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WEDNESDAY MARCH 10, 2010
The New Adventures of Old Christine at 8 p.m. on CBS
Those who can, do, and those who can’t — wind up making fools of themselves a lot of the time, as Christine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) proves when she tries to teach Ritchie’s (Trevor Gagnon) class some street smarts but ends up stranded at a subway station after she misses the train herself. Clark Gregg and Hamish Linklater also star in the new episode “Subway, Somehow.”
Mercy at 8 p.m. on NBC
Veronica (Taylor Schilling) rekindles her relationship with Dr. Sands (James Tupper) as she takes on extra shifts to avoid dealing with her post-traumatic stress issues. Sonia (Jaime Lee Kirchner) is stunned when an elderly patient announces she plans to end her life. Chloe (Michelle Trachtenberg) gets a huge surprise when she and Briggs (James Van Der Beek) make a house call in the new episode “I’m Fine.”
America’s Next Top Model at 8 p.m. on CW
Cycle 14 premieres with a special 90-minute episode — or maybe it only seems longer because tedious Perez Hilton makes a guest appearance — as 33 semifinalists compete for the coveted 13 slots that will allow them to move into the New York loft together. First up: makeovers! Could you die? Fashionista Andre Leon Talley joins Tyra Banks and Nigel Barker on the judges panel in the new episode “Be My Friend, Tyra!”
Superbad at 8 p.m. on FX
For what looked to be a crass “National Lampoon”-type movie, this 2007 comedy scored surprisingly good reviews. Seth and Evan (Jonah Hill, Michael Cera) have no social life to speak of, so they decide that as high-school seniors, the time has come to lose their virginity. Tomfoolery and ineptness ensue. Christopher Mintz-Plasse is hilarious as the buddy known as “McLovin.” Martha MacIsaac, Emma Stone, Kevin Corrigan and Seth Rogen also star.
The Gay Divorcee at 8 p.m. on TCM
This Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers pairing from 1934 casts Rogers as a woman who mistakes a smitten dancer (Astaire) for the guy her lawyer hired to help her get out of her marriage. And remember, guys, Ginger did everything Fred did ... only backward and in heels. Alice Brady, Edward Everett Horton and Erik Rhodes co-star.
 Gary Unmarried at 8:30 p.m. on CBS
When Mitch (guest star Rob Riggle) returns from overseas, Gary (Jay Mohr) tries to help him decide what he will do for a living. Curtis and Charleen (Keegan-Michael Key, Niecy Nash) hire Allison (Paula Marshall) as their wedding planner. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre guest stars in the new episode “Gary Tries to Find Something for Mitch.”
High Society at 9:30 p.m. on CW
If “Gossip Girl” isn’t already meeting your weekly allotment of spoiled, scandalous socialites, this new reality series follows “Park Avenue Princess” Tinsley Mortimer as she gives up her East Side digs in favor of a midtown loft as part of her highly publicized divorce. Meanwhile, Manhattan “It Boy” Paul Johnson Calderon tries to get money from his trust fund in the series premiere, “She’s Flying Solo.”
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit at 10 p.m. on NBC
A woman’s murder that is linked to a massive Ponzi scheme leads Detectives Benson and Stabler (Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni) to reopen an investigation into a similar crime committed 20 years earlier. As odd similarities between the two cases begin to emerge, however, the detectives face fierce opposition from the pit bull attorney (guest star Lena Olin) for the chief suspect in the new episode “Confidential.”
Shear Genius at 10 p.m. on BRAVO
For the shortcut challenge, the seven remaining stylists are asked to interpret geometric shapes into edgy, angular styles on challenging Asian hair. For the elimination challenge, the competitors must create head-shot looks for working actresses that will showcase their personalities and versatility. Nexxus creative director Kevin Mancuso joins to judge both challenges in the new episode “It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Gets Annoying.”
Top Hat at 10 p.m. on TCM
One of the screen’s great musicals in the eyes of many film buffs, this 1935 delight boasts the stunning combination of Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Irving Berlin’s tunes. Astaire plays a performer whose late-night dancing disturbs his downstairs hotel neighbor (Rogers). She’s ready to lace into him — until she mistakes him for the producer (Edward Everett Horton) who employs him. Songs include “Cheek to Cheek.”
First Love, Second Chance at 10 p.m. on TVL
The network that brings you “High School Reunion” amps up the nostalgia factor one more notch and reunites long-lost sweeties for its newest feel-good original, which brings together former flames and give them a peek at each other’s current lives, then sends them back home to think it over and then make up — or break up again — via video message. First up: Garry, a former Aussie exchange student who fell for his host family’s daughter, Star Lynn.
Billy the Exterminator at 10:30 p.m. on A&E
In the second-season premiere of this series formerly known as “The Exterminators,” the dead aren’t resting peacefully at the Boone Funeral Home — because a rattlesnake is loose in the crematorium. Billy and Rick search for the snake, but it finds them first — and it’s a mean one! Later, Billy heads into a treacherous attic to deal with some bats, knowing that one false step could send him plunging through the floor. Ceiling. Whatever.
THURSDAY MARCH 11, 2010
The Vampire Diaries at 8 p.m. on CW
Flashbacks fill in some important blanks in the Salvatore family history, as Stefan and Damon (Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder) reflect on the long-ago actions by local townspeople, including their father (guest star James Remar), that led to the shattering events that caused an angry rift between the brothers. Stefan also discovers why Alaric (Matt Davis) is interested in both the journal and the town’s history in “Children of the Damned.”
The Lady Eve at 8 p.m. on TCM
Preston Sturges directed this 1941 screwball comedy about a pair of con artists who target a naive dolt (“Snakes are my life!”). But one of them unexpectedly falls in love with their prey. Watch for the famous train scene that includes every man’s nightmare. The cast is headed by Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda.
PGA Tour Golf at 8:30 p.m. on GOLF
A virus, severe dehydration and Nick Watney proved to be no match for Phil Mickelson in the final round of last year’s WGC-CA Championship, and the result was his 36th career win. In bed with a bad case of the chills 75 minutes before tee-off on Sunday, Lefty got it together enough to match Watney shot for shot at Florida’s Doral Golf Resort & Spa before Mickelson’s 26-foot putt on the 72nd hole gave him a one-stroke victory. He’ll defend his title starting today.
 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation at 9 p.m. on CBS
When a boy is murdered, Langston and Willows (Laurence Fishburne, Marg Helgenberger) and their colleagues uncover evidence that could link his death to an old, recently resurfaced case. Capt. Jim Brass (Paul Guilfoyle) clashes with high-powered attorney Lynn Stagner (guest star Faith Prince). George Eads also stars in the new episode “Neverland.”
30 Rock at 9:30 p.m. on NBC
Jack (Alec Baldwin) frets that his dreams will be dashed after Avery (guest star Elizabeth Banks) tells him of a rumor than a cable company wants to buy out NBC. Liz (Tina Fey) tracks down a man she met in the dentist’s waiting room. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) reluctantly helps Tracy (Tracy Morgan) pursue a Tony Award. Jack McBrayer and Scott Adsit also star in the new episode “Future Husband.”
The Real Housewives of New York City at 10 p.m. on BRAVO
LuAnn gets a surprise visit from Rosie, her former housekeeper, who is still concerned about the family. Ramona chastises Mario for calling LuAnn “Countless,” prompting him to leave LuAnn a voice mail and an invitation, but a cautious LuAnn asks Jill for advice on how to handle the situation. Jason asks Bethenny to move in with him. Both Ramona and LuAnn decide to throw parties on the same date in the new episode “Dueling Labor Day Parties.”
Silverado at 10:30 p.m. on AMC
The destinies of four cowboys — Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover and a young Kevin Costner — converge en route to a frontier town in director Lawrence Kasdan’s quirky 1985 tribute to the Western genre. The supporting cast includes John Cleese as a comic sheriff. Bruce Broughton wrote the rousing, Oscar-nominated music score.
FRIDAY MARCH 12, 2010
 Who Do You Think You Are? at 8 p.m. on NBC
Intrigued by a rumor that his paternal grandmother had white ancestry, football legend Emmitt Smith explores his family roots, traveling from rural Alabama into colonial Virginia and beyond as he uncovers a personal story that is more dramatic than he ever imagined.
House at 8 p.m. on FOX
Dr. House has left the building. Worried that returning to his old job will cause him to revert to his old habits, House (Hugh Laurie) resigns and throws himself into a new hobby: cooking. With Foreman (Omar Epps) in charge, the team tries to diagnose a video game creator who would rather rely on the Internet than on his flesh-and-blood doctors. Robert Sean Leonard and Lisa Edelstein also star in “Epic Fail.”
Pale Rider at 8 p.m. on AMC
Clint Eastwood returns to a form he knows well — as verified by his “Unforgiven” Oscar wins — as star and director of this 1985 Western. It’s a respectable homage to countless sagebrush sagas that precede it, with Eastwood again playing a lethal stranger who helps oppressed townspeople. Michael Moriarty and Sydney Penny also appear.
13 Going on 30 at 8 p.m. on FX
It’s 1987, and an unhappy teenager (Christa B. Allen) has just wished she was an adult. When she wakes up the next morning, it’s 2004, and she’s a 30-year-old woman (Jennifer Garner). Now she has a grown-up job at a magazine, a boyfriend and a whole lot of questions. Mark Ruffalo (“You Can Count on Me”) also stars in this romantic comedy.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit at 8:15 p.m. on MAX
This ingenious 1988 movie won raves from critics for its skillful marriage of live action and animation. Bob Hoskins has the leading flesh-and-blood role as a private eye trying to clear a cartoon character of murder. It’s the ’toons, however — Roger Rabbit, his sultry wife, Jessica, and a huge cast of familiar favorites — from Bugs Bunny and Betty Boop to Donald and Daffy Duck — who are the real stars of this show.
Dreamgirls at 9 p.m. on TNT
It took a long time for the stage hit to reach the screen, but writer-director Bill Condon’s adaptation was worth the wait. Beyonce Knowles has her best film role yet as the central vocalist in a 1960s girl group, and Jamie Foxx also does sterling work as their manager. Still, the cast standouts are Eddie Murphy as a soul-music superstar and Jennifer Hudson, the “American Idol” former competitor who earned an Oscar for the film.
Kelly’s Heroes at 10:30 p.m. on AMC
The image of the military isn’t quite flawless in this 1970 comedy-adventure, which casts Clint Eastwood as a soldier who hatches a World War II scheme to steal a fortune in Nazi gold. The cast of the lengthy but enjoyable caper also includes Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Donald Sutherland and Carroll O’Connor. The film also introduced the hit song “Burning Bridges.”
SATURDAY MARCH 13, 2010
Sex and the City at 7:30 p.m. on MAX
Four years after the end of the HBO series, columnist Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and close friends Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte (Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis) share new passages in their lives in this lengthy but enjoyable sequel. The main development is Carrie’s engagement — at last! — to Mr. Big (Chris Noth), but that path doesn’t go smoothly, nor do those of the other women with the men in their lives.
Gangs of New York at 8 p.m. on AMC
The word “epic” has to be used for director Martin Scorsese’s sprawling 2002 drama of rival mid-19th-century street gangs. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a young man out to avenge his father’s (Liam Neeson) murder by going after the killer, the colorful Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis). The hero still finds time for romance with a pickpocket (Cameron Diaz); Jim Broadbent and John C. Reilly co-star, and U2 performs the theme song.
Monsters vs. Aliens at 8 p.m. on HBO
In this 2009 animated fantasy, Reese Witherspoon voices a bride-to-be whose encounter with a meteor — which makes her a whole lot taller — draws the interest of government officials who team her with other mutants to fight an alien threat. Kiefer Sutherland, Hugh Laurie (“House”), Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Rainn Wilson (“The Office”) and Stephen Colbert also are heard.
White Heat at 8 p.m. on TCM
“Made it, Ma ... top of the world!” So screams gangster Cody Jarrett (James Cagney) just before meeting his destiny in director Raoul Walsh’s 1949 classic. Jarrett is one of the screen’s ultimate psychos, a ruthless killer with a strong mother fixation, and Cagney makes the character one of his most unforgettable. Virginia Mayo plays the felon’s forlorn wife, with Edmond O’Brien as the policeman determined to capture him.
 Law & Order at 9 p.m. on NBC
Political hot potatoes for everyone! In this episode, the detectives (Jeremy Sisto, Anthony Anderson) investigate the murder of a doctor known for performing late-term abortions. An anti-abortion activist is the prime suspect. While Connie (Alana De La Garza) deals with a moral dilemma, Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) deals with more bad news. Linus Roache also stars in “Dignity.”
Who Is Clark Rockefeller? at 9 p.m. on LIFE
Best known for his work in comedy, Emmy winner Eric McCormack tackles a startling change of pace in this fact-based TV movie, which chronicles the long and remarkable criminal career of German con artist Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, who successfully posed as a member of the Rockefeller family, along with a host of other impersonations. Sherry Stringfield (“ER”) also stars.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit at 10 p.m. on NBC
After several young prostitutes are found dead with homemade prayer cards attached to their bodies, Benson and Stabler (Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni) struggle to find a common thread in the murders. As the case unfolds, Benson finds herself emotionally invested in a survivor (guest star Mischa Barton) until she is forced to make a difficult decision in “Savior.”
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