Merv Griffin Tribute Marathon (GSN, 10 a.m. ET)
Five Hours. GSN today and tomorrow will honor the late entertainer, talk show host and game show producer Merv Griffin with five-hour marathons of classic game show episodes with which he was
involved. Today's marathon includes Vanna White's Wheel of Fortune debut and the first Wheel road trip to New York City. When GSN launched (as Game Show Network) on December 1, 1994, Griffin was one of the special guests on hand to mark the occasion.
GAC's Opry Live (GAC, 8 p.m. ET)
Live. Tonight Trisha Yearwood will perform on the Opry stage for the first time this year. Clint Black, Cole Deggs & the
Lonesome and Cherryholmes will join her.
Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses (Hallmark Channel, 9 p.m. ET)
Premiere. The indefatigable Dick Van Dyke return as criminology professor Dr. Jonathan Maxwell in the third installment of
his Hallmark movie franchise, Murder 101. Van Dyke's son, Barry Van Dyke, reprises his role as Detective Mike Bryant, and Barry's son, Shane Van Dyke, joins the cast as Mike's law-student nephew, Ben. The story centers on Mike's investigation into the theft of a championship horse whose trainer is found murdered. Diana Brawley, Brad Beyer and Ray Abruzzo co-star.
Jekyll (BBC America, 9 p.m. ET)
You'll learn more about Tom (James Nesbitt) and Claire (Gina Bellman) in the flashback at the start of this episode, which depicts their first meeting on a blind date, their first night together and the moment when they unexpectedly became parents of twin boys -- even though doctors had only
detected one heartbeat during Claire's pregnancy. In the present, Claire demands to know why Syme locked Tom in a big metal box. You would think that by now Claire wouldn't question anything concerning her husband, given the fact that he can become a murderous monster at the blink of an eye. Next week: The two-hour Jekyll finale!
Masters of Science Fiction (ABC, 10 p.m. ET)
Anne Heche plays Martha Van Vogel, the world's seventh richest woman and a collector of genetically engineered creatures who
befriends an anthropoid slated for termination by its creator. Malcolm McDowell and Jason Diablo co-star.
Find Your Style (HGTV, 10:30 p.m. ET)
Series Premiere. You may have caught the sneak preview of this series last Sunday following Design Star. Tonight, Style settles into its regular time period, as host Karen McAloon sets
about teaching design-challenged people how to execute their own dazzling home makeovers.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19
Merv Griffin Tribute Marathon (GSN, 10 a.m. ET)
Five Hours. GSN today will honor the late entertainer, talk show host and game show producer Merv Griffin with a five-hour
marathon of classic game show episodes with which he was involved. Included: Jeopardy! episodes featuring the $1,000,000 Masters Tournament of Champions.
Side Order of Life (Lifetime, 8 p.m. ET)
Rick volunteers to be a Big Brother, Vivy's doctor suggests she go wig shopping, Ian and Becca take their relationship to the
next level and Cell Phone Man tells Jenny it is time for them to meet face-to-face. Marissa Coughlan, Ashley Williams, Jason Priestly, Christopher Gartin and Diana Maria Riva star.
The Company (TNT, 8 p.m. ET)
Mini-Series Finale. James Jesus Angleton (Michael Keaton, sure to be Emmy-nominated next year) springs into action when a Russian defector claims to have evidence identifying the mole within the CIA's ranks. As Angleton conducts a grueling and torturous interrogation,
McAuliffe (Chris O'Donnell) begins to wonder if he can trust the people he considers friends. Meanwhile, as a power struggle rages within the Soviet Union, KBG head Starik attempts to put his endgame plan into motion and bring down the American economy.
Big Love (HBO, 9 p.m. ET)Big Love is back on Sunday! Tonight, Bill makes Alby a tempting offer in the wake of Nikki's disclosure about Weber Gaming; Barb learns that her mother is getting remarried and tries to make peace
with her estranged family; Scott tests the limits of his relationship with Sarah; Pam has a proposition for Margene, and Bill faces a new threat from Hollis Greene. Ellen Burstyn guest stars.
The Kill Point (Spike, 9 p.m. ET)
Horst (Donnie Wahlberg) makes a dramatic discovery about Mr. Wolf's former platoon-mate Deke (Steve Cirbus) just as Wolf and his men begin following Deke's extraction plan. John Leguizamo stars.
Design Star (HGTV, 9 p.m. ET)
There are six designers left in the competition. The winner will receive his or her own series on HGTV and a spread in In Style magazine. After that wild surf room Todd designed last week (using
materials purchased at a 99 cent store) it would seem he is the one to beat, as far as sheer creative genius goes, though in the eyes of the judges the competitors on Design Star are only as good as their previous projects.
State of Mind (Lifetime, 9 p.m. ET)
Ann (Lili Taylor) struggles with the idea of becoming a mother after her best friend, Michael, asks her to take custody of
his daughter if anything happens to him. Meanwhile, Barry gets an unexpected visit from his father -- and the federal authorities -- and Cordelia faces the biggest challenge of her life when a patient oversteps his boundaries.
The 4400 (USA Network, 9 p.m. ET)
Widower Richard is surprised when he receives a visit from his wife Lily, and he ain't the only one -- we thought she was dead, too! Also, Tom has trouble focusing on the hunt for Richard because of dreams he's been
having about the future, and Shawn announces that he is working on a test that would tell people whether or not they would die if they took Promicin. Original cast members Mahershalalhashbaz Ali and Laura Allen return as Richard and Lily. Penny Johnson Jerald guest stars.
Entourage (HBO, 10 p.m. ET)
Ari receives Billy's script for Vince's next project and is dismayed to find that Billy's interpretation is vastly different from the
original concept. Meanwhile, Eric finds himself managing domestic issues between new client Anna Faris and her needy boyfriend.
The Dead Zone (USA Network, 10 p.m. ET)
Johnny has a vision of a valuable horse being stolen on the eve of a big race. Anthony Michael Hall stars.
American Princess (WE, 10 p.m. ET)
Season Premiere. As season two opens, twelve American women are sent to England for an extensive boot camp designed to transform them into polite women of society. When the season concludes in eight weeks,
the woman who has successfully avoided the mandatory painful weekly eliminations will receive a British title, $50,000 and a dance with a real European prince. Catherine Oxenberg is the host. Judges include author and former butler to Princess Diana Paul Burrell and leading etiquette and grooming expert Jean Broke-Smith.
American Body Shop (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m. ET)
After deciding to make their own television commercial, the employees at Desert Body and Custom are surprised to
learn that Quantum Leap star Scott Bakula will provide a much-needed celebrity endorsement. And they are even more shocked when the man turns out to be a drunk, womanizing, one-legged Scott Bakula impersonator.
Merv Griffin Classics (GSN, 3 a.m. ET)
During GSN's Black and White Overnight programming block this morning the network will present a 1960 episode of the classic series Play Your Hunch, which was Griffin's first network hosting
gig, and a 1961 episode of To Tell the Truth on which Griffin filled in as host for a vacationing Bud Collyer.
MONDAY, AUGUST 20
Star Jones (Court TV, 3 p.m. ET)
Live. Series Premiere. She's baaaaack! The fantastically slimmed-down Star Jones returns to television today with a new daily talk show featuring guests from the worlds of law, news, pop culture and entertainment.
Jones told reporters at the Summer Television Critics Association tour last month that while most guests will be interviewed, those who deserve to be will be "interrogated" in a special section of her set. Can't wait for that!
Kyle XY (ABC Family, 8 p.m. ET)
After they find a photo of Kyle and Jessi locked in Baylin's box, Kyle and Declan realize that the best way to unravel the
mystery of Jessi is to get close to her -- and a high school charity event provides Kyle with the perfect opportunity to do so. Matt Dallas stars.
The Closer (TNT, 9 p.m. ET)
While Brenda is busy investigating the death of a Chinese woman who owned a lucrative tour company, poor Fritz is forced to
keep her visiting parents occupied. Frances Sternhagen and Barry Corbin guest-star
Greek (ABC Family, 9 p.m. ET)
You've seen them in those back-to-school commercials for Kohl's department stores. Tonight, catch teen rockers the
Dollyrots on ABC Family's college drama.
The Hills (MTV, 10 p.m. ET)
Two episodes. Thanks to the tabloids, it seems there is a whole new group of viewers watching this show in its third season: People Who Can't Stand Spencer. Join us and have some fun.
Saving Grace (TNT, 10 p.m. ET)
Grace's "crazy" Aunt Cathy opens old wounds among family members when she comes to town for a celebration honoring Grace's
father for his heroic efforts rescuing people after the Oklahoma City bombing. Meanwhile, the squad searches for a stolen statue of a bull. Frances Fisher and Jessica Walter guest-star.
Weeds (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET)
This episode begins with Nancy staring at the missing mounds of marijuana, which Celia has dumped in the Botwin
swimming pool, and ends with Nancy at the bottom of that very pool. In between is one of the fastest-moving half-hours of television you'll see all year, and one of the wildest, too.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21
America's Got Talent (NBC, 8 p.m. ET)
Live. Season Finale. Two hours. The winner of this season's competition will be revealed at the end of tonight's show -- and it had
better be ventriloquist Terry Fator! The guy is amazing.
As You Like It (HBO, 9 p.m. ET)
Premiere. Kenneth Branagh produced, adapted and directed this imaginative version of Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy, which relocates the story of Rosalind and Orlando's courtship in the Forest of
Arden to late-19th century Japan. Brian Blessed, Bryce Dallas Howard, Kevin Kline, David Oyelowo, Alfred Molina and Romola Garai star.
CNN Presents: God's Warriors (CNN, 9 p.m. ET)
Premiere. First of three parts. CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour reports on the impact of religious fundamentalism as a political force around the world. Filmed over a period of seven
months in six countries, Warriors includes interviews with President Jimmy Carter, talking about the influence of the Christian Right in the United States; Noa Ben-Artzi, granddaughter of slain Israeli Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin, discussing Rabin's assassination by a militant Jewish fundamentalist; reformed Islamic jihadist Kamal el-Said Habib, who talks about his time with the violent militant group that assassinated Egyptian President Anwar Sadat,
and the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who in his last television interview reflects on the political and cultural legacy of the Moral Majority movement in America. Parts 2 and 3 of Warriors will be telecast Wednesday and Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.
Damages (FX, 10 p.m. ET)
Frobisher pushes Fiske to be more aggressive with Patty, who seemed to lose serious ground last week when Katie was
caught lying during her deposition. Then again, with Patty nothing is ever what it seems. Meanwhile, Tom weighs his career options and seeks the advice of an outspoken friend. Glenn Close, Ted Danson, Tate Donovan and Zeljko Ivanek star.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22
The Power of 10 (CBS, 8 p.m. ET)
This new game series hosted by Drew Carey has become a late-summer sensation. We think CBS should run it on Saturday
nights during the 2007-08 season, or utilize it as an emergency replacement if one of the network's highly unusual new fall series doesn't catch on.
Anchorwoman (Fox, 8 p.m. ET)
Series Premiere. With an eye on raising ratings, the owner of a middle-market television station in Tyler, Texas -- KYTX Channel 19 -- recently hired professional swimsuit model, one-time Barker Beauty on The Price is Right and former World Wrestling Entertainment diva Lauren
Jones to be an anchor on his 5 p.m. newscast, even though she had no experience with news reporting (or reporting of any kind). This didn't sit well with reigning anchor Annalisa Petralia, news director Dan Delgado or hard-nosed reporter Michelle Reese. Cameras recorded the entire experience for this reality-comedy hybrid.
CNN Presents: God's Warriors (CNN, 9 p.m. ET)
Second of three parts. CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour reports on the impact of religious
fundamentalism as a political force around the world. Filmed over a period of seven months in six countries. Warriors will conclude tomorrow night at 9 p.m. ET.
Hotel Babylon (BBC America, 9 p.m. ET)
When a wealthy Russian student begs him to help her arrange a green card wedding at the hotel, Charlie realizes it's the one way he can raise the money needed to continue blackmailing limo driver Pete into
staying away from Rebecca. In addition to finding a suitor, they have to convince the woman's billionaire father that the wedding is genuine.
Locked Up Abroad: Venezuela (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m. ET)
Premiere. Here's a documentary that serves as a chilling reminder for American tourists: When you are traveling in other countries, know and obey the laws, and don't expect the same civil treatment you would
receive here if you choose to break a law and then get caught. It chronicles the shared ordeal of two young men who were promised big bucks if they agreed to smuggle drugs into Venezuela for a Russian drug lord. Stupidly, they agreed to do the deed -- and very shortly thereafter found themselves serving a 10-year sentence in a harrowing Venezuelan prison. That's only part of their story.
Rescue Me (FX, 10 p.m. ET)
Tommy, who apparently does not fall to his death from the corroding fire escape we left him on at the end of the last episode, bribes Colleen for information about Janet; Lou contemplates revenge on Cousin Mike, and Franco learns something surprising about Natalie from Richie. What about
Mike the Probie? His mother died, her house burned to the ground and he was injured on the job. Now he's alone and depressed, drinking and popping pills and contemplating suicide. He must be the only man ever to cut himself on his butt while trying to slash his wrist. Seriously, this poor guy can't do anything right.
Taboo: Proving Ground (National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m. ET)
Premiere. As revealed in this episode of National Geographic's gnarly series, here are some of the things men do in different cultures to prove their manhood: In America they join fight clubs and beat the crap
out of each other with fists, feet, wooden knives, soda cans and soap-on-a-rope. On the remote Indonesian island of Suma they take part in the Pasola, in which two teams on horseback charge toward each other while hurling spears. Young men of the Fulani tribe in northern Benin must whip an opponent twice during a public demonstration and then receive two savage whip strikes themselves without flinching and laugh in their opponent's face.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23
Big Brother 8 (CBS, 8 p.m. ET)
Live. Another houseguest is evicted.
CNN Presents: God's Warriors (CNN, 9 p.m. ET)
Conclusion. CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour reports on the impact of religious fundamentalism as a political force around the world.
Burn Notice (USA Network, 10 p.m. ET)
A house sitter turns to Michael for help after his fiancée is kidnapped and held for an exorbitant ransom. Meanwhile, Michael meets a seemingly wimpy bureaucrat who claims to know a way for Michael to
finally put his burn notice behind him. But there is much more to the guy than first meets the eye.
Mad Men (AMC, 10 p.m. ET)
Peggy shines during a brainstorming session, instantly opening up new opportunities for her at Sterling Cooper. Meanwhile,
Rachel faces her conflicted feelings for Don and a shocking office romance is revealed.
Welcome to the Parker (Bravo, 10 p.m. ET)
Parker Palm Springs catering sales manager Michael tackles his biggest event to date -- a charity dinner for the Desert
Cancer Foundation -- and all does not go according to plan. Also, a stand-up comic checks into the Parker for what she believes is a vacation, but her nutritionist is determined to make sure she eats right while she's on the road. The result is one hugely unhappy guest.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24
The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS, 1:30 p.m. ET, check local listings)American Idol Season 5 finalist Elliott Yamin and singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin perform in a concert with record promoter Constantine Parros (played by American Idol Season
4 finalist Constantine Maroulis), his protégé Phoebe Forrester (Mackenzie Mauzy) and her boyfriend Rick Forrester (the very talented Kyle Lowder). Tune in again on Monday, when the winning duet in the show's Boldface Challenge will be revealed. Will it be Phoebe and Constantine or Phoebe and Rick? Fans are voting as you read this at www.boldfacerecords.com.
General Hospital (ABC, 3 p.m. ET, check local listings)
Rocker Rick Springfield became a household name way back in early Eighties when he played Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital, and even though fans at the time began referring to his character as
Rockin' Dr. Drake, he never actually sang on the show. After an absence of 22 years, Springfield returned to GH as Dr. Drake in late 2005, and to date he still hasn't sung a note. That will finally change during today's episode as Springfield performs Who Killed Rock 'n Roll, a song from his upcoming album. Yes, it will be Dr. Drake doing the singing, but he'll be posing as his look-a-like, ailing rock star Eli Love, at a charity concert benefiting the national non-profit organization LIFEbeat.
Doctor Who (Sci Fi Channel, 8 p.m. ET)
In 1913 England an ordinary schoolteacher named John Smith dreams of grand adventures traveling through
time and space in a mysterious blue box -- and then finds that certain elements of his dreams are coming true.
Psych (USA Network, 10 p.m. ET)
Shawn and Gus become guest lecturers at a school for prodigies after a group of genius teenagers claims one of their teachers is a murderer.
