Monday, January 31, 2011

January 31, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"College Basketball:Louisville at Georgetown" Tonight at 7 on ESPN. Louisville at Georgetown. Austin Freeman's 29 points lifted the Hoyas to a 70-60 win in Louisville last season, when both teams fell in the first round of the NCAAs. Georgetown leads the series 6-4.

"The Bachelor" Tonight at 8 on ABC. Brad and the 11 remaining bachelorettes (three of whom will be eliminated) head to Las Vegas for a day at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and an evening at Cirque du Soleil's "Viva ELVIS" show, which includes a duet by Brad and one contestant. Unfortunately for another, it takes place during a two-on-one date, and she's the odd gal out. The episode's one-on-one date is a shopping trip to an upscale mall, followed by a rooftop dinner. And at the cocktail party, there's a display of confidence.

"Lie to Me" Tonight at 9 on Fox. Season 3 finale: Cal probes the death of a social-network cofounder who had feared that she was being squeezed out by her partner.

"The Cape" Tonight at 9 on NBC. A savant (Mena Suvari) seeking revenge for her father's death targets Chess, who is preparing to reveal a device that may determine Palm City's fate. Vince sets out to defend Chess, realizing he must keep his nemesis alive to completely destroy him.

"Greek" Tonight at 9 on ABC Family. Cappie strives to win over Peter's father (Jonathan Silverman) while planning an outrageous homecoming party. Meanwhile, Rusty hopes to impress Peter by stealing a mascot; and Ashleigh's lack of career motivation leads to a fight between her and Casey.

"Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story" Tonight at 9 on Lifetime. A Queens schoolteacher (Taraji P. Henson) travels to South Korea, where she carries out a daring plan to rescue her 7-year-old son, who has been abducted by his father. Based on a true story.

"Shatner's Raw Nerve" Tonight at 10 on BIO. Carol Burnett is the guest in the third-season opener. Subjects include her parents' alcoholism; her early career; and the death of her daughter, Carrie.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

January 30, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Pro Bowl:From Honolulu" Tonight at 7 on Fox. AFC vs. NFC in the annual NFL all-star game in Honolulu. The game returns to its traditional home, following a year in Miami. Last year, the AFC won 41-34 to tie the overall series at 20-20.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Tonight at 8 on ABC. A family who lost a teenage daughter in a texting-while-driving accident has a new home built for them. Justin Bieber, Emma Roberts and NASCAR's Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle volunteer.

"Brick City" Tonight at 8 on Sundance. Season 2 opens as Newark, N.J., mayor Cory Booker continues his quest to transform the city while he seeks another term in office. Meanwhile, the police director battles a rash of violent crime and his political enemies; Jayda and Creep start a nonprofit mentoring program; and father-author-gang-member Dashaun "Jiwe" Morris must decide whether to plea-bargain his attempted-murder case or let it go to trial.

"Screen Actors Guild Awards" Tonight at 8 on TBS and TNT. Outstanding film and TV performances are honored at the 17th annual gala from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles. Ernest Borgnine is slated to receive the Life Achievement Award. Presenters include Alec Baldwin; Jeff Bridges; LL Cool J; Amy Poehler; Rosario Dawson; Hilary Swank; and Betty White.

"The Lost Valentine" Tonight at 9 on CBS. A dogged TV reporter (Jennifer Love Hewitt) finds her own love life changed when she profiles a World War II widow (Betty White) who continues to honor the memory of her Navy pilot husband 65 years after he was declared missing in action.

"Bridalplasty" Tonight at 9 on E! The first season concludes with the two final brides competing and the winner being revealed. The winning lady is then followed during her final plastic surgeries and wedding preparations.

"Kennedys' Home Movies" Tonight at 9 on TLC. An intimate look at the Kennedy family, as captured in home videos over the course of three generations.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Janaury 29, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Phineas and Ferb" Tonight at 8 on Disney. A musical in which Phineas and Ferb revisit the day they built a gigantic roller coaster in their backyard. Meanwhile, Doofenshmirtz tries to pull the East Coast to the west using tinfoil and a huge magnet.

"Figure Skating:U.S. Championships" Tonight at 9 on NBC. The U.S. Championships women's final in Greensboro, N.C. Entrants are expected to include defending champ Rachael Flatt; Alissa Czisny; Mirai Nagasu; Caroline Zhang and Ashley Wagner.

"Mega Python vs. Gatoroid" Tonight at 9 on Syfy. Monstrous reptiles clash in the Florida Everglades when giant pythons threaten the alligator population. Starring 1980s pop stars Debbie Gibson and Tiffany.

"Nick Kroll: Thank You Very Cool" Tonight at 10 on Comedy Central. A performance by comedian Nick Kroll includes riffs on the Cheesecake Factory and dating, and his characters Fabrice Fabrice and Bobby Bottleservice.

"Kidnap & Rescue" Tonight at 10 on Discovery. A girl who was snatched and sold into sexual slavery and a man who was abducted from his bed at night bring Brad Barker and his HALO group to Mexico in the opener of the documentary series following rescuers who try to recover kidnapped people.

"Tailgate Warriors With Guy Fieri" Tonight at 10 on Food. The Top 2 teams face off in San Francisco's Candlestick Park. Then, the champions are crowned in the Season 1 finale.

"Saturday Night Live" Tonight at 11:29 on NBC. Jesse Eisenberg hosts. Music guest: Nicki Minaj.

Friday, January 28, 2011

January 28, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Working Class" Tonight at 8 on CMT. A blue-collar single mom (Melissa Peterman) moves her family into an upscale Midwestern neighborhood. In the opener, she encounters an old flame from high school.

"Track and Field:Millrose Games" Tonight at 8 on ESPN2. The 104th Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York. Featured: decathletes Bryan Clay, Trey Hardee and Ashton Eaton; U.S. vs. Jamaica in men's and women's 60m challenges.

"SpongeBob SquarePants" Tonight at 8 on Nickelodeon. An undersea volcano is about to erupt, and the only way to stop it is to sacrifice Squidward; SpongeBob and Patrick look for a mythical drain at the bottom of the ocean.

"Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star" Tonight at 9 on OWN. The challenge: produce a cooking segment. Chef Curtis Stone is the guest mentor.

"Real Time With Bill Maher" Tonight at 10 on HBO. The interview guests are actor-comedian D.L. Hughley and former RNC chairman Michael Steele. Panelists: commentator Will Cain; former Canadian prime minister Kim Campbell; Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.).

"Four Weddings Biggest Blunders" Tonight at 10 on TLC. Wedding-day dos and don'ts are discussed in this look back at the first two seasons.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

January 27, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Winter X Games:skiing, snowmobiling" Today at 12 on ESPN2. The 15th action-sports festival opens in Aspen, Colo. Scheduled: skiing (slopestyle); and snowmobiling (freestyle). Sal Masekela hosts.

"Vampire Diaries" Tonight at 8 on The CW. Damon tries to save Rose after she is bitten by a werewolf, but her increasingly bizarre behavior puts everyone in danger. Meanwhile, Tyler and Caroline reveal their true feelings for each other.

"Bones" Tonight at 9 on Fox. Before the final appeal of her death sentence, Heather Taffet (Deirdre Lovejoy), aka the Grave Digger, is hit by a sniper's bullet, but the Jeffersonian team's ensuing investigation could point to either Booth or Max (Ryan O'Neal) as a suspect. Meanwhile, Sweets is unnerved by an encounter with this convicted killer.

"The Office" Tonight at 9 on NBC. When Andy falls into a sales slump, he desperately hosts a small business seminar featuring special guests. Before long, the event turns into an opportunity for Michael and Holly (Amy Ryan) to showcase their improv-comedy flair (or lack thereof). Elsewhere, Erin and Gabe compete in a game of Scrabble.

"Archer" Tonight at 10 on FX. Season 2 opens in the Swiss ski resort Gstaad, where the ISIS crew has gone to protect a billionaire's teen daughter from kidnappers (and to get the billionaire to invest in the insolvent spy agency). One complication: The girl wants to seduce Archer, who keeps getting caught in compromising situations that make it appear that he's doing the seducing.

"Jersey Shore" Tonight at 10 on MTV. Ronnie and J-Woww make amends, which sends Sammi over the edge. Meanwhile, Mike uncovers Deena's dirty little secret; and Vinny goes out with a girl who has an overbearing family.

"Love Calling" Tonight at 11 on Bravo. Host Donny Deutsch fields romance-related questions from viewers.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

January 26, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Live to Dance" Tonight at 8 on CBS. Two teams advance.

"American Idol" Tonight at 8 on Fox. Preliminary auditions continue in Season 10's third episode.

"Silencing the Song: An Afghan Fallen Star" Tonight at 8 on HBO2. Director Havana Marking returns to Afghanistan to profile Setara, a controversial contestant on the talent show "Afghan Star" who has temporarily abandoned her music career after becoming pregnant and threats made on her life.

"Criminal Minds" Tonight at 9 on CBS. The team searches for a young couple who are on an interstate killing spree; and Prentiss gets shocking news from her former boss.

"The Traveler's Guide to Life" Tonight at 10 on Travel. Series premiere: Travel enthusiasts recall their favorite life-changing moments from the road. Appearing: Buzz Aldrin; Melora Hardin; Andrew Zimmern; Constance Marie.

"Hot in Cleveland" Tonight at 10 on TV Land. Melanie's in for a surprise when she meets Pete's mother (Bonnie Franklin) and brother (John Schneider). Meanwhile, Joy's immigration scam with Rick hits a snag; Victoria looks for a sugar daddy; and Elka celebrates her freedom in her own inimitable way.

"Being Erica" Tonight at 11 on SoapNet. Erica finds a fresh start after passing through her door in the third-seaon opener.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

January 25, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"One Tree Hill" Tonight at 8 on The CW. Brooke's bachelorette party makes for a wild night, but she and her pals struggle to recall the details of it the next day. Musician Dave Navarro guest stars as himself.

"State of the Union Adress" Tonight at 8:55 on Fox News and at 9 on ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS, CNBC, CNN and MSNBC. President Obama delivers the traditional address, in which presidents typically highlight achievements from the previous year and articulate their priorities for the coming year, before a joint session of Congress, telecast from the House chamber. Topics expected to be addressed include the economy, job creation and the 2011-12 budget. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), the chairman of the House Budget Committee, delivers the Republican response.

"Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?" Tonight at 9 on WE tv. Funnywoman Joan Rivers relocates from New York to Los Angeles to move in with her daughter, Melissa, in the premiere of this reality series following the pair as they cope with cohabitation. As Joan settles in, Melissa tries to hide a secret.

"Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection" Tonight at 10 on Bravo. In the Season 2 finale, the final designers go needle-to-needle to spin out a cohesive collection of looks, after which the seasonal winner is named. R&B songstress Mary J. Blige and fashion-magazine editor Glenda Bailey are the guest judges.

"Lights Out" Tonight at 10 on FX. While Johnny tries to persuade promoter Barry Word (Reg E. Cathey) to give the gym's top fighter (Pedro Pascal) a title shot, Lights' daughters prepare a scrapbook for their father's 40th birthday party. Meanwhile, police discover that the MP3 player found on the body of a murdered robber belongs to Lights.

"Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel" Tonight at 10 on HBO. Segments include an interview with quarterback-turned-broadcaster Troy Aikman; a report on financial irresponsibility on the part of some NFL players; a profile of sportswriter Peter King; and an update on the health problems of NFL linemen.

"Stand Up Mother" Tonight at 10:02 on WE tv. Comedian Tammy Pescatelli plans a big family event in the premiere of this reality series following Tammy as she tries to balance work and family. Though party planning has her stressed, Tammy also tries to fit in an audition in Los Angeles.

Monday, January 24, 2011

January 24, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"College Basketball:Notre Dame at Pittsburgh" Tonight at 7 on ESPN. Notre Dame at Pittsburgh. Mike Brey's Fighting Irish beat Pitt twice late last season on the strength of 16-for-31 three-point shooting (to the Panthers' 6-for-28). Ben Hansbrough and Brad Wanamaker are key senior guards.

"The Bachelor" Tonight at 8 on ABC. Fourteen women remain, one of whom has a black eye and no idea (she says) of how she got it. Before three are eliminated, nine appear on the radio show "Loveline With Mike & Dr. Drew," while one rappels down the side of an L.A. skyscraper with Brad and another accompanies him to Catalina Island, where she'll have to overcome her fear of water. Then there's the pre-elimination cocktail party, at which Brad picnics privately with one bachelorette, leaving the others unhappy, to say the least.

"Chuck" Tonight at 8 on NBC. Sarah sets out on a perilous undercover mission by assisting Mary Bartowski (Linda Hamilton) in a bid to finally crush criminal mastermind Volkoff (Timothy Dalton). Meanwhile, Ellie and Awesome bicker over baby names. Mekenna Melvin guest stars.

"Gossip Girl" Tonight at 9 on The CW. Bart Bass' former associate (Michael Boatman) arrives in town with his daughter (Tika Sumpter). Meanwhile, Chuck and Serena team up to oppose Lily; Blair begins to view her mother as an asset to her future career; and Nate worries about his father, who's now out on parole.

"American Experience" Tonight at 9 on PBS. The 1904-1914 construction of the Panama Canal, the 50-mile link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, is recalled via archival footage, photos and interviews with workers, as well as insights from historians. The undertaking cost the U.S. about $375 million and 5609 workers (out of 56,307), who perished from both accidents and disease. The documentary also explores what life was like for the workers, who were a mix of Americans, Europeans and West Indians.

"Cake Boss: Next Great Baker" Tonight at 9 on TLC. The winner is crowned in the Season 1 finale. At stake is $50,000 and a job at Carlo's Bakery.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

January 23, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"NFC Championship:Packers at Bears" Today at 3 on Fox. Green Bay at Chicago. Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler, two of the game's top young QBs, face off in the 182nd meeting between these longtime rivals, who first met in 1921. The NFC North foes split two meetings this season, with each winning at home. Green Bay crushed Atlanta last week, while the Bears advanced by beating Seattle.

"AFC Championship:Jets at Steelers" Tonight at 6:30 on CBS. New York Jets at Pittsburgh. After beating the Patriots last week, QB Mark Sanchez (4-1 in playoff starts) leads the Jets into Heinz Field, where they won 22-17 on Dec. 19. The Steelers' Troy Polamalu (7 INTs this season), missed that game with an injury, but has since returned to action.

"The Simpsons" Tonight at 8 on Fox. Homer learns about parenting from a 1980s sitcom. James Lipton and David Mamet have voice cameos.

"Mean Girls 2" Tonight at 8 on ABC Family. In this sequel to the 2004 feature film "Mean Girls," a new student (Meaghan Martin) hopes to have a quiet senior year, but instead she dives into high-school drama by befriending a social outcast (Jennifer Stone) and defending her to the popular clique.

"Hawaii Five-0" Tonight at 10 on CBS. The head of the Tsunami Warning Center mysteriously disappears just as a major tsunami threatens to strike Hawaii and thousands of people are evacuated from the islands.

"Kourtney and Kim Take New York" Tonight at 10 on E! Kourtney and Kim Kardashian open a new store in Manhattan. In the opener, the ladies arrive in New York and Kourtney considers asking her boyfriend Scott to move into her hotel suite, much to Kim's dismay.

"Oprah Presents Master Class" Tonight at 10 on OWN. Simon Cowell discusses lessons he learned about rejection and failure as well as success. Cowell also discuss honesty, ego, instinct and moving forward in life.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

January 22, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"College Basketball:Villanova at Syracuse" Today at 12 on ESPN. Villanova at Syracuse in a Big East showdown. The Orange roughed up Villanova 95-77 last season as Philly native Rick Jackson's 19 points led the way. Mouphtaou Yarou scored a season-high 13 points for the Wildcats.

"Green Zone" Tonight at 8 on HBO. Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Matt Damon) deals with booby traps and cover-ups while searching for WMD in Iraq during the U.S. occupation in 2003. When Miller realizes that operatives on both sides of the conflict are attempting to spin the story in their favor, he searches for the facts that will either absolve a rogue regime or take the war to the next level.

"America's Most Wanted" Tonight at 9 on Fox.

"Pit Bulls and Parolees" Tonight at 9 on Animal Planet. Highlights of the second season are featured.

"Primeval" Tonight at 9 on BBC Amer. Students in Saturday detention are in for a surprise when a vicious therocephalian gets loose in their school.

"Backyard Wedding" Tonight at 9 on Hallmark. A med-school graduate (Alicia Witt) returns to her childhood home to plan her backyard wedding. Her ex-husband and former neighbor(Teddy Sears) is also in town, and his presence forces her to reevaluate how strong her current relationship truly is just days before the wedding. Directed by Bradford May.

"An Idiot Abroad" Tonight at 9:30 on Science Ch. Karl Pilkington's itinerary comes together with the help of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant in the debut of the travelogue series.

Friday, January 21, 2011

January 21, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Medium" Tonight at 8 on CBS. In the series finale, Allison begins a new career as a lawyer and Joe lands a new job. These developments lead the couple in opposing directions and have a lasting impact on the DuBois family.

"Kitchen Nightmares" Tonight at 8 on Fox. In the third-season opener, Chef Ramsay visits the Spanish Pavillion in Harrison, N.J. He finds the family-owned eatery has bickering owners, undercooked food and an outdated atmosphere.

"Fringe" Tonight at 9 on Fox. An Observer reaches out to the Fringe team to reverse a critical error. Meanwhile, Walter meets Roscoe Joyce (Christopher Lloyd), the keyboardist for his favorite band in the 1970s, and discovers some uncanny parallels in their lives.

"Onion News Network" Tonight at 10 on IFC. Satirical take on news events, celebrities, sports and the world of entertainment. In the series opener, a comely network reporter is kidnapped.

"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" Tonight at 10 on Starz. A pre-Spartacus prequel about life in the House of Batiatus. In the opener, a younger Batiatus is placed in command of his father's gladiator-training school, which leads him to use one of the most accomplished fighters to curry favor with a nobleman whom he hopes will finance the construction of a new arena.

"Portlandia" Tonight at 10:30 on IFC. Comic vignettes chart the lives of offbeat fictional Oregonians. In the premiere, a couple get way too involved in ordering a restaurant meal. Later, two store employees deal with a man (Steve Buscemi) who uses the restroom without making a purchase; and Portland's Adult Hide-and-Seek League stages a competition in a college library.

"Comedy Central Presents" Tonight at 11 on Comedy Central. Tom Segura performs.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

January 20, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Perfect Couples" Tonight at 8:30 on NBC. Well-adjusted pair Dave and Julia (Kyle Bornheimer, Christine Woods) are forced to forgo romantic anniversary plans in the premiere of this comedy series about relationships. Elsewhere, high-drama duo Vance and Amy (David Walton, Mary Elizabeth Ellis) call it quits; and the married Rex and Leigh (Hayes MacArthur, Olivia Munn) gear up for a game night.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" Tonight at 9 on CBS. A body with severe burn marks is discovered by the side of a road, and the evidence suggests that the victim was executed in an electric chair. The CSIs soon learn that the crime may be connected to a legendary Las Vegas murder. Meanwhile, Greg asks a schoolteacher (Dita Von Teese) out for a date.

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" Tonight at 9 on Bravo. In the Season 1 finale, the ladies celebrate Taylor's birthday with a lavish bash on a hotel rooftop---but it's a fiery conflict between Kim and Kyle that takes the cake. Elsewhere, Camille's marital issues reach the breaking point.

"Royal Pains" Tonight at 9 on USA. Hank and Evan learn more about Eddie after his heart attack. Elsewhere, Jill collapses at a golf tournament and receives treatment from Hank; and Divya remains in turmoil over Adam.

"Bones" Tonight at 9:01 on Fox. The discovery of a body in the shower of a socialite's home is linked to a counterfeit handbag-distribution ring and a young Chinese girl's quest to fit in with a select group. Meanwhile, Booth and Hannah discuss his relationship with Brennan; and Angela and Hodgins map out the future for their family.

"Parks and Recreation" Tonight at 9:30 on NBC. Season 3 opens as Leslie enlists Ann's help in persuading state auditors Chris (Rob Lowe) and Ben (Adam Scott) to give the Parks Department more money. Elsewhere, Ron and Andy start coaching youth basketball; and April returns with some surprising news.

"Fairly Legal" Tonight at 10 on USA. Lawyer-turned-mediator Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi) tries to save her recently deceased father's firm in the premiere of this series following Kate's attempts to solve others' problems, as well as her own. The firm's fate rests on the resolution of a dispute between a clothing magnate and his son, who's set to inherit his father's business.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

January 19, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"PGA Tour Golf:Bob Hope Classic" Today at 3 on Golf. Opening-round play at the 52nd Bob Hope Classic, which is played on four courses in the Palm Springs area. Bill Haas won last year's event by a stroke over Matt Kuchar, Tim Clark and Bubba Watson. Expected celebrity players include Evan Longoria, Kurt Russell and Alice Cooper.

"American Idol" Tonight at 8 on Fox. Part 1 of 2. The talent contest opens Season 10 with auditions. New judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler join returning arbiter Randy Jackson; music impresario Jimmy Iovine serves as the new in-house mentor.

"Modern Family" Tonight at 9 on ABC. The Dunphy kids are in for an unpleasant surprise when they deliver breakfast in bed for Phil and Claire's anniversary. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron covet a table at a hip new restaurant owned by a fellow parent (Rachael Harris) at Lily's preschool; and an e-mail may spoil a trip to Las Vegas for Jay and Gloria.

"Blue Bloods" Tonight at 10 on CBS. Danny and Jackie investigate the murder of a high-end escort after the victim's body is found in a river. Meanwhile, Frank reopens a cold case from 25 years ago when a missing boy's remains are discovered.

"Top Chef: All-Stars" Tonight at 10 on Bravo. The chefs get hooked into a fish-fillet contest at an elite seafood restaurant. In a unique Restaurant Wars test that follows, they must establish "one night only" eateries under the stars in New York City.

"Hot in Cleveland" Tonight at 10 on TV Land. In the second-season premiere, Elka is behind bars with an ornery cellmate (Mary Tyler Moore) while her friends try to find the money to bail her out, but their quest is made more difficult when Victoria is hit by a financial crisis and Joy gets in trouble with the INS.

"Retired at 35" Tonight at 10:30 on TV Land. In the premiere of this comedy, a successful New York executive quits his job and moves in with his parents (George Segal, Jessica Walter) in a Florida retirement community, but their son's major decision isn't the only drastic change for the family.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

January 18, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"No Ordinary Family" Tonight at 8 on ABC. During an Internal Affairs probe of a dishonest police officer, the precinct is overwhelmed by a gang of criminals, and Jim may be the only one who can save his colleagues. Meanwhile, Katie and Stephanie care for an ailing Joshua at the lab but grow suspicious of human-resources executive Victoria Morrow (Rebecca Mader).

"NCIS" Tonight at 8 on CBS. A Navy recruiter is killed at a college fair, and the team is helped by Ducky's predecessor, Dr. Walter Magnus (Bob Newhart).

"Life Unexpected" Tonight at 8 on The CW. In the second-season finale, Baze prepares for a future with Emma, unaware of her secret past with his dad. Then Lux arranges a special meal for herself and Eric, but her parents find out about it and crash her intimate dinner.

"Biggest Loser: Couples" Tonight at 8 on NBC. The identities of the unknown trainers are revealed. Elsewhere, the players compete for a healthy meal prepared by Curtis Stone and a two-pound advantage at the weigh-in; Dr. Huizenga provides more health assessments; Bob and Jillian look for the roots of players' weight struggles; the winner of a water-carrying challenge receives the sole vote during elimination; and a team's weigh-in results surprise the trainers.

"Pioneers of Television" Tonight at 8 on PBS. The Season 2 premiere focuses on three pioneers of TV sci-fi: Gene Roddenberry ("Star Trek"), Rod Serling ("Twilight Zone") and Irwin Allen ("Lost in Space"). The clip-filled nostalgia-fest features remarks from William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Nichelle Nichols from "Star Trek"; Bill Mumy, Angela Cartwright and Marta Kristen from "Lost in Space"; and such luminaries as Martin Landau, who explains why he turned down a certain pointy part in "Star Trek."

"College Basketball:Kentucky at Alabama" Tonight at 9 on ESPN. Kentucky at Alabama in a matchup of second-year SEC coaches John Calipari and Anthony Grant. Point guard Brandon Knight paces UK while junior forward JaMychal Green spurs the Crimson Tide. The Wildcats have taken the last five meetings.

"White Collar" Tonight at 10 on USA. Suspended and wrongly accused by the FBI, Peter sets out to clear his name and find Mozzie's shooter during a sting with Neal.

Monday, January 17, 2011

January 17, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"House" Tonight at 8 on Fox. A hero (Matthew Lillard) collapses moments after risking his life to save a stranger who fell onto subway tracks. Meanwhile, House tries to avoid Cuddy's birthday dinner because her opinionated mother (Candice Bergen) will be there; and Masters (Amber Tamblyn) helps Taub realize that he must take action on his crumbling marriage.

"NBA Basketball:Magic at Celtics" Tonight at 8 on TNT. Orlando at Boston. On Dec. 25, Stan Van Gundy's Magic came up with a 17-3 game-ending burst to spoil Boston's holiday, 86-78. Brandon Bass had 21 points and nine rebounds for Orlando.

"Piers Morgan Tonight" Tonight at 9 on CNN. Oprah Winfrey is the first guest on the interview show hosted by former "Daily Mirror" editor (and current "America's Got Talent" judge) Piers Morgan.

"Being Human" Tonight at 9 on Syfy. Part 1 of 2. After a bloody night out, a vampire and a werewolf decide to become roommates to look out for each other, and they find a townhouse that's haunted by the ghost of their landlord's fiancée in the opener of the series following three supernatural beings who try to live like humans.

"Harry's Law" Tonight at 10 on NBC. Irascible attorney Harriet "Harry" Korn is fired in the series opener and sets up her own practice in an abandoned shoe store. The first case for her small team of unlikely colleagues: a young man facing his third drug offense.

"Heavy" Tonight at 10 on A&E. Two 37-year-olds from Houston are profiled in the opener of a series following 22 individuals struggling with obesity as they try to adhere to a healthy regimen for six months.

"Skins" Tonight at 10 on MTV. Tony offers to help Stanley lose his virginity in the premiere of the American adaptation of the popular British teen drama.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

January 16, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"NFL Playoff:Seahawks at Bears" Today at 1 on Fox. Seattle at Chicago in an NFC Divisional game. Seattle, which finished the season with a losing record, upset the Saints 41-36 last week to set up this rematch. The Seahawks sacked Jay Cutler six times in a 23-20 triumph in Chicago on Oct. 17. Matt Hasselbeck had 4 TD passes in last week's win over the Saints.

"Australian Open:Early-round play" Tonight at 6:30 on ESPN2. Early-round play in the Grand Slam event in Melbourne.

"Hannah Montana Forever" Tonight at 7 on Disney. The series concludes with Miley choosing between going to college with Lilly or accepting a lucrative role in a movie.

"The Simpsons" Tonight at 8 on Fox. Smithers gives Moe's pub a trendy makeover, and it becomes a gay bar. Principal Skinner has eyes for the new music teacher (voice of Kristen Wiig) and enlists an unlikely ally, Bart, to help him win her heart. Alyson Hannigan and Scott Thompson have voice cameos.

"Golden Globe Awards" Tonight at 8 on NBC. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association stages its 68th annual gala, which recognizes achievement in 25 movie and TV categories. Highlights include a tribute to Robert De Niro, who receives the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Ricky Gervais hosts from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Slated presenters include Kevin Bacon, Helen Mirren, Kevin Spacey, Sandra Bullock, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr. and Bruce Willis.

"Desperate Housewives" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Lynette tries to stop her mother (Polly Bergen) from marrying an odious man (Larry Hagman); Bree learns disquieting things about Keith from his ex-girlfriend; Carlos worries about Gaby's obsession with a doll; Susan befriends a fellow dialysis patient who's depressed and curmudgeonly; Bob and Lee hire Renee to decorate their newly adopted daughter's bedroom; and Paul Young books a cabin in the woods for a getaway with Beth.

"Big Love" Tonight at 9 on HBO. In the fifth-season premiere, the ugly aftermath of Bill's election victory---and revelation of polygamy---begins as the Henricksons suffer indignities in the schoolyard, at Home Plus and in the halls of the Utah state senate. Meanwhile, Alby returns to Juniper Creek from his exile in the desert.

"Ted Haggard: Scandalous" Tonight at 10 on TLC. A profile of disgraced pastor Ted Haggard, the founder of Colorado's New Life Church who left the ministry in 2006 following a gay sex and drugs scandal. The former evangelical leader is followed as he attempts to start a new life and church.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

January 15, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"NFL Playoff:Ravens at Steelers" Today at 4:30 on CBS. Baltimore at Pittsburgh in an AFC Divisional game. This is the third meeting between these AFC North rivals after each team won on its opponent's turf in the regular season. Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu star on the turnover-producing defenses.

"Valentine's Day" Tonight at 8 on HBO. Julia Roberts stars in this ensemble comedy chronicling the ups, downs and unlikely situations encountered by a diverse group of Angelenos over the course of one Valentine's Day. Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper. Directed by Garry Marshall.

"Miss America Pageant" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Brooke Burke and Chris Harrison host the 2011 pageant, which celebrates its 90th year, at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Fifty-three women between the ages of 17 and 24 vie for the crown held by reigning queen Caressa Cameron. Judges include Joy Behar ("The View"); ballroom dancer Tony Dovolani; "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry; and country singer Marc Wills.

"An Education" Tonight at 9 on Starz. This Oscar-nominated Best Picture is set in early 1960s London, where a scholarly teenage girl (Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan) is seduced by a charming thirtysomething cad (Peter Sarsgaard) and his sophisticated lifestyle. Emma Thompson, Alfred Molina. Directed by Lone Scherfig from an Oscar-nominated script by Nick Hornby.

"Behemoth" Tonight at 9 on Syfy. Ed Quinn stars in this horror film about a group of scientists investigating volcanic activity who discover a giant monster capable of destroying mankind.

"Pit Bulls and Parolees" Tonight at 10 on Animal Planet. Tia researches special needs dogs. Also: Tia considers another property when the ranch is threatened by a wildfire.

"Saturday Night Live" Tonight at 11:29 on NBC. Gwyneth Paltrow hosts. Music guest: Cee Lo Green.

Friday, January 14, 2011

January 14, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"ESPN Town Hall Meeting: Image of the Black Athlete" Tonight at 6 on ESPN. The contemporary image of the black athlete is discussed in Atlanta. Panelists include Michael Wilbon, John Calipari, Marion Jones, Randy Shannon and Spike Lee. Robin Roberts and Bob Ley serve as hosts.

"Suite Life on Deck" Tonight at 8 on Disney. Part 1 of 3. Bailey returns home to celebrate her grandmother's 90th birthday, and Cody follows after her to win her back. Meanwhile, Zack and Woody challenge Moseby and his brother to a basketball game, only to learn that his sibling is a pro player (Dwight Howard). The NBA's Deron Williams and Kevin Love appear.

"Ricky Gervais Show" Tonight at 9 on HBO. Topics for the second-season premiere include Karl's pitch to a movie studio for a Rebecca De Mornay thriller; and entries from Karl's diary about Australia, camping and visiting his girlfriend's parents.

"Say Yes to the Dress" Tonight at 9 on TLC. The future wife of MLB pitcher Chad Gaudin searches for a wedding dress. Meanwhile, another bride returns to the salon for her first fitting, and she brings along her very vocal family.

"16th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards" Tonight at 9 on VH1. The 16th annual gala, with Maroon 5 serving as the house band. "Black Swan" leads all films with 12 nominations; "The King's Speech" and "True Grit" garnered 11 nominations each.

"Gold Rush Alaska" Tonight at 10 on Discovery. An equipment malfunction impedes progress; Jimmy Dorsey takes on an extra job to make cash, which doesn't help his standing with the crew; James Harness collapses.

"Real Time With Bill Maher" Tonight at 10 on HBO. Interview guests for the ninth-season premiere are actor-comedian Martin Short and White House financial adviser Elizabeth Warren. The panelists are political analyst James Carville, journalist Chrystia Freeland and political consultant Mike Murphy.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Jaunary 13, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Swarm Chasers" Tonight at 7 on Animal Planet. Scientists study locusts in Australia, seeking a way to control their appetite, in the opener of this series about the phenomenon of swarms.

"Wipeout" Tonight at 8 on ABC. Obstacles include Mogul Madness and Yule Log Jam.

"NBA Basketball:Magic at Thunder" Tonight at 8 on TNT. Orlando at Oklahoma City. Kevin Durant and the Thunder rumbled past visiting Orlando 102-74 last season for their only win in the last nine meetings between the teams. Gilbert Arenas and James Harden are impact players off the bench.

"Target: Inside the Bullseye" Tonight at 9 on CNBC. The history of Target, the Minneapolis-based discount department store chain.

"Beyond Scared Straight" Tonight at 10 on A&E. Five young women visit Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla, Cal., in the opener of a series in which troubled teens visit prisons where inmates reveal the harsh realities of prison life.

"Private Practice" Tonight at 10:01 on ABC. Addison plans Bizzy and Susan's wedding while trying to keep the flirtatious Dr. Rodriquez at bay; Sam worries about the care that a longtime patient is receiving; and Sheldon refers Charlotte to his mentor and friend for psychiatric help.

"Laugh Out Loud Comedy Festival" Tonight at 11 on Showtime. Series featuring stand-up comedians kicks off with a set by Chris Spencer.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Janaury 12, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"The Middle" Tonight at 8 on ABC. Mike gives Frankie the cold shoulder when she pays $200 for a small bottle of eye cream. Meanwhile, Axl's parenting skills are tested when he becomes caregiver to an infant doll for health class, and Sue and Brick put a hole in Sue's bedroom wall and try to figure out how to fix it.

"Minute to Win It" Tonight at 8 on NBC. A beauty queen and her mom play the games, including the Glass Road Trucker challenge.

"American Masters" Tonight at 8 on PBS. A profile of Jeff Bridges, featuring remarks from family and friends, including wife Susan and siblings Beau and Cindy; directors Peter Bogdanovich, Terry Gilliam and Taylor Hackford; actors Karen Allen, Robert Duvall, John Goodman, Stacy Keach, Mercedes Ruehl, Cybill Shepherd and Robin Williams; and musicians T-Bone Burnett and Michael McDonald.

"I'd Do Anything" Tonight at 9 BBC Amer. The final three contestants learn their fates in the season finale.

"College Basketball:Duke at Florida State" Tonight at 9 on ESPN. Duke at Florida State. Senior guards Nolan Smith and Derwin Kitchen trigger the offense for these ACC foes. Kitchen had a career-high 10 assists in last season's 70-56 loss to Duke, which has taken five straight in the series.

"Off the Map" Tonight at 10 on ABC. In the premiere of this drama about doctors trying to rediscover their passion for medicine, three physicians arrive in a remote South American village to work at a bare-bones clinic started by a former wunderkind surgeon (Martin Henderson).

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Tonight at 10 on NBC. A woman (A.J. Cook) is raped by a masked man and her partner is severely beaten by him. The injured woman's estranged father (Jeremy Irons) is notified of the incident, and when police question him, they find themselves confronting an uncooperative man with a sordid past.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

January 11, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"NCIS" Tonight at 8 on CBS. When a marine is murdered while on a dinner cruise, the team works with the Coast Guard Investigative Service to solve the crime.

"Frontline" Tonight at 9 on PBS. "Battle for Haiti" examines Haiti's rebuilding effort, which has become a struggle due to corruption and the criminal activities of gangs, many of whose members escaped from Haiti's National Penitentiary following the devastating 2010 earthquake. The documentary accompanies police units that are hunting the escaped criminals in Port-au-Prince, and relays the fear that many Haitians live in, as the central government and judicial system seem unable to maintain order.

"Millionaire Matchmaker" Tonight at 9 on Bravo. In the Season 4 finale, Patti tries not to fumble when she plays matchmaker for former NFL player Freddie Mitchell. Patti also reluctantly works for a return client named Stacy. Not believing a word Stacy says, Patti feels compelled to set up a lie-detector machine for her client.

"The Haney Project: Rush Limbaugh" Tonight at 9 on Golf. Rush Limbaugh is the new student for Hank Haney as Season 3 tees off. Included: Haney meets Limbaugh, breaks down his game and formulates a strategy to help him.

"Lights Out" Tonight at 10 on FX. Holt McCallany plays Patrick "Lights" Leary, an ex-heavyweight champ who's scrambling to support his wife, Theresa (Catherine McCormack), a medical resident, and their three daughters. The series opener begins five years after Lights' retirement (at Theresa's insistence) following a controversial split-decision loss. The Learys live in a mansion, but he's going broke, and the IRS is after him and his manager-brother (Pablo Schreiber). Lights is also showing signs of "pugilistic dementia."

"Teen Mom 2" Tonight at 10 on MTV. Four new "16 & Pregnant" alums are introduced in the "Teen Mom 2" premiere. The cast includes Jenelle, who is battling her own mother for custody of her baby; Leah, who has twins; Chelsea, who's determined to graduate high school while balancing the responsibilities of motherhood; and Kailyn, who's struggling to get over a breakup.

"Onion SportsDome" Tonight at 10:30 on Comedy Central. In the premiere of a satirical series that skewers the wide world of sports, Alex Reiser returns from suspension to reunite with fellow anchor Mark Shepard to present highlights that include the Miami Heat's new rules; Albert Pujols' key to St. Louis; missing NFL veterans; and an ostracized MMA fighter.

Monday, January 10, 2011

January 10, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Lie to Me" Tonight at 8 on Fox. When Cal is asked to determine if a mental hospital patient is being held against his will, he begins to question his own sanity. He also must confront his past. Then a wealthy woman wants Cal to conduct a background check on her new boyfriend.

"Inside the Actors Studio" Tonight at 8 on Bravo. James Lipton conducts an interview with actor and funnyman Jim Carrey. The star of "The Truman Show" (1998) and "Man on the Moon" (1999) talks about his formative years as a class clown; his early jobs; his work on TV's "In Living Color"; and the development of his Ace Ventura character.

"Susan Boyle: Piers Morgan's Life Stories" Tonight at 8 on TV Guide Network. Susan Boyle discusses her life and newfound career as a professional singer.

"BCS Championship Game:Auburn vs. Oregon" Tonight at 8:30 on ESPN. Auburn (13-0) vs. Oregon (12-0) for the BCS national title in Glendale, Ariz. Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton of Auburn pilots the nation's top-scoring offense (49.3 points per game). The Ducks average 42.7 points behind All-American RB LaMichael James. This is the first-ever meeting between these teams.

"Cake Boss: Next Great Baker" Tonight at 9 on TLC. The remaining hopefuls must create a dream wedding cake for a couple who are about to walk down the aisle.

"Men of a Certain Age" Tonight at 10 on TNT. The best-bud trio travel to Palm Springs to get colonoscopies. While there, Joe continues to grapple with gambling-related issues; Terry is consumed by thoughts of Erin; and Owen becomes more communicative about his father and the dealership.

"The X Life" Tonight at 10 on VH1. The lives of extreme athletes and their significant others are spotlighted in this reality series. In the opener, the athletes compete in the last stop on the Dew Tour in Las Vegas and some pay a visit to a hospital.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

January 9, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"NFL Playoff:Ravens at Chiefs" Today at 1 on CBS. Baltimore (12-4) at Kansas City (10-6) in an AFC wild-card game. Ball hawk Ed Reed (8 INTs) and the Ravens defense rank fifth in the league against the run as they face the Chiefs' top-ranked rushing attack, headed by Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. The Chiefs are in the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

"Bob's Burgers" Tonight at 8:30 on Fox. A health inspector visits the burger joint after Louise starts a rumor at school during show-and-tell in the opener of the animated sitcom series following a restaurateur and his quirky family.

"Desperate Housewives" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Susan gets a shock when her mother (Lesley Ann Warren) and aunt (Valerie Harper) visit; Lynette seeks revenge after hearing of Tom's fling with Renee; Bree tries to befriend Beth Young (Emily Bergl); and Gaby turns obsessive over the loss of Grace.

"The Cape" Tonight at 9 on NBC. An ex-cop (David Lyons) takes on a superhero persona in the series premiere of this fantasy-based drama about a man fighting crime after being falsely accused of murder. First up: The new superhero is mentored before battling a villain who's trying to take over the city's prisons.

"Masterpiece Classic" Tonight at 9 on PBS. The "Masterpiece" season premiere features the engrossing "Downton Abbey," a four-part drama that begins in 1912, when the sinking of the Titanic punctures the succession plans of Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), the father of three daughters, and inspires his wife (Elizabeth McGovern) and mother (Maggie Smith) to push him to separate his title from his estate, which are legally entailed to pass only to a man. The search settles on a young solicitor (Dan Stevens) unaccustomed to tawny trappings.

"Episodes" Tonight at 9:30 on Showtime. A comedy about married British-TV producers who sell their hit series to American television. In the series opener, they arrive in Hollywood to discover the network honcho wants to replace their choice of leading man, a classically trained English actor, with a "huge star, hysterically funny" and an American audience favorite.

"Shameless" Tonight at 10 on Showtime. The premiere of a series following the escapades of a hard-partying Chicago father (William H. Macy) who provides no guidance to his dysfunctional brood of six. First up: daughter Fiona has her purse snatched but manages to make the acquaintance of a handsome young man, and Lip discovers an unsettling secret about younger brother Ian.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

January 8, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"NFL Playoff:Saints at Seahawks" Today at 4:30 on NBC. New Orleans (11-5) at Seattle (7-9) in an NFC wild-card game. The Super Bowl champs visit the NFC West-winning Seahawks, the first team to make the playoffs with a losing record in a non-strike year. The Saints won the teams' Nov. 14 meeting 34-19, with Drew Brees throwing for 382 yards and 4 TDs.

"Clash of the Titans" Tonight at 8 on HBO. In this fantasy adventure based on Greek mythology, a courageous warrior named Perseus (Sam Worthington) vows to defeat Hades in order to prevent the god of the underworld from overthrowing Zeus, thereby turning Earth into a living hell. A man of godly origins, Perseus watched in agony as Hades took his family, but now, with a small band of warriors by his side, he battles mythical creatures while tapping into his god-like abilities to take control of his own fate.

"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" Tonight at 8 on Showtime. Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) finds herself living dangerously when her vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) leaves her. She soon reconnects with a childhood friend and learns there are more supernatural beings living in her town, and they may be the only ones who can protect her from a vampire seeking vengeance. Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene.

"Victorious" Tonight at 8:30 on Nickelodeon. Robbie's puppet gets severely damaged, and his pals see this as a way for Robbie to let go of Rex. However, Tori's unsure if saying good-bye to Rex is really what's best for Robbie.

"Primeval" Tonight at 9 on BBC Amer. Connor reunites with an old friend and is surprised to learn he's obsessed with creature sightings. The pair track down an elusive boar crocodile that's been terrorizing the docks and they find evidence of a fresh kill.

"Perfectly Prudence" Tonight at 9 on Hallmark. Follow-up to 2008's "Dear Prudence," in which advice guru Prudence McCoy (Jane Seymour) tries to protect her TV show from producers who want to revamp her image. One of the producers turns out to be an old flame (Joe Lando), and the other charms her naive daughter (Katie Flynn), much to Prudence's chagrin. Directed by Douglas Bruce.

"Saturday Night Live" Tonight at 11:29 on NBC. Jim Carrey hosts. Music guest: the Black Keys.

Friday, January 7, 2011

January 7, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Supernanny" Tonight at 8 on ABC. Jo goes back to the basics of discipline when a San Antonio couple lose control of their household, which includes five daughters, two of whom fight constantly, and one granddaughter, who was born to the oldest girl when she was a teen.

"Cotton Bowl:LSU vs. Texas A&M" Tonight at 8 on Fox. LSU (10-2) vs. Texas A&M (9-3) in the 75th annual matchup in Arlington, Texas. RB Cyrus Gray and the powerful Aggies face a stingy LSU defense featuring CB Patrick Patterson and LB Ryan Baker. This is the 50th meeting between these teams, but the first since 1995. LSU leads the overall series 26-20-3.

"Dog Whisperer" Tonight at 8 on National Geographic. A police chief trained Viper, his Belgian Malinois, to be a K-9 contraband detection dog, but Viper's fear of strangers is keeping him from doing his job. Also, a Lab is afraid of hot-air balloons, which frequently take off near its home.

"CSI: NY" Tonight at 9 on CBS. A man in a clown costume shoots a bakery owner and the investigation reveals a decision from Flack's past that puts him in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Jo's ex-husband, FBI agent Russ Josephson (David James Elliott), visits.

"Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star" Tonight at 9 on OWN. Ten would-be Oprahs and Dr. Phils vie for a chance at a talk show of their very own on OWN in this elimination contest. In the series opener, they're introduced by Oprah and must produce talk-show segments under Dr. Phil's watchful eye. Carson Kressley and Nancy O'Dell are the hosts. Mark Burnett ("Survivor," "The Apprentice") is the executive producer.

"Say Yes to the Dress" Tonight at 9 on TLC. Season 6 opens with a bride who wants to look like a pirate on her wedding day. Also: Another bride's father has some outrageous ideas.

"Merlin" Tonight at 10 on Syfy. Part 1 of 2 of the Season 3 premiere finds Arthur and Merlin discovering the long-missing Morgana and returning her to Camelot. Shortly after her return, however, Uther's mind begins to fray. Merlin suspects it's due to someone's magic and puts himself in danger while investigating its source.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

January 6, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"College Basketball:Xavier at Cincinnati" Tonight at 7 on ESPN2. Xavier at Cincinnati in the Crosstown Shootout. The Musketeers bid for their fourth straight win over Cincy and 11th win in the last 15 meetings. Terrell Holloway's 26 points led last season's 83-79 double-OT thriller.

"Wipeout" Tonight at 8 on ABC. The fourth-season premiere is a winter version of the extreme obstacle course, featuring Spinning Ski Lift, Snowplow Sweeper and Big Balls with a new twist, the Snow-tivator.

"Grey's Anatomy" Tonight at 9 on ABC. A mass shooting at a nearby college reopens some not-so-old wounds at the hospital. Meanwhile, Arizona returns to a welcome that's less than warm.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" Tonight at 9 on CBS. A call girl is strangled to death and her body is found in a Dumpster. A photo of the crime scene appeared on the Internet before the victim was discovered, but it was initially believed by the CSIs to be fake. Carrot Top appears as himself.

"The Facebook Obsession" Tonight at 9 on CNBC. Lester Holt examines Facebook, including its rapid growth and the ongoing concerns over its privacy policies. The report includes good and bad user stories, including a woman who reconnected with her biological mother through the site and an educator who lost her job due to comments on her private Facebook page. Also: the legal tussles between founder Mark Zuckerberg and Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, who claim he stole their social network idea.

"Ace of Cakes" Tonight at 10 on Food. Duff heads to the U.S. Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., to present a cake there in the Season 10 premiere. Also: a cake is created for the 30th anniversary of "MotorWeek."

"Jersey Shore" Tonight at 10 on MTV. The roommates return to Seaside Heights in the season opener, and Snooki's friend Deena fills the spot left open by twice ousted Angelina. Later, the girls' feud from Miami spills over into the first night.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

January 5, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Modern Family" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Claire goes on a crusade to put the brakes on a car that speeds through their neighborhood; Jay give bike-riding lessons to Manny and Gloria; Cameron and Mitchell are bewitched by a mysterious neighbor (James Marsden); Phil pursues a tough real-estate deal.

"People's Choice Awards" Tonight at 9 on CBS. Queen Latifah hosts the 37th annual gala that recognizes fan favorites in movies, TV and music, held at L.A.'s Nokia Theatre. Categories include Favorite Male Actor (Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Downey Jr., Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner); Favorite Movie Actress (Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Katherine Heigl, Kristen Stewart); and Favorite Rock Band (Daughtry, Linkin Park, Maroon 5, Nickelback, Paramore).

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Tonight at 9 on NBC. A young boy is found beaten to death, and the case leads detectives to uncover a gambling ring as well as evidence of a wife (Drea de Matteo) being abused; the investigation of an attack on a woman (Taryn Manning) left unconscious reveals her buried past resurfaces.

"Ghost Hunters International" Tonight at 9 on Syfy. The team visits Denmark to investigate sightings of a ghostly soldier and other paranormal claims linked to Kronborg Castle, which inspired the setting for Shakespeare's "Hamlet."

"Top Chef: All-Stars" Tonight at 10 on Bravo. In a series first, head judge Tom Colicchio enters the competition, challenging the chefs to beat his time in creating a dish. Then, the meal masters head to Chinatown to serve up dim sum for locals.

"Are We There Yet?" Tonight at 10 on TBS. In the Season 2 opener, Nick lands a job as a regional TV station's sports anchor. Elsewhere, Suzanne's ex-husband pushes the idea of paying less child support, creating tension in Suzanne and Nick's marriage. Ice Cube and Charlie Murphy guest star.

"Primetime: Celebrity Weight Loss---What Really Happens" Tonight at 10:01 on ABC. Celebrities discuss weight loss during an hour that also explores fad diets, gastric surgery, portion control and exercise. Included: Ricki Lake on childhood obesity and how she has maintained her weight; Kendra Wilkinson on losing weight after pregnancy; Bethenny Frankel on natural-food cooking; and trainer Tracy Anderson on the "baby-food diet." Also: a report on US Weekly's coverage of diets and weight loss. Cynthia McFadden is the host.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

January 4, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"No Ordinary Family" Tonight at 8 on ABC. The Powells befriend a couple (Ricky Schroder, Annie Wersching) after Jim saves the husband's life, but Jim starts to wonder if their family is hiding a secret of their own. Meanwhile, Daphne decides to run for student-council president; and Katie confides in Stephanie about her boyfriend, the mysterious Joshua.

"Live to Dance" Tonight at 8 on CBS. A dance contest in which 18 dance acts compete for a $500,000 prize begins with auditions in New York and Los Angeles. Each week, six acts face each other with two (one chosen by judges, and one chosen by viewers) advancing to face the winners of the subsequent rounds. Judges include Paula Abdul.

"Biggest Loser: Couples" Tonight at 8 on NBC. Eleven teams of two begin the competition in the Season 11 premiere. The players must choose whether to work out with Bob and Jillian or two new unknown trainers. Contestants who opt for the new trainers receive four weeks of immunity and work out in a location away from the ranch.

"Sugar Bowl:Arkansas vs. Ohio State" Tonight at 8:30 on ESPN. Arkansas (10-2) vs. Ohio State (11-1) in New Orleans. QB Terrelle Pryor and a stingy defense lead OSU's bid for its first bowl win over an SEC foe (0-9). Bobby Petrino's Razorbacks boast rangy QB Ryan Mallett and Mackey Award-winning TE D.J. Williams and their only two losses came to then-No. 1 Alabama and current No. 1 Auburn.

"V" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Riots erupt during the fourth day of the red sky; Ryan briefly reunites with his offspring before he returns to Earth; Marcus warns Anna about a scientist and conveys that there are doubts about her ability to lead in the Season 2 premiere.

"Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" Tonight at 10 on Showtime. This documentary profiles comedienne Joan Rivers as she attempts to keep her career alive in an industry obsessed with youth. Over the course of a year, Rivers opens up about the struggle to remain relevant and the rewards that make it worth the trouble. Directed by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg.

"Southland" Tonight at 10 on TNT. Detectives search for the killer of a cleaning lady in the Season 3 premiere. Elsewhere, a bank robbery leaves an officer in need of rescue; a gang member's murder calls for an investigation.

Monday, January 3, 2011

January 3, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"The Bachelor" Tonight at 8 on ABC. Brad Womack, who chose no one in his 2007 stint in the Bachelor Malibu mansion, returns for a second shot at love as Season 15 opens. But before he meets 30 new would-be brides, he's confronted by his spurned '07 finalists, Jenni Croft and DeAnna Pappas. Then the first bachelorette to emerge from the limousine slaps him. Others are friendlier (if sometimes wary) at the opening cocktail party, after which Brad culls the field to 20.

"Orange Bowl:Stanford vs. Virginia Tech" Tonight at 8:30 on ESPN. Stanford (11-1) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2) in Miami. Both offenses run well behind stellar lines. QB Andrew Luck pilots the Stanford offense and Tyrod Taylor is behind center for Tech. Stanford's only loss was to Oregon, while Tech has won 11 in a row after losing its first two games. These teams have never met.

"American Experience" Tonight at 9 on PBS. The season premiere profiles Confederate general Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), a fascinating figure who turned down President Lincoln's request to lead the Union Army and, instead, became head of the rebel Army of Northern Virginia. The biography features excerpts from Lee's letters, including from his courtship of his wife Mary, as well as remarks from historians Peter S. Carmichael, Michael Fellman, Gary W. Gallagher, Joseph Glatthaar, Lesley J. Gordon, Elizabeth Brown Pryor and Emory Thomas.

"Greek" Tonight at 9 on ABC Family. In the fourth-season opener, Casey and Evan enter law school while Ashleigh struggles with starting her career in New York City. Elsewhere, Rebecca begins her tenure as ZBZ president; and Rusty tries to get Cappie to step down as president of KT.

"The Closer" Tonight at 9 on TNT. A crack addict, a potentially shady rehab facility and a missing young woman swirl around an investigation in the Season 6 finale. Before long, Brenda's judgment comes into question and Fritz must disclose dark secrets from his past.

"Hawaii Five-0" Tonight at 10 on CBS. McGarrett's sister is kidnapped and the investigation uncovers new clues about his mother's murder, which include possible ties to the Japanese mafia.

"Castle" Tonight at 10:01 on ABC. Beckett and Castle tackle an upscale matchmaker's murder case, and they have company: the actress (Laura Prepon) cast as Nikki Heat, who wants a deeper grasp of her character. Her copycat image soon becomes too much for Beckett, but Castle likes it.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

January 2, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Tonight at 8 on ABC. A 10-year-old boy who uses a wheelchair and his family have a new home built, and they share their good fortune by giving their old home, which the team fix up, to another family.

"CSI: Miami" Tonight at 8 on CBS. A millionaire is murdered and the investigation leads to an elite dating service. Ryan goes undercover and poses as a rich businessman to expose the truth behind the questionable matchmaking enterprise.

"Ask Oprah's All Stars" Tonight at 8 on OWN. Part 1 of 4. Dr. Phil McGraw, Suze Orman and Dr. Mehmet Oz field viewer questions about wealth and health (both physical and mental).

"When Vacations Attack!" Tonight at 8 on Travel. Teens get trapped in their hotel room when a tornado hits during their spring break; a huge whale crashes into a small sailboat; white-water rafters flip over in dangerous rapids; and a woman gets too close to a wild buffalo.

"Sunday Night Football:Rams at Seahawks" Tonight at 8:15 on NBC. St. Louis at Seattle.

"Desperate Housewives" Tonight at 9 on ABC. Susan's life hangs by a thread after being trampled during the Wisteria Lane riot. Meanwhile, Paul Young's fate is revealed; Keith moves in with Bree---and they get a visit from Orson; Gaby tries to fix her relationship with Juanita, but finds it tough to get rid of all traces of Grace; and Renee considers telling Lynette the truth about her past with Tom.

"Worst Cooks in America" Tonight at 9 on Food. Sixteen unskilled home cooks arrive in New York City to begin a culinary boot camp in the Season 2 opener. Hosts Anne Burrell and Robert Irvine divide the recruits into two teams and challenge them to butcher a whole chicken and replicate the entrées they've been taught.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

January 1, 2011 *spoiler alert*

"Tournament of Roses Parade" This morning at 11 on ABC, NBC, Hallmark and HGTV. Culinary pro and author Paula Deen serves as grand marshal for the 122nd annual procession through Pasadena, Cal. The parade, themed "Building Dreams, Friendships and Memories," features marching bands, floral floats and equestrian units. La Cañada Flintridge, Cal., student Evanne Friedmann is this year's Rose Queen.

"Oprah's Guide to OWN: The New Oprah Winfrey Network" Today at 12 on OWN. Oprah Winfrey kicks off her cable network, OWN (The Oprah Winfrey Network), by previewing its original programs. Among them: "Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star," "In the Bedroom With Dr. Laura Berman" and "Our America With Lisa Ling."

"NHL Hockey:Capitals at Penguins" Today at 1 on NBC. Washington at Pittsburgh in the Winter Classic at Heinz Field. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin headline the annual outdoor game at the Pittsburgh Steelers' home stadium, which holds 67,000 fans. This is Pittsburgh's second Winter Classic; they beat the Sabres in a shoot-out in 2008.

"Capital One Bowl:Alabama vs. Michigan State" Today at 1 on ESPN. Alabama (9-3) vs. Michigan State (11-1) in Orlando. Ex-MSU coach Nick Saban faces former assistant Mark Dantonio's Spartans, who last won a bowl in 2001. Greg Jones and Jerel Worthy lead MSU's effort to slow 'Bama RBs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson.

"Great Performances" Tonight at 8 on PBS. Conductor Franz Welser-Möst and the Vienna Philharmonic celebrate the New Year with a concert of Strauss family favorites at Vienna's Musikverein. Paula Zahn hosts.

"Primeval" Tonight at 9 on BBC Amer. After a year in the Cretaceous period, Abby and Conner escape back to present day in the Season 4 opener. They are greeted by a new ARC team, and find out that their jobs may be in jeopardy after being away for so long.

"Suze Orman Show" Tonight at 9 on CNBC. Advice on how to start 2011 on the right financial foot; a woman seeks help dealing with the financial stress of her wedding. Also: affording a $10,000 World Series of Poker entry; buying a $7500 iron front door.