News & Notes
Over on cable, BBC America has the 16th season premiere of Top Gear, Discovery Channel has the first season finale of American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior, HBO has a Reagan special, Nat Geo Wild has the first season finale of My Life Is a Zoo, TLC has the series premiere of The Unpoppables, and truTV has the series premiere of Lizard Lick Towing.
Prime Picks
House (FOX): New. Cuddy’s mother, played by Candace Bergin (Murphy Brown), fall’s ill and ends up firing House from her case, which he doesn’t stop working on. Lots of complications ensue. Great episode that once again pits Masters’ moral compass against House’s and the outcome works well. I love that House needs someone to go against him, who doesn’t necessarily keep him honest, but does help him think through cases. Also, the episode presents another interesting dynamic in the Cuddy and House relationship.
The Chicago Code (FOX): Series Premiere. Jennifer Beals (The L Word) stars as the first female superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. She sets out to clean up the cops and the city of corruption. @ShawnRyanTV, the guy behind past shows like The Shield and Terriers, has put forth another excellent cop drama. It is more than just a cop/detective procedural though. Sure, cases will be investigated, but there is a level of corruption that is attempting to be weeded out that makes the story bigger and the stakes much higher for all involved. The case is just outstanding. Along with Beals are Jason Clarke (Brotherhood), Matt Lauria (Friday Night Lights), and Delroy Lindo (Kidnapped). The episode quickly draws you in with great writing and interesting characters and leaves you wanting more given how it ends. At least that’s how it was for me. The only thing that was a little weird was that multiple characters provide voiceovers. This is just great TV. Highly recommended.
Castle (ABC): New. Beckett and Castle are left with lots of suspects when a lottery winner is found dead. Starts a minute after the hour and runs 59 minutes.
Solid Selections
Chuck (NBC): New. Casey, Chuck and Sarah are attempting to rescue Roan Montgomery, played by John Larroquette (Night Court), in Morocco and Morgan is planning on meeting Alex’s mother.
Greek (ABC Family): New. Rusty sets out to discover exactly what happened the night before after he wakes up with a hangover and a fuzzy member of the previous night’s events.
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family): New/Repeat. There are more problems than just some of the members of the swim team. This episode plays before and after Greek tonight. Plays again next week before the next new episode.
Other Options
- Being Human (Syfy): New. Josh meets a werewolf that doesn’t like vampires. Rebecca wants help from Aidan staying away from the vampire clan. Sally learns something new. Plays again later. Last week’s episode, “Some Thing to Watch Over Me,” replays right before.
- Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (Food Network): New. Guy checks out some places with “Signature Sandwiches.” A repeat episode follows. Both play again later.
- Gossip Girl (The CW): New. Blair tries to get Nate to help her out with her boss.
- Hawaii Five-0 (CBS): New. Five0 must head out into the jungle after a witness before the people trying to kill her get to her first.
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS): New. Ted finally confronts his feelings for Zoey. Barney puts the moves on Zoey’s cousin.
- Rules of Engagement (CBS): New. Timmy has joing a singing group. Jeff and Audrey are dealing with a new neighbor that is annoying.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS): New. Charlie and Rose get together and Alan’s business turns into a Ponzi scheme. Runs 31 minutes.
Sports Notes
- ESPN has doubleheader men’s college basketball action.
- ESPN2 has a women’s college basketball game followed by a men’s college basketball game.
- NBA TV has the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Charlotte Hornets.
Late Night
- White Collar (USA Network): Repeat. Last Tuesday’s episode, “What Happens in Burma,” replays.
TV Marathons
Bravo has nine episodes of America’s Next Top Model.
Discovery Channel has six episodes of American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior.
Oxygen has 10 episodes of Roseanne followed by 10 episodes of The Bad Girls Club.
USA Network has 11 episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
WE has seven episodes of Little Miss Perfect early and later 10 episodes of The Golden Girls tonight.
