TV This Week Best tube bets this weekend
By Louisa Ada Seltzer
Jul 2, 2009 - 12:56:44 AM
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.
