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This week’s TV highlights
Hundreds of channels, hours and hours of programming. So much to watch, so little time. Here are some highlights to get you started on your week of viewing.
SUNDAY
“Mad Men,” 9 p.m. on AMC — Finally, it’s the opener of Season 2. If you haven’t heard about this stylish, Emmy-nominated drama by now, you’ve been orbiting Mars. The 1960s period piece, set in a New York advertising agency, is THE buzz show on television. Smoking and midday drinking might make a comeback as a result, so don’t be left out of the new season.
“Headline Attacks,” 9 p.m. on Animal Planet — If stylish drama isn’t your thing (what’s wrong with you?), there’s plenty of blood and violence on this true-crime series featuring critters going after humans.
MONDAY
“History Detectives,” 8 p.m. on PBS — Is it possible that something survived the infamous Hindenburg explosion? The super-sleuths on this series investigate whether a palm-sized instrument panel might be an artifact from the dirigible that burned and crashed in 1937.
“Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” 7 p.m. on FX — Not a terrific movie, but if you want to be reminded how Angela Jolie and Brad Pitt became a kid-spawning couple, this 2005 offering is it. The two play spies out to assassinate each other. How romantic is that? Love and lust blossomed for real.
TUESDAY
“Secrets of the Dead,” 8 p.m. on PBS — Newly found remains of ancient women raise the question: Are these gals the mythical Amazons of Greek legend? We see dead people, and they’re intriguing.
“The Cleaner,” 9 p.m. on A&E — Benjamin Bratt’s new drama about an extreme interventionist (and former drug addict) has actually improved from the clunky pilot. In the dead of summer, it’s not a bad dalliance.
WEDNESDAY
“The Glenn Miller Story” and “The Benny Goodman Story,” 7 and 9 p.m. on TCM — These two flicks are fabulous movies with superb big-band music. “Glenn Miller” (1953) stars Jimmy Stewart as the legendary musician, and “Benny Goodman” (1955) features Steve Allen as the band leader in that one.
THURSDAY
“Last Comic Standing,” 7 p.m. on NBC — The chucklehead competition gets down to its finalists in tonight’s two-hour episode. Seems like too much prime time for the wannabe comics, but if amateur stand-up is your thing, this could be your night.
“Hopkins 24/7,” 9 p.m. on ABC — It’s the end of the road for the doctors and nurses of Baltimore’s famed Johns Hopkins Hospital. This documentary miniseries has played out more like a drama than a reality show, and it is arguably one of the best shows of summer. Maybe that’s because it came from ABC News instead of the “alternative series” folks who saddled us with “Wipeout.”
FRIDAY
“Monk,” 8 p.m. on USA — Emmy-nominated once again, Tony Shalhoub is having another fine season as the obsessive-compulsive detective.
“Psych,” 9 p.m. on USA — The two guys on this fast-paced comedy-drama are smokin’ in the show’s third season. James Roday plays a cop consultant who isn’t psychic but has everybody thinking he is, and Dulé Hill plays his reluctant sidekick. The dudes have great chemistry and seem to be having lots of fun.
SATURDAY
“Nanny McPhee,” 8 p.m. on ABC Family — Probably won’t go down in movie history as a kids’ classic, but this imaginative comedy, starring the always brilliant Emma Thompson, is a popcorn flick that’s good for family viewing on a hot Saturday night.
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