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Jon Huertas, from left, Alexander Skarsgard and Lee Tergesen costar in HBO's 'Generation Kill, ' an ambitious seven-part miniseries about a group of Marines in the early days of the Iraq war.
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"GENERATION KILL" — The producers of "The Wire" leave behind the rough streets of Baltimore and plunge into the battle zone with this gripping seven-part miniseries. Based on an award-winning non-fiction book by embedded reporter Evan Wright (played by Lee Tergesen), it follows an elite battalion of U.S. Marines in the early days of the Iraq War and strives for unflinching realism. So viewers should be braced for particularly coarse dialogue peppered with profanity and racial slurs. The performances, by a mostly unknown young cast, are exceptional. 9 Sunday, HBO.

OTHER BETS:

SUNDAY: It's hard to believe, but "Big Brother" is kicking off its 10th cycle. This time around one of the guests in the crowded house will be a 75-year-old great grandfather. Host Julie Chen returns to dissect all the sniping and double-crossing. 8 p.m., CBS.

SUNDAY: Ashley Tisdale ("High School Musical") stars in the new made-for-TV movie "Picture This." She plays an unpopular teen who manages to land a date to the biggest party of the year with the hottest guy at school (Robbie Amell). Just one problem: She's been grounded. 8 p.m., ABC Family.

SUNDAY: "Dancing with the Stars" alums Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Mel B are both hosting the "57th Annual Miss Universe" pageant from beautiful Vietnam. Our prediction: A tall, attractive woman will take the crown. 9 p.m., NBC.

MONDAY: Krya Sedgwick returns for the fourth season of "The Closer" and the cases aren't getting any easier for homicide detective Brenda Johnson. In the opener, she investigates the death of a woman whose body is discovered at the scene of a massive wildfire in Los Angeles. 9 p.m., TNT.

MONDAY: You might think the title character played with aplomb by Holly Hunter in "Saving Grace" might undergo a little softening in Season 2. But the producers say no way. So expect even more edgy exploits for the troubled Oklahoma City cop and more challenges for her guardian angel. 10 p.m., TNT.

TUESDAY: How fitting that, in its final year, Yankee Stadium plays host to baseball's glittery All-Star Game. Jack Buck and Tim McCarver are on hand to call the contest, which gets under way immediately following a special parade of stars. 8 p.m., Fox.

TUESDAY: Benjamin Bratt (Remember him?) returns to series television in "The Cleaner." He plays a recovering heroin junkie who now devotes his life to rescuing others from their destructive lifestyles. 10 p.m., A&E.

WEDNESDAY: A day after baseball's greats gather in New York for the All-Star Game comes "Yankee Stadium — Baseball's Cathedral." It's a documentary that fondly looks back on all memorable moments that have occurred in the House That Ruth Built. 6 p.m., ESPN.

THURSDAY: Turned off by reality TV? "Reality Bites Back" mocks and derides the genre as comedians offer twisted takes on various shows. The opener offers a "Big Brother" spoof in which the cast is forced to live with their mothers for four straight days. 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central.

FRIDAY: Tony Shalhoub's lovable obsessive-compulsive detective is back for more adventures as "Monk" launches a series of new episodes. But the big news is the arrival of a his new therapist played by Hector Elizondo. 9 p.m., USA.

FRIDAY: Also back tonight is the mental marvel that is young police consultant Shawn Spencer (James Roday) for a new season of "Psych." But when are the cops going to figure out that this guy isn't a psychic? Dule Hill also stars. 10 p.m., USA.

All times EDT