[IMG:L]MONDAY, JUNE 23
Hard Times at Douglass High — 9/8c on HBO
HBO’s compelling 12-week documentary film series is making it tough to gripe about the network’s dearth of shows (thanks partly to the writers strike, which pushed back Entourage, et al.). Tonight’s doc, from acclaimed filmmakers Alan and Susan Raymond (An American Family), dissects President Bush’s controversial No Child Left Behind Act and the effect–or lack thereof–it has had at Baltimore’s inner-city Frederick Douglass High School, where the directors were given full access for an entire school year. [PAGEBREAK]
TUESDAY, JUNE 24
BET Awards ’08 — 8/7c on BET
Is there any awards ceremony D.L. Hughley can’t host–as in doesn’t have availability for? The BET Awards mark his third hosting gig of 2008, and it’s not even July yet! Those slated to perform at the eighth annual gala–which celebrates African Americans and other minorities in music, movies and sports–include Usher, Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West and others. In addition, Al Green will receive the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, while Quincy Jones is honored with the BET Humanitarian Award.
ALSO…
Celebrity Family Feud (Series Premiere) — 8/7c on NBC
NBC seems content with, or hell-bent on, putting all of its eggs in the reality-show basket this summer–namely those with “Celebrity” in the title (but only F-listers in actuality). Two weeks ago, the Peacock premiered Celebrity Circus (don’t get me started); now comes Celebrity Family Feud, a self-explanatory variation on the classic game show, which at least has a shot at guilty-pleasure entertainment. Plus, the “celebrities” do appear with their families, so the title isn’t a complete misnomer! There’s Team Ice-T, Team Larry the Cable Guy, Team Rivers, Team Engvall… Get the picture? Al Roker hosts, thereby keeping it all in the NBC family. [PAGEBREAK]
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25
Shear Genius (Season Premiere) — 10/9c on Bravo (Re-Airs at 11/10c)
Bravo is replacing one rising reality show (Top Chef, which ended last week) with another, Shear Genius, whose second season kicks off tonight. For those who haven’t yet seen Shear, it is indeed a hairstyling competition, and the concept is indeed tongue-in-cheek, but so much so that it works and can even be laughed at (sarcastically, of course) by males of all virilities. Former Charlie’s Angel Jaclyn Smith hosts again, while Allure magazine editor Kelly Atterton and stylist to the stars Kim Vo serve as the judges. Tonight the 12 contestants meet and greet before engaging in a battle of blindfolded styling. Yikes!
ALSO…
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Warren Beatty — 9/8c on USA
What’s a week on TV without an AFI special?! As the title clearly states, the American Film Institute is bestowing its highest honor upon Warren Beatty (it’s about time!), celebrating a career that has spanned too many classic films to mention here and too many decades–OK, the decades part is doable: six. Recent recipients have included Sean Connery, Al Pacino and George Lucas. Celebs like Halle Berry, Don Cheadle and Barbra Streisand were on hand to salute Beatty when the ceremony was taped earlier this month. [PAGEBREAK]
THURSDAY, JUNE 26
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List — 10/9c on Bravo (Re-Airs at 11/10c)
Kathy Griffin might just be the most polarizing figure in showbiz: Nobody likes or dislikes her just a little bit, and yet you could switch sides with the hit or miss of each of her zingers. For instance, through two episodes of season 4 of D-List, Griffin is on our A-list, but that could change any episode now. Tonight she embarks on a trip to Australia, performing stand-up on the plane ride there. Once Down Under, Griffin will no doubt be a fish out of water. Translation: Her position on our good side will probably last at least one more episode.
ALSO…
Hopkins (Series Premiere) — 10/9c on ABC
This quasi-sequel to 2000’s Hopkins 24/7 is a great, and far superior, companion piece to ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy reruns. The six-part documentary series about the renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital (that’s right, it’s not an Anthony Hopkins biopic!) begins with the story of an illegal immigrant-turned-elite brain surgeon, and includes a heart surgeon’s discussion about the toll his job takes on his marriage. A lot of shows claim to be “reality,” but Hopkins, one of this summer’s few must-sees, actually is. [PAGEBREAK]
FRIDAY, JUNE 27
The Soup — 10/9c on E!
It’s about time people at least be reminded of quite possibly the funniest show on TV–the one that ruthlessly pokes fun at its very medium. Granted, tonight’s a slow one on the tube–unless you’re interested in yet another reality-show premiere (see below)–which is why The Soup is being featured here, but just know that it’s implicitly endorsed every Friday night. Host Joel McHale delivers sarcasm unlike anyone working in television today, but he saves his best lines for the TV shows that deserve jeering the most: the ones on E!. And occasionally even the network’s golden child, Ryan Seacrest, takes it on the chin!
ALSO…
Dance Machine (Series Premiere) — 8/7c on ABC
In the interest of keeping reality fiends abreast of all their options, I feel obligated to give the premise of Dance Machine, the umpteenth dance-competition show: Non-professionals compete against one another in dance contests set to pop music. I now feel obligated to say no more. [PAGEBREAK]
SATURDAY, JUNE 28
Waitress — 10/9c on Cinemax
The late, great Adrienne Shelly’s indie dramedy finally hits the small screen, for which it is probably best-suited. The witty actress/writer/director didn’t live to see arguably her best work–Shelly was murdered in her apartment after Waitress was finished but before it was released–or the joy it spread when released last summer. The movie centers around a waitress (duh!), played with great subtlety by Keri Russell, whose only hope in life is to win a pie-baking contest…before she gets pregnant. Best viewed with a pie nearby. Seriously. [PAGEBREAK]
SUNDAY, JUNE 29
Rush Hour 3 — 9/8c on HBO
The third, lamest and hopefully final Rush Hour premieres on HBO tonight, and there is actually a reason to watch. It’s not to see the formerly funny Chris Tucker try and give us the pratfall giggles or to witness just how far Brett Ratner has fallen as a director, but rather to catch the oddest movie appearance in ages: legendary director Roman Polanski playing French policeman, in likely the funniest (or only funny?) scene in the threequel.
