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Couples counseling
through 'Fear Factor'

Tonight on NBC, twosomes square off for $1M

   Nine couples between the ages of 21 and 33 will compete for seven weeks for a chance at $1 million. Sound like the latest season of “Paradise Hotel?”
   Only instead of late night soaks in the hot tub, these couples’ relationships will be tested by dangerous stunts and live insects. That could only be the work of NBC and the network’s hit gross-out reality show “Fear Factor.”   
   Of course, it can’t hurt the show’s ratings that the 18 contestants are easy on the eyes, although watching them dangle from wires, swim through mud, and bob for snakes may turn the stomachs of some viewers regardless of their appearance.
   Still, there may be no better test of a good relationship than seeing if you are willing to carry worms in your mouth and whether your partner is willing to endure being buried by them.

A look at this week’s top TV draws

MONDAY, JANUARY 12

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

CBS

“The Early Show” (N)

The announcement of the cast list for “Survivor: All-Stars.”

8 p.m.

NBC

“Fear Factor” (R)

Thus begineth a seven-episode couples special. How to prove you really love your gal? Down a mealworm smoothie.

9 p.m.

Lifetime

“Gracie’s Choice” (M)

Original movie. Anne Heche plays a mom who can’t take care of her kids. But Anne seems so stable!

9:10 p.m.

NBC

“Las Vegas” (D)

Alec becomes the second Baldwin brother slumming on TV this week (maybe he’ll stop by ABC’s “Mole” and rescue Stephen).

10 p.m.

TCM

“Pride of the Yankees” (M)

Classic 1942 movie. Ah, the days before Steinbrenner.

10 p.m.

TNT

NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at LA Lakers (S)

With Shaq and Malone out, LA finally faltered. That still may not be enough to give rookie phenom Lebron James and improving Cleveland a win.

11:35 p.m.

NBC

“Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (T)

Pete Rose continues his amnesty-for-the-irrational tour.

12:37 a.m.

CBS

“Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn” (T)

Yesterday John Henson’s new “John Henson Project” debuted on Spike. Today he talks to Craig.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

ABC

“Good Morning, America” (N)

“American Idol” host Randy Jackson pops in to flog his new book entitled (sadly, this is no joke) “What’s Up Dawg.”

8 p.m.

ABC

“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” (C)

David Spade begins his guest stint, playing (what else?) an annoying relative.

8 p.m.

Bravo

“Celebrity Poker Showdown” (R)

Season finale. It seems like a question that never really needed to be answered: Who is the best poker player in Hollywood?

8:30 p.m.

ABC

“I’m With Her” (C)

Penny Marshall appears as herself.

9 p.m.

UPN

“America’s Next Top Model” (R)

Season premiere. Tyra Banks’ hottiefest, the best thing to happen to UPN’s Tuesday ratings since “Buffy,” returns.

10 p.m.

ABC

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (D)

Barry Bostwick, one of the only reasons to watch “Spin City,” guests.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

CBS

“CSI” (D)

In a special Wednesday episode (it’s new), it’s creepy plotline revival as Grissom investigates the death of a woman who resembles Sara and thus has to deal with his attraction to her (Sara, not the corpse).

8:30 p.m.

Fox

“The Simple Life” (R)

Series finale. Seems odd to be airing this the day after the “Simple Life” reunion aired, huh?

8 p.m.

PBS

“Live From Lincoln Center” (V)

The incomparable violinist Joshua Bell performs with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

9 p.m.

ABC

“The Bachelorette” (R)

Season premiere. “Bachelor” Bob passed her over, but she may be the better for it – fickle Bob reportedly has moved on from final choice Estella.

ESPN

9 p.m.

College men’s basketball: North Carolina at Maryland (S)

It’s January, and that means great ACC games.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

NBC

“Today” (N)

Fresh off a failed bid to buy New York magazine, Donny Deutsch sits for an interview.

Check listings

ABC

“The View” (T)

If you’re one of the many who resolved to lose weight for the new year, back away from the Zone bar and watch the segment on choosing the right diet.

8 p.m.

Court TV

“Hollywood Justice” (N)

A look at the Kobe Bryant rape case.

8 p.m.

History Channel

“Lady by the Sea: The Statue of Liberty” (A)

A new 55-minute documentary on New York’s most famous lady, followed by a docu on Ellis Island.

9:40 p.m.

Showtime

“L Word Defined” (A)

A special preview of the pay cabler’s new show, “The L Word.” (That’s lesbian, FYI.)

10 p.m.

TCM

“The Goodbye Girl” (M)

Do the Turner networks have synergy or what? A day before the TNT remake debuts, TCM gooses the memory by airing the 1977 original.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

Disney Channel

“Pixel Perfect” (M)

Original movie. A boy creates a Max Headroom-like singer to front his friend’s band.

8 p.m.

ESPN

PGA Tour: Sony Open (S)

Annika Sorenstam isn’t the only woman who can play with the boys. Although technically 14-year-old Michelle Wie, who plays this event for the second year, isn’t yet a woman.

8 p.m.

HBO

“Real Time with Bill Maher” (C)

Season premiere. The former “Politically Incorrect” host starts his second season. Insert Michael Jackson joke here.

8 p.m.

TNT

“The Goodbye Girl” (M)

Original movie. Neil Simon’s classic, remade with Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) and Jeff Bridges.

10 p.m.

A&E

“Between the Lines” (N)

Series premiere. Robert Downey Jr. hosts this look at letters written throughout history.

10 p.m.

Food Network

“Dweezil and Lisa” (V)

Series premiere. Eat and drink with rockers Lisa Loeb and Dweezil Zappa (do you really have any other career choices when that’s your first name?).

10 p.m.

USA

“Monk” (C/D)

Season premiere. The cleanest cop around returns to the beat for the third season.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

Time

Network

Program

Description

3:30 p.m.

ABC

NBA: Minnesota at Houston (S)

ABC begins Saturday coverage of the NBA, after premiering the season on Christmas Day.

11 p.m.

ESPN2

St. Mary’s (Calif.) at Gonzaga (S)

No matter how low the NCAA seeds them, the Zags making the Sweet Sixteen no longer qualifies as a Cinderella. Sorry.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

Time

Network

Program

Description

10 a.m.

CBS

“Face the Nation” (N)

Starting this month, the public affairs show adds a new weekly segment called “Face the Nation Flashbacks,” celebrating the program’s 50th anniversary.

3 p.m.

CBS

NFL playoffs: AFC championship game

One thing’s for sure, there won’t be any repeats – the Oakland Raiders are all out golfing.

6:45 p.m.

Fox

NFL playoffs: NFC championship game

No repeats here, either, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also missing the playoffs.

A = Awards show or special,  C = comedy, D = drama, K = kids, M = movie, N = News/Documentary, R = reality, S = Sports, T = Talk/Variety show.
Source: Media Life

 


January 12, 2004© 2004 Media Life


 


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