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Best tube bets
this weekend


The top draws on broadcast and cable and in sports

Jul 2, 2009

THURSDAY

Best bet on broadcast: NBC, “Today,” 7 a.m. Matt Lauer broadcasts live from the Neverland Ranch, where Michael Jackson lived for 15 years before his death.

Best bet on cable: MTV, “16 and Pregnant,” 10 p.m. The network renewed the first-year show earlier this week.

Top sporting event: ESPN, “Baseball Tonight,” 10 p.m. Catch up on the day’s highlights.

FRIDAY

Best bet on broadcast: Fox, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?,” 8 p.m. Champion eater Joey Chestnut, who will compete in the Nathan’s hot dog contest tomorrow, first tests his wits against a bunch of 10-year-olds.

Best bet on cable: USA, “Bourne Identity,” 8:30 p.m. What better way to celebrate Independence Day than to watch Matt Damon kill a bunch of people while trying to figure out how the American government screwed with his head?

Top sporting event: ESPN2, “Complete Wimbledon,” 8 p.m. Find out who’ll be competing in Sunday’s men’s finals.

SATURDAY
 
Best bet on broadcast: CBS, “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular,” 10 p.m. Craig Ferguson hosts the annual fireworks fest.

Best bet on cable
: ESPN, “Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest,” noon. See professionals go at it before you fire up the grill to cook your own July 4 dogs.  

Top sporting event: NBC, “Wimbledon,” 9 a.m. The ladies’ final.

SUNDAY

Best bet on broadcast: NBC, “Wimbledon,” 9 a.m. The gentlemen’s final.

Best bet on cable: Food Network, “Next Food Network Star,” 9 p.m. Rachael Ray gives the wannabes a challenge.  

Top movie: Hallmark Channel, “Angel and the Badman,” 9 p.m. Original movie. Fresh off his “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here” victory, Lou Diamond Phillips stars in the remake of the John Wayne movie.

 

A look at this week’s top TV draws

THURSDAY, JULY 2

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

ABC

“Samantha Who?” (C)

Sam thinks she may have cost Todd his career as a photographer. Less worrisome now that they’ve both lost their careers, the show being canceled and all.

9 p.m.

Fox

“So You Think You Can Dance” (R)

The field is trimmed to 12 after tonight’s elimination.

9 p.m.

TV Land

“She’s Got the Look” (R)

After assessing their wardrobes, the women go on a shopping trip.

10 p.m.

NBC

“The Listener” (D)

Toby helps a woman find her brother’s killer.

10 p.m.

MTV

“16 and Pregnant” (R)

A teen who wants to join the Air Force instead becomes pregnant.

10 p.m.

Showtime

“Penn & Teller: Bull!” (C)

The duo looks at the idea of destiny.

FRIDAY, JULY 3

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

NBC

“Today” (N)

Musician Rob Thomas performs.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (G)

Eating champion Joey Chestnut is a contestant.

9 p.m.

Travel Channel

“Ghost Adventures” (R)

The crew looks for ghosts at the Bird Cage Theater in Arizona.

9 p.m.

TV Land

“National Lampoon’s Vacation” (M)

The 1983 comedy classic starring Chevy Chase.

10 p.m.

MTV

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (M)

Remember when these special effects were cutting edge and Ah-nold was an actor, not a governator?

10 p.m.

WE

“Bridezillas” (R)

A woman has a panic attack when she tries on her gown.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Time

Network

Program

Description

9 a.m.

NBC

“Tennis” (S)

The women’s final at Wimbledon.

3 p.m.

CBS

“PGA Golf” (S)

Coverage of the third round of the AT&T National.

4 p.m.

Fox

“Major League Baseball” (S)

Another weekend of regional interleague games.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Cops” (R)

Cops in Florida take part in a high-speed chase that results in injuries.

8 p.m.

Cartoon Network

“Brainrush” (G)

Contestants answer trivia questions while riding amusement park rides.

9 p.m.

Fox Soccer Channel, Telefutura

“Soccer” (S)

The U.S. takes on Grenada in Gold Cup group play.

SUNDAY, JULY 5

Time

Network

Program

Description

9 a.m.

NBC

“Tennis” (S)

More coverage from Wimbledon, this time the men’s final.

3 p.m.

CBS

“PGA Golf” (S)

Final round of the AT&T National, won last year by Anthony Kim.

8 p.m.

NBC

“Merlin” (D)

Lancelot shows up to save Merlin from a winged creature. (Bird? Dragon? Time-traveling airplane?)

8 p.m.

ESPN

“Major League Baseball” (S)

The Rays head to Arlington, Texas, to take on the Rangers.

9 p.m.

Univision

“Premios Deportes 2009” (A)

Sports awards show featuring tributes to Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez.

10 p.m.

E!

“Kendra” (R)

Kendra poses for a lingerie shoot while Hank’s home cleaning.

10 p.m.

Lifetime

“Army Wives” (D)

Roxy unsuccessfully tries to plan a reopening party for the bar.

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.




Louisa Ada Seltzer is a staff writer for Media Life.




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