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Happy Birthday, Hal Sparks

   Sept. 25, 2009 — Hal Harry
Magee Sparks III, who played Michael Novotny on “Queer as Folk” (2000-05 on Showtime), turns 40 today.
   He provided the voice of Tak for “Tak & the Power of Juju” (2007-08).
   His first TV appearance was as Jim in the 1987 TV movie “Frog.” He was 18.
   Best wishes to Hal and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV

Pictured at right:  Host of the 16th Annual GLAAD Awards, actor Hal Sparks attends the award ceremony in New York Monday, March 28, 2005.  (AP Photo/Adam Rountree)

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“Dexter” Preview Increases Anticipation for New Season

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TV Preview Podcast: ‘Dexter’

Each week, The Oklahoman TV Editor Penny Soldan hosts an audio podcast discussing an upcoming TV program.
This week’s topic is “Dexter,” which begins its fourth season at 8 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 27) on Showtime.
To hear her discussion with Melissa Hayer, assistant news research editor for The Oklahoman, click here

Pictured above: Julie Benz as Rita Morgan and Michael C. Hall as Dexter (Season 4) – Photo: Jim Fiscus/Showtime

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Top 55 TV Programs for Sept. 27-Oct. 3, 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 Sept. 27:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)

SUNDAY, SEPT. 27, 2009
◊“The Adventures of Danny & the Dingo” (7:30 p.m. on Fuel TV): In the Season 2 premiere, pro snowboarders Danny Kass and The Dingo meet Rob Dyrdek in Hollywood in search of street credit. Then they head to San Diego for a trade show.
◊“Amanpour” (1 p.m. on CNN):CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour will host this new global interview program. Each show will primarily focus on one topic and will feature guests who challenge and deconstruct conventional wisdom.
◊“The Amazing Race” (7 p.m. on CBS): In Season 15, 12 teams will travel one of the fastest courses ever assembled on the Race — spanning eight countries in just 21 days. And one team will be sent home before leaving the starting line.
◊“American Dad” (8:30 p.m. on Fox): When Steve is selected to sing the national anthem at the Langley Falls Veterans’ Day celebration, he gets some heat from Stan who doesn’t think he’s ready for such an undertaking.
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9 p.m. on ABC): Kitty harbors a devastating secret that will rock the Walker family in the Season 4 premiere. Marion Ross (“Happy Days”) and Matt Gallant (“The Planet’s Funniest Animals”) guest star.
◊“Californication” (9 p.m. on Showtime): As Season 3 opens, Hank Moody now has a “real” job as a college professor and is trying to keep wild child Becca on the straight and narrow with Karen still working in New York.
◊“The Cleveland Show” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): Mike Henry reprises his voice role as Cleveland Brown in this new animated “Family Guy” spin-off that finds the soft-spoken title character moving back to his Virginia hometown with his 14-year-old son, Cleveland Jr.
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): In the Season 7 premiere, which features the music of Ray Charles, the team investigates the 1966 shipboard murder of a young working-class woman who shared a room in steerage with a friend on an upscale ocean liner’s final round-trip Atlantic crossing.
◊“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (8 p.m. on HBO): Larry deliberately tries to annoy Loretta, against the advice of a renowned doctor.  Later, Larry dooms Richard Lewis’ new relationship.
◊“Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 6 premiere, Mike Delfino’s bride will finally be revealed and a new family with a dark past moves to Wisteria Lane. Drea de Matteo (“Joey”) and Jeffrey Nordling (“24”) join the cast.
◊“Dexter” (8 p.m. on Showtime): In Season 4, Dexter becomes fascinated with the “Trinity Killer” (John Lithgow, “3rd Rock From the Sun”) because of his unique killing methods and his ability to evade capture for almost three decades.
◊“Entourage” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Ari investigates Terrance (Malcolm McDowell, “Fantasy Island”) when he unexpectedly offers to sell Ari his share of his agency.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (6 p.m. on ABC): Season 7 will celebrities volunteering for the weeks of house building, and the first two volunteers are Patricia Heaton (”The Middle”) and musical group Five For Fighting.
◊“Family Guy” (8 p.m. on Fox): With the help of an out-of-this-world remote control, Stewie and Brian travel through alternate universes, including a post-apocalyptic world and a parallel world run by dogs where humans are pets.
◊“Firsthand” (7 p.m. on Fuel TV): This series provides an exclusive look at action sports personalities. Season 11 takes viewers into the daily lives of BMX pro Dave Mirra, X Games Gold Medalist Travis Pastrana, pro snowboarder Danny Kass and 2007 World Champion surfer Mick Fanning.
◊“Mario’s Green House” (5 p.m. on TV One): Actor Mario Van Peebles (“All My Children”) and his family undergo a major home eco-renovation and embrace green living in this new reality series. It also offers an entertaining take on how to make one’s everyday life support a sustainable future.
◊“My Fair Wedding With David Tutera” (9 p.m. on WEtv): Celebrity wedding planner David Tutera returns to help transform and revamp the less-than-perfect into extraordinary platinum-style affairs. Along the way, David surprises the bridal parties with major last minute changes that take the bride’s original idea to the next level.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Ken Burns’ 12-hour, six-part documentary series, which chronicles the idea of preserving the nation’s most beautiful places for the general public, opens with “The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890).” In 1851, word spreads across the country of a beautiful area of California’s Yosemite Valley, attracting visitors who wish to exploit the land’s scenery for commercial gain and those who wish to keep it pristine.
◊“Nick News: I’m Allergic to My World” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new special explores what it’s like to be a youngster with life threatening allergies. Dr. Robert Wood, Director of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at John’s Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, MD, explains the strange ways of allergies. Kids explain the rest.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the 21st-season premiere episode co-written by Seth Rogan (“Funny People”), Homer is cast as the lead in “Everyman,” a feature film based on the new comic book superhero. To whip Homer into superhero shape, the movie studio hires celebrity fitness trainer “Lyle McCarthy” (guest voice Rogen).
◊“Washington Watch With Roland Martin” (10 a.m. on TV One): CNN analyst Roland Martin will host this new weekly public affairs series focusing on issues that are critical to black Americans. The show will also feature regular appearances by members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

MONDAY, SEPT. 28, 2009
◊“The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): Lewis Black (“Root of All Evil”) guest stars as a brilliant but troubled professor of entomology who works at Caltech with the guys. 
◊“Brainsurge” (3:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new game show is filled with high-energy challenges that allow youngsters to test their level of recollection and attention skills while having fun. The winning contestant gets the ultimate prize — a giant, messy, celebratory sliming.
◊“Greek” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): Shocked to learn that ZBZ has slipped in the ranks down to fourth, Casey is determined to bring ZBZ back to the number one spot by motivating their pledge class to take action. Olivia Munn (”Attack of the Show”) and Olesya Rulin (”High School Musical”) guest star.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): House returns home to Princeton where he continues to focus on his recovery, but surprises Cuddy with the news that he’s making a big change in his life.
◊“The Joy Behar Show” (8 p.m. on HLN): This new nighttime talk show will offer viewers a full hour of Joy Behar’s passionate point of view, sharp wit, and no-nonsense approach.  Topics will range from pop culture to politics and everything in between.
◊“Lie to Me” (8 p.m. on Fox): In the Season 1 premiere, the Lightman Group investigates a murder case where a woman with multiple personalities (Erika Christensen, “The Perfect Score”) may either be a witness or the killer.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “The Last Refuge (1890-1915),” President Theodore Roosevelt becomes one of the national parks’ greatest champions.
◊“Trauma” (8 p.m. on NBC): This new medical drama series follows the first responder paramedics of the trauma team of San Francisco City Hospital, who often put their own lives on the line to save others.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 29, 2009
◊“90210” (7 p.m. on CW): Navid continues to run the Blaze News and assigns Silver and Gia (Rumer Willis, “Sorority Row”) to interview Jasper for a news piece about his uncle.
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): In these new primetime episodes airing back-to-back, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) stars The Miz and John Morrison play the game for charity.
◊“Chopped” (9 p.m. on Food Network): In the final competition, four champions face off for a chance to reclaim the title and bank an additional $10,000.
◊“The City” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): When Season 1 resumes, it’s back to work for the cast and with new jobs, new boys, new cast members and New York in the mix. Whitney Port decides to take a chance at her dream of becoming a designer and leaves her position at Diane von Furstenberg to work under the critical eye of Kelly Cutrone at People’s Revolution.
◊“Executive Vision” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This new 5-part series examines how leaders will gain the trust, dedication and admiration of all around them as they confront the challenges in today’s ever-changing world.
◊“The Hills” (9 p.m. on MTV): When Season 5 resumes, the tension picks up right where it left off. Heidi and Spencer are moving to suburbia to begin a life of wedded bliss but they quickly discover that married life won’t be as perfect as their storybook wedding.
◊“Lost Tapes” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): In Season 2 of the popular crypto zoology series, discover the stories behind creatures that science refuses to recognize. Bigfoot, werewolves, vampires, the Jersey devil — while their existence has never been proven, alleged sightings and encounters suggest that there are species that have managed to elude the reach of mankind.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919),” a new federal agency is created to protect the parks.
◊“One Life to Live” (1 p.m. on ABC): Grammy Award winner Lionel Richie will perform his hit “Just Go” off his latest album of the same title. He will be joined by rising pop-star, Jeremih, who is known for his smash hit “Birthday Sex” and self titled debut album “Jeremih.”
◊“Weird, True & Freaky” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Season 2 features everything from the grotesque to the downright bizarre and inexplicable. A band of monkeys infests an elementary school; the world’s deadliest spider invades a grocery store produce aisle; and the blood of a goat is used in an ancient fertility ritual.
◊“Who Wants a Man Cave?” (8 p.m. on DIY): This special follows former NFL player Tony “Goose” Siragusa, contractor Jason Cameron and MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams as they transform a space into an ultimate man cave equipped with official MLB merchandise.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30, 2009
◊“Bank of Mom and Dad” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): In this reality series, adapted from a BBC format, women in their 20s and 30s have to face their mom and dad moving in for one week to police their finances and take over their lives. With wayward lifestyles and spending spiraling out of control, each episode sees one woman having a major reality check as she faces up to her debt.
◊“Eastwick” (9 p.m. on ABC): As Eastwick prepares for its annual fall HarvestFest, Joanna, Kat and Roxie’s lives continue to take a turn for the strange. Cybil Shepherd (”The L Word”) and Martin Mull (”Roseanne”) guest star.
◊“Finishing Heaven” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This new documentary follows director Robert Feinberg as he struggles to complete the film he began nearly four decades ago. As a New York City film student in the 1960s, he showed the potential to become the next big filmmaker. But over the years, perfectionism got the best of him and to this day, he still hasn’t completed the film, a free-form, avant-garde portrait of bohemian life in the Big Apple.
◊“First In” (9 p.m. on BET): Narrated by Tyrese Gibson (“Death Race”), this new series delves into the lives of Compton’s firefighters and paramedics as they try to balance the high stress of a gruesome 72-hour work schedule and family life. Emotions run high as the men and women work long hours in a fast-paced, high intensity atmosphere compounded by the daily pressure of saving lives.
◊“Ghost Hunters” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Meat Loaf (“Fight Club”) joins the TAPS team for an investigation at a haunted private island in Thousand Islands, NY. The area was formerly part of the Underground Railroad and was also used as a monastery.
◊“Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Will thinks the glee club desperately needs more of an edge, so he brings in his former classmate, April Rhodes (Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies”), to spice things up.
◊“Hank” (7 p.m. on ABC): Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer (‘‘Frasier”) returns to series television as Hank Pryor, a legendary entrepreneur in the sports retail world. Hank and his wife, Tilly, have been living the high life in New York City. That is until Hank is forced out of his CEO job and has to downsize and move his family back home to the small town of River Bend, Va.
◊“The Middle” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Meet the Hecks, an ordinary family struggling to survive each other and life in Middle America. Patricia Heaton (”Everybody Loves Raymond”) stars in the new series as a car saleswoman who juggles her job demands with keeping her three children grounded in middle-class family values.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “Going Home (1920-1933), the advent of the automobile allows more people to visit the national parks, previously accessible mainly to wealthy visitors who could afford train tours.
◊“The Ruins” (9 p.m. on MTV): This season, twenty-eight competitors will travel to Thailand to battle it out on two separate teams of the “Champions” and the “Challengers”. While players will still be competing for their teams, they will also be accumulating money for their own personal bank accounts as they compete in nine.
◊“The Shift” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): The network’s most successful original series returns for a second season. It chronicles the “middle shift” of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) that works from 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM, considered to be “primetime” hours for homicide.  While those are their official hours, these investigators work tirelessly to solve their cases whenever they happen – to them, when someone is murdered in their city, it’s personal.

THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2009
◊“The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): Lisbon and the team work the case of a State Senator’s murdered intern, while Jane simultaneously tries to find out what new information Bosco has uncovered on the Red John case. Paul Michael Glaser (“Starsky and Hutch”) guest stars.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “Great Nature (1933-1945),” President Franklin Roosevelt creates the Civilian Conservation Corps to help battle unemployment during the Great Depression.
◊“Portrait of an Artist: Chuck Close” (6 p.m. on Sundance): The documentary looks at the life and art of Chuck Close, who has re-invented portraiture with his monumental studies of human faces.  The film captures the making of a Close self-portrait, an intricate process that yields a single image comprised of hundreds of individually colored, patterned squares.
◊“Private Practice” (9 p.m. on ABC): After Pete discovers Violet dying on the floor of her home, having barely survived a violent attack from her patient, Katie (Amanda Foreman, “What About Brian”), he rushes her to the hospital where Addison and Naomi fight to save her life.
◊“Watch What Happens: Live” (11 p.m. on Bravo): Host Andy Cohen will sit down with guest Jimmy Fallon (“Saturday Night Live”) to chat about what has transpired on-air and in pop culture for the week.

FRIDAY, OCT. 2, 2009
◊“Bartender Wars” (9:30 p.m. on FLN): Bartenders face off in a series of challenges in this new series. Each episode will feature a particular liquor ranging from tequila to champagne, and the contestants will have to engage in five challenges: the “Quick Shot,” based on speed; “Happy Hour” which involves patrons in the festivities; a technical challenge; the “Liquor Picker” where the bartenders have to throw darts to select the ingredients they’ll use for their signature drinks; “The Wheel of Challenges” where the guest judge will challenge the bartenders in games such as “Mimic the Master,” “Celeb in a Glass” and “Not Quite Seven Deadly Sins”; and the “Lightning Round” which gets patrons involved in a physical challenge.
◊“Diet Tribe” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Professional fitness trainer Jessie Pavelka and psychotherapist Stacy Kaiser return for a second season to guide and coach five mothers as they work towards creating healthier and happier lives, one pound at a time.
◊“Kitchen Nightmares” (9 p.m. on DIY): Carpenter and electrician Marc Bartolomeo works with homeowners to achieve the kitchen they always wanted. But getting the job done right can mean changing plans or ripping out existing construction.
◊“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In “The Morning of Creation (1946-1980),” biologist Alfred Murie fights to ensure that even hated predators get the same protection from hunters as other wildlife.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When two FBI agents, part of a unit headed by Don’s former mentor, are killed during a shootout with bank robbers, the team must investigate what exactly happened. Los Angeles Lakers player Jordan Farmer guest stars.
◊“Stargate Universe” (8 p.m. on Syfy): This new series follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship, which is locked on an unknown course and unable to return to Earth.
◊“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (7 p.m. on Cartoon Network): The lives of the Jedi become more complex as secret and forbidden relationships are revealed and a new breed of villain enters to take advantage of the wartime turmoil.  Season 2 introduces these lawless rogues into the fray along with a host of new characters, locations and creatures.
◊“The Suite Life on Deck” (7 p.m. on Disney): In this special one-hour episode, Zack, Cody, London, Bailey and Woody find themselves stranded on a deserted island when Woody accidentally hits the release lever on a lifeboat and the gang drifts out to sea. Zack hops into action, putting his survival tactics to use, while London takes it all in stride, believing that they have found a remote five-star resort.
◊“Til Death” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): In the Season 4 premiere, Eddie and Joy’s free-spirited daughter, Ally, returns from a trek in the Ecuadorian rainforest with her new husband, Doug. When Ally and Doug decide to set up camp in a trailer in the Starks’ backyard, they ruin Eddie’s plans for installing a Jacuzzi.
◊“Ultimate Sportsman’s Lodge” (8 p.m. on DIY): This new series takes viewers to the wilds of Montana as outdoorsman Chris Dorsey builds a lodge complete with a covered deck and fire pit with guest contributor Jeff Foxworthy (”Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”).
◊“Wedded to Perfection” (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series follows the charismatic husband and wife team, Jung Lee and Josh Brooks, who together own New York’s premiere wedding and event planning business, Fete. Each episode will feature two events, anything from a spectacular wedding to a memorable anniversary party.
◊“WWE Friday Night SmackDown” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Season 10 kicks off with a two-hour special featuring appearances from all the WWE superstars and a look back at 10 years of memorable matches and moments.

SATURDAY, OCT. 3, 2009
◊“Anatomy ’59: The Making of a Classic WKAR Motion Picture” (10:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This documentary explores the crime, the trial and the book that led to the making of Otto Preminger’s 1959 courtroom thriller “Anatomy of a Murder” that starred James Stewart and Lee Remick.
◊“Celebrity Ghost Stories” (9 p.m. on BIO Channel): In each episode of this new series, viewers will see several first-person celebrity narratives by actors, musical artists and athletes. Cinematic recreations bring to life the personal accounts of stars who believe they have experienced paranormal encounters. The premiere episode features late actor David Carradine (“Kung Fu Killer”) in one of his last interviews where he divulges a story about a haunting in his closet and gives his view on life after death.
◊“CSI: NY” (7 p.m. on CBS): The team tackles their most unusual case yet: two murder victims within two weeks, both named ‘Mac Taylor.’  Now, Det. Mac Taylor, and 15 others with the same moniker, must determine the killer’s motive before they strike again. Rumer Willis (“Sorority Row”) guest stars.
◊“Mike Epps: Under Rated … Never Faded & X-Rated” (9:40 p.m. on Showtime): Filmed at the historic Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI., Mike Epps gets the house rocking with his unique and hilarious observations of married men, black/white family dynamics and a spot-on impersonation of a popular crime scene investigation series.
◊“ReDesign” (noon on FLN): Designer Kenneth Brown walks viewers through his design process as ordinary rooms transform into stunning showplaces.
◊“Sarah’s House” (10:30 a.m. on FLN): Follow interior designer Sarah Richardson through the entire process of purchasing a house and renovating it room by room.
◊“Superfetch” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new series follows extreme pet trainer Zak George as he works with pet parents and shows them how to transform their ordinary pet into a trick-doing stunt jockey. In the process, he helps strengthen the bond they have with their beloved companion.

–Penny TV

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Happy Birthday, Billie Piper

   Sept. 22, 2009 — Lianne Paul
Piper, who plays Belle on “Secret Diary of a Call Girl” (returns for Season 3 in 2010 ), turns 27 today.
   She also plays Rose Tyler on “Doctor Who” (2005-2010).
   Her first acting role was as Girl Wanting Juan peron’s Autograph in the 1996 movie “Evita.” She was 14.
   Best wishes to Billie and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV

Pictured at right:  Billie Piper as “Hanna” (aka “Belle”) in Secret Diary of a Call Girl – Photo: Michael Elins/Showtime

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And the 61st annual Emmy Awards went to … (complete list of Emmy winners)

   Here is a complete list of winners for the Primetime Emmy Awards telecast.
   I was a perfect 2-for-2 a few minutes into the telecast and ended up 6-for-22. At least the Academy got my first pick right: Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth as outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for “Pushing Daisies.”
   And the evening started out on a high note with a song by host Neil Patrick Harris. But we could’ve done without the set tour — especially if the show was already running 25 behind schedule.
 
Supporting Actress In Comedy Series 
Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock” (NBC)
Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies” (ABC) (Penny’s Pick)
Amy Poehler, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Vanessa Williams, “Ugly Betty” (ABC)
Elizabeth Perkins, “Weeds” (Showtime)

Thank you, Academy: Kristin Chenoweth said it nicely while accepting the night’s first Emmy. “Thank you, Academy, for recognizing a show that is no longer on the air,” she said. “I’m unemployed now, so I’d like to be on ‘Mad Men.’ I also like ‘The Office’ and ‘24.’

And Thank you, Amy Poehler: Kristin was the first nominee captured on camera, and she was wearing crazy 2009 glasses. Turns out the other nominees had interesting eyewear, as well (all except Vanessa Williams) and Kristin credited Amy Poehler with the idea. Nice way to begin the show.

Writing for Comedy Series
“30 Rock” Reunion episode (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“30 Rock” Apollo, Apollo (NBC)
“30 Rock” Mamma Mia (NBC)
“30 Rock” Kidney Now! (NBC)
“Flight Of Conchords” Prime Minister (HBO)

Supporting Actor In Comedy Series 
Tracy Morgan, “30 Rock” (NBC)
Jack McBrayer, “30 Rock” (NBC)
Kevin Dillon, “Entourage” (HBO)
Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS) (Penny’s Pick)
Rainn Wilson, “The Office” (NBC)
Jon Cryer, “Two And A Half Men” (CBS)
   
Lead Actress In Comedy Series 
Tina Fey, “30 Rock” (NBC) (last year’s winner)
Christina Applegate, “Samantha Who?” (ABC)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures Of Old Christine” (CBS)
Sarah Silverman, “The Sarah Silverman Program” (Comedy Central)
Toni Collette, “United States Of Tara” (Showtime) (Penny’s Pick)
Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds” (Showtime)
 
Shout out for Landry Jones? Sarah Silverman was sporting a mustache when the camera zoomed in on her during the introductions for lead actress in a comedy series. She must be a University of Oklahoma football fan.

Directing For Comedy Series
“30 Rock” Apollo, Apollo episode (NBC)
“30 Rock” Reunion (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“30 Rock” Generalissimo (NBC)
“Entourage” Tree Trippers (HBO)
“Flight Of Conchords” Tough Brets (HBO)
“The Office” Stress Relief (NBC)

Lead Actor In Comedy Series 
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock” (NBC) (last year’s winner)
Jemaine Clement, “Flight of the Conchords” (HBO)
Tony Shalhoub, “Monk” (USA)
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
Steve Carell, “The Office” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
Charlie Sheen, “Two And A Half Men” (CBS)
 
Host For Reality Program 
Ryan Seacrest, “American Idol” (Fox)
Tom Bergeron, “Dancing With The Stars” (ABC)
Heidi Klum, “Project Runway” (Bravo)
Jeff Probst, “Survivor” (CBS) (last year’s winner)(Penny’s Pick)
Phil Keoghan, “The Amazing Race” (CBS)
Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio, “Top Chef” (Bravo)

Win for Wichita native: These days, Jeff Probst is roaming the world as host of “Survivor.” Sunday night, the native from Wichita, Kan., was collecting his second Emmy — and only the second Emmy handed out for outstanding host for a reality program.

Reality/Competition Program 
“American Idol” (Fox)
“Dancing With The Stars” (ABC)
“Project Runway” (Bravo)
“The Amazing Race” (CBS) (winner the last six years) (Penny’s Pick)
“Top Chef” (Bravo)
 
An amazing ride: For the seventh consecutive year, “The Amazing Race” collected the Emmy for outstanding reality/competition program. That’s a perfect record for the race, which has won the category every single year. And making it even more special this season is the fact that Choctaw native Christie Volkmer was a contestant for Season 14.

Supporting Actress in Miniseries/Movie 
Jeanne Tripplehorn, “Grey Gardens” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
Shohreh Aghdashloo, “House Of Saddam” (HBO)
Janet McTeer, “Into The Storm” (HBO)
Cicely Tyson, “Relative Stranger” (Hallmark)
Marcia Gay Harden, “The Courageous Heart Of Irena Sendler” (CBS)
 
Jeanne Tripplehorn from Tulsa was wonderful as Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy in “Grey Gardens.” But she did not win the Emmy.

Supporting Actor In Miniseries/Movie 
Ken Howard, “Grey Gardens” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
Len Cariou, “Into The Storm” (HBO)
Tom Courtenay, “Little Dorrit” (PBS)
Andy Serkis, “Little Dorrit” (PBS)
Bob Newhart, “The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice” (TNT)
 
Lead Actor In Miniseries/Movie 
Kiefer Sutherland, “24: Redemption” (Fox)
Kevin Kline, “Cyrano de Bergerac” (PBS)
Brendan Gleeson, “Into The Storm” (HBO)
Ian McKellen, “King Lear” (PBS)
Kevin Bacon, “Taking Chance” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
Kenneth Branagh, “Wallander: One Step Behind” (PBS)
 
Writing for Miniseries/Movie/Special
“Generation Kill” (HBO)
“Grey Gardens” (HBO)
“Into The Storm” (HBO)
“Little Dorrit” (PBS)
“Taking Chance” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)

Directing For Miniseries/Movie/Special
“Generation Kill” (HBO)
“Grey Gardens” (HBO)
“Into The Storm” (HBO)
“Little Dorrit” (PBS)
“Taking Chance” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
“Wallander: One Step Behind” (PBS)

Waiting for big winners: It’s a shame that winners in a lot of the major categories won’t be announced until the Emmy telecast is in a crunch for time and the acceptance speeches are cut short.

Lead Actress In Miniseries/Movie 
Chandra Wilson, “Accidental Friendship” (Hallmark)
Shirley MacLaine, “Coco Chanel” (Lifetime)
Drew Barrymore, “Grey Gardens” (HBO)
Jessica Lange, “Grey Gardens” (HBO)
Sigourney Weaver, “Prayers For Bobby” (Lifetime) (Penny’s Pick)
 
Made For Television Movie 
“Coco Chanel” (Lifetime)
“Grey Gardens” (HBO)
“Into The Storm” (HBO)
“Prayers For Bobby” (Lifetime)
“Taking Chance” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
 
Miniseries 
“Generation Kill” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
“Little Dorrit” (PBS)

Directing For Variety/Music Series
“American Idol” (Fox)
“Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS)
“Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)

Writing For Variety/Music Series
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien” (NBC)
“Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central) (Last year’s winner)
“Daily Show/Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)

Original Music And Lyrics
“81st Annual Academy Awards” (ABC)
“A Colbert Christmas” (Comedy Central) (Penny’s Pick)
“A Muppets Christmas” (NBC)
“Flight Of The Conchords” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
“The 2008 ESPYS” (ESPN)

Jimmy Fallon’s fall: What an original way to intoduce the original music and lyrics category. The awards show needs more cleaver intros like that.
Oh wait. Here comes Ricky Gervais. He needs to be a presenter for EVERY category.

Variety, Music Or Comedy Series 
“Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS)
“Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central) (Last year’s winner)

Oklahoma connection: “Saturday Night Live,” which was up for outstanding variety, music or comedy series award features Tulsa native Bill Hader in its cast. Since he joined the show in 2005, “SNL” has won three Emmys — but not this one. The wins came for outstanding hairstyling in a multi-camera series or special (2008), outstanding original music and lyrics (2007) and outstanding technical direction, camerawork, video for a series (2007).

Supporting Actor In Drama Series 
William Shatner, “Boston Legal” (ABC)
Christian Clemenson, “Boston Legal” (ABC)
Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
William Hurt, “Damages” (FX) (Penny’s Pick)
Michael Emerson, “Lost” (ABC)
John Slattery, “Mad Men” (AMC)

Supporting Actress In Drama Series 
Cherry Jones, “24″ (Fox)
Rose Byrne, “Damages” (FX)
Sandra Oh, “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC) (Penny’s Pick)
Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
Dianne Wiest, “In Treatment” (HBO) (Last year’s winner)
Hope Davis, “In Treatment” (HBO)
 
Directing For A Drama Series
“Battlestar Galactica” Daybreak (Syfy) (Penny’s Pick)
“Boston Legal” Made In China (ABC)
“Damages” Trust Me (FX)
“ER” And In The End (NBC)
“Mad Men” The Jet Set (AMC)

Writing for Drama Series
“Lost” The Incident episode (ABC) (Penny’s Pick)
“Mad Men” A Night To Remember (AMC)
“Mad Men” Six Month Leave (AMC)
“Mad Men” The Jet Set (AMC)
“Mad Men” Meditations Emergency (AMC)

Lead Actress In A Drama Series 
Sally Field, “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC)
Glenn Close, “Damages” (FX) (last year’s winner)
Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC)
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men” (AMC)
Holly Hunter, “Saving Grace” (TNT) (Penny’s Pick)
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer” (TNT)
 
Glenn again: Last year, her acceptance speech was cut short by music. Not this time. And time is running out for Holly Hunter to be honored for her role as Oklahoma City police detective Grace Hanadarko in “Saving Grace.” She has been nominated for her work on the show every season so far, but the show was canceled after Season 3.

Lead Actor In Drama Series 
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad” (AMC) (last year’s winner)
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter” (Showtime)
Hugh Laurie, “House” (Fox)
Gabriel Byrne, “In Treatment” (HBO)
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men” (AMC)
Simon Baker, “The Mentalist” (CBS) (Penny’s Pick)
 
Comedy Series 
“30 Rock” (NBC) (winner the last two years)
“Entourage” (HBO)
“Family Guy” (Fox)
“Flight Of The Conchords” (HBO)
“How I Met Your Mother” (CBS)
“The Office” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“Weeds” (Showtime)

Drama Series 
“Big Love” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
“Breaking Bad” (AMC)
“Damages” (FX)
“Dexter” (Showtime)
“House” (Fox)
“Lost” (ABC)
“Mad Men” (AMC) (last year’s winner)
 
–Penny TV

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And the 61st annual Emmy Awards go to …

   Winners in 28 categories will be revealed during the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards that will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 20, 2009) on CBS.
   Neil Patrick Harris (”How I Met Your Mother”) will host the ceremonies, and he is also a nominee for supporting actor in a comedy series.
   Nominees with Oklahoma ties include Kristin Chenoweth from Broken Arrow (her second in a row as supporting actress in a comedy series for “Pushing Daisies”); Jeanne Tripplehorn from Tulsa (supporting actress in a miniseries/movie for “Grey Gardens”); and Holly Hunter, whose role as Oklahoma City police detective Grace Hanadarko in “Saving Grace” earned her a second straight lead actress in a drama series nomination.
   Other Oklahoma nominee connections:
   “Big Love,” which is up for outstanding drama series, features two Tulsa natives in its cast. Tripplehorn plays Barb Henrickson (the first wife on the show about Bill Henrickson and his three wives). Mary Kay Place plays Adaleen Grant (mother of second wife, Nicki).
   “The Amazing Race,” which last season featured contestant Christie Volkmer from Choctaw, is up for best reality competition series. The category was added six years ago, and the “Race” won every one.
   “Saturday Night Live,” which is up for outstanding variety, music or comedy series, features Tulsa native Bill Hader in its cast. Since he joined the show in 2005, “SNL” has won three Emmys — for outstanding hairstyling in a multi-camera series or special (2008), outstanding original music and lyrics (2007) and outstanding technical direction, camerawork, video for a series (2007).

   Here is a complete list of nominees for the Primetime Emmy Awards telecast. Fill out a ballot and see if the academy gets it right. Last year, the voters didn’t agree with me. I was 6-for-28.
–Penny TV
 
Supporting Actor In Comedy Series 
Tracy Morgan, “30 Rock” (NBC)
Jack McBrayer, “30 Rock” (NBC)
Kevin Dillon, “Entourage” (HBO)
Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS) (Penny’s Pick)
Rainn Wilson, “The Office” (NBC)
Jon Cryer, “Two And A Half Men” (CBS)
 
Supporting Actress In Comedy Series 
Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock” (NBC)
Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies” (ABC) (Penny’s Pick)
Amy Poehler, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Vanessa Williams, “Ugly Betty” (ABC)
Elizabeth Perkins, “Weeds” (Showtime)
 
Supporting Actor In Drama Series 
William Shatner, “Boston Legal” (ABC)
Christian Clemenson, “Boston Legal” (ABC)
Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
William Hurt, “Damages” (FX) (Penny’s Pick)
Michael Emerson, “Lost” (ABC)
John Slattery, “Mad Men” (AMC)

Directing For Variety/Music Series
“American Idol” (Fox)
“Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS)
“Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)

Supporting Actress In Drama Series 
Cherry Jones, “24″ (Fox)
Rose Byrne, “Damages” (FX)
Sandra Oh, “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC) (Penny’s Pick)
Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
Dianne Wiest, “In Treatment” (HBO) (Last year’s winner)
Hope Davis, “In Treatment” (HBO)
 
Writing For Variety/Music Series
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien” (NBC)
“Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central) (Last year’s winner)
“Daily Show/Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)

Lead Actress In Miniseries/Movie 
Chandra Wilson, “Accidental Friendship” (Hallmark)
Shirley MacLaine, “Coco Chanel” (Lifetime)
Drew Barrymore, “Grey Gardens” (HBO)
Jessica Lange, “Grey Gardens” (HBO)
Sigourney Weaver, “Prayers For Bobby” (Lifetime) (Penny’s Pick)
 
Variety, Music Or Comedy Series 
“Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS)
“Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central) (Last year’s winner)

Directing For Comedy Series
“30 Rock” Apollo, Apollo episode (NBC)
“30 Rock” Reunion (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“30 Rock” Generalissimo (NBC)
“Entourage” Tree Trippers (HBO)
“Flight Of Conchords” Tough Brets (HBO)
“The Office” Stress Relief (NBC)

Writing for Comedy Series
“30 Rock” Reunion episode (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“30 Rock” Apollo, Apollo (NBC)
“30 Rock” Mamma Mia (NBC)
“30 Rock” Kidney Now! (NBC)
“Flight Of Conchords” Prime Minister (HBO)

Made For Television Movie 
“Coco Chanel” (Lifetime)
“Grey Gardens” (HBO)
“Into The Storm” (HBO)
“Prayers For Bobby” (Lifetime)
“Taking Chance” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
 
Supporting Actor In Miniseries/Movie 
Ken Howard, “Grey Gardens” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
Len Cariou, “Into The Storm” (HBO)
Tom Courtenay, “Little Dorrit” (PBS)
Andy Serkis, “Little Dorrit” (PBS)
Bob Newhart, “The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice” (TNT)
 
Directing For Miniseries/Movie/Special
“Generation Kill” (HBO)
“Grey Gardens” (HBO)
“Into The Storm” (HBO)
“Little Dorrit” (PBS)
“Taking Chance” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
“Wallander: One Step Behind” (PBS)

Writing for Miniseries/Movie/Special
“Generation Kill” (HBO)
“Grey Gardens” (HBO)
“Into The Storm” (HBO)
“Little Dorrit” (PBS)
“Taking Chance” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)

Supporting Actress in Miniseries/Movie 
Jeanne Tripplehorn, “Grey Gardens” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
Shohreh Aghdashloo, “House Of Saddam” (HBO)
Janet McTeer, “Into The Storm” (HBO)
Cicely Tyson, “Relative Stranger” (Hallmark)
Marcia Gay Harden, “The Courageous Heart Of Irena Sendler” (CBS)
 
Reality/Competition Program 
“American Idol” (Fox)
“Dancing With The Stars” (ABC)
“Project Runway” (Bravo)
“The Amazing Race” (CBS) (winner the last six years) (Penny’s Pick)
“Top Chef” (Bravo)
 
Miniseries 
“Generation Kill” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
“Little Dorrit” (PBS)

Original Music And Lyrics
“81st Annual Academy Awards” (ABC)
“A Colbert Christmas” (Comedy Central) (Penny’s Pick)
“A Muppets Christmas” (NBC)
“Flight Of The Conchords” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
“The 2008 ESPYS” (ESPN)

Directing For A Drama Series
“Battlestar Galactica” Daybreak (Syfy) (Penny’s Pick)
“Boston Legal” Made In China (ABC)
“Damages” Trust Me (FX)
“ER” And In The End (NBC)
“Mad Men” The Jet Set (AMC)

Writing for Drama Series
“Lost” The Incident episode (ABC) (Penny’s Pick)
“Mad Men” A Night To Remember (AMC)
“Mad Men” Six Month Leave (AMC)
“Mad Men” The Jet Set (AMC)
“Mad Men” Meditations Emergency (AMC)

Lead Actor In Miniseries/Movie 
Kiefer Sutherland, “24: Redemption” (Fox)
Kevin Kline, “Cyrano de Bergerac” (PBS)
Brendan Gleeson, “Into The Storm” (HBO)
Ian McKellen, “King Lear” (PBS)
Kevin Bacon, “Taking Chance” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
Kenneth Branagh, “Wallander: One Step Behind” (PBS)
 
Lead Actor In Comedy Series 
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock” (NBC) (last year’s winner)
Jemaine Clement, “Flight of the Conchords” (HBO)
Tony Shalhoub, “Monk” (USA)
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
Steve Carell, “The Office” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
Charlie Sheen, “Two And A Half Men” (CBS)
 
Lead Actress In A Drama Series 
Sally Field, “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC)
Glenn Close, “Damages” (FX) (last year’s winner)
Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC)
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men” (AMC)
Holly Hunter, “Saving Grace” (TNT) (Penny’s Pick)
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer” (TNT)
 
Lead Actor In Drama Series 
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad” (AMC) (last year’s winner)
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter” (Showtime)
Hugh Laurie, “House” (Fox)
Gabriel Byrne, “In Treatment” (HBO)
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men” (AMC)
Simon Baker, “The Mentalist” (CBS) (Penny’s Pick)
 
Lead Actress In Comedy Series 
Tina Fey, “30 Rock” (NBC) (last year’s winner)
Christina Applegate, “Samantha Who?” (ABC)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures Of Old Christine” (CBS)
Sarah Silverman, “The Sarah Silverman Program” (Comedy Central)
Toni Collette, “United States Of Tara” (Showtime) (Penny’s Pick)
Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds” (Showtime)
 
Host For Reality Program 
Ryan Seacrest, “American Idol” (Fox)
Tom Bergeron, “Dancing With The Stars” (ABC)
Heidi Klum, “Project Runway” (Bravo)
Jeff Probst, “Survivor” (CBS) (last year’s winner)(Penny’s Pick)
Phil Keoghan, “The Amazing Race” (CBS)
Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio, “Top Chef” (Bravo)

Comedy Series 
“30 Rock” (NBC) (winner the last two years)
“Entourage” (HBO)
“Family Guy” (Fox)
“Flight Of The Conchords” (HBO)
“How I Met Your Mother” (CBS)
“The Office” (NBC) (Penny’s Pick)
“Weeds” (Showtime)

Drama Series 
“Big Love” (HBO) (Penny’s Pick)
“Breaking Bad” (AMC)
“Damages” (FX)
“Dexter” (Showtime)
“House” (Fox)
“Lost” (ABC)
“Mad Men” (AMC) (last year’s winner)

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Top 55 TV Programs for Sept. 13-19, 2009

 Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
   But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Sept. 13:

NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)

SUNDAY, SEPT. 13, 2009
◊“2009 MTV Video Music Awards” (8 p.m. on MTV): Russell Brand (”Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) returns as host of the 26th annual event. Beyonce and Lady Gaga, who earned nine nominations each, are scheduled to perform along with Taylor Swift, Green Day, Jay-Z and P!nk.
◊“Defying Gravity” (9 p.m. on ABC): An impending solar flare threatens the crew of the Antares with dangerous radiation, while the strange force in Pod 4 finally sends out a siren call that proves utterly irresistible.
◊“Drop Dead Diva” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Jane is determined to see if she can get a boutique to drop its refusal to sell plus sized clothing after being told the store doesn’t sell that kind of clothing. Paula Abdul (”American Idol”) guest stars.
◊“Entourage” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): The guys step up their security following a suspicious break-in. And Drama follows up on an insider tip on Vince’s suspected stalker.
◊“Hung” (9 p.m. on HBO): In the first-season finale, Tanya ends up battling Lenore for control of Ray, who is worried about his future after hearing rumors from Mike about layoffs at school.
◊“HGTV Design Star” (9 p.m. on HGTV): The final two designers go head to head in making over an entire home for a deserving family. Even with the help of a crew of carpenters, it’s a daunting task that takes everything they’ve got. When the dust settles, the final two designers stand before the judges one last time, and a new Design Star is chosen.
◊“King of the Hill” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the series finale, Bobby becomes quite the ladies’ man when several girls in his class consider him a potential date for the Homecoming dance. And Hank is shocked when his mother announces she is marrying a man she has only known for a few weeks.
◊“Life After” (9 p.m. on TV One): Omarosa (”The Apprentice”), Daryl “Chill” Mitchell (”Brothers”) and Al Reynolds (Star Jones’ ex) participate in this new series that explores the turning points in celebrities’ lives.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new episode “Inspector Lewis, Series II: Life Born of Fire,” Lewis learns about a religious group that seems to be targeted by a serial killer.
◊“Mega Beasts” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Each episode of this new six-part series is a detective story, bringing back to life some of the biggest and most ferocious dinosaurs ever to roam the earth.  Through fossil clues and modern analogues (animals with similar traits used to suggest the mega beasts’ behavior), scientists piece together what these mysterious creatures looked like, how they behaved, how they fought, what they ate…and what ate them.
◊“One Year Later: The Week That Shook Wall Street” (9 p.m. on CNBC): A look at the unprecedented events of last September that included the 158-year-old investment bank Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy, the unexpected union of Bank of America and Merrill Lynch and insurance giant AIG on the brink of collapse before a government bailout.
◊“Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins” (6 p.m. on Cartoon Network): This new live-action movie reveals the never-before-told story of how the Mystery Inc. gang first joined forces. The cast features Robbie Amell (”True Jackson”) as Fred, Kate Melton as Daphne, Hayley Kiyoko as Velma and Nick Palatas as Shaggy.  Frank Welker, a member of the original Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! voice-cast, provides the voice of Scooby-Doo.
◊“True Blood” (8 p.m. on HBO): On the second-season finale, the mayhem in Bon Temps reaches a fever pitch as Maryann prepares for her ultimate bestial sacrifice, conscripting Sookie to be maid of honor at the bloody nuptials.

MONDAY, SEPT. 14, 2009
◊“Amazing Wedding Cakes” (9 p.m. on WEtv): In the second-season finale, the CakeGirls get an order for a simple white wedding cake. But what seemed like an easy cake ends up challenging Brenda when she starts to paint a quilted design.
◊“America’s Got Talent” (7 p.m. on NBC): The eight finalists perform live one last time for a chance at the $1 million prize and the title of most talented person in America. The Season 4 winner is revealed live Wednesday.
◊“Design Inc.” (11 a.m. on FLN): Host and designer Sarah Richardson is back for Season 3 of the show that offers an insider’s view into the hectic workings of an interior fine design firm.
◊“The Dr. Oz Show” (11 a.m. on KOCO-5): After five years and 55 episodes as an “Oprah” show regular, Dr. Mehmet Oz launches his own series in syndication.
◊“Dr. Phil” (3 p.m. Monday on KOCO-5): Dr. Phil McGraw will kick off Season 8 from New York City. He met with viewers in taxi cabs and at the famous Carnegie Deli.
◊“Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke” (9 p.m. on VH1): The comedian has eight children, five exes and an entourage of family and friends who make his life complete. Problem is, he is supporting them all. This new series will give viewers a chance to go along for the rollercoaster ride with Eddie as he struggles to manage it all. 
◊“Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): As the summer is drawing to a close, Blair and Chuck are madly in love and adjusting to their new “in a relationship” status, breaking all traditional rules of dating as would be expected.
◊“Greek” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): As Rusty and Jordan are awkwardly deciding when to take their relationship to the next level, the Gotcha Game comes between them as the final two players left in the game. Nora Kirkpatrick (“Dorm Life”) guest stars as the Panhellenic President, Katherine.
◊“Have Fork Will Travel” (4 p.m. on FLN): Food lover and comedian Zane Lamprey travels the globe and tries to broaden his American sensibilities as he encounters a world of strange foods and customs.
◊“Inside the Actors Studio” (7 p.m. on Bravo): Join Peter, Lois, Brian the Dog and Stewie as they recount the years they’ve spent together on the Emmy-nominated animated series “Family Guy.” The actors who provide their voices — Seth McFarlane, Alex Borstein, Mike Henry and Seth Green — are interviewed by host James Lipton.
◊“Intervention” (8 p.m. on A&E): This episode titled “Intervention in Depth: Addiction in Uniform” focuses on three Iraq veterans who have fallen into substance abuse as a result of their wartime experiences.
◊“The Jay Leno Show” (9 p.m. on NBC): Former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno moves to prime time for this weeknight talk-variety hour. His first guests are comic Jerry Seinfeld and musical artists Jay-Z, Kanye West and Rihanna.
◊“Lincoln Heights” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In Season 4 of the NAACP Image Award-winning family drama, the Suttons find themselves dealing with the aftermath of a major earthquake that rattled the town in last season’s finale and destroyed parts of their home. Lincoln Heights has always been a community in need of nurturing, but now with the devastation brought on by the massive quake, their community is struggling to come together.
◊“Martha Speaks” (1 p.m. on OETA-13): Season 2 starts with Martha putting a value on decor by dog when her beloved napping chair winds up on the set of “Antiques Roadshow.”
◊“The Martha Stewart Show” (2 p.m. on KSBI-52): For Season 5, homemaking icon Martha Stewart launches a new monthly segment, “American Treasures.” This unprecedented look at landmark locations across the country acts as an on-air companion to print stories that will appear in Martha Stewart Living magazine throughout the year. Skylands, Martha’s home in Maine, marks the first stop of the new series. Viewers will get Martha’s personal tour of this extraordinary home, whose previous owners were Edsel and Eleanor Ford. 
◊“Monday Night Football” (6 p.m. on ESPN): Season 40 kicks off with two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady and the New England Patriots taking on wide receiver Terrell Owens and the Buffalo Bills. The commentator team of Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and analysts Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser will call the game.
◊“One Tree Hill” (7 p.m. on CW): Nathan learns of a shocking accusation that could threaten his career, much to the chagrin of his sports agent Clay (new series regular Robert Buckley, “Lipstick Jungle”).
◊“The Oprah Winfrey Show” (4 p.m. on KOCO-5): Oprah launches her 24th season with what she calls “the most anticipated music interview of the decade,” a must-see television event with singing icon Whitney Houston.  This marks Houston’s first interview in nearly seven years and follows the release of her highly touted new album, “I Look To You” on Aug. 31.
◊“The View” (10 a.m. on KOCO-5): Today and Tuesday, Kate Gosselin (”Jon & Kate Plus 8″) sits in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who is on maternity leave until mid-October.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2009
◊“90210″ (7 p.m. on CW): Naomi is still furious with Annie from prom night and contemplates sending out a sexually explicit text message of Annie as payback. John Schneider (”Smallville”) and Rumer Willis (”Sorority Row”) guest star.
◊“Big Brother” (8:01 p.m. on CBS): The series will cap its 11th season with a live two-hour broadcast where the winner will be revealed and the houseguests will then tell-all about their explosive summer for a special season-ending event.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Host Alison Sweeney and trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels return for an eighth season of the hit weight-loss show, this time built around “second chances” for the 16 contestants which include Oklahomans Danny Cahill and Sean Algaier.
◊“The Cleaner” (9 p.m. on A&E): William tries to help an old friend (Richard Lewis, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) commit to getting clean and kicking a habit that is jeopardizing his life with his wife and two kids. PK (Whoopi Goldberg, “The View”) tries to plan a surprise party in honor of William’s seven-years-sober anniversary.
◊“Eyes” (9 p.m. on DirectTV): This 2005 series, which which was canceled by ABC after five episodes, returns via DirecTV’s 101 Network, and all 12 episodes produced will air uncut, commercial free and in HD.
◊“More to Love” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the Season 1 finale, Luke has his final one-on-one dates with the two remaining women and is forced to make a difficult decision.
◊“P.O.V.” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): In “The Principal Story,” elementary school principals Tresa Dunbar and Kerry Purcell face similar challenges at their Chicago and Springfield, Ill., schools.
◊“Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” (9 p.m. on HBO): This installment looks at the deadly consequences of high school football concussions, the relationship between blacks and swimming and the decline of the sports section in U.S. newspapers.
◊“Retirement Revolution” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Paula Zahn (”Paula Zahn Now”) hosts this special in which experts analyze the financial problems of retirement and demonstrate ways to richer, healthier retirement years.
◊“Ruby & the Rockits” (7:30 p.m. on ABC Family): Shirley Jones (”The Partridge Family”) guest stars as David and Patrick’s mother, Shirley, visiting from Pittsburgh. Ruby and Shirley are off to a rocky start when Shirley insists Ruby call her Mrs. Gallagher instead of Grandma.
◊“Shaq VS” (8 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 1 finale, Shaquille O’Neal challenges 14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps to a series of swimming races. Leading up to the challenge, Shaq learns the basics and get swimming tips from Michael Phelps’ swimming coach Bob Bowman.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16, 2009
◊“The Beautiful Life: TBL” (8 p.m. on CW): In this new series, modeling hopefuls quickly learn that behind the beautiful facade is a world of insecurity and cut-throat competition.
◊“Dark Blue” (9 p.m. on TNT): In the Season 1 final, Carter is the prime suspect in the killing of an undercover DEA officer, with Jaimie, Ty and Dean as witnesses to the shooting.  But Carter’s recollection of the event involves a third person in a blue car, something none of the others remember seeing.  Andrea Roth (”Rescue Me”) guest stars
◊“Full Color Football: The History of the American Football League” (7 p.m. on Showtime): This five-part documentary follows the birth of the only league to successfully rival the NFL from its innovative and wild beginnings to the most stunning upset in pro football history and the eventual powerhouse merger.
◊“Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Will forms the Acafellas, an all-male acapella vocal group, and spends more time building his own confidence than he does with the glee club. In Will’s absence, the glee club decides to hire a well-known choreographer to help coach them to Nationals. Victor Garber (”Alias”) and Josh Groban (musical artist) guest star.
◊“Great Performances” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): In the special “Vienna Philharmonic Summer Concert 2009,” conductor Daniel Barenboim leads the Vienna Philharmonic in an open-air performance that includes Mozart’s “A Little Night Music” Johann Strauss’ ‘‘1001 Nights Waltz.”
◊“Truth Be Told” (8 p.m. on TLC): Three different families reveal their innermost thoughts and moments as they let the cameras witness daily life coping with Autism, Down’s syndrome and Epidermolysis Bullose (a terminal disease that causes skin to blister and detach).
◊“The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans coach the best up-and-coming mixed martial artists in the heavyweights division.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 17
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): A psychic (Cyndi Lauper, “Vibes”) leads Brennan and Booth to an unmarked grave in the Season 5 premiere.
◊“Community” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): This new comedy focuses on a group of misfits at Greendale Community College. They form a study group and eventually learn more about themselves than their course work.
◊“Extreme Cuisine With Jeff Corwin” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Renowned for his expertise in wildlife and conservation, Jeff Corwin explores human culture through regional cuisine in this new series. With an open mind (and mouth), Jeff enjoys endless surprises as he learns from the natives and samples the exotic foods and local customs that mold each community.
◊“Fringe” (8 p.m. on Fox): Season Two opens with Olivia’s shocking return from a parallel universe, while Peter, unknowingly in a race against time with an ominous mobile force, pursues information about Olivia’s visit.
◊“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (9 p.m. on FX): In Season 5, Dennis, Mac, and Frank go into real estate, while Dee sets out to be a surrogate for a wealthy couple.
◊“The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Michael feels left out as the rest of the office gossips about the summer interns. While Michael searched for the next juicy rumor to share, Andy struggles with heterosexuality.
◊“Parks and Recreation” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): When Leslie decides to marry two penguins to promote the local zoo, she inadvertently causes an uproar when both penguins turn out to be male.
◊“Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday” (7 p.m. on NBC): For the first two episodes of this new series, Amy Poehler (”Parks and Recreation”) reunites with ◊“Saturday Night Live” star Seth Meyers behind the anchor desk that they shared on “SNL.” They will skewer today’s top stories in primetime.
◊“Survivor: Samoa” (7 p.m. on CBS): In one of the most beautiful “Survivor” locations yet, 20 castaways will be left to fend for themselves among Samoa’s white sand beaches, lush green valleys and towering waterfalls. Despite the picturesque landscape, the castaways will face exposure to elements and wildlife living in the mysterious rainforests that cover rugged volcanic mountain peaks as they try to outwit, outplay and outlast one another to win $1 million.
◊“Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo” (6 p.m. on Cinemax): This documentary follows the lives of the Eddie Warrior Correctional Center women’s team from Taft and their journey as they prepare to compete in the Oklahoma Prison Rodeo against inmates from nine other male penitentiaries.
◊“VH1 Divas” (8 p.m. on VH1): Paula Abdul (”American Idol”) hosts this live concert event featuring singers Adele, Jordin Sparks, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis and Miley Cyrus. The special will raise funds for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in American public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 18, 2009
◊“The 2009 Alma Awards” (7 p.m. on ABC): Eva Longoria Parker (”Desperate Housewives”) and George Lopez (”The Spy Next Door”) co-host the event that celebrates outstanding achievements of Latinos in entertainment. For the first time in the history of the show, the ALMA Awards will broadcast during National Hispanic Heritage Month, a month in which all Americans learn about the Latino community and celebrate the contributions that Latinos have made to this country throughout its history.
◊“The 2009 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards” (noon on E!): Kathy Griffin (”My Life on the D-List”) hosts the event where Emmys are handed out for technical and artistic achievement in television.
◊“Crash” (9 p.m. on Starz): Dennis Hopper (”Speed”) returns for a second season as record producer Ben Cendars, just out of rehab and searching for clues surrounding a personal mysterious death. Joining the cast this season are Eric Roberts (“Heroes”) as Seth, a billionaire entrepreneur who plans to give Los Angeles a long desired new professional football team; and Linda Park (“Star Trek: Enterprise”) as Maggie, a children’s book author who writes of a joyful life but has trouble living it.
◊“Diego’s Arctic Rescue” (9 a.m. on Nickelodeon): In this new hourlong episode, Diego and Baby Jaguar are visiting the Arctic Wildlife Rescue Center playing with the polar bears when they suddenly hear a cry for help from a Mommy Polar Bear.
◊“Guiding Light” (2 p.m. on CBS): This daytime drama, which has spanned 72 years and more than 15,700 episodes, broadcasts its final episode. Throughout its run, the show has won 69 Daytime Emmy Awards, including three for outstanding daytime drama series.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA Network): To woo the lone holdout on the reinstatement committee, Monk accompanies Lt. Disher on a scouting trip with the man’s troublesome son where nature isn’t the only thing the troop has to fear. Alex Wolff (”The Naked Brothers Band”) and Wade Williams (”Prison Break”) guest star.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Greta Garbo was born on this day in 1905, and TCM celebrates by airing seven of her films, including 1940’s “I Take This Woman” (12:15 p.m.) and 1939’s “Dust Be My Destiny” (3:30 p.m.).
◊“The Troop” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new series created by Oklahomans Max Burnett and Greg Coolidge centers on three ordinary high school students who are members of a secret society and faced with the extraordinary task of managing their town’s paranormal population.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 2009
◊“Busytown Mysteries” (8 a.m. on CBS): Inspired by the beloved works of best-selling children’s author Richard Scarry, this new series brings the popular adventures of Busytown to preschoolers with an educational, problem-solving twist. Children can follow classic characters such as Huckle, Sally, Lowly, Hilda, Pig Will and Pig Won’t while they scour around Busytown on fun-filled adventures looking for answers to life’s puzzles.
◊“Georgia O’Keeffe” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Joan Allen (”The Contender”) stars in the title role and also serves as producer for this new movie that not only looks at the artist’s provocative, ground-breaking art-work but also delves into her relationship with art dealer/editor Alfred Stieglitz (Jeremy Irons, “Reversal of Fortune”).
◊“Noonbory & the Super 7″ (8:30 a.m. on CBS): When trouble is brewing or super silly villainy is taking place in the whimsical world of Toobalooba, Noonbory and his sensational team of super-sensing problem solvers save the day. Each superhero “bory “has a super sense, including sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, and of course a little common sense and nonsense never hurts.
◊“Reel Impact: The 11th Hour” (7 p.m. on Planet Green): Leonardo DeCaprio (”Revolutionary Road”) narrates this documentary that explores how humanity has arrived at this moment, how we impact the Earth’s ecosystems and what we can do to change our course.
◊“Rollbots” (8 a.m. on CW): In the premiere episode of this new animated series about futuristic robots, Spin and the rest of the Flip City Police Department must deal with a bank robbery on Spin’s first day on the job.

–Penny TV

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Top 55 TV Programs for Aug. 23-29, 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 Aug. 23:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)

SUNDAY, AUG. 23, 2009
◊“Cold Case” (8:59 p.m. on CBS): The team investigates the 1958 murder case of a newlywed Ivy League graduate who spearheaded the lucrative concept of developing suburban communities with affordable housing outside of Philadelphia. Ken Howard (”The White Shadow”) and Constance Towers (”General Hospital”) guest star.
◊“Defying Gravity” (9 p.m. on ABC): It’s a humbling moment for the crew of the spaceship, as each of them deals with a personal point of no return. The Antares itself crosses a critical boundary when going back to Earth is no longer an option.
◊“Drop Dead Diva” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Jane represents a woman whose daughter begins to get sick after following a diet guru’s “EZ Thin Plan.” Kathy Najimy (”Sister Act”) and Teri Polo (”The Wedding Bells”) guest star.
◊“Entourage” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): On his first day at his new job with a management company, Eric butts heads with one of the managers over who can close Bob Saget as a client.
◊“Fearless Planet: Great Barrier Reef” (8 p.m. on Planet Green): A team of marine biologists and geologists investigate the clues of how the Great Barrier Reef was born, what makes it thrive and how it may disappear within our lifetime.
◊“Life After Film School” (6:30 p.m. on Fox Movie Channel): Film students interview Phil Traill, director of the 20TH Century Fox release “All About Steve” that stars Sandra Bullock as an eccentric crossword puzzler convinced that a news cameraman is her true love. The movie opens in theaters Sept. 4.
◊“Miss Universe 2009″ (8 p.m. on NBC): Billy Bush (”Access Hollywood”) and Claudia Jordan (”Celebrity Apprentice”) co-host the 58th annual event airing live from the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas. Artists Flo Rida, Heidi Montag, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland will perform during the telecast, which will conclude with Venezuelan native Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, crowning her successor.
◊“Patton Oswalt: My Weakness Is Strong” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): In this new stand-up special, Patton Oswalt (”King of Queens”) spins drab topics like depression and weight into laugh-out-loud anecdotes.
◊“Stories from the Vaults” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Host Tom Cavanagh (”Trust Me”) explores the crime “scene” in the Smithsonian’s vaults, including photographic evidence from the Crime of the Century.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Angela Lansbury is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1955’s “A Lawless Street” (8:30 a.m.), 1944’s “Gaslight” (7 p.m.) and 1978’s “Death on the Nile” (10:30 p.m.).
◊“What Would Brian Boitano Make?” (Noon on Food Network): In this new daytime series, Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano demonstrates his culinary skills and talent for one-of-a-kind entertaining.
◊“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (7 p.m. on ABC): In the final installment of a special 10th anniversary run of the game show, host Regis Philbin receives a visit from Nancy Christie of Tulsa. She was the show’s first woman to win $1 million.

MONDAY, AUG. 24, 2009
◊“Burn on the Bayou” (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary follows a group of volunteers over the seven months of work following Hurricane Katrina. The volunteers, who came from the Burning Man event in the Nevada desert, converged in Biloxi and Pearlington, Miss. had in common the shared experience of collaborating and building in harsh environments and the strongly held belief that when people need help, you help them first, and ask questions later.
◊“The Closer” (8 p.m. on TNT): Kevin Bacon (husband of series star Kyra Sedgwick) directed this episode in which Brenda and the squad investigate the stabbing death of a woman who was apparently killed by someone wearing a Ninja outfit. Xander Berkeley (”24″) and Barry Corbin (”One Tree Hill”) guest star in the summer finale, which is preceded by an 11-hour marathon of the show’s Season 5 episodes beginning at 9 a.m.
◊“Dating in the Dark” (8 p.m. on ABC): A former FBI profiler helps six new singles with finding love in the dark on the show’s Season 1 finale.
◊“The Fresh Beat Band” (11 a.m. on Nickelodeon): This new live-action music comedy series for preschoolers centers on four best friends in a band who attend music school. Children and their parents can sing and laugh along with The Fresh Beats as they tackle daily adventures in each episode.
◊“History Detectives” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Items investigated include a miniature painting that may depict President George Washington and a balloon scrap that may be a missing piece of a secret weapon.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): When Lily and Marshall hear that Ted’s college girlfriend, Karen, has moved to New York City, they finally reveal how much they hated her back then. Lauren Prepon (”That ’70s Show”) guest stars as Karen.
◊“Kamp Katrina” (9 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary set in post-Katrina New Orleans follows a small group of people who have taken refuge in a garden transformed into a tent city. Their self-made tent community is in the backyard of Ms. Pearl, a 56 year old Upper 9th Ward resident and Native American, who ends up playing the role of bouncer, psychologist, nurse, mother, domestic abuse counselor and housing advocate.
◊“Make It or Break It” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): All of the girls’ hard work is put on the line as they compete in Boston for a spot on the National Gymnastics team. Leading up to the mid-season finale, viewers can catch up on all of the show’s drama, dismounts and deceptions with a nine-hour marathon beginning at 10 a.m.
◊“Out of Egypt” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Join Dr. Kara Cooney, UCLA Professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture, as she bolts the lecture hall for tombs and temples around the world to bring a new perspective to the most fascinating riddles in history. In the premiere episode titled “Pyramids,” she takes a closer look at these iconic monuments.
◊“The Rachel Zoe Project” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The second installment of this fashion-forward drama delves further into the inner workings of Hollywood stylist Rachel Zoe and her team as they jet from coast to coast throwing charity auctions, attending store openings and laboring to find the perfect gowns to adorn the red carpet during award season. The new season includes some of the world’s most influential and respected designers including Giorgio Armani, John Galliano, Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, Giambattista Valli, Diane Von Furstenberg and Matthew Williamson.
◊“Raising the Bar” (9 p.m. on TNT): In the summer finale, Jerry takes over one of Bobbi’s clients, a pregnant woman who is addicted to heroin. Michelle is determined to do everything she can to keep her in jail so she doesn’t continue shooting up with a baby in her womb.
◊“The Soup Presents: The Best Clips of ‘09 So Far” (9 p.m. on E!): This special counts down 20 of this year’s most outrageous television clips that range from “American Idol” to “The Bachelorette.”
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Fredric March is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1949’s “Christopher Columbus” (2:30 p.m.), 1935’s “Les Miserables” (7 p.m.) and 1935’s “Anna Karenina” (10:45 p.m.).
◊“Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Jeremy Clarkson tests the new Porsche Cayman S. Soccer player Ian Wright makes a guest appearance as “the star in the reasonably priced car.”
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Series star Jon Cryer (Alan) directed this episode, in which Charlie reluctantly agrees to let Chelsea move in as he mourns the loss of his bachelor pad.
◊“Where is Warehouse Mouse?” (7:25 a.m. on Disney): This new short-form series stars the puppet character from the Playhouse Disney series “Imagination Movers.” It spotlights Warehouse Mouse as he tries his hand at creative problem solving like his mentors.
◊“Which Way Home” (8 p.m. on HBO): This documentary follows several unaccompanied child migrants as they journey through Mexico en route to the U.S. on a freight train called “The Beast.” Each year, thousands of Latin American migrants travel hundreds of miles to the United States, and roughly five percent of those traveling alone are children.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (5 p.m. on Disney): Series star Selena Gomez (Alex Russo) introduces her favorite episodes of the show in this 2-hour marathon.

TUESDAY, AUG. 25, 2009
◊“10 Things I Hate About You” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): When Bianca gets asked to Padua High’s Fall Fling by Beau Bradley, the captain of the soccer team, she sets out to convince Patrick to take Kat to the dance since their father has prohibited Bianca from dating until Kat does.
◊“The Cleaner” (9 p.m. on A&E): While William watches his daughter Lula rehearse for a ballet recital, he begins to suspect that the star ballerina is addicted to drugs.
◊“Nova ScienceNOW” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Topics explored include the repair mission for the Hubble space telescope, studies on the brain of an epileptic and using new data from the Mississippi riverbed to understand how and why earthquakes strike in the heartland.
◊“Shaq VS” (8 p.m. on ABC): NBA standout Shaquille O’Neal will challenge women’s beach volleyball gold medal Olympians Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh to a 2-on-2 match at the Hermosa Beach volleyball courts in California. Shaq will visit and train with his friend, Serena Williams, to understand the psyche of female athletes and prepare himself for the final volleyball challenge that will not have a handicap and will be played straight up to the finish.
◊“The $ports Take” (5:30 p.m. on Versus): This new series hosted by Rick Horrow (”The Sports Professor”) will offer insight about the hottest topics in sports business and will feature high-profile guests, including league commissioners, sportscasters, politicians and celebrities giving their candid opinions and analysis. The premiere episode features in-depth insight from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Bryan Trubey, key architect on the new 100,000-seat Cowboys Stadium.
◊“Starz Inside: Villainz” (9 p.m. on Starz): This special investigates the psychology behind classic villains and the often startlingly simple way in which they grind on the audience’s nerves while playing on their fears. Among those interviewed are James Cromwell (”Spider-Man 3″), Kristanna Loken (”Painkiller Jane”), Malcolm McDowell (”Heroes”) and Daryl Hannah (”Kill Bill”).
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Merle Oberon is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1948’s “Berlin Express” (5:30 p.m.), 1938’s “The Divorce of Lady X” (10:30 p.m.) and 1939’s “The Lion Has Wings” (midnight).
◊“The Universe” (8 p.m. on History): This installment titled “The Day the Moon Was Gone” examines the effects on Earth without the moon. If the moon disappeared, solar gravity would redirect ocean water, causing flooding in coastal spots around the globe. Sea currents would shift, resulting in freakish weather patterns. And Earth’s axis would begin to fluctuate, causing climate change to grow more extreme.
◊“Warehouse 13″ (8 p.m. on Syfy): Pete and Myka are dispatched to Las Vegas to retrieve an artifact that seems to grant good fortune to a couple of gamblers. But their mission gets complicated when Myka becomes trapped in Lewis Carrol’s mirror.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (5 p.m. on Disney): Series star Jake T. Austin (Max Russo) introduces his favorite episodes of the show in this 2-hour marathon.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26, 2009
◊“Bad Girls” (7:30 p.m. on Logo): In the Season 7 finale, newcomer Miranda Miles joins G-wing. Julie J also returns to Larkhall still seeing ghosts of Jim.
◊“Billionaire Crime Scenes: Was It Murder?” (9 p.m. on E!): This special takes viewers behind the scenes of real life crimes of passion, revenge and greed to reveal the disturbing details of several billionaire murders and find out find out if justice was ultimately served.
◊“Crash Course” (8:02 p.m. on ABC): Orlando Jones (”Drumline”) and Dan Cortese (”Surviving Suburbia”) co-host this new automotive competition reality series. Each week, five teams of two will compete against each other for a chance to win $50,000. The show will put the couples’ navigating skills to the test and test drive their relationships and patience.
◊“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 (”Glee”) guest stars as Dr. Reid’s mother, Diana Reid.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Series star Melina Kanakaredes (Stella) wrote this episode in which 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.
◊“Dark Blue” (9 p.m. on TNT): Carter taps into his collection of friends in low places to target a highly decorated, extremely corrupt cop.   But working to bring down a fellow officer weighs heavily on Ty, especially after his wife drops a bombshell in his lap. Michael Biehn (”Aliens”) guest stars.
◊“Dinner: Impossible” (9 p.m. on Food Network): Host Robert Irvine heads to Six Flags Great America in Chicago to prepare a meal for 250 roller coaster fanatics. He has nine hours to create a menu using foods found only in the restaurants and stands within the park.
◊“Ghost Hunters” (8 p.m. on Syfy): The team investigates two historic locales: Maryland’s Samuel Mudd House that is famous for being a pit stop for John Wilkes Booth on his escape route following Lincoln’s assassination and Virginia’s Edgewood Plantation that is the former home of U.S. Presidents William Henry and Benjamin Harrison.
◊“Great Performances” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The 90-minute documentary “Harlem in Montmartre” tells the story of the jazz age in Paris between the first and second World Wars, exploring an often neglected era in black cultural history.
◊“Leverage” (8 p.m. on TNT): The team is forced to go head-to-head against another crew of thieves in order to retrieve their clients’ priceless artwork. Wil Wheaton (”Star Trek: The Next Generation”) and Griffin Dunne (”Trust Me”) guest star.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): After one too many cheap shots on her by the mean moms at Ritchie’s snotty private school, Christine decides to enroll him in public school — which is not as easy as she anticipated. Kathleen Wilhoite (”Gilmore Girls”) guest stars as a down-to-earth mom at the new school.
◊“Operation Valkyrie” (9 p.m. on Military Channel): Produced in collaboration with the official German Foundation dedicated to the memory of the conspirators, this special features testimonials and eyewitness accounts from all the aristocratic families involved in the plot to assassinate Hitler on Juloy 20, 1944.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Yul Brynner is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1967’s “Triple Cross” (2:30 p.m.), 1956’s “The King and I” (7 p.m.) and 1973’s “Westworld” (11:45 p.m.).
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (5 p.m. on Disney): Series star Jennifer Stone (Harper) introduces her favorite episodes of the show in this 2-hour marathon.

THURSDAY, AUG. 27, 2009
◊“Bully Beatdown” (8:30 p.m. on MTV): Pro MMA fighter Jason “Mayhem” Miller is back for Season 2 of the show where bullies and their victims are brought together for the ultimate showdown. The bully is put up against a stronger person and challenged to withstand two rounds of fighting. There is $10,000 of prize money on the table, and all money lost by the bully is given to the victim. 
◊“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” (7 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. Meanwhile Bailey and the Chief continue to bicker over her peds fellowship — until Adele (Loretta Devine, “Boston Public”) steps in to mediate.
◊“Guys ‘N Divas” Battle of the High School Musicals” (7:30 p.m. on Showtime): This documentary follows the drama, both on stage and off, at Indiana’s Floyd Central High School, New Albany High School and Jeffersonville High School as each school spends tens of thousands of dollars on musical productions in order to compete for admission to the prestigious International Thespian Festival.
◊“The Kennedy Brothers: A Hardball Documentary” (6 p.m. on MSNBC): Chris Matthews (“Hardball”) reports on the Kennedy brothers’ legacy. He sits down with key Kennedy insiders, including Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, biographer Peter Canellos and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, to gain privileged access to their opinions on this enigmatic family.
◊“Marked” (8 p.m. on History): This new series will explore the world of tattoos belonging to the intense modern day tribes that operate at the edges of society, including motorcycle clubs, hardcore prisons, urban gangs and street culture. Tattoo artists, members and cultural experts will explain the technique and history behind the ink and the group it adorns, putting the personal experiences of the show’s main characters into perspective.
◊“Nitro Circus” (9 p.m. on MTV): Season 2 continues to center around freestyle motocross rider Travis Pastrana and his crew of top action-sport athlete buddies. Whether acting as human cannonballs, walking without a parachute on the wings of a plane thousands of feet above the surface of the earth or racing at speeds some car speedometers can’t even read, Travis and his crew provide viewers with adrenaline-fueled action each episode.
◊“Pranked” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): This new series showcases the best pranks ever caught on camera and posted online.  Known for their seven part Prank War, which has received over 5 million views online, College Humor.com’s Streeter Seidell & Amir Blumenfeld provide commentary during each episode.
◊“Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” (8 p.m. on MTV): Skateboarding standout Rob Dyrdek and his crew are back at the Fantasy Factory, the first indoor concrete skate plaza where anything Rob can imagine becomes reality. In Season 2, the ridiculousness reaches new levels as Rob purchases and then jockeys his own racehorse, teams up with musician John Mayer to write an apology song for Rob’s Mom and returns to the stage as Bobby Light alongside Travis Barker at a Blink-182 show. 
◊“Royal Pains” (9 p.m. on USA): In the Season 1 finale, Hank treats a hallucinating woman. Samantha Mathis (?”A Stranger’s Heart”) and Bruno Campos (”Nip/Tuck”) guest star. Catch all Season 1 episodes during a 10-hour marathon beginning at 5 a.m.
◊“Stateline” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Oklahoma is not the most obese state in the United States, but that could change. Health officials contend there are many reasons for the shape of Oklahomans, and this installment of OETA’s Emmy Award-winning documentary series explores factors not limited to a lack of healthy diet and exercise.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Ida Lupino is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among her films airing are 1955’s “Women’s Prison” (1:30 p.m.), 1956’s “While the City Sleeps” (5 p.m.) and 1942’s “The Hard Way” (9 p.m.).
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (5 p.m. on Disney): Series star David Henrie (Justin Russo) introduces his favorite episodes of the show in this 2-hour marathon.

FRIDAY, AUG. 28, 2009
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on Fox): TV news reporter Deborah Norville, three-time NBA champion Rick Fox and actress Jennie Garth (“90210”) head back to the classroom to test their grade school skills for charity.
◊“CMT Comedy Stage Presents Terry Fator Live From Las Vegas” (9 p.m. on CMT): Filmed in high-definition earlier this year, this special features comedic impersonations, ventriloquism, an audience interaction segment and musical numbers by Terry Fator (”America’s Got Talent” Season 2 winner). Joining Fator on stage are six of his infamous puppets, including Winston the Impersonating Turtle; Maynard Tompkins; Vicki “the cougar”; and Walter T. Airedale, all collaborating with the ventriloquist on hit songs by Etta James, Sonny & Cher, ZZ Top, The Bee Gees and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
◊“Eureka” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Global undergoes a Sonic Cleaning while Tess records a databank of Eurekan’s memories when the town experiences a communal form of memory loss.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA): Natalie becomes convinced that a critic who panned her daughter Julie’s performance was responsible for a murder at the same time as the show. Dylan Baker (”Kings”) and Bernie Kopell (”The Love Boat) guest star.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Frank Sinatra is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1949’s “On the Town” (1 p.m.), 1959’s “Never So Few” (4:45 p.m.) and 1956’s “High Society” (9:30 p.m.).
◊“Today” (7 a.m. on NBC): Miley Cyrus (”Hannah Montana”) will be the season-ending performer for the Toyota summer concert series. The performance marks Cyrus’s second live concert on the morning program.  Her first performance in July 2008 was one of “Today’s” biggest concerts ever.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie” (7 p.m. on Disney): In this adventure-themed movie inspired by the series, Manhattan’s magical wizard siblings Alex, Justin and Max Russo accompany their parents on a Caribbean vacation where Alex’s inadvertent magic spell makes it so her parents have never met. When they learn the only thing that will reverse the spell is the magical Stone of Dreams, they embark on a quest through the jungle to find it.

SATURDAY, AUG. 29, 2009
◊“The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania — The World Television Premiere” (8 p.m. on NBC): This special will relive all the action and excitement of WrestleMania 25 held April 5 in Houston. More than 72,000 fans representing 24 countries and all 50 states packed Reliant Stadium for the event featuring WWE Superstars such as John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Big Show and the Undertaker.
◊“The Bill Engvall Show” (8 p.m. on TBS): After Susan grounds Lauren for three weeks for lying to her, Bill has trouble agreeing with the severity of the punishment.  And Paul enlists the aid of Bryan and Trent to create an online profile that will make him look good to the ladies.
◊“Forbes Presents: Michael Jackson – Follow the Money” (9 a.m. on E!): In celebration of what would have been Michael Jackson’s 51st birthday, this special will uncover the money trail left behind by the superstar. In 2006, Jackson held a meeting in a $9,000 a night luxury suite in Dubai. Surrounded by a huge staff, he spared no expense and yet was on the verge of bankruptcy.
◊“Incredible Story of Tap Dancing” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This special traces the development of tap dancing from its beginnings, through the 20th century and up to the present where it is now enjoying a resurgence in popularity the world over.
◊“Jimmy Kimmel’s Big Night of Stars” (9 p.m. on NBC): Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel gets up close and personal with celebrities from the world of television, sports, film and music. It features interviews with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Oscar nominee Salma Hayek and comedian Tracy Morgan, as well as appearances by Jon Hamm (”Mad Men”), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Rachael Ray, William Shatner (”Star Trek”) and many more.
◊“Mayweather/Marquez 24/7″ (9:15 p.m. on HBO): Liev Schreiber (”The Manchurian Candidate”) narrates this new four-episode all-access series that spotlights a host of intriguing storylines leading up to the Sept. 19 pay-per-view boxing showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather (39-0 with 25 KOs) is back after a brief self-imposed retirement. Marquez (50-4-1 with 37 KOs) is moving up from the lightweight ranks.
◊“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” (6 a.m. on Disney): This 3-hour marathon spotlights Mickey’s loyal pal, Pluto, and includes the premiere of the new episode “Pluto’s Playmate” at 8 a.m. that was inspired by the original 1941 Pluto cartoon of the same name that features Salty the seal.
◊“Outdoor Oklahoma” (6 p.m. on OETA-13): In this installment, learn about the latest quail research, what’s happening with deer season or where fisheries personnel have found the biggest catfish in the state.
◊TCM Summer Under the Stars: Peter Sellers is today’s star in this month-long celebration of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities, and among his films airing are 1966’s “The Wrong Box” (1:30 p.m.), 1962’s “Lolita” (7 p.m.) and 1962’s “Waltz of the Toreadors” (10 p.m.).

–Penny TV

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Happy Birthday, Rebecca Gayheart

   Aug. 12, 2009 – Rebecca Gayheart,
who played Betty Rhomer on “Dead Like Me” (2003 on Showtime), turns 38 today.
   She played Judy Nash on “Vanished” (2006).
   Her first acting role was as Model #1 in the 1990 movie “Whatever Happened to Mason Reese.” She was 19.
   Best wishes to Rebecca and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV

Pictured at right: Rebecca Gayheart arrives at the In Style magazine and The Council of Fashion Designers of America launch of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer World Wide, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

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