◊“Wonderland” (9 p.m. on DirecTV’s 101 Network): This doctor drama premiered on ABC in 2000 but was cancelled after two episodes. Those two episodes, in addition to six that never aired, will air for the next eight weeks.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Kansas State in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on KAUT-43.
THURSDAY, JAN. 15
◊“The Beast” (9 p.m. on A&E)(A&E Photo above): Patrick Swayze (”Ghost”) and Travis Fimmel (”Tarzan”) star in this new drama series that centers on an FBI veteran who takes on a rookie partner to train in his hard-edged and psychologically clever style of agenting.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Brennan and Booth go undercover as a Canadian knife-throwing act to investigate the death of female conjoined twins who worked in the circus.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): After working with Dr. Raymond Langston (Laurence Fishburne) on the “Dick & JAne” murders, Grissom announced that his time as a CSI has come to an end and offers Langston a permanent position on the team.
◊“Soundstage” (10 p.m. on PBS): Tony winner Idina Menzel (”Wicked”) performs songs from her third album, “I Stand.” Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane joins her on a couple of numbers, and singer Josh Groban stops by for a duet.
◊“Treasure Quest” (9 p.m. on Discovery): Odyssey Marine Exploration (OME), the world’s only publicly-traded company dedicated to deep ocean shipwreck exploration, plunges viewers to the ocean floor as they track the unsolved mysteries of the deep sea in this new series.
◊“Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew” (9 p.m. on MTV): Mario Lopez returns as host as nine new crews perform their hottest moves for dance supremacy and a $100,000 cash prize. Each week, viewers will choose their favorite crews via text messaging, phone and online voting at www.dancecrew.mtv.com/. The two crews with the least number of votes will be up for elimination with judges JC Chasez, Lil Mama and Shane Sparks making the final call on which crew goes home.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Margaret O’Brien was born on this day in 1937, and TCM celebrates by airing four of her films, including 1954’s “Sabrina” (7:45 a.m.) and 1949’s “Little Women” (4:45 p.m.).
FRIDAY, JAN. 16
◊“Battlestar Galactica” (9 p.m. on SCI FI): Picking up from last June’s jarring cliffhanger, the Colonial fleet and their new Cylon allies led by Admiral Adama and the Galactica crew discover Earth to find it a barren nuclear wasteland. The 10-week run will culminate with the series finale on March 20.
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on NBC): Direct TV got first-run rights to Season 3 of this critically-acclaimed drama. Now everyone else can catch up with Coach Eric Taylor and the Dillon Panthers.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team has only four hours to stop a group of hijackers who take a bus full of Hollywood tourists hostage. Fisher Stevens (”Early Edition”) guest stars.
◊“Options Action” (10:30 p.m. on CNBC): CNBC’s Melissa Lee hosts this new weekly roundtable discussion featuring four prominent options traders who will demonstrate how to profit from the news of the week using options.
◊Norman takes on Midwest City in high school basketball action airing live at 6:15 p.m. (girls game) and 8 p.m. (boys game) on Cox.
SATURDAY, JAN. 17
◊“Talkshow With Spike Feresten” (10 p.m. on Fox): The late-night series expands to hour-long episodes for a limited six-week run. That means double the laughter with more original fan-favorite sketches such as “Idiot Paparazzi,” “Comedy for Stoners” and the online sensation “Lil’ O’Reilly.”
◊“Starting Out in the Evening” (9 p.m. on Sundance): Frank Langella (”Frost/Nixon”) stars as a fading literary lion who is approached by a graduate student (Lauren Ambrose, “Six Feet Under”) writing her master’s thesis about his work. Lili Taylor (”Six Feet Under”) co-stars as Langella’s daughter.
◊Seagal vs. Van Damme marathon (noon to 10 p.m. on SPIKE): This action-packed movie marathon features three Steven Seagal films (”Urban Justice” at noon, “Out for a Kill” at 4 p.m. and “Belly of the Beast” at 8 p.m.) and two starring Jean Claude Van Damme (”Wake of Death” at 2 p.m. and “In Hell” at 6 p.m.).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas A&M in men’s college basketball action airing live at 1 p.m. on ESPN.
Oklahoma State University takes on Baylor in men’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 p.m. on KOCB-34.
–Penny TV
Bid on “Battlestar Galactica” memorabilia
“Battlestar Galactica” is ending. Let the bidding begin.
NBC Universal will hold a “Battlestar Galactica” auction Jan. 16 and 18 at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Calif. But you don’t have to be there to bid in thousands of one-of-a-kind props, costumes and set pieces from the show. Auction Network (www.auctionnetwork.com/) will broadcast the two-day event live in high definition with real-time bidding online.
For a catelog of items up for auction, go to www.battlestarprops.com/. Some of the more familiar items to “Battlestar Galactica” viewers include “Caprica Six’s” red dress, “Admiral Adama’s” blue uniform, “President Laura Roslyn’s” desk and a life-size viper, as well as a large selection of pre-production art and costume sketches. A portion of the auction’s proceeds will benefit United Way.
“Battlestar Galactica” resumes its fourth and final season Jan. 16 on the SCI FI Channel. The remaining episodes will air at 9 p.m. Fridays, with the series finale scheduled for spring.
–Penny TV
Program Planner: Jan. 4-10
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Jan. 4:
SUNDAY, JAN. 4
◊“Golden Globe Awards Preview With Joey Fatone” (7 p.m. on TV Guide Network): Arrive fashionably early to the most glamorous award shows in 2009 with Joey Fatone (”Dancing With the Stars”). He will be joined by Lisa Rinna (”Days of Our Lives”) for upcomning coverage, including “Countdown to the Golden Globe Awards” (3 p.m. Jan. 11), ◊“Live at the Golden Globe Awards” (5 p.m. Jan. 11) and “Golden Globe Awards Fashion Wrap With Lisa Rinna” (7 p.m. Jan. 12).
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Gemma Arterton (”Quantum of Solace”) stars in the new adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s novel “Tess of the D’Urbervilles” about a woman violated by one mand and forsaken by another. Hosting the new season of “Masterpiece Classic” is Emmy winner Laura Linney (”John Adams”).
◊“Running the Sahara” (8 p.m. on Showtime): Matt Damon (“The Bourne Ultimatum”) narrates and executive produces this documentary that chronicles three men’s historial quest across the Saraha Desert. It took them 111 days to trek 4,300 miles through six countries.
◊“Superstars of Dance” (8 p.m. on NBC): Michael Flatley (”Lord of the Dance”) and Susie Castillo (”House of Payne”) co-host this new competitive reality series that pits teams of dancers from eight countries — India, Argentina, Australia, Russia, Ireland, China, South Africa and the U.S. — against one another in a variety of dance styles. Each country’s team is made up of two solo dancers, a duo and a larger group.
◊“Ultimate Recipe Showdown” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Guy Fieri (”The Next Food Network Star”) is back for Season 2 of the series in which a new batch of home cooks put their prized personal recipes to the test. Each week’s winner will receive $25,000 and the chance to have his or her recipe featured nationwide at TGI Friday’s restaurants.
MONDAY, JAN. 5
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Season 13 opens with one of the most valuable object ever appraised on the show. It is a 1937 oil painting by noted abstract expressionist Clyfford Still worth $500,000. It was received as a housewarming gift.
◊“The Bachelor” (7 p.m. on ABC): Jason Mesnick, the first single dad in “Bachelor” history, gets a second chance at love when the 13th edition of the romance reality series begins. In last season’s finale of “The Bachelorette,” DeAnna Pappas rejected his proposal.
◊“Daddy’s Girls: From Run’s House to Our House” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): Over the course of five seasons, viewers have watched Vanessa and Angela Simmons grow up on “Run’s House.” This new series focuses on the Simmons Sisters as they take a major step toward independence by moving to Los Angeles and working on their already successful apparel line, Pastry.
◊“Diet Tribe” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): This new five-episode series follows five best friends who have made a commitment to lose weight together. Fitness trainer Jessie Pavelka and psycholotherapist Stacy Kaiser lend their expertise.
◊“Masters of Illusion” (8 p.m. on My Network TV): This new series will feature non-stop magic from the world’s greatest illusionists. All acts were filmed in front of an audience without camera or computer tricks.
◊“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): The show’s second season opens with the wedding of Amy and Ben,
while Anne tells George she wants a divorce.
◊“The Story of India” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In this new miniseries, historian Michael Wood introduces viewers to India’s sights, sounds, people, places and history.
◊“True Beauty” (9 p.m. on ABC): This new competitive reality series features six women and four men competing for the title of most beautiful. What they don’t know is that they’re being judged on their inner beauty as much as their looks. Vanessa Minnillo (The Bold and the Beaituful”) is host and serves on the judges panel with Cheryl Tiegs (”Just Shoot Me!”) and Nole Marin (”America’s Next Top Model”).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Maryland Eastern Shore in men’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on FSOK
TUESDAY, JAN. 6
◊“10 Items or Less” (10 p.m. on TBS): Shot on location in a real, working grocery store in Reseda, Calif., this series combines improvisation with a loose script as it delves into the offbeat lives of Greens & Grains employees. The third-season premiere episode will air commercial free.
◊“The Biggest Loser: Couples” (7 p.m. on NBC): It’s the biggest season ever, as 11 couples begin the seventh edition with a combined weight of more than 3.5 tons. Teams of two – including mother/daughter, father/son, sisters, best friends, grandparents, cousins, an engaged couple and former models – come together hoping to transform their bodies, their health and their lives.
◊“Dirty Jobs” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Host Mike Rowe, who travels the country to showcase jobs that most people would go out of their way to avoid, opens Season 5 with a visit to a bologna factory.
◊“Homeland Security USA” (7 p.m. on ABC): This new series gives viewers an unprecedented look at the agencies and people who protect our country. Each episode covers eight or more locations on the “front lines” where the officers and agents work each day.
◊“Lost Tapes” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new series brings the experience of first-person encounters with bizarre animals to viewers. The premiere episodes feature “Swamp Creature” and “Monster of Monterey.”
◊“Nip/Tuck” (9 p.m. on FX): Earlier this season, plastic surgeons Dr. Sean McNamara and Dr. Christian Troy departed Miami for Los Angeles seeking a fresh start. As Season 5 continues, McNamara/Troy faces an unexpected medical crisis.
◊“Primetime” What Would You Do?” (9 p.m. on ABC): From light-hearted situations like missing out on a supermarket prize to potentially life-threatening scenarios where people are faced with how to handle a baby left alone in a hot car, this new series will look at what people actually do in the face of everyday dilemmas.
◊“Scrubs” (8 p.m. on ABC): The medical comedy moves from NBC to ABC for its eighth season, which opens with bac-to-back episodes. In the premiere, Dr. Kelso’s beautiful but unethical replacement, Dr. Maddox (Courteney Cox, “Friends”), shakes things up at Sacred Heart.
◊“Vice Squad” (8 p.m. on My Network TV): This new series features exclusive ride-along access with local police agencies across the country as they take down real-life criminals involved in the world of narcotics, prostitution and gambling. Viewer are let in on everything from the plan, to the tactic and ultimately, the arrest of hardened criminals.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): Cast member Marianne Jan-Baptiste (Vivian Johnson) directs this episode in which the team investigates a kidnapping after a teen, last seen with her mother, vanishes.
◊Mustang takes on Edmond Santa Fe in high school basketball action airing live at 6:30 p.m. (girls) and 8 p.m. (boys) on Cox-3.
◊“Wreckreation Nation” (9 p.m. on Discovery): Host Dave Mordal (“Last Comic Standing” finalist) travels the country to compete in events like fruitcake chucking, lawnmower racing and catfish wrangling.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7
◊The 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards (8 p.m. on CBS): Queen Latifah (”Chicago”) hosts the event, but fan votes determine the winners of the awards that cover movies, music and television. Carrie Underwood from Checotah is up for three awards and the musical group Rascal Flatts, featuring guitarist Joe Don Rooney from Picher, has two nominations.
◊“13 — Fear is Real” (7 p.m. on CW): This new horror reality series chronicles 13 people as they compete to “stay alive” while facing their deepest fears.
◊“Barbara Walters Special” (9 p.m. on ABC): Patrick Swayze gives his first interview since his pancreatic cancer diagnosis became public. The 56-year-old actor and his wife, Lisa Niemi, chat with Barbara Walters from their California ranch.
◊“Damages” (9 p.m. on FX): Oscar winners William Hurt (“Kiss of the Spider Woman”) and Marcia Gay Harden (“Pollock”) join the cast of the show for its second season. The series, which also stars Emmy winners Glenn Close and Zeljko Ivanek, follows the lives of high-stales litigator Patty Hewes and her protoge Ellen Parsons.
◊“Great Performances” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This production of “Cyrano de Bergerac” had a limited run on Broadway about a year ago. It stars Oscar winner Kevin Kline (“A Fish Called Wanda”) as the warrior with the big nose who uses words to woo Roxane (Jennifer Garner, “Alias”).
◊“Meet the Browns” (9 p.m. on TBS): This spin-off is based on characters from Tyler Perry’s popular movie and play. David Mann (”Madea’s Family Reunion”) stars as the fun-loving but sometimes crass “Downtown” Leroy Brown trying to fulfill his father’s last request by opening a retirement home.
◊“The Real World: Brooklyn” (9 p.m. on MTV): Season 21 sets up residence in Brooklyn with eight new roommates. Cameras will track their every move as they descover who they really are and how false first impressions may be.
THURSDAY, JAN. 8
◊The 14th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards (8 p.m. on VH1): The Broadcast Film Critics Association honors the year’s finest achievements in cinema. The films “Milk” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” both received eight nominations. The rock band Rooney will serve as this year’s house band for the event.
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): Jack makes a connection with his mother’s nurse, Elisa (Salma Hayek, “Frida”) and helps Tracy and wife Angie (Sherri Shepherd, “The View”) arrange a “post-nup.”
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Elvis Presley was born on this day in 1935, and TCM celebrates by airing six of his films, including 1958’s “King Creole” (6:30 a.m.) and 1961’s Blue Hawaii” (10:15 a.m.).
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): Betty struggles to impress her idol, Jodie Papadakis (Bernadette Peters, “Living Proof”), the editor running YETI. But things go from bad to worse when she encounters Teri (Nikki Blonsky, “Hairspray”), an assistant an ELLE magazine.
FRIDAY, JAN. 9
◊“Flashpoint” (8 p.m. on CBS):Returning for Season 2 is this drama inspired by the Toronto police’s Emergency Task Force. It centers on a superelite team of police officers who handle the most delicate cases.
◊“Howie Do It” (7 p.m. on NBC): Howie Mandel (”Deal or No Deal”) hosts this new hidden camera series in which he plays hoaxes on unsuspecting citizens.
◊“Lipstick Jungle” (8 p.m. on NBC): Nico asks Dahlia (Rosie Perez, “Pineapple Express”) to help boost her proffesional status and lands her a guest appearance on the “Today” show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.
◊“Miss America: Countdown to the Crown” (9 p.m. on TLC): All 52 of the Miss America contestants move into the Queen Mary ocean-liner and compete in a series of team and individual challenges. In the final challenge, viewers will vote four girls into the pageant’s Top 15.
◊“Stargate Atlantis” (8 p.m. on SCI FI): In the final episode of this spinoff from ‘‘Stargate: SG-1,” the Atlantis team races the clock to destroy an advanced wraith hive ship that’s threatening Earth.
SATURDAY, JAN. 10
◊“Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup” (2 p.m. on Lifetime): This all-star event features a three-round show jumping competition designed for television. Competing will be a limited invitational all-star field of international competitors and horses.
◊“Expecting a Miracle” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Jason Priestley (”Love Monkey”) and Teri Polo (”Meet the Parents”) star as a couple who take an unexpected detour to a small town in Mexico that discover it is exactly where they need to be.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Kansas State in men’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Iowa State in women’s college basketball action airing live at 3 p.m. on FSOK.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Nebraska in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on KAUT-43.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Texas A&M in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPNU.
– Penny TV
TV fan gift guide
Looking for the perfect gift for your the “Top Chef” fan in your life? Want to give your favorite “Battlestar Galactica” fan something spectacular?
Here are a few suggestions that any true TV fan would treasure.
♦♦“Battlestar Galactica” Cylon Toaster (www.scifichannelstore.com): Let a Cylon join you for breakfast with this toaster that imprints the shape of a Cylon onto the toast.
♦♦“Boston Legal” Denny Crane Bobblehead (www.abc.go.com): This talking Denny Crane bobblehead is 7 inches tall and says “Denny Crane!” It was seen on the “Boston Legal” episode that aired May 15, 2007.
♦♦“CSI” highlighter pen set (www.cbs.com): Stress your most important clues and details on your documents with these mock syringe design highlighters. The 3-pen set features the “CSI” show logo screen printed on the syringe and the clear tube package.
♦♦“Meerkat Manor” slippers (www.discovery.com): Burrow your toes into these cute and cuddly plush slippers. The Meerkat design features whiskers, arms and beaded eyes.
♦♦“Mr. Monk is Miserable” book (www.usanetworkstore.com): In the newest installment of the popular “Mr. Monk” book series from Penguin and based on the hit USA Network series, Monk and his assistant Natalie take a trip through the underground of Paris after Monk decides he must see the famous sewers that keep the city running clean.
♦♦“The Office” DVD Board Game (www.nbcstore.com): This game from Pressman Toy lets players go head-to-head answering trivia questions based on video clips, images and facts from the show.
♦♦“Top Chef” PC game (www.bravotv.com): Enjoy the action of Bravo’s “Top Chef” with this game from Brighter Minds. Players take on the role of a contestant and test their flair in a variety of challenges – shopping for ingredients and choosing a recipe wisely. Dishes are then judged by hosts Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio.
♦♦“24” Playing Cards (www.foxshop.seenon.com): This deck of playing cards features images from “24” on every card.
–Penny TV
