TV Best Bets: There’s still trash to watch after ‘Housewives’
Alan Jackson, local teacher’s story, holiday specials also on the tube
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sure, the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” are taking a breather, but there’s plenty of trashy TV to watch, from the finale of that Paris Hilton reality show on VH1 Tuesday to the “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” on CBS Wednesday.
And local connections are scattered all over the dial: Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” is back on Wednesday with fresh episodes while Georgian Alan Jackson gets some love on CMT Saturday night. Plus, check out local teacher Brad Cohen’s “based on a true story” film on CBS Sunday.
STEPHEN CHERNIN / AP
The ‘Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’ will be on CBS Wednesday.
Mark Humphrey / AP
Newnan’s own Alan Jackson gets feted by CMT with kind words from George Strait, Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift.
MONDAY
• “Chuck” 8 p.m. NBC — Figures that the love of Chuck’s life Jill was a rogue agent. She’s out of the picture so Chuck dives into work to keep his mind off his heartache.
• “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” 8:32 p.m. ABC — Watch your heart grow three sizes too large as you enjoy this classic for the 25th time!
• “Prison Break” 9 p.m. Fox — After recruiting the team, Self betrayed them last week. Michael, of course, has to try to keep everyone together.
• “Boston Legal” 10:01 p.m. ABC — Denny’s Alzheimer’s keeps on progressing while killer Catherine Piper (Betty White) returns.
TUESDAY
• “According to Jim” 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. ABC (eighth season premiere) — Why shows such as “Arrested Development” die and this Jim Belushi sitcom survives as long as it has is one of the mysteries of the universe.
• “Fringe” 9:01 p.m. ABC — The latest freaks seem to walk through walls while robbing banks.
• “Paris Hilton’s My New BFF” 10 p.m. NET — Brittany and Vanessa are the final contestants to have the “privilege” of being Hilton’s buddy.
• “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” 10 p.m. NBC — Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia faces issues with her own attack last year when an Iraq War vet is found dead after being impregnated by a rapist .
WEDNESDAY
• “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” 8 p.m. NBC — Check out Beyoncé (she’s everywhere!), Tony Bennett, Rascal Flatts, David Cook, Harry Connick Jr., Faith Hill and the Jonas Brothers.
• “Secret Millionaire” 8 p.m. Fox (new series) — Non-celebrity rich folks give away cash to poorer ones. Take that, Oprah!
• “Spectacle: Elvis Costello With…” 9 p.m. Sundance (new series) — The bespectled singer interviews famous folk. Tonight, it’s part-time Atlantan Elton John.
• “Grammy Nominations Concert Live!” 9 p.m. CBS — Among the performers: former Atlantan John Mayer, Celine Dion, B.B. King, Taylor Swift (she’s everywhere, too!) and the Foo Fighters.
• “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” 10 p.m. CBS — Always seemed odd that this is on CBS, not Bravo or Vs. Atlanta’s Usher adds some class to the affair.
• “Top Chef: New York” 10 p.m. CBS — The remaining chefs cook for the “Today” show crew.
• “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” 10 p.m. TBS (season debut) — Atlanta’s own is back as C.J. and a very pregnant Janine plan double nuptials with Calvin and Miranda.
THURSDAY
• “Ugly Betty” 8 p.m. ABC — Betty learns the art of mooching from Amanda.
• “CNN Presents” 8 p.m. CNN — On a lighter note, Christiane Amanpour looks at genocide over the years in a special titled “Scream Bloody Murder.”
• “Grey’s Anatomy” 9 p.m. ABC — Mary McDonnell takes a break from being the prez in “Battlestar Galactica” to guest as a surgeon with Asperger’s Syndrome.
• “CSI” 9 p.m. CBS — Robert Guillaume guests in this recount of Las Vegas’ first African-American.casino.
• “30 Rock” 9:31 p.m. NBC — Liz goes to her reunion and finds out how much her classmates hated her guts.
• “Barbra Walters Special” 10:01 p.m. ABC — Check out her most fascinating people such as Miley Cyrus, Will Smith, Tina Fey and some politician named Sarah Palin.
FRIDAY
• “Greatest Holiday Moments: TV & Film Countdown” 8 p.m. NBC — The Grinch. Ralphie. Natalie Wood. Jimmy Stewart. They’ll all be here tonight.
• “Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh” 8 p.m. Nickelodeon — Two years after the end of the series, Drake & Josh come back for a two-hour holiday film.
• “Stargate Atlantis” 9 p.m. SciFi — Sheppard and some Marine buddies check out the Wraith.
• “Numb3rs” 10 p.m. CBS — Paul Michael Glaser (forever known as Starsky) guests as the leader of a mysterious charity group targeted by terrorists.
WEEKEND TELEVISION
• “Crusoe” 9 p.m. Saturday. NBC (new time slot) — This adventure series is being buried alive on Saturday night after failing to draw audiences on Friday.
• “Flirting With Forty” 9 p.m. Saturday. Lifetime — Heather Locklear (who is actually far beyond 40) plays a divorced mom who gets some with hottie Robert Buckley.
• “Giants” 9 p.m. Saturday. CMT — Newnan’s own Alan Jackson gets feted by CMT with kind words from George Strait, Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift.
• “The Christmas Carol” 9 p.m. Saturday. Hallmark — Peter Gedrick plays a workaholic accountant who finds the meaning of Christmas when he meets a homeless man. And get this: Rhea Pearlman of “Cheers” plays a nun.
• “The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice” 8 p.m. Sunday. TNT — Noah Wiley continues the third installment of what could be called “Indiana Jones Lite.” This is followed at 10 by the new “Ocean’s 11”-style series “Leverage” starring Timothy Hutton.
• “The Amazing Race” 8 p.m. Sunday. CBS (season finale) — This has been kind of a dull year, even with the doofus frat boys making it as far as they have.
• “House of Saddam” 9 p.m. Sunday. HBO — A four-part miniseries looking at the life of the former Iraqi dictator.
• “Front of the Class” 9 p.m. Sunday. CBS — A biopic based on a skilled Cobb County teacher Brad Cohen, who has Tourette’s Syndrome, and stars Patricia Heaton and Treat Williams.
