Laurel’s TV Picks

Best Bets

More excellent films on Turner Classic Movies
Debut of new HBO original movie Bernard & Doris (HBO, 7pm, 4:15am)
Etta James on Austin City Limits (PBS, check your local listings)
New Torchwood (BBC America, 8pm, 11pm, 2am)

Daytime

Indy hangs out with Lawrence of Arabia in The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (History Channel, 6am - 8am). Sean Patrick Flanery stars as Indy. You can read about the show and find out more about particular episodes on the History Channel’s website for the show.

IFC’s Saturday samurai movie is Samurai Gold Seekers (IFC, 7am), which was the second film by Hideo Gosha if I read things right; his first film Three Outlaw Samurai aired recently on IFC (last Saturday, if I recall correctly). You can read more about Gosha on the Criterion Collection website; this movie is also known as Sword of the Beast and is available on DVD from the Criterion Collection; it’s also available as part of the Rebel Samurai - Sixties Swordplay Classics box set from Criterion Collection. Here’s a link to another essay on the Criterion site about these samurai movies.

Cary Grant plays an angel in The Bishop’s Wife (TCM, 7am) with Loretta Young and David Niven. You can read about the movie on the TCM website. It received five Oscar nominations, but won only one (for Best Sound).

Emeril makes some chocolate treats on Essence of Emeril (Food Network, 7am; also on Monday at 1pm).

Tyler Florence makes rainy day favorites chicken soup and grilled cheese sandwiches on Tyler’s Ultimate (Food Network, 8am; airs again on Monday at 2:30pm).

Jamie Oliver makes egg tagliatelle, omelet salad with bresaola, meringue with hot pears and chocolate sauce on Jamie at Home (Food Network, 8:30am).

Cary Grant, Constance Bennett, and Roland Young star in Topper (TCM, 9am). Ghosts decide to help their banker friend. You can read all about the film on the TCM website.

Paula Deen makes peanut butter cups in a blanket, pecan pralines, and lollipops on a new episode of Paula’s Home Cooking (Food Network, 9:30am; also on Monday at 4:30pm). Sugary! Mmm, pralines.

Rachael Ray prepares a Valentine’s Day meal in this new episode of 30 Minute Meals (Food Network, 10:30am; also on Sunday at 6am and Monday at 5pm). She makes orange-tarragon duck breasts, green salad, asparagus almond rice, and double chocolate and raspberry hot fudge sundaes.

Cornel Wilde stars as Aladdin in A Thousand and One Nights (TCM, 11am). This quirky movie full of character actors received two Academy Award nominations: for Best Art Direction and Best Special Effects. Phil Silvers has a memorable supporting role. Read all about the movie on the TCM website.

Michael crosses into Bulgaria where he treks up to the Rila Mountains to join the summer solstice celebrations on a rebroadcast of the latest new episode of Michael Palin’s New Europe (Travel Channel, 11am).

College basketball: Marquette at Notre Dame (ESPN, 11am), Boston College at Duke (CBS, Noon),Iowa at Minnesota (ESPN, 1pm), Southern at Grambling State (ESPN2, 1pm), the special Race to March Madness (ABC, 2pm), Texas at Iowa State (ABC, 2:30pm), Georgia Tech at Connecticut (ESPN, 3pm), Hampton at Delaware State (ESPN2, 3pm), Oklahoma State at Kansas State (ESPN, 5pm), Cincinnati at Rutgers (ESPN Classic, 5pm), Hawaii at Nevada (ESPN2, 5pm). As is often the case, games are subject to change depending on where you live, etc. and times aren’t always precise.

Rerun of the “I Love Chocolate” episode of Everyday Italian (Food Network, 11am; also on Sunday at 6:30am and Monday at 3:30pm). It will make you drool as Giada prepares hot-fudge sundaes, baked ricotta and Nutella pastries, and deep-fried Nutella ravioli.

Ina Garten prepares lunch for the original owner of the Barefoot Contessa store on a new episode of Barefoot Contessa (Food Network, 11:30am; also on Monday at 4pm). I always enjoy watching this show, it’s one of my favorites on the Food Network.

New episode of The Batman (CW, 11:30am, though you may want to check your local listings as the time may vary depending on where you live).

Rebroadcast of the new episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Travel Channel, Noon) that debuted earlier this week. Bourdain is in New Orleans.

Roasted beef tenderloin with rosemary chocolate and wine sauce, chocolate strawberry stuffed French toast, devil’s food cupcakes with chocolate frosting on a new episode of Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger (Food Network, Noon). I haven’t seen any episodes of this show yet, but I’m hungry just reading this description.

Yes, they’re focusing a bit on chocolate this weekend on Food Network. A new episode of Simply Delicioso (Food Network, 12:30pm) covers chicken mole and chocolate mousse.

Design on a Dime (HGTV, 12:30pm) takes on a Mid-Century Modern Guest Room. Not a new episode, but I love mid-century modern stuff so felt it worth a mention. I also like stuff from the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s so may want to check out the episode of Decorating Cents (HGTV, 1pm) which follows it as they work on a 1930s Kitchen.

Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Julia Roberts star in Hook (TCM, 12:45pm, letterboxed). Modern take on Peter Pan. Check out what the fine folks at TCM say about this movie. Was nominated for five Oscars: Art Direction, Costumes, Visual Effects, Makeup, and Music (John Williams did the score).

George Lopez guest stars in the latest episode of Reno 911! (Comedy Cenral, 1pm). Preceded by reruns of the other episodes from this season (Comedy Central, 11:30am - 1pm).

Three detectives are shot in “The City That Bleeds” episode of Homicide: Life on the Street from season three of the show. It’s part one of a three part episode, all three parts air today on Sleuth followed by the next episode (”Law and Disorder”) after those (Sleuth, 1pm - 5pm; also 9am - 1pm on Sunday). Steve Buscemi and Gloria Reuben guest star in the multi-part episode. Chris Noth appears briefly as Det. Mike Logan (from Law & Order) in the “Law & Disorder” episode and John Waters is in that episode too.

Howard Schultz (chairman of Starbucks) and Norman Lear on Iconoclasts (Sundance, 1pm; also at 10am on Sunday).

Tylenol Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular (NBC, 1:30pm).

Preparations are made for Oliver’s memorial and Geoffrey is asked to step in as artistic director on the second episode of Slings and Arrows (Sundance, 2pm; also on Sunday at 1pm). Slings & Arrows: The Complete Collectionis now available, it contains all three seasons of the show, plus a bonus disc with extras not previously available in the single season sets.

Robert Stevenson directed both The Absent Minded Professor (TCM, 3:15pm, letterboxed) and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (TCM, 5pm, letterboxed). The Sherman brothers also composed songs for both of these movies. Both were nominated for multiple Academy Awards. You can read more about both films on the TCM site: Absent Minded Professor and Bedknobs.

They put together a Purple Rain bedroom on Rooms That Rock (Fine Living, 5pm).

Rebroadcast of the episode of Psych (USA, 5pm) that debuted on Friday night. Gus and Shawn go undercover as models during Fashion Week.

“The Shakespeare Code” episode of Doctor Who (BBC America, 5pm; also on Sunday at Noon). This is the second episode of the third season (the one with Martha Jones). Dean Lennox Kelly guest stars as William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare: (to The Doctor) “All these years, I’ve been the cleverest man around. Next to you, I know nothing.”
Martha: “Well, don’t complain!”
Shakespeare: “I’m not, it’s marvellous.”
  from Doctor Who

Martha Jones is kidnapped by two carjackers on New Earth in the “Gridlock” episode of Doctor Who (BBC America, 6pm). This is quite the weird traffic jam.

A.O. Scott is the guest critic on a new At The Movies with Ebert & Roeper (syndicated, check your local listings).

Primetime Grid

Primetime

Legend Etta James on Austin City Limits (PBS, check your local listings).

Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes star in the new HBO original movie Bernard & Doris (HBO, 7pm, 4:15am, lots of other airings). Written by Hugh Costello and directed by Bob Balaban. Sarandon plays tobacco heiress Doris Duke, Fiennes plays a middle-aged Irish butler fresh out of rehab who eventually ends up inheriting her fortune.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (TCM, 7pm, letterboxed) is the first Oscar-nominated film from the ’80s featured tonight. Bob Hoskins stars with Jessica Rabbit (voiced by Kathleen Turner). It’s a classic, really, and a must for any fans of animation. Read what TCM says about the movie.

Two new episodes of Flip That House (TLC, 7pm and 10pm, 7:30pm and 10:30pm).

New episode of Torchwood (BBC America, 8pm, 11pm, 2am). A soldier from 1918 is the key to keeping two times from seeping into each other. It’s a big episode for Tosh, who rather likes this soldier. You also have another chance to catch the episode that debuted on BBC America last week, in case you missed it (BBC America, 7pm and 10pm). It’s the one with a woman who doesn’t remember killing burglars in her home.

Toshiko: “You said we weren’t allowed to use that again.”
Jack: “It’s just a mind probe.”
Ianto: “Remember what happened last time you used it?”
Jack: “That was different, and that species has extremely high blood pressure.”
Ianto: “Oh, right. Their heads must explode all the time.”
  from Torchwood

Each of two mothers allows the cheerleader rival of her daughter to redecorate her family room on a new episode of Trading Spaces (TLC, 8pm and 11pm; also on 11am on Sunday). I’m so pleased that for this season Paige Davis is back and also a lot of the old designers from the heyday of the show are back. They’re trying something different where it’s not neighbors who trade places, but people with interesting personal relationships. I guess that ups the pressure a little bit and gives Paige a chance to play therapist (kinda).

Series premiere of Petfinder (Animal Planet, 8pm, 11pm, 3am). It’s a show about finding the right pets for people and the right people for pets. Or something. In this episode, a newly engaged couple seek Jarod and Dina’s help in finding the right pet for their home.

Bruce Boxleitner, Walter Koenig, and Gil Gerard star in yet another cheesy Sci-Fi channel movie. This one is called The Bone Eater (Sci-Fi, 8pm and midnight). “A demonic creature of American Indian folklore embarks on a murderous rampage.” I hate it when that happens.

College basketball: Georgetown at Louisville (ESPN, 8pm).

Matthew Broderick stars in WarGames (TCM, 9pm, letterboxed). As a geek who used a modem to call BBSes and other computers during the ’80s, of course this was one of my favorite movies back then. Read more about this movie.

A look at Romantic Resorts (Fine Living, 9pm and midnight; also 9pm and midnight tomorrow).

Two new episodes of My First Home (TLC, 9pm and midnight, 9:30pm and 12:30am).

Late Night

They do a parody of Hannah Montana on Mad TV (FOX, 10pm).

Billy Bob Thornton stars in Sling Blade (IFC, 10pm, letterboxed).

New episode of the anime series Death Note (Cartoon Network, 10:30pm and 1:30am).

Saturday Night Live (NBC, check your local listings).

John Langley is the guest on Talkshow with Spike Feresten (FOX, 11pm).

River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, and Kiefer Sutherland star in Stand By Me (TCM, 11pm, letterboxed). Another classic from the ’80s. You can read more about this movie on the TCM website.

Robin Williams stars in Dead Poets Society (TCM, 12:45am) with Robert Sean Leonard and Ethan Hawke. Read more about this movie.