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TV This Week

For 'Unan1mous,'
a final twist of fate 


And perhaps the knife for the contest winner

May 10, 2006

It's become an unwritten rule that reality shows, especially Fox shows, must have unexpected twists. Typically there's a cruel twist as well. So expect a big one tonight when the season finale of "Unan1mous" at 9:30 p.m. reveals which contestant wins the cash prize of $1.5 million.

Scratch that.

The contestants were told that the winner would get a $1.5 million prize once they made a unanimous decision on who should win all that money. But the longer they took to decide, the less money they will get, with only Fox knowing going into the finale just how far the jackpot will ultimately fall. Tonight's winner potentially could end up with just enough to cover a few Happy Meals.

It's a cruel ending for a moderately successful show, which Fox brought in a couple months ago after various sitcoms failed to generate much interest in the valuable post-"American Idol" slot. The network may well go with reality again next year after "Unan1mous'" relative success.

With a 6.0 average among adults 18-49, "Unan1mous" has retained about half of what "American Idol" averages the half hour preceding it. That's better than "Stacked" did last year in the same slot. Still, Fox needed to end the show early in the May sweeps to make way for super-sized “Idols” the next two weeks.

Given the network’s love for twists and turns, who knows what it might do for a big finish on “Unan1mous.” It wouldn't be surprising at all if the show's producers ended up giving the remainder of that original prize money to one of the contestants who has already been knocked out of the competition.

Anything is possible.

A look at this week’s top TV draws

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

Fox

"American Idol" (R)

And then there were three. This results show will reveal which contestants get to remain and warble their hearts out.

8 p.m.

ABC

"Alias" (D)

Finally, we get to see more of Sydney's beloved Vaughn, who isn't quite dead.

9 p.m.

NBC

"Law & Order" (D)

Michael Imperioli takes a break from "The Sopranos" to try to crack a case in which he's the prime suspect.

9 p.m.

ABC

"Lost" (D)

We learn whether Libby survived Michael's gun shot. Also, Locke and Mr. Ecko whup some island butt.

10 p.m.

Discovery Health

"Ultimate Plastic Surgery: Before & After" (R)

The anti-"Dr. 90210." Doctors show what plastic surgery can do for patients with actual serious disfigurements. Not that big noses and flat chests aren't.

11:35 p.m.

NBC

"Tonight Show" (T)

Nick Lachey makes an appearance to bleat out his latest Jessica-done-him-wrong ballad.

THURSDAY, MAY 11

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

WB

"Smallville" (D)

The season finale ends with Lois and Martha in peril, and Lana oblivious to Clark's considerable charms.

8 p.m.

Fox

"That '70s Show" (C)

First Kelso, then Hyde, now Fez? Jackie, Jackie, Jackie--girlfriend needs to aim higher.

8 p.m.

PBS

"Soundstage" (T)

Backed by a 16-piece orchestra, Sheryl Crow sings cuts from her album "Wildflower."

8:40 p.m.

NBC

"My Name Is Earl" (C)

Earl and his brother wait for karma to slap them some good luck, but end up broke instead.

11:35 p.m.

NBC

"Tonight Show" (T)

Jay Leno had better nail down his sofa. Tom Cruise makes an appearance to chat about his baby, his fiancé and "Mission Impossible III."

FRIDAY, MAY 12

Time

Network

Program

Description

7:30 p.m.

The N

"Instant Star" (R)

With her CD all done, Jude's record label throws her a celebratory shindig in this season finale.

8 p.m.

CBS

"Keith Barry: Extraordinary" (T)

Ireland's Keith Barry leaves the creepy magic stuff to the likes of David Blaine and charms celebs like Jessica Simpson and Rachel Hunter with his more traditional card games.

8:30 p.m.

FX

"Auto Racing: NASCAR Busch Series" (S)

Matt Kenseth beat Kenny Wallace in this event last year. Tonight, in the live event, the drivers are looking to shake things up again on Darlington Raceway, NASCAR's oldest big track.

9 p.m.

NBC

"Las Vegas" (D)

There's a big wedding planned for the third-season finale. Guests sharing a nice chicken dinner at the reception include Dean Cain, Jerry O'Connell and uberchef Wolfgang Puck.

9 p.m.

BBC America

"The Thick of It" (C)

Satirical like "The Office" (the original British version), this English series stars Chris Langham as a government official who doesn't quite have what it takes to get the job done.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Time

Network

Program

Description

6 p.m.

HGTV

"International Furniture Show 2006) (T)

Check out all the furniture you love and can't afford. Hosted by Gail O'Neill and Mark Totty, whose last name is very fun.

8 p.m.

CNN

"Chasing Angelina--Paparazzi and Celebrity Obsession" (T)

A documentary about the stars and the paparazzi who love them. Or who love to make money off of them, anyhow.

8 p.m.

TLC

"Little People, Big World" (R)

The Roloffs have won enough viewers to warrant a second season. In the first-season finale, Zach nervously prepares to go on his first date.

9 p.m.

Starz

"Lords of Dogtown" (M)

Heath Ledger stars in this extreme skateboarding flick where the stunts are more important than the plot.

10:30 p.m.

Cartoon

"Justice League Unlimited" (K)

Aw heck, there's no school tomorrow. Let the kids stay up late to catch the season finale, where the heroes must form an alliance to beat their foes.

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Time

Network

Program

Description

7:30 p.m.

Fox

"King of the Hill" (C)

Tom Petty lends his voice to the 10th-season finale as Lucky, who's out to win Luanne's hand in marriage.

8 p.m.

CBS

"Survivor: Panama--Exile Island" (R)

The first two hours shows the players being narrowed down to the final two contestants. The winner is announced in the third hour, which takes place on a live reunion show.

8 p.m.

NBC

"West Wing (D)

The critically acclaimed drama ends with a series finale that will tug at heartstrings. Bartlet leaves the White House after Santos is inaugurated.

8:30 p.m.

Fox

"Malcolm in the Middle" (C)

Malcom finally escapes his loving but annoying, dysfunctional family as he prepares for life at Harvard. This is also the show's swansong episode.

8 p.m.

NBC

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (D)

The crime drama ends its season with two back-to-back episodes. The first showcases the sleuthing techniques of hinky Goren and Eames as they try to nab an arsonist. The second has Logan and Barek searching for a killer who bludgeoned his last victims.

9 p.m.

VH1

"Surreal Life" (R)

This tacky (but addictive) series ends its sixth season with Tawny Kitaen finally doing what she's wanted to all year long--stripping off her clothes to show she's still as hot as her Playboy centerfold roomie.

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.

 



Jae-Ha Kim is a staff writer for Media Life.




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