FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2010

Wife Swap at 8 p.m. on ABC
Dina Beauvais, matriarch of an optimistic family of entrepreneurs and inventors in Arizona, trades lives with Sherrie Clayton, whose family is going through tough times and sharing cramped quarters in a trailer.

Human Target at 8 p.m. on FOX
As the series moves into a new time period, Winston and Chance (Chi McBride, Mark Valley) have to cope with some personal turbulence as they try to protect a client they have never met from an assassin on a passenger plane. Jackie Earle Haley also stars in “Rewind.”

McLintock! at 8 p.m. on AMC
Unseen for many years by edict of John Wayne’s estate, this 1963 Western-comedy has returned to the public eye. The Duke plays a cattle baron whose estranged wife (Maureen O’Hara) poses him considerable problems, as do other factions. The cast also includes Stefanie Powers, Yvonne De Carlo, Chill Wills and Bruce Cabot.

Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam at 8 p.m. on DISN
The happy Camp Rock reunion of Mitchie Torres (Demi Lovato) with rock stars Shane, Nate and Jason (Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas) is short-lived once the friends discover that Camp Star, a glitzy new camp on the other side of the lake, has lured away many of Camp Rock’s former instructors and campers, threatening its very existence. Meaghan Jette Martin, Alyson Stoner and Chloe Bridges also star.

Saving Private Ryan at 8 p.m. on TNT
Steven Spielberg won the best director Oscar for this 1998 World War II drama, whose opening portrayal of the Normandy invasion is one of the most powerful war sequences in movie history. Tom Hanks stars as the captain in charge of a platoon assigned to go behind enemy lines and retrieve a private (Matt Damon) whose three brothers have all been killed. Edward Burns and Giovanni Ribisi also star.

The Bourne Identity at 8:30 p.m. on FX
Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) isn’t having a good day: he’s been shot, lost his memory and has mysterious assassins trying to kill him. Picked up by a fisherman, Bourne attempts to work through his memory loss. He feels like a mild-mannered man, but weapons’ knowledge, martial arts and multitudes of passports keep cropping up. Franka Potente co-stars in this 2002 thriller as the innocent woman who winds up dodging bullets with Bourne.

The Good Guys at 9 p.m. on FOX
Trying to spice up a routine investigation into auto thefts, Dan (Bradley Whitford) plants evidence from a cold case, ultimately landing himself and Jack (Colin Hanks) in the middle of a gunrunning ring tied to a decade-old homicide in “Small Rooms,” as the series moves into a new time period. Joel Spence, Frances Fisher and Mykel Shannon Jenkins guest star; Jenny Wade also stars.

Man, Woman, Wild at 9 p.m. on DISC
Prospects look grim for Myke and Ruth as they wash up on the shores of the remote, rat-infested island of Aitutaki, surrounded by water but without a drop to drink, in the new episode “Aitutaki.”

Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta at 9 p.m. on TLC
Lavina has been a bridesmaid 15 times. Lori makes some common rookie mistakes while trying on dresses. Latrina is worried her plus size will keep her from wearing her dream dress in this new episode.

The Short List at 9 p.m. on VH1
The new episode “10 Cutest Celebrity Babies” spotlights the children of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Suri Cruise, daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, and Cruz Beckham, son of David and Victoria Beckham.

Titanic at 9 p.m. on WTBS
This 1997 drama’s title describes not only its subject, but its impact on filmdom that year. It made megabucks and ruled the Oscars, garnering a whopping 11 of those little gold guys. Not bad for a movie whose ending everyone knew ahead of time! Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio star as the unhappy bride-to-be from first class and the scrappy kid from steerage who find each other on the doomed liner. The ship, of course, is the real star of the show.

Beyond Survival With Les Stroud at 10 p.m. on DISC
Les Stroud heads into the open waters with the Sea Gypsies of Malaysia to spearfish in the shark-filled deep and learn what it is like for these people to live in a world where storms and deadly tsunamis threaten to obliberate their tribe forever in the new episode “Sea Gypsies.”

Chinatown at 10 p.m. on MAX
This 1974 film noir garnered 11 Oscar nominations and won writer Robert Towne (“Shampoo,” “Mission Impossible”) a statuette for best original screenplay. Jack Nicholson plays Jake Gittes, a private detective hired to investigate a seemingly routine adultery case. When the husband turns up dead, Gittes realizes much more than sinister forces are at work. Faye Dunaway and John Huston also star in this Roman Polanski film.




SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2010

Cops at 8 p.m. on FOX
Officers from the Broward County Sheriff’s Department in Florida plan an undercover drug sting, while a man in California is arrested for drunken biking by officers of the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department.

Maverick at 8 p.m. on AMC
Mel Gibson assumes the mantle of James Garner’s Western anti-hero, Bret Maverick, in this 1994 release. The story revolves around a high-stakes poker tournament Maverick is determined to see through to the end. Co-stars Jodie Foster and Garner also have money on the table. Additional cast members include James Coburn and Graham Greene.

The Graduate at 8 p.m. on TCM
Elaine’s mom has got it goin’ on! Mike Nichols’ 1967 comedy classic remains as fresh and funny as ever. Dustin Hoffman took his first steps to stardom as newly minted college grad Ben Braddock, who’s not sure what to do with his life. While he figures out his next move, his mom’s sexy friend Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) is putting the moves on him. Katharine Ross plays Mrs. Robinson’s daughter and Ben’s love interest, Elaine.

Dateline: Real Life Mysteries at 8 p.m. on TLC
In the first of a two-part episode called “Fatal Visions,” a young wife keeps a journal that foreshadows her demise, but the question over her death lingers: Was it accidental or planned?

America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back at 9 p.m. on FOX
Dangerous criminals are still on the run, but tireless host John Walsh shares how victims and their families have been seeking justice as his long-running series airs its season finale.

Futurama at 9 p.m. on COM
Comedy Central kicks off “Back to the Futurama,” a three-hour marathon, with “Rebirth,” in which Farnsworth (voice of Kath Soucie) uses a birth machine to try to resurrect the crew after a disastrous spaceship crash, and Leela and Zapp Brannigan (voices of Katey Sagal, Billy West) are stranded on an Eden-like world.

Sole Survivor at 9 p.m. on DISC
When disaster befalls people, why do some of them perish while others walk away with their lives? This new special reviews extreme cases of survival to better understand what it takes to get out alive.

Never Been Kissed at 9 p.m. on LIFE
A plain-Jane newspaper editor of 25 gets to relive the indignities of her teen years when she’s assigned to go under cover as a high-school student. But with a little help from her brother, a one-time high-school hotshot who comes along for the ride, she finds it more pleasant the second time around. It’s just too bad she can’t tell the teacher who turns her on (it’s mutual) that she’s not really underage. Drew Barrymore sparkles in this 1999 comedy.

Twilight at 9 p.m. on SHOW
Countless fans of Stephenie Meyer’s popular book series eagerly awaited the first screen adaptation, and they showed up in such force, a sequel got the go-ahead the day after this movie opened. Director Catherine Hardwicke’s appropriately moody version casts Kristen Stewart as heroine Bella, whose adjustment to a new high school encompasses her attraction to the magnetic Edward (Robert Pattinson) — a vampire, as she soon learns.

Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith at 9 p.m. on SPIKE
This is what happens when you wait two decades to make the prequels: You get a movie made in 2005 that sets up the      action for one made in 1977. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; in fact, it’s kind of fun to compare the slick production values of this most recent entry to the cheesy — by today’s standards — effects of the original. And knowing Darth Vader’s back story puts all kinds of new spins on rewatching the first release.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at 9:30 p.m. on FAM
The remake’s got nothing on this delightfully subversive 1971 flick, with its yummy visuals, morality plays and marvelous music. And who could forget those Ooompa-Loompas? Gene Wilder plays the confectioner who offers five kids a tour of his plant and a shot at being chosen his successor. But the winner has to be pure of heart, and four brats are quickly ruled out. That leaves poor but honest Charlie (Peter Ostrum), but Willy has a special test for him.

Surviving Death at 10 p.m. on DISC
It may sound like a silly question, but when is “dead” really, truly dead? The new episode “Bodily Trauma” looks at such extreme cases as a head trauma patient who wakes up during organ harvesting preparations and a man who is hit with 6,000 volts of electricity

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at 10 p.m. on MAX
There’s no question the young wizard of Hogwarts is growing up in this involving chapter of author J.K. Rowling’s saga. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) goes through another maze of adventure as he readies for an inevitable showdown with Lord Voldemort, with a new instructor (Jim Broadbent) the possible key to helping him be fully prepped. Matters of the heart also become more prominent for Harry, thanks to Ginny (Bonnie Wright), the sister of Ron (Rupert Grint).



SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2010

The Simpsons at 7 p.m. on FOX
While wandering in a field after getting lost, Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith) discovers three teenage girls, including Cassandra (voice of guest star Neve Campbell), who are practicing Wiccans and ask her to join their coven. Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta) starts hanging out with Cleatus and his friends after discovering they make moonshine in “Rednecks and Broomsticks.”

NASCAR Racing at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
With only two races left before the Chase for the Sprint Cup, the jockeying for playoff position intensifies, as should become evident in tonight’s Emory Healthcare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kasey Kahne scored a big victory here last year on the 1.54-mile quad-oval, as his 1.766-second win over Kevin Harvick all but secured him a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, in which he would eventually finish 10th.

Lien on Me at 8 p.m. on H&G
It’s Mike Holmes (“Holmes on Homes”) to the rescue in this new two-part special concluding next Sunday. In the opening episode, new parents Christina and Joe have a bitter dispute with a contractor they hire to put a second-floor addition on their home. After the contractor slaps a lien on the home and walks off the job, Holmes checks out the renovation and ascertains that things have indeed gone horribly wrong.

The Cleveland Show at 8:30 p.m. on FOX
Concerned that Cleveland Jr. (voice of Kevin Michael Richardson) has no friends, Cleveland (voice of Mike Henry) invites Lester’s son, Ernie (voice of guest star Glenn Howerton, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), to the house. When the emotionally needy Ernie gets too attached to the family, however, Cleveland has trouble getting him to go home and must find a way to help his neighbor get his son back in “The One About Friends.”

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at 9 p.m. on ABC
OK, everybody out of the trailer! Steve Mattingly, a volunteer firefighter, was hit by a car while directing traffic on a fire call. He was left with balance and memory problems and chronic pain, and his wife, Melissa, supports the family. Ty and the team can’t cure his physical problems, but they can build a new home to replace the cramped, decrepit trailer the family has been living in. Country star Clint Black helps out.

Masterpiece Mystery! at 9 p.m. on PBS
An investigation into a murder on a tour bus leads Lewis and Hathaway (Kevin Whately, Laurence Fox) to the Oxford estate where Hathaway spent much of his childhood, but Lewis thinks his partner’s ties to the family may compromise his objectivity. Richard Johnson, Nathaniel Parker and Juliet Aubrey guest star in the new episode “Inspector Lewis, Series III: The Dead of Winter.”

Rubicon at 9 p.m. on AMC
Katherine (Miranda Richardson) realizes she is not safe even in her own home. The FBI puts API on lockdown because of a breach in security. James Badge Dale and Arliss Howard also star in the new episode “The Truth Will Out.”

9/11: After the Towers Fell at 9 p.m. on DISC
This new special tells the stories of the rescue workers and civilians who rushed to the site of the World Trade Center collapse to search for survivors in the rubble. Miraculously, a few were found, and once they were rescued, the workers turned their focus to the grim task of finding and identifying the dead.

All American Handyman at 9 p.m. on H&G
In this new series, 20 people at varying levels of construction and fix-it expertise must build something that showcases their creativity and skill in a series of challenges to win a Sears shopping spree, a show development deal with HGTV and the title of All American Handyman. Sears executive Bill Kiss joins regular judges Mike Holmes (“Holmes on Homes”) and Scott McGillivray (“Income Property”) to evaluate the contestants in the premiere.

Leverage at 9 p.m. on TNT
Hoping to get a violent hedge fund manager to reveal information that could lead to Damien Moreau, Nathan (Timothy Hutton) and the team convince their target that he has murdered Parker (Beth Riesgraf), unwittingly setting the man up to be the target of assassins. Elisabetta Canalis guest stars in “The Morning After Job,” the summer season finale.

Bridezillas at 9 p.m. on WE
Ayanna, a major Bridezilla, has trouble keeping up with her budget, but her poor fiance has an even bigger problem coping with his bride-to-be’s out-of-control overspending, much of it behind his back. Elsewhere, Melissa’s Bridezilla tendencies are only amplified by her habit of knocking back too many cocktails when things start to go wrong.

CSI: Miami at 10 p.m. on CBS
The case of a dead census worker sends Horatio (David Caruso) and his investigators into a high-speed chase and an explosion that threatens the lives of two members of the team in “Count Me Out.” Emily Procter, Adam Rodriguez, Eddie Cibrian and Jonathan Togo also star.

The Gates at 10 p.m. on ABC
When their daughter (Georgia Cole) is kidnapped by a madman, a frantic Dylan and Claire (Luke Mably, Rhona Mitra) seek Nick’s (Frank Grillo) help. The search takes them far from The Gates, where Nick learns some horrifying things about the pair’s past. Brett (Colton Haynes) comes to terms with what it means to be involved with Andie (Skyler Samuels) in the new episode “Little Girl Lost.”

The Glades at 10 p.m. on A&E
Longworth (Matt Passmore) travels to the American Indian-owned Blues Rock Casino to investigate the suspicious death of the head of the facility, a tribal elder who crashed through a skylight and landed on a roulette table. First, though, he must get tribal police officer Josie Tigertail to let the Florida Department of Law Enforcement run point on the investigation in the new episode “Honey.”

Mad Men at 10 p.m. on AMC
A deadline disrupts the routine for the team at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce in the new episode “The Suitcase.” Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Elisabeth Moss and Vincent Kartheiser star.

Swamp People at 10 p.m. on HIST
Troy desperately needs to find a new “honey hole,” a corner of the bayou that is filled with gators. Joe and Tommy contend with Bud, a landlubber and greenhorn. The Kliebards across the swamp show they don’t need the aid of computers or a factory, preferring to rely on Cajun expertise and ingenuity in the new episode “Troy’s Gamble.”



MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2010

How I Met Your Mother at 8 p.m. on CBS
As the show logs its 100th episode, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) debates giving up wearing suits to land an attractive bartender, a conundrum that leads the cast to perform a musical number that is nothing short of — what else? — both awesome and legendary. Elsewhere, Ted (Josh Radnor) gets closer to meeting the future mother of his children in “Girls vs. Suits.” Rachel Bilson and Tim Gunn guest star.

College Football at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Rivals.com calls it the best nonconference game of 2010. We’ll see if this matchup between No. 5-ranked Boise State and No. 6 Virginia Tech at FedExField in Landover, Md., lives up to the hype. The Boise State Broncos, 14-0 last year, are finally getting respect in the national polls, but they’ll need a win against the Hokies and their rebuilt defense to prove that they belong among the national championship contenders from the power conferences.

HGTV Urban Oasis at 8 p.m. on H&G
Vern Yip gives viewers a tour of the breathtaking space he has designed in the Residences at W New York-Downtown. It’s an eclectic, clean-lined one-bedroom residence that is part of a grand prize sweepstakes package currently under way at HGTV.com through Oct. 20.

Little People, Big World at 8 p.m. on TLC
As season six opens, Matt Roloff, who is recovering from a very serious health scare, resolves to lead his family on a quest to seize the day and live life to the fullest, while he also tries to improve his relationship with Zach and Amy. The new season also finds the twins finally confronting the fact that it may be time for them to grow up and move off the farm.

CBS Fall Preview at 8:30 p.m. on CBS
Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell, who star in the upcoming CBS courtroom dramedy “The Defenders,” host a preview of the network’s upcoming fall lineup, which also includes the reboot of “Hawaii Five-0” and the police drama “Blue Bloods,” along with the comedies “$..! My Dad Says” and “Mike & Molly.”

History Detectives at 9 p.m. on PBS
Host Elyse Luray investigates a Michigan woman’s query as to whether her family clock kept time for the entire Midwest during the 19th century. Gwen Wright explores the issue of why a document connected to a religious sect does not include the name of the woman who founded it. Tufuku Zuberi tries to discover what went wrong during a World War II dog-training program on — wait for it — Cat Island, near Gulfport, Miss.

Hoarders at 9 p.m. on A&E
The compulsively watchable reality series returns with a profile of Adella, whose hoarding already has cost her a previous home, as well as her marriage and relationship to her children, who now are trying to help her clean up to honor their late father. Next, Teri’s hoarding is so bad that it causes a physically unhealthy environment for her asthma-stricken children.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey at 9 p.m. on BRAVO
It’s not enough for “Real Housewives” addicts — and you know who you are — to witness the drama in the regular episodes. Oh, no. In the new special episode “Reunion,” Part 2, Andy Cohen welcomes Teresa Giudice, Caroline Manzo, Jacqueline Laurita and Danielle Staub for a chance to rehash the episodes and revive old grudges. In other words: good times!

American Pickers at 9 p.m. on HIST
In Kentucky, Mike and Frank visit a serious collector who is in the mood to sell following a life-altering incident. They also stop in at the geodesic dome home of a biker couple with some unusual items, then visit two retirees who live in a former honky-tonk spot with a stage and an extensive toy collection. They also interview Danielle about the raise she requested, using the opportunity to torture her a little in the new episode “Laurel and Hardy.”

The Closer at 9 p.m. on TNT
Brenda’s (Kyra Sedgwick) squad investigates the Hollywood murder of an aspiring actress who used an online dating service, but her invesigation is forced to take a back seat to her preparations for an interview with the mayor to become the next Los Angeles chief of police — a job Brenda still isn’t entirely sure she even wants. Mary McDonnell guest stars in the new episode “Last Woman Standing.”

The Big Bang Theory at 9:31 p.m. on CBS
Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and his friends try to come to Sheldon’s (Jim Parsons) rescue when the latter’s crippling case of stage fright stands between him and a coveted award. Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar also star in “The Pants Alernative.”

Thintervention With Jackie Warner at 10 p.m. on BRAVO
You! Out of the sugar bowl! In this new series, fitness expert Warner doles out tough love to eight pampered people who want to lose weight. After assessing their fitness levels with a basic workout, Jackie orders them to clear all the sugar out of their homes, but that’s easier said than done. Later, the clients undergo an extreme workout on an indoor obstacle course, then have an emotional group therapy session in “Experience Thintervention.”

Rizzoli & Isles at 10 p.m. on TNT
The ice-pick murder of an identity thief with no discernible identity of his own leads Jane (Angie Harmon) into Boston’s checkered past involving the Irish mob, while a surprising discovery about the victim sends Maura (Sasha Alexander) on a very personal quest. Frankie Jr. (Jordan Bridges) tries to help his dad (guest star Chazz Palminteri) expand his client base. John Doman and Chris Coy also guest star in the new episode “The Beast in Me.”

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations at 10 p.m. on TRAV
Tony and the team celebrate their 100th episode by returning to Paris and explaining how the series started in the City of Lights, with celebrated chef Eric Ripert (“Top Chef”) as a special guest. Stops include dinner at “Le tete dans les olives,” a visit to Le Chateaubriand, sampling neighborhood fare along Rue Mouffetard and last but not least, a visit to the renowned L’Atelier.



TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2010

NCIS at 8 p.m. on CBS
After the murder of a respected colleague sends shock waves through the team, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) makes a series of discoveries that include a surprising link to the crime in “Patriot Down.” Rena Sofer and Marco Sanchez reprise recurring guest roles in the episode; Richard Burgi and Dylan Bruno also guest star.

Minute to Win It at 8 p.m. on NBC
Anticipating the launch of NBC’s NFL season on Thursday, host Guy Fieri welcomes some popular sports figures for a two-night NFL-themed event that concludes on Wednesday. Tonight, Pierre Thomas of the New Orleans Saints and Visanthe Shiancoe of the Minnesota Vikings play for their respective charities, followed by a round featuring San Francisco 49ers cheerleader Amber Wright and Bernard Barrien of the Vikings.

Saturday Night Fever at 8 p.m. on MAX
Tony Manero (John Travolta) spends his days working in a paint store, but he lives for his nights in a Brooklyn disco where he’s the king of the dance floor. He ends up getting big life lessons from his sophisticate-wannabe partner (Karen Lynn Gorney) in a contest, and also from his reckless buddies, in director John Badham’s iconic 1977 drama that made its Bee Gees-driven soundtrack one of the top-selling albums in history.

NCIS: Los Angeles at 9 p.m. on CBS
After Callen’s (Chris O’Donnell) cover is blown, compromising the unit, he is forced to cut ties with NCIS while the rest of the team races to find out who is behind this serious breach of security in “Burned.” LL Cool J, Linda Hunt and Peter Cambor also star; Brian Avers and Peter Wingfield guest star.

Flipping Out at 9 p.m. on BRAVO
His business booming, Jeff and his staff don’t see how things could get any busier — and then he is asked to come to New York and design the “Kitchen of the Year” for House Beautiful magazine. Zoila gets a big birthday surprise, since Jeff feels uncharacteristically guilty for being out of town on her big day in the new episode “Bright Lewis, Big City.” Let’s hope it isn’t another unflattering portrait.

My Trip to Al-Qaeda at 9 p.m. on HBO
Based on a one-man stage production by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Lawrence Wright, this new documentary chronicles his efforts to understand Islamic terrorism in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001. His own words, film footage and photos combine to tell the story of a journalist struggling to maintain his objectivity on a very difficult subject.

Warehouse 13 at 9 p.m. on SYFY
After a former agent reopens a cold case involving Warehouse 13, Pete and Myka (Eddie McClintock, Joanne Kelly) use H.G. Wells’ time machine to travel back to 1961, where they hope to alter history and keep an unknown killer from turning a group of innocent women to glass in the new episode “Where and When.” Allison Scagliotti also stars.

19 Kids and Counting at 9 p.m. on TLC
The large Duggar clan struggles to get used to living with the demands of a preemie, which means, among other things, meeting with a new doctor who tests Josie’s development and growth. Elsewhere, Josie’s older siblings work to complete a CPR test in the new episode “Testy Duggars.”

White Collar at 9 p.m. on USA
After Peter and Neal (Tim DeKay, Matt Bomer) uncover a vital clue in the mystery of who killed Kate, Neal coordinates a very elaborate con game to bring himself face to face with the murderer of his ex-lover in “Point Blank,” the midseason finale. Diahann Carroll, Gloria Votsis and Noah Emmerich guest star.

POV at 10 p.m. on PBS
Avery, a Brooklyn, N.Y., teenager who was adopted by a white Jewish lesbian couple and also lives with two brothers — one Korean, one half black and half Puerto Rican, inadvertently triggers an identity crisis for herself after she writes to her birth mother. The response she receives leaves Avery struggling with the circumstances of her adoption, as well as her estrangement from black culture, in Nicole Opper’s moving “Off and Running.”

The Rachel Zoe Project at 10 p.m. on BRAVO
Rachel runs into a big problem with Demi Moore’s Oscar dress and faces another high-profile demand, as Olympic ice skater Johnny Weir asks for fashion assistance. While Rachel is at something of a loss styling for an athlete with a penchant for women’s clothing, Brad seems to be in his element. They just hope they can get Weir to tone things down enough not to land on a worst-dressed list in the new episode “The Oscars and Figure Skater Johnny Weir.”

Sons of Anarchy at 10 p.m. on FX
As season three of the critically acclaimed drama opens, the Sons of Anarchy are still reeling from Abel’s kidnapping, especially Jax (Charlie Hunnam), whose deep grief leaves him feeling even more conflicted about his future with the MC. Still on the lam, Gemma (Katey Sagal) receives some unexpected news from her past in the new episode “So.”

Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel at 10 p.m. on TRUTV
As season three opens, the reality series once again is on hand to chronicle the ins and outs of the famous Rehab pool party for A-listers of every description at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

Covert Affairs at 10 p.m. on USA
Annie (Piper Perabo) and her CIA colleagues find themselves with a political hot potato when Yahya “Johnny” Rahimi (guest star Mousa Kraish), a member of an Iranian trade delegation who passionately loves American pop culture, escapes his handlers upon arriving in Toronto for the WTO conference and offers to exchange stolen intelligence for safe passage to the United States. Christopher Gorham also stars in the new episode “Fool in the Rain.”

NightlinePrime — Secrets of Your Mind: Why We Do What We Do at 10:01 p.m. on ABC
In the final episode, the relationship between the brain and food, including the brain’s impact on obesity, is the main topic, with a report on an obese woman who finally turns to brain surgery in hopes of losing weight and a peek into the consciousness of a woman who eats uncontrollably, even while sleeping.



WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

Minute to Win It at 8 p.m. on NBC
The special NFL-themed games continue in this new episode. The Minnesota Vikings’ Bernard Barrien and San Francisco 49ers cheerleader Amber Wright pick up where they left off in Tuesday’s episode, then the Vikings’ Anthony Herrera teams up with Robert Meachem of the New Orleans Saints to take on the game’s 10 challenges in hopes of winning money for their favorite charities. Guy Fieri hosts.

America’s Next Top Model at 8 p.m. on CW
Some of the world’s top designers, photographers and fashion icons will serve as guest judges for season 15, in which 14 aspiring models compete for a prize package that includes a contract with IMG Models, fashion spreads in two Vogue publications and a contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics. In the season premiere, “Welcome to High Fashion,” the semifinalists perfect their runway walks and attend a party hosted by designer Cynthia Rowley. Tyra Banks hosts.

America’s Got Talent at 9 p.m. on NBC
The fat lady may not be ready to sing, but she’s definitely warming up, as the final four acts who will compete in the live finale are revealed, signaling the final phase of this season. These finalists will perform in next week’s finale for a shot at the $1 million grand prize and, of course, bragging rights as the most talented act in America. Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan are the judges; Nick Cannon is host.

Hellcats at 9 p.m. on CW
The world of cheerleading provides the backdrop for this new drama about Marti (Aly Michalka), a law student who tries out for her university’s legendary cheer squad in hopes of landing a scholarship that will allow her to stay in school after her other financial aid falls through. Ashley Tisdale (“High School Musical”), Sharon Leal, Matt Barr and Heather Hemmens also star in the series opener, “A World Full of Strangers.”

Man vs. Wild at 9 p.m. on DISC
Bear Grylls may make wilderness survival look easy, but in the new episode “Fan vs. Wild,” two viewers get to find out for themselves what it’s like. Bear takes them into Canada’s frigid Purcell Mountains for a 48-hour exercise that tests them to the limit.

Inside the NFL at 9 p.m. on SHOW
It’s the eve of the 2010 NFL season, and you need someone to give you the ins and outs of who’s playing whom each week. This season, Showtime’s expert panel of host James Brown and analysts Cris Collinsworth, Phil Simms and Warren Sapp will preview every game, focusing on critical players and matchups, and outline the postseason races as they take shape — right on through to Super Bowl XLV in February.

Ghost Hunters at 9 p.m. on SYFY
First the Ghost Hunters team investigates New England’s historic 1875 Inn, where a series of fires is said by some to have trapped the souls of its guests within its walls — including a child spirit, to whom the team gets a little too close during the investigation. Then in New Jersey, the crew investigates reports of Civil War apparitions in Shippen Manor, which dates from the 1760s, in the new episode “Uninvited Guests.”

Dark Blue at 9 p.m. on TNT
The team goes after a home invasion crew with Alex and Carter (Tricia Helfer, Dylan McDermott) acting as the bait and Ty (Omari Hardwick) on the inside, pretending to be a thief. Unfortunately, things go terribly wrong when their quarry gets wind of the setup. Currie Graham guest stars in the new episode “Home Sweet Home.”

Man v. Food at 9 p.m. on TRAV
In Portland, Maine, Adam chows down at Lobster Shack, samples a burger made of four kinds of meat, then heads to Tradewinds Cafe for the Manimal Challenge, which involves scarfing down an eight-patty burger, two hot dogs, a superthick milkshake and a soda — in 20 minutes. Man, would you kill to have the Pepcid concession on this show, or what?

Criss Angel Mindfreak at 10 p.m. on A&E
While juggling the demands of his crowded schedule and moving into Serenity, his new home, Criss decides to escape the city in favor of the Valley of Fire in the Mojave Desert, where he plans to attempt to levitate 100 feet and then disappear in the new episode “Levitation Vanish.”

Top Chef at 10 p.m. on BRAVO
The remaining “cheftestants” travel to Singapore in part one of the first internationally based “Top Chef” finale, during which they will compete in their next to last challenge, which will determine who will make it into the last round and a shot at claiming the title of Top Chef. Padma Lakshmi is host; Tom Colicchio is head judge.

Surviving the Cut at 10 p.m. on DISC
The new episode “Special Forces Diver” chronicles the grueling six-week training program known as the Special Forces Combat Dive Course. Only the best soldiers — many of them Green Berets and Army Rangers — are selected for this program, which subjects them to the most severe underwater conditions, but one in three won’t make it through the training.

Terriers at 10 p.m. on FX
Donal Logue (“Grounded for Life”) and Michael Raymond-James (“True Blood”) star in this offbeat dramedy as, respectively, ex-cop Hank Dolworth and his best buddy, Britt Pollack, who team up to do unlicensed private detective work. In “Pilot,” Hank and Britt find themselves being led down a rabbit hole of corruption when they try to do a favor for an old drinking pal. Laura Allen also stars.

Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the New York Jets at 10 p.m. on HBO
Coming into training camp, coach Rex Ryan’s Jets were the pick of many to make a long playoff run and perhaps even represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLV. Now, as the team readies to break camp in Cortland, N.Y., the expectations of the offseason will bring themselves to bear on players such as promising second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez and grizzled veteran runner LaDainian Tomlinson, who hopes to return to All-Pro form after a disappointing 2009.

Chasing Mummies at 10 p.m. on HIST
Alice, the marine archaeologist from Alexandria, wants to ask Zahi for a spot in the fellowship program, so as her first task he asks her to ride with him on horseback through the open desert to the Falcon Galleries. There, Zahi wants to see if these long-forgotten galleries can be restored as a new tourist destination, but he finds the place full of snakes and scorpions.

Black Gold at 10 p.m. on TRUTV
As the series returns for a third season, demand for oil has led Big Dog drilling to expand its rigs from four to 20, but that means fewer skilled hands are available, which increases safety concerns at a time when the risks of such work are on the forefront of everyone’s minds. Complicating matters: Peggy, a new landowner the crew of Rig 28 has to deal with, a demanding and high-maintenance personality who makes life miserable for the team.

Psych at 10 p.m. on USA
After they are approached by a U.S. government spy (guest star Franka Potente, “Run Lola Run”) who begs them to help clear her name of a crime she swears she didn’t commit, Shawn and Gus (James Roday, Dule Hill) find themselves caught up in a breathtaking hunt and chase right out of “The Bourne Identity” in the new episode “One, Maybe Two, Ways Out.” Jon Fries and Nestor Carbonell also guest star.



THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2010

The Vampire Diaries at 8 p.m. on CW
Picking up where the white-knuckle season finale left off, Elena (Nina Dobrev) comes home to a nightmare as she discovers the fates of Uncle John and Jeremy (David Anders, Steven R. McQueen). Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is the first to realize that Elena’s vampire doppelganger, Katherine (also played by Dobrev), has returned, forcing him and Stefan (Paul Wesley) to try to find out what she wants and how much of a threat she poses in “The Return.”

Sudden Impact at 8 p.m., 10:15 p.m. on AMC
Clint Eastwood added the line “Make my day” to the annals of pop culture with this effective 1983 “Dirty Harry” melodrama, the fourth in the series. It finds the maverick San Francisco cop involved with a sophisticate (Sondra Locke, who was Eastwood’s off-screen companion at the time) who has a lethal vendetta against a vicious gang. Pat Hingle also is featured.

Stomp the Yard at 8 p.m. on WTBS
If you can actually hear and understand the dialogue under the pulsing music, more power to you. If not, it doesn’t matter. Music and dancing is what this film is about, and you needn’t go deeper than that. Columbus Short stars as DJ, a street dancer who attends college after his brother (Chris Brown) is killed. While there, he’s in demand by rival fraternities to take part in a dance competition. Meagan Good, Jermaine Williams and Ne-Yo also star.

NFL Football at 8:30 p.m. on NBC
When the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints, tonight’s combatants in the season opener in N’awlins, last met, it was in January’s NFC Championship game. That was when Brett Favre threw an interception late in regulation that sent the game into overtime, where the Saints kicked a field goal on the first possession to get to their first Super Bowl. Drew Brees looks to have the Saints contending again this season. So does Favre with the Vikes — now that he’s returning.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation at 9 p.m. on CBS
A murderer whom Langston (Laurence Fishburne) helped put behind bars may hold the key to the identity of the elusive Dr. Jekyll serial killer, but the investigation puts more than one member of the CSI team in mortal danger in part two of last season’s finale, “Meat Jekyll.” Bill Irwin reprises his guest role as Nate Haskell, the infamous Dick and Jane killer; Marg Helgenberger also stars.

Rookie Blue at 9 p.m. on ABC
Andy (Missy Peregrym) questions her future with the force as the rookies find out if they have passed their evaluations in “In Blue,” the first part of the two-hour season finale. Then in “Takedown,” Andy goes undercover with Swarek (Ben Bass) after an untimely arrest compromises a major drug bust. At the station, Dov (Gregory Smith) learns more than he wanted to know about his girlfriend. Charlotte Sullivan and Enuka Okuma also star.

Nikita at 9 p.m. on CW
In this new action drama freely adapted from the movie “La Femme Nikita,” after three years in hiding, a former spy and assassin (Maggie Q, “Mission: Impossible III”) seeks retribution against a secret U.S. agency known as Division whose team of covert operatives ultimately betrayed her. Xander Berkeley, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca, Aaron Stanford, Tiffany Hines and Ashton Holmes also star in “Pilot.”

Pitchmen at 9 p.m. on DISC
In the new episode “From the Jaws of Victory,” Sully and his team dig through a big pile of inventions in search of the next big thing. Only one jumps out at them, however: a three-legged robot whisk from a British inventor. Elsewhere, a Canadian couple pitch a new kitchen gadget, and a fitness instructor shows off the bouncy boots she believes will revolutionize exercise.

9/11 State of Emergency at 9 p.m. on HIST
Top Bush administration officials weigh in on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, in this new two-hour special. Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser at the time, recalls a heated phone conversation with President Bush after the first attacks. Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and Richard Myers, acting chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also comment.

Destination Truth at 9 p.m. on SYFY
Host Josh Gates and his team return for a new season that opens in Naples, Italy, where they set out to conduct what is thought to be the world’s first paranormal investigation of the doomed city of Pompeii, where workers and tourists claim to have heard dismbodied voices and even witnessed apparitions. Later, Josh and company venture into Africa to investigate the fabled Nandi Beast. Members of the “Ghost Hunters” cast make a guest appearance.

Two Lovers at 9:15 p.m. on SHOW
An emotionally disturbed yet charming young man (Joaquin Phoenix) who has moved back in with his parents feels torn between the affections of an honest, loving young woman (Vinessa Shaw) whom his family wants him to marry and a volatile, manipulative neighbor (Gwyneth Paltrow) who has a married boyfriend (Elias Koteas). Isabella Rossellini also stars in this downbeat 2008 drama.

The Mentalist at 10 p.m. on CBS
Romantic sparks fly when Patrick (Simon Baker) crosses paths with supposed psychic Kristina Frye (returning guest star Leslie Hope) during an investigation into the murder of the charismatic leader of a nonprofit organization that fights human trafficking. Aunjanue Ellis and Nick Searcy also guest star in “Red Letter.”

Beast Legends at 10 p.m. on SYFY
This new six-part series follows a team of “Beast Seekers” — veterinary surgeon Stephen Leonard, antropologist Kathryn Denning, museum curator Scott Edwards and comic book artist Francis Manapul — as they review scientific data to reconstruct what mythical monsters would have looked like. First up: the Kraken, a multitentacled sea monster.



FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

Stand Up to Cancer at 8 p.m. on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, E!, HBO, SHOW, VH1
News anchors Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer and Brian Williams host this celebrity-packed special providing information about the disease as well as issuing appeals for donations for cancer research. The program airs simultaneously on CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and several cable channels.

The Dead Pool at 8 p.m., 10 p.m. on AMC
As if being targeted by mobsters for sending one of their number to prison weren’t bad enough rogue cop “Dirty” Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) discovers he’s on another hit list of sorts. Some folks are placing bets on when certain celebrities — including Harry — are going to die, and somebody is taking steps to ensure that they actually do. Liam Neeson also stars.

CSI: NY at 9 p.m. on CBS
Mac (Gary Sinise) is determined to seek justice when a 14-year-old boy is fatally shot in front of his 12-year-old brother in “Unusual Suspects.” Melina Kanakaredes, Carmine Giovinazzo and Hill Harper also star; Madchen Amick guest stars.

The Good Guys at 9 p.m. on FOX
The department goes into high alert after receiving a tip that a getaway driver (guest star Dan Castellaneta, “The Simpsons”) may be part of a bank heist that’s in the works, but Dan (Bradley Whitford) can’t shake his hunch that something bigger is afoot in “Hunches and Heists.” Colin Hanks and Jenny Wade also star.

Man, Woman, Wild at 9 p.m. on DISC
In the new episode “Tennessee,” Mykel and Ruth find themselves off the beaten path in the Smokey Mountains, where a variety of hazards await them, including black bears with big appetites.

Voices From Inside the Towers at 9 p.m. on HIST
Get out your handkerchiefs for this powerful two-hour special, which revisits the horrific events of 9/11 through phone calls made by people inside the Twin Towers. Some ultimately lived. Others died, leaving behind grieving loved ones, including one anguished young man who let what would be his brother’s last call to him go to voice mail.

World’s Greatest Dad at 9 p.m. on SHOW
Actor and comic Bobcat Goldthwait wrote and directed this 2009 comedy-drama about a single father (Robin Williams) who works as a high-school poetry teacher but dreams of becoming a successful writer — until a freak accident leads to both tragedy and opportunity for him. Daryl Sabara, Morgan Murphy and Naomi Glick also star.

Eureka at 9 p.m. on SYFY
Jo and Fargo (Erica Cerra, Neil Grayston) enlist the aid of Allison and Carter (Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Colin Ferguson) after a Global Dynamics project is stolen. Digging into the records of Dr. Grant (James Callis), the prime suspect, Carter and Jo find a jaw-dropping connection between Grant and Beverly Barlowe (Debrah Farentino). Niall Matter and Joe Morton also star in the new episode “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

Ghost Adventures at 9 p.m. on TRAV
Preparing for next week’s new season premiere, paranormal investigators Zak Bagans and Nick Groff, along with their equipment technician, Aaron Goodwin, present evidence of the many ways the afterlife displays itself through their use of scientific equipment from the first two seasons of the show.

Ocean’s Eleven at 9 p.m. on WTBS
George Clooney and company put a modern sheen on the original Rat Pack gathering in director Steven Soderbergh’s (“Traffic”) flashy 2001 update. Clooney plays Danny Ocean, a just-paroled thief who wastes no time organizing a Las Vegas heist — which happens to target his ex-wife’s (Julia Roberts) casino-owning beau (Andy Garcia). Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac and Carl Reiner play other members of the robbery team.

Beyond Survival With Les Stroud at 10 p.m. on DISC
Les treks across the Sahara and deep into the Kalahari Desert to hunt with the San, a tribe of Bushmen who may be descended from some of our most ancient human ancestors: inhabitants of an originally lush region where the gradual change from verdant fields to stark desert forced these early hunters and their prey further south.

Haven at 10 p.m. on SYFY
Man, talk about a party pooper! The festive mood at a surprise birthday party for Audrey (Emily Rose) at a nearby island hotel quickly turns to fear after her new friends and acquaintances discover that a predatory shape-shifter is among them — which means this thing has replaced one of their number. But which one? And can they solve this riddle before it’s too late? Lucas Bryant and Eric Balfour also star in the new episode “As You Were.”

Leave Her to Heaven at 10 p.m. on TCM
Gene Tierney scored an Oscar nomination as best actress playing a terminally jealous woman with major daddy issues who kills people to keep her writer husband (Cornel Wilde) to herself in this 1945 adaptation of a best-selling novel by Ben Ames Williams. Vincent Price and Jeanne Crain also star in the film, which won an Academy Award for best cinematography.



SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

The Last Samurai at 7:15 p.m. on MAX
Tom Cruise demonstrates the way of the sword in director Edward Zwick’s sweeping 2003 adventure. He plays Nathan Algren, an American military man in 19th-century Japan who’s recruited to teach then-modern techniques of warfare in preparation for a new global diplomacy. Eventually, Algren regrets opposing the samurai warriors he’s meant to depose. Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe, Shin Koyamada, Koyuki, Seizo Fukumoto and Billy Connolly co-star.

NASCAR Racing at 7:30 p.m. on ABC
The final race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup, tonight’s Air Guard 400, will leave 12 very happy drivers in its wake and several dozen others not so much. Denny Hamlin, who won this race last year over Brian Vickers on the .75-mile D-oval at Virginia’s Richmond International Speedway, will likely fall into the former category, as he stood third in the Cup standings at this writing. He returns to defend his title.

Tennis at 8 p.m. on CBS
Two weeks of pounding on the hardcourts of USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center can be enough to wear down even the best-conditioned players, and tonight in Flushing, N.Y., the two survivors will go at in the women’s final of the U.S. Open. Kim Clijsters, who came into last year’s Open as a wild card, won her second title here in ’09 by beating both Williams sisters, then knocking off ninth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki in the final, 7-5, 6-3.

Cops at 8 p.m. on FOX
Eight hundred episodes — that’s a lot of car chases and shirtless drunks. The long-running reality series marks two milestones tonight: its 800th episode and the start of its 23rd season. Surprises are guaranteed for both the featured law enforcement officers and viewers at home, as what start out as routine calls often become anything but.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 8 p.m. on FAM
Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian, supposedly cautioned him that “no one’s ever gonna pay a dime to see a dwarf picture,” but Uncle Walt followed his instincts and made movie history with this 1937 animated adaptation of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, which the American Film Institute named the greatest American animated film of all time in 2008. Songs include “Whistle While You Work,” ”Heigh-Ho” and “Some Day My Prince Will Come.”

Everybody’s Fine at 8 p.m. on SHOW
Robert De Niro takes a road trip, literally, as his widower character seeks out his grown children and tries to reconnect with them in this predictable but well-acted drama from writer-director Kirk Jones. Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell play the offspring who hope Dad will accept them as the individuals they’ve become. If anything, the film stands as reconfirmation that De Niro is a master at adding a lot to the material he’s given.

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.

America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back at 9 p.m. on FOX
On the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., host John Walsh profiles a man with connections to the attacks as well as other plots against the United States. Also in the season premiere, Walsh introduces a fugitive with a long history of crimes in New York who has an amazing ability to stay one step ahead of the police.

Fairfield Road at 9 p.m. on HALL
Jesse Metcalfe (“Desperate Housewives”) stars in this new boy-loses-girl, boy-meets-new-girl drama as a political strategist who seeks sanctuary in a small seaside town after his career train derails and his girlfriend dumps him. He gets involved in local politics and finds a new love interest, but when his ex comes back and a hot job beckons, he’s got some tough decisions to make. Natalie Lisinska (“The Dresden Files”) also stars.

Quantum of Solace at 9:45 p.m. on SHOW
A sequel to “Casino Royale” that picks up shortly after the previous film ended, Daniel Craig’s second round as James Bond is largely a straight-ahead action machine that puts Agent 007 on the trail of the organization behind his true love’s death. He encounters an ecology-minded villain (Mathieu Amalric), a woman (Olga Kurylenko) with her own score to settle and an untested field agent (Gemma Arterton).

Sherlock Holmes at 10 p.m. on MAX
A Golden Globe Award winner for the film, Robert Downey Jr. becomes the latest screen embodiment of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s master detective in this fanciful adventure, which sets him and loyal assistant Dr. Watson (a well-cast Jude Law) on the trail of a supposedly executed enemy (Mark Strong, “Body of Lies”). Leaving Scotland Yard puzzled, the villain’s murderous path prompts Holmes and Watson to hatch new means of fighting crime.