TV BEST BETS: WEEK OF NOV. 10
It’s already Christmas on your tube this week
And Ricky Gervais does stand-up on HBO
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, November 10, 2008
It’s not even Thanksgiving and Christmas is in the air, not only in department stores — but on TV.
In the coming week, check out a little Grinch, a special “Bill Engvall” Christmas episode and even a Christmas special starring a ventriloquist. All we need now are Dean Martin and the Osmonds!
Carlo Allegri / AP
‘Ricky Gervais: Out of England — The Stand-Up Special’ is 9 p.m. Saturday on HBO. Gervais is funny scripted (in ‘The Office’ and ‘Extras’) and now stand-up.
www.jeffdunham.com
The ventriloquist Jeff Dunham’s has his own Christmas special on Comedy Central, 9 p.m. Sunday.
Monday
• “Trivial Pursuit: America Plays” 1 p.m. WPCH — With Christopher Knight as host, a bunch of his former “Brady Bunch” buds show up this week, including the actors who played Bobby, Cindy, Jan and Greg.
• “How I Met Your Mother” 8:30 p.m. CBS — Alyson Hannigan is pregnant so it’s convenient her fictional character Lily is pondering pregnancy with Marshall
• “Heroes” 9 p.m. NBC — Characters played by Malcolm McDowell, Eric Roberts and Kristen Bell return on an episode focused on evil Sylar.
• “Samantha Who?” 9:32 p.m. ABC — Mary-Kate Olsen guest stars as a young troublemaker Sam thinks she can “fix.”
• “CSI: Miami” 10 p.m. CBS — Lucy Lawless guest stars as a madam and murder suspect.
Tuesday
• “Lincoln Heights” 8 p.m. ABC Family (season three finale) — The Sutton family endures an earthquake.
• “House” 8 p.m. Fox — Ratings are way down this year. Dating couple Cameron and Chase get more serious.
• “Dancing With the Stars results” 9 p.m. ABC — Now it’s getting tougher with Susan Lucci out. Cody Linley may be next on the chopping block.
• “Chase” 10 p.m. SciFi (new series) — Adults play a very high-tech version of tag.
• “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” 10 p.m. Bravo — NeNe might learn who her daddy is while Sheree tries to work on her clothing line. Hopefully, no more of Kim singing. Ever again.
• “Extreme Trains”10 p.m. History (new series) — Now here’s a niche topic if you’re into trains.
Wednesday
• “CMA Awards” 8 p.m. CMT — Lady Antebellum and Sugarland are two Georgia-connected acts who will be performing. Hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley get to sing, too.
• “Bones” 8 p.m. Fox — Booth’s younger bro Jared makes a play for Brennan.
• “New Adventures of Old Christine” 8 p.m. CBS — Ritchie has acting talent and Christine is quite pleased.
• “Top Chef: New York” 10 p.m. Bravo (season debut) —17 chefs compete. One will be gone after the quickfire challenge before they even enter the house.
Thursday
• “Survivor: Gabon” 8 p.m. CBS — Ken appears to be in a stronger position now that Emory Med School grad Marcus Lehman was blindsided and ousted last week.
• “The Office” 9 p.m. NBC — Michael takes a trip to Canada with Andy and Oscar. This should be fun, eh?.
• “30 Rock” 9:30 p.m. NBC — Last week, Oprah. This week’s guest? Jennifer Aniston plays an old bud of Liz and Jenna.
• “ER” 10 p.m. NBC — Anthony Edwards reprises his role as Dr. Mark Greene in a flashback.
Friday
• “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” 8 p.m. Cartoon Network (new series) — Unlike the dark, gloomy recent “Batman” films, this cartoon goes retro and brighter.
• “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” 8 p.m. Fox — UGA grad Deborah Norville tries to prove her education in Athens wasn’t for naught.
• “Super-Manny” 9 p.m. ABC — Jo Frost gets a break so child therapist Mike Ruggles can show a little testoterone in the child-rearing advice area isn’t so bad.
• “Starter Wife” 10 p.m. USA — Molly finds dirt about Lou’s French fiance.
Weekend television
• “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” 7:30 p.m. Saturday. TBS — Your heart will grow three sizes too big watching this again!
• “Bill Engvall Show” 8, 8:30 p.m. Saturday. TBS — Two special episodes for Christmas.
• “Ricky Gervais: Out of England — The Stand-Up Special” 9 p.m. Saturday. HBO — Gervais is funny scripted (in “The Office” and “Extras”) and now stand-up!
• “Family Guy 9 p.m. Sunday. Comedy Central — Stewie bonds with guest star Frank Sinatra Jr..
• “Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special” 9 p.m. Sunday. Comedy Central — Terry Fator isn’t the only hot ventriloquist out there. Dunham gets his own Christmas special!
• “Desperate Housewives” 9 p.m. Sunday. ABC — A fire at a nightclub and someone dies!
• “Brothers & Sisters” 10:01 p.m. Sunday. ABC— David Foley plays a man who might fall for Saul.
