Laurel’s TV Picks

Best Bets

New History Detectives (PBS, check your local listings)
Bill Murray on Elvis Mitchell: Under the Influence (TCM, 7pm, 9:30pm)
Season premiere of The Closer (TNT, 8pm and 11pm)
New The Middleman (ABC Family, 9pm and 11pm)
New Weeds (Showtime, 9pm, 10pm)
Season premiere of Saving Grace (TNT, 9pm and midnight)
Pierce Brosnan, Bud Selig, Jason Mraz on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm)
Chris Isaak, Debbie Reynolds on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS, 11:37pm)
Gary Oldman, Joe Buck, Kenny Chesney on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:37pm)

Recommended Reruns

David Letterman on Oprah (syndicated, check your local listings)
Bones (FOX, 7pm)
Gossip Girl (CW, 7pm; also on Sunday at 5pm)
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 7pm, 8:30pm)
How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 7:30pm)
House (FOX, 8pm)

News & Notes

Good grief– suddenly there are a zillion decent things to watch on Monday nights, even if you don’t include reruns. Don’t just rely on the Best Bets, there are plenty of things that could’ve easily been listed there as well but I didn’t want the list to get too crazy long.

If shows you like are on opposite each other, pay attention to when the shows have additional airings– I always try to list those so you know what your options are for watching/recording them. Some shows are also available online, for download, or from On Demand services; I’m going to try to get better at mentioning those options for you as well.

Daytime

The Closer marathon (TNT, 11am – 8pm). The season premiere debuts at 8pm.

David Letterman makes a memorable appearance in this rerun of Oprah (syndicated, check your local listings) from New York City. Lisa Marie Presley also appears in this episode.

Primetime Grid

Featured Picks

My featured picks for tonight are the season premieres of The Closer (TNT, 8pm and 11pm) and Saving Grace (TNT, 9pm and midnight).

The Closer returns and I couldn’t be happier about that as I’ve really grown very fond of this show. Kyra Sedgwick continues her fine turn as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson. As this season opens, we find the Dept. Chief watching a fire burn in Los Angeles and she and her team tackle a case that involves multiple deaths as a result of this fire– the case is theirs because it appears the fire was set on purpose.

As if dealing with a crime scene and bodies that have been burned isn’t tough enough, Brenda and her team are also shadowed by a reporter and dealing with firefighters who aren’t used to dealing with them. And then a criminal that they’ve tangled with in the past ends up part of the case as well. Meanwhile, Brenda and Fritz are renting a place that doesn’t allow cats (even though they have a cat) and things are a little stressed on the home front as a result.

I’ve seen this episode and it’s another solid episode of this show; I’m looking forward to another good season of this cable gem.

I was less excited over the season premiere of Saving Grace– not because it’s not a good show, but because it’s such a dark show and I guess when I watch shows in the summer I’m more in the mood for lighter fare.

The end of the first season of Saving Grace was shocking and rather intense; with Holly Hunter giving a great performance as this very complicated, strong, and damaged woman. Season two picks up just three days after Grace learned that Father Patrick Murray was alive and living in Tulsa; her best friend Rhetta meets with her to find out what happened and if Grace went and saw him. Before they can have much of a conversation, Grace ends up in a shootout and chase with a criminal.

If you’re a fan of this show, you’re better off not knowing much else about this episode– I’ve seen it and I can tell you it’s an excellent, but very intense episode that’s sometimes hard to watch or at least I found it hard to watch. In other words: it continues the story from last season. This isn’t an easy show and I know that some viewers were so turned off by Grace’s behavior last season that they didn’t watch the whole season; I can totally understand that, but there were revelations during the course of the show that ended up making it clearer how Grace ended up the way she is. She’s deeply damaged and flawed, but she also loves her friends and family and does good work as a detective; I can’t think of another character quite like this one.

If you’re new to The Closer or have missed some episodes, you should be able to jump in with this season premiere and enjoy it. If you missed some or all of season one of Saving Grace, I wouldn’t recommend starting the show with this episode as it really is a continuation of an ongoing story and you’d be missing an awful lot of important data (that no “previously on” clip package could possibly explain).

The season premiere of The Closer airs tonight on TNT at 8pm and 11pm; it will also air again on TNT on Saturday at 9am and next Monday at 7pm). There’s a marathon of older episodes today on TNT. The first three seasons of The Closer are available now on DVD.

The season premiere of Saving Grace airs tonight on TNT at 9pm and midnight; it also airs again tomorrow night 10pm. The season one DVD set of Saving Grace is due out tomorrow and is available for pre-order from Amazon today for $35.

Primetime

A number of baseball all-stars participate in the MLB Home Run Derby (ESPN, 7pm) at Yankee Stadium. I’ll be rooting for Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins and crossing my fingers that participating in the Derby doesn’t cause him to go into a slump after the All-Star Break. This event is scheduled to run from 7pm ’til 9pm on ESPN, but has a history of running long– if you’re interested in recording this or All-Star Celebrity Softball Game (ESPN, 9pm) that airs after it, you may want to pad your recordings quite a bit. The festivities are preceded by a special All-Star edition of Baseball Tonight (ESPN, 6pm); you can also expect episodes of Sports Center and Baseball Tonight to air after the Derby and Softball Game; they’ll probably start late.

Rerun of an episode of Antiques Roadshow (PBS, check your local listings) from Bismarck.

The objects in question may or may not have something to do with the Japanese balloon bomb, Cobina Wright’s Society Circus, and the beginnings of Camp David on a new History Detectives (PBS, check your local listings). Historians research found objects in this fascinating PBS series.

Film critic Elvis Mitchell interviews Bill Murray on a new episode of Elvis Mitchell: Under the Influence (TCM, 7pm, 9:30pm; also Saturday at 11am). It sounds like films that influenced Murray include A Night at the Opera (TCM, 7:30pm) and North by Northwest (TCM, 10pm, letterboxed).

James Nesbitt is a guest on the season premiere of Top Gear (BBC America, 7pm, 10pm, midnight) followed by a rerun (BBC America, 8pm, 11pm, 1am). Fellow Vidiot Jason Snell of TeeVee and Macworld, wrote about this show recently on TeeVee.

Rerun (I think) of a “Where Are They Now?” episode of The Bachelor (ABC, 7pm).

A single Mom can no longer walk on a new Mystery ER (Discovery Health Channel, 7pm and 10pm). Sounds like a job for Dr. House.

Rerun of the latest episode of Army Wives (Lifetime, 7pm) which debuted this weekend.

When a time capsule buried at a high school is opened by alumni they find remains of one of their classmates in this rerun of Bones (FOX, 7pm).

Hodgins: I ran a sample of this sludge.
Zack: Organic matter.
Cam: Or you could call him “Roger.”
  from Bones

A bunch of the teens break into the school swimming pool after hours for a party in this rerun of Gossip Girl (CW, 7pm; airs again on Sunday at 5pm), but then they’re all in trouble when someone nearly dies at the party. Plus Vanessa is working on a documentary and records an interesting conversation or two. And there’s more drama between Lily and Rufus too. Pivotal episode.

After Sheldon behaves like, well, Sheldon he is booted off of his friends physics bowl team in this rerun of The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 7pm). Leslie Winkle (Sara Gilbert) takes his place on the team so he decides to form his own, even better team. It’s a fun episode.

Wolowitz: “Oh, more details about the new Star Trek film. There’s going to be a scene depicting Spock’s birth.”
Koothrappali: “I’d be more interested in a scene depicting Spock’s conception.”
Sheldon: “Oh, please. For Vulcans, mating—- or if you will, pon farr—- it’s an extremely private matter.”
Leonard: “Still, I’d like to know the details. His mother was human; his father was Vulcan. They couldn’t just conceive.”
Wolowitz: “Maybe they had to go to a clinic. Can you imagine Spock’s dad in a little room with a copy of Pointy Ears and Shapely Rears?”
  from The Big Bang Theory

New episodes of these shows on HGTV tonight: Designed to Sell (HGTV, 7pm and 11pm), Curb Appeal (HGTV, 7:30pm and 11:30pm), and Hidden Potential (HGTV, 8:30pm and 12:30am).

Here’s a blast from the not-very-distant past: the second ever episode of How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 7:30pm). In the first episode of this series, Ted met Robin and liked her a lot. In the second episode, Ted invites Robin to a party and when she doesn’t show up, he throws another party just so he can invite her; Ted ends up contriving a lot of ways to see Robin again.

Robin: “I don’t know, Ted. I mean, we barely know each other and you’re looking at me with that look, and it’s like-”
Ted: “Like what?”
Robin: “Like, let’s fall in love, and get married, and have kids, and drive them to soccer practice.”
Ted: “I’m not going to force sports onto them unless they’re interested.”
  from How I Met Your Mother

Season premiere of The Closer (TNT, 8pm and 11pm; also on Saturday at 9am and next Monday at 7pm). One of my featured picks for tonight, see above.

A new two-hour special looks at the history of the tattoo: Ancient Ink (History Channel, 8pm – 10pm; midnight – 2am; also on Saturday at 4pm).

More installments of Earth: The Biography including “The Atmosphere” (National Geographic, 8pm and 11pm) and “Oceans” (National Geographic, 9pm and midnight).

Jon cooks a traditional Korean meal for the family on a new episode of of Jon & Kate Plus 8 (TLC, 8pm and 11pm). There are reruns of the show before and after this new episode.

A new documentary about China’s Stolen Children (HBO, 8pm; plenty of additional airings on HBO stations).

A special episode of The Mole (ABC, 8pm) recaps the season for those who may have missed some or all of it; it also includes never-before-seen footage which might be of interest to any die-hard fans of this show. The special episode is followed by a regular new episode (ABC, 9pm).

A look at the secrets behind the making of goat cheese, cheesecake and Cheez-It crackers on a new Unwrapped (Food Network, 8pm and 11pm).

A film crew follows House (FOX, 8pm) or at least tries to in this rerun. Michael Michelle (of ER, Homicide) guest stars.

House: “Let’s go for a walk. Walks give the illusion of the story moving forward.”
  from House

Charlie offers Alan advice on how to break up with someone in this rerun of Two and a Half Men (CBS, 8pm). He also tries to help Jake impress a girl. Things, of course, don’t go well. Not one of their better episodes.

Alan: “I’m in trouble here, Charlie. How do I get out of a stagnant, joyless relationship?”
Charlie: “If I knew how to do that, you wouldn’t still be living here.”
  from Two and a Half Men

Rerun of episode 100 of One Tree Hill (CW, 8pm). Which makes me weep over the fact that Everwood never made it to 100 episodes. Did you know that they’re doing beta testing right now of theWB.com? You might want to sign up as they promise to have full episodes of Everwood before too long and they currently have full episodes of a number of shows that aired on the WB, CW, and elsewhere including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Friends, Gilmore Girls, Smallville, The OC, Veronica Mars, and (to bring this full circle) One Tree Hill.

Find out how cow’s milk is transformed into mint chocolate chip ice cream, string cheese, and chocolate in How’d That Get on My Plate? (Food Network, 8:30pm and 11:30pm).

Rerun of the season finale of The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8:30pm). Penny breaks up with her boyfriend and Leonard finally summons the courage to ask her out. Penny and Leonard both foolishly ask Sheldon (of all people!) for advice.

Wolowitz: “You know, I’m really glad you decided to learn Mandarin.”
Sheldon: “Why?”
Wolowitz: “Once you’re fluent, you’ll have a billion more people to annoy instead of me.”
  from The Big Bang Theory

Wendy and the Middleman encounter trout-eating zombies in a new episode of The Middleman (ABC Family, 9pm and 11pm). I can’t wait! But then I’m kinda smitten with this silly show. Fellow Vidiot Nathan Alderman also likes this show.

Whatever will they do with Celia? I guess we’ll find out in the new episode of Weeds (Showtime, 9pm, 10pm; airs again tomorrow night at 9pm and 9:30pm and many more times on the various Showtime stations).

Season premiere of Saving Grace (TNT, 9pm and midnight; also Tuesday at 10pm). One of my featured picks for tonight, see above.

Tony visits Colombia in a new episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Travel Channel, 9pm, 10pm, 1am).

Tonight’s new episode of Dateline NBC (NBC, 9pm) is titled “You Might Be Rich!” as the reporters try to find the rightful owners of “unclaimed riches totaling almost $1.5 million.” It’d be nice if they’d track me down, but sadly I don’t think I’m the rightful owner of any riches. Bummer!

A homeowner is tearful when mice are removed from their home and Mike & J.D. try to save a hive of bees on a new Verminators (Discovery, 9pm and 1am).

New episode of Animal Cops Houston (Animal Planet, 9pm, midnight, 4am). Preceded by a bunch of reruns.

New episode of Legally Blonde (MTV, 9pm, 10pm).

A suspected carjacker is murdered in this rerun of CSI: Miami (CBS, 9pm). Coby Bell (of Third Watch) is among the guest stars.

One of Belle’s favorite regular clients wants to spend time with two girls this time instead of just her on Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Showtime, 9:30pm, 10:30pm). Billie Piper, of Doctor Who, stars.

Surfers Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama raise money for autism research on Path of Purpose (Sundance, 9:30pm; also airs on Sunday at 5:15pm). Runtime of 35 minutes.

Late Night

New episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 10pm and midnight). Guest still TBA, check the website throughout the day, perhaps they’ll update it to indicate who tonight’s guest is.

Rerun of the season premiere of Burn Notice (USA, 10:05pm). In case you somehow missed it last week; I highly recommend this show and you can jump in even if you missed season one.

New episode of The Colbert Report (Comedy Central, 10:30pm and 12:30am). Check the website to see if they’ve announced tonight’s guest yet.

Pierce Brosnan, Bud Selig, Jason Mraz on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).

Will Ferrell, Mary McCormack (of In Plain Sight), James Hunter on The Tonight Show (NBC, 10:35pm).

Chris Isaak, Debbie Reynolds on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS, 11:37pm).

Gary Oldman, Joe Buck, Kenny Chesney on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:37pm).

Adam Carolla, Peter Berg, Romany Malco, Billy Idol on a rerun of Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC, check your local listings).

Melora Hardin, Lupe Fiasco on a rerun of Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, check your local listings).