FRIDAY
Best bet on broadcast: NBC, “Summer Olympics,” 8 p.m. Track and field coverage begins.
Best bet on cable: BET, “The Truth With Jeff Johnson,” 11 p.m. Series premiere. The network launches a new half-hour news/talk show.
Top sporting event: Fox, “Preseason: Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans,” 8 p.m. For those still mapping out fantasy football choices, a look at two AFC teams.
SATURDAY
Best bet on broadcast: NBC, “Summer Olympics,”8 p.m. If all has gone well for Michael Phelps, the swimming phenom will be going for gold medal No. 8 tonight, in a race NBC will broadcast live across the country.
Best bet on cable: Style Network, “The Dish,” 10 p.m. Series premiere. Danielle Fishel, aka Topanga on “Boy Meets World,” hosts this new show that takes a humorous look at fashion.
Top sporting event: ESPN, “Little League Baseball,” 8 p.m. Pool play continues.
SUNDAY
Best bet on broadcast: NBC, “Summer Olympics,” 7 p.m. Gymnastics event finals kick off.
Best bet on cable: USA, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” 9 p.m. Chris Noth leaves “L&O” once again, some 20 years after he first took on the role of Mike Logan.
Top sporting event: WGN, “Major League Baseball,” 1 p.m. Postseason preview? The Florida Marlins host the Chicago Cubs.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 15
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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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Swimmer Katie Hoff guests.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“NFL Football” (S)
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The Raiders face the Titans in more exhibition play.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Michael Phelps competes live in the 100-meter fly.
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9 p.m.
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USA
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“Monk” (D)
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Monk gets stranded underwater aboard a Navy submarine.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Swingtown” (D)
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Ahh, the ‘70s. Tom and Trina teach their neighbors to line dance.
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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 look to permanently jail a convict from the ‘70s who might be released on a technicality.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 16
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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10 a.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Among other things, the U.S. takes on world champions Spain in men’s basketball.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“Little League World Series” (S)
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Pool play in the LLWS.
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3:30 p.m.
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Fox
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“Major League Baseball” (S)
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Today we have Angels-Indians, Mariners-Twins or White Sox-A’s.
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7 p.m.
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WGN
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“Major League Baseball” (S)
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The Cubs take on the surprising Marlins down in Florida.
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7:30 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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More Michael Phelps, competing live in the 4x100 medley relay.
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11 p.m.
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Showtime
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“Eddie Griffin: Freedom of Speech” (C)
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The comedian performs a set in Atlanta.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 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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10 a.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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A variety of lower-key events, including women’s’ volleyball and table tennis, and men’s badminton.
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3 p.m.
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CBS
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Last round of the Wyndham Championship, won last year by Brandt Snedeker.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“Little League World Series” (S)
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More pool play from the LLWS.
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7 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Tonight we have individual event finals in gymnastics.
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9 p.m.
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HBO
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“Generation Kill” (D)
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First Recon wonders if its time in Iraq is coming to an end.
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9 p.m.
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USA
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“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (D)
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Tonight is Chris Noth’s final episode.
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10 p.m.
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E!
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“Pam: Girl on the Loose” (R)
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Pam attends a White House Correspondents Dinner.
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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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