What’s On: Pretty Little Tuesday!

The Season 2 premiere of ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars was everything you’d come to expect from PLL, nasty, incestuous, mysterious, melodramatic and full of twists and turns, looks like we’re in for a juicy second season. Also on tonight is fresh White Collar, tonight we finally get to meet Diana’s (Marsha Thomason) girlfriend. Here are our recommendations for tonight. Tuesday June 21, 2011.

Pretty Little Liars “The Goodbye Look” 8:00 on ABC Family 

What is the Jason thing? Why is Lizzie Maguire’s Italian singer douce boyfriend a police officer in this show? And why isn’t there more Jenna. MORE CRAZY JENNA ALWAYS!

The Nine Lives of Chloe King “Redemption” 9:00 on ABC Family

Redemption.. hmm… Could this possibly be in reference to Chloe killing that dude with a single kiss. HOLY ROGUE! Dating ancient cat people can be tricky.

White Collar “Deadline” 9:00 on USA

I adore Marsha Thomason and I’m really excited for her Diana Barrigan to finally get a storyline, that being said I prefer my White Collar to focus on Caffrey/Burke and their amazing chemistry. 

The Rest:

America’s Got Talent 8:00 on NBC – Tron Guy!

Masterchef 8:00 on FOX – Gordon Ramsey and Joe Bastianich judge food, Graham Elliot inhales a beluga.

Wipeout 8:00 on ABC – Wipeout. 

101 Ways To Leave a Gameshow 9:00 on ABC – Wipeout-esque.

Memphis Beat 9:00 on TNT – I tried but I just couldn’t, especially when every castmember should be on a better series. 

The Voice 9:00 on NBC – So totally Meh to the Max.

Combat Hospital 10:00 on ABC – Welcome to Kandahar. Tonight is the series premiere and this seems like it comes from the same cloth as Off The Map. Except this one has the delightful Michelle Borth. 

HawthoRNe 10:00 on TNT – Jada Pinkett-Smith is the nurse who CARES!

Tosh.0 10:00 on CC – Recently renewed and delightfully mean. 

What’s On: The Sunday of Beginnings and Endings

My vacation is over, and just in time as summer TV is really ramping up. I’m really excited for both premieres tonight; TNT’s Spielberg produced alien invasion drama, Falling Skies and the 3rd season return of my favourite not-so-guilty pleasure, Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva. But it’s a bittersweet evening as both The Killing and Game of Thrones end their freshmen runs tonight, both series were renewed for second seasons already and for damn sure are among our recommendations for tonight, Sunday June 19th 2011.

3rd Season Premiere Alert!
Drop Dead Diva “Hit and Run” 9:00 on Lifetime

Last season ended with Grayson getting hit by a car and seeing Deb when he looked at Jane. OMG – you can bet that tonight’s third season premiere will begin with a musical fantasy number where Brooke Elliot gets to show off her fancy pipes. Perfect summer fluff!

2 Hour Series Premiere Alert!
Falling Skies “Live & Learn” & “The Armory” 9:00 on TNT

Let’s hope that Falling Skies succeeds where both V and the Event failed. TNT’s anticipated invasion drama has the pedigree of Steven Spielberg a bona fide TV star leading man’s (people who doubt Noah Wyle’s talent probably don’t know John Carter very well) triumphant return to TV. It looks more like Battlestar than anything else, which really is what every sci-fi series should try to be.

Season Finale Alert!
Game of Thrones “Fire and Blood” 9:00 on HBO

Last weeks phenomenal “Bealor” ended with the beheading of Ned Stark (series star Sean Bean) and tonight the ramifications of that are felt throughout the seven kingdoms. Arguably the best series on the year so far (though Justified gives it a run for it’s money), I really hope this gets some emmy love. 

Season Finale Alert!
The Killing  “Orpheus Descending” 10:00 on AMC

Did Richmond kill Rosie Larsen? Did Jamie do it for him? Beau Soliel was one of the series strongest entries to date, and with Jamie Ann Allman (Aunt Terry) signed on for the second season it looks like we’ll see the Larsens next season in some way. I loved this season of the killing despite it’s midseason slump and erratic pacing (Missing, the tenth episode which focused on Holder and Linden’s relationship should have been in the first third of the season) and I have an especially strong fondness for the brilliant cast especially the magnificent Enos. Here’s to a good first season and hopefully an even better second!

The Rest:

The Daytime Emmys 8:00 on CBS – So it’s the people from Y and R competing against Days of our Lives? What are soaps are even left??

The Glee Project 9:00 on Oxygen – Who will win? White Mercedes? Gay Male Mercedes? The Irish Moron? Stupid Deadlocks Guy? 

Law and Order CI 9:00 on USA – Bye Bye franchise.

The Next Food Network Star 9:00 on Food – I miss Aarti Party!

The Glades 10:00 on A&E – It’s too hot to even think about watching this.

In Plain Sight 10:00 on USA – Are Mary and Marshall doing it yet?

Keeping Up With The Kardashians 10:00 on E! – OMFG.

The Protector 10:00 on Lifetime – This Ally Walker starrer is benefitted from a killer supporting performance from Tisha Campbell-Martin, worth it for her alone, at least once.

Treme 10:00 on HBO – I didn’t think Treme could get any better, but it’s second season has been even stronger than it’s expertly crafted first. 

What’s On: Fluffy Tuesday

I’ll be the first to call USA’s standard programming Fluff, but it’s uber-successful fluff. The characters are always quirky and easy on the eyes, and the series themselves are mainly episodic but retain fickle viewers by keeping an ongoing plot-arc over the season. White Collar and Covert Affairs, both returning tonight are no exception to the fluff rule, but in terms of summer programming, they’re just fine, and till Pretty Little Liars comes back next week it’s the only scripted fare on tonight. Here’s what’s on tonight, Tuesday June 7th, 2011.

Third Season Premiere!
White Collar “On Guard” 9:00 on USA

Hilarie Burton, One Tree Hill’s Peyton, starts her regular gig tonight after guest starring last season as a love interest for Caffrey. Last season ended with the beginning of a new season long arc involving stolen treasure pitting Neal and Peter against each other – Peter thinks Neal stole it, he didn’t but got sent a note regarding it’s whereabouts.

Second Season Premiere!
Covert Affairs “Begin the Begin” 10:00 on USA 

I have less of a fondness for this series which despite a decent concept (Alias except mythos-lite) it’s just far too bland to love, also my extreme hatred of Heroes’ Mohinder Suresh has made it impossible for me to even consider liking his character on this. Even more infuriating is they have the great Anne Dudek (House & Big Love) and reduce her (and the considerable talent that she brings) to a pointless side character, meant to anchor Perabo’s lead to the real world.

The Rest:

Masterchef 8:00 on FOX – I had calamari at Judge  Joe Bastianich’s Vegas restaurant  B&B Ristorante and it was god awful, oily, salty and overall inedible so it’s hard to take him seriously here. It was that bad. 

America’s Got Talent 8:o0 on NBC – Summer is here, clearly.

The Voice 9:00 on NBC – The Frenchie redemption continues.

Tosh.0 10:00 on Comedy Central – Tosh berates the pathetic for our amusement. 

Sports Show with Norm MacDonald 10:30 on Comedy Central – The season finale. Norm is one of the best comedians around and without his gambling issues we’d probably never see him trying to squeeze a dime out of Comedy Central. 

Fired! Teddy’s leaving the Zip.

When Annalynne McCord said there were gonna be cuts on 90210 she wasn’t kidding. 

It was announced today that Trevor Donovan was the first to get the axe.

Last season saw his womanizer character come to terms with his homosexuality and come out of the closet after his secret boyfriend secretly blackmailed him. Though he wont return as a regular he will guest star in the four or five episodes early in the fall. 

Donovan marks the third cast member fired after Lori Laughlin and Ryan Eggold in the behind the scenes shake-up that also included the exit of showrunner Rebecca Rand Kirshner Sinclair and the hiring of Patti Carr and Lara Olsen (a writing duo who worked together on Life Unexpected, Reba and Private Practice).

What’s On: Teen Angst Monday

Lots of teens got lots of angst, it is the summer – all the heat and hormones are makin’ em crazy, and we’re reaping all the benefits, here are our especially angsty recommendations for Monday June 6, 2011.

3rd Season Finale!
Secret Life of the American Teenager “…or not to be” 8:00 on ABC Family

ABC Family says: Adrian and Ben prepare for the imminent arrival of their daughter. When Adrian experiences discomfort, the couple – believing she is about to go into labor – are instructed by their doctor to leave for the hospital. Ben and Adrian agree not to call anyone until they know more, but as word spreads she is in the hospital, family and friends gather there to share the joyous occasion. But the couple learn some devastating news that will change their lives forever and will need those closest to them for support. – I had a feeling that there was only room for one baby on the show. 

Series Premiere!
Switched at Birth “This is not a pipe” 9:00 on ABC Family

A series about two teenage girls that were as the title suggests, switched at birth. It stars Vanessa Marano (Luke’s daughter April from Gilmore Girls) and newcomer Katie Leclerc as the two who were switched at birth, one grew up in a privileged family, the other with a single mother and became deaf at a young age, and because there’s a deaf character, you can bet Marlee Matlin has her grubb little paws all over this in some way or shape.

Teen Wolf  “Second Chance at First Line” 10:00 on MTV 

While this iteration of Teen Wolf is nothing extraordinary, it’s definitely not bad. Tyler Posey (grown up from playing J. Lo’s son in Maid in Manhattan) is a capable lead, and the supporting cast all holds their own with Stiles (Dylan O’Brien) as the standout. It’s a step up from MTV’s previous effort, Skins and has the potential to be a great summer fun

The Rest:

Masterchef 8:00 on FOX – Ramsey makes this interesting, I just wish Fox was starting the summer with Hell’s Kitchen instead. 

The Bachelorette 8:00 on ABC – One woman in a sausage market for two hours. 

Single Ladies 9:00 on VH1 – Put your hands up!

Law & Order: LA 10:00 on NBC – After this NBC has only one more to burn off.

What’s On: Thursday Bites!

NBC, moreso than other networks, has a recent history of shelving fully ordered series like The Jake Effect, The It Crowd, Day One and just this year, Friends With Benefits, which is why tonight is so exciting. NBC is finally letting it’s anthology romantic dramedy Love Bites out into the world. A year ago this series was actually announced as part of NBC fall 2010 schedule, airing thursday at 10, but a series of behind the series snafus including star Becky Newton, who’s character is supposed to be a virgin, got pregnant after filming the pilot, the exit of series star Jordana Spiro (TBS demanded she return to My Boys, and then cancelled it), the quitting of creator Cindy Chupack and shelving and episode order cutting, leading to most wondering if the show would ever see the light of day. Well today it does get to see the light of day, it premieres in the slot it should have premiered in 10 months ago and co-stars Becky Newton (Ugly Betty’s fabo Amanda), Greg Grunberg (Alias, Heroes) and Constance Zimmer (Entourage’s Dana Gordon), check it out along with our other recommedations (including the return of CHILDRENS HOSPITAL!) for tonight, Thursday June 2, 2011:

The Best:

Mega Delayed Series Premiere Alert!
Love Bites “Firsts” 10:00 on NBC

Tonight’s episodes follow three vignettes; first, when Annie (Newton) gets attention for being pregnant, her friend Cassie (Krysten Ritter, Breaking Bad) pretends to be a virgin to get extra attention. In the second, faithfully married Judd (Greg Grunberg) finds himself on a flight with Jennifer Love Hewitt (guesting as herself), who happens to be at the top of his celebrity exemption list and finally, Carter (Kyle Howard, My Boys) has to deal with hisfiancee Liz (Lindsey Price, the original 90210) who’s having an intimate relationship with a vibrator. Was one of the most anticipated series, we’ll see if it’s any good tonight. The promo below was for the original pilot which had Californication’s Pamela Adlon in the Zimmer role and is probably a good indication of the feel of the show but yeah, what you see tonight will be totes diff.

3rd Season Premiere!
Childrens Hospital “Run, Dr. Lola Spratt, Run” 11:59 on Adult Swim

Childrens Hospital is back to fix us with the healing power of laughter. This show probably has the best comedy ensemble on TV, I just wish they had 22 minute episodes. It’s probably the most ridiculous comedy on the air, and that’s a huge compliment. Never seen it? Check out the first webisode (which served as a defacto pilot when it moved to tv along with the second webisode) which I’ve embedded below.

The Rest:

So You Think You Can Dance 8:00 on FOX – The L.A. auditions.

Call Me Fitz 9:00 on 101 Network – The Canadian pay-cable series starring Jason Priestley as a morally bankrupt car salesman who contends with a new salesman who claims to be Fitz’s conscience. 

What’s On: Tuesday & Bash

Not a bad night, for summer with fresh Comedy Central – yeah I finally started (and caught up with) Workaholics, and TNT premieres. Here are our recommendations for tonight, Wednesday June First, 2011.

Series Premiere Alert!
Franklin & Bash “Pilot” 9:00 on TNT

Another TNT series starring Mark Paul Gosselaar as a lawyer, except this time he doesn’t have awful shaggy hair. Franklin & Bash is about two funny lawyers (played by Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer). Reviews have been as mediocre as everything else on TNT (save for Southland & Men…, on later tonight). Malcolm McDowell, Reed Diamond and Dana Davis also star. 

Men of a Certain Age “The Great Escape” 10:00 on TNT

Ray Romano’s critically acclaimed drama’s 6 episode mini season premiere’s tonight, and while a 6 episode mini season is stupid, this smart drama isn’t. 

South Park “City Sushi” 10:00 on Comedy Central

The boys help Butters when he’s diagnosed with a personality disorder. Check out the best scene from last week as no promo was available this week.

Workaholics “Muscle I’d Like To Flex” 10:30 on Comedy Central

I finally got around to watching this show and I enjoyed it – mainly cause it embodies my type of slacker/pot head humour. But the three leads are great, mos def worth checking out.

 

The rest:

So You Think You Can Dance 8:00 on FOX – More auditions that are better now that Mary Murphy has returned to the panel.

The Real World: Las Vegas 10:00 on MTV – Season Finale. 

What’s On: Double Monday!

There’s actually a bunch of TV on tonight no less than three of which are double episodes including the finales of Secret Life and Hard Time which are what’s on tonight, Monday May 30, 2011.

DOUBLE Finale Alert!
Secret Life of the American Teenager “It’s Not Over Till It’s Over” and “To Be…” 8:00 to 10:00 on ABC Family. 

Seeing as I don’t know Secret Life at all I’ll let ABC Family tell you what up tonight: In the first hour, “It’s Not Over Till It’s Over,” Adrian and Ben prepare for their wedding, with each putting on a brave face for the other. Independently, however, Adrian confides to Tom, and Ben to Amy, that each is nervous about impending parenthood and is having second thoughts about getting married so quickly. Meanwhile, Ricky and Amy discuss Ben and Adrian’s doubts, but agree not to say anything and let them move forward with the wedding. In the second hour, “To be…,” Adrian and Ben are settled into their condo as Mr. and Mrs. Boykewich. Katelyn, the guidance counselor, and Grace plan a little celebration at the school to welcome the newlyweds. Adrian loves all the attention, which upsets Amy. Ricky invites Amy to a romantic night away to show her how much he truly loves her. As Adrian and Ben are trying to fall asleep in their new condo, she feels something odd and calls the doctor.

Series Premiere Alert!
Single Ladies “Pilot” 9:00 to 11:00 on VH1

VH!’s first foray into hourlong drama starts tonight with Single Ladies, a series about three single women in Atlanta headlined by Clueless’ Stacey Dash. I couldn’t find any footage save for this video from the set of castmember (and former first lady of Turks & Caicos) LisaRaye McCoy. VH1 says: Single Ladies is a comedic drama about a Val, Keisha, and April – three best friends with different philosophies on sex and relationships. Val (Stacey Dash) is an ambitious aspiring fashion mogul who wants to find a true partner. Keisha (LisaRaye McCoy), on the other hand, is a former video dancer just looking for a rich man to keep her in style. April (Charity Shea) has supposedly found the perfect man and the perfect marriage – but is learning that marriage isn’t necessarily a happy ending. Single Ladies is a modern, sexy series set in the world of Atlanta fashion, music, and celebrity that will constantly explore which woman has the right approach to relationships.

FIRST SEASON FINALE ALERT!
Breakout Kings “Where in the World is Carmen Vega” 10:00 on A&E

I’ve enjoyed the hell out of this action show It’s got a 90’s action vibe, it wicked violent, character driven and occasionally very, very funny, thanks to a killer performance by Jimmi Simpson. I hope this gets a second life from A&E who’s other current scripted drama, The Glades returns soon. Tonight guest stars Lauren Velez of Dexter as Carmen Vega and the con of the week.

The Rest:

The Bachelorette 8:00 on ABC – This is soft cheese considering Pavelka and Giardi are gonna be on bachelor pad. 

Minute To Win It 8:00 on NBC – Guy Fieri has one minute to consume a car full or fried shrimp.

Season Finale Alert!
The Hard Times of RJ Berger 10:00 & 10:30 on MTV – Maybe this awful show got a little better, but I doubt it and will thusly not be turning in.

Law & Order:LA 10:00 on NBC – or how to kill a two decade old franchise. It killed it so bad Meloni had to quit SVU to escape it’s stink.

Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition 10:01 on ABC – It’s like fixing a house, but this time they fix fat people. Did you forget this franchise started as a plastic surgery show.

The REAL BAU is back together! PRENTISS IN! SEAVER OUT!

Prentiss is back in the BAU!

Paget Brewster is joining AJ Cook, and like her, has inked a deal to return to Criminal Minds full time starting next season. The fan favourite’s NBC pilot, My Life is an Experiment, didn’t get picked up which has freed up Brewster to return to Minds like co-star AJ Cook.

Not coming back next season is Rachel Nichols who joined the cast earlier this season as cadet Ashley Seaver. She joined mostly to fill the void left by Cook’s departure. 

Thomas Gibson, who plays the team leader Aaron Hotchner is the only castmember yet to ink a deal. 

I stopped watching Criminal Minds on a regular basis at the beginning of the 6th season, pretty much in protest of how they tinkered with a formula that was working fine and essentially banished their women. I’m pleased to see they’ve come to their senses. 

What’s On: Three Show Sunday

There are only three shows on tonight – I mean not just three, I’m sure there’s a lot of reality crap on a bunch of cable networks, but there are only three shows on tonight worth watching, and lucky us, they’re three of the best shows on TV; HBO’s Game of Thrones & Treme and AMC’s The Killing, which are all super strong recommendations for tonight, Sunday May 29th 2011. 

Game of Thrones “You Win or You Die” 9:00 on HBO

Last week’s ep was a stunning entry that concluded with the fantastic death of Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd) the hands of Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), and with that the first of what I suspect will be many regular character’s deaths. “HERE IS YOUR CROWN!” With four episodes left (including tonight’s) you can bet the plot’s gonna move at breakneck speed. Tonight we find out what Stark plans to do with the knowledge that Joffrey is the result of nasty twincest and not the son of a king.

Treme “Feels Like Rain” 10:00 on HBO

The second season of Treme is a vast improvement of the first, mainly in terms of story telling, it’s as if the first season was an origin story and now the real juice can start. I am 100 in love with Jenette DeSautel’s (Kim Dickens) story, and last week’s returning guest appearances from Tom Collichio and Eric Ripert only made it better. Steve Zahn and Lucia Micarelli have incredible chemistry and she’s by far the most talented musician of the regular cast – I also have been impressed with how understated Sonny (Michael Huisman) has been this season, he’s far less obnoxious and less cliche prone this season. David Morse’s promotion was also much welcome, last season had the justice system from the side of it’s agitators and it’s more balanced this season, plus his scenes with Oscar winner Melissa Leo are phenomenal. The only plot I’m not in love with is Jon Seda’s Nelson Hidalgo – and not the character mind you, Seda is suave and has great energy in the role, it’s just the plot feels disjointed from the rest. Minor gripe for a great show. No promo, just a great scene from last season’s finale.

The Killing “I’ll Let You Know When I Get There” 10:00 on AMC

Last week seemed to tie up the terrorism/Bennett suspect subplot, I have a feeling the murder investigation will start to tie in to the mayoral campaign this week. I’m also so fearful for the Larsens for suffer the ramifications of last weeks shocking ending. 4 more episodes including tonight and no renewal yet – which is driving me crazy, The Walking Dead was renewed after few weeks and for AMC standards The Killing is a hit, it’s numbers are on par with flagship show Mad Men. It’s last few episodes have dragged a little but I have faith that the season’s endgame is gonna be spectacular.

A Bunch of random other crap:

Something called Mob Wives is on at 8:00 on VH1, it sounds pretty ridiculous. Why publicize you’re a mob wife.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is premiering on TLC at 9:00, as someone who’s very interested in Roma culture I’m thinking this might actually be cool. There’s another episode on right after the premiere.