Sunday, October 31, 2010

October 31, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Ghost Hunters Halloween Live" Tonight at 7 on Syfy. New York's abandoned Buffalo Central Terminal becomes the site of a nightlong probe conducted on Halloween.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Tonight at 8 on ABC. A Halloween episode finds Ty and his team making the basement safe again at the Oregon School for the Deaf, and building a haunted house there as a fund-raiser for the school. Rob Zombie and Marlee Matlin make guest appearances.

"Sunday Night Football:Steelers at Saints" Tonight at 8:15 on NBC. Pittsburgh (5-1) at New Orleans (4-3) in a Halloween-night matchup of the last two Super Bowl winners. This game pits the staunch Steelers defense against QB Drew Brees and the versatile Saints attack. Pittsburgh won the last meeting in 2006.

"Desperate Housewives" Tonight at 9 on ABC. As Halloween nears, Susan tells Mike about Va-Va-Broom; Juanita becomes suspicious of her mother's interest in Grace; Lynette worries about her mother-in-law's memory lapses; Bree learns a secret about Keith; and Paul is encouraged to take Beth on a date to heat up their unromantic marriage.

"Boardwalk Empire" Tonight at 9 on HBO. Nucky decides to renovate his childhood home after his father is injured in a fall, but the youthful memories it dredges up are hard to swallow. Meanwhile, a fellow veteran helps Jimmy get even with one of Charlie Sheridan's henchmen; Lucky Luciano offers to provide financial backing to the D'Alessio brothers; and Van Alden cuts a deal for information about an unsolved murder spree.

"Dexter" Tonight at 9 on Showtime. Striving to bring some normalcy back into his shattered life, Dexter figures the answer lies in finding a new serial killer to bring down. His quest gets thrown off course, however, when his troubled new acquaintance requires his help. Meanwhile, Batista uncovers a revealing new lead in the Santa Muerta homicides, and Quinn gets a tip about Dexter but isn't sure he can trust his source.

"The Walking Dead" Tonight at 10 on AMC. The survivors of a world overrun with zombies are followed in this horror series. In the first episode, a sheriff's deputy emerges from a coma to find few people but far too many flesh-eating "walkers" who have died and come back to life. The lawman encounters another member of the human race, who tells him there's a refugee center in Atlanta, so he heads there with hopes of finding his missing wife and son.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

October 30, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" Today at 12 on Comedy Central. Coverage of the competing rallies hosted by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert in Washington, D.C.

"World Series:Game 3: Giants at Rangers" Tonight at 6:30 on Fox. San Francisco at Texas in Game 3 of the Fall Classic.

"Amelia" Tonight at 8 on HBO. This biopic spans the life of aviator extraordinaire Amelia Earhart (Hilary Swank), whose famous voyage across the Atlantic was tragically overshadowed by her mysterious disappearance five years later. Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor.

"The Crazies" Tonight at 9 on Starz. When a mysterious toxin transforms the residents of a small town into murderous maniacs, Sheriff Dutton (Timothy Olyphant) and a small band of survivors must fight for their sanity and their lives amidst a mandated government quarantine. Now, Dutton, his pregnant wife Judy, his deputy Russell and frightened medical-center assistant Becca work to discover the source of this scourge while fending off their infected friends and neighbors.

"Iconoclasts" Tonight at 9 on Sundance. Filmmaker Ron Howard and NBA star Steve Nash talk cinema, hoops, discipline, family and the collaborative spirit. They also visit the set of Howard's movie "The Dilemma," where the director shows Nash dailies from the production and the basketballer challenges Howard to a game of one-on-one.

"Red: Werewolf Hunter" Tonight at 9 on Syfy. Red (Felicia Day), a descendant of "Little Red Riding Hood," brings her fiancé home to meet the family, where he learns that they hunt werewolves. When a werewolf bites her betrothed, it's up to Red to save his life.

"Pit Bulls and Parolees" Tonight at 10 on Animal Planet. In the Season 2 opener, Tia searches for two puppies reported loose in a trucking yard. Elsewhere, Tia must decide if former parolee Jake can return to the ranch.

"Saturday Night Live" Tonight at 11:29 on NBC. Jon Hamm is the host. Rihanna is the music guest.

Friday, October 29, 2010

October 29, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Smallville" Tonight at 8 on The CW. Upset with Clark's well-intended meddling, Lois insists she can protect herself, but soon ends up in danger when she becomes stranded with a flat tire. Meanwhile, Tess looks for ways to help Alexander, who is aging very quickly.

"Dog Whisperer" Tonight at 8 on National Geographic. For the first time, Cesar tries rehabilitating three dogs that have been crossbred with wolves. To do so, he enlists the help of wolf expert Jennifer McCarthy.

"Primetime: What Would You Do?" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Season 4 premiere: Scenarios include a gay teen being bullied; a tipsy mom at a bar with her child; a high-school boy being tutored by a sexually aggressive older woman; and antiwar protesters heckling a would-be recruit and an elderly veteran and at a military-recruitment center.

"CSI: NY" Tonight at 9 on CBS. The CSIs investigate when a badly decomposed body is discovered in an abandoned car on a rooftop. The probe reveals the killer manipulates his crime scenes and uses the victims' parents to accomplish it.

"What Not to Wear" Tonight at 9 on TLC. Former "Facts of Life" star Mindy Cohn gets a glamorous new look.

"Blue Bloods" Tonight at 10 on CBS. Three teens die from a drug overdose and Danny tries to discover the narcotic's source before an epidemic breaks out.

"Sanctuary" Tonight at 10 on Syfy. Magnus and the team go to a bank to retrieve an Abnormal that was stashed in a safe deposit box, which not only hatched prematurely but also escaped, prompting Kate to enforce a less-than-subtle quarantine of the bank's customers.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

October 28, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" Tonight at 8 on ABC.

"Scared Shrekless" Tonight at 8 on NBC. Animated tale in which Shrek (Mike Myers) gets in the Halloween spirit by challenging his fairytale friends to come up with scary stories for a contest. But the gang learn that they'll have to spend the night in Lord Farquaad's haunted castle before the winner is named. Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas reprise their roles as Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots, respectively, while Dean Edwards takes on the role of Donkey.

"Grey's Anatomy" Tonight at 9 on ABC. As a TV crew records hospital life six months after the shooting, the patient Mary (Mandy Moore) returns for the surgery she was to have that day; Derek, Owen, Mark and Callie perform an arm transplant; and Alex treats a girl with a blocked trachea. Meanwhile, Cristina has difficulty expressing herself to the crew; and Lexie can't get the hang of the hospital's new security system.

"The Office" Tonight at 9 on NBC. The staffers turn overly competitive when they scare up a Halloween costume contest. Meanwhile, Darryl gives an idea to corporate himself, passing over a fuming Michael. And Pam corners Danny (Timothy Olyphant) about their dating history.

"Project Runway" Tonight at 9 on Lifetime. The thread of Season 8 episodes ends in the conclusion of the finale, which irons out the style trials and reveals the winning designer. Songstress Jessica Simpson is the guest judge.

"The Mentalist" Tonight at 10 on CBS. The team investigates a murder and a missing-person case on a wealthy family's compound that is heavily guarded.

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" Tonight at 10 on FX. Dee's pregnant, and she tells the guys that one of them made her that way during a Halloween party that none of them can remember. So they try to piece the evening together, "Potemkin"-style, aided by Artemis (Artemis Pebdani) and the McPoyle brothers (Nate Mooney and Jimmi Simpson).

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

October 27, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"World Series:Game 1: Rangers at Giants" Tonight at 7:30 on Fox. Texas at San Francisco in Game 1 of the Fall Classic. Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum are the expected starting pitchers as Texas makes its first appearance in the World Series and the Giants look for the team's first title since 1954. Both teams advanced with six-game wins in the LCS.

"Survivor: Nicaragua" Tonight at 8 on CBS. Some members of the La Flor tribe attempt to get the hidden immunity idol away from Marty, and a public display of emotion causes one player to doubt the intentions of a rival.

"The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner" Tonight at 8 on HBO2. Oscar-nominated documentary short chronicles former Washington governor Booth Gardner's mission as a proponent of the state's right-to-die ballot initiative in 2008. Gardner was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1994, a year after he left office. Directed by Daniel Junge.

"Criminal Minds" Tonight at 9 on CBS. The team travels to Detroit to catch a killer who, for the past three years, strikes on "Devil's Night," the city's pre-Halloween ritual.

"I'd Do Anything" Tonight at 9 on BBC Amer. The series premieres as hundreds of aspiring stage actors attend open casting calls in London for the lead roles in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End revival of "Oliver!"

"Cougar Town" Tonight at 9:31 on ABC. Jules reluctantly dons a costume for Halloween when her father (Ken Jenkins) comes to visit on his favorite holiday. Meanwhile, Grayson connects with Jules' dad; Bobby lobbies to be the guardian of Ellie and Andy's child should anything happen to them; and Travis gets a reminder of how much fun Halloween can be.

"Hollywood Treasure" Tonight at 10 on Syfy. Auctioneer Joe Maddalena travels to Chicago to examine a prop from "Mary Poppins" in the debut of the reality series following Joe and his team as they track down Hollywood memorabilia to put up for bid.

"Daily Show With Jon Stewart" Tonight at 11 on Comedy Central. President Barack Obama.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

October 26, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"NBA Basketball:Heat at Celtics" Tonight at 7:30 on TNT. Miami at Boston. The Heat debut their star trio of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in a rematch from last season's playoffs. Rajon Rondo and the Celtics, who dispatched Miami 4-1 in the first round, are on a 15-2 run in the series.

"Glee" Tonight at 8 on Fox. The glee kids perform their version of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (despite Sue's scheming) after Will learns that Emma's a big fan of the 1975 cult-classic movie. "Horror Show"-movie alums Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf are in the guest cast.

"Nova" tonight at 8 on PBS. The rescue of the Chilean miners stuck underground following the Aug. 5, 2010, mine collapse is chronicled.

"30 for 30" Tonight at 8 on ESPN. "Fernando Nation" chronicles the impact of Los Angeles Dodgers pitching great Fernando Valenzuela on the Mexican-American community and baseball in general in the early 1980s. Valenzuela is among those interviewed. Directed by Cruz Angeles.

"Stargate Universe" Tonight at 9 on Syfy. While surveying a new planet, Lt. Scott becomes infected by a plant-like creature. As he suffers hallucinations and falls in and out of consciousness, Tamara seeks a way to treat him.

"Auction Kings" Tonight at 10 on Discovery. A kit for killing vampires, a meteorite and a Nazi handbook are subjected to scrutiny in the opener of the reality series following auctioneer Paul Brown and the goings-on at the Gallery 63 auction house.

"Dance Cam Slam" Tonight at 10 on VH1. The dance talent contest in which contestants create dance videos premieres.

Monday, October 25, 2010

October 25, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Dancing With the Stars" Tonight at 8 on ABC. The sixth week of performances features celebrities dancing to rock-and-roll songs.

"Monday Night Football:Giants at Cowboys" Tonight at 8:30 on ESPN. New York Giants (4-2) at Dallas (1-4) in NFC East play. The Cowboys are still in search of their first home win this season, while New York bids for a Lone Star State sweep after romping in Houston on Oct. 10. Dallas's 42 Monday-night wins lead the NFL.

"Two and a Half Men" Tonight at 9 on CBS. Charlie dates a woman who's slightly older, but the age difference is just enough to trouble him.

"Halloween: The Inside Story" Tonight at 9 on BIO. Chronicling the making of the 1978 horror classic "Halloween." Included: comments by Jamie Lee Curtis, John Carpenter and Rob Zombie.

"In Treatment" Tonight at 9 on HBO. In the third-season premiere, Paul begins seeing Sunil (Irrfan Khan), a widower from Calcutta whose relocation to his son's home in New York is marred by loneliness, depression and a tense cohabitation with his daughter-in-law (Sonya Walger).

"Hawaii Five-0" Tonight at 10 on CBS. The CEO of a major surf company is murdered. The case is personal for Kono because the victim was her mentor when she surfed professionally. The investigation takes Five-0 into the interconnected worlds of North Shore surfing.

"The Big C" Tonight at 10:30 on Showtime. Cathy pays a visit to Andrea's house and is surprised by what she finds, and Rebecca (Cynthia Nixon) breaks up with Sean in an attempt to mend some fences with Cathy. Later, Cathy drops by a church for some spiritual enlightenment and comes clean to Paul about her illness.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

October 24, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Secrets in the Walls" Tonight at 8 on LMN. A single mother (Jeri Ryan) and her daughters move from the city to a seemingly perfect home in the suburbs, only to learn the house is haunted, and they must uncover the home's terrifying history to save their lives.

"Sexy Beasts: Vamps, Wolves and Mutants" Tonight at 8 on TV Guide Network. Hollywood's sexiest mythical creatures, including vampires and wizards, are counted down. Among those interviewed: Robert Pattinson; Daniel Radcliffe; and Anna Paquin.

"Sunday Night Football:Vikings at Packers" Tonight at 8:15 on NBC. Minnesota (2-3) at Green Bay (3-3) in Brett Favre's second return to Lambeau Field. Minnesota and TV ratings were big winners in the teams' two meetings last season, when Favre led the Vikes to two wins over his former team, tossing 7 TDs and no INTs.

"Masterpiece Mystery!" Tonight at 9 on PBS. The witty "Sherlock: A Study in Pink" reimagines the Arthur Conan Doyle sleuth as a "high-functioning sociopath" (Benedict Cumberbatch) in modern-day London who draws potential flatmate Watson (Martin Freeman), an Afghanistan War vet, into his orbit when they're paired together as potential flatmates by a mutual acquaintance. The pair's first case: suicides that stump Insp. Lestrade (Rupert Graves). Watson also meets a mysterious man who calls himself Sherlock's "arch-enemy."

"CSI: Miami" Tonight at 10 on CBS. The man who killed Horatio's wife escapes from prison and goes on a rampage. The CSIs try to determine what he's after and capture him before he kills again.

"Bored to Death" Tonight at 10 on HBO. A poet-limo driver and his wife need Jonathan's help to shore up their relationship; Ray has a meeting with Kevin Bacon.

"Brothers & Sisters" Tonight at 10:01 on ABC. Nora's radio days may be over before they started when an audition pits her against a celebrity doctor (Debra Monk); Kitty decides to jump back into the dating pool with her handyman (Jeremy Davidson) in Ojai.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

October 23, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"The Boy Who Cried Werewolf" Tonight at 8 on Nickelodeon. Variation on an old theme: a child can't make his elders believe he was attacked by a wolf man. Robert: Kerwin Mathews. Sandy: Elaine Devry. Richie: Scott Sealey. Sheriff: Robert J. Wilke. Jenny: Susan Foster. Harry: Jack Lucas. Dr. Marderosian: George Gaynes. Brother Christopher: Bob Homel. Directed by Nathan Juran.

"Kid in a Candy Store" Tonight at 9 on Food. The making of Halloween treats, including Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins and chocolate haunted houses.

"Growing the Big One" Tonight at 9 on Hallmark. A Seattle DJ (Shannen Doherty) leaves the city behind to tend to her recently deceased grandfather's farm, which he was in danger of losing to the bank. In order to pay off his debt and save the farm, she decides to enter a local pumpkin-growing contest, which awards the winner a hefty cash prize. She teams up with a neighbor (Kavan Smith) to nurture the seeds, but it's not long until a romance between the two begins to sprout as well.

"Pit Boss" Tonight at 10 on Animal Planet. In the second-season finale, Shorty is hurt during a dog rescue; Ronald and Shorty argue over Ronald's shifting priorities; and Seb's relationship issues escalate.

"24/7 Pacquiao/Margarito" Tonight at 10:30 on HBO. Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito open their respective training camps in the opener of this reality series about the boxers' preparations prior to their super-welterweight clash in Arlington, Texas.

"Brave New Voices 2010" Tonight at 11 on HBO. Young poets from New York, Colorado, New Mexico and California vie for the 2010 Brave New Voices National Youth Poetry Slam Championship in Los Angeles. The competition is hosted by Common and Rosario Dawson, and the judges are Penn Jillette, Talib Kweli, Sanaa Lathan and poets Mayda Del Valle and Beau Sia.

Friday, October 22, 2010

October 22, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"NBA Basketball:Exhibition: Magic vs. Heat" Tonight at 7:30 on ESPN. Exhibition: Orlando vs. Miami in St. Petersburg, Fla.

"Medium" Tonight at 8 on CBS. When she suffers a burn on her hand and undergoes a skin graft, Allison tries to get a grip when the injured hand then begins to act with a mind of its own. Meanwhile, Bridgette remains secretive about her real role on her soccer squad.

"Dog Whisperer" Tonight at 8 on National Geographic. "Expedition Wild" star Casey Anderson had no problem training his pet black bear, Brutus, but he can't get a handle on his wife's aggressive dogs, Ellie and J.J. Also: an expectant couple need to address their pit bull's aggression towards children before their baby is born.

"Supernatural" Tonight at 9 on The CW. Dean is turned into a vampire after he is bitten by one while investigating the disappearance of some girls from a small town. He and Sam learn that the town is overrun with vampires.

"The Good Guys" Tonight at 9 on Fox. Jack and Dan must work with Jack's con artist uncle (Ed Begley Jr.), who claims he has witnessed an arson.

"Real Time With Bill Maher" Tonight at 10 on HBO. Actor George Clooney and Wasilla, Alaska, mayoral candidate Levi Johnston are the interview guests. Panelists: filmmaker Rob Reiner; reporter Jake Tapper; commentator Nicolle Wallace.

"Todd Margaret" Tonight at 10 on IFC. Brent pays a surprise visit to London and orders Todd to turn over all the proceeds from sales of Thunder Muscle. Later, Todd gets to oversee the filming of his commercial.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

October 21, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"The Big Bang Theory" Tonight at 8 on CBS. Sheldon meets Amy's mother and comes to the realization that he no longer wants to see Amy; and Leonard realizes that everyone is in a relationship except for him.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" Tonight at 9 on CBS. A dead body is discovered beneath piles of trash inside the house of a woman who is known for hoarding, and she becomes the chief suspect in the case.

"The Office" Tonight at 9 on NBC. A competing salesman (Timothy Olyphant) begins stealing Dunder Mifflin's clients. To unearth the pilferer's sales secrets, Michael sets up a sting with Jim and Dwight. Meanwhile, Andy is inspired to start a band after discovering that his college pal has forged a successful music career.

"Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education" Tonight at 9 on Comedy Central. Jon Stewart hosts this biennial fund-raiser for autism charities from New York City's Beacon Theatre. Performers include Lewis Black, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, John Oliver and Jim Gaffigan.

"Project Runway" Tonight at 9 on Lifetime. In Part 1 of the two-part Season 8 finale, mentor Tim Gunn visits the four remaining designers in their hometowns to review the progress of their collections.

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" Tonight at 10 on FX. After Mac's mother (Sandy Martin) burns her house down with a cigarette, Mac decides that she should move in with Charlie's mom (Lynne Marie Stewart). Meanwhile, Frank offers to take care of the ailing Dee because he wants her to take care of him when he's old.

"Jersey Shore" Tonight at 10 on MTV. Season 2 wraps up with a huge fight between Pauly D. and J-Woww.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

October 20, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Survivor: Nicaragua" Tonight at 8 on CBS. The castaways are surprised to learn they are playing for individual immunity and not tribal immunity.

"America's Next Top Model" Tonight at 8 on The CW. The models visit the Grammy Museum and learn one of them will be chosen to be a Grammy Girl for the 2011 awards show. At the photo shoot, the ladies portray iconic fashion designers for photographer Francesco Carrozzini.

"Criminal Minds" Tonight at 9 on CBS. A serial killer targets families throughout the Midwest; and Ellie Spicer runs away from her foster family and goes to see Morgan.

"Modern Family" Tonight at 9 on ABC. The Dunphys try to avoid a complete communication breakdown by going without their electronic devices. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron shop for preschools for Lily; and Jay and Manny worry about Gloria's obsession with a neighbor's barking dog.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Tonight at 9 on NBC. Two men (Michael Gladis and Kevin Alejandro) are beaten and branded on their chests. After a suspect is found, surprising memories emerge that cause a shift in the case. David Alan Grier and Jason Wiles also guest star.

"In Performance at the White House" Tonight at 9 on PBS. President and Mrs. Obama welcome a Broadway celebration to the East Room of the White House that features songs from American musicals. Nathan Lane emcees; performers include Idina Menzel, Brian d'Arcy James, Audra McDonald, Chad Kimball, Marvin Hamlisch, Karen Olivo, Tonya Pinkins, Assata Alston and a youth ensemble from the Joy of Motion Dance Center.

"A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Inside Story" Tonight at 9 on BIO. Part 1 of 2. A retrospective of the 1984 horror classic "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and the franchise it created includes interviews with directors and actors; deleted footage; and behind-the-scenes film footage and photographs.

"Law & Order: Los Angeles" Tonight at 10 on NBC. A meth lab explodes and kills two children, prompting a search for the dealer's family. When detectives learn that the people responsible for the explosion are plotting something more destructive, the federal government becomes interested in the case.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

October 19, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"No Ordinary Family" Tonight at 8 on ABC. Jim's late-night patrols in a park to nab a mugger hit a snag when he's mistaken for a vigilante with a violent streak. Meanwhile, Stephanie may have found the cause of the family's mysterious abilities; Daphne uses her telepathy for social advancement; and JJ goes out for the football team.

"30 for 30" Tonight at 8 on ESPN. "Tim Richmond: To the Limit" chronicles the life and tragic death of the freewheeling 1980s NASCAR driver who succumbed to AIDS just three years after a seven-win season in the Winston Cup Series. Directed by Emmy Award winner Rory Karpf.

"Frontline" Tonight at 9 on PBS. The Season 29 premiere examines the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in 2004 Texas for the arson deaths of his three children. Included: new science that indicates the fire may not have been an arson.

"Mad Mel: The Rise and Fall of a Hollywood Icon" Tonight at 9 on BIO. A chronicle of Mel Gibson's career examines his troubles stemming from his 2010 phone messages to his former girlfriend that have worsened the public's perception of the actor and Oscar-winning director. Included: interviews with fellow actors, directors, agents and managers; and the views of psychologists, addiction experts, and law-enforcement personnel.

"Millionaire Matchmaker" Tonight at 9 on Bravo. Matchmaker Patti Stanger takes a bite out of the Big Apple, extending her love-connection business from Los Angeles to New York City in Season 4. The fourth cycle opens with Patti playing Cupid for a sports fanatic and a 26-year-old heiress.

"Scream 2010" Tonight at 9 on Spike. The fifth annual awards show saluting horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres in entertainment held at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Included: a "Back to the Future" reunion; footage from "Scream 4" and "The Rite."

"Parenthood" Tonight at 10 on NBC. Zeek enthusiastically prepares for Halloween but is disappointed by the older kids' lack of interest in the holiday. Elsewhere, Max has Halloween plans that worry his parents; Sarah decides to confront Gordon about what happened between them; and Julia isn't pleased with Sydney's costume choice.

Monday, October 18, 2010

October 18, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"The Talk" Today at 2 on CBS. Celebrity mothers discuss their lives and current events. The moms are Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete, Leah Remini and Marissa Jaret Winokur. Christie Brinkley is the first guest.

"How I Met Your Mother" Tonight at 8 on CBS. Ted has a crisis when he falls for a beautiful woman who wants to save a landmark building that's being destroyed to make room for a building he's designing.

"Dancing With the Stars" Tonight at 8 on ABC. The fifth week of performances features contestants dancing to TV-theme songs.

"House" Tonight at 8 on Fox. The mother (Jennifer Grey) of a newborn with breathing difficulties and liver failure must make a very difficult decision that could affect her own health as well as her baby's. Meanwhile, Cuddy tells House to hire a woman for his team, and he delegates the task to Foreman and Taub. Cuddy also asks House to babysit her daughter, Rachel, and he and Wilson learn a parenting lesson in the process.

"Monday Night Football:Titans at Jaguars" Tonight at 8:30 on ESPN. Tennessee (3-2) at Jacksonville (3-2) in AFC South play. Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones-Drew head two of the NFL's top running games. Johnson's career-high 228 yards helped beat the Jaguars last season after the Titans' 37-17 loss in Jacksonville.

"Cake Boss" Tonight at 9 on TLC. The Valastros continue their trip around Italy, with a stop in Rome, where the guys are asked to make a cake inspired by a fresco painting for an art collector.

"Bret Michaels: Life as I Know It" Tonight at 10 on VH1. Bret Michaels balances family life and being a touring rock star in this reality series. In the opener, he hits the road for the first time since his brain hemorrhage.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

October 17, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Tonight at 8 on ABC. The man who created the "Move to the Groove" dance program to help combat childhood obesity gets his family home rebuilt. Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Tony Dovolani, Chelsie Hightower and Anna Trebunskaya from "Dancing With the Stars" lend a hand.

"Sonny With a Chance" Tonight at 8 on Disney. Shaquille O'Neal hosts a "So Random!" Halloween special that features Allstar Weekend and a song performed by Sonny.

"Sunday Night Football:Colts at Redskins" Tonight at 8:15 on NBC. Indianapolis (3-2) at Washington (3-2). Two of the NFL's most experienced QBs face off as Peyton Manning leads Indy into FedEx Field to battle Donovan McNabb and the Redskins. Their most popular targets are Miami products Reggie Wayne and Santana Moss.

"Desperate Housewives" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Susan goes public (against her will) for Va-Va Broom; Gaby tells her secret to the other housewives; Keith (Brian Austin Green) proves to be a bone of contention for Bree and Renee; Paul Young buys back the house he lived in with Mary Alice, over the objections of his new wife, Beth (Emily Bergl); and Lynette takes advantage of Penny's offer to take care of the youngest Scavo.

"Rubicon" Tonight at 9 on AMC. In the season finale, Will discovers the missing link between Truxton and Hadas' death, and Katherine learns the real truth behind her husband's suicide.

"Mad Men" Tonight at 10 on AMC. In the Season 4 finale, a surprising opportunity rears its head for both Don and Peggy, leaving them with life-altering decisions to make.

"Luther" Tonight at 10 on BBC Amer. In the series premiere, Det. John Luther (Idris Elba) investigates a seemingly perfect double murder, while also trying to win back his wife (Indira Varma), who has already moved on.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

October 16, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster" Tonight at 7 on Cartoon. Daphne (Kate Melton) secures summer jobs for the Mystery Inc. gang at her uncle's country club, but it's not long before the group notices unusual occurrences by the lake. A live-action update to the classic cartoon directed by Brian Levant.

"NASCAR Racing:Sprint Cup in Concord, N.C." Tonight at 7:30 on ABC. The Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Last year, Jimmie Johnson equaled the track record of six Cup Series wins set by Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison. Fellow 2010 Sprint Cup title contender Kurt Busch won Charlotte's May 30 race.

"MLB Playoff:Game 1: Giants at Phillies" Tonight at 7:30 on Fox. San Francisco at Philadelphia in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series. Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay take the mound for the opener of this series between pitching-rich squads that split six games during the regular season. The Phils advanced by sweeping the Reds, while the Giants eliminated the Braves by winning three of four one-run games.

"Iconoclasts" Tonight at 9 on Sundance. Actor Hugh Jackman and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten talk cinema and food, among other things.

"Pit Boss" Tonight at 10 on Animal Planet. Shorty rewards his staff with a trip to Mexico, where the team supports him during an unexpected crisis.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" Tonight at 10 on Cinemax. A wily fox (voice of George Clooney) tries to outsmart three mean-spirited farmers and steal their chickens, but the feud eventually escalates into a battle between the farmers and a community of cunning animals. Other voices include Meryl Streep. Directed by Wes Anderson.

"Bo Burnham: Words, Words, Words" Tonight at 11 on Comedy Central. Comedian-musician Bo Burnham performs in Boston at the House of Blues. Topics include Shakespeare and pornography, and Burnham sings songs about irony, humor and feminism.

Friday, October 15, 2010

October 15, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Smallville" Tonight at 8 on The CW. Clark attends his high-school reunion and is visited from the future by Brainiac. He reveals truths about Clark's past, present and future, including the real circumstances surrounding Jonathan's death, Clark's relationship with Lois and his role as a superhero. Meanwhile, Lois is perturbed that no one remembers her short stint as a student.

"School Pride" Tonight at 8 on NBC. Communities renovate decaying schools in this real-world series. Four community organizers and personalities (SWAT commander Tom Stroup, designer Susie Castillo, comic Kym Whitley and pundit Jacob Soboroff) restore a California school in the opener by assisting students, teachers and parents. Actress Cheryl Hines serves as an executive producer.

"MLB Playoff:Game 1: Yankees at Rangers" Tonight at 8 on TBS. New York Yankees at Texas in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series. Lefties CC Sabathia and C.J. Wilson take the mound as the AL West-champion Rangers make their first-ever ALCS appearance, while New York chases its 41st American League pennant.

"CSI: NY" Tonight at 9 on CBS. A powerful gang leader is murdered and Mac turns to the gang's founder (Edward James Olmos) for help to prevent a street war from breaking out with a rival group.

"Ghost Adventures" Tonight at 9 on Travel. The guys spend a night locked inside the infamous Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colo., which inspired Stephen King's "The Shining."

"Teach: Tony Danza" Tonight at 10 on A&E. Danza is asked by the mayor to host a charity show on the night he's to perform in Atlantic City, all while he's balancing school responsibilities, which include talking a student out of quitting the football team.

"Sanctuary" Tonight at 10 on Syfy. Conclusion. Two ships are wrecked and a tidal wave races toward the coast of Mumbai, India, following Wexford's attempt to kill "Big Bertha." When Wexford tries to kill the creature again, Magnus risks her life to intervene in the Season 3 premiere.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

October 14, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Bones" Tonight at 8 on Fox. Brennan makes a deal with a celebrity professor (David Alan Grier) to be her new intern after he inquires about hosting his children's science show from the Jeffersonian. Meanwhile, a dismembered corpse is identified as a bounty hunter, and the team find they're not the only ones looking for a fugitive who is wanted for murder.

"Monica & David" Tonight at 8 on HBO. A profile of Monica and David, a thirtysomething couple with Down syndrome who look forward to a life of work and independence after getting married. Directed by Monica's cousin, Alexandra Codina, the film won a Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival.

"30 Rock" Tonight at 8:30 on NBC. In an episode performed live, Liz fumes during show night when the "TGS" gang all forget that it's her 40th birthday. Meanwhile, Tracy concludes that it's hilarious whenever an actor breaks character and laughs, so he does just that---all night. And Jack strains in his efforts to cease drinking during Avery's pregnancy.

"Grey's Anatomy" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Meredith and Derek get bad news from an obstetrician; Lexie notices Meredith and April getting closer and isn't happy about it; Jackson tries to use his physical attributes in the OR; and Cristina and Owen go house hunting. Meanwhile, the surgeons must deal with the human wreckage caused by a car crash.

"Project Runway" Tonight at 9 on Lifetime. The designers are rewarded for their success and hard work with a luxurious evening in a penthouse suite. In addition, a renowned New York personality tasks the clothiers with their final assignment before Fashion Week.

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" Tonight at 10 on Bravo. This reality spin-off centers on six well-coddled women living in the lush land of 90210. The series premiere introduces the wives, who include siblings and former child stars Kyle and Kim Richards; businesswoman Adrienne Maloof; Brit restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump; Oklahoma native Taylor Armstrong; and model-actress Camille Grammer. Here, Adrienne takes her fellow wives on a private-jet getaway to a Sacramento Kings basketball game.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

October 13, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Survivor: Nicaragua" Tonight at 8 on CBS. Another castaway is voted out of the game.

"The Middle" Tonight at 8 on ABC. Axl is suspended for truancy, and Mike makes him work in the quarry during the suspension to teach him a lesson. But the plan backfires when Axl likes the job and wants to quit school to work at the quarry full time. Meanwhile, Sue's cross-country team is cut by the school, and Frankie fears she may have caused it.

"Hell's Kitchen" Tonight at 8 on Fox. The nine remaining chefs must create dishes using five ingredients selected at random. The winners visit Las Vegas while the losers peel potatoes (1000 of them). Later, the teams must shop on a budget and prepare elegant dishes for four special judges. And there are special guests at dinner service.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Tonight at 9 on NBC. A woman's body is found in a fountain, and soon it's discovered that she ingested toxic mushrooms. The investigation yields a prime suspect (David Krumholtz) who's a professor and an aggressive activist.

"CNBC Titans" Tonight at 9 on CNBC. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is profiled. Included: how he started the magazine at age 26 with $8000, most of it borrowed from family and friends; how he built Playboy into an international brand.

"Storm Chasers" Tonight at 10 on Discovery. A twister in West Texas confronts Sean and his crew, and the roof blows off the new Dominator after Joel and Reed bury the hatchet in the 4th-season premiere.

"What's Eating You?" Tonight at 10 on E! A six-part series on eating disorders. In the first episode, a dancer battles anorexia and a woman tries to suppress her bulimic tendencies.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

October 12, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Dancing With the Stars" Tonight at 9 on ABC. The fourth-round results show.

"Life Unexpected" Tonight at 9 on The CW. Ryan hosts a music festival where Cate meets Haley James Scott (Bethany Joy Galeotti of "One Tree Hill"), and the two women bond over their similar pasts. Included: performances by Sarah McLachlan, Ben Lee, Rain Perry, Galeotti and Kate Voegele.

"The Good Wife" Tonight at 10 on CBS. A multimillion-dollar prosecution suit leads to an explosive confrontation between Alicia and Glenn Childs. Meanwhile, Alicia's brother (Dallas Roberts) makes damaging comments about Peter that appear on the Internet.

"Nick Swardson's Pretend Time" Tonight at 10 on Comedy Central. In the premiere of comedian Nick Swardson's sketch-comedy show, a man is upset when his mother leaves all her money to the family cat. Also: a father who compiles a "bucket list" for his son; and a profile of Lady Gaga's brother, a police officer in New Jersey.

"Teen Mom" Tonight at 10 on MTV. Catelynn and Tyler reunite with their daughter one year after her adoption in the Season 2 finale. Also: Amber and Gary try to work out a custody agreement; Farrah's mom sets her up on a date; and Maci and Ryan get into a heated battle over parental rights.

"Detroit 1-8-7" Tonight at 10:01 on ABC. Fitch, Washington, Stone and Sanchez investigate the murder of a car-wash owner. Longford and Mahajan, meanwhile, look into the slaying of a rising hip-hop star. Xzibit, a Detroit native, guest stars as a hustler-turned-record producer.

"Parking Wars" Tonight at 10:30 on A&E. In the fourth-season opener, a wife in Philadelphia goes into a rage when her husband has a hard time retrieving his impounded car; a ticket-writer faces a shouting woman in Detroit; and workers on a booting run face a woman who won't stop crying.

Monday, October 11, 2010

October 11, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Chuck" Tonight at 8 on NBC. Chuck and Sarah focus on improving their communication skills when they embark on a trip to a Latin American nation with Ellie and Awesome. While there, the foursome reunite with Premier Goya (Armand Assante), but danger soon follows. In Burbank, Morgan ventures into a forbidden romance. Tia Texada and Mekenna Melvin guest star.

"Giuliana & Bill" Tonight at 8 on Style. The third season begins with Giuliana and Bill attempting to start a family by undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments.

"Monday Night Football:Vikings at Jets" Tonight at 8:30 on ESPN. Minnesota (1-2) at New York Jets (3-1). Star WR Randy Moss begins his second stint with the Vikings, facing Rex Ryan's stingy Jets defense for the second time in three weeks. Brett Favre's six interceptions are just one shy of his total for all of 2009.

"God in America" Tonight at 9 on PBS. The six-hour history of religion in America begins in the 1600s, when Franciscan friars attempted to convert Pueblo Indians in New Mexico, and covers the case of Anne Hutchinson, a Puritan woman who believed God had spoken to her and, as a result, clashed with Puritan leader John Winthrop, who was threatened by her nonconformist views. The 18th century saw the rise of evangelical preacher George Whitefield, who bucked the accepted order, and the birth of the American notion of religious liberty.

"Reviving Ophelia" Tonight at 9 on Lifetime. Two sisters (Jane Kaczmarek, Kim Dickens) support each other as they raise their very different teenage daughters, one of whom is seemingly perfect but is in an abusive relationship. Based on the novel by Mary Pipher.

"Carlos" Tonight at 9 on Sundance. Part 1 of 3. A portrait of Ilich Ramírez Sánchez (Edgar Ramírez), the notorious assassin known as Carlos the Jackal, begins with the young Marxist revolutionary gaining a reputation as a London bomber and executing operations on behalf of Palestinian radicals.

"Hawaii Five-0" Tonight at 10 on CBS. A convict escapes from prison and kidnaps a young couple on vacation in an attempt to recover money stolen from him. Meanwhile, McGarrett's estranged sister visits.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

October 10, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Amazing Race 17" Tonight at 8 on CBS. The race continues in Ghana, where some teams are stumped by a deceptively simple quiz and one person requires medical attention because of the punishing heat.

"Sunday Night Football:Eagles at 49ers" Tonight at 8:15 on NBC. Philadelphia (2-2) at San Francisco (0-4). Kevin Kolb starts at QB for the Eagles in place of the injured Michael Vick. WR DeSean Jackson caught six passes for 140 yards in Philly's 27-13 playoff-clinching win over San Francisco last December. It was the fourth-straight win for the Eagles in the series.

"Cleveland Show" Tonight at 8:30 on Fox. Down in the dumps, Cleveland decides that a family trip to Africa would lift his spirits. The Browns end up in Hawaii, but Cleveland gets his groove back nonetheless. Guest voices include David Lynch (Gus) and Edward Asner (Old Man).

"Boardwalk Empire" Tonight at 9 on HBO. Jimmy makes the rounds with Al Capone in Chicago, though the two budding gangsters don't always agree on their business methods. Meanwhile, Nucky lobbies powerful politicians, including a U.S. senator, for more road access to Atlantic City; Chalky and Elias try to solve a recent murder; and Lucky Luciano finds a surprise on a visit to Jimmy's apartment.

"Dexter" Tonight at 9 on Showtime. Dexter hires a nanny to help free up time so he can focus more on stalking murder suspects. Meanwhile, Debra finds her rookie partner to be intolerable, and the newbie disagrees with her theories on a double homicide; and Quinn has a theory that Trinity is not responsible for Rita's murder.

"Mad Men" Tonight at 10 on AMC. While trying to navigate a crisis, Don encounters an old friend.

"Brothers & Sisters" Tonight at 10:01 on ABC. Still hiding out in Ojai on her journey of self-discovery, Kitty may finally be ready to move on when she meets a handsome handyman (Jeremy Davidson). Meanwhile, the Walkers secretly plan a birthday party for Sarah, though it's Luc who could be surprised by her actual age.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

October 9, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"College Football:TBA" Tonight at 8 on ABC. Teams to be announced.

"Monster Wolf" Tonight at 9 on Syfy. A monstrous, seemingly unstoppable wolf wages an assault on an unscrupulous oil company's staff.

"Public Enemies" Tonight at 10 on Cinemax. Director Michael Mann's historical crime drama follows the efforts of top FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) in capturing notorious bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). A folk hero to the American public, Dillinger was virtually unstoppable at the height of his criminal career. J. Edgar Hoover's FBI was just being formed, and in order to turn his fledgling agency into a national police force, Hoover recruits Purvis to catch the most-elusive criminal in the country.

"Houston, We Have a Problem" Tonight at 10 on Plan. Green. Texas oilmen discuss the industry in this documentary that also examines U.S. energy policy, related political and environmental issues, and research into alternative fuel sources. Directed by Nicole Torre.

"Auctioneer$" Tonight at 10 on TLC. An unscripted series that documents daily life inside one of America's busiest auction houses. In the premiere, brides bid on a replica of Princess Diana's wedding dress, while golf enthusiasts try to get their hands on a golf ball signed by Tiger Woods.

"Saturday Night Live" Tonight at 11:29 on NBC. Jane Lynch hosts. Bruno Mars is the music guest.

Friday, October 8, 2010

October 8, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Smallville" Tonight at 8 on The CW. A powerful dark force threatens Smallville, prompting Jor-El to send Kara, aka Supergirl, to town as backup for Clark. Meanwhile, an anti-hero shock jock becomes possessed by the dark force and takes Lois hostage, and Clark and Kara must save her.

"Dog Whisperer" Tonight at 8 on National Geographic. "Deal or No Deal" host Howie Mandel seeks help handling his wife's aggressive Chihuahua in the Season 7 premiere. Also: Cesar works with an English bulldog who bullies its owners' golden retriever.

"The Good Guys" Tonight at 9 on Fox. Jack and Dan receive a tip about a person who's stealing mail, and the investigation exposes two identity thieves who are forging documents for a murderous duo of Mexican drug-runners.

"Blue Bloods" Tonight at 10 on CBS. Erin, Frank and Danny work together within the system to find justice when the chief suspect in a rape case is protected by diplomatic immunity.

"Invitation Only" Tonight at 10 on CMT. Toby Keith performs an intimate concert in Nashville, including hit songs and tunes from his CD "Bullets in the Gun," and answers fans' questions.

"Haven" Tonight at 10 on Syfy. A criminal with surprising links to most of the cast arrives in Haven while the cracks and fissures that have troubled the town multiply in the Season 1 finale.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

October 7, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"30 Rock" Tonight at 8:30 on NBC. Jack goes before Congress, hoping to use his wiles and charm in a discussion of NBC's merger with KableTown. When a congresswoman (Queen Latifah) pushes for more diversity in the programming, Jack turns to Tracy to develop ideas. Meanwhile, Liz butts heads with her writing staff; and Jenna supports Kenneth's return to the page program. Rob Reiner guest stars.

"Grey's Anatomy" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Derek's estranged sister, Amelia (Caterina Scorsone), visits---and brings with her the issues that led to their estrangement. Meanwhile, the chief notices that Alex hasn't been taking elevators since his shooting, and tries to help; and Meredith and Derek keep trying to ease Cristina back into surgery after her PTSD episode.

"Nikita" Tonight at 9 on The CW. Percy searches for a fugitive operative whose capture could potentially expose Division's secrets, but Michael is suspicious of Percy's motives. Meanwhile, Alex gets caught in Percy's office by Thom as she tries to send a warning to Nikita.

"Fringe" Tonight at 9 on Fox. Olivia is plagued by visions; Secretary Bishop unveils his secret plan to Col. Broyles; the Division races against time to halt a series of catastrophic events.

"The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town" Tonight at 9 on HBO. Interviews and archival footage chronicle the creative process, recording sessions and legal problems that preceded the 1978 release of Bruce Springsteen's fourth album, "Darkness on the Edge of Town." The film is directed by Thom Zimny, and features remarks from Springsteen and his E Street Band mates, including Max Weinberg, Garry Tallent and Clarence Clemons.

"The Mentalist" Tonight at 10 on CBS. Jane spars once again with cult leader Brett Stiles, who tells Jane he has information regarding both Red John and the missing Kristina Frye.

"Jersey Shore" Tonight at 10 on MTV. Snooki and J-Woww decide to make amends with Sam; Vinny pursues two groups of girls; Mike's antics annoy Snooki.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

October 6, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"MLB Playoff:Game 1: Rangers at Rays" Today at 1:30 on TBS. Game 1: Rangers at Rays

"Modern Family" Tonight at 9 on ABC. When an earthquake strikes, Cameron and Mitchell see a way out of a costume brunch thrown by their friend Pepper (Nathan Lane); Claire is trapped in the bathroom with a plumber; and Manny undergoes a crisis of existential proportions on an outing with Jay.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Tonight at 9 on NBC. Detectives investigate a teenage girl's death and discover that she was a victim of human trafficking. They then seek help from a friend (Gloria Reuben) at the U.S. attorney's office. Meanwhile, Cragen is displeased with his precinct's building decay.

"Steven Seagal Lawman" Tonight at 10 on A&E. In the second-season opener, Seagal and his team witness a head-on collision and search for a suspect in a double-homicide case.

"South Park" Tonight at 10 on Comedy Central. Cartman's dream to become a NASCAR driver comes true, with Butters as his pit boss.

"The Challenge: Cutthroat" Tonight at 10 on MTV. The season kicks off with 30 fan favorites heading to Prague, where they're divided into three player-selected teams. After each challenge, the losing teams must send a girl and a guy to the Gulag battle arena to determine who remains in the competition.

"Harry Loves Lisa" Tonight at 10 on TV Land. In the premiere of this reality series chronicling the lives of Hollywood couple Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna, Harry takes a stab at stand-up comedy on his return to show business, while Lisa gets in trouble for her comments about cosmetic surgery, which lead to a conversation with their two daughters about self-esteem.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

October 5, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Biggest Loser" Tonight at 8 on NBC. Tennis pro Anna Kournikova leads a group workout before a surprise challenge. Elsewhere, a player's confession leads to tension in the house; Bob singles out a contestant to gain respect; Jillian tries to nurture a pair's competitive streak; and those who fall below the yellow line must compete in an elimination challenge involving 175 tons of sand.

"30 for 30" Tonight at 8 on ESPN. The historic Red Sox comeback from a three-game deficit in the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees is chronicled in "Four Days in October." Mariano Rivera's blown save in Game 4 sparked a run that effectively ended Boston's "Curse of the Bambino."

"Dancing With the Stars" Tonight at 9 on ABC. The third-round results show.

"Life Unexpected" Tonight at 9 on The CW. Cate tries to get closer to Kelly, but Kelly stabs her in the back by telling Ryan a secret. Elsewhere, Tasha informs Lux that she's back in Portland with a new foster family; and Baze encourages Math to ask out Paige.

"POV" Tonight at 9 on PBS. Season 23 ends with the acclaimed documentary, "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers." It recounts how and why former military analyst Daniel Ellsberg decided to leak the Pentagon's secret history of the Vietnam War in 1971, as well as the dramatic reaction it drew from Richard Nixon's White House. Also featured is archival audio and film footage of presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, plus remarks from Ellsberg.

"Sons of Anarchy" Tonight at 10 on FX. To help Gemma, Abel and SAMCRO, Jax makes an unlikely alliance. Meanwhile, SAMCRO sends Chucky undercover.

"Caprica" Tonight at 10 on Syfy. Clarice visits Gemenon to pitch a terrorist attack to the STO leadership, while Daniel has a meeting with the Ha'La'Tha, where he seeks support for creating a virtual afterlife.

Monday, October 4, 2010

October 4, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"House" Tonight at 8 on Fox. A suicidal children's author (Amy Irving) has a seizure just before trying to kill herself, and House, who's a fan, thinks that the key to both her physical and psychological conditions lies in her latest book. Meanwhile, House and Cuddy go on a double date with Wilson and his girlfriend, Sam (Cynthia Watros).

"Two and a Half Men" Tonight at 9 on CBS. Alan moves in with Lyndsey, but he continues his affair with Melissa, whom he meets at Charlie's house.

"Lie to Me" Tonight at 9 on Fox. Season 3 premiere: Tim tries to stop a man (Shawn Doyle) bent on revenge from robbing a bank and in the process holds a guilty man accountable for his actions.

"The Event" Tonight at 9 on NBC. A new detainee (Clea DuVall) is put into play when the Martinez administration rolls out a new strategy to make Sophia come clean about the detainees' plan. In other events, Vicky and Carter hold an important hostage and Collier's doubts grow deeper.

"American Masters" Tonight at 9 on PBS. Martin Scorsese writes "A Letter to Elia," part profile of filmmaker Elia Kazan and part memoir about how Kazan's "On the Waterfront" and "East of Eden" impacted him as a young man. The doc features clips, photos and excerpts from Kazan's autobiography, as well as a speech Kazan gave on directing, a videotaped interview with Kazan and Scorsese's own commentary.

"Real Housewives of Atlanta" Tonight at 9 on Bravo. Season 3 kicks off with whispers spreading fast in the wake of Kim's delicate disclosure in a tabloid. Meanwhile, other fast rumors affect NeNe, and Kandi plunges into the dating pool. Phaedra Parks and Cynthia Bailey join the cast this season.

"Sins of My Father" Tonight at 9 on HBO. Sebastián Marroquín, son of the infamous Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar, recounts his relationship with his father before he was gunned down in 1993 and ruminates on the positive and negative effects that Escobar's legacy have had on his life.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

October 3, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Desperate Housewives" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Lynette thinks that Renee (Vanessa Williams) is spending too much time with Tom; Bree fires her handyman, Keith (Brian Austin Green), after falling for him; Paul Young introduces his new wife (Emily Bergl) around; Susan feels guilty about lying to Mike about her new job; and Gaby learns that Bree accidentally hit Juanita with her car.

"Family Guy" Tonight at 9 on Fox. Rush Limbaugh (who provides his own voice) signs books at the Quahog Mall and gains a convert: the formerly liberal Brian, a development that riles Lois. "You brainwashed our dog," she fumes. Rainn Wilson has a voice cameo as himself, and Shelley Long and Gary Cole provide the voices of Carol and Mike Brady of "The Brady Bunch."

"Masterpiece Mystery!" Tonight at 9 on PBS. The taut "Wallander: Faceless Killers" finds the weary Swedish cop(Kenneth Branagh) with his hands full: his dad is slipping further into dementia, he has mixed feelings about his daughter's Syrian beau, and he's working the slaying of an elderly couple at their isolated home. To make matters worse, the dying woman's last utterance has been leaked to the press as "foreign" (though she may well have said "farm"), leading to vigilante reprisals against migrant workers.

"Rubicon" Tonbight at 9 on AMC. Truxton issues Will a special assignment; Tanya is invited to rejoin the team to help discover Kateb's whereabouts; Katherine receives a threat, which makes her fearful of leaving the house.

"Boardwalk Empire" Tonight at 9 on HBO. Nucky, Van Alden and Rothstein each take a special interest in a hospital patient who may have news about the murders in the woods. Meanwhile, Chalky's assumption of Mickey Doyle's bootleg business gets off to a rough start; Margaret is given a job at a French boutique on the boardwalk; and Jimmy heeds Nucky's advice to make travel plans.

"CSI: Miami" Tonight at 10 on CBS. The ninth season begins with Horatio's team losing one of its members when violence follows a psychotic genius.

"The Glades" Tonight at 10 on A&E. In the first-season finale, a caddie is murdered, and it's discovered that he was recently released from prison, where he served time for the attempted rape of a female pro golfer.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

October 2, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Ryder Cup Golf:Day 2 in Newport, Wales" This morning at 8 on NBC. Day 2 at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales. Two-man teams compete in alternate-shot and better-ball matches. The U.S. features Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar and Tiger Woods. The European team includes Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood.

"Planet Sheen" This morning at 11 on Nickelodeon. Sheen's rocket crashes into a house on the planet Zeenu in the series premiere of this cartoon about a boy from Earth stranded on a strange planet.

"The Empowered Patient" Tonight at 7 on CNN. Medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen relates stories of medical mistakes and missed diagnoses that have happened to her as a patient, the mother of a patient and the daughter of a patient. Also: actor and leukemia survivor Evan Handler on why he became an "empowered" patient.

"The Blind Side" Tonight at 8 on HBO. Sandra Bullock stars as Leigh Anne Touhy, a headstrong, wealthy Memphis woman who welcomes into her home Michael Oher, an emotionally traumatized African-American high-school student who turns out to be gifted at playing football. Directed by John Lee Hancock. Kathy Bates, Tim McGraw.

"The Princess and the Frog" Tonight at 9 on Starz. A prince is transformed into a frog and accidentally curses a beautiful princess (voice of Anika Noni Rose) with an amphibian form as well when he kisses her in an attempt to break the spell. The two then go a wild journey through the bayous of Louisiana in hopes of finding a voodoo priestess who may be able to restore their true forms. Other voices include Bruno Campos, John Goodman and Jenifer Lewis.

"Iconoclasts" Tonight at 9 on Sundance. In the Season 5 premiere, actress Charlize Theron joins anthropologist Jane Goodall in the wild to learn about primates.

"Pit Boss" Tonight at 10 on Animal Planet. Shorty mentors kids at the reform institution he attended before his 10-year stint in prison.

"Saturday Night Live" Tonight at 11:29 on NBC. Bryan Cranston hosts. Kanye West is the music guest.

Friday, October 1, 2010

October 1, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Medium" Tonight at 8 on CBS. As she probes a spate of slayings, Allison begins noticing bizarre symbols materializing above folks' heads and concludes the floating figures could be a mechanism to match people up with their soul mates. Elsewhere, one of Joe's employees files a sexual-harassment suit against a colleague. Tony Hale and Lana Parrilla guest star.

"Smallville" Tonight at 8 on The CW. Cat Grant (Keri Lynn Pratt) is hired by the Daily Planet to replace Lois, who has left for Egypt. When Clark saves Cat from an assassin named Deadshot (Bradley Stryker) he uncovers a plot against the Blur. Meanwhile, Lois finds herself under Carter Hall's protection in Egypt.

"Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss" Tonight at 9 on TLC. Plus-size brides search for their dream dresses in the premiere of the "Say Yes to the Dress" spin-off. First, Amy's appointment gets off to a rough start when she rips the first dress she tries on. And later, a wannabe bride-to-be shops for a wedding gown, but she's still waiting for an engagement ring.

"Teach: Tony Danza" Tonight at 10 on A&E. This seven-part series follows actor Tony Danza as he teaches sophomore English at Philadelphia's Northeast High School. It opens with Danza meeting the principal, his teaching coach and his class. Also: he signs on to be an assistant football coach in an attempt to bond with the players in his class.

"Todd Margaret" Tonight at 10 on IFC. An office comedy about a hapless U.S. transplant working in London, created by and starring David Cross. In the first episode, Todd is surprisingly promoted to sales rep and put in charge of the launch of a new energy drink, Thunder Muscle, which is from North Korea and contains some suspect ingredients.

"Friday Night Alright" Tonight at 11 on VH1. Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Crowded House, Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello, Jamiroquai and Ben Harper perform at the Hard Rock Calling festival in London's Hyde Park in June 2010.