Top 55 TV Programs for April 18-24, 2010
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 April 18:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2010
••The 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards (7 p.m. on CBS): Reba McEntire, who was raised in Chockie, will host the Academy of Country Music’s awards celebration being broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Nominated for six awards are Carrie Underwood from Checotah and Miranda Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo.
••”Beauty & the Briefcase” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In this adaptation of Daniella Brodsky’s book “Diary of a Working Girl,” Hilary Duff (“Lizzie McGuire”) stars as a New York fashion writer who sells a cover story to Cosmopolitan. Her assignment: Go undercover to find love in the business world.
••”Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. on NBC): Both teams must make over the images of up-and-coming country singers Emily West and Luke Bryan in time for a People Country magazine interview, a photo shoot and live concert. Trace Adkins (“Lifted”) guest stars.
••”Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. on ABC): Determined to derail son Preston’s marriage to Irina, Lynette discovers the truth about her future daughter-in-law. John Barrowman (“Torchwood”) guest stars.
••”The Emeril Lagasse Show” (7 p.m. on ION, KOPX-62): This new series launches with a housewarming party-themed premiere featuring special guest Martha Stewart (“The Martha Stewart Show”). Singer Michelle Williams (formerly of Destiny’s Child) will add to the excitement by performing “Roxie” from “Chicago.” Each episode, Chef Lagasse will shaire his world, his friends and his passion for food with the studio and home audience.
••”Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Xzibit (“The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call — New Orleans”) joins the design team in Connecticut to rebuild the small, fire-damaged and deteriorating home of the musical Hill family, who give the gifts of song and inspiration to their community.
••”Life” (7 p.m. on Discovery): The new installment “Plants” includes a look at the Boston ivy and cats-claw creeper that use other plants as a ladder to get to the light. It is followed by “Primates” that spotlights the Hamadryas baboons and Japanese macaques, and “Making of Life” that showcases the efforts by the LIFE filmmaking team to bring the breathtaking images of intimate animal and plant behavior to the screen.
••”Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Adapted from Andrea Levy’s best-selling novel, the new two-part story “Small Island” chronicles the moving saga of two couples — one Jamaican (Naomie Harris, David Oyelowo), one English (Ruth Wilson, Benedict Cumberbatch) — whose lives intertwine in both friendship and tragic misunderstanding in post-World War II Britain.
••”On the Case With Paula Zahn” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): While shooting the second season, host Paula Zahn traveled the country to talk directly to people touched by fascinating cases, resulting in interviews that reveal the raw emotions these tragedies have left behind. The premiere episode focuses on the case of Brooke Wilberger, a Brigham Young University student who mysteriously vanished from a parking lot in Corvallis, Ore., in 2004.
••”The Pacific” (8 p.m. on HBO): The Marines attempt to capture the Peleliu airfield against a fortified enemy, despite 115-degree heat and a lack of clean drinking water.
••”Riverworld” (6 p.m. on Syfy): When a suicide bomber kills a war zone reporter and his fiance, they awaken separated in mysterious world where everyone who has ever lived on Earth seems to have been “reborn” along the banks of a seemingly endless river. The reporter joins forces with a 13th century female samurai warrior American novelist Sam ‘Mark Twain’ Clemens to find his fiance and search for the source of the river.
••”South Sea Pearls” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): This is an in-depth look at the industry of pearl farming in Northern Australia and the well-guarded technique of cultivating the only precious jewel made by nature.
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2010
••”American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In the new episode “Earth Days,” filmmaker Robert Stone traces the origins of the modern environmental movement through the eyes of nine Americans who propelled it.
••”Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised in Hour 1 from Phoenix include a circa 1905 advertising display for waterproof baby pants, a 1797 Chippendale marriage chest and a collection of original Charles Schulz “Peanuts” artwork.
••“The Agronomist” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary features footage and interviews with Jean Dominique, a noted Haitian journalist who ran Haiti’s first independent radio station and spoke out against issues of corruption and negligence.
••”Baggage” (5:30 p.m. on GSN): Jerry Springer (“Jerry Springer”) hosts this new dating game show that reveals what people are willing to put up with in the name of finding love. In each episode, one dater chooses among three contestants who reveal quirky, embarrasing and shocking “baggage” that is typically kept under wraps to impress a first date.
••”Dhani Tackles the Globe” (10 p.m. on Travel Channel): NFL linebacker Dhani Jones continues his global sports odyssey to participate in beloved national pastimes of cultures around the world. In the season premiere, he trains with Olympic and professional cyclists to conquer Monte Grappe in Italy.
••”Explorer” (8 p.m. on National Geographic): Lisa Ling (“The View”) hosts this two-hour event that looks back on the quarter-century history of the “Explorer” series’ tradition of investigating unique stories around the world.
••“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): Dr. House and the team take on the case of Sir William, a “knight” in a closed-off community of men and women living according to the ideals of the High Renaissance. Meanwhile, Wilson starts over with an ex (Cynthia Watros, “Lost”).
••”How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): When Ted attends his mother’s (Cristine Rose, ‘‘Heroes”) wedding, he is disturbed by her overly affectionate relationship with her fiance.
••”The McVeigh Tapes: Confessions of an American Terrorist” (8 p.m. on MSNBC): Fifteen years after the Oklahoma City bombing, Rachel Maddow (“The Rachel Maddow Show”) brings viewers the inside story on the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil prior to the events of Sept. 11. Drawing from 45 hours of never-before-released interview audiotapes recorded during McVeigh’s prison stay, viewers will hear his confession in his own words.
••”The Newlywed Game” (5 p.m. on GSN): Carnie Wilson returns as host for Season 3 of the game show, which will feature a diverse line-up of newlyweds from all backgrounds, including one same-sex couple.
••”Romantically Challenged” (8:32 p.m. on ABC): This new comedy follows four friends trying to find love and happiness while navigating their way through today’s tricky world of dating. Alyssa Milano (“Charmed”) plays Rebecca, who is recently divorced after 15 years of marriage. Rounding out the group are Rebecca’s sister, Lisa (Kelly Stables, “W.I.T.C.H.”) Rebecca’s best friend Perry (Kyle Bornheimer, “Worst Week”) and Perry’s roommate Shawn (Josh Lawson, “Chandon Pictures”).
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010
••”30 for 30″ (7 p.m. on ESPN): The new documentary “Silly Little Game” examines the history of fantasy sports from their little-known origins to a $4 billion industry with more than 30 million participants.
••”The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Contestants learn that the kitchen will be closed for a day and they’ll have to eat their meals from a buffet table offering both high and low calorie choices. Whoever eats the most calories will win a coveted prize — the only vote at elimination. Then it’s off to a circuit beach workout with pro volleyball player Gabrielle Reece.
••”Burma VJ: Reporting From a Closed Country” (8:30 p.m. on HBO): This documentary takes a rare inside look at Burma’s 2007 uprising through the cameras of underground Burmese video journalists. They recorded historic events on handycams at great risk to themselves and smuggled the footage out of the country for broadcast worldwide via satellite.
••”Carbon Hunters” (9 p.m. on CNBC): This special takes viewers inside the controversial market-driven solution to pollution to meet a new breed of entrepreneurs cashing in on the “green rush.” From the Chicago Climate Exchange to Hollywood to “Garbage Mountain” in the Philippines, carbon trading is attracting investors and critics.
••“Cities on Speed” (7:30 p.m. on Sundance): This four-part documentary series journeys inside four cities — Cairo, Mumbai, Shanghai and and Bogota —to discover how these mega-cities are dealing with the challenges of modernity.
••”Deadliest Warrior” (9 p.m. on SPIKE): This non-scripted series that pits history’s greatest warriors against one another to determine who reigns supreme returns for a second season. The premiere episode pits SWAT vs. GSG-9. Upcoming showdowns include Attila the Hun vs. Alexander the Great, Jesse James Gang vs. Al Capone Gang and Comanche vs. Mongol.
••“Glee” (8 p.m. on Fox): Mr. Schuester is concerned that the girls in the glee club are being disrespected and bullied by the guys. Looking to Madonna and her musical message of equality as inspiration, he challenges the entire team to choose Madonna songs as their next assignment. Idina Menzel (“Wicked”) and Jonathan Groff (“One Life to Live”) guest star.
••”The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): Tensions are high as Peter’s appeal trial begins and Alicia defends a wealthy client in civil court whose innocence she doubts, even after he’s found not guilty in criminal court of murdering his wife. Mamie Gummer (“John Adams”) guest stars as bumbling prosecutor Nancy Crozier.
••”Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Jamie Lee Curtis (“You Again”) narrates “DIRT! The Movie” that delves into the history of the lowly substance and shows how its mistreatment can result in natural disasters.
••”The Lazy Environmentalist” (7 p.m. on Sundance): In Season 2, eco-entrepreneur Josh Dorfman attempts to bring individuals from all walks of life — from fashion designers to exterminators to surfers and day care center operators — guidance towards a green lifestyle. Dorfman works to prove that eco-friendly living can be achieved with little sacrifice, and even make their professional and private lives easier.
••”NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): When the enlisted son of retired Colonel-turned-preacher is found dead, the team believes he may be the victim of a hate crime. Meanwhile, Gibbs’ father comes for a holiday visit. Joe Regalbuto (“Murphy Brown”) and Ralph Waite (“The Waltons”) guest star.
••”Parenthood” (9 p.m. on NBC): The Braverman family is on high alert when Amber’s ex-boyfriend Damien (Eddy Rioseco, “Related”) arrives from Fresno. Meanwhile, Zeek takes Adam on a road trip for investment advice and some father-son bonding.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010
••”Accidentally on Purpose” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): After faking labor pains to get Zack out of a speeding ticket, Billie goes into labor — for real. Unfortunately, things take a turn when Zack gets busted by the officer they had initially lied to and is hauled off to the police station in the Season 1 finale.
••”American Idol: Idol Gives Back” (7 p.m. on Fox): Carrie Underwood, Checotah native and Season 4 winner, is scheduled to take part in this year’s event. So is David Cook, Tulsa resident and “American Idol” Season 7 winner. The event helps raises money for charities such as the Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America and Malaria No More. The prevois two specials raised more than $140 million.
••“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW): Guest judge Whitney Port (“The City”) drops by the loft to surprise the girls before they put their personalities to the test during a runway challenge.
••”Cougar Town” (9 p.m. on ABC): Laurie needs a co-signer to buy her first condo and finds her less than stellar, absentee mother (Beverly D’Angelo, “Entourage”) no help at all. Meanwhile, Bobby is mugged by a woman and Travis comes to Barb’s aid after her latest cosmetic surgery procedure.
••”Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): In a rebroadcast of the show’s 100th episode, the Behavioral Analysis Unit races to help Hotch find the Reaper (C. Thomas Howell, “Southland”) and save his family. D.B. Sweeney also guest stars.
••“Fly Girls” (8 p.m. on CW): Tasha, Louise and Nikole spend an evening at a club dancing to a performance by Snoop Dogg. Tasha has a disagreement with a passenger onboard a flight and accuses Farrah of reporting her to management.
••”In Plain Sight” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Mary and Marshall try to help FBI agent Mike Faber convince his informant to enter Witsec. Despite their best efforts, the informant refuses their protection and gets himself into a heap of trouble. Steven Weber (“Happy Town”) guest stars.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m. on NBC): After Eva Banks (Rosie Perez, “Lipstick Jungle”) makes a shocking discovery about her son’s behavior at school, she takes him to the doctor, only to find out that he has been the victim of sexual abuse.
••”The Locator” (9 p.m. on WEtv): Season 4 concludes with another compelling story, as professional people finder Troy Dunn continues his 20-year personal mission to help reunite and reconnect loved ones. Dunn grew up in Enid.
••”Mercy” (7 p.m. on NBC): Following the donut shop shooting, Veronica experiences a panic attack and continues to address her PTSD in therapy sessions with Dr. Cabe (Mary Stuart Masterson, “Kate Brasher”).
••”The Middle” (7 p.m. on ABC): Frankie and Mike are excited to discover that Axl has found the perfect girlfriend, Morgan (Alexa Vega, “Ruby & the Rockits”), and that he’s in love. But just as they start to get used to his new, sunny outlook on life, Morgan does the unthinkable and breaks up with him, leaving Axl completely heartbroken.
••”Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): Claire feels slightly inadequate when her old friend, Valerie (Minnie Driver, “The Riches”), visits and is nothing like Claire remembered. Meanwhile Jay has an unsettling locker room moment when he and Cameron go play racquetball.
••”P.O.V.” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Filmmaker Robert Kenner’s Oscar-nominated ‘‘Food, Inc.” documentary reveals how sick animals, environmental degradation, tainted and unhealthy food, obesity and other health issues are just the more obvious problems with a mechanized and centralized system of food production.
••”Through a Dog’s Eyes” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): This documentary chronicles the work of Canine Assistants, a family-run nonprofit organization devoted to training assistance dogs for people with disabilities. It follows the life-changing journey of recipients as they go through the heartwarming and sometimes difficult process of receiving and being matched with a service dog.
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2010
••”30 Rock” (7:30 p.m. on NBC): Liz Lemon starts making an effort to date by attending singles events with Jenna Maroney, and Jack Donaghy feels forced to choose between childhood love, Nancy Donovan (Julianne Moore, “Eagle Eye”), and news anchor Avery Jessup (Elizabeth Banks, “Scrubs”).
••”Amazing Plants” (8 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): See how predatory plants use rapdors and enticing beautiful flowers to trap prey, while others shrivel up or emit odors to dend off enemies. Experts investigate these traits and detail how human intervention affects these living organisms.
••”Beyond the Barrel: The Race to Fuel the Future” (7 p.m. on CNBC): This special will introduce viewers to more than a dozen potential game changing innovations to power our planet and showcase the bottled promises ready to be unleashed from the Middle East, South America, Asia and here at home. It will also take a critical look at why we are still years away from putting these ideas into practice.
••“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): When human remains are discovered in the belly of a shark, Brennan and Booth are brought in to identify the missing person. Rena Sofer (“Coupling”) and Diedrich Bader (“The Drew Carey Show”) guest star.
••”CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When a student is discovered murdered at Lindsey’s school, the investigation takes a sharp turn when the CSIs uncover an unlikely connection between the boy’s death and atrocities of the pas. Michael Kenneth Williams (“The Wire”) guest stars as the school janitor.
••”Future Earth: Addicted to Power” (10 p.m. on MSNBC): Sam Waterston (“Law & Order”) hosts this special that examines the troubling issues that will confront us as we continue the struggle to power our world. It focuses on the most common fuel sources: oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, and the electrical grid, drawing upon the expertise of several prominent energy professionals, including U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics.
••“The Marriage Ref” (9 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity panelists Adam Carolla (“The Man Show”), Gloria Estefan (“Music From the Heart”) and Doland Trump (“Celebrity Apprentice”) offer their wit, wisdom and unique opinions to couples in marital tiffs.
••”The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): When Patrick Jane’s sneaky conduct causes the case of a confessed hitman to be tossed out of court, his annoyed CBI team must start the investigation over from scratch. Aunjanue Ellis (“True Blood”) returns as the CBI’s new boss, Special Agent Madeleine Hightower.
••”SpongeBob SquarePants” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): In the environmentally conscius episode “SpongeBob’s Last Stand,” SpongeBob and Patrick learn the “Shelly Super Highway” is coming to Bikini Bottom – right through Jellyfish Fields. Devastated by the news, they launch a campaign to stop the construction.
••”True Crime With Aphrodite Jones” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): In this installment, journalist and bestselling author Aphrodite Jones talks with several people about the Menendez brothers, who murdered their wealthy parents. Authorities say it was for money. The brothers say it was out of fear, and some believe that the brothers say may be true.
••“The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): At the Founder’s Day Gala, Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Caroline (Candice Accola) compete for the title of “Miss Mystic Falls” against other girls from town, including Amber Bradley (Spencer Locke, “Resident Evil”).
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010
••”Garage Mahal” (8:30 p.m. on DIY Network): Host Bill Goldberg and the DIY experts team up with Wired Magazine to create an eco-friendly garage at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. A workbench tricked out with energy efficient tools, a recycling center views can build at home and a system t o convert cooking oil into fuel are just a few of the projects going into the space.
••”Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): Melinda lends a hand to Eli’s patient who thinks he’s being watched by his sister’s ghost. Meanwhile, Melinda and Jim are concerned when Aiden talks about his shiny friends that aren’t ghosts but something else. Chad Lowe (“Life Goes On”) and Danny Weaver (“Greek”) guest star.
••”Gravity” (9:30 p.m. on Starz): This new series follows the sometimes comic, sometimes tragic exploits of a group from an eccentric out-patient program of suicide survivors. Krysten Ritter (“Breaking Bad”) plays a young woman who cannot connect to anyone until she dies, and Ivan Sergei plays a widower who becomes an Internet celebrity when his suicide attempt goes comically awry.
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are The Enemy, Antony and the Johnsons and Paloma Faith.
••”Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): The police hunt a serial killer targeting innocent women, but when the prime suspect dies, his ghost contacts Allison to clear his name, contact his girlfriend and maybe help the investigation. Pablo Schreiber (“The Wire”) guest stars.
••”Miami Medical” (9 p.m. on CBS): As the team works to save the lives of a couple injured in a balcony collapse, they are shocked when the wife refuses treatment. Louise Lombard (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) guest stars as Karen, a trauma patient.
••”Party Down” (9 p.m. on Starz): The show about catering team stuck serving others while still determined to make it to the top returns for Season 2. Megan Mullally (‘‘Will & Grace”) joins the cast as Lydia Dunfree, a middle-aged refugee from a lousy marriage who moves to Hollywood in hopes that her 13 year-old daughter will make it big.
••“Say Yes to the Dress” (8 p.m. on TLC): Season 5 opens with Kristi, a pageant queen who’s determined that on her wedding day all eyes will be on her, and bride Stacey, a self-proclaimed “Goth girl” who returns to the salon.
••“Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): Lois and Clark each attempt to thwart the delivery of the photo and run into Maxwell Lord (Gil Bellows, “Ally McBeal”), a wealthy tycoon and Checkmate operative, who is trying to learn The Blur’s identity to eliminate him.
••”Smoke Jumpers” (9 p.m. on CMT): This special offers an inside look at the dangerous profession of smokejumpers. With hand tools, explosives and the ability to think fast on their feet, they work to contain the fire they are set to extinguish. But first, they must get there by parachuting into often unchartered territory and treacherous forests and mountains.
••”Who Do You Think You Are?” (7 p.m. on NBC): Susan Sarandon (“You Don’t Know Jack”) traces her Grandmother Anita’s roots to Italy where she tracks down the actual village in Tuscany that was home to Anita’s father.
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2010
••The 24th Genesis Awards (11 a.m. on Animal Planet): This event, which took place March 20 in Beverly Hills, honors the news and entertainment media for their coverage of animal protection issues. Melanie Griffith made a heartfelt presentation of The Genesis Lifetime Achievement Award to her mother, Tippi Hedren, for her tireless advocacy on behalf of captive big cats.
••”Castle” (9 p.m. on ABC): A beloved former major league baseball player is found dead after a goodwill trip to Cuba. The investigation, which includes running into Joe Torre (guest starring as himself), leads the detectives into New York’s Cuban community to solve the murder.
••“Cops” (7:30 p.m. on Fox): Officers from the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office stop two men for a routine traffic violation. But when they bust them for possession, the suspects start running.
••”Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): This installments of the locally-produced series spotlights Tulsa’s Garden Deva and Jump School in Frederick
••”Mothman” (8 p.m. on Syfy): Jewel Staite (“Firefly”) stars in this new original movie about a legendary West Virginia monster that returns to exact revenge on five childhood friends who covered up an accidental killing.
••”Spice & Easy” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): In this new cooking series, Denver-based spice shop owner Janet Johnston takes classic recipes and demonstrates how to reinvent them with a creative use of spices.
••“The Wanda Sykes Show” (10 p.m. on Fox): Wanda Sykes’ personal take on everything from news, politics, sports and pop culture will be examined on the Season 1 finale. Guests include Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) and Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe).
••”The Wild Girl” (7 p.m. on Hallmark Movie Channel): In the Depression-era Sierra Madre Badlands, an unlikely team, including a struggling photographer (Brian Austin Green), a socialite (Matthew Edison) and an anthropology student (Kathleen Munroe), embarks on a rescue mission but are quickly put in harm’s way when they stumble upon an Apache girl abandoned in the wilderness. It is based on the 2005 novel “The Wild Girl: The Notebooks of Ned Giles, 1932″ written by Jim Fergus.
••”You Don’t Know Jack” (8 p.m. on HBO): Oscar and Emmy winner Al Pacino (‘‘Scent of a Woman,” ‘‘Angels in America”) stars as Jack Kevorkian, aka “Dr. Death,” who built his infamous “Mercy Machine” and started a media frenzy with his epic legal battles defending a patient’s right to die.
–Penny TV
Top 50 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing April 11-17, 2010
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 50 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of April 11.
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.
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
GUEST STARS
••Amy Acker (“Happy Town”) on “Human Target,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
••David Anders (“24”) on “The Vampire Diaries,” 7 p.m. Thursday on CW.
••Armand Assante (“Breaking Point”) on “Human Target,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
••Stone Cold Steve Austin (“WWE Smackdown!”) on “Chuck,” 7 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••Scott Bakula (“Men of a Certain Age”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Bill Bellamy (“Fastlane”) on “Castle,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC.
••Tom Bergeron (“Dancing With the Stars”) on “Castle,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC.
••Danny Cahill (Season 8 winner) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC and 8 p.m. Saturday on “The Suze Orman Show.”
••Kasey Campbell (“Weeds”) on “Brothers & Sisters,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Francis Capra (“Veronica Mars”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Kelly Carlson (“Nip/Tuck”) on “Castle,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC.
••Dan Cortese (“Surviving Suburbia”) on “Castle,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC.
••Sheryl Crow (Grammy winner) on “Cougar Town,” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Clyde Drexler (NBA star) on “Celebrity Apprentice,” 8 p.m. Sunday on NBC.
••Sarah Drew (“Everwood”) on “Miami Medical,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Robert Englund (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”) on “Bones,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Bill Fagerbakke (“SpongeBob SquarePants”) on “Til Death,” 6 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Edward Furlong (“Terminator 2″) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Colin Egglesfield (“Melrose Place”) on “Brothers & Sisters,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) on “Wizards of Waverly Place,” 7:30 p.m. Friday on Disney.
••Lucas Grabeel (“High School Musical”) on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Brian Austin Green (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) on “Smallville,” 7 p.m. Friday on CW.
••Judy Greer (“27 Dresses”) on “Modern Family,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Jonathan Groff (“One Life to Live”) on “Glee,” 8:28 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Tess Harper (“Crash”) on “In Plain Sight,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network.
••Chelsea Hobbs (“Make It or Break It”) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Russell Hornsby (“Lincoln Heights”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) on “In Plain Sight,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network.
••Minka Kelly (“Friday Night Lights”) on “Parenthood,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Richard Kind (“Mad About You”) on “Til Death,” 6 p.m. Sunday on Fox, and “Trauma,” 8 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••Kristin Kreuk (“Smallville”) on “Chuck,” 7 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••Christine Lahti (“Chicago Hope”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Lee Majors (“The Fall Guy”) on “Human Target,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
••Idina Menzel (“Wicked”) on “Glee,” 8:28 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Wentworth Miller (“Prison Break”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Rita Moreno (“Cane”) on “In Plain Sight,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network.
••Tatum O’Neal (“Paper Moon”) on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” 8 p.m. Monday on Logo.
••Suze Orman (“The Suze Orman Show”) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Kay Panabaker (“Summerland”) on “Brothers & Sisters,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Scott Patterson (“Gilmore Girls”) on “90210,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
••Harold Perrineau (“Lost”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Amy Pietz (“Caroline in the City”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Scottie Pippen (NBA star) on “Celebrity Apprentice,” 8 p.m. Sunday on NBC.
••Kim Raver (“24″) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Jason Ritter (“W”) on “Parenthood,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Valente Rodriguez (“George Lopez”) on “Miami Medical,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Shakira (Grammy winner) on “Wizards of Waverly Place,” 7:30 p.m. Friday on Disney.
••Lisa Sheridan (“Invasion”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••French Stewart (“Misconceptions”) on “Castle,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC.
••Courtney Thorne-Smith (“According to Jim”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••David Strathairn (“Temple Grandin”) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Peter Weller (“RoboCop”) on “Fringe,” 8 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) on “The Big Bang Theory,” 8:30 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Fred Willard (“Back to You”) on “Castle,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC.
••Marisa Jaret Winokur (“Hairspray”) on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” 8 p.m. Monday on Logo.
Pictured above: MarisJaretWinokur and Tatum O’Neal with RuPaul on “RuPauls Drag Race” (PhotoCredit: RollingBlackouts)
Top 55 TV Programs for April 11-17, 2010
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 April 11:
(NOTE: All times are CT. For ET, add one hour)
SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2010
••”Army Wives” (9 p.m. on Lifetime): Season 4 returns to follow the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women – and one man – living with their spouses and families on an active army post. The season opens with Denise and Frank coming to terms with the decisions that their son, Jeremy, made in last season’s finale.
••”Basketball Wives” (9 p.m. on VH1): In this new reality series, seven closely knit women who are either the wives, ex-wives or girlfriends of superstar players of the National Basketball Association lean on one another for support as they try to juggle their responsibilities as mothers and businesswomen.
••”Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business” (8 p.m. on VH1): This new reality series follows musical siblings Brandy and Ray J Norwood as they try to take over the reins of the family business (Rn’B Productions) from their mom Sonja as she steps down.
••”Brothers & Sisters” (8 p.m. on ABC): In an effort to get to the root of the secret that William’s nemesis, Dennis York, holds over their heads, the Walkers recall their memories, both good and horrifying, of their family’s days at Ojai Foods in 1986. Then, as they continue to flashback to their younger days, they finally recall the shocking secret and the shameful cover-up that led to York’s power play, and are forced to deal with the remorse of a tragic event. Guest starring as the young Walkers are Colin Egglesfield (“Melrose Place”), Kay Panabaker (“Summerland”), Anna Wood (“Nice Guy Johnny”), Cody Longo (“Make It or Break It”), Kasey Campbell (“Weeds”) and Dylan Larsen.
••”Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m. on NBC): Both teams are tasked with creating a commercial for Right Guard while dealing with various setbacks. NBA standouts Clyde Drexler and Scottie Pippen guest star.
••”Cowboys in Tall Grass” (6:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Prior to Euro-American settlement in the 1820s, one of the major landscape features of North America was 240 million acres of tallgrass prairie. But between 1830 and 1900, the tallgrass prairie was transformed to farmland. This program highlights prairie preservation efforts and explores how the tallgrass prairie ecosystem may serve as a model for a sustainable agriculture of the future.
••”Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Jeff Gordon (race car driver) travels with Ty Pennington and his team to South Carolina to assist Amanda and Derrick Suggs, who had just started their own family when they took in Amanda’s younger siblings to keep them from being separated in foster care. WWE Divas The Bella Twins and WWE superstars Big Show and R-Truth also appear.
••”Life” (7 p.m. on Discovery): The new installment “Hunters and Hunted” includes a mother orca that steals elephant seal pups from a nursery pool to teach her calf a brand new form of predation. It is followed by the new installment “Insects,” which includes Japanese red bug juveniles eating a rare fruit, which their mother collects from the forest floor.
••”Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Airing on Holocaust Remembrance Day, this new adaptation of “The Diary of Anne Frank” aims to be the most faithful rendering of Anne’s (Ellie Kendrick, “An Education”) account of her family’s two-year ordeal of hiding from the Nazis.
••”Nature” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Moment of Impact: Jungle” looks at the bio-engineering of jungle residents, both on the ground and in the forest canopy.
••”The Pacific” (8 p.m. on HBO): Basilone’s celebrity grows as he travels across the country on the war bonds tour. On Pavuvu, Sledge, assigned to the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, is briefly reunited with Phillips.
••”Panda Breeding Diary” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): This special tells the story of the gentle giants of China’s Wolong Panda Research and Conservation Center and the dedicated researchers who’ve cracked the code to keep this species alive.
••“Til Death” (6 p.m. on Fox): With Eddie’s brother, Charlie, and his new boyfriend, Terence, coming to visit, Eddie isn’t exactly looking forward to a weekend of wine-tasting and antiquing. Much to Eddie’s surprise, though, he hits it off with Terence as they both opt to watch football over participating in the planned weekend activities. When Charlie breaks up with Terence, Joy sides with Charlie and ends up questioning her relationship with Eddie. Richard Kind (“Mad About You”) and Bill Fagerbakke (“SpongeBob SquarePants”) guest star.
••”Treme” (9 p.m. on HBO): This new series is set in New Orleans three months after Hurricane Katrina, as residents try to rebuild their lives in the wake of the storm. The cast includes Steve Zahn, Melissa Leo, Khandi Alexander, Kim Dickens, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce and John Goodman.
••”The Tudors” (8 p.m. on Showtime): In the fourth and final season, King Henry VIII is 30 years into his reign. He takes a fifth wife, teen queen Katherine Howard (Tamzin Merchant, “Princess Kaiulani”), in the season premiere. Katherine, 17, is different from earlier wives in more ways than age. Far from being nobility, she was discovered by some of the King’s friends in a boarding house for wayward young ladies.
••”What Chilli Wants” (9:30 p.m. on VH1): Music star Chilli turns to relationship expert Tionna Smalls in her quest to find a man who measures up to Chilli’s demands, which include good looks, fondness for kids, a sense of humor and abstinence from smoking, drinking and eating pork.
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2010
••”Among the Righteous: Lost Stories from the Holocaust in Arab Lands” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): Narrated by Robert MacNeil (“The Robert MacNeil Report”), this new documentary follows the eight-year journey of Robert Satloff, head of a respected Washington, DC policy center. He traveled four continents to find an Arab, who in the face of the German and Fascist occupation of North Africa, took action to save his Jewish neighbors during the Holocaust.
••”Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items appraised in Hour 3 from Denver include two circa 1958 prototype chairs, a salesman’s sample canoe and a 1941 Martin guitar.
••”The Big Bang Theory” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): A fight between Leonard and Penny threatens their relationship, while Sheldon battles his nemesis Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) in a bowling alley.
••”Castle” (9 p.m. on ABC): When Castle appears on a late-night talk show to promote his book, Heat Wave, host Bobby Mann (Tom Bergeron, ••”Dancing With the Stars”) leans in during a commercial break and whispers, “They want me dead.” When Mann dies later that night, seemingly of natural causes, Castle has to convince Beckett that there was foul play. Also guest starring are Bill Bellamy (“Fastlane”), Kelly Carlson (“Nip/Tuck”), Dan Cortese (“Surviving Suburbia”), French Stewart (“Misconceptions”) and Fred Willard (“Back to You”).
••”Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): Chuck must go on his first solo mission to Paris, but he’ll be lucky to survive the flight. Stone Cold Steve Austin (“WWE Smackdown!”) and Kristin Kreuk (“Smallville”) guest star.
••”CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): Spring Break raises the body count in Miami when the CSI team splits up to solve three different murders. Chelsea Hobbs (“Make It or Break It”) guest stars.
••”Extreme Forensics” (8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): Season 2 returns with more cases involving suspects that try to outsmart authorities, only to be captured due to the use of forensice science.
••“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): When a newborn disappears from the nursery, Princeton Plainsboro goes on lockdown, preventing anyone from entering, leaving or moving within the hospital. While House and his team members are trapped in various parts of the building, new insights about the team’s personal histories, relationships and regrets surface. David Strathairn (“Temple Grandin”) guest stars in the episode directed by series star Hugh Laurie (Dr. House).
••”The Last Supper” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This documentary follows a former prison inmate chef who creates final meals for convicts on death row. The film also looks at the discrepancy between historical meaning and contemporary use of the “last supper” tradition that has lost its connection with the past.
••“Life Unexpected” (7 p.m. on CW): With her wedding fast approaching, Cate must confront her true feelings for the two men in her life, Baze and Ryan. To complicate Cate’s already conflicted feelings, on the day of the wedding, Lux reveals something that threatens to change all of their lives forever.
••”The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): Today’s episode features a wedding shower for engaged couples. Model Rachel Reynolds and new husband, baseball player David Dellucci, sport the wedding attire to be bid on by contestants. Special prizes offered to competing engaged couples include honeymoon trips, a heart-shaped tub, registry gifts, his and her items — and one couple will win $10,000 in cash.
••”Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): Grace reunites with a childhood friend who is in jail for killing her husband, but things aren’t what they seem. The squad investigates the disappearance of a young woman, and Grace begins to wonder if Earl has been watching over her since she was a girl.
••”Trauma” (8 p.m. on NBC): Nancy and her father clash over his new role as the head of the Trauma center. Elsewhere, Ira (Richard Kind, “Mad About You”), known for his tendency to call in repeatedly for medical assistance, resurfaces.
••”Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Jake’s new friend, Eldridge, is a bad influence but Alan really likes his hot mom. Courtney Thorne-Smith (“According to Jim”) guest stars as Eldridge’s mom.
••”VH1 Tough Love Couples” (8 p.m. on VH1): Back for a second season, matchmaking mother and son team Steve and JoAnn Ward welcome six couples who are all on the brink of deciding whether to get engaged or break up. Over the course of eight weeks, Steve and JoAnn will put these couples to the test to see if they are truly a perfect match.
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010
••”9 by Design” (10 p.m. on Bravo): This new reality series follows Bob and Cortney Novogratz, who run a Manhattan renovation and design firm. They are also are busy raising six children and have a seventh on the way.
••”30 For 30″ (7 p.m. on ESPN): In the new installment “No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson,” filmmaker Steve James returns to his hometown of Hampton, Va., to take a personal look at a bowling alley brawl in 1993 and examine its impact of future Allen Iverson, a high school standout at the time who went to jail because of the incident.
••“90210” (7 p.m. on CW): Liam receives a surprise visit from his father, Finn (Scott Patterson, “Gilmore Girls”), just released from prison.
••”The Big Gay Sketch Show” (9 p.m. on Logo): Season 3 is back with laugh-out-loud antics, sassy celebrity impersonations and twisted sketches that will appeal to anyone who’s a little askew.
••”The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): This week’s pop challenge finds the contestants piling quarters, each worth $10, on to platters and then trying to balance the platters as long as they can to win the money they’re holding. Afterwards, financial expert Suze Orman talks with the contestants about their financial health, along with Season 8 winner Danny Cahill, who she predicted would win.
••”Construction Intervention” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In this new series, 20-year construction veteran Charlie “The Bulldog” Frattini and his crew use their engineering expertise – and passion for the business – to transform botched construction jobs and rebuild dreams.
••”Deadliest Catch” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Season 6 takes viewers through some of the roughest situations the captains and crews have ever had to face on the high seas. From treacherous weather conditions to crew conflict to the death of beloved Captain Phil Harris, each of this season’s 16 episodes bring viewers into the intimate world of these crab fisherman.
••”Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment goes behind closed doors at the White House, in Congress and the boardrooms of the giant healthcare lobby to examine the political battles and costly compromises that defined the Obama administration’s efforts toward healthcare reform.
••”Glee” (8:28 p.m. on Fox): The spring premiere picks up as New Directions is fresh off their win at Sectionals and feeling on top of the world. With an extra spring in their step, they get to work on new numbers for Regionals, incuding a rendition of The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye.” Idina Menzel (“Wicked”) and Jonathan Groff (“One Life to Live”) guest star.
••”The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): After a popular high school quarterback dies of an overdose of painkillers, Alicia represents the physician (Russell Hornsby, “Lincoln Heights”) who prescribed the medication.
••”Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): Joan Allen (“Face/Off”) narrates the documentary “Blessed Is the Match” about Hannah Senesh, the World War II-era poet and diarist who became a paratrooper and resistance fighter and was captured, tortured and ultimately executed by the Nazis.
••“Melrose Place” (8 p.m. on CW): In the Season 1 finale, Amanda fires Ella from WPK. However, not one to go out without a fight, Ella searches for anything to blackmail Amanda. Unfortunately for one of the ladies, the end result is worse than she could have ever imagined.
••”The Millionaire Matchmaker” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In the Season 3 finale, Patti Stanger is not too happy to hear that the millionaire she will be helping is returning client Zagros Bigvand, who last season broke her rules and created quite a scandal that he was booted from the club.
••”NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): A dead Marine’s day job at a government think tank leads Gibbs and the team into the life of a 12-year-old prodigy who may be the killer’s next target. Lisa Sheridan (“Invasion”) guest stars as Facilities Coordinator Krista Dalton. Francis Capra (“Veronica Mars”) guests as Gang Member Eddie Castillo.
••”Parenthood” (9 p.m. on NBC): Adam juggles his family’s schedules while Sarah’s relationship goes to the next level. Minka Kelly (“Friday Night Lights”) and Jason Ritter (“W”) guest star.
••”Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This episode investigates the universe’s distant past and the dark matter and dark energy that constitute the vast majority of the stuff in the unierse.
••”Tiny & Toya” (9 p.m. on BET): Season 2 of this reality series delves deeper into the lives of Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, former member of Xscape and girlfriend of rapper T.I., and best friend Antonia “Toya” Carter, ex-wife of Lil’ Wayne, as they continue to balance motherhood, family, fame and creating businesses of their own.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2010
••”Cougar Town” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): Jules is thrilled for the chance to take care of Travis after his first big break-up. But when Jules discovers the truth about the break-up, she comes to an unwelcome realization about herself. Sheryl Crow (Grammy winner) guest stars.
••”CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): A death row inmate’s (Harold Perrineau, “Lost”) final request brings Dr. Hawkes to a Pennsylvania prison and face-to-face with a tragic incident that he has kept secret for many years, just as a prison riot erupts and traps Hawkes inside. Ozzy Osbourne’s new song “Let Me Hear You Scream” will have its world premiere during the episode.
••“Human Target” (7 p.m. on Fox): When Chance’s former boss makes a move to bring him back into the fold, flashbacks reveal the events that lead to Chance, Winston and Guerrero’s unlikely partnership in the Season 1 finale. Armand Assante (“Breaking Point”), Lee Majors (“The Fall Guy”) and Amy Acker (“Happy Town”) guest star.
••”In Plain Sight” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Agent Wade Guthrie is shot during an undercover weapons deal. When he wakes up, he learns he has been protected by Witsec’s Mary Shannon during nhis three-year coma. Rita Moreno (“Cane”), Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) and Tess Harper (“Crash”) guest star.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Officer Nate Kendall (Wentworth Miller, “Prison Break”) is called in to help detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler solve a series of rape cases along with executive assistant district attorney Sonya Paxton (“Christine Lahti, “Chicago Hope”).
••”Making The Crooked Straight” (7 p.m. on HBO2): This documentary tells the story of an American doctor who serves the sick and poor of Ethiopia. In addition to offering hospital care, Dr. Rick Hodes shares his home with more than 20 children, providing them with a loving environment, an education and medical treatment.
••”Modern Family” (7 p.m. on ABC): After reconnecting on Facebook, Phil invites his old high school girlfriend (Judy Greer, “27 Dresses”) to drop by the house. But this friendly visit quickly turns into trouble. Meanwhile Jay accidentally kills Manny’s beloved pet turtle, then goes to extremes to cover his tracks.
••”The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Old Christine takes a cranky, very pregnant New Christine to a fancy salon to prepare her for the impromptu wedding that Richard is secretly planning. Scott Bakula returns as Old Christine’s ex-boyfriend and New Christine’s father, Papa Jeff.
••”Ugly Betty” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): In the series’ finale, which features appearances by familiar faces from the past, Betty finds it hard to tell Daniel important news about her future. When she does, his reaction surprises her, but not Claire.
••”When Families Grieve” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Katie Couric (“CBS Evening News”) and the “Sesame Street” muppets are featured in this special that presents families’ personal stories about coping with the death of a parent, as well as strategies that have helped these families move forward.
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2010
••“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): The team’s latest case takes Brennan back to her alma mater, Burtonsville High School, where she and Booth investigate the discovery of an unidentified skull and upper torso. Robert Englund (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”) guest stars.
••”CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Hodges and Wendy take a group of high school CSI Explorer Scouts on a field trip, they embellish their role in solving cases and take their assignment a little bit too far. Lucas Grabeel (“High School Musical”) guest stars in the episode written by series stars Liz Vassey (Wendy Simms) and Wallace Langham (Hodges).
••“Fringe” (8 p.m. on Fox): When passengers aboard a commuter train appear to have died a still death, it seems that a switch was flipped because all cell phones, mp3 players, laptops, batteries and bodies have been drained of power. When the investigation leads them to Alistair Peck (Peter Weller, “RoboCop”), a very powerful man who has tremendous energy with severe consequences, an ironic set of circumstances surface.
••”Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): After learning of Richard’s drinking problem, Derek confronts him for the sake of his friend and the hospital, Izzie returns, hoping to reconcile with Alex, and tensions run high between Teddy, Cristina and Owen in the aftermath of Cristina’s startling confession. Kim Raver (“24″) guest stars.
••”Models of the Runway” (10 p.m. on Lifetime): In Part 1 of the second-season finale, the three finalist models prepare for the walk in Bryant Park.
••”Saturday Night Live in the 2000s: Time and Again” (8 p.m. on NBC): This behind-the-scenes documentary chronicles the highs and lows of the comedy show. Among those interviewed are creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels and many of the stars of the show, including Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Bill Hader, Chris Kattan, Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler. Also offering insight are some of the show’s most memorable hosts, including Alec Baldwin, Christopher Walken and Justin Timberlake.
••“Supernatural” (8 p.m. on CW): In the show’s 100th episode, Dean begins to think the only way to stop Lucifer is to say yes to Michael, but the angels decide they don’t need him anymore.
••“The Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): While Stefan struggles to control his new situation, Elena and Jeremy are surprised by a visit from their uncle, John Gilbert (David Anders, “24”).
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are Gossip, The Mars Volta and Friendly Fires.
••”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 in the episode directed by David Arquette (“In Case of Emergency”).
••”Miami Medical” (9 p.m. on CBS): The Alpha team finds surprising connections between themselves and the victims of a tent collapse they are treating. Meanwhile, Dr. Deleo and Dr. Zambrano’s playful flirtation begins to draw attention from the hospital staff. Sarah Drew (“Everwood”) guest stars as Emily, the bride. Valente Rodriguez (“George Lopez”) guest stars as Fortunato, a patient who bonds with Dr. Proctor.
••”Secrets of the Mountain” (7 p.m. on NBC): Family business leads to an adventure of a lifetime for single mom Dana James (Paige Turco, “The Agency”) and her three kids when the family faces a series of mysteries and a dark secret that drives them deep into danger. Barry Bostwick (“Spin City”) and Shawn Christian (“Days of our Lives”) in the two-hour backdoor pilot.
••“Smallville” (7 p.m. on CW): An explosion rocks the lab, and Lois is rescued by John Corben (Brian Austin Green, (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) who was a subject of multiple experiments.
••”Spartacus: Blood and Sand” (9 p.m. on Starz): In order to get his revenge, Spartacus enlists the help of an accomplice in the Season 1 finale.
••”What Not to Wear Awards Show” (8 p.m. on TLC): Hosts Stacy and Clinton hosts this special that looks back at the most shocking transformations, biggest breakdowns and most moving stories from the show. They fondly and fearfully reminisce over the fashion fiascos and the dazzling transformations of hundreds of contributors.
••”Wizards of Waverly Place” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): Alex, Justin and Max are shocked to discover that their Uncle Kelbo (Jeff Garlin, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) has transformed into international music sensation Shakira (Grammy winner guest starring as herself) after he failed to follow the Main Eleven Wizards Rules.
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2010
••”Discover Oklahoma” (6:30 p.m. on KWTV-9): This installments of the locally-produced series spotlights Norman’s Birdie’s Nest and the Tallgrass near Pawhuska.
••”Doctor Who” (8 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 5 premiere, the Doctor has regenerated into a brand-new man (Matt Smith, “Secret Diary of a Call Girl”). But danger strikes before he can even recover – his time machine, the Tardis, is wrecked, and he has just 20 minutes to save the world.
••”Patricia Cornwell’s The Front” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): In this second adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s Win Garano novels, Massachusetts D.A. Monique Lamont (Andie MacDowell) gets state police investigator Garano (Daniel Sunjata) to help her tie a 40-year-old Watertown murder case to the Boston Strangler.
••”Strikeforce Saturday Night Fights” (8 p.m. on CBS): Mixed martial arts (MMA) returns to primetime with three title fights featuring five of the top MMA fighters in the world from their respective weight classes. The event will air live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn.
••”The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): Suze Orman returns from her visit to “The Biggest Loser” ranch with financial concerns for the contestants. Season 8 winner Danny Cahill from Broken Arrow talks about his past hevay debt and its connection to his weight.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing April 4-10, 2010
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 April 4.
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.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
GUEST STARS
••Jessica Alba (“The Killer Inside Me”) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Madchen Amick (“My Own Worst Enemy”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Fred Armisen (“Saturday Night Live”) on “Parks and Recreation,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Bryan Batt (“Mad Men”) on “Ugly Betty,” 9:01 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Barry Bostwick (“Spin City”) on “Cougar Town,” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••David Brenner (“The Hollywood Squares”) on “Modern Family,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Gary Cole (“Entourage”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Josh Cooke (“Big Day”) on “In Plain Sight,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network.
••Aunjanue Ellis (“True Blood”) on “The Mentalist,” 9 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Pam Grier (“The L Word”) on “Smallville,” 7 p.m. Friday on CW.
••Kathy Griffin (“My Life on the D-List”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Tess Harper (“Crash”) on “In Plain Sight,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network.
••Peter Horton (“Thirtysomething”) on “Life Unexpected,” 7 p.m. Monday on CW.
••Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) on “In Plain Sight,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network.
••Adam Kaufman (“Without a Trace”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Lainie Kazan (“My Big Fat Greek Life”) on “Til Death,” 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Minka Kelly (“Friday Night Lights”) on “Parenthood,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Nathan Lane (“The Producers”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Jay Leno (“The Tonight Show”) on “Garage Mahal,” 8 p.m. Friday on DIY Network.
••Ross Mathews (“The Tonight Show”) on “America’s Next Top Model,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CW.
••Dina Meyer (“Burn Notice”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Tracy Morgan (“30 Rock”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Martin Mull (“Mrs. Doubtfire”) on “Til Death,” 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Olivia Munn (“Iron Man 2″) on “Accidentally on Purpose,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Michael O’Neill (“The West Wing”) on “Miami Medical,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••David Paymer (“Line of Fire”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Kim Raver (“Lipstick Jungle”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Guy Ritchie (“Sherlock Holmes”) on “Top Gear,” 7 p.m. Monday on BBC America.
••Jason Ritter (“Joan of Arcadia”) on “Parenthood,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Katee Sackhoff (“Battlestar Galactica”) on “The Big Bang Theory,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Michael Shanks (“Smallville”) on “Supernatural,” 8 p.m. Thursday on CW.
••Mary Steenburgen (“Joan of Arcadia”) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Susanna Thompson (“Once and Again”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Kate Walsh (“Private Practice”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland “) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
Pictured above: Host Bill Goldberg and late night talkshow host Jay Leno during DIY Network’s largest garage renovation as featured in a special episode of “Garage Mahal” (DIY Network Photo)
TV Premieres and Finales airing March 28-April 3, 2010
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of March 28.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
BEGINNINGS
••”New Pollution,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Fuel TV (fourth-season premiere).
••”Bubba’s World,” 9 p.m. Sunday on Fuel TV (series premiere).
••”10 Things I Hate About You,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (second season resumes).
••”Saving Grace,” 9 p.m. Monday on TNT (fourth-season premiere).
••”Future Food,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Planet Green (series premiere).
••”Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on USA Network (ninth-season premiere).
••”Little Chocolatiers,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on TLC (series premiere).
••”V,” 9:02 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (first season resumes).
••”In Plain Sight,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network (third-season premiere).
••“Bones,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox (fifth season resumes).
••“Fringe,” 8 p.m. Thursday on Fox (second season resumes).
••”Fugitive Chronicles,” 9 p.m. Thursday on A&E (series premiere).
••”The Pyramid Code,” 7:30 p.m. Friday on Documentary Channel (series premiere).
••”Stargate Universe,” 8 p.m. Friday on Syfy (first season resumes).
••”Merlin,” 9 p.m. Friday on Syfy (second-season premiere).
••”Miami Medical,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS (series premiere).
••”Doodlebops Rockin’ Road Show,” 9 a.m. on CBS (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••”Greek,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (third-season finale).
Pictured above: FRINGE: Walter (John Noble) flashes back to 1985 in the FRINGE episode “Peter” airing Thursday, April 1 on FOX. CR: Liane Hentscher/FOX
Top 55 TV Programs for March 28-April 3, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 28:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010
••“Amish Grace” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Kimberly Williams-Paisley (“According to Jim”) stars in this movie based on a true story about the aftermath that followed the 2006 schoolhouse shooting in the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Penn. The film examines a mother’s personal journey as she copes with the loss of her daughter and struggles with her community’s belief of the transcending power of forgiveness.
••”Bubba’s World” (9 p.m. on Fuel TV): This new docu-series provides exclusive access into the daily life of motocross racer James “Bubba” Stewart, who completed a perfect outdoor national motocross season in 2008 and won the Supercross Championship in 2009. The premiere will be simulcast on Fox Sports Net, Speed Channel and Fox Reality Channel.
••”Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): When ballistics tie a recent murder case of Rush’s to a serial killer who was seemingly inactive for 27 years, a tough FBI agent with ties to Stillman shows up to enlist the team’s aid in finding the killer who has eluded her for 30 years. Susanna Thompson (“Once and Again”) guest stars.
••”Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Clint Black (country singer) joins the design team in Daviess County, KY, to tell Steve and Melissa Mattingly that their single-wide trailer will be replaced by a newly constructed home built in just seven days.
••”How to Make It in America” (9:05 p.m. on HBO): While Ben is getting tight with Julie, Rachel is put off by Darren’s sudden offer to let her and Edie (Martha Plimpton, “Parenthood”) design a hotel. To pay off an overdue debt to Rene, Cam and Ben agree to hand out Rasta Monsta samples at Union Square, but cut the job short to retrieve their tees from the silk screener.
••”Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In “Sharpe’s Challenge,” British soldier-heo Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean, “The Lord of the Rings”) comes out of retirement to quash a rebellion in British India and rescue his old friend. Padma Lakshmi (“Top Chef”) guest stars as Madhuvanthi, a schemer who is out to seduce Sharpe.
••”Merlin” (9 a.m. on Syfy): This series, which aired last summer on NBC, is set in the mythical city of Camelot where magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant Uther Pendragon. All 13 episodes from Season 1 will air back-to-back in this 13-hours marathon, and Season 2 will premiere at 9 p.m. Friday on Syfy.
••”New Pollution” (7 p.m. on Fuel TV): Professional surfer Matt Beacham returns for a fourth season of introducing viewers to the next generation of action sports athletes no older than 16 who are proving their skills in the hills, waves, water and streets across the world.
••”The Pacific” (8 p.m. on HBO): After their four-month ordean on Guadalcanal, Leckie and Basilone and thousands of their comrades land in Melbourne, where they are greeted by adoring crowds and hailed as the saviors of Australia.
••“Til Death” (6:30 p.m. on Fox): When Duffy dumps Whitey (Martin Mull, “Roseanne”), he moves in with Eddie and Joy as a way of coping, but he quickly overstays his welcome and Joy wants him out.
MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010
••”10 Things I Hate About You” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): In the mid-season premiere episode, Kat and Patrick are caught skipping school and both get suspended. Meanwhile, Bianca has her own problems after a secret make-out session with Joey is caught on video.
••”Castle” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): In “Boom,” the second part of the story begun in “Tick, Tick, Tick …,” the serial killer remains at large and is taunting Castle, Beckett and Jordan Shaw (Dana Delany, “Desperate Housewives”) to catch him.
••“Gossip Girl” (8 p.m. on CW): Chuck finds himself once again at odds with his uncle, Jack Bass (Desmond Harrington, “Dexter”). Rufus attempts to get Jenny (Taylor Momsen) back on track by volunteering to have her help with Eleanor’s fashion show, but the opportunity takes a big turn for the worse when Jenny learns that Agnes (Willa Holland, “The O.C.”) will be one of the models.
••”Greek” (9 p.m. on ABC Family): In the Season 3 finale, the students of Cyprus-Rhodes University are on Spring Break in Myrtle Beach, which means the year is winding down and the seniors have big decisions looming over their heads. Martha MacIsaac (“Superbad”) guest stars.
••“Iraq In Fragments” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This 2007 Academy Award nominee for best documentary feature chronicles the challenging journeys of individuals living within the war-torn country of Iraq.
••”Rules of Engagement” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): To make Audrey happy, Jeff begrudgingly agrees to see a couple’s therapist (Alan Ruck, “Spin City”). Meanwhile, Russell develops a crush on Timmy’s fiance.
••”Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): Season 4 opens in the immediate aftermath of Grace and Neely’s survived fall from the top of a building. Grace, now known as “Angel Cop” by Oklahoma City residents, decides to have it out with God once and for all. But a mysterious stranger (Gordon MacDonald, “”Law & Order”) might have something to say about that. Series creator Nancy Miller, an Oklahoma City native, says the final nine episodes of the show will be “a wild and exciting ride. I want (viewers) to come away thinking this was a series that constantly surprised them and gave them Holly Hunter in a character that broke new ground for women on television.”
••”Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (noon on KOCB-34): “Dancing With the Stars” host Tom Bergeron suts in as the featured expert this week, in which contestants will face questions about the “Dancing With the Stars” series in addition to general trivia. Assisting host Meredith Vieira in delivering questions will be “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancers Cheryl Burke, Mark Ballas, Lacey Schwimmer, Chelsie Hightower, Derek Hough and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, as well as judges Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2010
••“90210” (7 p.m. on CW): Liam catches his stepfather (John Schneider, “Smallville”) with another woman and confronts him with his fist. Debbie and her instructor, Kai (Greg Vaughan, “General Hospital”) share tea and conversation after yoga, but Kai oversteps his boundaries.
••”The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): The final nine contestants are delighted to learn from host Alison Sweeney that the game is now going to singles and they’ll all compete as individuals for the rest of the competition.
••”Future Food” (9 p.m. on Planet Green): This new series follows chefs Homaro Cantu and Ben Roche as they try to change the world one concoction at a time. In the premiere episode, they make creative seafood dishes using everything but fish.
••”Frontline” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): On Jan. 12, Haiti was leveled by one of the most devastating earthquakes in recorded history. Correspondent Martin Smith and his team arrived in Port-au-Prince within days, and this report bears witness to the disaster and the ill-coordinated relief efforts in the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Drawing on interviews with key officials and humanitarian experts from Port-au-Prince to New York, “The Quake” asks, can the world do better? And how?
••”The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): Alicia learns more information about her husband’s fall from grace when she represents the wife of State Attorney Glenn Childs in their divorce. Titus Welliver (“Deadwood”) and Craig Bierko (“Boston Legal”) guest star.
••”Independent Lens” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Whatever It Takes” documents the struggles and triumphs of the first year of an innovative public high school in New York City’s South Bronx.
••”Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Season 9 introduces Saffron Burrows (“Boston Legal”) as Detective Serena Stevens, a highly educated, worldly single parent with a broad range of life experiences to draw upon in solving even the toughest of cases. Teamed with Detective Zach Nichols (Jeff Goldblum), they create a partnership of challenging intellect and street-smart savvy. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio steps into the role of Captain Zoe Callas after an action-packed two-part series premiere.
••”Little Chocolatiers” (9p.m. on TLC): This new series explores the professional and personal lives Steve and Katie Hatch, a little people who are married and run a busy chocolate shop in Salt Lake City. In the first two episodes airing back-to-back, the Hatches are challenged to build a life-sized chocolate desk and a giant chocolate boom box.
••“Melrose Place” (8 p.m. on CW): Ella discovers someone is embezzling from WPK and framing her for it. Reuniting on this episode are original cast members Heather Locklear, Thomas Calabro, Josie Bissett and Daphne Zuniga.
••”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. Penny Johnson Jerald (“24″) guest stars as State Department Official Joanne Torrence.
••”Parenthood” (9 p.m. on NBC): When Max re-joins the baseball team, Drew helps Adam connect with his son. Meanwhile, Sarah strikes up a friendship with Amber’s English teacher, Mr. Cyr (Jason Ritter, “Joan of Arcadia”).
••”The Real Face of Jesus?” (7 p.m. on History Channel): In this two-hour special, a team of graphic experts seeks to to create a living, moving 3D image of the man many believe to be Jesus Christ. The starting point of this journey is an ancient 14-foot linen cloth known as the Shroud of Turin, believed by millions to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ. Imprinted on the fabric is a faint, ghostly image of a crucified man.
••”V” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): In the mid-season premiere episode, Erica finds her life in danger when she’s attacked at home. Also, a dangerous new member is recruited for the Resistance, as the Visitors shore up their defenses.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010
••”Cougar Town” (8:30 p.m. on ABC): Grayson introduces girlfriend Sara (Grammy winner Sheryl Crow) to Jules and company. Jules and Sara hit it off, but when Grayson is overly attentive to his new girl, Jules warns him to back off before Sara pulls away.
••”CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): In the culmination of a multi-episode mystery, Mac and his team uncover the dark lair of a murderous madman, the Compass Killer (Skeet Ulrich, “Jericho”). But as they race to save his fourth victim, the sunrise presents one final surprise that no one ever expected.
••“Human Target” (7 p.m. on Fox): Chance travels to a remote Alaskan island to find a missing doctor and expose an industrial giant’s involvement in the death of a mining foreman. Moon Bloodgood (“Terminator Salvation”) guest stars.
••”In Plain Sight” (9 p.m. on USA Network): In the Season 3 premiere, U.S. Marshals Mary and Marshall, who work in the secretive branch of the witness protection program, search for the person who nearly killed Mary in the Season 2 cliffhanger.
••”It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m. on ABC): Charlie, Sally, Lucy and Marcie get ready for the big day by making several unsuccessful attempts to prepare eggs for coloring — by frying, waffle-ironing, toasting, roasting and finally making soup out of them — while Linus insists no preparation is necessary. Luckily, the Easter Beagle steps in to take care of everything.
••”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m. on NBC): Officer Nate Kendall (Wentworth Miller, “Prison Break”) aids a woman in trouble and becomes roped into solving a rape case. While Detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson believe that Kendall is not right for the case due to his unstable personality, Executive Assistant District Attorney Sonya Paxton (Christine Lahti, “Jack & Bobby”) brings evidence of a common thread among three other rape cases.
••”The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine begins seeing a therapist who shares office space with Matthew, although it’s unclear to both whether to pursue therapy or romance. Eric McCormack (“Will & Grace”) guest stars as Dr. Max Kershaw, the therapist/love interest.
••”Prison Wives” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This installment follows Juli Cummings, a glass artist from Seattle who is engaged to Richard Sipe, a man serving 71 years at Davis Correctional Center in Holdenville for manufacturing methamphetamine and other violations. Juli is fighting to get him out of prison and prepares to fly to Oklahoma to visit him.
••“The Street Stops Here” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): This documentary offers a portrait of high school basketball coach Bob Hurley Sr. and his lifelong commitment to improve the lives of students at an inner city Catholic school in Jersey City, NJ.
••”Tavis Smiley Reports” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This special report delves into Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence” that he delivered April 4, 1967, at Riverside Church in New York City. He made the speech exactly one year before the date of his assassination.
••”Wa$ted!” (7 p.m. on Planet Green): Host Annabelle Gurwitch is back for a third season of helping homeowners audit waste, energy, water and transportation cunsumption. Her tips help with the eco haven and save participants cash in the process.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2010
••”Adam’s Rib” (7 p.m. on TCM): This 1949 film stars Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as lawyers working on opposite sides of an attempted-murder case. Guest programmer Raquel Welch (“Thye Three Musketeers”) discusses the film with TCM host Robert Osborne during breaks. She also shares her thoughts on 1939′s “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (9 p.m.), 1961′s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (11:15 p.m.) and 1944′s “To Have and Have Not” (1:15 a.m.).
••”Beasts of the Bible” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): This documentary delves into the origins of mysterious Biblical animals and examines the scientific facts behind their existence. The experts debunk myths and uncover Biblical beasts, showing what they might have looked like and who their modern day descendents may be.
••”Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): In the spring premiere, a subway train is thrown off the track by 60,000 gallons of flood water and a partially skeletonized body emerges out of the overflow. Clea Duvall (“Carnivale”) and Carla Gallo (“Men of a Certain Age”) guest star.
••”Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” (8 p.m. on CNBC): This documentary tells the inside story of one of history’s greatest business scandals, in which top executives of America’s seventh largest company walked away with over $1 billion while investors and employees lost everything.
••“Fringe” (8 p.m. on Fox): In the spring premiere, Walter flashes back to 1985 while explaining Peter’s otherworldly origins to Olivia.
••”Fugitive Chronicles” (9 p.m. on A&E): This new docu-drama series brings to life compelling fugitive captures through archival footage, fugitive narrative recreated from real testimony and taped interviews with law enforcement officials. The premiere episode spotlights prison escapee Ralph “Bucky” Philips, a career criminal who spent most of his life in and out of prison.
••”Gallery” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This installment of the locally-produced series spotlights The Culinary Institute at Platt College, where chefs who’ve worked all over the world are teaching the next generation what it takes to be the best in their field. The students are prepping for a regional competition that will put them head to head against other culinary schools from 15 states. Last year, they took bronze.
••”The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): Patrick Jane, Lisbon and the CBI team brace themselves to finally meet their new boss, Special Agent Madeleine Hightower (Aunjanue Ellis, “True Blood.”
••”The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Pam’s contractions begin but she and Jim are determined to wait it out as long as possible so they can have more time at the hospital. Linda Purl (“Bones”) guest stars.
••”The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): Host Drew Carey celebrates April Fools’ Day with special guest Kathy Kinney (“The Drew Carey Show”) As her character, Mimi, she will take over the show as executive producer and makes some unexpected changes, including adding four unusual looking male models and replacing announcer Rich Fields with a man in a monkey suit.
••”Private Practice” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): When famed neurosurgeon Dr. Ginsberg and her team pay a visit to St. Ambrose to save the life of Kayla, Addison is shocked to see Amelia Shepherd – Derek’s younger sister on the team. Caterina Scorsone (“1-800-Missing”) guest stars.
••”True Crime With Aphrodite Jones” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): In this installment, journalist and bestselling author Aphrodite Jones uncovers new information about the fall of music industry legend Phil Spector, who worked with some of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. Actress Lana Clarkson turned up dead at his home, and the music producer was charged with murder.
FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2010
••”Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): When comic book artist Damon Weaver begins drawing his own run-ins with ghosts before they happen, it is up to Melinda and Avery (Margaret Cho, “Drop Dead Diva”) to discover the secrets behind his art.
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are Yusuf, The Fray and White Lies.
••”Merlin” (9 p.m. on Syfy): In the Season 2 premiere, new servant Cedric (Mackenzie Crook, “The Office”) threatens Merlin’s position as Arthur’s right-hand-man, turning the Prince against his loyal friend.
••”Miami Medical” (9 p.m. on CBS): This new hospital drama follows a team of surgeons who thrive on the adrenaline rush of working at one of the premiere trauma facilities in the country while drawing upon their wit and irreverence to survive on the edge. As part of the Alpha Team, these professionals exclusively treat patients with life-threatening injuries.
••”A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism” (5 p.m. on HBO): Kate Winslet (“The Reader”) narrates this documentary debuting on International Autism Awareness Day. It charts the journey of a mother searching to unlock her autistic son’s mind. Traveling from Iceland to the United States and Europe, she learns how the brains of autistic children differ from “normal” children and discovers new techniques that could offer a promising future for children with autism, including her son.
••”The Pyramid Code” (7:30 p.m. on Documentary Channel): This 5-part series seeks to unlock the mysteries behind the ancient Egyptians, their technology and sacred cosmology by exploring the Egyptian pyramid fields and ancient temples.
••”Stargate Universe” (8 p.m. on Syfy): In the mid-season premiere episode, The Destiny crew discovers a piece of Ancient technology that transports Colonel Everett Young to an unknown alien vessel.
••”Who Do You Think You Are?” (7 p.m. on NBC): Brooke Shields (“Lipstick Jungle”) traves her father’s family history to one of European aristicracy and royal connections. She also uncovers a tragic secret on her mother’s side of the family that changes the way she feels about her grandmother.
••”Wife Swap” (7 p.m. on ABC): Season 6 opens with a strict family in Alabama swapping moms with a New Jersey family that pampers their children and a collection of 14 plastic dolls they call reborn babies.
SATURDAY APRIL 3, 2010
••”30 for 30″ (3 p.m. on ABC): This installment of the ESPN film series is “Guru of Go” and coincides with the start of the NCAA Men’s Final Four. It documents the non-stop run-and-gun offensive system of Loyola Marymount’s men’s basketball team and the tragic death of star Hank Gathers.
••”Doodlebops Rockin’ Road Show” (9 a.m. on CBS): This new animated and music-filled comedy follows Deedee, Rooney and Moe Doodle on zany adventures through the Doodlenet as they help their young fans solve pre-school-relatable problems. Each episode features two original songs and encourages an understanding and appreciation of music, physical activity and health and promotes open-mindedness.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing March 7-13, 2010
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 March 7.
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.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
GUEST STARS
••Madchen Amick (“Gossip Girl”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••John Amos (“The West Wing”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Kathy Baker (“Boston Public”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Kathy Bates (“The Blindside”) on “The Office,” 8 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Mayim Bialik (“Blossom”) on “Til Death,” 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Timothy Busfield (“The West Wing”) on “Law & Order,” 9 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••Billy Campbell (“The 4400”) on “Melrose Place,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
••Bucky Covington (country singer) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7 p.m. Tuesday on My Network TV.
••Alan Cumming (“The L Word”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Loretta Devine (“Grey’s Anatomy”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Devo (new wave band) on “Yo Gabba Gabba,” 9:30 a.m. Thursday on Nickelodeon.
••Steven Eckholdt (“The L Word”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Eve (“Eve”) on “Glee,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.
••Ana Gasteyer (“Saturday Night Live”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Ricky Gervais (“The Ricky Gervais Show”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Bruce Gray (“Playmakers”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Judy Greer (“27 Dresses”) on “Modern Family,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Joel Grey (“Cabaret”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Jamie Hector (“The Wire”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Perez Hilton (celebrity blogger) on “America’s Next Top Model,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CW and 6 p.m. Saturday on KOCB.
••Jack Ingram (country singer) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on My Network TV.
••Elton John (“Tommy”) on “The View,” 10 a.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Wesley Jonathan (“What I Like About You”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Lainie Kazan (“My Big Fat Greek Life”) on “Ugly Betty,” 9:01 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Stacy Keach (“Titus”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Perry King (“Melrose Place”) on “Big Love,” 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO.
••Jay Leno (“The Tonight Show”) on “Top Gear,” 7 p.m. Monday on BBC America.
••Jennifer Lopez (“Monster-in-Law”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Madonna (“Evita”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Brian Stokes Mitchell (“One Last Thing”) on “Ugly Betty,” 9:01 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Martin Mull (“Roseanne”) on “Til Death,” 6 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Niecy Nash (“G-Force”) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Lena Olin (“Alias”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Sam Page (“Mad Men”) on “Greek,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
••Lou Diamond Phillips (“SGU: Stargate Universe”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Lauren Prepon (“That ’70s Show”) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Faith Prince (“Huff”) on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Stephen Root (“Office Space”) on “24,” 8 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Nestor Serrano (“24″) on “Ugly Betty,” 9:01 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Ally Sheedy (“The Breakfast Club”) on “Psych,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network.
••Sarah Silverman (“The Sarah Silverman Program”) on “Yo Gabba Gabba,” 9:30 a.m. Monday on Nickelodeon.
••Emmitt Smith (“Dancing With the Stars”) on “Who Do You Think You Are?” 7 p.m. Friday on NBC.
••Sissy Spacek (“Carrie”) on “Big Love,” 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO.
••Vincent Spano (“Lone Rider”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Ben Stiller (“Tropic Thunder”) on “Phineas and Ferb,” 8 p.m. Monday on Disney XD.
••Joe Torre (Los Angeles Dodgers manager) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Alexa Vega (“Spy Kids”) on “The Middle,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Weezer (alternative rock band) on “Yo Gabba Gabba,” 9:30 a.m. Tuesday on Nickelodeon.
••Steven Williams (“The X-Files”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Rumer Willis (“Sorority Row”) in “90210,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
••Weird Al Yankovic (“Halloween II”) on “Yo Gabba Gabba,” 9:30 a.m. Monday on Nickelodeon.
••Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills 90210″) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
Pictured above: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? — “Emmitt Smith” — Photo by: Kent Eanes/NBC
TV Premieres and Finales airing March 7-13, 2010
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of March 7.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
BEGINNINGS
••”What Would Brian Boitano Make?” noon Sunday on Food Network (second-season premiere).
••”Yo Gabba Gabba,” 9:30 a.m. Monday on Nickelodeon (third-season premiere).
••”Turf War,” 8 p.m. Monday on DIY (series sneak peek).
••”Food Wars,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Travel Channel (series premiere).
••”America’s Next Top Model,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CW and 6 p.m. Saturday on KOCB (14th-season premiere).
••”High Society,” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on CW and 7:30 p.m. Saturday on KOCB (series premiere).
••”First Love, Second Chance,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TV Land (series premiere).
••”Billy the Exterminator,” 9:30 p.m. Wednesday on A&E (second-season premiere).
••”Sober House With Dr. Drew,” 9 p.m. Thursday on VH1 (second-season premiere).
••”True Crime With Aphrodite Jones,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Investigation Discovery (series premiere).
••”The Guard,” 8 p.m. Saturday on ION (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••”Hannah Montana,” 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Disney (first installment of two-part finale).
••”Big Love,” 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO (fourth-season finale).
••”Top Gear,” 7 p.m. Monday on BBC America (13th-season finale).
••”Make It or Break It,” 8 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (first-season finale).
••”White Collar,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on USA Network (first-season finale).
••”Wild Recon,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on Animal Planet (first-season finale).
••”Psych,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network (fourth-season finale).
••”Supernanny,” 8 p.m. Friday on ABC (sixth-season finale).
••”NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS (sixth-season finale).
Pictured above: Tyra Banks, America’s Next Top Model – Cycle 13
Top 55 TV Programs for March 7-13, 2010
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of March 7:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2010
••The 82nd Annual Academy Awards (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-host the annual ceremonies honoring achievements in film. In the crowded field of 10 best picture nominees, vying for the top award are ‘‘Avatar,” ‘‘The Blind Side,” ‘‘District 9,” ‘‘An Education,” ‘‘The Hurt Locker,” ‘‘Inglourious Basterds,” ‘‘Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” ‘‘A Serious Man,” ‘‘Up” and ‘‘Up in the Air.”
••”The Barbara Walters Special” (6 p.m. on ABC): Barbara Walters’ final Oscar night special will feature Academy Award Best Actress nominee Sandra Bullock and Academy Award Best Supporting Actress nominee Mo’Nique, along with a comprehensive retrospective of the special that has become an Oscar tradition.
••”Big Love” (8 p.m. on HBO): With the State Senate election only days away, Bill puts the squeeze on Paley (Perry King, “Melrose Place”) in an attempt to protect his candidacy. But Marilyn (Sissy Spacek, “Carrie”) has an ace up her sleeve that threatens to wreck Bill’s chances.
••”Cold Case” (9 p.m. on CBS): The team delves into the 1970 murder of a musician who tried to keep his involvement with the Philadelphia Soul scene a secret from his strict preacher father for whom he was an organist.Guest stars include Wesley Jonathan (“What I Like About You”), Loretta Devine (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Jamie Hector (“The Wire”) and Steven Williams (“The X-Files”).
••”Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): In part one of a two-part Season 3 cliffhanger, Miley Stewart faces the biggest decision of her life. It concludes March 14.
••”Live at the Academy Awards With Carrie Ann & Chris” (5 p.m. on TV Guide Network): Carrie Ann Inaba (“Dancing With the Stars”) and Chris Harrison (“The Bachelor”) interview nominees on the Red Carpet. The network’s coverage begins at 2 p.m. with “Countdown to the Academy Awards.”
••”Nick News” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Host Linda Ellerbee explores how kids view classroom cheating in the new installment “Cheaters Never Win: True or False?” Many kids say they cheat because they feel pushed to succeed. And while it has become increasingly difficult to detect cheating, schools are finding new ways to prevent it, including the use of plagiarism prevention websites.
••“Oscars Red Carpet 2010” (7 p.m. on ABC): Sherri Shepherd (“The View”) will co-host the 82nd Academy Awards pre-show along with Kathy Ireland (“Once Upon a Christmas”) and Jess Cagle (Entertainment Weekly managing editor).
••“Rick Steves’ Mediterranean Mosaic” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): In his latest pledge event, travel expert Rick Steves shares his knowledge of European history and culture as he winds his way through southern Greece, Turkey and Croatia. The two-hour special consists of two episodes from the fifth season and one from the upcoming sixth season of “Rick Steves’ Europe.”
••”Running With Wolves” (7 p.m. on Smithsonian Channel): Biologist, mother and cancer survivor Gudrun Pflueger returns to the mountain terrain of Western Canada to research the world’s most elusive wolves. “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards” (11:05 p.m. on ABC): This marks the fifth consecutive post-Academy Awards special for late night talk host Jimmy Kimmel. It will be packed with comedy bits and a house band led by Jimmy’s childhood best friend.
••”Superswarm” (7 p.m. on Discovery): This 2-hour special looks at massive animal gatherings to find out what a swam really is and to see how the animals are able to act and think as they do.
••”Til Death” (6:30 p.m. on Fox): Series star Joely Fisher (Joy Stark) makes her directorial debut in this episode in which Eddie tries to get a raise so he and Joy can go on vacation. Mayim Bialik (“Blossom”) and Martin Mull (“Roseanne”) guest star.
••”What Would Brian Boitano Make?” (noon on Food Network): Olympic figure skater-turned-cook Brian Boitano returns for a second season with new entertaining ideas. In the premiere episode, he offers all of his friends with children a kid-free dinner by not only cooking, but babysitting as well.
MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010
••“5 Browns: In Concert” (8:30 p.m. on OETA-13): These Julliard-trained siblings perform inventive interpretations of classical, jazz and other show-stopping standards.
••”24″ (8 p.m. on Fox): The clock races into the middle of the night when the threat of a devastating nuclear attack accelerates as Jack tracks an informed terror suspect who has an explosive strategy. Stephen Root (“Office Space”) guest stars.
••”The Bachelor: Jason and Molly’s Wedding” (7 p.m. on ABC): Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney, the first “Bachelor” couple to walk down the aisle, will share a dramatic new chapter of their love story. The couple, who announced their engagement in October, will let viewers in on all the exciting festivities – from Molly’s dress fitting to their bachelor and bachelorette parties to the wedding ceremony. Past “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” participants will be on the guest list.
••”Greek” (9 p.m. on ABC Family): Fred Savage (“The Wonder Years”) directed this episode in which everyone at Cyprus Rhodes is preparing for Mardi Gras festivities. All but Casey, that is, as she must prepare for the biggest test of her life – the LSAT.
••”House” (7 p.m. on Fox): Dr. House and the team take on the case of an avid blogger (Lauren Prepon, “That ’70s Show”) admitted with sudden bruising and bleeding. From her hospital bed, the patient blogs about her symptoms, doctors and prospective diagnoses to her dedicated band of followers and solicits their advice on a course of treatment.
••”How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): When Robin confesses that she is still angry with Barney for the way he handled their break-up, she enlists the help of Anita (Jennifer Lopez, “Monster-in-Law”), a self-help author who plans to beat Barney at his own game.
••”Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC): When the murder of a young woman is traced back to a medical school research project, it becomes clear that more than just lab rats are in danger. Timothy Busfield (“The West Wing”) guest stars.
••”Make It or Break It” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): Everything is put on the line as the girls go up against the Chinese team to prove once and for all that they’re the best. But the Rock girls are anything but ready.
••”NFL Full Contact” (9 p.m. on truTV): This episode goes behind the scenes at Super Bowl XLIV, where the New Orleans Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts. The pressure is on to stage a great show in front of the largest TV audience of the year.
••”Phineas and Ferb” (8 p.m. on Disney XD): A super villain (Ben Stiller, “Tropic Thunder”) arrives in Danville to challenge Phineas and Ferb after the boys are mistaken as a superhero (while wearing an indestructible suit they designed to safely conquer their newly built extreme skate-track) known as The Beak.
••”Top Gear” (7 p.m. on BBC America): In the Season 13 finale, Jeremy and James try to create a memorable commercial for Volkswagon. Jay Leno (“The Tonight Show”) is featured in the “star in a reasonably priced car” segment.
••”Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Charlie and Chelsea have a post-breakup one-night stand. Stacy Keach (“Titus”) returns as Chelsea’s dad, John Amos (“The West Wing”) returns as her dad’s boyfriend and Steven Eckholdt (“The L Word”) returns as her new boyfriend.
••”Turf War” (8 p.m. on DIY): Get a sneak peek at this new series in which two neighbors overhaul their yards in just two days using surprise building materials and a lot of help from their friends. The series premieres April 5.
••”Yard Crashers: Top 10″ (9 p.m. on DIY): In this new special, licensed landscape contractor Ahmed Hassan counts down the top 10 ways he transforms a yard — from water features to super-size decks to outdoor spaces for entertaining.
••”Yo Gabba Gabba” (9:30 a.m. on Nickelodeon): In the Season 3 premiere, Weird Al Yankovic (“Halloween II”) plays the circus ringmaster; Sarah Silverman (“The Sarah Silverman Program”) teaches the “Time to Mime” dancey dance and Black Kids sing the original song, “We Love Clowns.” Other musical guests this week include Weezer (Tuesday) and Devo (Thursday).
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2010
••“90210” (7 p.m. on CW): Adrianna and Gia (Rumer Willis, “Sorority Row”) bond during an AA meeting and establish a support system for each other.
••”Brian Regan: The Epitome of Hyperbole” (9 p.m. on CMT): In this stand-up special, Brian Regan exposes the truth behind psychics, discusses the stupidest crimes and offers his suggestions on how to imprve the opera.
••”Desperate Landscapes: Top 10″ (9 p.m. on DIY): In this new special, licensed contractor Jason Cameron shares his landscaping tips and tricks, counting down 10 ways to transform your yard from worst to first.
••”The Good Wife” (9 p.m. on CBS): As Peter strategizes on how to handle his retrial and the next steps in his public rehabilitation, Alicia and Will defend an attorney arrested for murder. Alan Cumming (“The L Word”) and Ana Gasteyer (“Saturday Night Live”) guest star.
••”Food Wars” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): New host Camille Ford takes viewers on a coast-to-coast adventure to find the country’s ultimate food showdowns. In the series premiere, she visits New York City for the battle of the buffalo wings.
••“Melrose Place” (8 p.m. on CW): Amanda puts Ella in charge of a lavish party at her house to celebrate the arrival of her billionaire boyfriend Ben (Billy Campbell, “The 4400”).
••”Ron White: You Can’t Fix Stupid” (8 p.m. on CMT): In this stand-up special, Ron White introduces the character “Squirrel Man” and aims his sights at those little thibgs in life that tick him off, including picking a spouse and the pitfalls of marriage.
••”Scott Hamilton: Return to the Ice” (8 p.m. on BIO): This two-hour special chronicles the gold medal Olympian’s return to skating after beating a life-threatening brain tumor. The 51-year-old is training harder than ever to make a comeback, and the special culminates with his first public performance on the ice in five years.
••“Straight No Chase — Live in New York” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This a cappella group of 10 vocalists mixes their perfect harmony with the perfect amount of humor in this concert special.
••”White Collar” (9 p.m. on USA Network): In the first-season finale, Neal and Alex try to get their hands on a music box while Peter seeks help to get rid of Fowler.
••”Yo Gabba Gabba” (9:30 a.m. on Nickelodeon): Weezer performs the original song “My Friends Are All Insects” and Mark Mothersbaugh is featured in his “Mark’s Magic Pictures” segment.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010
••”America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW and 6 p.m. Saturday on KOCB): Thirteen new hopefuls are given the chance to prove they can make it in the high-stakes world of supermodeling Season 14 kicks off with a 90-minute premiere. They will receive mentoring by supermodel Tyra Banks, and they are shocked in the premiere episode when special guest Perez Hilton (celebrity blogger) reveals their first challenge is to undergo makeovers.
••”Billy the Exterminator” (9:30 p.m. on A&E): Back for a second season, this series follows Billy Bretherton and his family who make up Vexcon, one of Louisiana’s busiest pest removal companies, as they balance family life with the drama of running a successful business together.
••“Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Taped in May 1987 in Nashville, this concert special includes performances by Chet Atkins, the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.
••”CSI: NY” (9 p.m. on CBS): Eriq La Salle (“ER”) directed this episode in which the CSIs must find the clue to a double homicide involving two young journalists who are investigating a story about gold fraud. Mädchen Amick (“Gossip Girl”) and Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills, 90210″) guest star.
••”First Love, Second Chance” (9 p.m. on TV Land): This new series gives viewers a candid look at former sweethearts – some separated more than 20 years ago – who have a chance to reignite the passion and love they once shared or to see if their break-up was truly meant to be.
••”Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): When Mitch returns home from overseas, Gary tries to help him figure out what he’ll do for a living. Meanwhile, Curtis and Charleen (Niecy Nash, “G-Force”) hire Allison as their wedding planner. Los Angeles Dodger manager Joe Torre guest stars as himself.
••”High Society” (8:30 p.m. on CW and 7:30 p.m. Saturday on KOCB): This new series follows Tinsley Mortimer, New York’s most talked-about “Park Avenue Princess,” as she and her circle of often-controversial friends circulate through New York’s most prestigious black-tie affairs, outrageous parties and fashion exclusives, with never-before-seen access from behind the velvet rope.
••”Jim Gaffigan: Behind the Pale” (8 p.m. on CMT): In this stand-up special, Jim Gaffigan takes a look at American eating habits, religion, holiday traditions and Hot Pockets.
••”The Middle” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Frankie and Mike are excited to discover that Axl has found the perfect girlfriend, Morgan (Alexa Vega, “Spy Kids”), and that he’s in love. But just as they start to get used to his new, sunny outlook on life, Morgan does the unthinkable and breaks up with him, leaving Axl completely heartbroken.
••”Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): After reconnecting on Facebook, Phil invites his old high school girlfriend (Judy Greer, “27 Dresses”) to drop by the house, but this friendly visit quickly turns into trouble.
••”The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): Drew Carey will celebrate his 500th episode of hosting television’s longest-running game show. To celebrate this milestone, every contestant who makes it on stage will receive $500. In addition, all games will have a “500″ theme.
••”Psych” (9 p.m. on USA Network): A killer targets Shawn using scenarios from classic Alfred Hitchcock films. Ally Sheedy (“The Breakfast Club”) guest stars.
••”The Real Housewives of Orange County” (8 p.m. on Bravo): This two-part reunion special, which concludes Wednesday, features new interviews with Housewives Tamra Barney, Alexis Bellino, Lynne Curtin, Vicki Gunvalson and Gretchen Rossi, significant others Jim Bellino, Frank Curtin, Donn Gunvalson and Slade Smiley and a special visit by former Housewife Jeana Keough.
••”Ugly Betty” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Wilhemina tries to prove to Don, an old flame from her past (Brian Stokes Mitchell, “One Last Thing”), that she’s just “Wanda from the block.” Meanwhile, Hilda meets Bobby’s parents for the first time. Lainie Kazan (“My Big Fat Greek Life”) and Nestor Serrano (“24″) also guest star.
••”Yo Gabba Gabba” (9:30 a.m. on Nickelodeon): Anthony Bourdain plays the doctor when Toodee gets sick. Of Montreal performs the original song “Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast!” and Biz Markie is featured in the “Biz’s Beat of the Day” segment.
THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010
••”CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When a young boy is found murdered, the CSI team uncovers evidence that may link his death to an old case that recently resurfaced. Faith Prince (“Huff”) guest stars as high-powered attorney Lynn Stagner, who clashes with Captain Jim Brass.
••“Ed Sullivan’s Rock and Roll Classic” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): This special features classic song performances from 1963 to 1968 that aired on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” It includes full-length musi performances by the Beatles, the Doors, the Rollins Stones and more.
••”Grey’s Anatomy” (7 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”) guest stars.
••“The Marriage Ref” (9 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity panelists Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Ricky Gervais (“The Ricky Gervais Show”) and Madonna (“Evita”) offer their wit, wisdom and unique opinions to couples in marital tiffs.
••“The Office” (8 p.m. on NBC): Michael struggles to please the new boss (Kathy Bates, “The Blindside”). Meanwhile. Dwight makes trouble on Jim’s first day back from paternity leave.
••”Sober House With Dr. Drew” (9 p.m. on VH1): This series chronicles the transitional period beyond the safety of rehab when the real work begins and patients initiate their move back into society. The Season 2 cast includes Tom Sizemore, Heidi Fleiss, Dennis Rodman, Jennifer Ketcham, Seth “Shifty” Binzer, Kendra Jade Rossi, Mike Starr and Kari Ann Peniche.
••”True Crime With Aphrodite Jones” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): In this new series journalist and bestselling author Aphrodite Jones conducts her own investigations into some of the most infamous court cases in American history and gets to the truth behind what drives people to violence. The premiere episode focuses on Scott Peterson, who was convicted of killing his wife, Laci, in San Francisco.
••”The View” (10 a.m. on ABC): Elton John (“Tommy”) will partake in the “Hot Topics” discussion with co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. This marks Sir Elton John’s fifth appearance on “The View” and his first time at the signature “Hot Topics” table.
••”Yo Gabba Gabba” (9:30 a.m. on Nickelodeon): Mos Def plays a superhero; Devo performs their song “Watch Us Work It;” Biz Markie is featured in the “Biz’s Beat of the Day” segment and The Aquabats perform a “Numbers” segment.
FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010
••”Car Toons” (7:55 p.m. on Disney): In this animated short, a routine towing assignment lands Mater in Tokyo where he is challenged to a drift-style race against a nefarious gang leader and his posse of ninjas.
••”Famous Crime Scene” (8 p.m. on VH1): This installment takes an in-depth look at the untimely death of Selena (“Don Juan DeMarco”). Using expert interviews and true-to-life reenactments, viewers will tour virtual crime scenes to learn the science behind the investigators’ findings.
••”Live From Abbey Road” (7 p.m. on Sundance): Musical artists discussing their work and performing at London’s Abbey Road Studios are Fleet Foxes, Manchester Orchestra and P.J. Harvey & John Parish.
••”Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison and Joe’s wedding is revisited, and as they prepare for their big day, she must also cope with the increasing strength of her “gift” and what these glimpses into her possible future could mean for her and her life with Joe. Bruce Gray (“Playmakers”) and Kathy Baker (“Boston Public”) reprise their roles as Joe’s parents.
••”Melissa Peterman: Am I the Only One?” (9 p.m. on CMT): Filmed in Nashville, Melissa Peterman (“The Singing Bee” host) performs her one-woman stand-up comedy show.
••”NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): After Charlie and Amita get married and begin preparations for their London adventure, they put a slight hold on their wedded bliss when they assist the team in helping Don track down the whereabouts of his gun after it goes missing. Lou Diamond Phillips (“SGU: Stargate Universe”) guest stars in the Season 6 finale.
••“Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert” (9:30 p.m. on OETA-13): Minnie Driver (“The Riches”) hosts this variety concert that features stars from the Rounder Records roster. Performers include Steve Martin, Alison Krauss & Union Station and Robert Plant.
••”Supernanny” (8 p.m. on ABC): She’s crisscrossed America in her six seasons as the voice of reason for parents worldwide. Now Supernanny Jo Frost revisits some of her most memorable families in celebration of her 100th episode to find out how they’re doing today.
••”Who Do You Think You Are?” (7 p.m. on NBC): Former Dallas Cowboys football player Emmitt Smith is intrigued by a family rumor that his paternal grandmother, Erma Lee Watson, had white ancestry. As he travels deep into rural Alabama to colonial Virginia and beyond on the trail of Erma’s great grandmother Mariah, Smith uncovers a story more dramatic than he ever could have imagined.
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2010
••”Blue Collar Comedy: Ten Tears of Funny” (8 p.m. on CMT): Jaime Pressly (“My Name is Earl”) hosts this special in which Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy reunite onstage in front of a live audience to tell it like it was. They will recall their favorite moments from Blue Collar tours and recreate their signature finale where they improvise together onstage.
••”CNN Presents: Her Name Was Steven” (7 p.m. on CNN): Steven Stanton had a family and an influential job as City Manager of Largo, Florida. Then the local newspaper revealed the decision he was considering – living life as a woman. This two-hour film follows Stanton’s two-year transition through self-discovery, pain, joy, and challenges.
••”Dinoshark” (8 p.m. on Syfy): A lush Mexico vacation spot is terrorized by a mysterious prehistoric creature no one believes exists, except a young fishing boat captain (Eric Balfour, “24″). To prevent a bloodbath, the captain must stop “Dinoshark” before it invades an inland waterway full of pleasure boats and swimmers.
••“GoGreener” (11:30 a.m. on OETA-13): This hour-long motivational special provides simple, practical ways to become a more mindful consumer and save money.
••”The Guard” (8 p.m. on ION, KOPX): This new series focuses on the lives of an imperfect, offbeat and sometimes, difficult rescue team. Led by Duty Captain Miro Da Silva (Steve Bacic), these heroic Coast Guard rescue specialists put their lives in danger as they dangle from helicopters and plunge into seas in order to rescue those in peril. Off-duty, rough waters still plague the team as they deal with their own personal issues.
••”The Suze Orman Show” (8 p.m. on CNBC): A mom asks Suze Orman to give her son a smack down for his spending, but Orman turns the tables and the mother gets more than she bargained for.
••”True Blue: Ten Years of Blue Collar Comedy” (7 p.m. on CMT): This special chronicles the Blue Collar sensation – its origin, personalities, behind-the-scenes players, successes, set-backs, conflicts and triumphs – and reveals why Blue Collar Comedy has become so popular.
••”Who Is Clark Rockefeller?” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Eric McCormack (“Will & Grace”) stars in this fact-based movie that explores the inconceivable life of a con artist who, for years, called himself Clark Rockefeller and claimed to be a member of the powerful Rockefeller family.Sherry Stringfield (‘‘ER”) also stars.
–Penny TV
Chat live with ‘Southland’ and ‘White Collar’ stars
Want to find out what’s on the mind of
the “Southland” stars? How about the “White Collar” stars?
Ask them during live online chats.
Fans can ask the cast of “Southland” questions beginning at 10 p.m. Tuesday (March 2) by logging on to www.tnt.tv or the Southland Facebook page. Scheduled to take part are stars Kevin Alejandro, Arija Bareikis, Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King, Michael McGrady, Ben McKenzie and Tom Everett Scott.
“White Collar” stars Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay will be available for questions beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday (March 3) by going to http://whitecollar.usanetwork.com.
While “White Collar” is wrapping up its first season (finale will air at 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, on USA Network), “Southland” is beginning its second season (premiere will air at 9 p.m Tuesday, March 2, on TNT).
–Penny TV
