Laurel’s TV Picks

Best Bets

New Ugly Betty (ABC, 7pm)
New Scrubs (NBC, 7:30pm)
New Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 8pm - 9:02pm)
New Lost (ABC, 9:02pm)
New Without A Trace (CBS, 9pm)
Amy Poehler, Danica Patrick, Dave Attell on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:37pm)

Daytime

“America’s Favorite Little People, Plus the Jonas Brothers Phenomenon” on Oprah (syndicated, check our local listings). The Roloff family from Little People, Big World are guests on the show. And the Jonas Brothers perform, their parents also are on the show.

Primetime Grid

Primetime

NBA Basketball: Cavaliers at Wizards (TNT, 7pm), Rockets at Jazz (TNT, 9:30pm).

Ugly Betty (ABC, 7pm) is finally back with a new episode. Betty celebrates her 24th birthday, but all does not go as planned. And Wilhelmina tries to sabotage her sister’s new relationship. Gabrielle Union and Jayma Mays guest star.

Randy decides to take care of Earl himself, rather than putting him in longterm care on a new My Name is Earl (NBC, 7pm). Yikes! Oddly enough, Joy and Darnell are the responsible ones who think this isn’t the best idea– of course they aren’t responsible enough to stop Randy from giving it a try for at least a little while. Alyssa Milano continues her guest stint on the show as Earl’s wife (in his dreams, that is).

Clark desperately searches for Kara and Brainiac in a new Smallville (CW, 7pm). And Jimmy is put in a very awkward position. There’s drama and angst, of course. James Marsters (of Buffy, Angel) returns to guest star as Brainiac.

One of the fans concocts a cunning plan of some sort on a new Survivor (CBS, 7pm). Or so they say.

A group of burglars wearing Duran Duran masks rob a casino in this episode of Keen Eddie (Sleuth, 7pm and 10pm, also at 5pm and midnight Saturday and at 1pm on Sunday). It was the fourth episode made, but never aired when this show originally aired on FOX back in 2003. Mark Valley stars with Alexei Sayle, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Colin Salmon, and Sienna Miller. I’m so pleased that these reruns on Sleuth are airing with the original music intact, the DVD set doesn’t have the original music.

Scissor Sisters: Live at the O2 Arena (Logo, 7pm).

Matt plans to restore a 1965 Mustang coupe, but then his sick brother moves in on a new Overhaulin’ (TLC, 7pm and midnight).

Scrubs (NBC, 7:30pm) moves into a new timeslot; 30 Rock moves to 8:30pm. In this new episode of Scrubs, Dr. Cox gets a visit from a difficult patient– “difficult” in the sense that Dr. Cox is having trouble figuring out what is wrong with him. Meanwhile, Elliott and Carla are trying to save Dr. Kelso’s job.

A bug infestation forces the Friends to move to a hotel for the night on a new Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends (Cartoon Network, 7:30pm; also on Sunday at 6pm). Oh-oh. Given the episode title is “Pranks for Nothing” I’m assuming There Will Be Pranks. I like tthis cute little show.

Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 8pm - 9:02pm) finally returns with a new episode. This episode picks up six weeks after Derek & Meredith broke up (and Derek started dating someone else). Meredith, Alex, Izzie, and Cristina compete in a surgical contest; Bailey gets to be the judge. Plus, well, more of the usual. Guest stars include Amy Madigan (of Carnivale), Cheech Marin, Clea DuVall (of Heroes, Carnivale), and Jason O’Mara (of In Justice, Men in Trees). You can expect five more new episodes after this one, the show has been renewed for next season. DVR/VCR Alert: scheduled to run two minutes long.

Two recent murders are linked to an incarcerated convict in this new episode of CSI(CBS, 8pm). The convict in question is “Drops” who has been on the show before and is played by Method Man (who also played “Cheese” on The Wire and starred in the shortlived series Method & Red).

Michael and Dwight decide to surprise Ryan in New York on a new episode of The Office (NBC, 8pm). And the Scranton branch isn’t hapy to find out they have to work on a Saturday for Ryan’s website project. DVR/VCR Alert: Runs from 8pm ’til 8:31pm.

Supernatural (CW, 8pm) returns with a new episode wherein Sam & Dean find themselves part of a violent reality show. Eek! Somehow I am not surprised that this episode was penned by Ben Edlund (of The Tick and some unusual episodes of Angel). I believe there are four more new episodes after this one for this season, the show has been renewed for next season.

“A software giant hires Alphonse to assassinate Charlie, who is posing as a computer whiz” in this previously unaired episode of Players (Sleuth, 8pm and 11pm; also on Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 1am and 2pm). Ice-T, Costas Mandylor, and Frank John Hughes starred in this shortlived series from the 1997-1998 season. It’s about con men who work with the FBI. The always-fabulous Susanna Thompson guest stars in this episode.

Katie’s cancer is back in this new episode of Terminal City (Sundance, 8pm and 1am; also on Sunday at 9am).

A look at the technology that allows engineers to build the world’s tallest terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport on Big, Bigger, Biggest (National Geographic Channel, 8pm; also at 5pm on Saturday).

Two new episodes of Cool Tools (DIY, 8pm and midnight, 8:30pm and 12:30am). The first one covers a chain saw on a stick, a drill that works at any angle, a level that reaches 8 feet high, and extension poles. The second one will cover a drain cleaner that clears clogs with a burst of CO2, a notepad that can be written on in the rain, a flashlight that works with a shake, and a reinvented wrench.

American Chopper (TLC, 8pm and 10pm) returns from a break with a new episode. Jr. and Sr. have an argument over missing tools and the “girls of BSN” stop by to help.

A new episode of Gangland (History Channel, 8pm and midnight) covers the Nuestra Familia in northern California.

Don decides to name Jack as his successor on a new episode of 30 Rock (NBC, 8:31pm). Note the new timeslot for this show. Plus Tracy is unhappy to learn his son did not invite him to “Bring Your Dad To School Day.” Guest stars include Rip Torn (of The Larry Sanders Show), Will Arnett (of Arrested Development), and Chris Parnell (of Saturday Night Live).

Locke’s camp comes under attack and a body washes ashore on the island on a new Lost (ABC, 9:02pm). This episode was written by Brian K. Vaughan & Drew Goddard and directed by Jack Bender. You can expect five more new episodes yet this season after this one, the show will have two more seasons after this one.

A man miraculously wakes up from a three-year coma and then disappears on a new Without A Trace (CBS, 9pm). And presumably Jack is still on the mend. Christopher Wiehl (who played “Roger” on Jericho) is among the guest stars; he was also in Playmakers and Love Monkey.

Abby treats a severely beaten Korean teen, Neela is upset about an infection, Luka struggles to forgive Abby, and Dr. Brenner continues to “ruffle feathers” on a new ER (NBC, 9:01pm). Aida Turturro (of The Sopranos) guest stars again.

New episode of Baseball Tonight (ESPN, 9pm).

New episode of Rock the Cradle (MTV, 9pm; also on Saturday at 8pm on MTV2 and Sunday at 10:30am on VH1 Classic). If you haven’t heard of this show, it’s yet another reality-competition show– in this one, the offspring of rock stars try their hand at being stars themselves. Belinda Carlisle is one of the judges, but fans get to vote as well. Remaining competitors include Landon Brown (son of Bobby Brown) Lil’ B. Sure! (son of Al B. Sure!), Lucy Walsh (daughter of Joe Walsh), Lara Johnston (daughter of Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers), Chloe Rose Lattanzi (daughter of Olivia Newton-John), Crosby Loggins (son of Kenny Loggins), and Jesse Snider (son of Dee Snider). I haven’t had a chance to catch any episodes yet, but it’s certainly a decent idea for a show.

The competitors are treated to a surprise performance by Luke Cresswell and his crew from Stomp Out Loud on a new Step It Up and Dance (Bravo, 9pm and 10pm).

Jeff Corwin explores Yosemite National Park and the central California valley on a new episode of Into America’s West with Jeff Corwin (Travel Channel, 9pm and 1am).

Ami gets on board with the plan for a new shop in the season premiere of Miami Ink (TLC, 9pm and 11pm). Darren returns from an extended trip.

A roller skate cake, a corvette cake, and something having to do with manatees (!?) on a new Ace of Cakes (Food Network, 9:30pm and 12:30am). Preceded by a rerun of the “Hairspray Premiere” episode (Food Network, 9pm and midnight).

Osama bin Laden is diagnosed with a weak heart and his perfect donor would be Lil’ Cheney in this new episode of Lil’ Bush (Comedy Central, 9:30pm and 11:30pm).

Late Night

Colin Firth on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 10pm and midnight).

Maria Shriver on The Colbert Report (Comedy Central, 10:30pm and 12:30am).

Tina Fey (of 30 Rock), Brett Favre (of the Green Bay Packers), Estelle on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Marilu Henner, Old 97’s on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC, 10:35pm).

Amy Poehler (of Saturday Night Live), Danica Patrick, Dave Attell on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:37pm).

Ben Stein, Alicia Witt, Andrew Norelli on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS, 11:37pm).

David Spade (of Rules of Engagement), Jean Smart (of Samantha Who?), Ashlee Simpson on Jimmy Kimmel (ABC, check your local listings).

Dov Davidoff, Dylan Ratigan, the Airborne Toxic Event on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, check your local listings).