Sink your teeth into “Vampire Diaries” marathon Dec. 14-18 on The CW
Paul Wesley, left, and Ian Somerhalder in "The Vampire Diaries" - The CW Photo
The CW Network has announced plans for a special “The Vampire Diaries” Marathon starting on Monday, December 14.
This week-long event offers fans the opportunity to relive “The Vampire Diaries” saga from the very beginning and allows the uninitiated the chance to get into one of TV’s breakout hits.
Airing two episodes each night from Monday, Dec. 14 through Friday, Dec. 18 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. beginning with the season premiere episode, The CW will rebroadcast every episode of its smash hit “The Vampire Diaries” in consecutive order across its entire primetime schedule that week.
After just 10 episodes, “The Vampire Diaries” has become The CW’s most-watched and highest-rated series among adults 18-34 this season.
Based on the best-selling series of books by L. J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is the story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same beautiful girl, and battling to control the fate of an entire town.
Beautiful high school student Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev, “DeGrassi: The Next Generation”) has no way of knowing that the handsome and mysterious new boy in school, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley, “Mad Men”), is a centuries-old vampire.
While Stefan struggles to live peacefully among humans, his older brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder, “Lost”) is the embodiment of vampire violence and brutality.
Now these two vampire brothers ─ one good, one evil ─ are at war for Elena’s soul and for the souls of her friends, family and all the residents of the small town of Mystic Falls.
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Nov. 15-21, 2009
Friday is when The Oklahoman
posts a list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 30 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Nov. 15.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
GUEST STAR
(All times are CT, for ET add one hour)
••Elizabeth Banks (”Seabiscuit”) on “Modern Family,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Natasha Bedingfield (British pop singer) on “True Jackson, VP,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon.
••Tabatha Coffey (”Tabatha’s Salon Takeover”) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Stephen Collins (”7th Heaven”) on “Private Practice,” 9:01 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Nathan Corddry (“United States of Tara”) on “30 Rock,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Madison De La Garza (”Desperate Housewives”) on “Sonny With a Chance,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Disney.
••David Duchovny (”Californication”) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Frankie Faison (”Silence of the Lambs”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Dave Foley (”News Radio”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Max Gail (”Barney Miller”) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Troy Garity (“Soldier’s Girl”) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers player) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Joseph Gordon-Levitt (”(500) Days of Summer”) on “Saturday Night Live,” 10:29 p.m. Saturday on NBC.
••Craig ‘‘muMs” Grant (”Oz”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Jennifer Grey (”Dirty Dancing”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Tim Gunn (”Project Runway”) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Kadeem Hardison (”A Different World”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Tricia Helfer (”Battlestar Galactica”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Lady Gaga (musical artist) on “Gossip Girl,” 8 p.m. Monday on CW.
••Heather Locklear (original “Melrose Place”) on “Melrose Place,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
••Russ Mitchell (”The Early Show”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Eddie Murphy (“Imagine That”) on “America’s Next Top Model,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CW.
••Nelly (”The Longest Yard”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Edward Norton (”Primal Fear”) on “Modern Family,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”) on “30 Rock,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Mandy Patinkin (”Criminal Minds”) on “Three Rivers,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Mitch Pileggi (”The X-Files”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Kim Raver (”Lipstick Jungle”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Peter Riegert (”Damages”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Fisher Stevens (”Early Edition”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Skeet Ulrich (”Jericho”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Tom Verica (”American Dreams”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Ralph Waite (“The Waltons”) on “Bones,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Tyler James Williams (”Everybody Hates Chris”) on “True Jackson, VP,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon.
Pictured above: Three Rivers — The Luckiest Man- Andy (Alex O’Loughlin, left) treats a car crash victim named Victor (Mandy Patinkin, right) dying from ALS who asks to be to taken off of life support so his organs can be used to save others. Meanwhile, David tends to a foster parent with pulmonary hypertension who refuses admission to the hospital, on THREE RIVERS (CBS Photo)
Top 55 TV Programs for Nov. 15-21, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman,
which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Nov. 15:
(All times are CT, for ET add one hour)
SUNDAY, NOV. 15, 2009
◊“Aliens of the Amazon” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): Scientists venture deep into the Amazon to discover some of the most unfamiliar and bizarre creatures in the jungle called Treehoppers. These animals speak using vibrations and ward off prey by forming alliances with other creatures.
◊“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (6 p.m. on ABC): With the first $100,000 prize of the season to be awarded, here are the videos in the running: “Hidden Honkers,” a car alarm prank; “U Don’t Know Uvulas,” a little girl with a smarty pants vocabulary; “Ballpark Promise,” a Dodger fan catching a ball; “Laser Chasers,” a Great Dane and a little boy chasing a laser pointer; “Soda Bottle Blowout,” a kid’s science experiment having explosive results; and “Boohoo in the Loo,” a little boy pitching a fit in the bathroom.
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): Lilly and the team investigate the 1991 murder of a 14-year-old foster child who was starting to establish herself as a talented rapper. She was killed just a few months after she and her sister were placed with new foster parents. Kadeem Hardison (”A Different World”) and Craig ‘‘muMs” Grant (”Oz”) guest star.
◊“DriveThru” (7:30 p.m. on Fuel TV): In Season 6 of this surf adventure series, Pat O’Connell (“Endless Summer II”), Benji Weatherley (former World Tour competitor) and free surfer/recording artist Donavon Frankenreiter attempt to drive through both the East and West Coasts of Australia in search of the best waves.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer David Duchovny (”Californication”) traveled with the team to Lena, IL, to tell Joey and Philip Stott that their uninhabitable house and farm will be rebuilt in seven days.
◊“Joined For Life: Abby and Brittany Turn 16″ (9 p.m. on TLC): Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel are about to turn 16. That means they’re very busy with schoolwoork, sports, social activities and, yes, testing for their driver’s license.
◊“Masterpiece Contemporary” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new installment “Collision,” a Friday-afternoon traffic pileup on a superhighway snarls the lives of 10 strangers who add up to a confounding puzzle for Detective Inspector John Tolin (Douglas Henshall, “Primeval”). He must work with his estranged former lover, Senior Investigating Officer Ann Stallwood (Kate Ashfield), to try to get to the bottom of what happened and why.
◊“The Prisoner” (7 p.m. today through Tuesday on AMC): This reinterpretation of the 1960s British TV series will air from 7 to 9 p.m. over three consecutive nights. Jim Caviezel (”The Passion of the Christ”) stars as a man known only as Number Six, who awakens to find himself trapped in “The Village” with no memory of how he got there.
◊“Sonny With a Chance” (7 p.m. on Disney): Zora gets challenged by the studio head’s daughter, Dakota, to sell the most Blossom Scout cookies ever, and Sonny steps in to help Zora win. Madison De La Garza (”Desperate Housewives”) guest stars as young Sonny.
◊“Three Foot Giant” (9 p.m. on Biography): This special profiles 30-year-old Sean Stephenson who, at three feet tall and permanently confined to a wheelchair, defies the odds every day and changes people’s lives with his “anything is possible” philosophy. The special follows Stephenson as he prepares to throw out the first-pitch at a Chicago White Sox game, practices intense one-on-one therapy with a client and goes out on a first date.
◊“Three Rivers” (8 p.m. on CBS): Andy treats a car crash victim dying from ALS who asks to be to taken off of life support so his organs can be used to save others. Mandy Patinkin (”Criminal Minds”), a double corneal transplant recipient, guest stars.
◊” Tough Love” (8 p.m. on VH1): Back for a second season are professional matchmakers Steve Ward and his mother JoAnn Ward, who will help a new group of unlucky-in-love women who are willing to do whatever it takes to find Mr. Right. Along the way, Steve will share his unique male perspective in attempt to reform each of their “destructive” dating habits.
◊“WWII in HD” (8 p.m. today through Thursday on History): Gary Sinise narrates this 10-hour series that presents the story of the war as viewed through the eyes of 12 Americans — including Army captain Charles Scheffel from Enid — who fought in or contributed to the war effort. Their in-the-moment accounts are delivered with emotional impact by some of Hollywood’s top talents, and Ron Livingston (“Defying Gravity”) provides the voice of Scheffel, who also appears.
MONDAY, NOV. 16, 2009
◊“10 Vampires We Love” (9:30 p.m. on E!): This special explores the vampire phenomenon and counts down toe 10 sexiest vampires of all time.
◊“American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The installment “The 1930s: Surviving the Dust Bowl” spotlights the people who refused to give up on the land and a way of life despite the desertification of the once bountiful wheat fields.
◊“The 100 Mile Challenge” (8 p.m. on Planet Green): In the “Final Stretch” episode, the families gather one last time to look back at their 100-day experiences in which they consumed only food and drink produced within a 100-mile radius of their home town of Mission, British Columbia.
◊“Chef Academy” (10 p.m. on Bravo): Meet Jean Christophe Novelli, world renowned Michelin and 5AA Rosette award-winning chef with restaurants in London, France and South Africa. This new series chronicles Novelli’s move to Los Angeles as he opens a test program for a top-notch culinary institute and trains and transforms those who aspire to cook like professionals.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): When the CSIs investigate who or what caused a horrific car accident, both drivers’ darkest secrets are revealed. Los Angeles Laker player Pau Gasol guest stars as a person of interest in the case.
◊“Dear Food Network: Thanksgiving Top 10” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Food Network personalities Giada De Laurentiis, Ted Allen Tyler Florence and other share their turkey recipes, carving tips, sensational sides, delivious desserts and specialty drinks.
◊“The Doctors” (3 p.m. on KWTV-9): Barbra Streisand (“What’s Up, Doc?”) calls the show’s doctors to discuss her crusade to support heart health awareness for women, a cause which led her to create and endow the Barbra Streisand Women’s Cardio Vascular Research and Education Program at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
◊“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Hoping to impress the elitist theater kids at NYU, Blair sets her sights on landing a private concert with Lady Gaga (performing in this episode).
◊“Heroes” (7 p.m. on NBC): Samuel learns just how powerful he can become and takes dangerous measures to reach his full potential. Ravi Kapoor (“Crossing Jordan”) guest stars.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): After House’s medical license is reinstated, he reclaims his role as Head of Diagnostics in time to treat Hank Hardwick (Troy Garity, “Soldier’s Girl”), an adult film star admitted to Princeton Plainsboro for pulsating eye pain.
◊“Inside the Actors Studio: Jon Bon Jovi” (7 p.m. on Bravo): Host James Lipton interviews Jon Bon Jovi, who began playing music in clubs at age 16, has sold over 120 million albums and earned a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination.
◊“Jon and Kate Plus 8″ (8:30 p.m. on TLC): Kate Gosselin shares never-before-seen footage from Season 5, including the Kate celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary with the kids.
◊“Mystery Diagnosis” (9 p.m. on Discovery Health): Season 8 opens with segments on a newborn exhibiting strange symptoms but no visible reaction to fevers or pain and a seemingly healthy woman experiencing seizures and blackouts.
◊“Stud Finder 2009″ (9 p.m. on DIY): This special focuses on the network’s search to find the next do-it-yourself star and features the five finalists in head-to-head competition with one another. The winner gets a show on DIY.
◊“Quiero Mis Quinces” (8 p.m. on MTV Tr3s): Season 4 follows nine young Hispanic girls who set out to plan their Quinceañera, a unique celebration of their 15th birthday and official entry into womanhood.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Chelsea invites her beautiful college roommate (Tricia Helfer, “Battlestar Galactica”) to stay at the house while she gets over a bad breakup.
TUESDAY, NOV. 17, 2009
◊“Being Neil Armstrong” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Andrew Smith, aurthor of the best-selling book “Moondust,” sets out across America to find out about the real Neil Armstrong since walking on the moon. Smith meets people who knew the national hero and finds the places where Armstrong lived and woked.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Fashion guru Tim Gunn (”Project Runway”) and hair stylist Tabatha Coffey (”Tabatha’s Salon Takeover”) return for the annual make-over episode to help the remaining six contestants look fabulous before they give speeches about their weight loss journeys to motivate others at a TV Guide Magazine event.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): “A Death in Tehran” investigates the life and death of Neda Soltani, who was shot and killed on the streets of Tehran, Iran, during protests over the country’s presidential election last summer. Her death was captured on a cell-phone camera and uploaded to the Web.
◊“Good Morning America” (7 a.m. on ABC): Barbara Walters interviews former Vice Presidential candidate and Alaska Governer Sarah Palin in conjunction with the release of her memoir “Going Rogue: An American Life.” Portions of the interview will also air on “Nightline” (10:35 p.m. today), “Good Morning America” (7 a.m. Wednesday) and “20/20″ (9 p.m. Friday).
◊“The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): As Alicia prepares to defend a scientist accused of arson, she is caught off guard when Peter’s attorney asks her to testify on Peter’s behalf sooner than she expected. Peter Riegert (”Damages”) guest stars as the judge in Peter’s appeal and Russ Mitchell (”The Early Show”) guest stars as himself, interviewing Peter Florrick.
◊“Independent Lens” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “No Subtitles Necessary: Lazzlo & Vilmos” provides an intimate portrait of the 50-year journey of two giants of modern cinematography — Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond — and the deep bond of brotherhood that transcended every imaginable boundary.
◊“The Little Couple” (9 p.m. on TLC): Jen and Ben head to New York to appear on “The Dr. Oz Show” to discuss skeletal dysplasia for a TV audience. But nerves begin to kick in as they get closer to showtime.
◊“Melrose Place” (8 p.m. on CW): Ella and Caleb are stunned when agency owner Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear, original ‘Melrose Place”) walks into WPK and immediately fires half the staff, including Caleb.
◊“Merry Madagascar” (7 p.m. on NBC): In this holiday sequel to the animated feature “Madagascar,” Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria (voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith) must deliver Santa’s presents to save Christmas when St. Nick gets amnesia following a crash landing on their island.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Becoming Human: Unearthing Our Earliest Ancestors” looks at how we became the creative humans of today and what really happened to the Neanderthals who faded into extinction.
◊“The Standard Snowboard Show” (7 p.m. on Fuel TV): Season 6 features future stars of the sport, including Halldor Helgason and Jason Dubois.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18, 2009
◊“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW): In the Cycle 13 finale, the final two girls must pull out all the stops to impress the judges and nail their final CoverGirl commercial in Hawaii. Eddie Murphy (“Imagine That”) attends the final runway show, and the episode is followed by a special look back at the season with never-before-seen clips.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): After a body falls from the 59th Street Bridge, the CSI team finds a compass near the body pointing east, and realizes it’s the third victim of the “Compass Killer.” Skeet Ulrich (”Jericho”) returns as Hollis Eckhart, the “Compass Killer.” Nelly (”The Longest Yard”) returns as Terrence Davis, an informant who helps Detective Flack.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Gary turns to Allison after he makes a disastrous attempt to prepare a fancy Thanksgiving feast for Sasha, Curtis, Jack and the kids. Max Gail (”Barney Miller”) returns as Gary’s Dad, Jack.
◊“Gotta Catch Santa Claus” (6 p.m. on ABC Family): This animated musical adventure follows two youngsters as they atempt to track down Santa Claus (voiced by William Shatner, “Star Trek”) and prove he still exists.
◊“In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Singer Janet Jackson will sit down with host Robin Roberts for an exclusive television interview. The private pop star, who was known to be extremely close with her brother, Michael, will allow cameras into her Malibu home for the first time.
◊“Lost Cave Temples of the Himalaya” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In a remote corner of the Himalaya, in the forbidden kingdom of Mustang, a team of climbers clambers into mysterious caes for the first time and uncovers ancient cave temples lost to the modern world.
◊“Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): With a history of giving bad gifts, Claire is determined to surprise Phil with an amazing anniversary present – a private performance by one of their favorite musicians, Izzy LaFontaine (Edward Norton, “Primal Fear”). Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron call up their party-girl friend, Sal (Elizabeth Banks, “Seabiscuit”) for a long overdue night out on the town.
◊“Mustang — Journey of Transformation” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Richard Gere (“Amelia”) narrates the story of a Tibetan culture pulled back from the brink of extinction through the restoration of its most sacred sites: the 15th-century Buddhist monasteries and the art within.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine sets Richard up on a date with a gorgeous, passionate woman who works out at her gym, while Richard’s friend, Tom, continues trying to woo Christine. Jennifer Grey (”Dirty Dancing”), who is married to series star Clark Gregg (Richard), guest stars as Richard’s lusty blind date. Dave Foley (”News Radio”) returns as Tom, Richard’s friend who has a longstanding crush on Christine.
◊“Secrets of Shangri-La” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In the legendary kingdom of Mustang, a remote corner of the Himalaya previously off-limits to outsiders, a team of explorers and scientists climbs for the first time into human-carved caves thousands of years old.
◊“Top Chef: Las Vegas” (9 p.m. on Bravo): This week’s challenge is based on the Bocuse d’Or, a prestigious cooking competition founded by noted chef Paul Bocuse, whose son, Jerome, serves as a guest judge along with American chef Thomas Keller. Chefs Daniel Boulud, Alex Stratta, Gavin Kaysen, Timothy Hollingsworth and Traci Des Jardin also appear.
THURSDAY, NOV. 19, 2009
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): When Liz’s apartment building is converted to condos, she has to make a drastic change to her living arrangements. Nathan Corddry (“United States of Tara”) and Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”) guest star.
◊“The 2009 World Magic Awards” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): The two-hour awards presentation brings together the world’s top illusionists, escape artists and sleight-of-hand masters and will feature 14 heart-stopping performances. Scheduled to appear are Lance Burton, Franz Harary, Ed Alonzo, Katalin, Barry & Stuart, Morgan, Greg Frewin and Tommy Wind.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Booth’s grandfather Hank (Ralph Waite, “The Waltons”) comes to live with him and tags along as Brennan and Booth investigate ashes and charred remains found by a real estate agent while showing a property to prospective buyers.
◊“Family Armor” (9 p.m. on TLC): Deep in the heart of Texas, two Mormon brothers-in-law run a cutting-edge bulletproofing business that turns everyday cars into tricked-out gadget-filled fortresses. The family devotes their time to work, kin and religion … and along the way they get to shoot guns and blow up things.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): As Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s pass, Miranda is visited by her father, William (Frankie Faison, “Silence of the Lambs”), who disapproves of her choices in life.
◊“Mortal Lessons” (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary is about two women battling lung cancer on the surface, yet it is really about living life.
◊“Private Practice” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Addison is shaken by the unwelcome arrival of her father (Stephen Collins, “7th Heaven”) to Los Angeles, Cooper is arrested when he refuses to cooperate in a case involving a longtime patient and Pete fights to keep a terminally ill patient alive long enough for him to meet his new daughter.
◊“Project Runway” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): After the grueling weeks in the workroom and knocking off their competition, the remaining designers prove to the judges they have the skills and vision to make it in the fashion business. The finalists are given their biggest challenge yet — to create a complete collection to show during New York Fashion week.
◊“Secrets of Twilight” (9:30 p.m. on E!): Giuliana Rancic (“Giuliana & Bill”) hosts this special that is packed with interviews, backstage gossip and clips from the latest movie in the “Twilight” saga, “New Moon.”
◊“Terror in Mumbai” (7 p.m. on HBO): CNN host Fareed Zakaria, a native of Mumbai, narrates this documentary that chronicles the bloody period in 2008 when a band of 10 young Pakistani men made coordinated attacks across the city, leaving more than 170 people dead. The film includes recordings of cell-phone calls between the gunmen and those controlling them, as well as interrogation footage of the lone surviving shooter.
◊“Top 20 Celebs Gone Good” (7 p.m. on VH1): VH1 has partnered with DoSomething.org, the nation’s largest not-for-profit for young people and cause, to help separate the stars that really care from those who just like to smile for the cameras. This special will reveal the top 20 do-gooders that visitors to CelebsGoneGood.com helped choose as 2009’s Top 20 Celebs Gone Good for their charity work. Nominees include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey and Carrie Underwood.
◊“Wild Horse Redemption” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): At a prison in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, hard-core criminals are given 90 days to tame wild mustang horses. Most of the inmates who volunteer for the program have never even ridden a horse.
FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2009
◊“Damned to Heaven” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary examines issues of polygamy, abuse and under-age marriage practiced in the Colorado City, Ariz.-based Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) cult guided by Warren Jeffs. It features interviews with former FLDS members that capture honest feelings about Jeffs and life within the community.
◊“General Hospital” (2 p.m. on ABC): Golden Globe winner James Franco (“James Dean”) joins the cast in the recurring role of Franco, a mystery person who comes to Port Charles and will be intertwined with many other residents in town.
◊“Happily Ever Faster” (9 p.m. on TLC): This new series profiles the Las Vegas wedding chapel The Chapel of the Flowers that has a complete wedding services menu and caters to upwards of 50 couples a day. In the premiere episode, chapel planner Melody attempts to enlist William Shatner (”Star Trek”) as best man for a Trekkie wedding.
◊“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:06 p.m. on ABC): Host Jimmy Kimmel welcomes “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner to the show to coinciding with the release of the movie in theaters on the same night. Also, rock band Death Cab for Cutie will perform music from “The Twilight Saga: New Moon’s” original motion picture soundtrack, including the single “Meet Me on the Equinox.”
◊“Larry the Cable Guy’s Hula-Palooza Christmas Luau” (8 p.m. on CMT): This 90-minute variety show will feature Larry along with friends, including Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”), Caroline Rhea (“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”), George Lindsey (“The Andy Griffith Show”) and Angela Little MacKenzie (“Reno 911”). In addition to the holiday-themed comedy and sketches set on the fictional island of Hula-Poola, the special will include musical performances by Billy Currington and the Zac Brown Band.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Allison develops a strange sensitivity to light, the sunglasses she wears reveal mysterious numbers which could tie into people’s life expectancies. Tom Verica (”American Dreams”) and Mitch Pileggi (”The X-Files”) guest star.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA Network): Monk finds his return to the police force to be more challenging than he expected when he becomes involved in the case of a serial killer.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When robbers hit a diamond exchange and take hostages, Don and the team find an unlikely ally in convict John Buckley (Fisher Stevens, “Early Edition”), who may help the team’s investigation when they believe the men are copying Buckley’s criminal strategies.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7 p.m. on Disney): After Harper learns her family is moving away, the Russos offer to let Harper live with them. While cleaning out the basement to make room for Harper, Alex shrinks herself down to fit in her old doll house. Yara Shahidi (”Imagine That”) guest stars.
SATURDAY, NOV. 21, 2009
◊“The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): In addition to getting a sneak peek at Suze Orman’s upcoming visit to “The Biggest Loser,” she also explains why viewers shouldn’t give in to the sale signs in store windows this season.
◊“Sit Down, Shut Up” (11 p.m. on Fox): In the series finale, Sue gives Andrew an ultimatum to turn around the drama department. He writes his magnum opus, a musical starring the teachers with Miracle (voice of Oklahoma actress Kristin Chenoweth) as the female lead.
◊“True Jackson, VP” (7:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In the one-hour special episode “Flirting With Fame,” True’s crushing on a new boy at school named Justin (Tyler James Williams, “Everybody Hates Chris”). aND In an attempt to show True his romantic side, Justin enlists the help of superstar Natasha Bedingfield to perform “These Words” for the duo.
◊“Turtles Forever” (9 a.m. on CW): This special incorporates the three distinctive versions of the Turtles as they appeared in their original iterations: 1984 black and white comic book; late 1980’s/early 1990’s animated TV series; and their current animated series.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Nov. 8-14, 2009
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 30 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Nov. 8.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
GUEST STARS
••Nicole Anderson (”Jonas”) on “Imagination Movers,” 9 a.m. Saturday on Disney.
••Justin Bieber (teen pop singer) on “True Jackson VP,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon.
••Chris Bowers (”Rescue Me”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Care Bears on Fire (tween punk rock band) on “True Jackson VP,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon.
••Charisma Carpenter (”Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) on “Legend of the Seeker,” 4 p.m. Sunday on KOCB-34.
••Nick Chinlund (”Desperate Housewives”) on “The Mentalist,” 9 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Matt Davis (”Legally Blonde”) on “The Vampire Diaries,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CW.
••Jason Dolley (”Good Luck Charlie”) on “Imagination Movers,” 9 a.m. Saturday on Disney.
••Guy Fieri (“Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”) on “Garage Mahal,” 9:30 p.m. Monday on DIY.
••Laurence Fishburne (”CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS, and “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••David Gallagher (“7th Heaven”) on “Smallville,” 7 p.m. Friday on CW.
••Joel Grey (”Cabaret”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Chuck Hittinger (”ER”) on “Jonas,” 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Disney.
••Kelly Hu (”Martial Law”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Penny Johnson Jerald (”24″) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Swoosie Kurtz (”Pushing Daisies”) on “Rita Rocks,” 9 p.m. Monday on Lifetime.
••Drew Lachey (“The Comebacks”) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on My Network TV.
••Nick Lachey (“Charmed”) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7 p.m. Tuesday on My Network TV.
••Padma Lakshmi (”Top Chef”) on “Watch What Happens,” 11 p.m. Thursday on Bravo.
••Virginia Madsen (“Smith”) on “Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA Network.
••Eric McCormack (”Will & Grace”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Kathy Najimy (”Sister Act”) on “Desperate Housewives,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Paula Newsome (”Women’s Murder Club”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••First Lady Michelle Obama on “Sesame Street,” 9 a.m. Tuesday on OETA-13.
••Kelly Pickler (”American Idol”) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Amy Pietz (”Caroline in the City”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Lou Diamond Phillips (”La Bamba”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Teri Polo (“I’m With Her”) on “Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA Network.
••Kim Raver (”24″) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Adam Rodriguez (“CSI: Miami”) on “Ugly Betty,” 8 p.m. Friday on ABC.
••Gavin Rossdale (musical artist) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••“Sesame Street” characters on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader,” 7 p.m. Monday on CMT.
••Alan Thicke (”Growing Pains”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Jacob Vargas (”Traffic”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Nadine Valezquez (”My Name Is Earl”) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Pictured above: Photo: First Lady Michelle Obama, Muppets & Cast in “MICHELLE OBAMA PALNTS A GARDEN.” PHOTO CREDIT – Richard Termine
Top 55 TV Programs for March 15-21, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Nov. 8:
SUNDAY, NOV. 8, 2009
◊“Bored to Death” (8:30 p.m. on HBO): In the Season 1 finale, George, Jonathan and Ray accept a challenge from George’s publishing rival, Richard, and agree to a tripleheader boxing match — the guys from Edition against the GQ crew.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team investigates the murder of an accomplished 45-year-old Mexican-born jockey who “disappeared” within hours of losing a race he’d long planned as his last before retirement. The music of Santana will play exclusively throughout the episode. Jacob Vargas (”Traffic”) guest stars as the slain jockey’s apprentice.
◊“Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): Susan believes Katherine may be Julie’s assailant while Angie confronts Nick about the secret he’s withholding from her. Kathy Najimy (”Sister Act”) guest stars.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Kellie Pickler travels with the team to Beavercreek, Ohio, to tell James Terpenning, a wheelchair sports champion and mentor to disabled Iraqi War veterans, that he and his family will have a newly rebuilt home in seven days.
◊“Gabriel Iglesias: I’m Not Fat … I’m Fluffy” (8 p.m. on Comedy Central): This all-new stand-up special features the comedian’s perfect blend of impeccable voice skills and an uncanny knack for hilarious storytelling. Iglesias’s high-caliber performance was filmed in front of a packed house at the historic Plaza Theatre in El Paso, Texas.
◊“Jonas” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Joe discovers Stella is going on a date with the star jock Van Dyke Tosh (Chuck Hittinger, “ER”), so he has a date, as well.
◊“Keeping Up With the Kardashians: The Wedding” (7 p.m. on E!): After a whirlwind romance, Khloe Kardashian takes a magical journey down the aisle with Los Angeles Lakers star Lamar Odom. Join Kim, Kourtney and the whole Kardashian clan along with Hollywood’s elite for an insider’s look at this star-studded event.
◊“Legend of the Seeker” (4 p.m. on KOCB-34): In Season 2, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd will encounter an array of new characters, both good and evil, and they will be tested in ways that they never could have imagined. The trio will discover that in defeating the bloodthirsty tyrant Darken Rahl, their victory is short-lived as they inadvertently unleashed an even greater evil on the world. Charisma Carpenter (”Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) guest stars as a wicked Mord’Sith named Triana.
◊“Mad Men” (9 p.m. on AMC): As Don has a meeting with Connie, Pete has a chat with his clients, and Betty receives an interesting piece of advice in the Season 3 finale.
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The black mamba hasn’t been studied in the wild much, because most people who encounter this large, deadly snake kill it on sight. But in this new episode, a team of snake handlers in Swaziland braves the danger to conduct a six-week study of the deadly reptile.
◊“The Prince & Me: Holiday Honeymoon” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In this sequel to “The Prince & Me: The Royal Wedding,” newlyweds Queen Paige (Kam Heskin) and King Edvard (Chris Geere) try to escape the spotlight by honeymooning in Belavia. But instead they end up uncovering a plot against the Danish monarchy.
◊“Stacked: CMA Nominees 2009″ (9:30 a.m. on CMT): This special features the CMA Awards nominees in the video of the year category — Randy Houser’s “Boots On,” Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” Bill Currington’s “People Are Crazy,” Brad Paisley’s “Start a Band” duet with Keith Urban and Geirge Strait’s “Troubadour.” The 43rd annual CMA Awards ceremony will air live at 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
◊“Storm Chasers” (9 p.m. on Discovery): Reed Timmer aims to step up from aggressive chaser to extreme scientist with his new military-grade radar capable of measuring wind speeds inside a twister. And he gets his vehicle inside the circulation of an EF3 for the intercept of a lifetime.
◊“Surviving 2012″ (8 p.m. on Discovery): This special explores the most plausible planetary disasters that 2012 may bring to determine whether or not the end of life on Earth really is lurking just around the corner.
◊“The Time I …” (6:55 p.m. on Disney): This new short-form series features young viewers sharing milestones in ther lives. The 1-2 minute segments include the stories “The Time I…Became a Big Sister” by 12-year-old Jasmine, “The Time I….Rode an Elephant” by 12-year-old Tiana, “The Time I….Flew By Myself” by 8-year-old Reese and “The Time I…Won a Blue Ribbon at the Country Fair” by 10-year-old cousins Hope and Logan.
MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on CMT): Host Jeff Foxworthy welcomes Bert, Grover, Prairie Dawn, Zoe and Cookie Monster for a week-long event celebrating the 40th anniversary of “Sesame Street.” A different co-host will be featured each day of the week as contestants test there knowledge of grade-school level questions on the fast-paced game show.
◊“BBC World News America” (6 p.m. on BBC America): A special edition of the show broadcasts live from Berlin on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. German-born Matt Frei, who reported from Berlin on the day the Wall fell 20 years ago, returns to his native country to anchor the program from the historic Brandenburg Gate.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Horatio Caine calls Dr. Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) to come to Miami when a severed leg found in the Everglades is discovered to belong to a girl who went missing in Las Vegas a week earlier.
◊“Garage Mahal” (9:30 p.m. on DIY): Guy Fieri (“Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”) throws down his carving knife and picks up a hammer to help the DIY Network crew and host Brian Corsetti build a vintage diner style garage, complete with rolling car and custom back bars, diamond plate wainscoting and chair rail, black and white murals and a half-ton of classic auto parts.
◊“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Not satisfied with just being Queen of Constance Billard, Jenny sets her sights on becoming Queen of all the Upper East Side. Leighton Meester;s new single “Somebody to Love” is featured, along with a guest performance from all-girl rock band Plastiscines.
◊“How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Filmmaker Leslie Woodhead, who first met the Beatles in 1962 when he worked on a film in the Liverpool Cavern Club, talks to Russians who grew up listening to the Beatles and found hope and inspiration in their music and their message of rebellion.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): After Barney and Robin hit a rough patch in their relationship, Lily devises the perfect plan to break them up, calling in help from Robin’s famous friend, Alan Thicke.
◊“Lincoln Heights” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): Cassie tells Charles she wants to apply to school in New York, and Lizzie gets into trouble at school.
◊“Lopez Tonight” (10 p.m. on TBS): Comedian and actor George Lopez headlines this new late-night talk show that will feature a street-party feel with pumped-up music, audience interaction and a format that is open to change each day. His prmeiere-night guests include Ellen DeGeneres (”Ellen”), Eva Longoria-Parker (”Desperate Housewives”) and Kobe Bryant (NBA player).
◊“One Tree Hill” (7 p.m. on CW): Series star Sophia Bush (Brooke) directed this episode in which devastating news threatenes to derrail Brook and Julian’s fairytale romance.
◊“Rita Rocks” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): Swoosie Kurtz (”Pushing Daisies”) guest stars as Rita’s overly judgmental mother, Marilyn. Rita scrubs down the house and hides all the junk food to prepare for a visit from Marilyn, who decides to stay a couple weeks longer to spend more quality time with Rita and the family.
◊“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (noon on KOCB-34): Meredith Vieira won’t be the only person asking questions on the game show. Starting today, she will get assistance from celebrities such as Senator John McCain, Vanessa Williams (”Ugly Betty”), Jane Lynch (”Glee”), Joe Mantegna (”Criminal Minds”) and Robin Roberts (”Good Morning America”). Monday is also the first day of the “Million Dollar Tournament of Ten” that will feature the season’s top 10 contestants who will get a shot at a $1 million question.
TUESDAY, NOV. 10, 2009
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Playing the game for charity are celebrities Nick Lachey (“Charmed”) and Drew Lachey (“The Comebacks”).
◊“Disaster House” (9 p.m. on DIY): Host Josh Temple and his team drop a 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis from nearly 100 feet to replicate years of damage a normal driveway can endure and what homeowners can do to repair common problems. He also uses a Pumpkin Cannon to shoot a variety of fruits at a home mailbox to show viewers how to repair theirs.
◊“Full Throttle Saloon” (9 p.m. on truTV): This new series takes viewers behind-the-scenes at The Throttle, a biker bar in Sturgis, S.D. The 30-acre indoor/outdoor bar features several large stages, a burn-out pit, a tattoo parlor, zip lines, a wrestling ring, restaurants, dozens of stores, hundreds of cabins for rent and parking for thousands of bikes. It is only open two weeks a year during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
◊“The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): While representing the daughter of one of the partner’s at the law firm, Alicia finds herself attracted to her co-counsel and his unorthodox approach to defending their client. Chris Bowers (”Rescue Me”) guest stars as Alicia’s co-counsel.
◊“In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville” (9 p.m. on ABC): Take a backstage tour of the country music scene with Robin Roberts (”Good Morning America”) as she goes home with Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood and Nashville residents Tim McGraw and Martina McBride. Also on the itinerary are interviews with Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn and Rosanne Cash.
◊“Independent Lens” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): In “D Tour,” documentarian Jim Granato tells the story of Pat Spurgeon, an aspiring indie rocker whose life and career suffer a setback when one of his kidneys begins to fail. The film follows him as he searches for a donor while on tour with his band Rogue Wave.
◊“James May on the Moon” (7 p.m. on BBC America): Driven by his passion for technology, “Top Gear” presenter James May seeks out both the astronauts and the men who built the space vehicles. And through manipulation of archive footage, May buckles up with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, lands the Eahle and takes a space walk.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): With the team’s help, Vance faces his demons while uncovering a complex relationship with a killer that puts his whole family in danger. Kelly Hu (”Martial Law”), Penny Johnson Jerald (”24″) and Paula Newsome (”Women’s Murder Club”) guest star.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): The world’s largest informal children’s educator celebrates its 40th birthday today, which is the exact day the series debuted on television four decades ago. The new season will feature a new show opening, a new nature curriculum and the new First Lady Michelle Obama, who appears in the premiere epusode and teaches “the street’s” residents about the many benefits of planting a garden and healthy eating.
◊“Starz Inside: Sex and the Cinema” (9 p.m. on Starz): This special explores how sexually charged films reflect out own sexual liberation. It also looks at many films that push the boundary, from mainstream studio films to producyt that comes from the porn industry.
◊“The Will: Families Divided” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This special explores the intrigue, legal wrangling and high emotions surrounding real-life stories of family inheritance — whether there is a valid will or not.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11, 2009
◊“The 43rd Annual CMA Awards” (7 p.m. on ABC): Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, the reigning CMA female and male vocalists of the year, co-host the event for the second consecutive year. Both are also nominees and are scheduled to perform, along with Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift and George Strait.
◊“Apocalypse: The Second World War” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Martin Sheen (”The West Wing”) narrates this six-part series featuring footage filmed by those who witnessed the war first-hand. This footage was deemed ‘unfit’ for civilians to see. Until now. It has been restored, colorized and transferred to high definition. The series will air over six consecutive nights.
◊“Change the World: American Heroes” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Craftsman Carter Oosterhouse and designer Monica Pedersen transform homes in Philadelphia and St. Louis into comfortable and welcoming places for veterans who are transitioning back to civilian life.
◊“Coca-Cola: The Real Story Behind the Real Thing” (8 p.m. on CNBC): With unprecedented access, CNBC pulls back the curtain on Coca-Cola, revealing never-before-seen labs, secret archives and high-tech product testing. Cameras follow Coke’s urgent campaign to reinvent itself after years of losing ground to arch-rival Pepsi in the race to develop new beverages.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit follows a trail of murders that seems to align with the tour schedule of a rock star. Gavin Rossdale plays a Goth performer who has become lost in the frightening alter-ego he portrays on stage — an alter-ego the BAU team suspects may be a brutal serial killer.
◊“CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Dr. Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) rushes to New York when Det. Mac Taylor and his team identify a woman hidden in a big rig following an accident as someone he interviewed in Miami related to his missing person’s case. Though the woman disappears after the accident, Langston and Mac discover they’re onto an interstate trucking ring that specializes in human cargo and black market organ harvesting.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Allison is jilted when her new “friend,” Sophia (Nadine Valezquez, “My Name Is Earl”), prefers Gary’s company over hers.
◊“Ghost Hunters Academy” (9 p.m. on Syfy): In this new spinoff of “Ghost Hunters,” two members of The Atlantic Paranormal Society — technical manager Steve Gonsalves and evidence analyst Dave Tango — show a group of college students how to investigate reports of paranormal activity.
◊“POV” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new documentary “The Way We Get By” tells the stories behind a group of retired and elderly citizens in Maine who have taken it upon themselves to greet every troop plane arriving or departing Bangor, which is the last and first piece of U.S. soil many soldiers see before and after their deployments.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Max (Eric McCormack, “Will & Grace”) points out to Christine that she quits anything that gets too hard, including relationships, which is one of the reasons he chose to be her therapist rather than her boyfriend.
◊“Return to Duty” (8 p.m. on MTV): Viewers of “The Real World: Brooklyn” may remember the emotional moment when cast member and Army vet Ryan Conklin was unexpectedly recalled for a second tour of duty in Iraq. In this documentary, Conklin takes viewers through the year since that day, offering a soldier’s view of America’s changing military presence in the long war in Iraq.
◊“Secrets of the Dead” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new episode “Airmen and the Headhunters” recounts the rescue of a U.S. bomber crew shot down over the jungles of Japanese-occupied Borneo during World War II. Dayak tribesmen, known for taking the heads of their enemies, fed and protected the airmen.
THURSDAY, NOV. 12, 2009
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Dr. Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) continues the search for the young girl taken hostage as part of the human trafficking operation. It leads him to investigate a prostitution ring in Las Vegas that may harbor the missing woman.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): When Owen recruits his fellow Iraqi War vet, Dr. Teddy Altman, as the new cardiothoracic surgeon, Cristina questions Teddy’s abilities in the operating room and the nature of their past relationship. Joel Grey (”Cabaret”) and Kim Raver (”24″) guest star.
◊“The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): While Jane and the team examine the crime scene where a baseball scout is found murdered, Jane is clocked in the head by a ball and flashes back to his childhood with his overbearing father (Nick Chinlund, “Desperate Housewives”).
◊“Stateline: Behind the Curtain” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment of OETA’s award-winning documentary series unveils what it takes to maintain Oklahoma’s world class museums and attractions. Attractions featured include the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, home to thousands of varieties of sea life; the J.M. Davis Gun Museum in Claremore that could outfit an army; and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, which prepares for performances days in advance of the curtain.
◊“The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): A mysterious new history teacher (Matt Davis, “Legally Blonde”) arrives at the high school. And when Elena, Bonnie and Caroline hold a seance, the results are stranger than any of them expected.
FRIDAY, NOV. 13, 2009
◊“Great Performances” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Motown Records, “Stevie Wonder: Live At Last” features the American musician in a concert performance at London’s O2 Arena.
◊“Invitation Only: Tim McGraw” (8 p.m. on CMT): Country music artist Tim McGraw returns to the stage to perform his biggest hits and music from his latest album “Southern Voice.” He also takes questions from fans and gives revealing and candid answers.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison fears the worst about Ariel’s new boyfriend when she suspects him of murdering a man. Also, Bridgette posts embarrassing videos of a man on the Internet and gets into trouble. Amy Pietz (”Caroline in the City”) guest stars as the mother of Ariel’s boyfriend in this episode directed by David Arquette (“Scream”).
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): While tracking down a felon running a heroin ring inside a prison, Agent Ian Edgerton (Lou Diamond Phillips, “La Bamba”) becomes a murder suspect when the informant he meets with ends up dead, sending a desperate Edgerton over the edge when he takes a member of Don’s team hostage.
◊“Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): DC Comics’ “The Wonder Twins” Jayna and Zan (David Gallagher, 7th Heaven) show up in Metroplolis to help The Blur fight crime. But they end of botching several rescues.
◊“Ugly Betty” (8 p.m. on ABC): Hilda’s bad-boy high school flame and Betty’s schoolgirl crush — Bobby Talercio (Adam Rodriguez, “CSI: Miami”) — teaches at Justin’s school, causing the sisters to both doubt their feelings for “nice guys” — such as Archie (Ralph Macchio, “The Karate Kid”), in Hilda’s case.
SATURDAY, NOV. 14, 2009
◊“5 Ingredient Fix” (11:30 a.m. on Food Network): Host Claire Robinson prepares all her Thanksgiving recipes with five or fewer ingredients. She cooks up roasted turkey breast with gravy, cornbread dressing and a ginger pumpkin tart.
◊“Ask Aida” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): Create a Thanksgiving feast with host Aida Mollenkamp’s crowd-pleasing menu. She fixes an apple-sage roast turkey, whole wheat stuffing and a pecan pumpkin crunch. She also shares her simple recipe for hearty pan gravy.
◊“Cougar Town” (4 p.m. on SoapNet): This two-hour marathon includes the first three episodes (as well as the fifth episode) of the ABC series starring Courteney Cox as a recently divorced single mother exploring the truths about dating and aging.
◊“Everything She Ever Wanted” (7 p.m on Lifetime Movie Network): This two-part miniseries, which concludes Nov. 15, stars Gina Gershon (”Bound”) as a Southern woman whose storybook wedding signals the beginning of a nightmare marriage that is ultimately upended by greed and violence. It is inspired by a true story.
◊“Flower Girl” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Marla Sokoloff (”The Practice”) stars in this new romance as Laurel, a florist who can’t seem to find the man of her dreams. But when her grandmother (Marion Ross) tries to fix Laurel up with the perfect man, before she knows it, she has not one but two potential suitors on her hands and must decide if its time to follow her heart or her head.
◊“Imagination Movers” (9 a.m. on Disney): In the episode “A Fairy Tale Ending,” the Movers must convince Cinderella to go home and back to her story so she can have her fairy tale ending with Prince Charming. The episode features the debut of the new original song “When You Grow Up.” Nicole Anderson (”Jonas”) and Jason Dolley (”Good Luck Charlie”) guest star as Cinderella and Prince Charming.
◊“Oklahoma Hall of Fame” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The 2009 Oklahoma Hall of Fame class of 2009 is inducted. The seven Oklahoma honorees are: C. Kendric Fergeson, Altus; Marlin G. “Ike” Glass, Jr., Newkirk; V. Burns Hargis, Stillwater; Polly A. Nichols, Oklahoma City; Lee Roy Selmon, Eufaula; Steven W. Taylor, McAlester; and Wayman Lawrence Tisdale, Tulsa, who will be inducted posthumously.
◊“Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): January Jones (”Mad Men”) makes her “SNL” debut as host. Back for their second appearance are musical guests The Black Eyed Peas, three-time Grammy Award winners.
◊“Super Dave’s Spike-Tacular” (10 p.m. on SPIKE): Emmy winner Bob Einstein returns as Super Dave Osbourne, self-described as the greatest daredevil superstar entertainer of all time, as he prepares for a weekly death-defying stunt. Stunts he will attempt in the four-part special event include trying to break the NASCAR speed record on a track loaded with explosives, breaking the speed record in the Guinness Book of World Records for a hybrid vehicle, challenging the world’s six greatest paintball players and stepping into the Octagon with former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
◊“The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): The five warning signs that your financial advisor doesn’t have your best interest at heart.
◊“True Jackson, VP” (7:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In the Season 2 premiere, True is determined to save her school’s design department from budget cuts and decides to hold a fundraising concert. Making special celebrity appearances are teen pop singer Justin Bieber and Brooklyn tween punk rock band Care Bears on Fire.
–Penny TV
Top 25 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Nov. 1-7, 2009
Friday is when The
Oklahoman posts a list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 25 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Nov. 1.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
GUEST STARS
••John Aniston (”Days of Our Lives”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Daniel Baldwin (”Grey Gardens”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Clint Black (“The Celebrity Aprpentice”) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••YaYa Dacosta (“All My Children”) on “Ugly Betty,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Hilary Duff (“Lizzie McGuire”) on “Gossip Girl,” 8 p.m. Monday on CW.
••Jeff Dunham (“The Jeff Dunham Show”) on “Sonny With a Chance,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Disney.
••Jimmy Fallon (“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”) on “Gossip Girl,” 8 p.m. Monday on CW.
••Lennie James (”Jericho”) on “Three Rivers,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Alex Kingston (”ER”) on “FlashForward,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••John Larroquette (“Boston Legal”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Michael Learned (”The Waltons”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Ann Meara (“Archie Bunker’s Place”) on “Mercy,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Marion Ross (”Happy Days”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Eric Christian Olsen (”Fired Up!”) on “Community,” 7 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Robert Patrick (”Terminator 2: Judgment Day”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••David Paymer (”Mr. Saturday Night”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Faith Prince (”Huff”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Linda Purl (“First Monday”) on “The Office,” 8 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Salli Richardson-Whitfield (”Eureka”) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Elizabeth Rohm (“Law & Order”) on “Heroes,” 7 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••Samantha Ronson (disc jockey)(pictured above) on “90210,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
••Jerry Stiller (“The King of Queens”) on “Mercy,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Gabrielle Union (“Life”) on “FlashForward,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Nadine Valezquez (”My Name Is Earl”) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Brian Williams (“NBC Nightly News”) on “30 Rock,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Rumer Willis (“Sorority Row”) on “90210,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
Top 55 TV Programs for Nov. 1-7, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which
includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Nov. 1:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, NOV. 1, 2009
◊“Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team looks into the 1944 murder of the top pilot from the WASP program, a pioneering group of civilian women who volunteered to fly non-combat missions for the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII. Guest stars include Michael Learned (”The Waltons”) as a former WASP pilot, John Aniston (”Days of Our Lives”) as a WWII Army Air Force pilot veteran and Daniel Baldwin (”Grey Gardens”) as Moe Kitchener, who is out on bail awaiting his trial for running Lilly’s car off the road.
◊“Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In this new primetime special, Dora continues her magical storybook adventure from last fall (“Dora Saves the Snow Princess”), when the magic crystal that the Snow Princess gave her are stolen by a greedy king (voiced by Richard Kind, “Spin City”). Dora and Boots must help locate the crystals and turn the pale gray kingdom back into a colorful wonderland.
◊“Duel with the Devil” (9 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary follows members of the special homicide task force in Guatemala City as they risk their lives solving thousands of homicides that occur every year.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Clint Black (“The Celebrity Apprentice”) and the team travel to Daviess County, KY, to tell Steve and Melissa Mattingly that their small single-wide trailer will be replaced by a newly constructed home built in seven days.
◊“Food Network Challenge” (7 p.m. on Food Network): Four cake designers make cakes based on the four main characters from “The Simpsons.” The designers must team up with a “Simpsons” super fan to ensure that every detail of the cake is just right.
◊“Kristi Yamaguchi & Friends” (3 p.m. on NBC): Featuring the musical talents of The Backstreet Boys, who are touring in support of their new album, “This Is Us,” this skating exhibition will showcase Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and her skating friends. Among them are four-time world champion Kurt Browning, eight-time British champion Steven Cousins and two-time Olympic gold medalist Ekaterina Gordeeva.
◊“Masterpiece Contemporary” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Juliet Stevenson (”Truly, Madly, Deeply”) stars as a TV journalist who reopens the unsolved 1963 disapperance of a 13-year-old girl in “Place of Execution,” a thriller adapted from a novel by Val McDermid (”Wire in the Blood”).
◊“Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Born Wild: The First Days of Life” follows the birth and first day of several species, from marmoset to moose and elephant to gorilla.
◊“Nostradamus Decoded” (7 p.m. on Discovery): This special exposes the truth about the world’s greatest prognosticator and offers insight into human nature itself.
◊“Seven Dumpsters and a Corpse” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): A tale of two brothers trying to piece together their family history amidst the mess of their deceased mother’s apartment. The saga involves baronesses and counts, stolen lovers and Nazi officers, lawsuits and counter lawsuits and lots of cats.
◊“Sex Rehab With Dr. Drew” (9 p.m. on VH1): Dr. Drew Pinsky and a team of experts on sexual addition guide eight patients through an extensive program in order to get to the root of their compulsive behavior.◊“Strange Sex” (9 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special explores the world of sexual medical anomalies, including a diagnosed sex addict trying to get her life in order and a woman who is allergic to her husband’s semen.
◊“Styl’d” (9 p.m. on MTV): This new series takes viewers inside the competitive world of fashion by following five junior stylists at the Margaret Maldonado Agency. Each week, they assist with the styling of celebrities for various events including music videos, movie premieres and red carpet events.
◊“Three Rivers” (8 p.m. on CBS): In order to save his life, Andy tries a risky new procedure on his wife’s partner who suffers from an aortic aneurysm. Lennie James (”Jericho”) guest stars as Dr. Timothy Maguire, a cardiologist.
MONDAY, NOV. 2, 2009
◊“For the Love of Ray J” (8 p.m. on VH1): R&B artist Ray J is back to find his soul mate. When things with Season 1 finalist Cocktail didn’t end well, VH1 found a new group of 18 women to vie for Ray J’s heart.
◊“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Olivia (”Hilary Duff, “Lizzie McGuire”) says something she regrets during her appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s talk show and tries to keep Dan from finding out.
◊“Ham on Turkey” (2 p.m. on Fine Living Network): George Duran, host of “Ham on the Street,” stages a Mayflower pizza party and unveils the hottest trend in turkey roasting — the bicycle-powered mega-rotisserie.
◊“Heroes” (7 p.m. on NBC): Hiro gets a second chance to save the love of his life. Elsewhere, H.R.G.’s past with his Primatech partner (Elizabeth Rohm, “Law & Order”) is revealed.
◊“I Want to Work for Diddy” (9 p.m. on VH1): Sean “Diddy” Combs returns for a second season in search of a new assistant. He will challenge 11 new hopefuls to see who has the talent and motivation to work for him.
◊“The People V. Leo Frank” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This program dramatizes the 1913 murder of Mary Phagan and the trial and lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory supervisor accised of her murder. The cast is led by Will Janowitz (”The Sopranos”) and Seth Gilliam (”The Wire”).
◊“Poliwood” (6:30 p.m. on Showtime): Academy Award winner Barry Levinson (”Rain Man”) directed this look at the collision and collusion between politics, Hollywood and the media. Among the celebrities featured are Annette Bening, Susan Sarandon, Hayden Panettiere, Matthew Modine and Tulsa native Alfre Woodard.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 2009
◊“90210″ (7 p.m. on CW): DJ Samantha Ronson guest stars as herself, offering dating advice to Navid. Rumer Willis (“Sorority Row”) also guest stars in the episode that features a performance by Pharrell and N.E.R.D.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The contestants head to Washington D.C. for an unforgettable week that includes a visit to the White House kitchen and the biggest workout in the show’s eight-year history.
◊“By the People: The Election of Barack Obama” (8 p.m. on HBO): Filmmakers Amy Rice and Alicia Sams chronicle the presidential campaign of Barack Obama starting from nearly a year before he announced his candidacy. Interwoven with the drama of the campaign is never-before-seen footage of Obama behind the scenes, as well as interviews and candid moments with wife Michelle Obama, the couple’s young daughters, Malia and Sasha, and senior campaign staff, volunteers, reporters, supporters and opponents. Rice, who grew up in Oklahoma City, conceivced the idea of making the documentary when she saw Obama’s 2004 convention speech on TV.
◊“The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): As Alicia works with Will on the appeal of a death row inmate, she agrees to a conjugal visit with Peter in order to get information from him since her client was convicted under Peter’s regime as state’s attorney. David Paymer (”Mr. Saturday Night”) returns as Judge Richard Cuesta.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Maggie Gyllenhaal (“SherryBaby”) hosts the new installment titled “Power Paths” that looks at traditional American Indian values regarding conservation and the earth that offer real solutions to America’s energy crisis.
◊“Kathy Griffin: Balls of Steel” (8 p.m. on Bravo): In her seventh original stand-up special for Bravo, two-time Emmy winning comedienne Kathy Griffin dishes about her experience at the Teen Choice Awards with her date, Levi Johnston, and offers her take on recent headlines including Jon and Kate Gosselin, Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): A murder investigation prompts Gibbs and the team to play family counselor to his former mentor, Mike Franks, in the hopes of preventing a bloody international conflict. Robert Patrick (”Terminator 2: Judgment Day”) guest stars as First Defense COO Colonel Merton Bell.
◊“Nova: Becoming Human” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This three-part special investigates new discoveries that are transforming the picture of how we became human. The first installment explores fresh clues about our earliest ancestors in Africa, including the stunningly complete fossil nicknamed “Lucy’s Child.”
◊“Rip-Off!” (8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This special profiles two of the most notorious white-collar criminals in recent memory — Dennis Kozlowski, chief executive of Tyco, and Marcus Schrenker, owner and operator of Heritage Wealth Management.
◊“State of Creativity” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): With strategic placement on I-35 and I-40, drugs are trafficked to all four corners of our country through the boarders of Oklahoma. Drug trafficking brought the street gangs from southern California here in the 1980s and they brought their culture with them. Violence. Robbery. Vandalism. OETA’s newest documentary series takes a look into the gangster lifestyle and discovers a solution that breaks the cycle of this dangerous culture.
◊“Tabatha’s Salon Takeover” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Tabatha Coffey returns for a second season to help transform the lives and businesses of salon owners in the Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami areas. Fans first met her as an acerbic contestant on the first season of “Shear Genius.” Since that time, Tabatha has earned respect for her unapologetic, brutally honest approach.
◊“V” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this reimagining of NBC’s 1983 miniseries, a bunch of charismatic extraterrestrials led by Anna (Morena Baccarin, “Firefly”) captivates most of Earth’s population. But FBI counterterrorism agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell, “Lost”) suspects the aliens have a far more sinister agenda.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4, 2009
◊“Bill Cosby: The Mark Twain Prize 2009″ (7 p.m. on OETA-13): A roster of top-flight American comics including Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock salutes the Emmy-winning actor as he becomes the recipient of the 12th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The special includes clips of his career highlights from stand-up appearances as well as his groundbreaking role on “I Spy” and the sitcoms that later bore his name.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The Behavioral Analysis Unit tracks a serial killer who keeps the eyes of his victims as souvenirs. Salli Richardson-Whitfield (”Eureka”) returns as the sister of a murder victim.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Allison is jilted when her new “friend,” Sophia (guest star Nadine Valezquez, “My Name Is Earl”), prefers Gary’s company over hers.
◊“Flowers Uncut” (9 p.m. on TLC): Jeff Leatham, one of the top floral designers in the world, moves from Paris to New York City to set up shop in the event capital of the world. One of his first jobs in an $80,000 floral presentation for the Shila Hotel in Korea.
◊“House of Payne” (8 p.m. on TBS): Kim Fields (”The Facts of Life”) directs two new episodes airing back-to-back. In “Where’s the Payne,” Curtis finds out that he’s being forced into retirement and Calvin discovers that Miranda is missing. In “Recurring Paynes,” Miranda’s mother arrives and confronts Calvin, who has become a suspect in her disappearance.
◊“Johnny Mercer: The Dream’s on Me” (7 p.m. on TCM): Clint Eastwood (“Gran Torino”) executive produced this profile of the gap-toothed composer from Georgia who penned the lyrics, music or both to some of the most beloved songs of the 20th century, including “Hooray for Hollywood,” “Moon River” and “The Days of Wine and Roses.”
◊“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m. on NBC): When two young girls are similarly murdered a little over a month apart, Detective Odafin Tutuola decides to investigate the gruesome crimes. John Larroquette (“Boston Legal”) guest stars.
◊“Mercy” (7 p.m. on NBC): Sonia gets relationship advice from a patient and begins to question her arm’s-length approach to dating. Jerry Stiller (“The King of Queens”) and Ann Meara (“Archie Bunker’s Place”) guest star.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine considers herself popular by association when Ritchie is asked to a dance by the most popular girl in school, and Matthew and Richard try to evict an elderly woman (Marion Ross, “Happy Days”) from the apartment they hope to rent.
◊“Strange Sex” (9 p.m. on Discovery Health): This special explores the world of sexual medical anomalies, including a diagnosed sex addict trying to get her life in order and a woman who is allergic to her husband’s semen.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Gig Young was born on this day in 1913, and TCM celebrates by airing nine of his films, including 1950’s “Hunt the Man Down” (11 a.m.) and 1953’s “The Girl Who Had Everything” (4:15 p.m.).
◊“Top Chef All Stars Dinner” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Season 5 fan favorite Fabio Viviani hosts a get-together complete with a challenge as past chef’testants rehash their favorite moments on the series. Chefs taking part include Harold Dieterle (Season 1), Ilan Hall (Season 2), Hung Huynh (Season 3) and Lisa Fernandes (Season 4).
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 2009
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): While Liz and Pete try to rig the audition process, Tracy and Jenna decide it’s in their best interest to conduct their own search for a new “TGS” actor. Brian Williams (“NBC Nightly News”) guest stars.
◊“Broke and Famous: Willie Aames” (9 p.m. on VH1): This special chronicles the journey of Willie Aames, a once rich and successful celebrity who descended into poverty, as he works to transform and rebuild his life. Sarano Kelley, a financial guru and life coach, will be tasked with giving Willie the wake-up call he needs and helping him to reshape his financial future.
◊“Cold Blood” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This series, beginning its second season, presents competing versions of what may have happened as investigators follow forensic clues in search of the truth.
◊“Community” (7 p.m. on NBC): When the gang finds out Jeff is living out of his car, they offer their help. Eric Christian Olsen (”Fired Up!”) guest stars.
◊“The Doctors” (3 p.m. on KWTV-9): Brooke Burke (”Dancing With the Stars”) joins the daytime talk show as a “Mommy Correspondent.” She will make house calls and act as the liaison between mothers and the doctors — Dr. Travis Stork (E.R. physician), Dr. Lisa Masterson (obstetrician and gynecologist), Dr. Andrew Ordon (plastic surgeon) and Dr. James Sears (pediatrician).
◊“FlashForward” (7 p.m. on ABC): Mark, Demetri, Gough and MI6 agent Fiona Banks (Alex Kingston, “ER”) investigate a Blue Hand club and its possible connection to some recent suicides. Meanwhile, Demetri comes clean with Zoey (Gabrielle Union, “Life”) about his lack of a flashforward.
◊“Gallery” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): After months of painstaking work, Lego brick artist Kurt Zimmerle is back home in Michigan working on his Halloween haunted houses. What he’s left behind is a masterpiece that will benefit Oklahoma City’s poverty stricken children for years to come. Zimmerle constructed about 50 Oklahoma City buildings like the state capital, the Skirvin Plaza, Bricktown and the as yet un-built Devon tower. (The Lego version stands 9 feet tall) out of Lego bricks. Kurt hasn’t done an exact count because he says he does not have time, but he estimates he has used over 1,000,000 bricks to construct OK Cityscapes.
◊“The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Jim and Pam are out of excuses, so they have no choice but to go on a double date with Michael and Helene (Linda Purl, “First Monday”).
◊“The Real Housewives of Orange County” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In Season 5, the Southern California girls welcome Alexis Bellino to the group and say farewell to longtime housewife Jeana Keough. The series also takes a turn with shifting relationships and the tough economy hitting the women and their families hard.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Vivien Leigh was born on this day in 1913, and TCM celebrates by airing four of her films, including 1938’s “A Yank at Oxford” (6:45 a.m.) and 1941’s “That Hamilton Woman” (10:30 am.).
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 2009
◊“Fanboy and Chum Chum” (8 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new animated comedy spin-off from the Nicktoons Network series “Random! Cartoons” centers on a comic book-loving 11-year old named Fanboy and his best friend and trusty sidekick, Chum Chum, whose wide-eyed acceptance of the bizarre is the perfect complement to his friend’s enthusiasm and imagination. In every episode, Fanboy and Chum Chum, donning their tights and capes, embark on a daily quest to turn an average day into a fun one.
◊“Ghost Adventures” (8 p.m. on Travel Channel): The crew travels to Poveglia Island in Italy to investigate the cursed ground. Locals and tourists are forbidden from visiting this location.
◊“Ghost Adventures Live: Post Mortem” (7 p.m. on Travel Channel): One week after being locked down live in West Virginia’s Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum for seven hours, Zak, Nick and Aaron relive the best moments of the event.
◊“Greg Behrendt: That Guy From That Thing” (11 p.m. on Comedy Central): Best known for his book “He’s Just Not That Into You,” Greg Behrendt brings his blunt and humorous observations to this stand-up special. He leaves the self-help at home to take action against what Criss Angel did to magic, ponder the nature of God and explain why guys shouldn’t quote lines from porn movies.
◊“Live From Abbey Road” (10 p.m. on Sundance): The music series, back for its third season, features performances and interviews with musicians filmed at London’s Abbey Road Studios.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Allison’s car is wrecked, the SUV she rents turns out to have some unusual features, including a satellite radio that allows her to hear other people’s conversations. Faith Prince (”Huff”) guest stars as Lauren Portman, whose daughter causes the damage to Allison’s car.
◊“SpongeBob SquarePants: Truth or Squared” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Celebrity guest stars Rosario Dawson, Craig Ferguson, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, LeBron James, P!nk, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and Robin Williams appear as themselves in live-action sequences throughout this special, which follows SpongeBob and the Bikini Bottom gang as they reminisce through a series of original, never-before-seen flashbacks. Ricky Gervais narrates the special and Cee-Lo Green (Gnarles Barkley) performs a cover of the SpongeBob theme song to an all-new stop-motion opening title sequence.
◊“Ugly Betty” (8 p.m. on CBS): Matt asks someone else to be his “plus one” at Wilhemina’s fund-raiser for Tibetan orphans. Meanwhile we learn the truth behind Nico’s (YaYa Dacosta, “All My Children”) dire straits.
SATURDAY, NOV. 7
◊“Handy Manny” (7:30 a.m. on Disney): Season 3 of this multicultural series for preschoolers will introduce 10 new tool characters. Guest stars this season include Rosario Dawson (“Gemini Division”) as a marine biologist, Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a race car driver, Jim Belushi (”According to Jim”) as a drawbridge operator and Giada De Laurentiis (“Giada at Home”) as the owner of a pizza parlor.
◊“Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers” (8 p.m. on CBS): Fedor Emelianenko of Russia, the world’s top-ranked mixed martial arts heavyweight fighter, will face undefeated American Brett Rogers of Minnesota in the marquee match up. Also appearing on the live four-fight primetime card are middleweights Jake Shields and Jason “Mayhem Miller, who will battle for the recently vacated Strikeforce middleweight title.
◊“Til Debt Do Us Part” (9 p.m. on CNBC): Financial author and columnist Gail Vaz-Oxlade takes a tough-love approach to getting couples in financial crisis to face reality. Some couples are on the verge of bankruptcy and others are just getting by. Either way, they all learn how to work their way out of debt and get the skills they need to plan for their financial future.
◊“Too Late to Say Goodbye” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Rob Lowe stars in this new film inspired by the true story of an outwardly charming couple whose deceit and secret affairs result in fatal consequences. It is based on Ann Rule’s best-selling book.
◊“The Wanda Sykes Show” (10 p.m. on Fox): Wanda Sykes, fresh off her funny HBO special and her recurring role in “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” joins the late-night talk show arena with her own blend of comedy and topical commentary, which is set to include panels to discuss current events.
–Penny TV
“Modern Family,” “The Vampire Diaries” among new fall show favorites
The cast of "Modern Family" - ABC Photo
Now that I’ve seen a few episodes of the 2009 new fall show entries, here are my views:
Favorites:
— “Modern Family,” 8 p.m., Wednesday, ABC: This show is hilarious, plain and simple. No laugh track, thankfully, just hysterical lines and perfect comedic acting. Standouts are Ed O’Neill, Ty Burrell Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet.
— “The Vampire Diaries,” 7 p.m., Thursday, The CW: Fun and fascinating, a must-see for vampire fans. Ian Somerhalder is impressive as bad vampire brother Damon Salvatore and I’m warming up to Paul Wesley as good vampire brother Stefan Salvatore.
— “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m., Tuesday, CBS: Strong, dignified, intelligent female character lead played by the fabulous Julianna Margulies, clever story lines – always easy to get into.
— “Melrose Place,” 8 p.m., Tuesday, The CW: Ratings-wise it appears not many are watching, but I’ve been entertained by the mysteries and turmoil on this remake of the ’90s series (which I also liked). We’ll see if Heather Locklear’s upcoming reappearance can bring in some viewers and save this show.
— “Glee,” 8 p.m., Wednesday, Fox: The musical numbers on this show are amazing, but the story lines have been lacking at times. Hope the writing will recover on a consistent basis as the season goes on, because it’s got potential to be an overall great show.
A few shows I’m still on the fence about:
— “FlashForward,” 7 p.m., Thursday, ABC: Intriguing plot, but has seemed a little slow to me. Acting is solid, so I’ll keep with it for now.
— “Cougar Town,” 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, ABC: Semi-amusing, although a little too vulgar at times, and, though, I like Courteney Cox, she comes across as trying too hard to be funny to me.
— “The Forgotten,” 9 p.m., Tuesday, ABC: I like the plot of solving cases of unidentified murder victims, but besides the episode about the former football player who had finally find his place in life after football right before he was murdered, the stories haven’t been that compelling. That’s too bad, because Christian Slater deserves better.
Not so favorite:
— “Community, 7 p.m., Thursday, NBC: Maybe I haven’t given this show enough of a chance, but I haven’t found it funny. I’ve enjoyed Joel McHale on the E! channel’s “The Soup,” but haven’t been able to engage in this production.
Overall, there’s been lots more to like than not in 2009, especially in the comedy and drama genre, and for TV fans, that’s good news!
– Melissa Hayer
Happy Birthday, Shenae Grimes
Oct. 24, 2009 – Shenae Sonya
Grimes, who plays Annie Wilson on “90210″ (7 p.. Tuesdays on The CW), turns 20 today.
She played Darcy Edwards on “Degrassi: The Next Generation” (2004-08).
Her first acting role was as Teenage Shania on “Biography: Shania Twain.” She was 16.
Best wishes to Shenae and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Top 55 TV Programs for Oct. 25-31, 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 Oct. 25:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, OCT. 25
◊“Bored to Death” (8:35 p.m. on HBO): Jonathan is enlisted to retrieve a sex tape that a female escort is using to extort money from a married New Jersey man. Patton Oswalt (”The King of Queens”) guest stars.
◊“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (8 p.m. on HBO): Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld (”Seinfeld”) consider incorporating Larry’s latest real-life experience, involving a bare-midriff assistant and a crying Jesus, into the reunion show.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The design team rebuilds the crumbling Illinois home of Nathan Montgomnery, who gave up a lucrative engineering career to start a charity that feeds hundreds of hungry families in his community. Chefs Rocco DiSpirito (”Dancing With the Stars”), Sandra Lee (”Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee”), Spike Mendalsohn (”Top Chef”) and Art Smith (”Top Chef Masters”) will be the celebrity volunteers for this build.
◊“He’s My Antonio” (9 p.m. on VH1): Antonio Sabato Jr. concludes his search for love in Hawaii with the final two women, Brooke and Miranda. Both women are convinced that they are his true love, and Antonio is agonizing over his choice.
◊“Masterpiece Contemporary” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The Emmy-winning series returns for a new season with a new host — Scottish actor David Tennant (”Doctor Who”) — and a new drama about the real-life negotiations that led up to the end of apartheid in South Africa. William Hurt, Jonny Lee Miller, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Derek Jacobi star in “Endgame.”
◊“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Choo Choo Express” (6 a.m. on Disney): Mickey and pals climb aboard the Clubhouse Choo Choo Train for a snow-filled adventure. Grammy Award-winning alternative rock band They Might Be Giants and the Sensational Six each perform a new song in the special.
◊“Sandra’s Money Saving Meals” (11 a.m. on Food Network): Sandra Lee (”Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee”) returns for a second season of sharing creative recipes that save money and time. In this installment, she cooks up blackened catfish and BBQ beef stir fry.
◊“Three Rivers” (8 p.m. on CBS): Following a bus crash, the parents of a football player must make a heartbreaking decision whether to donate his organs. Dr. Travis Stork (”The Doctors”) guest stars as Dr. Travis, an anesthesiologist.
◊“Who Speaks for Islam?” (9 p.m. on Link TV, channel 375 on DirecTV, 9410 on Dish Network): This new series explores global attitudes of Anti-Americanism and Islamophobia and tracks evolving portrayals of Muslims in Hollywood. It will also be streams on LinkTV.org.
MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009
◊“American Experience: The 1930s” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This five-part series examines America’s response to the unprecedented economic crisis, high unemployment and environmental catastrophe that threatened the nation during one of history’s most tumultuous decades. It begins with stock market collapse in “The Crash of 1929.”
◊“Cake Boss” (9 p.m. on TLC): In Season 2, expect to see Buddy Valastro and his family create cakes that continue to defy expectations. In the season premiere, they create an engagement ring box cake.
◊“Dr. G: Medical Examiner” (8 p.m. on Discovery Health): Medical examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia draws viewers into a world of mystery and forensics with her relentless determination to discover the truth and provide answers to families’ lingering questions about the death of their loved ones.
◊“Emeril’s Culinary Adventures: Napa” (7 p.m. on Planet Green): Chef Emeril Lagasse’s tour of wine country includes a visit to a farm that uses solar power and biodiesel fuels for all its energy needs and explores the in’s and out’s of organic farming.
◊“Extreme Paranormal” (9 p.m. on A&E): Shaun, Nathan and Jason investigate Pennhurst State School and Hospital, a decrepit mental asylum in eastern Pennsylvania where people have reported strange sightings since the facility’s closing in 1986. The team also travels to the allegedly haunted Manchac Swamp just outside New Orleans.
◊“Greek” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): Everyone is packing their bags and heading home for Thanksgiving, but Casey and Rusty find themselves stranded at college when their parents leave them behind for Maui. This episode’s promotes volunteerism as part of the show’s “Pledge Yourself to do Something” campaign.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): When the gang suspects that Barney has a girlfriend after he mysteriously leaves MacLaren’s, they decide to follow him. Frances Conroy (”Six Feet Under”) guest stars as Barney’s mother.
◊“Lincoln Heights” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): R&B singer Trey Songz holds a contest and Tay dazzles him with an inspired performance. But when Eddie’s father-son project coincides with his big night, Tay must choose between his dream and his father’s feelings.
◊“No Excuses” (9:30 p.m. on VH1): Hip-Hop artist and entrepreneur Percy Miller – aka Master P – helps turn one former gang member’s life around, showing him the amazing things you can do when you stop making excuses.
◊“One Tree Hill” (7 p.m. on CW): Dan brings Renee onto his television show, leaving Nathan and Haley powerless to stop him from revealing the truth of her pregnancy to the world. Series star James Lafferty (Nathan) directed the episode.
◊“Real Chance of Love 2: Back in the Saddle” (8 p.m. on VH1): It’s been another wild ride to find love for Real and Chance this season. Deep, dark secrets will be revealed when the boys fly the final five ladies to Miami Beach in the shows’ finale.
◊“RiP: A Remix Manifesto” (8 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary explores the meaning of copyright in the digital age where the wall between producers and users has been irrevocably torn down. It follows several key individuals who seek to redefine originality in the future, including mash-up musical phenomenon Girl Talk (Greg Gillis).
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Charlie joins Alan, Herb and his next door neighbor in a night of alcohol-fueled sexual reminiscences after Chelsea finds nude pictures of another woman on his phone. Michael Clarke Duncan (”The Green Mile”) reprises his role as Charlie’s neighbor.
TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 2009
◊“Big Ideas for a Small Planet” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Soleil Moon Frye (”Punky Brewster”) and Cindy Crawford (”Fashion Flashback”) are among the innovators working on ideas that will help parents raise their babies in a green environment. Ideas include frozen organic baby food, green diapers and the eco-friendly baby store.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Derek Jeter, a four-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees, gives the contestants a pep talk about the importance of teamwork before they embark on a wild baseball challenge.
◊“The Bold and the Beautiful” (12:30 p.m. on CBS): Jordan Lloyd (”Big Brother 11″ winner) and Jeff Schroeder (voted America’s favorite houseguest on “Big Brother 11″) appear in flashback scenes of a high school homecoming dance in the 1980s (complete with era-appropriate wardrobe and hair).
◊“Flipping Out” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The “Flipping Out” gang reuniite to discuss the show’s third season. Jeff and Ryan come face to face to talk about the serious accusations made about Ryan’s business practices.
◊“Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Close to Home” chronicles how the middle class is faring in the recession by focusing on the stories of the owner, employees and patrons of a New York City salon.
◊“General Hospital” (2 p.m. on ABC): Jonathan Jackson (”Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) returns to the daytime drama in the role of Lucky Spencer, son of super couple Luke and Laura, which he created as a teenager. Lucky wants his former wife, Elizabeth, to remarry him, but unbeknownst to him, Elizabeth has strong feelings for Lucky’s brother, Nikolas.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): In the documentary “Journals of a Wily School,” the police in Kolkata, India, offer a young pickpocket a full pardon if he helps track down more notorious criminals.
◊“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m. on ABC): The 1966 half-hour animated Halloween-themed Peanuts special created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz returns. It will air in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming.
◊“The Little Couple” (9 p.m. on TLC): As the next step in their journey toward having a child, Jen and Bill make an appointment with a pulmonologist to discover Jen’s lung capacity.
◊“30 for 30: Muhammad and Larry” (7 p.m. on ESPN): In 1980, Muhammad Ali was preparing to fight for an unprecedented fourth heavyweight title against his friend and former sparring partner Larry Holmes. This special features unseen footage from the build-up to that fight that was filmed by documentarians Albert and David Maysles.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): While investigating the death of a Marine, the team finds themselves intertwined in an inner city gang war. Muse Watson (”Prison Break”) reprises his role as Gibb’s mentor, Mike Franks.
◊“Scream 2009″ (9 p.m. on Spike): Tobey Maguire presents a tribute to Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee at the fourth annual event honoring all things science-fiction, fantasy and horror. The two-hour extravaganza will also include previews of the upcoming films “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “Shutter Island.”
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2009
◊“The Botany of Desire” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This special explores the natural history of four plants — the apple, the tulip, marihuana and the potato — and the corresponding human desires — sweetness, beauty, intoxication and controlling nature — that link their destinies to our own. Featured are the potato fields if Idaho and Peru, the apple orchards of New England, the tulip markets of Amsterdam and a medical marijuana hot house.
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team travels to Fort Lauderdale during spring break to find a serial killer with multiple personalities who is targeting co-eds on vacation.Roma Maffia (”Nip/Tuck”) and Jackson Rathbone (”Twilight”) guest star.
◊“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. on DirectTV): As Season 4 opens, a redistricting plan has left Dillon a town divided. Having been ousted from his role as head coach at Dillon High School, Coach Taylor finds himself faced with the daunting task of building a football team from scratch as well as motivating and disciplining the unmanageable East Dillon Lions players. The drama will air commercial free on The 101 Network.
◊“Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space” (7 p.m. on NBC): In this special based on the 2009 animated film, Susan Murphy (Reece Witherspoon) and the Monsters now work with the U.S. government as special operatives. When an alien presence is detected in Susan’s hometown right before Halloween, the team is dispatched to investigate.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine considers herself popular by association when Ritchie is asked to a dance by the most popular girl in school, and Matthew and Richard try to evict an elderly woman (Marion Ross, “Happy Days”) from the apartment they hope to rent.
◊“Top Chef: Las Vegas” (9 p.m. on Bravo): After a “TV dinner” quickfire challenge, the remaining cheftestants visit head judge Tom Colicchio’s Craft Steak restaurant in Las Vegas to cook for actress Natalie Portman and friends.
THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 2009
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): Liz and Jack venture down south to Kenneth’s hometown to discover new talent. Betty White (”The Golen Girls”) and Jeff Dunham (”The Jeff Dunham Show”) guest star.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): When Isaac, the hospital lab tech, has an inoperable tumor wrapped around his spine, he turns to Dr. Derek Shepherd to do the impossible, and Derek tests the Chief’s authority when Richard objects to moving forward with the risky surgery. Series star Chandra Wilson (Dr. Miranda Bailey) directed the episode.
◊“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (9 p.m. on FX): In an effort to “support the war,” the gang decides to put on a wrestling show for the returning troops calling themselves “The Birds of War.” Rowdy Roddy Piper (”WF SmackDown!”) guest stars.
◊“The League” (9:30 p.m. on FX): This new comedy series follows a circle of friends involved in a fantasy football league and focuses on male friendship, marriage, parenting, suburbia and growing up – or refusing to grow up.
◊“Lives That Changed the World: Muhammad Ali” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): On this date in 1960, a new fighter won his first professional fight. Muhammad Ali went on to become one of the most prolific sports personalities of the 20th century.
◊“The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): Patrick Jane and the California Bureau of Investigation
team investigates the death of a wealthy man who witnesses say was killed by a ghost haunting his mansion. Frances Fisher (”Eureka”) guest stars.
◊“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Find out what really went down in Atlanta when the Southern gals reconvene for a two-part reunion special. In part one, they reveal how they relaly fel about all the catfights and wig-pulling.
FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 2009
◊“Cyberchase” (10 a.m. on OETA-13): The annual “Halloween Howl” bash in Castleblanca promises to be spooktacular…until Hacker takes over the Mayor’s Castle and brings its seven stone gargoyles to life. Obeying Hacker’s every command, the gargoyles capture the Mayor and imprison him in the dungeon. To gain control of the creepy creatures, the CyberSquad must figure out how to use division to evenly split up bunches of garlic and rock candy.
◊“Dollhouse” (8 p.m. on Fox): Echo is sent to stop Senator Daniel Perrin (Alexis Denisof, “Angel”) before he can expose the Dollhouse’s secrets. Adelle and Topher travel to the Washington D.C. Dollhouse where they meet its genius programmer, Bennett Halverson (Summer Glau, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”), a woman with a mysterious past connection to Echo.
◊“Ghost Adventures Live” (7 p.m. on Travel Channel): Paranormal investigators Zak Bagans, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin voluntarily lock themselves in one of America’s most haunted locations, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia, for this live seven-hour event. Viewers at home will have total access to the investigation via webcams and online chats with the crew at www.travelchannel.com/ghostadventures.
◊“Halloween on Ice” (7 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Halloween comes early this year with a twist (and a triple axel). This special, which combines Halloween haunts with some of the world’s most accomplished skaters, features the music of Mannheim Steamroller and performances by Olympic medalists Nancy Kerrigan, Todd Eldredge and Elvis Stojko.
◊“Invitation Only: Brooks and Dunn” (9 p.m. on CMT): Ronnie Dunn from Tulsa and his country music partner, Kix Brooks, perform some of their biggest hits before a small studio audience in Nashville. They also host an informal question and answer session and talk about reaching their decision to part ways after their tour in 2010.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison has vivid nightmares that insert her into scenes from the classic horror film “Night of the Living Dead,” which leave her with unexplained cuts and bite marks and possible clues that could lead her to a funeral director’s murderer. The cast will be inserted into scenes from George Romero’s timeless zombie fest throughout the episode. Aida Turturro (”The Sopranos”) guest stars.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): When strange, almost paranormal happenings are observed at a decommissioned air base, the spooky occurrences take on a decidedly different tone when the team is brought in to investigate the mystery of a dead woman found there. John Michael Higgins (“Best in Show”), Silas Weir Mitchell (“Prison Break”), Sam Lloyd (“Scrubs”), and Jennifer Elise Cox (“The Brady Bunch Movie”) guest star.
◊“The Real Story: The Amityville Horror” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): On November 13, 1974, police discovered six members of the DeFeo family – father, mother and four of their five children – shot to death inside their home at 112 Ocean Ave. in the quiet village of Amityville, NY. Ronald, the eldest son, was found guilty of the murders. With the help of eye witness accounts, extraordinary archival footage and psychological drama, learn the facts and reveal new evidence behind the “Horror.”
◊“Super Why!” (8 a.m. on OETA-13): It’s Halloween in Storybrook Village and Pig is so frightened that he won’t go trick-or-treating with friends. The Super Readers pay a storybook visit to Little Ghost, who’s a bit of a scaredy cat himself, to teach him there’s more to Halloween than meets the eye.
◊“Ugly Betty” (8 p.m. on ABC): Betty is overwhelmed with her editorial work, so Wilhemina assigns Marc to be Betty’s temporary assistant. Betty’s story idea to cover the worst jobs in New York goes south when she has to dress up as a hot dog and do a Bollywood dance number. Dylan Baker (”Kings”) and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (”The Sopranos”) guest star.
◊“The Vampire Princess” (8 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Two skeletons were found in Schwarzenberg Castle, Bohemia. Their decapitated heads were between their legs, weighed down by stones, and wooden stakes were driven through chest cavities. They may help decipher the spine-chilling story of an infamous Austrian princess. Princess Eleanor was not only a main character in the original version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but she was also notable for keeping captive wolves and bathing in their milk. Now the notes of her extraordinary autopsy have been found, and they help reveal why she became an infamous recluse and how she died.
◊“Zombie Girl: The Movie” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This film chronicles the journey of Austin, Texas-based film enthusiast Emily Hagins, 12, as she spends two years writing, directing and editing her first feature-length motion picture, the zombie movie titled “Pathogen.” She battles everything from budget shortfalls to self-doubt, all while coming of age as a teenager.
SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 2009
◊“Hanging Shadows: Perspectives on an Italian Horror Cinema” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This special presents a historical overview of the giallo genre, exploring its genesis and chronicling the films, directors, and personalities that made up its golden age. This group of films and filmmakers helped redefine the horror genre that forever changed the way we think of horror films.
◊“The Locator” (8 p.m. on WEtv): In the Season 3 finale, Troy Dunn helps a woman and her stepfather locate her biological dad.
◊“Phineas and Ferb” (7 a.m. on Disney XD): At their yard sale, Dad accidentally sells Candace’s favorite childhood doll, Mary McGuffin, to Dr. Doofenshmirtz who has been looking for the rare doll for Vanessa ever since her 5th birthday. When Vanessa’s mom, Charlene, donates the doll to a thrift store, Vanessa races to get it back, while Phineas and Ferb help Candace find Mary McGuffin. Allison Janney (”The West Wing”) guest stars.
Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) on “Phineas and Ferb,” 7 a.m. Saturday on Disney XD.
◊“The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This Halloween edition of the show features a masked mystery guest. And one caller asks about spending $100 in a baby Halloween costume.
◊“The True Story of Mary Celeste” (11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): On December 5, 1872, the brigantine Mary Celeste was found adrift in the Atlantic, its captain and crew nowhere to be found. The mystery of this “ghost ship” has remained unanswered for over 135 years. Now, with the help of a newly discovered transcript documenting the ship’s final five days, Smithsonian Channel brings this unsolved case to a close.
–Penny TV
