Best bet on broadcast: ABC, “Ugly Betty,” 9 p.m. Despite generally strong reviews for this season creatively, the fourth-year series has averaged a 1.2 (live + SD) Nielsen rating among 18-49s this season, well off from a 2.6 (live + 7) last season. That rumored move to Wednesday to replace the canceled “Eastwick” might help boost numbers to their former level.
Best bet on cable: USA, “White Collar,” 10 p.m. Neal and Peter try to track down some Iraqi artifacts that have been smuggled.
Top sporting event: ESPN2, “MLS Soccer,” 11 p.m. The Western Conference final between the Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy.
SATURDAY
Best bet on broadcast: Fox, “America’s Most Wanted,” 9 p.m. The long-running crime fighting show is usually among Saturday night’s top-rated on broadcast.
Best bet on cable: Syfy, “Ice Twisters,” 9 p.m. One of the network’s delightfully over-the-top sci-fi flicks.
Top sporting event: ESPN, “College Football,” 3:30 p.m. Either Miami-North Carolina or Iowa-Ohio State.
SUNDAY
Best bet on broadcast: Fox, “The Cleveland Show,” 8:30 p.m. Rallo is Cleveland Jr.’s campaign manager as he runs for student council president.
Best bet on cable: History Channel, “WWII in HD,” 9 p.m. The first two parts of a new 10-part series that offers stunning new views of the war.
Top sporting event: NBC, “Sunday Night Football,” 8:15 p.m. Should be the highest-rated “SNF” game of the year between AFC powers New England and Indianapolis.
A look at this week’s top TV draws
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Time
Network
Program
Description
8 p.m.
CBS
“Ghost Whisperer” (D)
Melinda is led to a murdered body by its ghost.
8 p.m.
CW
“Smallville” (D)
Clarkgets in trouble with the law.
9 p.m.
ABC
“Ugly Betty” (D)
Daniel brings Amanda to one of his support group meetings.
9 p.m.
CBS
“Medium” (D)
Ariel has a new boyfriend, but Allison thinks he’s a killer.
9 p.m.
USA
“Monk” (D)
Monk looks for someone who’s trying to ruin a wedding.
10:30 p.m.
ESPN
“NBA Basketball” (S)
The Lakers face off against the Nuggets in Denver.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Time
Network
Program
Description
3:30 p.m.
ABC
“College Football” (S)
Hugely important Big Ten game between Iowa and Ohio State.
8 p.m.
Fox
“Cops” (R)
Cops in California look for a man wanted for domestic violence and burglary.
8 p.m.
Telemundo
“Soccer” (S)
Mexican league match between Chivas and Cruz Azul should draw a good Hispanic audience.
8 p.m.
Nickelodeon
“iCarly” (C)
Carly tries to get Lewbert and his ex-fiancée back together.
9 p.m.
Hallmark Channel
“Flower Girl” (M)
A florist gets caught up in a love triangle.
11:30 p.m.
NBC
“Saturday Night Live” (C)
January Jones hosts and the Black Eyed Peas perform.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Time
Network
Program
Description
3:15 p.m.
ABC
“NASCAR Racing” (S)
Sprint Cup race from Phoenix.
8 p.m.
Fox
“The Simpsons” (C)
Marge poses for a calendar for charity and some racy photos are leaked. To Playboy, apparently.
8:15 p.m.
NBC
“NFL Football” (S)
AFC rivals New England and Indianapolis square off.
9 p.m.
ABC
“Desperate Housewives” (D)
Gaby does all she can to get Juanita into a Catholic school.
9 p.m.
Fox
“Family Guy” (C)
Quagmire becomes a father and realizes it’s not his thing.
9 p.m.
Showtime
“Dexter” (D)
Dexter thinks the Trinity Killer is heading out of town.
10 p.m.
E!
“Girls Next Door” (R)
Hef and the girls head to Italy for a music festival.
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.
