Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 31 > Entry
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
“Super Bowl Pre-Game Show,” 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on NBC — Exactly how much of Al Roker and Bob Costas can you take? If you can take a lot, check out the five-hour pre-kickoff hype. Stars and rockers and President Barack Obama abound.
“Super Bowl Game,” 5 p.m. on NBC — The Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers butt helmets. The commercials, which are the reason about half the audience tunes in, are expected to be less spectacular this year. Thanks, bad economy.
Monday
“Chuck,” 7 p.m. on NBC — This is a 3-D episode, so don your glasses or be prepared to get queasy. Chuck foils a plan to kill an international rock star but gets in trouble when he spends a night out with the rocker.
“The Polio Crusade,” 8 p.m. on PBS — Based on University of Texas history professor David Oshinsky’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Polio: An American Story,” the film chronicles the largest public health experiment in American history. The polio epidemic terrified Americans for decades, affecting thousands of children. In 1954 hope emerged, and the Salk vaccine trials began.
Tuesday
“American Idol,” 7 p.m. on Fox — Finally, we’ve hit the Hollywood rounds, which means fewer of the painfully awful warblers and more of the ones we actually care about.
“Independent Lens,” 9 p.m. on PBS — “Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene” looks at America’s first shock jock, Petey Greene, who didn’t hold anything back on his raw, uncensored radio and TV shows in the late 1960s and ’70s.
Wednesday
“Katie Couric’s All Access Grammy Special,” 8 p.m. on CBS — The Perky One interviews Justin Timberlake, Lil’ Wayne, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift in anticipation of the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards.
“George Carlin: The Mark Twain Prize,” 8 p.m. on PBS — A ceremony at the Kennedy Center salutes the achievements of the envelope-pushing comedian, satirist and author, who died a week after learning he would receive the 2008 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Timing, as they say in comedy, is everything.
Thursday
“American Originals: The Westminster Dog Show,” 8 p.m. on CNBC — Pooch lovers alert: Next week is the king of all dog shows (Feb. 9 and 10), and to get us in the mood, this is a look at the history of the famous canine extravaganza.
“ER,” 9 p.m. on NBC — In the never-ending parade of former stars returning to the 15th and final season, William H. Macy revives his role as Dr. Morgenstern. The series conclusion comes April 2, and it’s not a huge secret that sometime between now and then, George Clooney will be back as Dr. Doug Ross, and Susan Sarandon will guest star with him.
Friday
“Jockeys,” 8 p.m. on Animal Planet — A new series that documents a group of riders and their mounts was filmed during 30 days and highlights the competitive nature of the racing biz. It’s good prep for the Kentucky Derby, coming in May.
Saturday
“In the Valley of Elah,” 7 p.m. on HBOZ ( Time Warner channel 706) — If you missed this 2007 Oscar-nominated film, don’t miss it on cable. Tommy Lee Jones will break your heart as a retired military investigator trying to find out what happened to his son, who disappeared after returning from the Iraq War. Written and directed by Paul Haggis, the movie also stars Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon, Jason Patric, James Franco and Josh Brolin.
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