"Robin Hood" and "House" Return -- and More TiVoWorthy TV for the Week Ahead
By Ed Martin
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
Bruce Campbell Triple Feature (Monsters HD, 8 p.m. ET)
If you have any interest in the horror genre you are already familiar with the Evil Dead trilogy: Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987) and Army of Darkness (2002), all three starring a young Bruce Campbell (of USA Network’s Burn Notice) as a college student turned demon fighter. The high-definition horror network Monsters HD will run the first two movies tonight at 8 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET. (Note: The director of these films is Sam Raimi, who would later direct the blockbuster Spider-Man movies.) Grievously, the third film in tonight’s Triple Feature is not Army of Darkness. Rather, it’s Bubba Ho Tep, a bizarre take on the final years of Elvis Presley that finds the King (played by Campbell) hidden in an East Texas rest home after switching identities with an Elvis impersonator many years before his “death.” As if that isn’t weird enough, Elvis teams up with a fellow resident who thinks he is President John F. Kennedy to battle an evil ancient entity that begins killing residents of the facility. Ossie Davis co-stars.
Robin Hood (BBC America, 9 p.m. ET)
U.S. Season Premiere. As the BBC’s edgy adventure series based on the classic story of Robin Hood and his Merry Men (here known as his Outlaws) begins its second season, the evil Sheriff of Nottingham sets in motion a seemingly flawless plan to capture Robin (Jonas Armstrong) while conspiring with Prince John to overthrow King Richard. Meanwhile, Marian and Edward are taken under house arrest – and one of Robin’s men becomes a traitor! Lucy Griffiths, Richard Armitage, Keith Allen and Joe Armstrong co-star.
Storm Cell (Lifetime, 9 p.m. ET)
Premiere. An obsessive tornado chaser and dedicated weather researcher (played by Mimi Rogers) realizes that the path of Tornado Alley is moving north, and that Seattle is now likely to be destroyed by a category defying twister. But her warnings fall on deaf ears, including those of her brother, a resident of the endangered city – until it’s too late!
The Graham Norton Show (BBC America, 10 p.m. ET)
Season Premiere. The freewheeling, often-outlandish humor of comedian Graham Norton takes some getting used to, but once he wins you over – and once you watch his celebrity guests loosen up, sometimes with their libation of choice -- you realize how stuffy and stodgy late-night American talk shows really are. (Joan Collins was right at home last season, but poor Josh Hartnett looked like a deer in the headlights.) Season Three begins tonight.
Mad TV (Fox, 11 p.m. ET)
Dominic Monaghan (Lost) is the guest star.
Gorgo (AmericaFreeTV.com)
Looking for a cheesy late night horror movie – the kind people (in the New York market) used to enjoy on Chiller Theatre or Creature Features in the Sixties? Click on over to AmericaFreeTV.com and check out the vintage fare on its HorrorFree or SciFiFree channels. May we suggest Gorgo (1961), about a Godzilla-like sea monster that terrorizes London after its baby is captured?
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
Carrier (PBS, 9 p.m. ET, check local listings)
Mini-Series Premiere. Two Hours. PBS kicked off the 2007-08 season with the unforgettable World War II miniseries The War, from master documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Now, as the season draws to a close, PBS is unveiling Carrier, another extended look at life during wartime – in this case centered on the crew of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during a six-month deployment in 2005 to the Persian Gulf. Whereas The War was a 15-hour event that included riveting stories about aircraft carriers in the Pacific Theater that came under attack from Kamikazes, Carrier is a 10-hour production that largely stays with one subject, though that subject is unarguably huge. (So is the Nimitz itself: It is 24 stories high and three football fields in length.) There are more than 5000 men and women on the ship – average age 19 ½. Their stories are dramatically different from those of the military personnel in The War, but they are no less compelling. PBS will telecast two episodes of Carrier every night through Thursday. It is the must-see special of the May sweeps period.
Desperate Housewives (ABC, 9 p.m. ET)
Mike finally learns the truth about his near-fatal accident two seasons ago (and it’s about darn time). How is Orson going to worm his way out of this one? Also, Lynette tries to deny her feelings for sexy chef Rick (Jason Gedrick) and Bree and Katherine decide to start a business together. Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, James Denton, Kyle MacLachlan and Dana Delany star.
Celebracadabra (VH1, 9 p.m. ET)
Series Premiere. Carnie Wilson (fresh off CMT’s Gone Country), C. Thomas Howell (Pony Boy in The Outsiders), actress Lisa Ann Walter, Chris “Kid” Reid, Hal Sparks (Queer as Folk), comedian and Celebrity Fit Club host Ant and Kimberly Wyatt of the Pussycat Dolls team up with real magicians to learn some of their most amazing tricks – and to compete in an ongoing magic show with a $100,000 grand prize. In order to remain in play and avoid the dreaded weekly elimination they must impress a panel of magician judges including Max Maven, Jonathan Levit and Jeff McBride. Levit is also the host of this series.
Nazi Scrapbooks from Hell (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m. ET)
Premiere. The title might sound flippant, but the subject matter of this National Geographic Channel documentary is anything but: It’s the first in-depth examination seen on television of a newly discovered photo album that depicts the recreational activities of Nazis at Auschwitz-Birkenau – site of more than 1 million deaths -- including the festive cocktail parties and merry sing-a-longs they enjoyed while their prisoners were tortured and murdered. As Michael Berenbaum, the director of Ziering Holocaust Institute in Bel Air, California, notes, in the pictures “you see the faces of killers who were trying to unwind.” The album was presented to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in January, 2007, by an anonymous donor and can be viewed online at www.ushmm.org/ssalbum. This special also examines another book of photographs known as the Auschwitz Album, filled with pictures taken by SS officers who photographed Jews as they arrived at the camp by train. It is the only known surviving visual evidence of the selection process at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Brothers & Sisters (ABC, 10 p.m. ET)
There is so much dramz on tap tonight that the Walkers are going to need more wine than usual just to make it through this episode: Kitty undergoes aggressive fertility treatments, Kevin has an epiphany about his relationship with Scotty, Saul makes a risky business move that could negatively impact the future of Ojai Foods and Robert gives serious thought to his future in politics. Oh – and the results of Rebecca’s paternity tests are in!
The Tudors (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET)
In direct defiance of Henry, Sir Thomas More and Bishop Foster insist that only God can be the head of the church. That explains why they are imprisoned in the Tower of London and under threat of execution. Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Natalie Dormer and Jeremy Northam star.
MONDAY, APRIL 28
Dancing With the Stars (ABC, 8 p.m. ET)
Live. The remaining six couples dance once again.
Gossip Girl (The CW, 8 p.m. ET)
Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) begins a four-episode arc as Serena’s former partner-in-crime, nasty Georgina Sparks, back in Manhattan to stir up fresh trouble for all. Meanwhile, Dan notices that Serena is preoccupied and concludes that it must have something to do with her new roommate Chuck, Jenny decides that if she is going to become Queen Bee she needs to be King, Nate finds an unlikely romantic interest and Blair orchestrates a wicked plan to keep her rival Nelly from scoring better on the SATs. Leighton Meeser, Blake Lively, Chace Crawford, Penn Badgley and Ed Westwick star.
House (Fox, 9 p.m. ET)
Series Return. House moves to Monday night for the remainder of the 2007-08 season. In tonight’s episode, the good doctor concludes that an emergency room patient has a bigger problem than initially diagnosed because the guy is too nice. Also, House and “Cutthroat Bitch” vie for Wilson’s time and attention. Hugh Laurie stars.
Carrier (PBS, 9 p.m. ET, check local listings)
Two Hours. PBS’ ten-part documentary series about life on board the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf continues with two new hours.
McMillan & Wife (NetFlix)
If you have a membership, click on over to Netflix and browse its Instant Watching Section, where you’ll be able to enjoy dozens of movies and TV shows on demand. We suggest you watch a few episodes of the delightful early-Seventies detective series McMillan & Wife, starring Rock Hudson as San Francisco police commissioner Stewart “Mac” McMillan and Susan Saint James as his sexy, spunky wife Sally, an enthusiastic amateur detective. Scene-stealer Nancy Walker plays their maid, Mildred. There are six seasons in all, but avoid the last one, in which Mac operated alone following Sally’s tragic death in a plane crash. What the hell were they thinking?
TUESDAY, APRIL 29
American Idol (Fox, 8 p.m. ET)
Live. Neil Diamond will mentor the Final Five.
Raw Nature (Animal Planet, 8 p.m. ET)
Series Premiere. Bertram van Munster (The Amazing Race) and Thom Beers (Deadliest Catch) are the executive producers of this five-part series featuring the work of filmmakers who get dangerously close to deadly creatures and document their encounters. It also includes inspiring stories about individuals who are dedicated to protecting animals and advancing conservation efforts.
Dancing With the Stars (ABC, 9 p.m. ET)
Live. Another couple exits the competition.
Carrier (PBS, 9 p.m. ET, check local listings)
Two Hours. PBS’ ten-part documentary series about life on board the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf continues with two new hours.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC, 10 p.m. ET)
Robin Williams plays a twisted individual who excels at mind games: First he pretends he is a detective and orchestrates an attack on a female employee at a restaurant, and he then turns his trial into so enormous a media circus that he is released. Even Benson and Stabler fall prey to his psychological trickery. Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni, Adam Beach, Ice-T and Tamara Tunie star.
Women's Murder Club (ABC, 10 p.m. ET)
Series Return. Lindsay (Angie Harmon) receives an unwelcome visit from her estranged father (played by Gerald McRaney). Paula Newsome, Aubrey Dollar and Laura Harris co-star.
The Riches (FX, 10 p.m. ET)
Series Finale. Dahlia and Wayne address the problems in their relationship, Didi and Ike draw closer, Rosaleen convinces Cael to stay at the Traveller camp and the Bayou Hills deal is hanging by a thread as Season Two draws to a close. Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver star.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30
The View (ABC, 11 a.m. ET)
Live. This year’s Daytime Emmy nominees will be announced during today’s show. The 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be telecast June 20 on ABC.
American Idol (ABC, 9 p.m. ET)
Live. Only four finalists will remain after tonight’s show.
Farmer Wants a Wife (The CW, 9 p.m. ET)
Series Premiere. Ten city women leave their homes and compete for the affections of a hunky Missouri farmer in this new reality series. That doesn’t simply mean looking sweet and sexy – they also have to master farm chores, or at least convince him that they enjoy trying to do so. This is yet another cheap-o reality franchise that has enjoyed significant success in other countries.
Carrier (PBS, 9 p.m. ET, check local listings)
Two Hours. PBS’ ten-part documentary series about life on board the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf continues with two new hours.
Boston Legal (ABC, 10 p.m. ET)
As Boston Legal settles into its new Wednesday time period, Denny Crane (William Shatner) falls for a pretty cattle rancher (played by Christine Ebersole) who hires him to sue the FDA over cloned meat. James Spader and Candice Bergen star. Guest stars include Henry Gibson as Judge Clark Brown and Shelley Berman as Judge Robert Sanders.
South Park (SouthParkStudios.com)
South Parkreached the end of its half-season last week with the episode Super Fun Time – which makes this as good a time as any to visit southparkstudios.com and watch any and all episodes from the series’ 12-year run.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (Hulu.com)
Was Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60cut down too soon? Did it deserve to be renewed for a second year? Watch its one and only season on Hulu and decide for yourself.
THURSDAY, MAY 1
Ugly Betty (ABC, 8 p.m. ET)
Recent Project Runway winner Christian Siriano and Runway judge Nina Garcia appear as themselves in this episode, which finds Renee (Gabrielle Union) increasingly convinced that Betty is in love with Daniel and Hilda (Ana Ortiz) in distress over her new client at the beauty shop – her life-long nemesis Gina Gambarro, back in Queens to boast about her fabulous lifestyle. America Ferrera stars.
Smallville (The CW, 8 p.m. ET)
After Clark learns that Kara sent messages from Krypton in the past revealing that Brainiac (James Marsters) wants to kill Baby Kal-El so that Clark will not exist in the future, Jor-El arranges for him to see what the world would be like if he had never arrived in Smallville. John Schneider returns as Jonathan Kent. Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Aaron Ashmore and Michael Rosenbaum star.
The Office (NBC, 9 p.m. ET)
Michael tries to give Stanley an attitude adjustment after Stanley snaps at him during a meeting; Dwight wants to buy Andy’s car; and Pam deals with an unexpected inconvenience after spending the night at Jim’s. Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski star.
Grey's Anatomy (ABC, 9 p.m. ET)
Dr. Addison Montgomery Shepherd takes a break from Los Angeles and returns to Seattle Grace to perform an operation and is struck by all of the recent changes in the lives of her former co-workers. Also, Rebecca returns with shocking news for Alex – she’s pregnant! Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl and Justin Chambers star. Guest stars include former series regular Kate Walsh as Addison, Elizabeth Reaser as Rebecca and Amy Madigan as Dr. Wyatt.
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m. ET)
Trouble looms when Dean receives a phone call from his deceased dad with instructions on how to get out of his deal, which calls for him to die soon. Sam doesn’t believe that John is really on the other end of the phone and warns Dean not to listen to him, but Dean sets out to follow his father’s orders. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki star. Jeffrey Dean Morgan returns as John – or does he?
Carrier (PBS, 9 p.m. ET, check local listings)
Two Hours. PBS’ ten-part documentary series about life on board the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf concludes tonight.
30 Rock (NBC, 9:30 p.m. ET)
Jack is demoted, causing him to question his future with the company; Liz’s ex-boyfriend is stuck in New York and asks if he can stay at her place overnight; and Liz is infuriated when her sandwich is stolen during Annual Sandwich Day at TGS, when the Teamsters give the staff sandwiches from a mysterious deli in Brooklyn. Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin star.
Lost (ABC, 10 p.m. ET)
Kate and Juliet must work together to save Jack after his appendix bursts, while Sawyer, Claire, Aaron and Miles find themselves in trouble during their trek from Locke’s camp to the beach. Matthew Fox, Josh Holloway, Evangeline Lilly and Elizabeth Mitchell star.
Step It Up and Dance (Bravo, 10 p.m. ET)
The dancers learn the choreography from the Broadway classic Damn Yankees and perform it for guest judges Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) and choreographer Lee Martino.
FRIDAY, MAY 2
The Young and the Restless (CBS, 12:30 p.m. ET, check local listings)
Nick (Joshua Morrow) surprises his wife Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) on their first anniversary with a surprise performance by country star Trace Adkins.
The Sarah Jane Adventures (Sci Fi Channel, 8 p.m. ET)
Two Episodes. In the conclusion of Eye of the Gorgon (at 8 p.m.), Sarah Jane and her young friends try to help Maria’s dad, who has been turned to stone, and set out to stop the Gorgon and her evil nuns from opening a portal to their world. In Part 1 of Warriors of the Kudlak (8:30 p.m.), Sarah Jane and Maria discover that a number of children have gone missing across the country during freaks storms in cities that are home to a particular laser tag game – one that Luke and Clyde happen to enjoy. Elisabeth Sladen stars.
Moonlight (CBS, 9 p.m. ET)
A Hollywood starlet is murdered shortly after she hires Mick as part of her security detail. Also, Beth learns that her new boss at Buzzwire has questionable journalistic ethics. Alex O’Loughlin, Sophia Myles, Jason Dohring and Eric Winter star.
Doctor Who (Sci Fi Channel, 9 p.m. ET)
The Doctor and Donna land in Pompeii in 79 A.D., right before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius – where they are surrounded by thousands of people who don’t know that their lives are about to end. David Tennant and Catherine Tate star.
Man vs. Wild (Discovery Channel, 9 p.m. ET)
Series Return. Flash floods with 12-foot waves, crocodiles, hippos and a herd of elephants make Bear Grylls’ visit to Zambia in Southern Africa a memorable one.
Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi Channel, 10 p.m. ET)
Starbuck, Help, Anders and Athena are sent to find Earth.
Ringo Starr: Off the Record (HBO, 11 p.m. ET)
Premiere. Music legend Ringo Starr shares his memories of the Beatles, including the height of Beatlemania, the group’s trip to India to meet the Maharishi and their breakup, as well as his subsequent solo career, in an interview with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics.
Ed Martin
Ed Martin is the chief television and content critic for MediaVillage. He has written about television and internet programming for several Myers publications since 2000, including The Myers Report, The Myers Programming Report, MediaBizBloggers a…
