wednesday
There was a good reason As The World Turns (CBS, check your local listings) won so many daytime Emmys this year: it’s that good. I haven’t enjoyed the show this much since the days when Douglas Marland was writing it.
Janeane Garofalo guest stars on NewsRadio (A&E, 5:30pm).
The “XMAS — CHNBCH VN ‘67″ episode of China Beach (History Channel, 1pm and 6pm) is one of my favorite episodes ever of any series. Written by John Wells, directed by Mimi Leder. Originally aired in December, 1988.
Sela Ward is profiled on a new Intimate Portrait (Lifetime, 6pm).
“Falling Toward Apotheosis” episode of Babylon 5 (Sci-Fi, 6pm, letterboxed). And you thought things couldn’t get any worse for our heroes.
Who’s Dancin’ Now? (PBS, check your local listing) is a documentary that revisits the people who were in the Oscar-winning documentary He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin’ twenty years ago. Those dance students and their teacher are reunited.
Series premiere of You Don’t Know Jack (ABC, 7pm, 7:30pm). Paul Reubens plays Troy Stevens, the obnoxious host.
I must be getting old. Shaggy, Sisqo, Lil’ Bow Wow, Eden’s Crush, Dream, Mandy Moore, O-Town, Nelly, City High and Uncle Kracker all perform on the special Teenapalooza (FOX, 7pm-9pm). I’m all like: who? Oh alright, I recognize most of the names, I just don’t care.
Bonnie Hayne (Rena Sofer) asks Ed (NBC, 7pm) out on a date. Plus the usual amount of shenanigans (court cases involving singing fish, promotions at Stuckeybowl involving Happy Days).
Yet another previously unaired episode of Ladies Man (CBS, 7:30pm). How many more are there? Alfred Molina, Sharon Lawrence, Betty White, and Stephen Root star.
Part 4 (of 6) of the documentary Hitler’s Holocaust (History Channel, 8pm and midnight).
It’s this year’s “Big Block of Cheese Day” episode of The West Wing (NBC, 8pm). My favorite bits? C.J. with the cartographers. Toby with Roma Maffia. There’s also this whole angsty thing with Sam which is basically Aaron Sorkin ripping off himself and the story he wrote for Jeremy on Sports Night back in the day.
Spike declares his love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer (WB, 8pm) and Buffy and friends are less than pleased (to say the least). And then Drusilla shows up . . .
It’s graduation day on American High (PBS, check your local listings).
George Clooney makes his first (I think) appearance on The Facts of Life (Nick, 8:30pm). He was a recurring character throughout the 7th and 8th seasons.
New episode of The Beast (ABC, 9pm). Elizabeth Mitchell and Jason Gedrick are among the stars. (I missed it last week, did anyone see it? How was it? I’m going to try and catch it tonight).
Season premiere of South Park (Comedy Central, 9pm).
Parts 5 and 6 (of 8) of Gay Riviera (Bravo, 9pm and 9:30pm; midnight and 12:30am).
Prisoners and corrections officers alike are suspects when a gang leader is killed in a prison scuffle on Law & Order (NBC, 9pm).
Ken Howard, Pooh Richardson, and the late Malik Sealy guest star on Diagnosis Murder (PAX, 9pm).
Series premiere of Primetime Glick (Comedy Central, 9:30pm). Martin Short plays inept entertainment journalist Jimmy Glick. Steve Martin and Bill Maher are his guests.
Alec Baldwin on The Daily Show (Comedy Central, 10pm and midnight).
Jimmy Kimmel, P.J. Harvey (now that’s contrast) on The Late Show w/ David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).
Shaq, Luther Vandross on The Tonight Show (NBC, 10:35pm).
John Leguizamo on Late Night w/ Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:35pm).
Elizabeth Perkins, Joe Rogan on The Late Late Show (CBS, check your local listings).
“Rebecca” episode of Sports Night (Comedy Central, 12:30am). Teri Polo guest stars.
