TV Best Bets for the week
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, September 15, 2008
This is the calm before the big three networks ABC, NBC and CBS storm out of the gates with most of their fall lineup debuts. In the meantime, a few summer shows wrap up for the time being, including “The Closer,” “Burn Notice” and “Big Brother 10.”
Monday
• “Extra” 7 p.m. WGCL — Post “Dancing With the Stars,” Mario Lopez keeps getting work including a full-time gig here as host.
• “Gossip Girl” 8 p.m. the CW — Dan and Serena get stuck in an elevator during a blackout. Do people on TV get stuck in elevators a lot more than in real life?
• “The Closer” 9 p.m. TNT (midseason finale) — Tick tock, tick tock. Clock’s ticking. Can Brenda save the day?
• “Weeds” 10 p.m. Showtime (season finale) — Nancy is being bugged big time by the DEA and that definitely makes it hard to work her pot business.
Tuesday
• “Biggest Loser: Families” 8 p.m. NBC (season debut) — Spouses and parents and kids battle the bulge together.
• “House” 8 p.m. Fox (season debut) — Wilson resigns after the death of Amber.
• “90210” 8 p.m. Fox — Annie and Ethan possibly hooking up is not making Naomi any nicer.
• “Big Brother 10” 9 p.m. CBS (season finale) — Don’t follow it but two dudes named Memphis and Dan are still in it for $500,000.
• “The Cleaner” 10 p.m. A&E — Isaiah Washington plays a guest role as a professional interventionalist who isn’t so hot on William’s methodology.
Wednesday
• “Bones” 8 p.m. Fox — “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan helps out the team when they link a severed finger to a dead vet who may have lost his life to a dog untreated by Millan.
• “Project Runway” 9 p.m. Bravo — Fans seem to think a woman will win, with Leanne the favorite.
• “America’s Got Talent” 8 p.m. NBC — America loves hearing a tune. Nine of the top 10 acts are singers and the tenth is the two dudes blending hip-hop and violins. Number of dance groups, magicians and baton twirlers who made it this far: zero.
Thursday
• “Smallville” 8 p.m. the CW (season debut) — Clark is stranded in the Arctic and Lex is nowhere to be seen. Maybe Superman needs some help.
• “America’s Got Talent” 8:30 p.m. NBC — Four-year-old Kaitlyn is adorable as ever but it’s probably time for her to (sniff!) go home.
• “Supernatural” 9 p.m. the CW (season debut) — Dean spent the hot hot summer in hell — literally.
• “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” 10:30 p.m. FX (season debut) — Somehow, these guys are still around doing hideously insensitive things.
Friday
• “America’s Toughest Jobs” 8 p.m. NBC — This show, after disappointing ratings, has been bumped to Friday nights.
• “Gone Country” 8 p.m. CMT — Sebastian Bach, Lorenzo Lamos and the gang try to hunt. Let’s hope no Cheney-like accidents happen.
• “Outsiders Inn” 8:30 p.m. CMT — Celebrity impersonators visit Maureen McCormick’s inn in one of the dopier reality shows out there.
• “Dog Whisperer” 9 p.m. NatGeo — Cesar Millan celebrates his 100th episode and he brings back many of the dogs and owners he has helped.
Weekend television
• “MADtv” 11 p.m. Saturday. Fox — Audrina Partride of “The Hills” guests, for better or worse.
• “Saturday Night Live” 11:29 p.m. Saturday. NBC — “Pineapple Express” James Franco hosts while Kings of Leon sings.
• “60th Primetime Emmy Awards” 8 p.m. Sunday. ABC — The nominated reality show hosts, including Ryan Seacrest, rotate hosting duties. Many modestly rated shows got multiple nods such as “30 Rock” and “Mad Men.” We’re rooting for “Lost” to win best drama and “The Office” for best comedy though nobody except the winners will recall who won in two weeks.
• “True Blood” 9 p.m. Sunday. HBO — Bill has to save Sookie from some of his blood-thirsty vampire “friends.”
• “Army Wives” 10 p.m. Sunday. Lifetime— Pamela has to decide what to do with a stalker while Denise has to figure out if her marriage is worth saving.
