Best tube bets
this weekend
The top draws on broadcast and cable and in sports
By Louisa Ada Seltzer
Feb 17, 2012
FRIDAY
Best bet on broadcast: NBC, "NAACP Image Awards," 8 p.m. Lenny Kravitz and Jill Scott are among the performers at the 43rd annual event.
Best bet on cable: TBS, "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," 8 p.m. The first of four new back-to-back episodes.
Top sporting event: ESPN, "NBA Basketball," 8 p.m. The first half of a doubleheader pits the Dallas Mavericks versus the Philadelphia 76ers.
SATURDAY
Best bet on broadcast: NBC, "Saturday Night Live," 11:30 p.m. Former musical guest Maya Rudolph hosts, with musical guests Sleigh Bells.
Best bet on cable: Nickelodeon, "Victorious," 8 p.m. Tori thinks Andre's new girlfriend is changing him for the worse.
Top sporting event: Fox, "NASCAR Racing," 8 p.m. The 34th annual Budweiser Shootout, live from Daytona.
SUNDAY
Best bet on broadcast: Fox, "The Simpsons," 8 p.m. The Simpson family is banished from Springfield in the show's 500th episode.
Best bet on cable: E!,
"Khloe & Lamar," 10 p.m. Season premiere. Rob moves out of the couple's house and Lamar deals with the NBA lockout.
Top sporting event: ABC, "NBA Basketball," 1 p.m.
Linsanity hits broadcast TV as the Knicks host the champion Mavericks. And yes, you will be sick of all the Lin puns by the end of the game.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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"Undercover Boss" (R)
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The CEO of Checkers and Rally's works at his burger joints.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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"NAACP Image Awards" (A)
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Live coverage of the 43rd annual event.
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8 p.m.
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ESPN
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"NBA Basketball" (S)
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The defending champion Mavericks take on a hot 76ers team in Philadelphia.
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9 p.m.
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Fox
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"Fringe" (D)
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A mental patient is somehow connected to a chain of murders.
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10 p.m.
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VH1
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"The Greatest Women in Music" (A)
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The fifth of five parts. |
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11:35 p.m.
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CBS
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"Late Show with David Letterman" (T)
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"Saturday Night Live" star Kristen Wiig guests.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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"NASCAR Racing" (S)
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The Budweiser Shootout, a preseason non-points race from Daytona.
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8 p.m.
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Animal Planet
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"My Cat from Hell" (R)
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A couple with a 2-year-old has a cat that vomits and attacks when it's angry.
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8 p.m.
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Showtime
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"The Ride" (N)
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"Amazing Race" host Phil Keoghan rides 3,500 miles across the U.S. on a bike.
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8:30 p.m.
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The Hub
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"Transformers: Prime" (K)
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The animated series premieres its second season.
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9 p.m.
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ESPN
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"College Basketball" (S)
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The best game of the day features Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State.
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11:30 p.m.
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NBC
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"Saturday Night Live" (C)
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Former cast member Maya Rudolph hosts.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19
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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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ESPN
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"College Basketball" (S)
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Rutgers hosts Big East conference rival Syracuse.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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"NBA Basketball" (S)
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All-Florida matchup between the Magic and Heat in Miami.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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"The Amazing Race" (R)
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Season premiere. The reality competition begins its 20th season. Yes, you read that right.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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"The Simpsons" (C)
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In the show's 500th episode the family is banished from Springfield after Homer gets too drunk.
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9 p.m.
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NBC
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"Celebrity Apprentice" (R)
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Season premiere. The Donald returns for a 12th season.
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10 p.m.
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HBO
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"Eastbound & Down" (C)
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Season premiere. Kenny works as a closer for a minor league team in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
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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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