The fourth season of “So You Think You Can Dance” wraps up tonight at 8 p.m., finishing just before NBC’s Beijing Olympics start stealing eyeballs from even the most established summer shows.
“Dance” had another solid season, though its ratings have declined a bit through the summer. The show remains in the top five on broadcast this summer, averaging a 3.6 in adults 18-49 for its Wednesday performance episodes and a 3.5 for its Thursday results show, according to Nielsen.
But in recent weeks, it’s been hovering at or below a 3.0, while still easily winning its timeslot. Tonight it should lift Fox to an easy win on the evening while hitting its best numbers in weeks. It will likely be the last nightly win by a network besides NBC until after the Olympics end on Aug. 24.
As for who will win tonight, there are four finalists in contention: Joshua Allen, Stephen “Twitch” Boss, Courtney Galiano and Katee Shean. The winner gets $250,000.
Much of tonight’s show will be filler, since the finalists gave their final performances last night. Expect to see most of this season’s castoffs reunited, as well as some dancers from previous seasons who will return for exhibition dances.
But the biggest ratings pumper could be an appearance by three singers, not dancers. The Jonas Brothers, coming off Monday’s performance on the “Teen Choice Awards” that lifted ratings to a four-year high, will perform a song off their new album.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
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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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“Big Brother” (R)
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Another houseguest is bounced from the compound.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“So You Think You Can Dance” (R)
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Season finale. The season’s winner is selected.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Last Comic Standing” (R)
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Season finale. The $250,000 winner is selected, and Jon Lovitz performs.
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9 p.m.
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TBS
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“The Bill Engvall Show” (C)
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Lauren gets a job at the mall but immediately clashes with her boss.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Flashpoint” (D)
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A botched bank robbery turns into a hostage situation.
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10 p.m.
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TLC
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“Miami Ink” (R)
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The crew visits New Orleans and does some guest work at a friend’s parlor.
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10 p.m.
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USA
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“Burn Notice” (D)
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Michael helps plan a jewelry heist.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
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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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ABC
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“Good Morning America” (N)
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The Jonas Brothers perform.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics: Opening Ceremony” (A, S)
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Who will light the Olympic cauldron?
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9 p.m.
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Animal Planet
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“Puppy Games” (G)
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A slew of pups take part in athletic events.
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9 p.m.
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USA
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“Monk” (D)
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Monk looks into death threats made against a professional boxer.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Swingtown” (D)
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Janet and Roger decide to go see a therapist.
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10 p.m.
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USA
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“Psych” (D)
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Shawn, Gus and Henry look for hidden treasure.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 9
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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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Events this morning include a live women’s volleyball match and swimming.
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2 p.m.
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CBS
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Third round of the PGA Championship, live from Oakland Hills.
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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 it’s either Yankees-Angels or Cardinals-Cubs.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Tonight Michael Phelps goes for his first medal of the Games.
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9 p.m.
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Fox
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“America’s Most Wanted” (N)
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Usually performs solidly on Saturdays, but will it hold up against the Olympics?
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11 p.m.
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Fox
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“Mad TV” (C)
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Spoofs of Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 10
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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, Coach K and the U.S. men’s basketball team take on Yao Ming and China.
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2 p.m.
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CBS
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Final round of the PGA Championship, the year’s final major, won last year by Tiger Woods.
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2 p.m.
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ESPN
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“NASCAR Racing” (S)
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A Sprint Cup road race from Watkins Glen, N.Y.
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7 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Tonight it’s women’s gymnastics, swimming and diving.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“Big Brother” (R)
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This week’s nominations for eviction are revealed.
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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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A mutilated body found in a creek leads to a good number of suspects.
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10 p.m.
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VH1
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“Brooke Knows Best” (R)
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Brooke goes wakeboarding and plays paintball with her new love interest.
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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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