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TV This Week

Best tube bets this weekend

The top draws on broadcast and cable and in sports

By Louisa Ada Seltzer

December 14, 2012

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FRIDAY

Best bet on broadcast: ABC, “Malibu Country,” 8:30 p.m. In the fall finale Reba finds out she wasn’t selected to sing the solo at her church’s Christmas service.

Best bet on cable: IFC, “Portlandia,” 10:30 p.m. Season premiere. The weather begins to get colder as winter arrives in Portland.

Top sporting event: ESPNU, “College Football,” 7 p.m. Mount Union plays in its eighth straight national championship game, this time against St. Thomas.

SATURDAY

Best bet on broadcast: Fox, “Cops,”8 p.m. Season premiere. The long-running reality show returns for its 25th season.

Best bet on cable: E!, “Live From the Rolling Stones,” 8 p.m. A preview of the Stones’ 50th anniversary concert.

Top sporting event: ESPN, “College Basketball,” 10 p.m. No. 8 Arizona hosts No. 5 Florida in an interesting nonconference matchup.

SUNDAY

Best bet on broadcast: CBS, “Survivor,” 8:30 p.m. Season finale. Two-hour episode to end the show’s 25th season, followed by the usual reunion episode.

Best bet on cable: Showtime, “Dexter,” 9 p.m. Season finale. Dexter attempts to keep his cover as LaGuerta tries to expose him.

Top sporting event: NBC, “Sunday Night Football,” 8:20 p.m. Great matchup between the 49ers and Patriots.

A look at this week’s top TV draws
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	ABC	“Last Man Standing” (C)	Mike attempts to get rid of the kids for Christmas so Vanessa can relax.
8 p.m.	Disney Channel	“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” (K)	The 2009 movie starring Jim Carrey as Scrooge.
9 p.m.	Fox	“Fringe” (D)	Walter tries LSD in an attempt jolt his memory.
9 p.m.	FX	“UFC Fight Night” (S)	A number of fights, with the main event a lightweight bout between George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson.
10 p.m.	Bravo	“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (R)	Latest episode incorporates various social media elements.
10 p.m.	Science	“Unearthing Ancient Secrets” (N)	Asking and answering questions about Christopher Columbus
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15
Time	Network	Program	Description
2 p.m.	CBS	“College Basketball” (S)	Good nonconference matchup between Butler and Indiana.
4 p.m.	NBC	“Golf” (S)	Eighteen father-son teams compete in a challenge in Orlando.
4:30 p.m.	CBS	“Boxing” (S)	What is this, the 1970s? A championship bout on network TV on a Saturday afternoon, this between bantamweights Leo Santa Cruz and Alberto Guevara.
8 p.m.	Fox	“Cops” (R)	Season premiere. Cops in Toledo respond to a domestic disturbance call.
9 p.m.	FX	“The Ultimate Fighter” (R)	Season finale. The two finalists fight for the UFC contract, live from Las Vegas.
11:30 p.m.	NBC	“Saturday Night Live” (C)	Martin Short hosts, with musical guest Paul McCartney.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	Fox	“The Simpsons” (C)	Homer loses Santa’s Little Helper, which causes Grandpa to recall the story of Homer’s childhood dog.
8:20 p.m.	NBC	“Sunday Night Football” (S)	Super Bowl preview? The 49ers take on the Patriots.
8:30 p.m.	CBS	“Survivor” (R)	Season finale. The jury questions the finalists before they select this season’s winner.
9 p.m.	ABC	“The Bachelorette: Ashley and J.P.’s Wedding” (R)	Chris Harrison hosts the wedding between Ashley and J.P. from the 2011 “Bachelorette” season.
9 p.m.	Fox	“Family Guy” (C)	Peter tells his own version of the story of Christmas.
10 p.m.	Showtime	“Homeland” (D)	Season finale. Carrie has to make a big decision, while Saul starts a secret mission.
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.