Season Premiere of "Project Runway" on Bravo and More TiVoWorthy TV for the Week of July 13

SATURDAY, JULY 12

Dilbert (Hulu.com)

Before there was The Office, there was Dilbert, a humorous cartoon based on a popular comic strip that parodied the mundane events of office life. Recently added to Hulu, the series originally aired in 1999 on the now-defunct UPN. Featuring the voices of Kathy Griffin and Jason Alexander.

Koppel on Discovery: The People’s Republic of Capitalism (Discovery Channel, 10 p.m.)

Miniseries Finale. In less than one generation, 300 million people have come out of poverty in China but capitalism is just part of the story as communism’s authoritarian rule still reigns supreme. China’s booming economy has downsides. In the final installment of this four-part series, Koppel explores the issues of pollution, corruption, human rights and the suppression of free speech. That includes venturing into a 1000-foot-deep coal mine, investigating what the government is doing to eliminate corruption and examining just how the economy can thrive when free speech is prohibited.

SUNDAY, JULY 13

Nature: Encountering Sea Monsters (PBS, check local listings)

Imagine being greeted on the beach by a life form with a parrot-like beak, chameleon-like skin, three hearts, no bones and blue blood. According to scientists, you would be encountering a cephalopod. Luckily for us humans, they don’t venture out of water. But a few brave cameramen descended into the world of squid and octopus in order to capture HD footage of these seemingly mythical monsters.

Big Brother (CBS, 8 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. The tenth season of this popular series decided to get back to its roots. As in earlier seasons, before producers messed with the basic formula, the 13 houseguests, ranging in age from 22 to 75, are complete strangers – no friends, former lovers or secret couples. Executive producer Allison Grodner says, "To celebrate 10 seasons ofBig Brother, we are going 'old school' and returning to the original concept for the show - a group of strangers living together in a house and battling it out for half a million dollars.” In keeping with the “old school’” theme, the houseguests will live in a traditional all-American home, featuring Victorian windows and a flower garden. The bedroom themes include “Road to Woodstock” and rad 80’s punk and the kitchen is decorated in the retro style of the 1950s. Of course, no observational reality show house would be complete without a Jacuzzi. Following the premiere, the reality series will be broadcast three nights weekly, on Sundays (8 p.m. ET), Tuesdays (9 p.m. ET) and the live eviction show, hosted by Julie Chen, will air Wednesdays (8 p.m. ET).

57th Annual Miss Universe Pageant (NBC, 9 p.m. ET)

Live. Jerry Springer and former Spice Girl, Mel B (who currently co-hosts TLC’s The Singing Office with Joey Fatone) are the hosts of the 57th Annual Miss Universe Pageant, telecast live from Vietnam. Judges include Donald Trump Jr. and fashion designer, Roberto Cavalli.
 
Generation Kill (HBO, 9 p.m. ET)

Miniseries Premiere. From the creators of the critically-acclaimed The Wire comes a seven-part miniseries depicting the first 40 days of the Iraq War. Sure to be controversial, the story is based on the book by Evan Wright. In tonight’s premiere the U.S. First Recon Marines prepare to invade Iraq while at the Camp Mathilda staging ground, Marines in First Recon's Bravo Company grapple with everything from boredom to rumors of J-Lo’s death. Joining them is a writer from Rolling Stone, Evan "Scribe" Wright (played by Lee Tergesen of Oz).

Earth: The Biography (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m. ET)

Miniseries Premiere. Hosted by Dr. Iain Stewart, this fascinating miniseries will be telecast over three nights in HD. Each episode will focus on a different element of Earth’s development and examine some of its most amazing phenomena. In the premiere episode, Stewart explores volcanoes, a necessary evil that can both destruct and build.

I Love Money (VH1, 9 p.m. ET)

The Green and Gold teams compete in the ultimate Bed Battle Challenge. With the $250,000 cash prize in mind, the contestants duke it out with giant sticks atop a bed suspended over the ocean. The losing team must choose three members for possible elimination by the captain of the winning team. A team member from the losing team fakes an injury in order to avoid being put up for elimination.

Brooke Knows Best (VH1, 10 p.m. ET)

Series Premiere. Brooke is all grown up and ready to try her hand at life out from under the roof of her overprotective father, Hulk Hogan, in this new reality effort. Living on her own in Miami Beach, she continues her quest to become a singer. Despite what has now become tabloid fodder as one of the most tragic and explosive celebrity divorces, both mom and dad help Brooke move in.

MONDAY, JULY 14

Elvis Mitchell: Under the Influence (TCM, 8 p.m. ET)

Journalist and film critic Elvis Mitchell interviews Bill Murray on how classic movies have influenced his life and career.

Top Gear (BBC America, 8 p.m. ET)

U.S. Series Premiere. Jeremy test-drives the Mercedes CSL, James reviews the Honda Element, and James and Richard play soccer in the Toyota Aygo.

China’s Stolen Children (HBO, 9 p.m. ET)

The latest in HBO’s summer documentary series, China’s Stolen Children was shot entirely undercover. Because of China’s one-child policy and the culture’s desire for male offspring, some of China’s children have become commodities to be bought and sold. Girls are often abandoned, falling victim to traffickers while the boys are kidnapped for sale to couples desiring a son. Captured footage includes a meeting between a trafficker and a wealthy couple hoping to buy a boy. The trafficker then meets a woman who cannot afford to raise her son. It looks like the wealthy couple’s wish will be granted. Narrated by Ben Kingsley.

The Closer (TNT, 9 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. A fire blazes in Griffith Park and takes four lives as Season 4 of basic cable’s most popular scripted series begins. Just as the Priority Homicide Division is called on to investigate, Brenda’s nemesis, Bill Croelick (a memorable pyromaniac from Season 1) reappears. Brenda must also deal with a news reporter attached to the squad for the sole purpose of generating promotion for the LAPD. Also, Fritz and Brenda have settled into a new home that prohibits pets, where keeping Kitty a secret becomes of source of argument between the two. Kyra Sedgwick stars.

Saving Grace (TNT, 10 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. Grace becomes an instant hero after capturing one of the FBI’s most wanted suspects during her day off. However, no one knows what she was really doing with her downtime but it has something to do with her childhood molester. Holly Hunter stars.

TUESDAY, JULY 15

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (drhorrible.com)

Premiere. Part 1 of the much-anticipated Internet musical is here! Written and directed by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly), Dr. Horrible stars Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Felicia Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Web series The Guild) and Nathan Fillion (Desperate Housewives). Watch for Parts 2 and 3 on July 17 and 19, respectively.

Say Yes to the Dress (TLC, 8 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. TLC kicks off an hour of wedding-themed programming with the premiere episode of the second season of Say Yes to the Dress.  Brides from across the country visit the Kleinfeld bridal boutique in New York City with demanding relatives and oddball costumers in tow in hopes of finding the wedding dress of their dreams.

79th MLB All Star Game (Fox, 8 p.m. ET)

Live from Yankee Stadium.

Rock the Reception (TLC, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Series Premiere. Engaged couples embark on a mission to learn a choreographed dance to be performed at their wedding reception. The couples are coached by veteran husband and wife choreography team Napoleon and Tabitha D’Umo (So You Think You Can Dance), who have trained Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Celine Dion among others.   

Must Love Kids (TLC, 9 p.m. ET)

Series Premiere. As evidenced by the countless dating shows currently on air, dating is no easy task especially if you’re a single parent. This new hour-long docu-series follows three working mothers as they search for love.

Hurl! (G4, 9 p.m. ET)

Series Premiere. Not for the faint of stomach, this series takes eating competitions to the extreme. Contestants must speed eat while performing outrageous physical challenges, design to make them barf. Challenge winners with the best time who have completed all rounds while holding down their food will earn the highly coveted Iron Stomach Award.

From G’s to Gents (MTV, 10 p.m. ET)

Series Premiere. Jamie Fox is an executive producer of this new reality competition series in which 14 young G’s are mentored by smart and stylish author and recording artist Fonzworth Bentley and transformed into sophisticated gents. In the end, the standout gent will be awarded $100,000 with which to start a new life.

The Cleaner (A&E, 10 p.m. ET)

Series Premiere. Inspired by the true story of a recovering addict who performs extreme interventions, William "The Cleaner" Banks, tries to help Zach, a meth addict who was once a high school star athlete. Benjamin Bratt and Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica) star.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16

Big Brother Eviction Show (CBS, 8 p.m. ET)

Live. The first houseguest of the season gets shown to the door. Julie Chen is the host.

Project Runway (Bravo, 9 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. Despite much debate and concern, Project Runway returns to Bravo for its fifth season with Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Tim Gunn. Sixteen hopefuls will endure some surprising twists and challenges as they compete for a chance to showcase their collections at Fashion Week in New York this fall. According to Tim Gunn, "The fifth season has already proven to be the most drama-filled yet and the show hasn't even premiered. I'm on pins and needles to see what the designers will bring to the runway this season.”

Dog the Bounty Hunter (A&E, 9 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. Dog and his family make one of their most exciting captures ever as Season 5 begins.

Run’s House (MTV, 10 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. Starring hip-hop legend “Reverend Run” (a.k.a. Joseph Simmons) and his family, season five opens as Rev Run relives the heyday of his music career by joining Kid Rock on tour. Meanwhile, wife Justine manages their Saddle River home after recently giving birth to baby Miley and daughters Vanessa and Angela balance their bi-coastal shoe and clothing line business, and JoJo wishes to follow her Dad’s path to hip-hop fame. Vanessa is also hard at work on new acting gigs.

THURSDAY, JULY 17

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (DrHorrible.com)

Part 2 of this wild Internet musical debuts today. Written and directed by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly), Dr. Horrible stars Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Felicia Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Web series, The Guild) and Nathan Fillion (Desperate Housewives).

VH1 Rock Honors: The Who (VH1, 9 p.m. ET)

Premiere. The third annual VH1 Rock Honors pays homage to legendary British rock band The Who. Look for performances by Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, The Flaming Lips and Incubus. The Who will perform the grand finale.

The Gong Show (Comedy Central, 10 p.m. ET)

Premiere. Remember the 1970s classic by the same name? A new generation of fans as well as the nostalgic will love the return of this famed talent show hosted by comedian Dave Attell.

Reality Bites Back (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m. ET)

Series Premiere. Comedy Central’s first unscripted competition series will showcase the talents of ten comedians as they parody TV’s most popular reality shows. Each week, one comic will be sent home, and the final comic standing will be awarded $50,000 and the title of Lord of All Reality.

FRIDAY, JULY 18

Monk (USA Network, 9 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. Monk returns with Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, the obsessive-compulsive and lovable detective.  Emmy winner, Hector Elizondo (Pretty Woman, Chicago Hope) joins the cast as Adrian’s therapist. The role became vacant after the unexpected passing of Stanley Kamel, who played Monk’s original therapist, Dr. Charles Kroger. In this episode, Monk decides to move into a new house after becoming fed up with a noisy neighbor. But before he can settle into his new digs, he encounters a murder.

Dog Whisperer: Fear of Dogs (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. A 38-year-old man wants to fulfill the dream of his four children to own a dog but first, with the help of Cesar Milan, he must overcome his fear of dogs stemming from an attack he endured in childhood.

Psych (USA Network, 10 p.m. ET)

Season Premiere. Shawn’s latest missing person case comes from an unexpected client, Gus’ wife. Kerry Washington (Ray, The Fantastic Four) guest stars. Cybill Shepherd (Moonlighting, Cybill) joins the cast this season in the recurring role of Madeleine, the mother of Shawn and ex-wife of Henry. James Roday, Dule Hill and Corbin Bernsen star.