News & Notes
Over on cable, HGTV has the second season premiere of HGTV Showdown, MTV has the series premieres of Rob Drydek’s Fantasy Factory, The College Humor Show, Nitro Circus and How’s Your News?, Spike has the series premiere of 1000 Ways to Die, and Travel Channel has the series premiere of Mark & Olly: Living With the Machigenga.
In late night, Comedy Central has a Bert Kreischer: Comfortably Dumb comedy special.
Prime Picks
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC): New. Ty and the gang rebuild a home that was burnt down in a fire for a woman and her children.
Desperate Housewives (ABC): New. Bree has decided to splurge on a new car. Susan wants to send M.J. to a private school that she and Mike can’t afford. Gaby is getting back into shape. Lee has some disturbing info on Dave, but wonders if he should tell. Runs 61 minutes.
Brothers & Sisters (ABC): New. Rebecca finds something out about the Walkers and goes to her father for advice. Someone from William’s past calls Nora. Starts a minute after the hour and runs 59 minutes.
Solid Selection
The Simpsons (FOX): Repeat. Lisa finds that she is really good at crossword puzzles.
King of the Hill (FOX): Repeat. Peggy is planning a baby shower for Luanne.
XIII (NBC): Miniseries Premiere. This is part one of a two part miniseries that stars Val Kilmer (The Doors), Stephen Dorff (World Trade Center), Stephen McHattie (Watchmen), and Jessalyn Gilsig (Heroes). The story begins with the first female U.S. president being assassinated by a sniper. Three months have passed and a wounded amnesiac man is found in a forest. He has a “XIII” tattooed on his neck, the only clue to who he may be. He has lightning-fast reflexes and killer instincts, could he be the presidential assassin that is still being searched for? Unraveling the true identity of XIII may be the only way to take down a far-reaching conspiracy. Runs two hours. Part two plays next Sunday.
Cable Choices
Food Network Challenge (Food Network): New. Four chocolatiers try to recreate some of the world’s most famous sculptures out of chocolate. Plays again later.
Ultimate Recipe Showdown (Food Network): New. This episode covers “Desserts,” as four home cooks battle it out for a $25,000 prize. Guy Fieri hosts. Plays again later.
United States of Tara (Showtime): New. Tara is doing well. She’s painting a mural and may be making a new friend. Plays again later.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Showtime): New. Belle is spending too much time thinking about Alex and it is affecting her performance at work. Plays again later.
Other Option
- Flight of the Conchords (HBO): New. Mel wants Bret to apologize for inappropriate behavior in his dream.
- The 51st Annual Grammy Awards (CBS): Special. Katy Perry, Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, the Jonas Brothers, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood and Lil Wayne are scheduled to perform at the awards fest that honors excellence in the recording industry. Runs three hours.
Sports Notes
- ABC has doubleheader NBA action with the San Antonio Spurs at the Boston Celtics followed by the Los Angeles Lakers at the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- CBS has Final Round coverage of the Buick Invitational golf tournament.
- ESPN has NBA action with the Phoenix Suns at the Detroit Pistons.
- Golf Channel has the Final Round of the Buick Invitational.
- NBC has the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl.
Late Night
- Damages (FX): Repeat. Last Wednesday’s episode, “I Agree, It Wasn’t Funny,” replays.
- nip/tuck (FX): Repeat. Last Tuesday’s episode, “Ricky Wells,” replays. Runs 61 minutes.
- Psych (USA): Repeat. Last Friday’s episode, “Truer Lies,” replays. This was an absolutely great episode.
TV Marathons
A&E has six episodes of The Sopranos.
History has 16 episodes of MonsterQuest.
Oxygen has 12 episodes of America’s Next Top Model.
Spike has five episodes of UFC Unleashed.
Travel Channel has eight episodes of Living With the Mek Tribe: The Adventures of Mark & Olly.
