TV THIS WEEK

Annie Duke Takes on the World May 1, 2006 By Jae-Ha Kim Media Life Magazine         Airing a new poker series a couple years after the poker craze has already peaked can be a bold move, but GSN is gambling on a win with "Annie Duke Takes on the World," which premieres at 9 tonight.         Hosted by the telegenic Duke--considered to be the top female professional poker player--the hour-long program pits four amateur players against each other every week. The winner gets to play a game of one-on-one Texas hold 'em against Duke herself.         The casual poker fan may know of Duke for her celebrity ties. She coached Matt Damon and Ben Affleck when they wanted to perfect their game. In 2004 the latter even went on to win the $10,000 California State Poker Championship No Limit Hold'em tournament at the Commerce Casino, along with its $356,000 first prize. As if he needed the money.         After peaking two years ago, interest in poker began to wane in the proliferation of poker series floating around on Fox Sports, the Travel Channel, ESPN and Bravo. The latter's "Celebrity Poker Showdown"--hosted by Dave Foley--offers a mixture of expert advice and celebrity eye candy, but even that show's ratings are down from its peak.         As a woman in a field dominated by men, Duke has something a little different to offer viewers. Too bad it's not a substitute for comic Regan Burns, kind of a poor man's Dave Foley, who serves as her sidekick.

Big hair affair: Remembering 'Dynasty' May 2, 2006 By Jae-Ha Kim Media Life Magazine         Last night's Yankees vs. Red Sox battle had nothing on the tiffs that'll be rehashed on CBS's "Dynasty: Catfights and Caviar," a reunion show of sorts that airs at 10 tonight. The knockdown fights between big-hair sporting Alexis Carrington Colby (Joan Collins) and Krystle Carrington (Linda Evans) are the stuff of primetime soap operas.         Who doesn't remember the first time they saw the heavily made-up mavens drag each other into a pond and pull each other's hair (and shoulder pads) out with wicked delight?         Besides Collins and Evans, the special will include appearances by John Forsythe, who played patriarch Blake Carrington and is best known to moviegoers of a certain age as the voice of Charlie in the "Charlie's Angels" films.         Pamela Sue Martin, Al Corley and Catherine Oxenberg also chat about their most famous roles. The over-the-top acting and heaving bosoms were a staple on the show, which aired during America's real-life period that celebrated material hedonism.         This marks CBS’s special big sweeps stunt during May, coming after Sunday’s decent outing for the Tom Selleck movie “Jesse Stone.” But don’t look for the “Dynasty” rehash to give CBS a huge lift.         Aside from exceptions like last year's "Happy Days" special, which drew 18 million, reunion shows traditionally don't all that well in the ratings. And at a time when "Lost," "Desperate Housewives" and "The Sopranos" are television's it shows, "Dynasty" falls into a nether region where it's not old enough to be a classic yet too old to offer any relevance.         So why would anyone tune in to this special (which, oddly enough, is airing on CBS even though the 1981-1989 series aired on ABC)? Perhaps to remind viewers of the weekly campy fun and mindless scripts that managed to weave in plots involving comas, massacres and kidnappings with twisted seriousness.         And then, of course, there're those shoulder pads.

'One Tree Hill,' and drooping way over May 3, 2006 By Jae-Ha Kim Media Life Magazine         "One Tree Hill" has never been as compelling or interesting as fellow WB shows "Dawson's Creek" or "Gilmore Girls." So upon hearing that tonight's season finale also may be the three-year old drama's finale, even fans may be muttering a tepid, "Eh."         Developed as a showcase for series star Chad Michael Murray--who proved quite popular on those other WB programs--"One Tree Hill" is meant to deal with the tribulations of a group of teenagers transitioning into adulthood.         Unfortunately, the antics of series stars Murray and his ex-wife Sophia Bush, as well as his new engagement to one of the show's teenage extras, have long overshadowed any of the plotlines on the soapy drama.         Ratings for tonight's episode, which airs at 8 p.m., could very well help determine whether the show gets picked up on the fall schedule of the CW, as it morphs from the WB and UPN.         The show, once a hot program among teen viewers, actually finished third in its timeslot last week in that demo, behind UPN's "America's Next Top Model" and Fox's "Bones," not a promising sign. It was a mere 0.2 rating points ahead of Univision's "La Bella Mas Fea" during its first half hour with just a 1.8.         For tonight's finale, here's hoping the show's writers resolve once and for all whether Lucas (Murray) ends up with Brooke (Bush) or Peyton (Hilarie Burton).         And if the show does move to the CW, it might be a good time to close this love triangle and start with a fresh idea.

Brady kick for fading 'That '70s Show' May 4, 2006 By Jae-Ha Kim  Media Life Magazine         May 18 marks the series finale of "That '70s Show." This week marks what may be funnier, two back-to-back new episodes, one of which features guest appearances by real-life '70s stars Christopher Knight and Barry Williams from that real '70s show, "The Brady Bunch."          If they're not quite as famous as some previous guest stars (Bruce Willis, Luke Wilson, Brooke Shields), their kitsch factor complements the show pretty well. The pair, who played brothers Peter and Greg Brady, respectively, portray a gay couple who move in next door to Red and Kitty Forman.          The Fox comedy, which airs from 8 to 9 tonight, has lost some of its momentum due to a variety of factors. It's currently in its eighth season and what once was kind of charming, watching high school kids acting like kids, has grown old, much like the actors who play the characters.          Ratings have fallen off 21 percent, from a 3.4 adults 18-49 average last season to a 2.7 this season, when the show moved from Wednesdays to Thursday, where it has struggled even more.          Plus, the show lost its most popular stars in 2005 when Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher left the series to concentrate on their burgeoning film careers. As stupid as their characters were, they were more interesting to watch than the B-listers (that’s you, Wilmer Valderrama) who are left on the show.

A look at this week’s top TV draws

 
MONDAY, MAY 1
8 p.m. Fox “Prison Break” (D) Linc’s shackled to a wall in an isolated cell—how will he ever get out of that one?
8 p.m. NBC “Deal or No Deal” (G) Place your bets.
9 p.m. ABC “Supernanny” (R) Season finale. The mother in a separated couple has trouble with her two kids.
9 p.m. Fox “24” (D) Jack’s on the plan in pursuit of the tape, but what happens when he retrieves it?
9 p.m. A&E “Abused” (N) A look at Susan Greenberg, who spent 18 years in prison for killing the man who raped and tortured her.
10 p.m. CBS “CSI: Miami” (D) A newlywed is pushed off a cruise ship and then attacked by sharks.
10 p.m. TLC “Shalom in the Home” (R) A man who converted to Islam from Judaism for his wife now fights with her about it.

TUESDAY, MAY 2
7:30 p.m. ESPN “NFL Draft Wrap-Up” (S) Analysis of who went where and how they’ll impact their new teams.
8 p.m. CBS “NCIS” (D) A drug dealer dies at headquarters, and Ziva’s a suspect.
8 p.m. Fox “American Idol” (R) Each of the final five perform two songs, one from the year they were born, the other from the current Billboard charts.
9 p.m. NBC “Scrubs” (C) Dr. Cox shows up to work drunk before he’s forced into a leave of absence.
9 p.m. Fox “House” (D) Part one of two has the doctors treating a cop who was injured in a shooting.
9 p.m. Bravo “Blow Out” (R) Season finale. Jonathan shoots his first national commercial.
10 p.m. CBS “Dynasty Reunion: Catfights and Caviar” (A) Ahh, the smell of May sweeps stunts is in the air.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
8 p.m. Fox “House” (D) The second of a special two-parter, which should boost Fox’s weekly average.
8 p.m. UPN “America’s Next Top Model” (R) While in Thailand, one of the models heads to the emergency room.
9 p.m. Fox “American Idol” (R) The tension is hot now as only four contestants will remain after tonight.
9 p.m. NBC “Dateline” (N) Another special edition of NBC’s news magazine, which last week helped boost its Wednesday.
9 p.m. ABC “Lost” (D) Jack and Kate finally return to camp with some details about The Others.
10 p.m. CBS “CSI: NY” (D) The team finds a dead woman dressed as a mermaid in the East River.
10 p.m. TV Guide Channel “25 Things You Didn’t Know About Supernatural TV” (A) A look at shows like “Medium,” “The 4400” and “Ghost Whisperer.”

THURSDAY, MAY 4
8 p.m. UPN “Everybody Hates Chris” (C) Local hoodlums give Chris tips on how to raise money selling cookies.
8 p.m. NBC “Will & Grace” (C) Will and Vince are back together, which makes "It's all about me" Grace worry about what will happen with the baby.
9 p.m. CBS “CSI” (D) An assistant movie producer is found dead on the loading dock of a casino.
9 p.m. NBC “My Name is Earl” (C) Earl tracks down a former crush he once shot with a BB gun.
9 p.m. Fox “The O.C.” (D) Seth, already worried about college and women, finds something else to worry about.
10 p.m. Discovery Military “Iraq vs. Iraq” (N) Comparisons between the 1991 war and the current one.
10 p.m. CBS “Without a Trace” (D) A single dad and his two kids disappear from their home.

FRIDAY, MAY 5
8 p.m. Fox “School of Rock” (M) Funny 2003 movie starring Jack Black as a failed musician posing as a substitute teacher.
8 p.m. CBS “Ghost Whisperer” (D) Season finale. Hundreds of spirits ask Melinda for help at the scene of a plane crash.
8 p.m. Discovery “Deadliest Catch” (R) Crab fishing in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
9 p.m. NBC “Las Vegas” (D) Delinda has an answer to Derek’s proposal.
9 p.m. Comedy Central “Stand Up Nation with Greg Giraldo” (C) A Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring a slew of comics, including Carlos Mencia.
10 p.m. CBS “Numb3rs” (D) Hackers take control of Don’s checking and savings accounts.
11 p.m. HBO “Real Time with Bill Maher” (C) Maher delivers more of his left-leaning comedy.

SATURDAY, MAY 6
2 p.m. NBC “NHL Hockey” (S) Coverage of the conference semifinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
3 p.m. CBS “PGA Golf” (S) Third-round coverage of the Wachovia Championship from Charlotte, N.C.
5 p.m. NBC “Horse Racing” (S) The Kentucky Derby live from Churchill Downs.
8 p.m. ABC “Seabiscuit” (M) The perfect movie to follow-up your Kentucky Derby viewing.
8 p.m. GAC “Grand Ole Opry Live” (T) Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols and the Oak Ridge Boys all perform.
10 p.m. CBS “48 Hours Mystery” (N) Eric Moriarty investigates the death of a dancer in New York.
11:30 p.m. NBC “Saturday Night Live” (C) Tom Hanks hosts with music provided by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

SUNDAY, MAY 7
Noon NBC “National Heads-Up Poker Championship” (S) Coverage of the Round of 16.
3 p.m. CBS “PGA Golf” (S) Final-round coverage of the Wachovia Championship, won last year by Vijay Singh.
8 p.m. Univision “Bailando por un Sueño” (A) Season finale of Univision’s popular dance competition show.
8 p.m. Fox “The Simpsons” (C) Marge develops amnesia, meaning, in her mind, that she’s single again.
9 p.m. ABC “Desperate Housewives” (D) Tom gets fired from his job and Gabrielle and Carlos come to an agreement with Xiao-Mei.
9 p.m. HBO “The Sopranos” (D) Christopher makes an announcement to the crew while Paulie tries to cut corners at a street fair.
10 p.m. ABC “Grey’s Anatomy” (D) Derek lets his emotional side get the best of him, which is obviously something you don’t want to do when working at a hospital.

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.

---

Read more TV THIS WEEK columns:
May 8, 2006
May 15, 2006

 
 

Home  |  What's New  |  Contact  |  Index Entertainment  |   Style  |  Travel  |  Editorials