Saturday, August 28, 2010

August 28, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Little League World Series:U.S. championship" Today at 4 on ABC. The U.S. title game in Williamsport, Pa. A team from Chula Vista, Cal., defeated a team from San Antonio 12-2 last year to advance to the championship game.

"The Time Traveler's Wife" Tonight at 8 on HBO. Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams star in this dramatic fantasy about a librarian whose genetic disorder causes him to hurtle through time when under extreme duress. Despite this condition, he tries to build a relationship with a young heiress. Based on the best-selling novel by author Audrey Niffenegger.

"Persons Unknown" Tonight at 9 on NBC. In the first-season finale, the abductees escape following a van crash and try to restore normalcy to their lives. Elsewhere, Renbe and Kat's attempt to help Janet leads them to an unexpected reunion.

"Being Human" Tonight at 9 on BBC Amer. Annie gets a job working with a celebrity psychic, and finds a new sense of purpose by helping ghosts resolve their issues with their living relatives. But things take a strange turn when Annie's mom attends one of the psychic's shows.

"The Wish List" Tonight at 9 on Hallmark. A perfectionist (Jennifer Esposito) makes a list of the qualities she's looking for in a mate and soon finds a seemingly ideal guy (Mark Deklin). But she's also drawn to a kooky barista (David Sutcliffe) who encourages her to loosen up and explore her creative side. Directed by Kevin Connor.

"Meteor Apocalypse" Tonight at 9 on Syfy. An enormous meteor explodes in the Earth's atmosphere, raining down deadly debris across the globe. In three days Los Angeles will be destroyed. Now one desperate father embarks on a frantic race to find his wife and daughter before it's too late.

"Shaquille O'Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam" Tonight at 11 on Showtime. Actress-comedian Mo'Nique hosts this stand-up showcase, which features sets by Paul Mooney, Mike Epps, George Willborn, Michael Blackson and Corey Holcomb.

Friday, August 27, 2010

August 27, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Today" This morning at 7 on NBC. Katy Perry performs; Matt and Al report from New Orleans, interviewing Mitch Landrieu, Michael Brown, Ray Nagin, Laura Bush and Harry Connick Jr. Also: real-estate values; boosting brainpower; "Today's Kitchen."

"NFL Football:Exhibition: Chargers at Saints" Tonight at 8 on CBS. Exhibition: San Diego at New Orleans.

"The Gulf Is Back" Tonight at 8 on The CW. David Hasselhoff hosts a tribute concert honoring Gulf Coast residents who bounced back following the region's 2010 oil spill. Performers include Lonestar, Ricky Skaggs, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Brian McKnight and Terri Clark. Also appearing are B.B. King, Dean Cain and Shannon Elizabeth. Filmed at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.

"Wizards of Waverly Place" Tonight at 8:30 on Disney. The Russos try to have a magic-free evening while Theresa's brother---who doesn't know the kids are wizards---is visiting.

"Beyond Survival With Les Stroud" Tonight at 10 on Discovery. Les Stroud visits Sri Lanka to participate in a ritual with men who were once believed to be half-human, half-demon in the opener of the series following the "Survivorman" as he communes with indigenous peoples to learn their survival skills.

"The Pillars of the Earth" Tonight at 10 on Starz. In the series finale, Jack's journeys lead to a discovery of how to make Tom Builder's vision of a light-filled cathedral a reality. Elsewhere, the Hamleighs are infuriated that Kingsbridge has once again become a successful and prosperous market center and plan to do something about it; Waleran and Alfred scheme to get rid of Jack, but it may not prove as easy as they thought.

"Blood Dolphins" Tonight at 11 on Animal Planet. A documentary tracking the efforts of father-son activists to put an end to dolphin slaughtering. In the series opener, the pair travel to Taiji, Japan, the site of an annual six-monthlong dolphin hunt.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

August 26, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"NFL Football:Exhibition: Colts at Packers" Tonight at 8 on ESPN. Exhibition: Indianapolis at Green Bay.

"Fringe" Tonight at 9 on Fox. When Olivia and Co. investigate the deaths of passengers on a commuter train, they wonder if a mysterious energy drain onboard has something to do with the powerful and enigmatic Alistair Peck (Peter Weller).

"Biography" Tonight at 9 on BIO. The life of guitar legend Jimi Hendrix is recalled through his own words, taken from excerpts of letters, writings and audio recording. Included: clips from demos, studio recordings and live performances.

"Burn Notice" Tonight at 9 on USA. Michael tries to find a kidnapped girl who was taken by a client of her defense-attorney father's.

"NightlinePrime: Secrets of Your Mind---Why We Do What We Do" Tonight at 10 on ABC. Psychopathic behavior, and how it originates in the brain, is explored by Martin Bashir, who examines the cases of serial killers and also interviews the father of pro wrestler Chris Benoit, who killed his wife and children, and then himself, in 2007. (Neurosurgeon Julian Bailes examined Benoit's brain shortly after his death.)

"Jersey Shore" Tonight at 10 on MTV. Sammi finds the "anonymous" letter from the girls and once again decides she's done with Ronnie. Meanwhile, Mike, Vinny and Pauly try to juggle four girls in one night.

"Royal Pains" Tonight at 10 on USA. A gossiping socialite needs medical treatment, but she takes off before Hank can diagnose her. Elsewhere, Divya is taken off guard by her reaction to Adam's failing health.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

August 25, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"MasterChef" Tonight at 8 on Fox. The contestants are tasked with making a single cupcake, which proves to be more difficult than it sounds. Later, Iron Chef Cat Cora takes them to a truck stop for a team challenge.

"America's Got Talent" Tonight at 9 on NBC. Five semifinal contestants win a position in the Top 10 in a results show.

"Frontline" Tonight at 9 on PBS. An investigation by "Frontline," ProPublica and the Times-Picayune (New Orleans) into allegations that New Orleans police officers used inappropriate deadly force against New Orleans citizens during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and then attempted to cover up their actions.

"Ghost Hunters" Tonight at 9 on Syfy. The team probes the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, N.Y., where shadowy figures allegedly lurk among disembodied voices and scampering, incorporeal children.

"Top Chef: Washington D.C." Tonight at 10 on Bravo. The six remaining culinarians play ball, commandeering two baseball concession stands at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. They step up to the plate to create game snacks, adding a high-end culinary quality to the fare. Baseball players Adam Dunn, Matt Capps and John Lannan make appearances. Rick Moonen is the guest judge.

"Real World" Tonight at 10 on MTV. Ashlee's prescribed painkillers go missing, and suspicions fall on Knight, but the truth surprises everyone.

"WNBA Playoff:Game 1: Los Angeles at Seattle" Tonight at 11 on ESPN2. Los Angeles at Seattle in Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinal series.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

August 24, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"30 for 30" Tonight at 8 on ESPN. Michael Jordan's brief minor-league-baseball career is revisited by director Ron Shelton ("Bull Durham") in "Jordan Rides the Bus." The 1994 stint with the double-A Birmingham Barons and manager Terry Francona followed the murder of his father and his third-straight NBA title with the Bulls.

"Jefferson" Tonight at 8 on History. A profile of Thomas Jefferson examines his life and legacy.

"Shaq Vs." Tonight at 9:01 on ABC. Shaq squares off with Charles Barkley in a five-hole golf challenge in Dana Point, Cal., and also takes part in a competitive-eating challenge with hot-dog-eating champ Joey Chestnut. In golf, the former hoops stars are coached by PGA pros Anthony Kim and Bubba Watson.

"Memphis Beat" Tonight at 10 on TNT. In the Season 1 finale, Dwight explores the supposedly shady past of a man with amnesia, especially when he suspects the man may have ties to the cold-case slaying of a little girl. Meanwhile, Lt. Rice, mired in financial woes, ponders a career change.

"POV" Tonight at 10 on PBS. Filmmaker Amy Hardie explores a metaphysical-reality link in the evocative "The Edge of Dreaming," in which she charts her 48th year after experiencing several disturbing dreams about death, including one indicating she would die at 48. "Some people love to find meaning in their dreams," she says. "I don't think I do." Yet the meaning of hers seems clear: She develops a serious lung ailment. Also: the animated "Q&A," about a boy with Asperger's syndrome; "Seltzer Works," about seltzer-making.

"Rescue Me" Tonight at 10 on FX. Tommy and Sheila find themselves in trouble with Janet and Mickey, and discover what their relationship is really about. Meanwhile, Damien tries to leave 62 Truck.

"Covert Affairs" Tonight at 10 on USA. Auggie is excited to receive a field assignment tracking a hacker who shut down communication systems throughout the city. But his enthusiasm soon wanes when he learns the culprit is his ex-girlfriend.

Monday, August 23, 2010

August 23, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Miss Universe Pageant" Tonight at 9 on NBC. Global beauties compete in swimsuit, evening gown and interview categories at the 59th annual gala, hosted by Bret Michaels and Natalie Morales from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Performers include John Legend and the Roots. Celebrity judges include illusionist Criss Angel; actors William Baldwin, Chazz Palminteri and Jane Seymour; anchor Tamron Hall; skater Evan Lysacek; singer Chynna Phillips; model Niki Taylor; and musician Sheila E.

"Huge" Tonight at 9 on ABC Family. Part 1 of 2. The camp hosts parents' weekend, but Will's mom and dad are no-shows. Meanwhile, Alistair puts on a charade of being Becca's boyfriend; and Amber's mother smuggles in some food.

"If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise" Tonight at 9 on HBO. Part 1 of 2. Spike Lee's follow-up to "When the Levees Broke" (2006) revisits New Orleans and the Gulf Coast to monitor improvements in housing, education, infrastructure, the economy and social services since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Featured: interviews with public and private citizens, including former Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco, New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu and historian Douglas Brinkley; and an assessment of the immediate impact of the offshore oil-rig explosion in April 2010.

"Bond of Silence" Tonight at 9 on Lifetime. A widow (Kim Raver) tries to solve the mystery of her husband's death, which occurred while he tried to quiet down a teen party, and no one, including the attendees' parents, is talking. Based on a true story.

"Aftermath" Tonight at 10 on BIO. Former POW Jessica Lynch is the guest. Lynch was taken prisoner by Iraqi forces in 2003, and Lynch later revealed that the U.S. government accounts of her capture and rescue were embellished.

"Dance Your Ass Off" Tonight at 10 on Oxygen. After testing their willpowers at home---without the inspiration of trainers and nutritionists around them---the contestants face a monumental twist in Part 1 of the two-part Season 2 finale.

"Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" Tonight at 10 on Travel. Tony returns to Beirut. His last trip there was in 2006, when the Israel-Lebanon conflict broke out during his stay.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

August 22, 2010 *spoiler alert*

"Hannah Montana Forever" Tonight at 8 on Disney. Miley cancels a planned father-daughter afternoon with Robby Ray so she can go on a date with Jesse, but she then tries to make amends. The episode includes a salute to military families, and Miley Cyrus performs "Been Here All Along."

"Leverage" Tonight at 9 on TNT. In a pastiche of the classic 1950 film "Rashomon," the team members recall---with very different perspectives---how they each tried to pilfer the same artifact on the very same night five years earlier.

"True Blood" Tonight at 9 on HBO. Sookie gets a dire warning from Bill; Sam's emotional outburst takes him on an unpleasant trip down memory lane; Arlene asks Holly for help with a dilemma; Jessica faces a romantic conundrum; Russell vows revenge on his foes; Jesus changes his opinion of a certain mind-altering substance.

"The Glades" Tonight at 10 on A&E. Longworth investigates the murder of a psychic adviser in Cassadaga, where a former medium assists him and also tells him that someone close to him will die soon. Longworth also reluctantly agrees to be the date of a friend of Callie's for a party.

"Mad Men" Tonight at 10 on AMC. Don and Pete disregard Roger's expectations in an effort to land an important new client.

"Swamp People" Tonight at 10 on History. The opener of a reality series following Cajuns from the swamplands of Louisiana during the 30-day alligator-hunting season introduces the hunters, one of whom is on the quest for an elusive gator called "Big Head," which poses a threat to local swimming holes.

"Army Wives" Tonight at 10 on Lifetime. Season 4 ends as Denise goes into labor during a phone call with Jeremy; Claudia Joy receives disturbing news as Emmalin prepares for graduation; Pamela reconsiders her future after a talk with Gina; and Joan must make a life-altering decision.