Weddings are a frequent sweeps stunt, but rarely does the couple live happily ever after. That’s likely to be especially true on the CW’s “Smallville.”
Tonight at 8 p.m., Chloe and Jimmy finally get married after weeks of buildup, but as usual things don’t go as planned. For one thing, Clark’s ex, Lana Lang, returns after months away, sending Superman into turmoil, and for another, one of the wedding guests is in mortal danger by the time the reception starts.
So it goes on “Smallville,” which has been chugging along reliably for the CW and, before that, the WB for eight seasons now. Though there have been rumors that this will be the show’s last, especially after original cast members Kristin Kreuk (Lang) and Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) left last year, there hasn’t been a decision either way on the show’s fate.
Working in its favor would seem to be the CW’s recent decision to nix a pilot for a new series focused on Batman sidekick Robin. After all, how many superhero dramas does a network need when its target demographic is women 18-34?
But “Smallville,” while pulling relatively modest ratings, still has a devoted fan base, and it hit season highs on the first night of sweeps three weeks ago among total viewers (4.3 million), adults 18-34 (1.8) and men 18-34 (2.2), its sweet spot.
Even if the show ends next spring, there could still be some cliffhangers.
There will be several coming out of tonight’s wedding show, including the fate of Davis Bloom and Clark’s complex relationship with ex-girlfriend Lana. They won’t be solved for some time, as the show won’t return with originals until January.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
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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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Musical legend Tony Bennett guests.
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7:30 p.m.
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ESPN
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“College Football” (S)
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Important ACC game between Miami and Georgia Tech.
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8 p.m.
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CW
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“Smallville” (D)
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Doomsday tries to kidnap Chloe at her wedding.
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9 p.m.
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CBS
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“CSI” (D)
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A mother and child are killed in a double homicide.
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9 p.m.
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ABC
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“Grey’s Anatomy” (D)
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Lexie and Sadie have what should be a routine surgery go wrong.
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10 p.m.
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NBC
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“ER” (D)
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Can ratings stay up after Anthony Edwards’ guest appearance last week?
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Eleventh Hour” (D)
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Hood looks into a government experiment involving soldiers.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
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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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CW
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“Everybody Hates Chris” (C)
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Chris goes out with a nerdy girl so her feelings aren’t hurt.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“Ghost Whisperer” (D)
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Melinda tries to help a guy with amnesia.
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9 p.m.
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History Channel
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“Gangland” (N)
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A look at the gang culture in New Orleans.
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10 p.m.
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Sci Fi Channel
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“Sanctuary” (D)
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Will looks into a suicide with help from a teen artist.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Numb3rs” (D)
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A passenger train crashes into a freighter carrying toxic materials.
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10 p.m.
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USA
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“The Starter Wife” (D)
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Molly and Zach discuss their relationship after dealing with Molly’s stalker.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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Noon
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ABC
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“College Football” (S)
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Michigan might be struggling this year, but its annual date with Ohio State is always a big one.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“College Football” (S)
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Another Big Ten game, this between Michigan State and Penn State, could decide the conference title.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“Cops” (R)
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Cops in Las Vegas hear gunshots and investigate.
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8 p.m.
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ABC
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“College Football” (S)
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Huge Big 12 game between Texas Tech and Oklahoma.
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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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Investigating drug smugglers in the Caribbean.
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10 p.m.
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HBO
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“Boxing” (S)
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Ricky Hatton versus Paulie Malignaggi for the junior welterweight title.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“Soccer” (S)
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The Major League Soccer championship game.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“24: Redemption” (M)
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Jack Bauer helps school kids in Africa while a new president is inaugurated in the U.S.
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8 p.m.
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ABC
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“American Music Awards” (A)
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The 36th annual event, hosted this year by Jimmy Kimmel.
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8:15 p.m.
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NBC
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“Sunday Night Football” (S)
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The Colts take on the Chargers in an AFC battle.
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9 p.m.
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History Channel
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“Cities of the Underworld” (N)
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A look at the underground of Belgium, including World War I-era tunnels and trenches.
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10 p.m.
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Showtime
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“Californication” (C)
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Hank actually turns down an offer for sex.
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10 p.m.
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HBO
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“Entourage” (C)
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Season finale. With the movie shoot all done, Vince and the guys head to New York City.
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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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