One of the biggest weeks of the year. So much for that break we've had the past few weeks when Holiday specials and repeats littered the airwaves.
Monday, 1/12
Kyle XY; ABC Family. 8 pm. 3rd Season Premiere.
Tuesday, 1/13
American Idol; FOX. 7 pm. 8th Season Premiere.
And the entire TV landscape changes again as FOX shows get drawn in-- and other networks just try to stay out of the way...
As for people like me who don't watch the show, we "get" to hear way way way more about this thing than we want to.
And for those of you who do watch, get ready for hours and hours of pure shit auditions until they actually get to the contest next month.
Chopped; Food. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Ted Allen hosts this new cooking competition.
Wednesday, 1/14
Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America; PBS. 7 pm (check local listings). Mini-series.
A 3-night look at the funniest Americans in the biz, hosted by Billy Crystal. The first installment looks at comic outsiders such as Harold Lloyd, Bob Hope, and Steve Martin.
I've heard good things about this series. Might be worth checking out.
Thursday, 1/15
The week's new Smallville (CW; 7 pm) is huge for a number of reasons. First, Clark is visited by three teens from the future. Teens who call themselves the Legion of SuperHeroes. This is geekgasm stuff here, people. Second, they're followed by future villain The Persuader. Third, the costumes these people wear are loyal to the comics-- but not silly-looking. And fourth, and most importantly, this episode was written by DC Comic writer Geoff Johns. Johns is who I would credit as being the most exciting writer in the super-tights business right now. He has a great respect for the past, but can tell stories in a very contemporary fashion. This is an episode worth checking out.
On CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS, 8 pm), William Petersen (Grissom) says goodbye as a series regular.
The Beast; A&E. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Patrick Swayze stars as an FBI agent who gets a rookie partner.
That's all I've got, people...
Friday, 1/16
Battlestar Galactica; Sci Fi. 9 pm. Season 4.5 (final) Premiere.
The final 10 episodes of the series begin tonight. Lots of wrapping up to do, beginning with the reveal of who is the 12th Cylon (which will happen in an early episode). Other things dealt with: Adama takes up drinking to deal with Tigh, Lee steps in to cover for Bill, and Kara must face the fact that she may be the ruin of humanity.
I devoured Seasons 2.0, 2.5, and 3 in a matter of two months, and will be getting to Season 4.0 in a couple of weeks, so I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone else by the end.
This is amazing television, folks. One of the most human shows on the air. The robots, spaceships, and other sci fi stuff is just background to the real things going on around it. Highly Recommended.
Saturday, 1/17
Solitary 3.0; FOX Reality. 8 pm. 3rd Season Premiere.
Sunday, 1/18
Big Love; HBO. 8 pm. 3rd Season Premiere.
Not as "yucky" as the premise would lead you to believe. This is a great family drama without all the mopiness of something like Brothers and Sisters. Season One was a fantastic look at the trials of a husband and father-- just multiplied by three. Season Two was more into the plot of avoiding the "camp" Bill and one of his wives came from, and was a bit of a disappointment to me. Sounds like they might be getting back to the family more this season. Recommended.
The L Word; Showtime. 8 pm. 6th (and final) Season Premiere.
Flight of the Conchords; HBO. 9 pm. 2nd Season Premiere.
I didn't catch all the episodes last season, but I saw was pretty good. Check it out.
The United States of Tara; Showtime. 9 pm. Series Premiere.
Toni Collette stars in this Diablo Cody (Juno)-created series about a woman with three personalities.
I've heard good things, but I haven't checked out the premiere yet, so I'll just give a check it out.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl; Showtime. 9:30. 2nd Season Premiere.
Belle gets a protegee-- and falls in love.
