News & Notes

Tonight, FOX has the post-strike return of House.

Over on cable, ABC Family has the spring premiere of Wildfire, BBC America has the season finale of Top Gear, VH1 has the third season finale of The Flavor of Love, and WE has the first season finale of High School Confidential.

Everything that is going to be back post-strike will be back this week. So, I thought since this was the first week in a while that everything is new, it would fun to add an extra bit of info to this week’s Tonight on the Tube posts. Bold Italic Items signify what shows the TVaholic is watching, or recording, or watching on demand, etc., tonight. Let me know what you will be watching tonight in the comments. Let’s find out if you watch more or less than the TVaholic?

Prime Picks

The Big Bang Theory (CBS): New. Penny finds the guys’ obsession with props from sci-fi movies and comic books to be quite pathetic.
How I Met Your Mother (CBS): New. As you may have seen last week, Barney broke the “bro code” and has to suffer the consequences this week after Ted finds out.

House (FOX): New. House and Amber are at each other over how much time the other gets to spend with Wilson. Cuddy wants House to provide performance reviews for his team.

CSI: Miami (CBS): New. The target of a robbery gives up a shocking secret after a body found in a sinkhole leads the team to knowledge of the robbery.

Solid Selections

Bones (FOX): New. Booth and Brennan investigate after a woman dies after she is run off the road, but her baby survives the crash. Booth, Bones and a baby should be pretty funny.

Two and a Half Men (CBS): New. Charlie is after his soon-to-be stepsister, while Alan is planning their mother’s wedding.
Rules of Engagement (CBS): New. Jeff is trying to take off a few pounds before he goes in for an insurance medical exam.

Medium (NBC): New. Joe gets Allison a used car that is in fabulous shape, only to find out that it was used in a brutal crime that was never solved.

Cable Choices

Greek (ABC Family): New. Rusty is after a possible new girlfriend. Casey finally comes to terms with her feelings about Evan. Plays again late night tomorrow and again before next week’s new episode. Over at theTVaddict, they have an interview with Jacob Zachar, who plays Rusty, you may enjoy.

Wildfire (ABC Family): Spring Premiere. Jean is injured and it puts Kris and Junior’s wedding plans on the backburner. Plays again later.

Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (Food Network): Repeats. Guy visits places to find great “Italian” food and then goes on the hunt for a “Big Breakfast.” Both episodes play again later.

Other Options

• Dirty Jobs (Discovery Channel): New. Mike works with cows. Plays again later.
• Good Eats (Food Network): New. Alton makes some cupcakes. Plays again later.
• Gossip Girl (The CW): New. Serena’s former gal pal and troublemaker, Georgina Sparks, is back in Manhattan. Nate and Vanessa get cozy. Jenny may have just met the guy that could permanently cement her place on the A-list.
• One Tree Hill (The CW): New. Lindsay comes back to Tree Hill for Jaime’s birthday party. Lucas thinks he may have a chance with her. Brooke and Peyton are dealing with having a baby in the house. Dan tells Nathan and Haley a secret he has been keeping. Who do you think Lucas should be with, Lindsay or Peyton?
• Samantha Who? (ABC): New. Jerry O’Connell (Crossing Jordan) makes an appearance as a guy that Sam wants to use to make Todd think she has moved on, but she may have met him before and doesn’t remember. This would normally get picked over Rules of Engagement, but it airs after a 98 minute Dancing With the Stars, giving it a funky start and end time tonight.

Sports Notes

• ESPN has Monday Night Baseball with the New York Yankees at the Cleveland Indians.
• ESPN2 has Arena Football action.
• NBA TV has playoff action with the Toronto Raptors at the Orlando Magic.
• TNT has a NBA playoff doubleheader with the Boston Celtics at the Atlanta Hawks followed by the Los Angeles Lakers at the Denver Nuggets.
• Versus has NHL playoff action with the Montreal Canadiens at the Philadelphia Flyers.

Late Night

• Burn Notice (USA): Repeat. Episode two, “Identity,” replays. Episode three plays late night Thursday.

TV Marathons

MTV has seven episodes of America’s Next Top Model early.
Oxygen has 10 episodes of Living Single.
Sci Fi has eight episodes of Doctor Who early.
Travel Channel has eight episodes of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.

Show: This American Life (Showtime)
Episode: “Escape” - Season Premiere (Season 2)
Premiere Date: Sunday, May 4th, 2008
Rating: 3 out of 4 Stars

Quick Synopsis: Getting out, without really, getting out.

Long Synopsis: The show opens with a vignette about teen boys in Philadelphia that are riding horses right in their neighborhood. Then, the bulk of the episode is devoted to the story of a young man and his mother, who are seemingly trapped together by circumstance. That being, he has a debilitating disease and she is his caregiver. Yet, due to technology, he has been able to live into adulthood, a time when you normally become independent of your parents. It shows what he has been able to do, to assert some level of independence.

Review: I have never listened to the This American Life radio show, nor did I watch the first season of the TV version. I had no idea what to expect when the screener arrived. So, I asked a friend that listens to the radio show, what it was about. She said that each show usually revolves around a topic or theme. Then varying stories around that theme are told and they can be funny or moving, but are always interesting.

The production notes for season two reads, “a second season of incredibly moving, sometimes funny and always dramatic stories culled from around the country.” It is nice to see when the marketing material matches up with someone’s real life experience. And, after watching the first episode, I would have to agree. This one falls into the incredibly moving category.

Ira Glass, host of the radio show, only appears in the opening to introduce the theme of the episode. After that, he is heard asking questions, but not seen. This allows the story being profiled to take center stage. Given the material, this is a welcome use of the host.

The show is very understated in its overall style, but is shot and edited beautifully. This, too, allows the stories themselves to standout. Although, it does move along quite slowly, but that is probably to allow you time to reflect on the story you are being told.

This American Life returns to Showtime with six new episodes for season two. The first of which premieres next Sunday, May 4th, after a new episode of The Tudors. Subsequent episodes have the themes of “Two Wars,” “Going Down in History,” “Fighters,” “Scenes from a Marriage,” and “John Smith.” I am looking forward to watching more and hope that the first season ends up back out in the Showtime On Demand section on my cable, so I can catch up.

If you check it out, come back and tell us what you thought of the season two debut of This American Life?

News & Notes

Tonight, CBS has the season finale of Big Brother 9.

Over on cable, Showtime has the first season finale of Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union and VH1 has the series premiere of Celebracadabra and the season finale of Celebrity Fit Club.

With the return of House on FOX, Shark on CBS and Women’s Murder Club on ABC this week, everything that is going to be back post-strike, will be back. And, everything is going to be new, as well. So, I thought it would fun to add an extra bit of info to this week’s Tonight on the Tube posts. Bold Italic Items will signify what shows the TVaholic is watching each night, or recording, or watching on demand, etc., this week. Let me know what you will be watching each night in the comments. Let’s find out if you watch more or less than the TVaholic?

Prime Picks

The Simpsons (FOX): New. Bart is attempting to keep a cow from going to the slaughterhouse.
Aliens in America (The CW): New. Raja tries to make friends with a girl that he thinks is being ostracized unfairly, until after spending a little time with her, he comes to the revelation that she is quite annoying.

Desperate Housewives (ABC): New. They say you are in for a “Wow” tonight. We shall see. Bree and Katherine are getting into business with each other. Lynette is trying to deny what she feels about another guy. Mike might finally figure out who hit him. Runs 62 minutes.

Brothers & Sisters (ABC): New. Robert is offered the VP spot on the ticket. Kevin comes to a realization about his relationship with Scotty. Rebecca finds out the result of the paternity test.

Solid Selections

Monk (NBC): Repeat. Monk has to deal guest star Stanley Tucci (ER, 3 lbs.), who is playing an actor that is playing Monk in a movie, while he investigates a case, in this episode from season five. This was a really fun episode.

Cold Case (CBS): New. A 1965 suicide case gets reopened when it is learned that the person did not write the note that was left. Next week is the season finale, which plays an hour earlier to accommodate an extra episode of Dexter, see below for more info.

Dexter (CBS): Repeat. The Ice Truck Killer leaves one helluva crime scene and Rita’s ex is suing her for custody of their kids. The final two episodes of season one play next week.

Cable Choices

Food Network Challenge (Food Network): New. Four cake designers have to make an engagement party cake. Plays again later. This is “Wedding Week” on the Food Network.

The Tudors (Showtime): New. Anne and her family are finding that their power at court is being jeopardized. Plays again later.

Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union (Showtime): New. Tracey Ullman does impersonations and skewers pop culture. Plays twice. The second season of Showtime’s This American Life premieres next week in this timeslot. Look for a review later today.

Other Options

• Army Wives (Lifetime): Repeat. Episode eight, “Only the Lonely,” replays, where Denise is thinking about going back into nursing. Plays again later.
• Breaking Bad (AMC): Repeat. The first season finale episode, “A No-Rough-Stuff Type Deal,” replays, where Walter fully embraces his new lifestyle. Plays twice and again later.
• Psych (NBC): Repeat. In this episode from season one, “Spellingg Bee,” Shawn and Gus investigate when the Spellmaster of the Bee is murdered.
• Throwdown With Bobby Flay (Food Network): New. Bobby competes in a dumplings battle. A repeat episode follows. Both replay again later.

Sports Notes

• ABC has a NBA playoff doubleheader with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Washington Wizards followed by the San Antonio Spurs at the Phoenix Suns.
• ESPN has Day 2 of the 2008 NFL Draft and later Sunday Night Baseball with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at the Detroit Tigers.
• FOX has NASCAR racing with the Sprint Cup: Aaron’s 499.
• NBC has NHL playoff action with the New York Rangers at the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• TBS has MLB action with the New York Yankees at the Cleveland Indians.
• TNT has a NBA playoff doubleheader with the Detroit Pistons at the Philadelphia 76ers followed by the New Orleans at the Dallas Mavericks.
• Versus has NHL playoff action with the Dallas Stars at the San Jose Sharks.

Late Night

• Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi): Repeat. Last Friday’s episode, “Escape Velocity,” replays.
• Mad Men (AMC): Repeat. Episode two, “Ladies Room,” replays. Episode three plays next week.
• The Riches (FX): Repeat. Last Tuesday’s episode, “Dead Calm,” replays.

TV Marathons

Bravo has five hours of Inside the Actors Studio episodes early.
Cartoon Network has 12 episodes of Courage the Cowardly Dog.
Discovery Channel has eight episodes of Man vs. Wild.
MTV has 12 episodes of America’s Next Top Model.
Sci Fi has five two-hour alien themed movies.
TLC has 13 episodes of Little People, Big World.
Travel Channel has eight episodes of Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern.
TV Land has 16 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.
USA has six episodes of House tonight.
WE has eight episodes of High School Confidential.

News & Notes

On cable tonight, BBC America has the second season premiere of Robin Hood and the third season premiere of The Graham Norton Show.

Prime Picks

Cold Case (CBS): Repeat. A yuppie couple was murdered back in 1981 and new direction gives the detectives a reason to reopen the case, in this episode from season four.

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC): Repeat. Logan and Falacci are investigating the execution style killings of four college students, in this episode from earlier this season.

Law & Order (NBC): Repeat. This season’s premiere episode replays, where new detective Cyrus Lupo is introduced, as he comes home from abroad to a terrible family situation.

Solid Selections

Medium (NBC): Repeat. Episode two from this season replays, where Allison is trying to help in the search for a missing teen.

CSI: NY (CBS): Repeat. Stella is being haunted by memories of her past, after her DNA is found in connection to a case in Philadelphia, in this episode from season three. This episode includes a crossover appearance by Det. Valens from Cold Case.

48 Hours Mystery (CBS): New. The investigation of an actress that was murdered and whether her secret diary had anything to do with it is profiled.

Cable Choices

MythBusters (Discovery Channel): Repeat. The “Alaska Special” from earlier this week replays, where the guys test out some Alaska anecdotes.

Robin Hood (BBC America): Season Premiere. Robin and his gang are trying to figure out how to stop the Sheriff from overthrowing the King Richard. Marian and her father have been placed under house arrest. Really enjoyed the first-season of this show and have been looking forward to its return. This is the best bet of the night.

Dirty Jobs (Discovery Channel): Repeat. The episode from earlier this week that had Mike working on a fishing boat in Alaska replays.

Other Options

• 50 Most Outrageous TV Moments (E!): Repeat. Not sure how outrageous these are, but there are some pretty good laughs in the two hours.
• Princess (ABC Family): Premiere. A mythical princess that can heal creatures is the object of a young man’s affections. Runs two hours. Plays twice and then again next Wednesday night.
• Storm Cell (Lifetime): Released 2008. It looks like my hometown of Seattle is about to become the new Tornado Alley and a storm chaser comes to warn her brother. Runs two hours.

Sports Notes

• ABC has NASCAR racing with the Nationwide Series: Aaron’s 312.
• ESPN has the 2008 NFL Draft followed by doubleheader NBA playoff action with the Boston Celtics at the Atlanta Hawks followed by the Houston Rockets at the Utah Jazz. Two games play before these, see TNT below.
• ESPN2 takes of the 2008 NFL Draft coverage when basketball starts on ESPN.
• FOX has MLB action with FOX Saturday Baseball.
• NBC has NHL playoff action with the Colorado Avalanche at the Detroit Red Wings.
• TNT has doubleheader NBA playoff action with the Orlando Magic at the Toronto Raptors followed by the Los Angeles Lakers at the Denver Nuggets. Two more games play after these, see ESPN above.
• Versus has NHL playoff action with the Philadelphia Flyers at the Montreal Canadiens.

Late Night

• MADtv (FOX): New. Dominic Monaghan (Lost) joins in the sketch comedy fun.
• Saturday Night Live (NBC): Repeat. The Christopher Walken hosted episode from a couple of weeks ago replays. The musical guest was Panic at the Disco.
• Talkshow With Spike Feresten (FOX): New. Luenell (Borat) is his guest.

TV Marathons

ABC Family has The Cutting Edge, The Cutting Edge 2: Going For the Gold, and The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream.
Bravo has five episodes of The Real Housewives of New York.
Food Network has five hours of Unwrapped episodes tonight.
Hallmark Channel has six two-hour TV movies based on Janette Oke books, including Love’s Enduring Promise, Love’s Long Journey, Love’s Abiding Joy, Love’s Unending Legacy, Love’s Unfolding Dream, and Love Comes Softly. The first and last of these listed stars Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy).
MTV has 12 episodes of America’s Next Top Model.
The N has 19 episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Sci Fi has seven two-hour TV movies featuring vampires.
Travel Channel has Pizza Paradise, Hot Dog Paradise, Hamburger Paradise, Diner Paradise, Steak Paradise, Barbecue Paradise, and All You Can Eat Paradise.
TruTV has five episodes of The Investigators.
TV One has 20 episodes of Cedric the Entertainer Presents.
VH1 has the five-part 100 Greatest Songs of the ‘80s.