TV Best Bets for the week ahead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, September 08, 2008
The Olympics and political conventions are over, but early fall TV arrivals from Fox such as “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chrnoicles” and the highly anticipated Fox sci-fi show”Fringe” will fill in the gaps. Plus, Athens is the focal point of BET’s first scripted show “Somebodies.” And many of the daytime shows start up again, including “Oprah” and “Ellen,” plus newbies such as “The Bonnie Hunt Show,” “The Doctors” and “Family Court With Judge Penny.”
Monday
Ben Mark Holzberg / AP
‘Fringe’ 8 p.m. Fox: Great opener, intriguing ending, squishy middle. This is a bit like X-Files without the personality.
• “The Doctors” 10 a.m. WSB (new series) — This new syndicated show replace “The Montel Williams Show,” which is now in full repeats and is over at WPCH-TV. It features four doctors with different expertise, a spinoff from “Dr. Phil.”
• “The Oprah Winfrey Show” 4 p.m. WSB (season debut) — More than 150 American Olympians, plus David Cook from “American Idol.”
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” 5 p.m. WGCL (season debut) — Ellen meets with two hot commodities this summer from very different circles: Michelle Obama and the Jonas Brothers.
• “Family Court With Judge Penny” 6 p.m. WUPA (new series) — Former Fulton County state judge Penny Reynolds Brown joins 12 other court shows, with her focus on family issues.
• “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” 8 p.m., Fox (season debut) — Season 2 opener picks up in the wake of last season’s Jeep explosion and brings danger for Sarah and John. There’s plenty of action and tension, though the final result is predictable.
• “Monday Night Football” 7 p.m. ESPN (season debut) — Minnesota Vikings open against the Grand Bay Packers.
• “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” 9 p.m., ABC — This annual special is taped out of Nashville from the four-day summer fan fest. Performers include Trace Adkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Atlanta’s Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.
Tuesday
• “Fringe” 8 p.m. Fox (new series) — J.J. Abrams does not have the next “Lost” on his hands if this pricey pilot is any indication. Great opener, intriguing ending, squishy middle. This is a bit like X-Files without the personality.
• “Fashion Rocks” 9 p.m. CBS— Usual suspects include Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake and fashion icon Kid Rock. Okay, he’s not a fashion icon but he’s got records to sell!
• “Privileged” 9 p.m. the CW (new series) — JoAnna Garcia exudes Lucille Ball-level charm as Megan, who moves into a rich mansion and tutors the two spoiled twins, one nice, one a bit evil. Arguably a better show than “90210” and could become a surprise hit this network desperately needs.
• “Hole in the Wall” 9 :35 p.m. Fox (new series) — Yet another game show imported or inspired by the Japanese, folks have to conform themselves into odd shapes for prizes.
• “Somebodies” 10:30 p.m. BET (new series) — Athens filmmaker and UGA grad Hadjii stars and writes BET’s very first scripted show in 28 years. He plays Scottie, who has trouble growing up in this surprisingly low-key yet amusing series.
Wednesday
• “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Island” 10 p.m. MTV (season debut) — North Georgia good ol’ boy Cohutta Lee from “Real World: Sydney” is one of 20 competing to win $300,000 in this “Survivor”-style challenge.
• “Til Death” 9 p.m. Fox (season debut) — Glad to see this still alive and the inferior “Back To You” gone. Joy has never gotten a speeding ticket — until now — and thinks it might be a sign of creeping middle age.
• “Do Not Disturb” 9:30 p.m. Fox (series debut) — Please do not disturb your busy life to watch this crud starring Jerry O’Connell.
• “Project Runway” 10 p.m. Bravo — Contestants make Zodiac-inspired outfits.
Thursday
• “America’s Got Talent” 8:30 p.m. NBC — The 20 performers get cut to 10.
• “102 Minutes That Changed the World” 9 p.m. History — Using raw video footage from 100 eyewitnesses of 9/11 in New York City, this is possibly the most harrowing 9/11 documentary ever made. It’s a true gut check.
• “Top Pop Group” 9 p.m. MTV (new series) — Yes, yet another show about making a band.
• “Comics Without Borders” 10 p.m. Showtime — “Last Comic Standing” recently tried a few international comics but pay cable allows more edgy material.
Friday
• “Gym Teacher: The Movie” 8 p.m. Nickelodeon — Christopher Meloni of SVU fame tries out comedy.
• “2008 ALMA Awards” 8 p.m. ABC —Eva Longoria Parker is host, Cheech and Chong reunite and Paula Abdul hopefully stays coherent.
• “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” 9 p.m. Fox (season debut) — That NBC show “The Singing Bee” didn’t make it but this one did. Wayne Brady trumps Joey Fatone.
Weekend television
• “Coco Chanel” 8 p.m. Saturday. Lifetime — Shirley MacLaine stars as the French couturier and fragrance maker.
• “Mad TV” 11 p.m. Saturday. Fox (season debut) — Check out former Atlantan Erica Ash, who joins the cast.
• “Saturday Night Live” 11:29 p.m. Saturday. NBC (season debut) — Atlanta is represented again by cast member Kenan Thompson. Michael Phelps hosts and Lil Wayne performs.
• “Hannah Montana” 8 p.m. Sunday. Disney — BFF Lily is interested in the school bully and Miley isn’t happy.
• “True Blood” 9 p.m. Sunday. HBO — Two redneck blood drainers seek revenge upon Sookie but don’t think trying to kill her will help them out much.
• “Entourage” 10 p.m. Sunday. HBO — Vince finally realizes his career is on the rocks and makes an attempt to resurrect it.
