Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 17 > 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
‘We Are One,’ 6 p.m. on HBO — Almost-President Barack Obama kicks off inaugural activities with a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. HBO has the rights but is making the two-hour show free to anyone with digital cable or satellite. It shows live at 1:30 p.m., and again at 6 and 10:30. Scheduled to appear: Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renée Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder.
‘Big Love,’ 8 p.m. on HBO — Bill, Barb, Nicky and Margene are back and better than ever as our favorite polygamist family. This is one of those weird dramas that shouldn’t be enthralling (polygamy? seriously?) but definitely is. The season opener is a blast.
‘Flight of the Conchords,’ 9 p.m. on HBO — It’s Season 2 of the semi-reality comedy featuring the zany New Zealand comedy-folk duo, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie.
‘United States of Tara,’ 9 p.m. on Showtime — Toni Collette stars as a housewife with four separate personalities, including a beer-swilling trucker, a gum-popping teen and a cookie-baking June Cleaver. It’s a comedy, but it pokes fun at dissociative identity disorder. Not comfy. Written by Diablo Cody (“Juno”), the half-hour does give Collette a chance to shine.
Monday
‘24,’ 8 p.m. on Fox — It’s lunch time in the new day-from-heck (noon to 1 p.m.), and Jack is on an anti-terrorist tear while his former FBI cohort Renee Walker struggles to control an out-of-control investigation.
Tuesday
‘Inauguration Day,’ 8 a.m. until — Broadcast (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Univision) and cable networks (CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, BET, CSPAN) will carry the inauguration of Obama, including the swearing-in ceremony (10:30 a.m.) and parade. Most broadcasters also will have specials in prime time.
‘American Idol,’ 7 p.m. on Fox — The singing contest continues tonight and Wednesday night with more auditions.
Wednesday
‘Lost,’ 7 p.m. on ABC — The first hour explores questions that have been answered and those that remain concerning the island and its inhabitants. At 8 p.m., finally, the new season begins with a two-hour episode featuring discord among the Oceanic 6. Should they return to the island to save those left behind? Meanwhile, the survivors on the island are attacked by unknown forces.
‘Lie to Me,’ 8 p.m. on Fox — From the producers of “24,” this new drama stars Tim Roth as a crime-solver who can tell from body-language and spoken language when someone is flat-out telling a big one.
Thursday
‘Texas Monthly Talks,’ 7 p.m. on PBS — Texas House Speaker Joe Straus chats about the new legislative session.
‘Burn Notice,’ 9 p.m. on USA — A new season of the clever Miami comedy-drama begins. After narrowly escaping death, Michael decides to help a desperate father recover money from a medical scam artist. Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar and Bruce Campbell return to this sunny gallop.
Friday
‘Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,’ 7 p.m. on TCM — Stanley Kubrick directed the 1964 classic about an insane general who starts a process leading to nuclear holocaust that a war-room full of politicians and generals frantically try to stop. Peter Sellers and George C. Scott give spectacular performances.
Saturday
‘U.S. Championships: Ladies Free Program,’ 8 p.m. on NBC — Tiny sprites twirling on ice! The figure-skating championship is always packed with melodrama.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: TV tips
Comments
Austinites love to be heard, and we're giving you a bullhorn. We just ask that you keep things civil. Leave out the personal attacks. Do not use profanity, ethnic or racial slurs, or take shots at anyone's sexual orientation or religion. If you can't be nice, we reserve the right to remove your material and ban users who violate our Visitor's agreement. Click here to report comment abuse.
By meg4fancast
January 21, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
So excited that Big Love is back! I'm also liking The United States of Tara. If anybody wants to watch the pilot- check it out on www.Fancast.com