Program Planner: Dec. 28-Jan. 3
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 Dec. 28:
SUNDAY, DEC. 28
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): The team searches for a serial bomber whose latest pipe bomb maimed the wrong target and whose three previous bombings, in 1999, 2001 and 2003, collectively blinded a man and killed two others. Timothy Omundson (“Jericho”) guest stars as the missed targtet of the latest bombing.
◊“Nick News With Linda Ellerbee” (8 p.m. on Nickelodeon): The new installment “Boys and Girls: In a Class of Ther Own?” visits several schools to get the students’ view on whether a single gender education is better.
◊“Summer Heights” (9:30 p.m. on HBO): In the first-season finale, Mr. G revels in the premiere of his musical and Jonah gives a gift to the students and teachers of Summer Heights High as the semester ends.
MONDAY, DEC. 29
◊“100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs” (9 p.m. today through Friday on VH1): In addition to counting down the 100 best guitar-driven, head-banging jams in rock history, this five-night compilation will feature updates on where various rock idols are today.
◊“The City” (9 p.m. on MTV): Whitney Port (“The Hills”) chases big dreams in the Big Apple in this new reality series. She strikes out on her own for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work at global design house Diane Von Furstenberg in New York City.
◊“Greatest Holiday Moments: Hilarious Home Video Countdown” (7 p.m. on NBC): This special will rank the best amateur footage America has to offer, from memorable moments to classic Christmas chaos.
◊“Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven” (7 p.m. on HBO): This new documentary tells the story of one of New York’s premier restaurants, which has occupied three different Manhattan locations since opening in 1974.
◊“Momma’s Boys” (9 p.m. on NBC): Food Network chef Tyler Florence presents the women with their next suitability challenge – a cooking competition in which they must make either the boys’ favorite meal or impress them with their own personal recipes.
◊“Ron Howard: 50 Years in Film” (7 p.m. on TCM): Oklahoma-born Ron Howard, who went from child star (“The Andy Griffith Show”) to Oscar-winning director (“”A Beautiful Mind”) sits down with film critic and documentarian Richard Schickel (“Spielberg on Spielberg”) for an in-depth interview. The special will be followed by an airing 1977′s “Grand Theft Auto,” which was Howard’s directorial debut.
TUESDAY, DEC. 30
◊“The 31st Annual Kennedy Center Honors” (8 p.m. on CBS): Caroline Kennedy returns as host of the event that recognizes recipients for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. This year’s recipients are actor Morgan Freeman, country singer George Jones, choreographer Twyla Tharp, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who, and singer-actress-producer-director Barbra Streisand.
◊“Happy New Year, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m. on ABC): Chad Allen (“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”) provides the voice of Charlie Brown in this 1986 “Peanuts” special. Over Christman break, Charlie Brown has to read “War and Peace” and write a report out it, But holiday distractions keep getting in the way.
◊“Leverage” (9 p.m. on TNT): To retrieve the money promised to the family of an innocent man who took the fall for a Mafia boss, the Leverage team poses as the wedding planners for the don’s only daughter on her big day. Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years”) and Nicole Sullivan (“The King of Queens”) guest star.
◊“One Life to Live” (1 p.m. on ABC): The rock band Puddle of Mud will help the citizens of Llanview ring in the New Year with a performance of their hit single, “We Don’t Have to Look Back Now.” Lead singer Wes Scantlin will also act in scenes with Rex and Gigi.
◊“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): The world’s most famous reindeer must help find Baby New Year before midnight. Red Skelton (“Three Little Words”), Frank Gorshin (“Batman”) and Morey Amsterdam (“The Dick Van Dyke Show”) provide voices for characters.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Arkansas in men’s college basketball airing live at 7 p.m. on KAUT-43.
Games from the boys high school basketball Tournament of Champions will air live at 6:30 p.m. on Cox.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31
◊“NBC’s New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly” (9 p.m. on NBC): The fifth-annual event, which will be broadcast for the first time with one hour airing in primetime and one hour in late night, will feature performances by Elton John, Ludacris, Katy Perry, The Ting Tings and T.I. NBC News correspondent Luke Russert and Saturday “Today” co-anchor Amy Robach will report from various locations.
◊“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest” (9 p.m. on ABC): Co-hosts (and executive producers) Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest will lead America into the New Year with three-and-a-half hours of specials and the famous countdown to midnight from New York City’s Time Square. Kellie Pickler (“American Idol”) will be the Times Square correspondent, Fergie will host the West Coast party. Scheduled performers include Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boys, Jesse McCartney, Ne-Yo, Pussycat Dolls, Solange, Lionel Richie, will.i.am and Robin Thicke.
◊“Live From Lincoln Center” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The New York Philmarhomic ushers in 2009 with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham. Renee Fleming hosts the show, which marks Maestro Lori Maazel’s last as music director of the Philharmonic.
◊“Lucy’s New Year’s Eve Countdown” (7 a.m. on TV Land): This 13-hour marathon will feature the top “I Love Lucy” episodes that were voted on by viewers — from from Lucy’s “Vitameatavegamin” commercial to Lucy and Ethel’s candy factory debacle.
◊“New Year’s Eve Live” (11 p.m. on Fox): Spike Feresten (“Talkshow With Spike Feresten”) and Mark Thompson (“Hole in the Wall”) co-host the celebration live from the Mirage in Las Vegas. “American Idol” Season 7 winner David Cook and Grammy-winning musician Scott Sweiland are scheduled to perform, while daredevil Robbie Knievel will attempt a 200-foot motorcycle jump over Mirage’s renovated volcano.
◊New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin” (10 p.m. on CNN): The CNN host and the comedienne will report on celebrations worldwide. Musical guests will include Li’l Wayne, My Morning Jacket, Coolio, 3 Doors Down and the Oklahoma band Hinder.
◊“Red Bull: New Year: New Year. No Limits” (10 p.m. on ESPN): The sports network will air two stunts live from Las Vegas. Rhys Millen will attempt to do a complete back-flip of an off-road truck, while Robbie Maddison will try to land his motorcycle on top of the Arc de Triomphye replica in front of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.
◊“Totally New Year” (5 p.m. on Disney): “Wizards of Waverly Place” cast members Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin and Jennifer Stone will co-host this 6 1/2-hour programming block that will feature viewers’ favorite Disney Channel episodes, moments and music videos.
THURSDAY, JAN. 1
◊“The 120th Tournament of Roses Parade” (10 a.m. on NBC and HGTV): This year’s theme is ‘‘Hats Off to Entertainment,” and the grand marshal is Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress Cloris Leachman. Al Rocker (“Today”) and Nancy O’Dell (“Access Hollywood”) co-host NBC’s coverage. Gardening expert Paul James from Tulsa will be part of HGTV’s broadcast team.
◊“Cinema’s Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Sigourney Weaver (“Aliens”) narrates this documentary about the German film professionals who fled Hitler’s Germany and escaped to Hollywood.
◊“Dear Genevieve” (noon on HGTV): Get a sneak peek at the new series featuring popular designer Genevieve Gorder (“Trading Spaces”). She will delve into viewer-submitted emails and demonstrate the answers in-person for a lucky online user who submitted his or her design dilemma to www.HGTV.com/deargenevieve/. The series will air Mondays at 7:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 5.
◊“Great Performances” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Julie Andrews (“The Sound of Music”) hosts the 25th annual holiday celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic.
◊“Desperate To Buy” (2 p.m. on HGTV): This new docu-drama follows desperate homebuyers and their real estate broker through the high-stress process of finding the perfect home fast. The series will air Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. beginning at Jan. 7.
◊“HGTV Dream Home 2009″ (8 p.m. on HGTV): This special offers a private tour inside this year’s luxurious HGTV Dream Home, located in Sonoma, Calif.
◊“Income Property” (3 p.m. on HGTV): Renovation expert Scott McGillivray hosts this new series that will help homeowners with high mortgage payments and low cash flow create “rental suites” in their homes as a way to help cut monthly expenses. The series will air Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 7.
◊“The Property Shop” (9 p.m. on HGTV): This new series follows Realtor-turned-broker Tatiana Londono as she competes head-to-head with major real estate agencies to rise to the top of the real estate world. The series will air Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 8.
◊“The Unsellables” (1 p.m. on HGTV): In this new series, property guru and British TV personality Sofie Allsopp, along with contractor Anthony Sayers, will show viewers how to tackle cluttered kitchens, messy bedrooms and outdated design to create real estate gems out of homes considered “unsellable.” The series will air Fridays at 9:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 9.
FRIDAY, JAN. 2
◊“Blame It on Fidel” (9 p.m. on Sundance): Set in Paris in 1970, this insightful comedy unfolds from the perspective of Anna, 9, who has to make adjustments when her parents plunge full-time into leftist activism.
◊“Everybody Hates Chris” (7 p.m. on CW): Chris is determined to spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square, but Rochelle says Chris can only go if he finds a responsible adult to accompany him. The only problem is that the only people Chris can find to be his chaperone are two ex-convicts, Peaches (Tisha Campbell-Martin, “Rita Rocks”) and Malvo (Ricky Harris, “Moesha”).
◊“The Game” (8:30 p.m. on CW): Tasha and Malik are totally freaked out when it is accidentally revealed that Tasha’s boyfriend, Rick (Rick Fox, “Dirt”), and Malik’s wife, Robin (Robin Givens, “Courthouse”), have a past together.
◊“Janis Ian Love From Grand Center” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The Grammy winner performs 15 songs from her 40-year career. The special also features archival footage, including Ian singing “Society’s Child” at age 15.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): Don and the team come under pressure when a former FBI subcontractor (Enrico Colantoni, “Veronica Mars”) shoots an agent inside the FBI headquarters and takes one of their own as a hostage, leaving them with a severely restricted plan of action.
SATURDAY, JAN. 3
◊“Everyday Food” (10 a.m. on OETA-13): Back for a fifth season are the show’s five hosts who present step-by-step instruction of reciped featured in Everyday Food magazine.
◊“Game Show in My Head” (7 p.m. on CBS): Joe Rogan (“Fear Factor”) hosts this new hidden camera game show in which contestants compete for the chance to win $50,000 by completing outrageous challenges in public.
◊“Huntik” (9:30 a.m. on CW): This new animated series focuses on a group of seekers who travel the world in search of an ancient amulet with the power to control monsters.
◊“Nanny Express” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Vanessa Marcil (“Las Vegas”) is a nanny with a knack for healing a hurting family in this new movie that co-stars Dean Stockwell (“Quantum Leap”), Stacy Keach (“Prison Break”) and Brennan Elliott (“Strong Medicine”).
◊“RAH! Paula Abdul’s Cheerleading Bowl” (11 a.m. on MTV): This 90-minute special spotlights five collegiate squads hand-selected by Paula Abdul (former Los Angeles Laker Girl) as they travel to New York City to compete in the ultimate cheerleading competition.
◊“Underdog to Wonderdog” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This new series follows the Doggie Wonder Team made up of a trainer, groomer, carpenter and host, as they use their canine expertise to revamp down-on-their-luck shelter pups just in time to place them in a good home.
◊“Smother” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): After losing his job, a man (Dax Shepard) deals with pressure from his wife (Liv Tyler), who wants to have a child, and from his mother (Diane Keaton), who moves in.
–Penny TV
Nickelodeon to launch green-themed online game
Nickelodeon wants to do its part to ignite environmental change. Now it’s up to youngsters to do their part.
Children can go online to www.nick.com/biggreenhelp and check out “The Big Green Help Global Challenge.” This multiplayer online game asks participants to virtually pledge volunteer hours that they can also put into action in their homes, communities and schools.
In the “Global Challenge” game, players have to “green” the last three pollution-free cities on the play. There are four Nicktoon characters from which to pick — SpongeBob SquarePants, Back at the Barnyard’s Otis, The Fairly OddParent’s Timmy Turner and Avatar’s Aang. Team up with up to three other players to defeat monsters like the Carbon Creeper, Waste Whirlwind or Guzzlor and move through nine game levels.
Players will get tips about how to lower their carbon footprint throughout the game.
–Penny TV
ESPN and Red Bull team up for feats, fun
Thanks the ESPN and Red Bull, everyone can see two daring feats on New Year’s Eve. And everyone can test their daredevil skills online.
At 10 p.m. Dec. 31, ESPN will air “Red Bull: New Year. No Limits.” The live event will feature Rhys Millen attempting the first 360-degree rotation of a truck and Robbie Maddison attempting to land his motorcycle atop the replica Arc De Triomphe at the Paris Hotel.
To see what Robbie Maddison (pictured at right) is up against, go to http://arcade.espn.go.com/ and click on No Limits Moto Jump 2. That’s where sports fans and thrill seekers can test their building leaping skills with a challenging video game created by ESPN and Red Bull.
Luckily, you get several tries to land the motorcyle in the game. Robbie Maddison, however, has to get it right the first time.
–Penny TV
SAG auctions includes tickets, autographs and more
The Screen Actors Guild Awards’ ninth annual online auction is under way. To bid on lots of one-of-a-kind items and opportunities, go to www.sagawards.org/auction/.
SAG’s first batch of auctions (which end Dec. 22) will feature:
♦♦Tickets to the SAG Awards Jan. 25 in Los Angeles (includes access to post-Awards Gala)
♦♦Tickets to the Hollywood premiere of “The Spirit”
♦♦Autographed television and movie posters
♦♦A private cooking lesson nwith SAG Awards Chef Alan Jackson
The second auction runs Jan. 2 to 12 and includes SAG Awards red carpet bleacher seats (15 sets of two seats and 15 sets of four seats). Winners will be able to take pictures, get the chance to acquire celebrity autographs and take home a unique gift bag put together by People Magazine.
The Ceremony Auction (Jan. 23 to Feb. 2) revolves around the nominated actors and ensembles. In previous years, the auction has included autographed scripts and posters, wardrobe and props and set visits to studios.
A lot of great stuff for a good cause. Proceeds from the auction benefit Screen Actors Guild Foundation programs that provide emergency relief to members in economic distress, video and audio preservation, scholarships for performers and their children and emergency funds for members with catastrophic illnesses.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Teri Hatcher
Dec. 8, 2008 — Teri Lynn Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer on “Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. Sundays on ABC), turns 44 today.
She played Lois Lane on “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” (1993-97 on ABC).
Her first acting role was as Loveboat Mermaid Amy on “The Love Boat” (1977). She was 13.
Best wishes to Teri and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Teri Hatcher from “Desperate Housewives” arriving for the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian).
Hunt for letter from Bonnie
Look for a letter from talk show host Bonnie Hunt in the mail. She is inviting viewers to watch her show and win $10,000.
Even if you don’t receive a blue Valpak envelope with Bonnie and her dog, Charlie, featured on the cover, you can still enter the “Road to Riche$” sweepstakes to win $10,000 and a trip to Los Angeles with VIP tickets to “The Bonnie Hunt Show.”
Here’s how:
Over the next four weeks, tune in to “The Bonnie Hunt Show” (1 p.m. weekdays on KFOR-4 in Oklahoma City) and take note of who that day’s guest is. Then go to www.bonniehunt.com and enter the guest star’s name on the registration form.
Bonnie will call the Grand Prize sweepstakes winner live during her Nov. 26 telecast. Odds of winning, of course, depend on the number of entries. So enter every day (and keep the sweepstakes a secret).
–Penny TV
Watch Color Me Badd play kazoos
“Rock & A Hard Place” is worth getting the satellite service Direct TV. Nowhere else can viewers see popular musicians from the past and present playing kazoos.
Joining in the fun on Nov. 11 are members of Color Me Badd, the male R&B vocal group formed in Oklahoma City. Bryan Adams, Mark Calderon and Kevin Thornton will be contestants on the game show hosted by rocker Meat Loaf that airs exclusively on Direct TV’s 101 Network.
Color Me Badd will test wits, wisdom and kazoo-playing abilities with The Divas — Janice-Marie Johnson from “A Taste of Honey,” British R&B singer Maxine Nightingale and Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Siedah Garrett.
The music all-stars will go head-to-head in trivia combat and a variety of fun music games to win cash prizes for their favorite charities.
But don’t wait until Nov. 11 to tune in to the show, which airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Check out this week’s episode (Nov. 4) which pits the Bay City Rollers against Leif Garrett. It would have been better if more of the original Bay City Rollers had agreed to play (Ian Mitchell is the lone original), but it’s an entertaining show, all the same.
–Penny TV
TV Preview Podcast: ‘The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror’
Each week, The Oklahoman TV Editor Penny Soldan hosts an audio podcast discussing an upcoming TV premiere.
This week’s premiere is 19th instalment of “The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror” on Fox.
To hear her discussion with Don P. Brown, features copy editor for The Oklahoman, click here.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Photo show for “24″ Fans
Tired of waiting for new “24″ material. Take a trip to Los Angeles next month.
On Nov. 10, the “24: Redemption — Captured in Africa” photo exhibit will open at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. It will feature a collection of photographs taken by five members of the show’s creative team during the overseas filming.
The two-hour television event “24: Redemption,” which bridges the gap between Seasons 6 and 7 of the Emmy-winning drama, will premiere at 7 p.m. Nov. 23 on Fox. It is the first new material from “24″ producers in nearly two years. Season 7 of “24″ begins in January.
The photo exhibit, which runs through Jan. 11 and is included in the free admission to the Paley Center, offers a rare inside look at the making of the show. The museum quality prints capture candid moments between cast and crew, including Emmy winner Kiefer Sutherland, and feature spectacular action sequences and scenic South African locations.
“24: Redemption” catches up with Jack Bauer (Sutherland) in Africa where he is doing missionary work. But he finds himself in the midst of a bloody uprising in which a dictator is drafting children to serve as soldiers. Jack sets out to rescue the children and get them to safety.
–Penny TV
“Young” is 9,000 episodes old!
“The Young and the Restless,” which has been the top-rated daytime drama for more than 19 years, will air its 9,000th episode Tuesday (Oct. 14) on CBS (11 a.m. on KWTV-9 in Oklahoma City).
The show celebrated 35 years on the air this past March.
Cast members pictured in the above CBS Photo are: Front row, left to right: Doug Davidson, standing (Paul Williams), Vail Bloom (Heather Stevens), Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Tracey Bregman, seated (Lauren Fenmore Baldwin), Joshua Morrow (Nicholas Newman), Adrienne Frantz (Amber Moore), Michelle Stafford (in red, Phyllis Summers Newman), Michael Graziadei (Daniel Romalotti), Sharon Case, standing (Sharon Abbott), Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott), Hunter Allan, seated (Noah Newman), Don Diamont (Brad Carlton), Darcy Rose Byrnes (Abby Carlton). Second Row, left to right: Nia Peeples (Karen Taylor), Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters), Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor), Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman), Jess Walton (Jill Abbott), Emily O’Brien (Jana Hawkes). Third Row, left to right: Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher), Judith Chapman (Gloria Abbott Bardwell), Kate Linder (Esther Valentine), Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman Hellstrom), Thad Luckinbill (J.T. Hellstrom), Vincent Irizarry (David Chow), Eyal Podell (Adrian Korbel), Daniel Goddard (Cane Ashby), Tammin Sursok (Colleen Carlton). Fourth Row, left to right: Ted Shackelford (Jeffrey Bardwell), Tammy Lauren (Maggie Sullivan), Bryton (Devon Hamilton), Christel Khalil (Lily Winters).
