TV Premieres and Finales
airing April 12-18
"Tracey Ullman's State of the Union" (Showtime Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of April 12.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“National Heads-Up Poker Championship,” 11 a.m. Sunday on NBC (fifth-season premiere).
••“Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union,” 9 p.m. Sunday on Showtime (second-season premiere).
••“Closet Cases,” 9 p.m. Monday on Fine Living Network (series premiere).
••“Doing daVinci,” 9 p.m. Monday on Discovery (series premiere).
••“Escaped,” 9 p.m. Monday on Investigation Discovery (series premiere).
••“College Life,” 9:30 p.m. Monday on MTV (series premiere).
••“Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Travel Channel (third-season premiere).
••“Deadliest Catch,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on Discovery (fifth-season premiere).
••“Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Discovery (series premiere).
••“Cougar,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TV Land (series premiere).
••“10 Grand in Your Hand,” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on DIY Network (series premiere).
••“Pitchmen,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Discovery (series premiere).
••“Around the World for Free,” 8 p.m. Thursday on WGN (series premiere).
••“Stranger Among Bears,” 9 p.m. Friday on Animal Planet (series premiere).
••“Cultivating Life With Sean Conway,” 11:30 a.m. Saturday on WGN (fourth-season premiere).
••“Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” 9:30 a.m. Saturday on Food Network (second-season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“Rock of Love Bus With Bret Michaels,” 8 p.m. Sunday on VH1 (third-season finale).
••“Saving Grace,” 9 p.m. Monday on TNT (second-season finale).
••“The Beast,” 9 p.m. Thursday on A&E (first-season finale).
Top 55 TV Programs for
April 12-18, 2009
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of April 12:
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
◊The 17th Annual Trumpet Awards (7 p.m. on TV One): Anthony Anderson (”Law & Order”) and Sherri Shepherd (”The View”) co-host the event honoring black achievement in fields such as law, religion, politics, public service, sports and entertainment. This year’s honorees include Raven-Symonè (”That’s So Raven”), Earvin “Magic” Johnson (former NBA player) and Pastor Paula White.
◊“Bear Attack!” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In a six-week time period, three people were mauled by a bear near Anchorage, and many more Alaskans have had dangerously close bear encounters. Using forensics, technology, and even DNA analysis, researchers launch an investigation into these incidents.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): Series star Danny Pino (Scotty Valens) co-wrote this episode in which the team investigates the murder of a former Cuban baseball star who escaped to the U.S. to provide for his family after the Cuban government fired him for talking to a U.S. sports agent.
◊“Dirty Jobs” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Host Mike Rowe travels to Big Lake, Alaska, and pays a visit to Happy Trails Kennels to discover what it takes to breed and train Alaskan Huskies for sled dog work. He takes on the daily task of cleaning the dogs’ living area and feeding them with a special blend of ground meat and hot water. He then hits the trail to learn the art of sled dog mushing.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The team fulfills the dying wish of a father who wanted to provide a safe home for his wife and their special-needs children adopted from China. Gammy-winning singer Stevie Wonder performs a private concert for the family at their new home.
◊“Kings” (7 p.m. on NBC): Judgment Day arrives and David fights to get his brother’s case heard before King Silas. Macaulay Culkin (“Party Monster”) guest stars as the king and queen’s nephew, who returns to the kingdom after years in exile.
◊“National Heads-Up Poker Championship” (11 a.m. on NBC): The fifth annual event, which was taped at the Caesars Palace Poker Room March-6-8, features 64 top poker players competing in a series of heads-up (one-on-one games of No Limit Texas Hold’em) matches to determine the best heads-up poker player in the world. Annie Duke (”The Celebrity Apprentice”) and Brad Garrett (”Everybody Loves Raymond”) are paired off in the tournament’s first round.
◊“Rock of Love Bus With Bret Michaels” (8 p.m. on VH1): It’s down to the final two women on the season finale. Each will let their guard down and open their hearts to Bret during some romantic time in the Dominican Republic.
◊“Sonny With Chance” (7 p.m. on Disney): Sonny is asked on a date by suave “MacKenzie Falls” guest star James Conroy (Kelly Blatz, “Aaron Stone”), who also happens to be Tawni’s ex-boyfriend. Once James reveals his true colors, Sonny and Tawni enlist Chad to help turn the tables on James.
◊“Storm Stories” (7 p.m. on The Weather Channel): An unrelenting spate of thunderstorms blankets the majestic Havasupai region of the Grand Canyon for three days last August. As Brian Codde and eight of his friends sleep at their campsite, waters rise from a flooded dam. They are at grave risk of being swept over the nearby 200 ft waterfall, or being trapped in a deep canyon with no way out.
◊“Witch Hunt” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): Sean Penn (”Milk”) narrates this documentary film that tells the story of dozens of parents in Bakersfield, Calif., who were falsely accused and convicted of child molestation in 1984. Almost all of the children now say they were coerced to lie about their parents. Subsequently, their parents served anywhere from six to twenty years in prison, with the last person acquitted in 2004.
◊“World’s Funniest Office Commercials” (7 p.m. on TBS): Mike O’Malley (”Yes, Dear”) hosts this new special that highlights the best workplace ads. Among the office mayhem featured are Bud Light’s “Swear Jar” (United States), Cadbury’s “Reply All” (Canada) and Mikado’s “Copier” (France).
MONDAY, APRIL 13
◊“24″ (8 p.m. on Fox): Jack Bauer endures the elements and fights on to prevent an attack that could change the country forever. Kim Bauer (Elisha Cuthbert, (“Are You Afraid of the Dark?”), who was last seen in Season 5, returns.
◊“American Experience” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Benjamin Bratt (”The Cleaner”) narrates the five-part installment “We Shall Remain” that spans some 300 years to chronicle key moments in American history from an American Indian perspective. A companion OETA documentary focusing on Oklahoma’s native history is scheduled to premiere in May.
◊“Artic Roughnecks” (8 p.m. on Discovery): This special focuses on Alaska’s all-terrain vehicle, the CATCO, and the hardworking crew as they brave blizzards, white-out conditions and extreme temperatures to deliver fuel, freight and equipment in the farthest reaches of the Alaskan North.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): After Chuck’s father (Scott Bakula, “Quantum Leap”) is kidnapped by Fulcrum, Chuck learns the only chance he has to find him is by putting his trust into the hands of his ex-girlfriend (Jordana Brewster, “The Fast and the Furious”).
◊“Closet Cases” (9 p.m. on Fine Living Network): In this new series, “Style Guy” spokesperson Lloyd Boston will lend practical fashion advice to the wardrobe challenged, helping both men and women revitalize their closets to help them rediscover their most stylish selves. He will explain how to shop smart, combine outfits and do more with less.
◊“College Life” (9:30 p.m. on MTV): This new series follows students as a Big Ten University in Madison, Wisc., as they embark on their freshman year of school and document their stories with a video camera in hand.
◊“Confessions of a Superhero” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new documentary chronicles the lives of three mortal men and one woman who make their living working as superhero characters on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard.
◊“CSI: Miami” (9 p.m. on CBS): A murder case involving extreme plastic surgery leads Horatio to Ron Saris, who is alive and seeking revenge on Julia (Elizabeth Berkley, “The L Word”).
◊“Doing daVinci” (9 p.m. on Discovery): This new series puts a modern twist on the classics, taking viewers through the build process to determine whether Leonardo daVinci’s designs can be constructed to function as he had envisioned. Using materials only available in daVinci’s time, the team works each week to construct his inventions — from a futuristic armored tank to a towering three-story siege ladder to a scythe chariot -– to determine how realistic each design really is.
◊“Escaped” (9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery): This new series tells the stories of ordinary people who have escaped from extraordinary circumstances. The series premiere focuses on a woman held captive in a killer’s cellar for months.
◊“Greek” (7 p.m. on ABC Family): When Casey discovers that Cappie is taking the same women’s studies class — taught by Professor Freeman (Janeane Garofalo, “24″) — she knows that it will complicate her relationship with Max. So she enlists the help of her new professor to help Max and Cappie get along.
◊“Nightly Business Report” (6 p.m. on OETA-13): The news program kicks off a three-part series titled “Native American Entrepreneurs” that explores the growing role American Indians are playing in the country’s commerce. Today’s installment focuses on Dave Anderson, the founder of Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Bar-B-Q Restaurants and the Rainforest Cafe restaurant chains. The final installment on April 20 profiles the Oklahoma City-based Bank2, which is owned by the Chickasaw Tribe.
◊“Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): When Timmy (Adhir Kalayan, “Aliens in America”) grows tired of dealing with Russell’s demeaning demands and Audrey has had it with her terrible assistant, the two find a possible solution in working together.
◊“Saving Grace” (9 p.m. on TNT): In the Season 2 finale, Leon Cooley’s execution date arrives. Grace, who has discovered that Leon once helped her sister and was invited to a family birthday party, struggles with whether or not to lend a hand towards stopping the execution.
TUESDAY, APRIL 14
◊“400 Years of the Telescope” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The new special takes viewers on a journey from 1609, when Galileo revealed mankind’s place in the galaxy, to today’s quests to discover new worlds in the infinite universe.
◊“90210″ (8 p.m. on CW): On March 14, the “90210″ cast helped Habitat for Humanity raise the walls of its 100th house in Pacoima, CA. In today’s episode, the students of West Beverly use their spring break vacation as an opportunity to build a home with Habitat for Humanity. Tori Spelling (”Beverly Hills, 90210″) returns as Donna Martin.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Fashion guru Tim Gunn (“Project Runway”) helps the final seven contestants look their best after everyone gets salon makeovers from guest hair stylist Tabatha Coffey (”Tabatha’s Salon Takeover”).
◊“Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern” (9 p.m. on Travel Channel): Season 3 presents renowned chef and food writer Andrew Zimmern with some of the most bizarre cuisine he has yet to come across, including squirrel brain, iguana eggs, shark head, boa constrictor, turtle intestines, blood soup, juicy cheese worms and garlic ice cream.
◊“Cupid” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): A bullied teenager wants Trevor’s help in matchmaking his mom with his boxing instructor (Lee Tergesen, “Life on Mars”), who also happens to be the boy’s sperm donor father. Julie Hagerty (”Airplane”) guest stars.
◊“Deadliest Catch” (8 p.m. on Discovery): The seas are rougher, the stakes are higher and the intensity has never been stronger when the 2008 King crab season opens. Captains Sig Hansen (Northwestern), Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand (Time Bandit), Phil Harris (Cornelia Marie) and Keith Colburn (Wizard) are all back for another season of crab fishing.
◊“Live With Regis and Kelly” (9 a.m. on KWTV-9): Former “Live With Regis and Kathie Lee” host Kathie Lee Gifford returns to the show to talk about her new memoir, “Just When I Thought I’d Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities.”
◊“Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment” (9 p.m. on Discovery): In September 2008, nine amateur hikers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts put their lives on hold to tackle the challenge of a lifetime. After a three-day crash course in basic survival skills, they were flown to Ttsusena Lake in the rugged Alaskan interior and given the first piece of a rudimentary map, a compass and a few basic tools and told to hike to civilization.
◊“WCG Ultimate Gamer” (9 p.m. on SCI FI): In addition to controlling players in the video game “NBA Live 09,” the remaining contestants take part in a slam-dunk competition being judged by Spud Webb (former NBA player) and Lisa Leslie (WNBA player).
◊“Without a Trace” (9:01 p.m. on CBS): The team tries to locate the son of a billionaire who disappears after piloting a small plane that crashes in the woods. Vanessa Marcil (”Vegas”) returns as Kim Marcus.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
◊“10 Grand in Your Hand” (8:30 p.m. on DIY Network): In this new series, licensed contractor and host John DeSilvia helps budget-conscious homeowners make their renovation dreams a reality and save up to $10,000 per project. With a wealth of expert advice and cost-cutting tips, he takes the fear out of home improvement, giving homeowners the confidence to forego hired help and pick up the hammer and nail.
◊“America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m. on CW): The remaining girls freak when Grammy Award-winning recording artist Ciara shows up at their apartment to offer some words of advice. The girls then join Ciara on the musical stage for a photo shoot.
◊“The Cougar” (9 p.m. on TV Land): Vivica A. Fox (”Missing”) hosts this new series that follows Stacey Anderson, 40, as she searches for love among a pool of 20 eligible twenty-something men.
◊“Great Performances at the Met” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Russian superstar soprano Anna Netrebko headlines a production of ‘‘Lucia di Lammermoor,” Donizetti’s 1834 opera about an ill-fated Scottish lass who is forced into an arranged marriage, then kills her bridegroom and goes gloriously bananas in one of the most famous mad scenes in all of opera.
The Second Annual A-List Awards (9 p.m. on Bravo): Kathy Griffin (“My Life on the D-List”) hosts the event celebrating the best in food, fashion, beauty, design and pop culture. Scheduled to appear are Neil Patrick Harris (”How I Met Your Mother”), Paris Hilton (”The Simple Life”), Emily Procter (”CSI: Miami”), Laurel Holloman (”The L Word”), Niecy Nash (”Reno 911!”) and Cat Cora (”Iron Chef America”).
◊“Pitchmen” (9 p.m. on Discovery): This new series introduces viewers to the dreamers, tinkerers and inventors who believe they have created the next must-have product. If these everyday geniuses can enlist the help of pitchmen Anthony “Sully” Sullivan and Billy Mays to sell their goods, they may stand a chance of turning their products into household names.
◊“Mythbusters” (8 p.m. on Discovery): The MythBusters team heads north to test some Alaskan myths, including whether it can get so cold that your urine freezes before it hits the ground and whether a golf ball will go further if you tee-off on a frozen lake.
◊“True Hollywood Story: LL Cool J” (9 p.m. on E!): Offered a recording contract while still in high school, LL quickly shot to the top of the rap game. This installment tells the story of the hip hop artist through new interviews and never-before-seen footage.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
◊“Alaska: Most Extreme” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Everything is extreme in Alaska: the weather and climate that make each day a new and often menacing adventure; the ways in which many Alaskans earn a living; and the basic skills that everyone must learn and know simply to survive in this harsh environment.
◊“Around the World for Free” (8 p.m. on WGN): Alex Boylan, winner of “The Amazing Race 2,” attempts to circumnavigate the globe without a penny in his pocket and with only a backpack and the help of the online community. The series was filmed in 16 countries over 159 days.
◊“The Beast” (9 p.m. on A&E): The case that haunted Barker for his entire career resurfaces and all the pieces finally come together in the Season 1 finale.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): When Sweets asks Dr. Gordon Wyatt (Stephen Fry, “Kingdom”) for input on the book he’s writing about Booth and Brennan, Dr. Wyatt lends Sweets an interesting perspective on the pair’s unique relationship.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When Hodges and Wendy run into each other at a science fiction convention for one of their favorite classic television shows, they end up investigating the murder of one of their beloved actors. Kate Vernon (”Battlestar Galactica”) guest stars as Dr. Penelope Russell.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): The admission of a death row inmate to Seattle Grace divides Derek, Meredith and Cristina. Jessica Capshaw (”The Practice”) and Eric Stoltz (”Mask”) guest star.
◊“The Price is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): Former host Bob Barker returns to the game show that made him famous to promote his new autobiography, “Priceless Memories.” Barker will participate in the Showcase Showdowns and will give the book away to everyone in the audience.
◊“Samantha Who?” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): While with her parents in Vegas attending a real estate seminar, Samantha loses a huge sum of money at the craps table and finds herself in debt to the casino. But a chance meeting with her ex-boss, billionaire Winston Funk (Billy Zane, “Titanic”), could be the answer to her financial trouble.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Charlie Chaplin was born on this day in 1889, and TCM celebrates the occasion by airing 11 of his films, including 1923’s “A Woman of Paris” (9 a.m.), 1940’s “The Great Dictator” (1:15 p.m.) and 1959’s “The Chaplin Revue” (5 p.m.).
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
◊“Hannah Montana” (6:30 p.m. on Disney): When Miley returns home after finishing work on her new movie, she discovers that Lilly and Oliver are dating, and soon they put her in the middle of an argument and ask her to choose sides. Meanwhile, Jackson pretends to be a philanthropist to impress a college recruiter (Cheryl Hines, “In the Motherhood”).
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): Don and his team are called in to help a veteran FBI agent track down a con man who has eluded him for years. Henry Winkler (”Happy Days”) and Nora Dunn (”Saturday Night Live”) guest star.
◊“Prison Break” (8 p.m. on Fox): Michael and Sarah learn the dangers of hitchhiking as they make their way to Miami, and Lincoln meets with Christina who informs him of her plans to take over the Company.
◊“Untamed Alaska” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Predators such as the grizzly bear and gray wolf roam over 50 million acres of Alaskan wilderness. Temperatures drop to 100 degrees below and the coastline is battered by freezing storms and giant waves. “Caught-on-tape” footage and interviews with eye witnesses showcase this perilous world.
◊“SpongeBob SquarePants” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): SpongeBob and his friends search for Jack Kahuna Laguna (voiced by Johnny Depp, “Pirates of the Caribbean”) to teach them the gnarly surf moves to hit the elusive wave.
◊“Stranger Among Bears” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): For more than 20 years, Charlie Vandergaw has been living with wild bears in the Alaskan wilderness. For the first time, Charlie has allowed cameras to capture an entire season at “Bear Haven.”
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: William Holden was born on this day in 1918, and TCM celebrates the occasion by airing seven of his films, including 1950’s “Sunset Boulevard” (7 a.m.), 1955’s “Picnic” (12:45 p.m.) and 1968’s “The Devil’s Brigade” (4:45 p.m.).
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
◊“Cultivating Life With Sean Conway” (11:30 a.m. on WGN): Demonstrating easy-to-do projects and inspiring ideas, host Sean Conway explores trends and provides simple solutions and timely ideas for outdoor living, cooking, gardening, and entertaining.
◊“Flying By” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): A real estate developer (Billy Ray Cyrus, “Doc”) goes to his 25th high school reunion and finds his old teenage band playing. They get him on stage for a couple of songs and convince him to come to rehearsal.
◊“Grey Gardens” (7 p.m. on HBO): Inspired by a 1975 documentary, this TV movie spans 40 years as it chronicles the relationship between ‘‘Big Edie” and ‘‘Little Edie” Bouvier Beale (Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore), who were related to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Tulsa-born actress Jeanne Tripplehorn) yet spiraled from high society to living in squalor in a decaying Hamptons mansion.
◊“Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” (9:30 a.m. on Food Network): Anne Burrell prepares some of her favorite dishes, transforming basic ingredients into restaurant-worthy stars. In the season premiere, she shares her techniques for a rich and silky spaghetti carbonara.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Baylor in college softball action airing live at 1 p.m. on FSOK.
–Penny TV
TV Talk: Dec. 21-27
The Oklahoman’s TV Talk personalities Penny Soldan and Heather Warlick tape a weekly video for Newsok.tv that highlights upcoming TV programs worth watching.
They’re not fast talkers, but just in case you didn’t catch all the information for a show of interest, here is their script for the week of Dec. 21:
P: Hi, I’m Penny Soldan, this is Heather Warlick and this is TV Talk, The Oklahoman’s weekly countdown of the Top 10 programs worth watching — or at least setting the DVR or VCR for.
H: Our No. 10 pick is worth watching over and over, and you can do just that during 24-hour marathon of “A Christmas Story” which kicks off an 7 p.m. Wednesday on TBS. The 1983 holiday classic is based on the writings of Jean Shepherd, who also narrates the movie.
P: If multiple viewings of the same movie aren’t your thing, check out No. 9 on our list. It is “Yule Log: The Golden Age of Christmas” that begins at 8 p.m. on WGN. Viewers can listen to nine hours of classic radio programs while watching the Yule log burn.
H: Just in case our first two suggestions don’t excite you, No. 8 surely will. It is “The Funniest Commercials of the Year 2008” that will air at 8 p.m. Tuesday on TBS. Kevin Nealon hosts the fourth annual event that will feature 50 commercials that you won’t want to fast-forward through.
P: In keeping with our unconventional picks, No. 7 is “Christmas on Mars.” This holiday film from the Oklahoma-based art-rock group The Flaming Lips makes its world television premiere at 11 p.m. Wednesday on Sundance.
H: Fans of Regis Philbin will be pleased to know that No. 6 is the second season of “Million Dollar Password.” Rege returns to host the modern update of the classic game show at 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS. Celebrity players for the season premiere are William Shatner from “Boston Legal” and Aisha Tyler from “Ghost Whisperer.”
P: No. 5 are five guest stars making appearance on four primetime shows. Two of them, Adrienne Barbeau from ‘Maude” and Lee Majors from “The Six Million Dollar Man,” will be on “Cold Case” at 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
H: The others are singer James Taylor on “Spectacle” at 8 p.m. Wednesday on Sundance, “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” host Wayne Brady on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” at 7 p.m. Friday on Fox and Penny Marshall from “Laverne & Shirley” on “The Game” at 8:30 p.m. Friday on CW.
P: Now let us turn to more serious offerings, beginning with No. 4 which is “Jesus in India.” This new documentary premiering at 8 p.m. Monday on Sundance explores questions surrounding Jesus’ whereabouts from the ages of 12 to 30.
H: No. 3 is the “A Home for the Holidays With Faith Hill” airing at 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS. The country singer will host the 10th annual special that advocates adoption. Presenting stories about foster care adoption will be Patricia Heaton from “Everybody Loves Raymond” and Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth from “Pushing Daisies,” who herself is adopted.
P: “A Kiss at Midnight” is No. 2 and premieres at 8 p.m. Saturday on the Hallmark Channel. Faith Ford from “Murphy Brown” stars in this new romantic comedy about a matchmaker who finds herself competing for business against a computer program.
H: And No. 1, if you don’t count the University of Oklahoma men’s basketball game airing live at 7 p.m. Monday on FSOK, is “The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade.”
P: The 25th anniversary of Disney’s Christmas Day Parade will air from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday on ABC. Hosting the festivities are Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest.
H: One of the Parade performers is “American Idol” winner David Cook from Tulsa, who will put his spin on a holiday classic. Other performers include Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers.
P: That’s a wrap for this week. For even more TV choices, consult TV Week in Sunday’s Oklahoman or go online to newsok.com/tv. For TV Talk, I’m Penny, this is Heather, thanks for your time.
Program Planner: Dec. 21-27
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Dec. 21:
SUNDAY, DEC. 21
◊“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (6 p.m. on ABC): Holiday-themed clips include a montage of Santa mishaps (26 Santa falls in 35 seconds) and a boy who loses some loose teeth when he tries to open gift wrapping with his mouth.
◊“A Christmas Proposal” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Nicole Eggert (”Baywatch”) and Tom Arnold (”Roseanne”) star in this 2008 holiday film about an attorney who will do whatever it takes to stop the demolition of the small ski town of Fillmore.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Host Ty Pennington and his crew rescue an animal-loving Wyoming family from their toxic home filled with life-threatening radon gases. Pro soccer player David Beckham presents a soccer scholarship to a member of the family, and singer Wynonna performs for the volunteers.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8 p.m. on ABC): The Jonas Brothers (“Living the Dream”) and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo make an appearance in the “Akers Family” episode. Two of the Akers girls were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, and the “Home” crew builds a more accessible home for them.
◊“Million Dollar Password” (7 p.m. on CBS): The modern update of the classic game show returns for a second season with Regis Philbin as host. William Shatner (”Boston Legal”) and Aisha Tyler (”Ghost Whisperer”) are the celebrity players in the season premiere.
◊“Skins” (9 p.m. on BBC America): In the first-season finale, it’s the day of gang’s exam results and Chris’s funeral. They have all made a pact not to look at their grades until after they’ve said goodbye to Chris.
MONDAY, DEC. 22
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The special edition “Roadshow Remembers” celebrates the best appraisals of the show’s first decade, including a collection of original Franki Lloyd Wright sketches and planning documents valued between $100,000 and $125,000.
◊“Christmas at Luther: Night of Glory, Dawn of Peace” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The symphony orchestra, hand bell choir and Christmas Brass and Percussion Ensemble from Luther College in Iowa perform holiday favorites in this annual holiday concert.
◊“Forbes’ Celebrity 100 2008: Who Made Bank” (9:30 p.m. on E!): Forbes Magazine picks its top 100 stars, ranking them according to income, web hits and pop culture popularity in the year ending June 2008.
◊“The Hills” (9 p.m. on MTV): When Lauren and Heidi have a run-in, they put their feud aside and remember why they used to be friends on the fourth-season finale. It is followed by a live “after show” featuring a performance by The Pussycat Dolls.
◊“Jesus in India” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new documentary explores questions surrounding Jesus’ whereabouts from the ages of 12 to 30. It also delves into the legend that Jesus survived the crucifixion and secretly returned to India, where he lived out his days.
◊“The Life a House Built: The 25th Anniversary of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): This new documentary celebrates the quarter century that the former president and his wife have spent working with Habitat for Humanity, which uses volunteer labor from the community to build homes for the needy.
◊“Momma’s Boys” (8 p.m. on NBC): Dana White, Ultimate Fighting Championship president, and some of the UFC’s top trainers and fighters put the 32 women through a demanding challenge as the Moms look on to determine which of the young women are the best mates for their sons.
◊“Prison Break” (8 p.m. on Fox): In the show’s fall finale, Lincoln and his new partners arrive in Miami to recover Scylla from its shocking new owner, and Sarah searches for a missing Michael, who learns some surprising information about his past.
◊“UFC 92 Countdown” (10 p.m. on SPIKE): This special provides a glimpse into the preparation and training camps of the fighters set to headline the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Rice in men’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on FSOK.
TUESDAY, DEC. 23
◊10th Annual A Home for the Holidays With Faith Hill (7 p.m. on CBS): The country singer will host the latest edition of the annual special that advocates adoption. Other performers include Melissa Etheridge, Jamie Foxx and Tim McGraw. Presenting stories about foster care adoption will be Kristin Chenoweth (“Pushing Daisies”), Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) and Martin Short (“Saturday Night Live”).
◊“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m. on ABC): The original 1966 animated special featuring Boris Karloff as the narrator and The Grinch, will air with additional footage from a “making of” documentary. Among those interviewed for the documentary was Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel.
◊“Frank TV” (10 p.m. on TBS): Impressionist Frank Caliendo spoofs Donald Trump taking over Tom Hanks’ role in Forrest Gump, William Shatner trying to weasel his way into the new “Star Trek” movie and Jack Nicholson following up his sorority pillow-fight workout video with a sorority pillow-fight kit.
◊“Funniest Commercials of the Year: 2008″ (8 p.m. on TBS): Kevin Nealon (”Weeds”) returns as host for the fourth annual event that features up to 50 spots, 10 of which were voted as the year’s best commercials.
◊“Independent Lens” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): “Grey Gardens: From East Hampton to Broadway” traces the impact of the lives of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, “Little Edie,” on art, fashion and popular culture.
◊“Rediscovered” (8 p.m. on ABC): The producers of this new special went through decades of audition tapes from young hopefuls and brought five of them, now grown, to Los Angeles for another chance to show their stuff. Donny and Marie Osmond host the special, which also has clips from the very early work of Britney Spears and others who did make it big.
◊“ABC’s The List” (9 p.m. on ABC): Australia’s popular TV personality Rove Hough will host this new special that will take viewers on a funny, informative and provocative countdown through everything that’s happening in the world of entertainment and pop culture.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24
◊“A Christmas Story” (7 p.m. on TBS): This 1983 comedy will air nonstop for the next 24 hours. Peter Billingsley stars as Ralphie, whose desire for a Red Ryder BB gun leads to hilarious complications. It is based on the writings of Jean Shepherd, who also narrates the movie.
◊“Christmas on Mars” (11 p.m. on Sundance): This unconventional holiday film from the Oklahoma-based art-rock group The Flaming Lips makes its world television premiere. The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne directed the film with Bradley Beesley and George Salisbury and wrote the screenplay.
◊“Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The King’s Singers, England’s premier vocal choral ensemble, join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra for a Christmas celebration.
◊“It’s a Wonderful Life” (7 p.m. on NBC): This 1946 holiday classic stars James Stewart as the financially ruined family man who wants to end it all … until an apprentice angel (Henry Travers) shows him how much worse off the world would be without him.
◊“Yule Log: The Golden Age of Christmas” (8 p.m. on WGN): Listen to nine hours of classic radio programs while watching the flames burn on the Yule Long hearth. Among the radio versions of classic Christmas programs are “Burns & Allen,” “Fibber McGee & Molly” and “The Great Gildersleeve.”
THURSDAY, DEC. 25
◊“2 Movie Guys Holiday Countdown Spectacular” (6:30 p.m. on KFOR-4, 9 p.m. on KAUT-43): Ryan and Lucas host a half-hour holiday special featuring appearances by Oklahoma celebrities, including the All American Rejects, the OKC Thunder Girls, Count Gregore, Jason White, Bart Connor and Nadia Comaneci.
◊“Hallmark Heroes With Regis Philbin” (7 p.m. on Hallmark): This new special honors ordinary people with extraordinary hearts. Jane Seymour (“Dear Prudence”) is also recognized for her effort on behalf of the Measles Initiative of the American Red Cross.
◊“Heroes at Home” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): In this special, six veterans of the war in Iraq — five men and one woman — share their experiences. All were injured in the line of duty and are struggling to put their lives back together and care for their families.
◊“The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on CBS): A repeat of the show’s 2007 Christmas episode.
◊“Supernatural” (8 p.m. on CW): It’s Christmas time, and Sam and Dean investigate a series of murders where the victims were pulled up through the chimney.
◊“Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” (9 a.m. on ABC): Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa (”Live With Regis and Kelly”) co-host the festivities from Orlando, Fla., while Ryan Seacrest (”American Idol”) handles the duties at Disney World’s Calfornia counterpart. Scheduled performers during the 25th annual parade are Miley Cyrus (”Hannah Montana”), Tulsa resident David Cook (”American Idol”) and the Jonas Brothers (”Camp Rock”).
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Humphrey Bogart was born on this day in 1899, and TCM celebrates by airing five of his films, including 1942’s “Casablanca” (7 p.m.) and 1941’s “The Maltese Falcon” (11 p.m.).
FRIDAY, DEC. 26
◊“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (7 p.m. on Fox): A bank teller who can’t pass the class gets a second chance at cash when “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” host Wayne Brady invites her to carry a tune and sing for money on this speciall crossover edition.
◊“CMT Online Awards 2008″ (2:30 p.m. on CMT): Kellie Pickler (”American Idol”) hosts the third annual event. The winner in each category received the highest number of streams, clicks and views on www.CMT.com. Presenters include Jessica Simpson (”The Dukes of Hazzard”), Larry the Cable Guy (”Witless Protection”) and Hulk Hogan (”American Gladiators”).
◊“E! Special: Jennifer Aniston” (8 p.m. on E!): A profile of the former “Friends” star who has appeared in a string of blockbuster movies.
◊“Ghost Whisperer” (7 p.m. on CBS): A ghost who believes he is Santa Claus (Gordon Clapp, “NYPD Blue”) has lost touch with the true meaning of Christmas, and it is up to Melinda to help him discover the true gift of giving.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): Charlie works to find an extremely rare comic that was stolen during a deadly robbery at a comic book convention Christopher Lloyd (”Taxi”) guest stars.
SATURDAY, DEC. 27
◊“30 Minute Meals” (9 a.m. on Food Network): Host Rachael Ray whips up a quick and casual New Year’s Eve meal. She starts with steakhouse sliders with a side of mini steak fries. As a side, she makes a gorgonzola spinich artichoke dip.
◊“CMT Top 20 Countdown of the Year” (10 a.m. on CMT): Host Lance Smith counts down the year’s best country music videos. Contenders include Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift.
◊“A Kiss at Midnight” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Faith Ford (”Murphy Brown”) and Dyan Cannon (”Heaven Can Wait”) star in this new romantic comedy about a personal matchmaker who finds herself competing for business against a computer program, while she struggles with her own emotions.
–Penny TV
Program Planner: Nov. 23-29
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Nov. 23:
SUNDAY, NOV. 23
◊2008 American Music Awards (7 p.m. on ABC): Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returns as host of the 35th annual event. Top nominees are Alicia Keys (5), Coldplay (4), The Eagles (4). Nominees with Oklahoma ties are Garth Brooks (favorite male artist, favorite album), Reba McEntire (favorite female artist), Carrie Underwood (favorite female artist, favorite album), Brooks & Dunn (favorite band, duo or group), Rascal Flatts (favorite band, duo or group, favorite album).
◊“24: Redemption” (7 p.m. on Fox): Here’s a two-hour prequel to the events of Season 7 (scheduled to begin January 11 and 12). Counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is in South Africa dealing with an international crisis as the United States prepares to inaugurate a new president, Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones).
◊“Al Roker Reporting: Armed in America” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): Al Roker (“Today”) teams up with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to find out how this federal agency is working to eliminate gun crimes in the United States.
◊“A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): Stephen Colbert (“The Colbert Report”) hosts this holiday special featuring musical guests Toby Keith, Feist, John Legend, Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello, along with former “Daily Show” colleague Jon Stewart.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): Lilly and the team re-open the 1953 case of a pin-up girl when a fan’s crime scene photo provides new evidence in the case. Tania Raymonde (”Lost”) joins the cast as Frankie Rafferty, a smart and feisty lab technician.
◊“Masterpiece Special: The Unseen Alistair Cooke” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): To mark the centenary of Alistair Cooke’s birth in 2008, this documentary traces the brodcaster’s life using his own words, comments from those who knew him and his own home movies dating back to the 1930s.
◊“True Blood” (8 p.m. on HBO): In the first-season finale, Sookie finds a link to the murders in Bon Temps and lands in the killer’s sights. Bill makes a risky move to save her.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7:30 p.m. on Disney): While attending PopCon, Alex reveals to her best friend, Harper, that she and her brothers are wizards-in-training. Lee Meriwether (”Batman”) guest stars as a TV Battle Diva attending the comic book convention.
MONDAY, NOV. 24
◊“The Rape of Europa” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Joan Allen (“The Contender”) narrates this new documentary that chronicles the efforts of scholars, governments and others to locate the millions of pieces of art stolen by Germany’s Third Reich during World War II.
◊“Samantha Who?” (8:32 p.m. on ABC): Sam’s decision to invite boyfriend Owen (James Tupper, “Men in Trees”) for dinner to meet her parents turns into a disaster when Owen’s philosophy about chicken farms rubs chicken farm owner Howard the wrong way.
◊Steven Seagal movie marathon (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on SPIKE): See the action movie actor, who is a 7th-dan black belt in aikido, in four back-to-back films: 2005’s “Today You Die” (8 a.m.), 2007’s “Urban Justice” (10 a.m.), 2003’s “Out for a Kill” (noon) and 2003’s “Belly of the Beast” (2 p.m.).
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Jake disappears with the daughter of Charlie’s neighbor, and Charlie is left to cover his back. Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Green Mile”) guest stars.
TUESDAY, NOV. 25
◊“The Biggest Loser 6” (7 p.m. on NBC): Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito (“Dancing With the Stars”) helps the contestants make a healthy version of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
◊“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (7 p.m. on ABC): This classic Peanuts special from 1973 signals the start of the holiday season. It will be followed by another Peanuts cartoon, “This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers.”
◊“Dancing With the Stars” (8 p.m. on ABC)(ABC Photo above features “Dancing With the Stars” contestants Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson): The winner of the seventh season is announced. All the eliminated celebrities return for one last spin across the floor.
◊“Frontline” (9 p.m. on OETA-13): The new report “The Hugo Chavez Show” profiles Venezuela’s controversial and outspoken president and the revolution he claims is turning his country into an anti-capitalist beacon for Latin America.
◊“House” (7 p.m. on Fox): Dr. House and Thirteen are taken hostage by a man willing to kill for a diagnosis. Zeljko Ivanek (“Damages”)guest stars.
◊“NCIS” (7 p.m. on CBS): The team must relay on information from some questionable individuals to stop a criminal bent on stealing government secrets. David Eigenberg (“Sex and the City”) guest stars.
◊“The Real Housewives of Orange County” (9 p.m. on Bravo): Tamra Barney, Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough and Lauri Peterson return for a fourth season that is laced with searing emotion and high drama. Posing an immediate threat is Gretchen Rossi, a new housewife on the block.
◊“The Shield” (9 p.m. on FX): In the series finale, the Barn looks into a woman’s disappearance and the arrival of a major drug shipment.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Ricardo Montalban was born on this day in 1920, and TCM celebrates by airing four of his films, including 1949’s “Neptune’s Daughter” (7 a.m.) and 1952’s “My Man and I” (10:30 a.m.).
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26
◊“The 2008 World Magic Awards” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”) hosts the event that honors today’s best magicians. Scheduled to perform are Lance Burton and The Amazing Jonathan.
◊“Dirty Sexy Money” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): While the Darlings are away for Thanksgiving, Clark the chauffeur offers his version of various Darling family rumors to a persistent reporter. Donna Mills (“Knots Landing”) guest stars.
◊“Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): Allison wants the family to celebrate Thanksgiving at her house, but Gary insists on holding the feast at his place. Jane Curtin (“Kate and Allie”) and Martin Mull (”Roseanne”) guest star as Allison’s parents.
◊“Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): In the second hour of the miniseries’ finale, Queen Elizabeth II’s children, grandchildren and other relatives talk about their lives and roles in the “family business.”
◊“Private Practice” (8 p.m. on ABC): Addison receives a surprise visit from her brother (Grant Show, “Melrose Place”). His presence not only causes trouble for Addison, but for Naomi and Sam, as well.
◊“Rosie Live” (8 p.m. on NBC): Emmy winner Rosie O’Donnell (“The Rosie O’Donnel Show”) returns to television with a live variety special showcasing a wide array of celebrity guests, musical acts, comedy skits and a giant giveaway for both the in-studio and home audiences.
◊“That Moment! With Jake Steinfeld” (7 p.m. on WGN): Jake Steinfeld, motivational coach, bestselling author, fitness expert and founder of Major League Lacrosse and ExerciseTV, interviews Harrison Ford (“Indiana Jones” movies), Pastor Joel Osteen and The Jonas Brothers.
◊“Top Chef” (9 p.m. on Bravo): The contestants join the Grammy winning rock Band Foo Fighters for a tour stop in Rochester, NY.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Marist in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on Cox.
THURSDAY, NOV. 27
◊“CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” (8 p.m. on CNN): CNN anchor Anderson Cooper hosts the second annual event that spotlights ordinary citizens who accomplished extraordinary deeds. Among the 10 finalists for the Hero of the Year award (which includes a $100,000 cash prize) is Tad Agoglia, founder of First Response Team of America that goes into disaster sites and helps clean up in the immediate aftermath. Agoglia and his team traveled to Picher following the deadly May 10 tornado.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): Grissom and his team battle the flu when they are called upon by Deputy District Attorney Madeline Klein (Bonnie Bedelia, “The Division”) to investigate the deaths of several key witnesses for a grand jury case against a Las Vegas gang.
◊“Dirty Jobs” marathon (8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Discovery): Join host and perpetual apprentice Mike Rowe for this 18-hour marathon featuring viewers’ favorite episodes.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8:02 p.m. on ABC): A freak ice storm not only nrings trauma patients to Seattle Grace, it brings a mysterious military doctor as well. Kathy Baker (“Picket Fences”), Mariette Hartley (“One Life to Live”) and Bernadette Peters (“Living Proof”) guest star.
◊“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” (8 a.m. on NBC): “Today” personalities Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Al Roker co-host the 82nd annual parade in New York City. The trip down Broadway will feature Oklahoma actress Kristin Chenoweth, Miley Cyrus, Trace Adkins, David Archuleta, The Cheetah Girls, James Taylor and Andy Williams, as well as 13 giant character helium balloons, 10 marching bands, 28 floats and more than 1,700 cheerleaders, dancers, singers and performers.
◊“The National Dog Show Presented By Purina” (11 a.m. on NBC): John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld”) returns as host of the purebred canine competition that is expected to feature more than 2,000 of the nation’s leading dogs representing more than 150 breeds.
◊“The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS” (7 a.m. on CBS): “The Early Show” anchors Dave Price and Maggie Rodriguez will cover the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live from New York’s Time Square. Clay Aiken (“American Idol”), Jessica Leccia (”Guiding Light”) and Julie Pinson (”As The World Turns”) will drop by to chat with Price and Rodriguez during the broadcast.
◊“VH1 Storytellers” Kid Rock” (8 p.m. on VH1): Kid Rock performs songs off of his latest double platinum-selling album, Rock ‘N Roll Jesus, in addition to past hits, backed by his Twisted Brown Trucker Band. Kid Rock will also share his inspiration and the stories behind his songs.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Gonzaga in men’s college basketball action airing live at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
FRIDAY, NOV. 28
◊“25 Great Holiday Ideas” (8 p.m. on HGTV): Designers Angelo Surmelis and Erinn Valencich will demonstrate how to recreate 25 decorating and entertaining ideas that were submitted online by viewers.
◊“Abby in Wonderland” (5 a.m. on OETA-13): Follow “Sesame Street” characters Abby and Elmo down the rabbit hole in this re-imagining of Lewis Carrol’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Grover plays the Mad Hatter, the Cookie Monster is the Cheshire Cat and Bert and Ernie are Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.
◊“Deadlist Catch” marathon (8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Discovery): Go on an 18-hour voyage with the captains and crews who do one of the deadliest jobs in the world — crab fishing in the Bering Sea.
◊“Forbes Top 20 Celebrity Cash Couples: Crazy Double Incomes” (7 p.m. on E!): Brad or Angelina? Beyonce or Jay Z? Seal or Heidi? Find out which half of these mega-star duos is making the most money.
◊“Monk” (8 p.m. on USA): In the new holiday episode titled “Mr. Monk and the Miracle,” three homeless men seek out Monk’s services. Natalie convinces the private detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder to investigate the death of their friend.
◊“Psych” (9 p.m. on USA): Shawn and Gus help a little girl get a “mall Santa” out of jail in time for Christmas in this new holiday episode. But they soon realize that their clients are con artists who have a big score planned. Phylicia Rashad guest stars as Gus’ mom.
◊“SpongeBob SquarePants” marathon (7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nickelodeon): The day-long marathon concludes with four new episodes: “The Slumber Party/Grooming Gary” (7 p.m.), “Porous Pockets” (7:30 p.m.), “Krusty Krushers/The Card” (8 p.m.) and “Dear Vikings/Ditchin” (8:30 p.m.). Also look for a preview of Nickelodeon’s new series “The Penguins of Madagascar” at approximately 7:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOV. 29
◊“The Comedy Festival Presents: Funniest Movies of the Year 2008” (9 p.m. on TBS): Impressionist Frank Caliendo (“Frank TV”) hosts this countdown of the year’s funniest movies. Viewers voted for the Top 10 comedies of 2008 on www.tbs.com.
◊“Ellen’s Even Bigger, Really Big Show” (8 p.m. on TBS): Emmy winner Ellen DeGeneres (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”) hand-picked the performers appearing in this variety show. As host, Ellen will also perform her own stand-up comedy and take part in several humorous vignettes.
◊“Moonlight & Mistletoe” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Tom Arnold (“Roseanne”) and Candace Cameron Bure (“Full House”) star in this new holiday family film. What begins as a simple effort to pull her dad out of debt ends up rekindling his daughter’s belief in the magic of Christmas.
◊“Sputnik Mania” (9 p.m. on History): On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into space. This new special tells the story of the launch and includes a collection of interviews and recently declassified insights into the high-level decisions that followed the dawn of the space age.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State Univertsity in college football action airing live at either 2:30 or 7 p.m. on ABC.
–Penny TV
Program Planner: Nov. 2-8
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Nov. 2:
SUNDAY NOV. 2
◊“All the President’s Men” (7 p.m. on TCM): John Dean, former White House counsel to President Nixon, sits down with TCM host Robert Osborne for an interview introducing a special presentation of the 1976 film that follows Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) and Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) as they uncover the Watergate scandal.
◊“Beer for My Horses” (6 p.m. on CMT): See Toby Keith’s summer theatrical release on TV before it hits DVD shelves (Nov. 11). The Oklahoma superstar co-wrote the movie with comedian Rodney Carrington from Tulsa, and they play best friends who work together as deputies in a small town.
◊“Brotherhood” (7 p.m. on Showtime): The drama series about an Irish-American family in Providence, R.I., returns for a third season. In the premiere episode titled ‘‘Uneasy Lies the Head,” Tommy (Jason Clarke) thinks about taking the plunge into a new career.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): The team will rebuild a 200-year-old farm house owned by a former boxer who runs a gym for underprivileged teens. Making appearances on the episode are boxing champions Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman and Oscar De La Hoya.
◊“Gone Missing” Vanished in Papua” (9 p.m. on Travel): This program documents the disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, son of New York governor Nelson Rockefeller, who vanished in New Guinea on Nov. 18, 1961.
◊“The Simpsons” (7 p.m. on Fox): Three new bone-chilling tales will be told in “Treehouse of Horror XIX,” including one that parodies the classic Charlie Brown Halloween special.
MONDAY NOV. 3
◊“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Items evaluated in this “Politically Collect” edition include a collection of campaign buttons valued at $2,000 and signed photos of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson worth $75,000.
◊“The Bob & Tom Show” (11 p.m. weeknights on WGN): Hosts Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold bring their popular morning radio show — a mix of comedy, notable guests and entertaining conversation — to TV.
◊“Boston Legal” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Alan and Denny sue the government when cattle rancher Carol Hober (guest star Valerie Bertinelli, “One Day at a Time”) accuses the USDA of not allowing her to test all of her cows for Mad Cow Disease.
◊“Deal or No Deal” (7 p.m. on NBC): The game show’s 200th episode will feature special speed rounds, in which each contestant will have only 20 seconds to decide if they want to take the banker’s offer.
◊“Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): This new hourlong movie based on the popular primetime show takes preschoolers on a magical snowy adventure with Dora.
◊“First Class All the Way” (8 p.m. on Bravo): Sara Duffy, founder of a Los Angeles-based multi-million dollar travel concierge business, takes viewers inside the world of high-end luxury travel.
◊“Raising the Bar” (9 p.m. on TNT): In the first-season finale, a racially-charged case involving a firefighter forces Roz and Balco back into Judge Kessler’s courtroom.
◊“Samantha Who?” (8:31 p.m. on ABC): Sam teams up with Regina to start a real estare business and ends up falling for their first client (guest star James Tupper, “Men in Trees”).
◊“Saturday Night Live Presidential Bash 2008” (8 p.m. on NBC): This new election-eve special featuring the best “SNL” political sketches, including Amy Poehler’s impersonation of Hillary Clinton and Fred Armisen’s take on Barack Obama.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Sandra Oh (“Grey’s Anatomy”) guest stars as the Fairy Cookie Person, who grants the Cookie Monster a wish. Jessica Alba (“Dark Angel”) presents the word of the day — scrumptious.
◊“Worst Week” (8:30 p.m. on CBS): Sam loses one of the wedding rings that Mel’s grandmother gave to him to use on their wedding day. Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis (”Moonstruck”) guest stars as Mel’s Grandmother, June.
◊“WWE Monday Night Raw” (7 p.m. on USA): World Wrestling Entertainment superstars and divas will take part in this three-hour special celebrating the show’s 800th episode (but this will actually be the 806th installment).
TUESDAY NOV. 4
◊“Recount” (5 p.m. on HBO): This 2008 docudrama revisits the 2000 presidential election in which ambiguous results from Florida kept the outcome uncertain for weeks. Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey plays Ron Klain, Al Gore’s former chief of staff.
◊“WordGirl” (4:30 p.m. on OETA-13): “A Vote for Becky” is a special Election Day episode that introduces young viewers to the concept of voting. It centers on a fifth-grade class president race and includes a funny take on events from real-life presidential campaigns.
WEDNESDAY NOV. 5
◊“Criminal Minds” (8 p.m. on CBS): While investigating the kidnapping of a young boy in Las Vegas, Dr. Reid begins to have dreams that may help reveal some buried memories from his childhood,. Jane Lynch (”Two and a Half Men”) guest stars as Dr. Reid’s mother, Diana Reid.
◊“Dirty Sexy Money” (9:02 p.m. on ABC): While constantly being challenged in court by prosecutor Nola Lyons, Nick is facing an uphill battle defending Letitia in the murder case. Ron Glass (“Barney Miller”) guest stars as D.A. Dennis Ford.
◊“Law & Order” (9 p.m. on NBC)(NBC Photo above features cast members S. Epatha Merkerson, Anthony Anderson and Jeremy Sisto): The longest-running crime series returns for its 19th season. Detectives Cyrus Lupo and Kevin Bernard return to investigate crimes and apprehend suspects under the supervision of precinct lieutenant Anita Van Buren.
◊“Medal of Honor” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Oklahoma native Alfre Woodard (“My Own Worst Enemy”) narrates this new documentary that traces the history of the nation’s highest military honor back to the Civil War. It also profiles 18 recipients, including a Vietnam-era Army chaplain who returned his medal.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Barb and Christine prepare for a non-relationship-seeking double date, but jealousy arises when one date goes better than the other. Tim DeKay (Bizarro Jerry on “Seinfeld”) reunites with Julia Louis-Dreyfus as her date.
THURSDAY NOV. 6
◊“50 Cent: The Money and the Power” (9 p.m. on MTV): Rapper 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson) schools 14 aspiring business moguls in the art of success. Each week, the rapper will test the candidates on the knowledge he has taught them while pushing them to their limit. The candidate with the best business flair, strength, ambition and fearlessness will receive $100,000 from 50 Cent.
◊“30 Rock” (8:31 p.m. on NBC): Liz flies to Chicago to get out of jury duty and on her return flight ends up with an asigned seat next to Oprah Winfrey.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When the CSI team investigates a case involving the world of domination, Grissom pays a visit to Lady Heather to help find some answers. Melinda Clarke (“The O.C.”) returns as Lady Heather. Grammy-winning rock band Linkin Park’s new hit single “Leave Out All the Rest” will be prominently featured in the episode.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Erica discovers a shocking connection between a longtime patient and one her her surgical residents. Kevin McKidd (“Rome”) guest stars.
◊High School Football: Edmond Santa Fe at Moore, 7:30 p.m. on Cox.
◊“Life on Mars” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): A racial war is sparked when a young black girl is murdered, and Sam and the detectives at the 1-2-5 face off with the neighborhood and each other. Whoopi Goldberg (“The View”) guest stars as Disc Jockey Brother Lovebutter.
FRIDAY NOV. 7
◊“CMT Crossroads” (8 p.m. on CMT): Country music singer Taylor Swift, 18, takes the stage with British rock band Def Leppard, whose members range in age from 45 to 50. Taylor and Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott swap lyrics on such hit songs as “Photograph,” “Hysteria,” “Picture to Burn” and “Love Story.”
◊“Don’t Forget the Lyrics” (8 p.m. on Fox): The original members of the female R&B vocal quartet En Vogue reunite to lock in the lyrics for charity.
◊“Henry Rollins: Uncut From New Orleans” (9:30 p.m. on IFC): Three years after the destruction from Hurrican Katrina, the opinionated former lead singer of Black Flag ventures to New Orleans to examine the city’s current condition first hand.
◊High School Football: Edmond North at Westmoore, 7:30 p.m. on KSBI-52; Claremore at Sapulpa, 7:30 p.m. on Cox.
◊“Survivorman” (8 p.m. on Discovery): Survival expert Les Stroud is back for a third season of intense temperatures, frustrations and challenges as he attempt to deliver episodes that demonstrate key survival skills.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): Don and the team investigate the disappearance of a magician after she mysteriously vanishes during an illusion. Magician Penn Jillette guest stars as himself.
◊“Whale Wars” (8 p.m. on Aninmal Planet): Join Captain Paul Watson and his conservation Society, Sea Shepherd, as they lead crusades against alleged illegal whaling operations, all documented in this new series.
SATURDAY NOV. 8
◊“Mail Order Bride” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Daphne Zuniga (“Melrose Place”) stars as con artist Diana McQueen, who escapes from her boss (Greg Evigan, “My Two Dads”) by posing as her recently deceased friend who was moving to Wyoming as a mail order bride.
◊“True Jackson, VP” (8:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Keke Palmer (“Akeelah and the Bee”) stars in this new family-friendly sitcom as a smart-beyond-her-years teen heroine who is tapped to head the youth division of a major fashion label.
◊“Tasty Time With Zefronk” (5:25 a.m. on Disney): This new animated series for preschoolers features ZeFronk, a French Dachsund, who hosts a cooking show from his doghouse. He whips of healthy snacks for friends with the help of a bird named Sue.
–Penny TV
Halloween “Munsters” marathon on WGN
WGN America is giving viewers a sweet Halloween treat — 16 classic episode of “The Munsters” with introductions by rocker Alice Cooper (”Welcome to My Nightmare”).
“The Monstrous Munster Mash” marathon will air from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday. Cooper will open each episode and provide entertaining bits in between commercial breaks.
Following the eight-hour marathon, WGN will air the 30-minute behind-the-scenes special “World Premiere: Alice Cooper’s Along Came a Spider” featuring the cable debut of music videos and clips from Cooper’s new album.
To gear up for the “Munsters” marathon, go to www.WGNAmerica.com and play Alice Cooper’s “Munster Mash” game.
Then sit back and wait for the following “Munster” episodes during WGN’s marathon:
♦“My Fair Munster” – In this, the very first produced episode of “The Munsters”, Grandpa tries to cure Marilyn’s dating problems with a love potion that he slips into her breakfast but ends up being served to the rest of the family.
♦“Munster Masquerade” – Marilyn’s boyfriend talks his parents into inviting the Munsters to their masquerade party before he meets them.
♦“Rock-a-Bye Munster” – Herman and Grandpa assume that Lily is pregnant after eavesdropping on a conversation between Lily and Marilyn. Paul Lynde guest stars.
♦“Lo-Cal Munster” – Herman nearly loses his mind when he goes on a crash-diet and his doctor has a similar reaction when they meet for the first time. Paul Lynde guest stars.
♦“Eddie’s Nickname” – Eddie wants to quit school after his schoolmates nickname him “Shorty.” But that becomes the least of his problems when Grandpa mixes up a “magic milkshake” that’s supposed to make Eddie grow six inches taller overnight. Paul Lynde guest stars.
♦“Movie Star Munster” – Herman thinks he’s Hollywood-bound when he signs what he thinks is a movie deal but is actually an accident policy from a pair of insurance scammers.
♦“Herman the Rookie” – Herman tries out for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
♦“Herman Picks a Winner” – When Herman attempts to teach Eddie a lesson about the risks of gambling, he gets himself mixed up with an illegal betting racket. Charlie Callas guest stars.
♦“Just Another Pretty Face” – Herman becomes disfigured by a bolt of electricity and ends up looking like Fred Gwynne. Dom DeLuise guest stars.
♦“Grandpa’s Lost Wife” – When a woman claims Grandpa is her long-lost husband, he denies ever having seen her before… until she alludes to her financial wealth. Jane Withers guest stars.
♦“The Fregosi Emerald” – Bad luck befalls the Munsters when Eddie gives Marilyn a ring he found for her birthday that Grandpa recognizes as the cursed “Fregosi Emerald.”
♦“Zombo” – Herman gets a monstrous makeover when he becomes insanely jealous of Eddie’s obsession with a local TV horror show host. Louis Nye guest stars.
♦“Prehistoric Munster” – When Marilyn unveils a clay bust she made of her Uncle Herman to her university professor, he foresees a future of fame and fortune by mistakenly assuming that Herman is a missing link. Harvey Korman guest stars.
♦“A Visit from Johann” – Dr. Victor Frankenstein IV comes to Mockingbird Heights and asks Herman to help him civilize one of his great grandfather’s rejects who’s been terrifying people and looks exactly like Herman.
♦“Herman the Tire-Kicker” – Herman winds up in the slammer when a shady used car salesman sells him a stolen convertible. Frank Gorshin guest stars.
♦“A House Divided” – An all-out feud between Herman and Grandpa erupts when an argument leads to Grandpa claiming half ownership of the Munsters’ home and Herman divides the house in half.
–Penny TV
