Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 24 > 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
“The 15th Annual SAG Awards,” 7 p.m. on TNT and TBS — The Golden Globes are gone, the Oscars are still to come, but tonight a full flock of stars will turn out for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The usual suspects are nominated: Sean Penn for “Milk,” Kate Winslet for “Revolutionary Road,” Jon Hamm for “Mad Men,” Kyra Sedgwick for “The Closer.” The good news is we don’t have to yawn through non-performance awards to get to the pretty people.
Monday
“American Experience,” at 8 p.m. on PBS — The focus is on Robert Oppenheimer, whose life and legacy are linked to America’s most famous top-secret (and deadly) initiative, the Manhattan Project. Bombs away.
“Trust Me,” 9 p.m. on TNT — A new comedy-drama set in the wacky world of advertising (amusing but not on the same planet as “Mad Men”), the fun focuses on long-time pals, art director Mason (Eric McCormack) and copy writer Conner (Tom Cavanaugh). Their friendship and work relationships are tested when Mason is promoted.
Tuesday
“American Idol,” 7 p.m. on Fox — With the presidential inauguration in the history books, it’s time to get back to auditions. Wish we could leap-frog to the Hollywood performances. After seven of these episodes, the wannabes all start to look (and sound) alike. And “Idol” is on three nights this week!
“In Context: Cinderella,” 8 p.m. on PBS — KLRU brings opera to viewers in high-definition. In this production of the classic fairy tale by the Austin Lyric Opera, Cinderella is transported to the land of 1930’s Hollywood musicals.
Wednesday
“Life on Mars,” 9 p.m. on ABC — After an annoying break, the time-shifting crime drama returns. Jason O’Mara stars as a New York cop who gets hit by a car in 2008 and wakes up in 1973 with a grumpy boss (Harvey Keitel), a pretty colleague (Gretchen Mol) and a rule-bending fellow detective (Michael Imperioli). Imaginative scripts and terrific performances keep the time gimmick from getting old.
“Damages,” 9 p.m. on FX — Patty works to clear Daniel in his wife’s murder; Ellen and Tom go to West Virginia to gather information in the Big Case. This taut whodunit races along.
Thursday
“Texas Monthly Talks,” 7 p.m. on PBS — Former Texas Comptroller John Sharp talks about his political future, which will include a run for the U.S. Senate.
“Soundstage,” 9 p.m. on PBS — Blues giant B.B. King proves once and for all that the thrill is definitely not gone. Other performers on stage include Solange and Richie Sambora.
Friday
“Friday Night Lights,” 8 p.m. on NBC — Another good one … and we never get tired of reminding you to watch. Coach Taylor is pressured to make a QB change, which leaves Saracen in a funk.
Saturday
“The Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials,” 7 p.m. on CBS — Looking ahead to tomorrow’s all-day Super Bowl Sunday, this is a showcase of what many people actually watch the pigskin parade for — the fabulous ads.
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