Tonight on the Tube: Treehouse of Horror XXI, Dexter and Brothers & Sisters

News & Notes

On cable tonight,BET has a Black Girls Rock! special, Disney Channel has the series premiere of Shake It Up, E! has the third season premiere of Kendra and the series premiere of Married to Rock, HBO has the second season finale of Eastbound & Down, MTV2 has the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010, and Style has the second season fall finale of Jerseylicious and the first season finale of Mel B: It’s a Scary World.

In late night, Adult Swim has the first season finale of Childrens Hospital.

Prime Picks

The Simpsons (FOX): New. It’s the “Treehouse of Horror XXI,” Marge is worried about violent video games, Lisa has a crush on a vampire, and Homer rescues a castaway from a ship. Runs 30 minutes.

Dexter (Showtime): New. Dexter having helped Lumen is even closer to being found out. The Santa Muerte murders leads to a confrontation of deadly proportions. Plays again later.

Brothers & Sisters (ABC): New. Justin gets even more involved with Holly’s recovery after he sees a nurse that he likes at the hospital. Paige helps Scotty and Kevin forgive. Starts a minute after the hour and runs 59 minutes.

Solid Selections

Challenge (Food Network): New. Four cake designers compete in a “Giant Wedding Cakes” competition where they have to build a cake that is at least six feet tall. Plays again later.

Desperate Housewives (ABC): New. Susan takes a job as Lynette’s nanny. Beth is becoming more suspicious of Paul. Lynette gets an interesting offer from Renee. Runs 61 minutes.

The Walking Dead (AMC): New. Rick accidentally gets a group of survivors trapped by the walkers, but ends up having to deal with something even more dangerous. Plays twice and again later. What did you think of last week’s premiere? The look and feel of it was great, as it is very atmospheric in both the cinematography and the Bear McCreary musical accompaniment. There’s some great acting, especially Lennie James. But, for all that, it’s just another excellent show from AMC that I don’t feel the need to keep up with. Yet, I’ll watch the six episodes, even though as you can see by my picks today, I’d rather watch Brothers & Sisters.

Other Options

• Boardwalk Empire (HBO): New. Nucky gets some disturbing news from Atlantic City while visiting Chicago for the Republican National Convention. Plays again later.
• Iron Chef America (Food Network): New. Chef Edward Lee challenges Iron Chef Jose Garces. Plays again later.
• Luther (BBC America): New. Henry Madsen comes out of his coma, which isn’t a good thing for Luther. Luther must find three missing girls. Runs 75 minutes. Plays again later.
• The Next Iron Chef (Food Network): New. The five contestants remaining must find “Inspiration“ in chocolate. Plays again later.

Sports Notes

• CBS has NFL football action.
• ESPN has NASCAR racing action with the Sprint Cup: AAA Texas 500 and later MLS Playoffs with the Seattle Sounders FC at the Los Angeles Galaxy.
• FOX has NFL football action.
• NBC has Sunday Night Football with the Dallas Cowboys at the Green Bay Packers.

Late Night

• Sons of Anarchy (FX): Repeat. Last Tuesday’s episode, “Turas,” replays.

TV Marathons

A&E has 10 episodes of Paranormal State.
ABC Family is playing the Back to the Future Trilogy.
Bravo has 13 episodes of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Oxygen has 12 episodes of America’s Next Top Model.
Spike TV has five episodes of CSI: NY followed by six episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
USA has 14 episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
WE has 11 episodes of Bridezillas.