“Survivor” has already done an all-star edition, a haves and have-nots version and a controversial season in which tribes were divided by race. But the 16th edition of the show may be the cleverest yet, in terms of how to group the tribes.
In “Survivor: Micronesia,” premiering tonight at 8 p.m., one 10-member team is made up of favorites from past “Survivors.” But instead of facing another all-star tribe, they’ll battle with 10 super-fans, self-professed “Survivor” obsessives who may know more about their opponents than members of their own families.
CBS is calling the faceoff “Fans vs. Favorites,” and it may help boost the long-fading yet still dominant franchise. Last fall’s “Survivor: China” averaged a 5.1 adults 18-49 rating, even to the previous season but off 7 percent from fall 2006 and tying for the lowest season average in franchise history.
“Survivor’s” last all-star edition four years ago gave the show a decent boost, and there are equally volatile players on this season. “Micronesia” includes perhaps the most hated villain in “Survivor” history, Jonny Fairplay, who once lied about his grandmother’s death in order to avoid elimination.
And it’s facing mainly reruns, with ABC’s “Ugly Betty” and NBC’s “My Name is Earl” and “The Office” all out of original scripted episodes. Even opposite originals last fall, “Survivor” consistently won the timeslot.
In tonight’s episode, the two tribes face their first elimination challenge after the shocked fans discover who they’re competing against.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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NBC
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“Today” (N)
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Actress Brooke Shields is among this morning’s guests. Not coincidentally, she stars in a new NBC series premiering tonight.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“Survivor” (R)
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Season premiere. This season 10 fans compete against 10 of the show’s most memorable contestants.
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8 p.m.
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CW
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“Smallville” (D)
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Lois finds out details surrounding Oliver’s secret.
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9 p.m.
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ABC
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“Lost” (D)
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The castaways run into four unknown people on the island.
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10 p.m.
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NBC
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“Lipstick Jungle” (D)
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Series premiere. Based on the book by Candace Bushnell, three New York women support each other in work, love and life.
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10 p.m.
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VH1
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“Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” (R)
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More of the celebs show progress after some group therapy.
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10 p.m.
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ABC
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“Eli Stone” (D)
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How will the new drama hold up against some fresh competition (NBC’s “Jungle”)?
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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ABC
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“Good Morning America” (N)
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Wall Street Journal writer Wendy Bounds guests.
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8 p.m.
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ESPN
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“NBA Basketball” (S)
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Kevin Garnett visits Minnesota for the first time since being traded as the Wolves host the Celtics.
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9 p.m.
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NBC
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“Friday Night Lights” (D)
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Smash won’t give up on his dream of playing college football.
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9:30 p.m.
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VH1
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“Smash Radio” (N)
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Recently released jailbird Keifer Sutherland is interviewed.
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10 p.m.
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NBC
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“Las Vegas” (D)
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Terry Bradshaw guests as a man with a mysterious winning streak in horse race betting.
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10 p.m.
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USA
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“Psych” (D)
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Shawn and Gus pose as male models while investigating a murder.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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3 p.m.
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CBS
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Third round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which mixes celebrities and pros.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“College Basketball” (S)
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Most will see a good Pac-10 matchup between USC and Washington State.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“NASCAR Racing” (S)
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The 70-lap Budweiser Shootout, which isn’t for points but kicks off the new season.
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9 p.m.
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ESPN
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“College Basketball” (S)
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Important Big East game between Georgetown and Louisville.
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9 p.m.
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Lifetime
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“Making Mr. Right” (M)
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An editor tries to turn a con man into her magazine’s Bachelor of the Year.
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11 p.m.
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Fox
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“Mad TV” (C)
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Among other things, a parody of “Hannah Montana.” Finally!
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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1 p.m.
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ABC
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“NBA Basketball”
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A finals preview? The Spurs take on the Celtics.
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1 p.m.
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Fox
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“NASCAR Racing” (S)
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Qualifying runs for the Daytona 500.
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3 p.m.
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CBS
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Final-round coverage of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which Phil Mickelson won last year.
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4:30 p.m.
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Fox
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“NFL Football” (S)
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Coverage of the Pro Bowl, live from Honolulu.
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8 p.m.
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ABC
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“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (R)
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Two-hour edition in which Ty and Co. help a veteran of the War in Iraq.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“Grammy Awards” (A)
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The 50th annual event, live from Los Angeles. Will Amy Winehouse actually show up?
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10:30 p.m.
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HBO
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“The Wire” (D)
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Omar has disappeared, putting Marlo and his crew on alert.
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A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.
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