TV Premieres and Finales airing May 17-23
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 May 17.
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
••“Sarah’s House,” 10 a.m. Sunday on DIY (series premiere).
••“Wonder Pets,” 9:30 a.m. Monday on Nickelodeon (third-season premiere).
••“4th and Long,” 9 p.m. Monday on SPIKE (series premiere).
••“The Bachelorette,” 8:02 p.m. Monday on ABC (fifth-season premiere).
••“Most Outrageous,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC (third-season premiere).
••“Glee,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox (special preview)(Fox photo of cast above).
••“Clean House: Search for the Messiest Home in the Country,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Style Network (eighth-season premiere).
••“So You Think You Can Dance,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox (fifth-season premiere).
••“Crime 360,” 9 p.m. Thursday on A&E (second-season premiere).
••“Southern Belles,” 9 p.m. Thursday on SoapNet (series premiere).
••“Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” 7 p.m. Friday on Fox (third-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 6 p.m. Sunday on ABC (sixth-season finale).
••“The Simsons,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Fox (20th-season finale).
••“Survivor: Tocantins,” 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS (18th-season finale).
••“King of the Hill,” 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox (13th-season finale).
••“Desperate Housewives,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC (fifth-season finale).
••“Family Guy, 8 p.m. Sunday on Fox (seventh-season finale).
••“American Dad,” 8:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox (fourth-season finale).
••“Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices,” 9 p.m. Sunday on HBO (first-season finale).
••“24,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox (seventh-season finale).
••“Gossip Girl,” 7 p.m. Monday on CW (second-season finale).
••“How I Met Your Mother,” 7:30 p.m. Monday on CBS (fourth-season finale).
••“One Tree Hill,” 8 p.m. Monday on CW (sixth-season finale).
••“Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS (sixth-season finale).
••“Rules of Engagement,” 8:30 p.m. Monday on CBS (third-season finale).
••“CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS (seventh-season finale).
••“NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS (sixth-season finale).
••“90210,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on CW (first-season finale).
••“Dancing With the Stars,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (eighth-season finale).
••“The Mentalist,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on CBS (first-season finale).
“Without a Trace,” 9:01 p.m. Tuesday on CBS (seventh-season finale).
“American Idol,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox (eighth-season finale).
“The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS (fourth-season finale).
“Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS (first-season finale).
“Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS (fourth-season finale).
“Ugly Betty,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC (third-season finale).
“Southland,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC (first-season finale).
“Free Radio,” 10 p.m. Thursday on VH1 (second-season finale).
“Head Case,” 9 p.m. Friday on Starz (second-season finale).
“Party Down,” 9:30 p.m. Friday on Starz (first-season finale).
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour; for PST, subtract two hours)
Top 55 TV Programs for May 17-23, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of May 17 (NOTE: Times are CST; For EST, add one hour; For PST, subtract two hours):
SUNDAY, MAY 17
◊“American Dad” (8:30 p.m. on Fox): Grammy winner Joss Stone provides a guest voice in the season finale, as Stan leaves Francine at home for a night out with the guys, but the evening keeps landing Stan in one compromising situation after another.
◊“Change of Face” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): The final installment of the three-part series follows a young girl who lives with a disfigured lip that only a risky operation can fix; a man with an aggressive cancer that has taken hold of his face in a matter of weeks; and a teenager who turns to facial surgery in the hope that her life will be transformed.
◊“Dane Cook: Isolated Incident” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): This commercial-free stand-up special follows Dane Cook in a performance that was captured with a single camera using only one raw, unedited take. It includes brand new, cutting-edge material that pushes the envelope to its highest level.
◊“Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 5 two-hour finale, Lynette adapts to Tom’s decision to go back to school, Orson takes a beating that Bree cannot comprehend, Gaby’s niece moves to Wisteria Lane and Susan and MJ’s lives are in grave danger at the hands of Dave.
◊“Do You Know Me” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Rachelle Lefevre (“Twilight”) and Jeremy London (“Jason & the Argonauts”) star in this 2009 psychological thriller in which the truth becomes a lie and the familiar becomes the unknown as a woman’s terrifying investigation into her past leads to a secret that could kill her.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (6 p.m. on ABC): Season 6 wraps up with a special two-hour episode in which Ty Pennington and his team travel to Indianapolis to rebuild the deteriorating home of the McFarland family. The Indiana Pacers make a special appearance and donation.
◊“Family Guy” (8 p.m. on Fox): Peter has his palm read by a psychic who reveals that he had a fascinating past life as Griffin Peterson, a dignified gentleman who vied for the love of Lady Redbush in 17th century England and in the newly founded American colony of Quahog.
◊“How Bruce Lee Changed the World” (7 p.m. on History): This two-hour special looks at Bruce Lee’s legacy, revealing the story of his rise from the backstreets of Hong Kong and documenting his qualities that drove him to international stardom. His death at the age of 32 is shrouded in mystery.
◊“King of the Hill” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): When Boomhauer swaps homes with a Canadian family for the summer, Hank and the guys go out of their way to make the new family feel welcome in Arlen.
◊“Masterpiece Mystery!” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment titled “Wallander: Firewall,” a taxi driver’s murder, the inexplicable death of a systems analyst and the failure of power grid gradually weave a fiendish plot with a gripping countdown to an impending disaster.
◊“Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices” (9 p.m. on HBO): In the Season 1 finale, the finest young poets in America take center stage for the Brave New Voices National Youth Poetry Grand Slam Championship. Introduced and encouraged by host Idris Elba (“The Wire”), each team puts its best poetry foot forward over four rounds.
◊“Sarah’s House” (10 a.m. on DIY): This new series follows designer Sarah Richardson through the process of purchasing a house and renovating it room by room.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): When nearby Ogdenville’s economy crumbles due to tainted barley discovered in Krusty’s veggie burgers, the unemployed workers of Ogdenville flock to Springfield. After Mayor Quimby closes Springfield’s borders and enlists private citizens to help patrol them, Homer organizes a border patrol group.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): In August 2007, Ruth Ross of Mount Vernon, Mo., is thrown from her car by flooding water and clings to a log. Kenneth Mills, who is driving by, pulls his vehicle over to lend a helping hand. However, the pair gets pulled under by a heavy stream and are then both fighting for their lives.
◊“Saturday Night Live Just Shorts” (8 p.m. on NBC): Andy Samberg (“I Love You, Man”) hosts this special featuring many of SNL’s most celebrated short films over the past 34 seasons, including “Synchronized Swimmers,” “TV Funhouse” and “Mr. Bill.”
◊“Survivor: Tocantins” (7 p.m. on CBS): The Season 18 finale begins with four remaining castaways vying for the $1 million prize and title of “Ultimate Survivor.” The finale is followed by a one-hour live reunion show hosted by Jeff Probst.
MONDAY, MAY 18
◊“4th and Long” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): In this new series, former NFL player Michael Irvin is on a mission to uncover the next gtreat Dalls Cowboy. He will oversee a 10-week training camp of 12 pro football hopefuls in which players will be cut each week. The eventual victor will head to training camp with the Dalls Cowboys.
◊“24″ (7 p.m. on Fox): Jack reaches an emotional climax as one of the most stressful days of his life — which has included widespread loss of lives, a White House siege, treachery and betrayal, not to mention the kidnapping and shooting of the president’s husband — ticks down its final two hours.
◊“American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This three-hour installment chronicles the history of the Kennedy family through photographs, archival footage, home movies and interviews with family members, friends and first-hand witnesses to the many chapters of the Kennedy story.
◊“The Bachelorette” (8:02 p.m. Monday on ABC): Thirty bachelors — includes Lawton MacArthur High School assistant football coach Bryan Vardeman — will compete for Jillian Harris’ affections in the Season 5 premiere.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): When Delko goes against Calleigh’s plea and helps his dangerous father, his life is put in jeopardy on the Season 7 finale. Brian Austin Green (“Beverly Hills, 90210″) guest stars as an alleged carjacking victim.
◊“Gossip Girl” (7 p.m. on CW): On the Season 2 finale, Gossip Girl decides to liven things up at the Constance Billard and St. Jude’s graduation by sending out a shocking and damaging email blast in the midst of the commencement ceremony.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When Ted pulls an all-nighter working on a pitch in an attempt to bring business to his fledgling architecture firm, Marshall tries to lure him to the roof for a surprise 31st birthday party on Season 4 finale.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): Series star Patricia Arquette (Allison Dubous) directs this episode in which Allison reaches out to a private investigator (Anjelica Huston, “The Royal Tenenbaums”) for help when she begins dreaming about a young woman (Rumer Willis “The House Bunny”), who years earlier was a kidnap victim rescued by the investigator.
◊“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. on CW): Nathan is released from the Chiefs and is forced to face Haley and Jamie in the Season 6 finale.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): In the Season 3 finale, Jeff wonders if he and Audrey are lacking spontaneity in the bedroom.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): In the Season 6 finale, Charlie starts to question his relationship with Chelsea when he hears that his ex-flame Mia (Emmanuelle Vaugier, “Saw II”) is back in town.
◊“The View” (10 a.m. on ABC): This week of hour-long “Hot Topics” will ignite roundtable discussions of current events and spark passionate conversations leading to colorful debates among the show’s five hosts — Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd.
“Wonder Pets” (9:30 a.m. on Nickelodeon): Season 3 of the Emmy-winning animated series for preschoolers opens “Save the Cool Cat and the Hip Hippo!” The late actress/singer Eartha Kitt is the guest voice of Cool Cat and jazz singer Jon Hendricks is Hip Hippo. Friday’s premiere episode celebrates the Wonder Pets’ 100th save.
TUESDAY, MAY 19
◊“2009 CMT Music Awards Nominee Special” (9 a.m. on CMT): This special co-hosted by Kellie Pickler (“American Idol”) and Lance Smith (“Delta Farce”) will feature the music and videos of country music’s elite as decided by fan voting. The 2009 CMT Music Awards will be handed out June 16.
◊“90210″ (8 p.m. on CW): Adrianna and Navid spend their prom night in the delivery room, and Brenda shows up to offer support.
◊“Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): This special preview of the new musical comedy series follows a high school teacher as he tries to refuel his own passion while reinventing the high school’s glee club and challenging a group of outcasts to realize their star potential. The show will premiere in fall.
◊“Independent Lens” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new documentary “Stranded,” survivors of the 1972 Andes plane crash recall how they beat the odds and managed to survive in the mountains for 72 days with no food, water or supplies.
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): When Pamela Galliano (Sprague Grayden, “Joan of Arcadia”) seeks to have a restraining order reinstated against her ex-boyfriend, the assigned judge has something else on his mind.
◊“The Mentalist” (8 p.m. on CBS): In the Season 1 finale, Lisbon fears that serial killer Red John is drawing Patrick Jane into a trap when the CBI team investigates the murder of a young girl and the abduction of her twin sister. Alicia Witt (“Cybill”) guest stars as a witness in the case.
◊“Most Outrageous” (7 p.m. on NBC): Season 3 of the show features all new outrageous moments from home videos, newscasts, game shows and commercials from around the globe.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): Ziva’s homecoming to Israel with Gibbs and the team is not a happy reunion with her father (“Michael Nouri, “Damages”), the enigmatic and powerful head of Mossad. As tensions rise, Gibbs is forced to make a decision that sends shockwaves through NCIS.
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): On the Season 7 finale, the team searches for a man who goes missing after a late night dive and try to zero in on who could be responsible for his disappearance. Martin Landau (“Ed Wood”) reprises his role as Frank Malone, Jack’s father. Adam Kaufman, Poppy Montgomery’s real-life boyfriend, reprises his role as Brian Donovan, the father of Samantha’s son, Finn.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): The top 13 contestants from Season 8 reunite onstage during the two-hour finale. Host Ryan Seacrest will milk the suspense before revealing who the newest “American Idol” is.
◊“Clean House: Search for the Messiest Home in the Country” (9 p.m. on Style Network): Host Niecy Nash (“Reno 911″) and her experts travel across the country to find the messiest home, stopping in various cities along the way to help other extreme cases of out of control clutter.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The Behavioral Analysis Unit tracks a serial killer who chooses junkies, prostitutes and the homeless off the streets of Detroit as his victims and takes them across the border into Canada on the two-hour Season 4 finale.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When Gary stops by Allison’s to fix her garbage disposal, their deprived love lives gets the better of them and they find themselves in Allison’s bedroom on the first-season finale.
◊“Loot” (7 p.m. on HBO2): During World War II, two young American soldiers on different continents looted valuable treasures amidst the chaos of combat and hid them before returning to civilian life in America. Sixty years later, both men set out to recover the stolen goods, only to discover that digging up the secrets of the past carries its own risks.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine learns some shocking news about New Christine’s father after the two of them rekindle their relationship at Richard’s and New Christine’s wedding. Scott Bakula (“Quantum Leap”) returns as Papa Jeff – New Christine’s father and Christine’s old flame. James Lesure (“Las Vegas”) guest stars as a wedding guest.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: James Stewart was born on this day in 1908, and TCM celebrates by airing six of his films, including 1938’s “You Can’t Take It With You” (8:30 a.m.) and 1959’s “Bell, Book and Candle” (5:15 p.m.).
◊“World War II: Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Using archive material only available since the fall of Communism, the new installment titled “Dividing the World” reveals the unknown forces that were tearing the Alliance apart just as victory was in reach.
THURSDAY, MAY 21
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): Liz meets one of Jack’s old friends, eccentric businessman Gavin Volure (Steve Martin, “The Jerk”).
◊“Crime 360″ (9 p.m. on A&E): The forensic crime solving series that brings real criminal investigations to life returns for a second season. Cases involve investigations in Cleveland, Ohio; Rochester, NY; Little Rock, Ark.; and Indianapolis.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): The prime suspect in a murder case from 12 years earlier comes to the forefront of a new CSI investigation. Joshua Malina (“The West Wing”) guest stars.
◊“Free Radio” (10 p.m. on VH1): In the Season 2 finale, see what Lance Krall and the KBOM morning show staff have in store for celebrity guests Sugar Ray Leonard, Cheech & Chong and Zachary Levi (“Chuck”).
◊“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.
◊“So You Think You Can Dance” (7 p.m. on Fox): Season 5 kicks off with a two-night, four-hour season premiere. Hosted by Cat Deeley, the original dance competition series will inspire and amaze viewers as dancers skilled in styles ranging from hip-hop to ballroom compete to be named America’s favorite dancer.
◊“Southern Belles” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): Meet the sexy Southern Belles of Louisville as they struggle with life, love and careers in this new docudrama.
◊“Southland” (9 p.m. on NBC): The day takes a turn for the worse when officers John Cooper, Ben Sherman, Chickie Brown and Dewey (C. Thomas Howell “War of the Worlds”) find a member of Marta’s Avenue gang dead in a trunk outside Dodger Stadium.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Robert Montgomery was born on this day in 1904, and TCM celebrates by airing nine of his films, including 1937’s “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” (10:45 a.m.) and 1947’s “Lady in the Lake” (5”15 p.m.).
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): In the Season 3 finale, Billie Jean King (Wimbledon tennis champion) guest stars as Victoria Hartley’s instructor at an exclusive tennis club where Wilhelmina tries to score match point with the high society matriarch.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
◊“Don’t Forget the Lyrics” (7 p.m. on Fox): Meat Loaf (Grammy winner) and his daughter, Pearl Aday, compete for charity on the Season 3 premiere episode.
◊“Good Morning America” (7 a.m. on ABC): Green Day (Grammy winners) kick off the 2009 Summer Concert Series airing live from New York City’s Central Park. Since their 1994 break-out album, “Dookie,” Green Day has sold more than 30 million records, scored their ninth No. 1 single at alternative radio and played to millions of people around the world.
◊“Head Case” (9 p.m. on Starz): Dr. Goode travels back to New York City to get Dr. Myron Finkelstein out of his “mistaken identity” trouble. While there, Dr. Goode sorts through some deep dark issues and sees new patient Jerry Seinfeld. Craig Bierko (“Unhitched”) and Melina Kanakarades (“CSI: NY”) also guest star.
◊“Party Down” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): In the Season 1 finale, the crew is thrilled to be hired to work the very exclusive and star-studded wedding of a Hollywood mogul. But Ron is crushed to discover his team really is just backing up another, better-looking crew led by his archrival (Kristen Bell, “Veronica Mars”).
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Laurence Olivier was born on this day in 1907, and TCM celebrates by airing seven of his films, including 1936’s “Fire Over England” (8 a.m.) and 1968’s “The Shoes of the Fisherman” (4:15 p.m.).
SATURDAY, MAY 23
◊“Deadliest Catch” marathon (noon to 3 a.m. on Discovery): Follow the boats on their quest for crab riches through high seas and sub-zero temperatures.
◊“Flying By” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Heather Locklear and Billy Ray Cyrus star in this 2009 movie about a real estate developer who attends his 25th high school reunion and reunites with his old teenage band.
◊“Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): John C. Danforth, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former U.S. senator from Missouri, serves as the keynote speaker for the foundation’s 23rd annual Academic Awards. The event honors 100 of Oklahoma’s top high school seniors as Academic All-Staters and five outstanding educators as Medal for Excellence winners. David L. Boren, founder and chairman of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, will serve as emcee for the event.
◊“What’s Love Got to Do With It” (6 p.m. on Lifetime): Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne earned Oscar nominations for their portrayals of Tina and Ike Turner in this 1993 biodrama based on Tina’s memoir.
–Penny TV
TV Premieres and Finales airing May 10-16, 2009
"Prison Break" (Fox Photo)
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 May 10.
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
••“Sandra’s Money Saving Meals,” 11 a.m. Sunday on Food Network (series premiere).
••“Ni Hao, Kai-Lan,” 10 a.m. Monday on Nickelodeon (second-season premiere).
••“Charm School With Ricki Lake,” 8 p.m. Monday on VH1 (third-season premiere).
••“Weaponizers,” 8 p.m. Monday on Discovery (series premiere).
••“Invention Nation,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Planet Green (series premiere)
••“The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” 10 p.m. Tuesday on Bravo (series premiere).
••“Wa$ted,” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on Planet Green (second-season premiere).
••“Don’t Tell the Bride,” 7 p.m. Friday on BBC America (series premiere).
••“Primeval,” 8 p.m. Saturday on BBC America (third-season premiere).
••“Beverly Hills Groomer,” 9 p.m. Saturday on Animal Planet (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••“The Amazing Race,” 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS (14th-season finale).
••“Celebrity Apprentice,” 7 p.m. Sunday on NBC (eighth-season finale).
••“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” 7 p.m. Sunday on HBO (first-season finale).
••“Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS (sixth-season finale).
••“The Unit,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS (fourth-season finale).
••“Brothers & Sisters,” 9:01 p.m. Sunday on ABC (third-season finale).
••“The Big Bang Theory,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS (second-season finale).
••“House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox (fifth-season finale).
••“Castle,” 9:02 p.m. Monday on ABC (first-season finale).
••“The Biggest Loser,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC (seventh-season finale).
••“Fringe,” 8:04 p.m. Tuesday on Fox (first-season finale).
••“Cupid,” 9:02 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (first-season finale).
••“Lie to Me,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox (first-season finale).
••“Lost,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC (fifth-season finale).
••“Bones,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox (fourth-season finale).
••“Smallville,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CW (eighth-season finale).
••“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS (ninth-season finale).
••“Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC (fifth-season finale).
••“Hell’s Kitchen,” 8 p.m. Thursday on Fox (fifth-season finale).
••“Supernatural,” 8 p.m. Thursday on CW (fourth-season finale).
••“30 Rock,” 8:31 p.m. Thursday on NBC (third-season finale).
••“Being Erica,” 9 p.m. Thursday on SoapNet (first-season finale).
••“CSI: NY,” 9:01 p.m. Thursday on CBS (fifth-season finale).
••“America’s Funniest Home Videos,” 7 p.m. Friday on ABC (19th-season finale).
••“The Game,” 7 p.m. Friday on CW (third-season finale).
••“Ghost Whisperer,” 7 p.m. Friday on CBS (fourth-season finale).
••“Prison Break,” 7 p.m. Friday on Fox (series finale).
••“NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS (fifth-season finale).
••“MADtv,” 10 p.m. Saturday on Fox (series finale).
••“Talkshow With Spike Feresten,” 11 p.m. Saturday on Fox (third-season finale).
Top 60 TV Programs for Feb. 15-21
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Feb. 15:
SUNDAY, FEB. 15
◊The 51st annual Daytona 500 (1 p.m. on Fox): NASCAR opens the 2009 season with the top-rated event in American motorsports. Country music artist Keith Urban will headline the 2009 Daytona prerace show live at noon, performing three of his No. 1 songs prior to the drop of the green flag.
◊“The Amazing Race 14” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christie Volkmer from Choctaw is Oklahoma’s first contender for the six-time Emmy Award-winning reality-competition program that hits the road for Season 14. She and teammate Jodi Wincheski from Houston make up one of 11 teams that will travel one of the most grueling courses ever assembled on the race – spanning 40,000 miles and nine countries in just 22 days.
◊“Eastbound & Down” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): Danny McBride (“Pineapple Express”) stars in this new six-part comedy series. He plays Kenny Powers, a former pro baseball pitcher whose self-destructive behavior ruined his career. Now he’s back in his North Carolina hometown teaching physical education at his old middle school.
◊“Food Nework Challenge” (7 p.m. on Food Network): Four pastry chefs design a cake for Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 birthday. Miley’s grandmother is among the panel of judges who will decide with chef wins $10,000 and the chance to serve their cake to the teen star.
◊“Masterpiece Classic” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Timothy Spall (“Harry Potter” movies) stars as Fagin, leader of a gang of boy thieves, in this new two-part adaptation of the Dickens classic “Oliver Twist.” Newcomer William Miller stars as Oliver.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Art Dept. and include 1958’s ”The Horse’s Mouth” (10 a.m.), 1956’s “Lust for Life” (2:15 p.m.) and 1943’s “No Time for Love” (7 p.m.).
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Harper is helping Mr. Frenchy, a famous fashion designer, during Fashion Week, and enlists Alex’s help to care for a one-of-a-kind dress. When Alex ruins it, she decides to host the designer’s show at the Waverly Sub Station in an attempt to fix things. Cindy Crawford (“Fashion Flashback”) and Willie Garson (“Sex and the City”) guest star.
◊“World’s Heavist Man Gets Married!” (7 p.m. on TLC): This special profiles the wedding of Manuel Uribe to his longtime girlfriend, Claudia Solis. In 2006, Uribe tipped the scales at 1,232 lbs., but now he is 400 lbs. lighter and seizing his second chance at life and love.
MONDAY, FEB. 16
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The first hour from Wichita, Kan., features a 1949 payroll check made out to professional baseball rookie Mickey Mantle. It is valued between $30,000 and $50,000.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck and Sarah’s latest assignment forces them to pose as a happily married couple living in the suburbs. They meet some interesting characters including Brad (Andy Richter, “Andy Barker, P.I.”), a cheerful next-door neighbor in the stationary business, and Sylvia (Jenny McCarthy, “John Tucker Must Die”), a seductive and attractive woman who lives across the street and has her eye on Chuck.
◊“Dadnapped” (7 p.m. on Disney): Emily Osment (“Hannah Montana”) and George Newborn (“Father of the Bride”) star in this new daughter-father action comedy set in and around the fictional Western town of Mercury. Melissa and her father, Neil, the author of a popular action hero book series, attend a conference and become part of a prank dad-napping.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Sylar and Luke embark on a road trip to find Sylar’s father, but are secretly being hunted by Nathan’s agents. Moira Kelly (“The West Wing” ) guest stars.
◊“ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): U.S. skaters Johnny Wier and Evan Lysacek were among the competitors at this competition held Dec. 10-14 in South Korea.
◊“Medium” (9 p.m. on NBC): Series star Patricia Arquette (Allison) makes her directorial debut in this episode, in which Allison’s strange behavior leads to an explosive discovery that may change the future of Joe’s business.
◊“Right America: Feeling Wronged” (7 p.m. on HBO): In this new documentary, filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi (daughter of Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives). hits the road to ask conservative Americans to share their thoughts on the way the country is changing.
◊“Sex … With Mom and Dad” (3 p.m. on MTV): Dr. Drew Pinsky returns for Season 2, which will incorporate vintage sex education footage into the show that features therapy sessions and homework assignments for famlies in crisis.
◊“Simon Schama’s Rough Crossings” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Writer-narrator Simon Schama reconstructs the journey of black slaves who were offered their freedom if they fought for Britain during the American Revolution. They were resettled in Nova Scotia, which proved a poor fit for those from the Deep South. So arrangements were made to transport them to Sierra Leone, where worse conditions awaited.
◊“Spectacular!” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon)(Nickelodeon Photo of “Spectacular!” cast above): Taking center stage in this new TV movie for tweens is a talented teen rebel (Nolan Gerard Funk, “Smallville”) who is on an unpredictable road to rock stardom. Tammin Sursok (“The Young and the Restless”) also stars in the film, which features 10 original songs.
◊“Stealing Lincoln’s Body” (8 p.m. on History): This new special explores the final chapter of the 16th president, who was assassinated in 1865 but did not come to reat in his hometown of Springfield, Ill., until 1901. For the first time, Lincoln walks and moves according to the historical record, thanks to new digital visualizations.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Criminology Dept. and include 1938’s ”Boys’ Town” (7 a.m.), 1944’s “Double Indemnity” (2:30 p.m.) and 1991’s “Bugsy” (11:15 p.m.).
◊“True Beauty” (9 p.m. on ABC): In week seven, contestants attend a red carpet party where they will be the guests of honor and be judged on their poise and presentation as they walk the red carpet and work the crowd. But there’s a twist: The contestants will each have a date, and their dates are their parents.
◊“The Young and the Restless” (11 a.m. on CBS): Marcia Wallace (“The Bob Newhart Show”) guest stars as Ammie Wilkes, a woman who poses possible danger to Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper).
TUESDAY, FEB. 17
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): For the next three Tuesdays, 12 different semifinalists will perform. During Wedneday’s live results shows, the three contestants with the highest number of votes — one male, one female and the next top vote-getter, will secure spots in the Top 12.
◊“Dogg After Dark” (8 p.m. on MTV): Rapper, record producer, entrepreneur and actor Snoop Dogg will host this new weekly variety talk show from Los Angeles hotspot Kress on Hollywood Boulevard. The show will feature interviews with A-list celebrities and musicians, sketch-comedy segments and musical performances.
◊“Independent Lens” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): “Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life” revisits the life of composer and pianist, who was Duke Ellington’s right-hand man and wrote some if his best-known songs. Dule Hill (“Psych”) plays Strayhorn in re-enactments.
◊“Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Dr, Melinda Warner’s expertiese comes into play when a homeopathic doctor (Martin Mull, “The Ellen Show”) goes on trial for the death of a girl with AIDS.
◊“The Real Housewives Of New York City” (10 p.m. on Bravo): The series franchise returns to the New York social scene for a second season. Alex, Bethenny, Jill, Luann and Ramona, along with new cast member Kelly Killoren Bensimon, continue to juggle their careers and home lives with busy calendars.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Dance Dept. and include 1937’s ”Shall We Dance” (9:30 a.m.), 1951’s “Royal Wedding” (2:30 p.m.) and 1952’s “Million Dollar Mermaid” (7 p.m.).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas Tech in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on Cox.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18
◊“Against the Elements” (9 p.m. Wednesday on Science Channel, 101 on Cox Digital Cable, 193 on Dish Network, 284 on DirecTV): This new series explores the science behind the most heart-stopping natural disasters ever captured on camera. Forensic investigations reveal what caused these catastophes and shows what scientists have learned from the past that will protect us in the future.
◊“American Masters” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About” profiles one of Broadway’s best directors and choreographers. It includes never-before-scene rehearsal footage and interviews with many of his colleagues, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Chita Rivera and Stephen Sondheim.
◊“High School Reunion” (9 p.m. on TV Land): Nineteen classmates from the 1988 graduating class of Arizona’s Chandler High School come together for a special reunion in Hawaii. Chad Ramirez, head rodeo coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, is among them.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): After New York City Councilman Bobby Prince is caught with a hooker during a police raid on a motel, he shares a secret with Det. Sam Tyler.
◊“Lost” (8 p.m. on ABC): The way back to the island is revealed to members of the Oceanic 6, but there’s trouble ahead when not all of them wish to return.
◊“Rick Steves’ Iran” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): World traveler Rick Steves journeys to Iran in hopes of getting to know this ancient country and to better understand the 70 million people living there.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …” (8 p.m. on Sundance): Host Elvis Costello welcomes his wife, jazz artist Diana Krall. She is interviewed by the program’s executive producer, Elton John.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Law Dept. and include 1942’s ”The Talk of the Town” (8:15 a.m.), 1929’s “Madame X” (noon) and 1954’s “The Caine Mutiny” (9 p.m.).
◊“Top Chef” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The final chef’testants will need to “kick it up a notch” to impress guest judge and famed chef Emeril Lagasse. This supersized episode also features a twist that changes the face of game as the field is narrowed from four to three.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Texas Tech in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
THURSDAY, FEB. 19
◊“Being Erica” (9 p.m. on SoapNet, channel 170 on Cox Digital Cable, 188 on Dish Network, 262 on DirecTV): This new series follows the life of Erica Strange, 32, who is given chances to revisit various events from her past that caused regret and attempts to fix them. Newcomer Erin Karpluk plays Erica.
◊“Biography: Mötley Crüe” (9 p.m. on BIO, channel 119 on Dish Network, 164 on Cox Digital Cable, 266 on DirecTV): This new installment takes viewers through the nearly 30 years career span of one of the most infamous rock bands that sold more than 45 million records worldwide. The LA quartet – made up of lead singer Vince Neil, drummer Tommy Lee, bass player Nikki Sixx and guitarist Mick Mars – parlayed whiplash hard-rock songs, melodic power ballads and a hedonistic image into superstardom and lived the rock & roll lifestyle to its fullest.
◊“ER” (9 p.m. on NBC): It’s Valentine’s Day in the ER and Neela seems to be under the spell of Dr. Brenner. Meanwhile, Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) makes a surprise return to the ER.
◊“Gallery” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): One segment in this locally-produced show focuses on Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee, the only university in the country that offers courses in boot and saddle making.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Cristina calls the abilities of a renown surgeon into question after she botches a standard procedure. Faye Dunaway (“Network”) guest stars as Dr. Campbell.
◊“Kath & Kim” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Kath discovers that she is still married to her ex Rusty (guest star Ron White) and must find him in order to finalize their divorce. Busy Philipps (“Dawson’s Creek”) guest stars.
◊“My Name Is Earl” (7 p.m. on NBC): Darnell’s absentee father (Danny Glover, “Lethal Weapon”) arrives in Camden claiming he needs to make amends with his son. Earl and Randy smell trouble and go to warn Joy and Darnell.
◊“Sin City Law” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new two-part documentary, which concludes Feb. 26, chronicles Las Vegas criminal cases.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Dept. of Education and include 1955’s ”Blackboard Jungle” (7 a.m.), 1939’s “Goodbye Mr. Chips” (5 p.m.) and 1938’s “Pygmalion” (7 p.m.).
◊“Ugly Betty” (7 p.m. on ABC): Wilhelmina fears she’s lost her edge in the fashion world because she’s been spending too much time with Conner. Bernadette Peters (“Living Proof”) guest stars.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on NBC): New quarterback J.D. McCoy (Jeremy Sumpter, “Clubhouse”) becomes a victim of freshman hazing but begins to win the respect of the town and his team after he wins his first game.
◊“Late Night With Conan O’Brien” (11:37 p.m. on NBC): Talk show host Conan O’Brien signs off as host of “Late Night.” He will take over “The Tonight Show” hosting duties on June 1. Jimmy Fallon will take over the reins as “Late Night” host on March 2.
◊“Mistresses” (7 p.m. on BBC America): This new series chronicles the adventures of four 30-something friends with one thing in common — infidelity. Starring are four of Britain’s leading actresses, Sarah Parish (“Viva Blackpool”), Sharon Small (“About a Boy”), Orla Brady (“Shark”) and Shelley Conn (“Innocence”).
◊“Real Time With Bill Maher” (9 p.m. on HBO): The comedian and commentator returns for a seventh season of
roundtable discussions with panelists and interviews with in-studio and satellite guests.
◊“Smothered: The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This special examines the turmoil that surrounded the 1960s variety show “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” including the events that led to its cancellation.
◊“The Soup Awards” (9:30 p.m. on E!): Host Joel McHale presents spray-painted-gold soup cans to celebrities and reality TV gluttons who make for such great “Soup” all year long.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the Philosophy Dept. and include 1952’s ”Pat and Mike” (7:45 a.m.), 1941’s “Sergeant York” (4:30 p.m.) and 1967’s “The Graduate” (11 p.m.).
SATURDAY, FEB. 21
◊The 2009 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards (4 p.m. on IFC): Steve Coogan (“Tropic Thunder”) hosts the this year’s ceremony that will air uncut, uncensored and commercial free (an edited rebroadcast of the event will air at 9 p.m. on AMC). Nominees for best feature are “Ballast,” “Frozen River,” “Rachel Getting Married,” “Wendy and Lucy” and “The Wrestler.”
◊“Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live from the Fillmore” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): Recorded in her hometown of San Francisco at the historic Fillmore rock venue, comedienne Aisha Tyler tackles such important topics as staying in shape, married life, honesty and her drinking habits.
◊“Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Renowned for his expertise in wildlife and conservation, Jeff Corwin sets his sights on exploring human culture through regional cuisine in this primetime special. He enjoys countless surprises and unforgettable flavors as he interacts with natives and showcases how exotic foods and customs uniquely shape each community.
◊“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (7 p.m. on NBC): When celebrity illusionist Miles Stone disappears from his own stunt, Goren and Eames must explore the exclusive and very secretive world of magic and magicians in order to unravel the mystery. Paul Shaffer (“Late Show With David Letterman”) guest stars.
◊“Taking Chance” (7 p.m. on HBO): This fact-based drama stars Kevin Bacon as Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, the volunteer military escort who accompanied the body of Chance Phelps, a 19-year-old lance corporal killed in Iraq, home to Wyoming.
◊TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” film festival offers viewers a cinematic education. Today’s course offerings come from the American History Dept. and include 1944’s ”Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” (7 a.m.), 1989’s “Glory” (4:30 p.m.) and 1953’s “From Here to Eternity” (7 p.m.).
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Baylor in men’s college basketball action airing live at 12:30 p.m. on KOCB-34.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Texas in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
–Penny TV
SoapNet seeks entries for Best Worst Date Contest
Think back to the worst date you ever had. Now go tell SoapNet about it.
The winner of “SoapNet’s Best Worst Date Contest” will receive a “Virtual Boyfriend” for a year. Months of flower deliveries. Romantic text messages. Candy and jewelry, too.
Your worst date could turn out to be a good thing. So go to www.soapnet.com starting Jan. 4 and spill the dirt.
SoapNet is sponsoring the contest in conjunction with its “Sugar-Free Valentine’s” programming event running Jan. 4 through Feb. 14. It will feature six weeks of shows and specials dedicated to that romantic day — but without all the gooey stuff.
–Penny TV
Super Soap Weekend set for November
The 13th annual “ABC-SOAPnet Super Soap Weekend” will be held November 15-16 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Throughout the weekend, fans will have the opportunity to meet stars from “All My Children,” “One Life to Live” and “General Hospital.” Festivities include celebrity motorcades, autograph sessions, game shows, interviews and the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind memorabilia from each of the shows. The Colgate Total Street Jam will close the event each day with live musical performances by some favorite Daytime stars.
Sponsor Colgate Total will also hold a national sweepstakes that will award four trips for four to the event, as well as many other prizes. The sweepstakes will run through Sept. 7, and details are available at www.soapnet.com/.
The “ABC-SOAPnet Super Soap Weekend” is included with theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For future updates and more information about Super Soap Weekend, call the Super Soap Hotline recording at (407) 397-6808 or go online to www.ABC.com/.
Pictured in the ABC photo above is Cameron Mathison (Ryan Lavery on “All My Children”) at last year’s Super Soap Weekend.
“General Hospital: Night Shift” gets new doctors for second season
Network News Release …
Award-winning actors Antonio Sabato, Jr. and Tristan Rogers will reprise the roles they created for “General Hospital” of Jagger Cates and Robert Scorpio, respectively, for the second season of “General Hospital: Night Shift” (SoapNet Photo of cast at right).
The SOAPnet series (channel 170 on Cox Digital Cable, 188 on Dish Network, 262 on Direct TV) begins its second season at 10 p.m July 22. It follows the lives of doctors, nurses and patients as they embark on journeys of self discovery, love and heartache.
In other casting news, Billy Dee Williams (Touissant Dubois), Kimberly McCullough (Dr. Robin Scorpio), Jason Thompson (Dr. Patrick Drake) and Sonya Eddy (Epiphany Johnson) will be back for the show’s sophomore season. Other members of the cast include Adam Grimes as Dr. Kyle Julian, Carrie Southworth as Dr. Claire Simpson, Ethan Rains as Dr. Leo Julian (he is taking over the role from his real-life brother, Dominic, who was unavailable for Season 2) and Azita Ghanizada as Dr. Saira Batra.
This season, Jagger will return to Port Charles after a 13-year absence with his five-year-old son, Stone, in tow. He will reconnect with Robin (McCullough), meet some new residents – including Robin’s boyfriend Patrick (Thompson) – along the way and, most importantly, face a difficult internal struggle as he grows emotionally as a man and a father. As for Scorpio, the super spy will have to face the fact that he is getting older and his health is failing. Upon his arrival in town, he’ll check into the hospital as a patient where his daughter, Robin, will be providing his care. Father and daughter will struggle to figure out their relationship as grown adults.
