Today on the tube ...
Monday, June 16
-"Michael Jackson: What Happened?" profiles the controversial pop star. Self-proclaimed lifelong Michael Jackson fan Jacques Peretti helms the documentary to "find out what drove the once 'King of Pop' to such spectacular self-destruction." Interviewed are some of Jackson's confidants who speak of the singer's darker moments, which include the hair-on-fire incident, the molestation charges that he was acquitted of and the baby-dangling-from-balcony debacle. (CBC Newsworld)
-The pressure ramps up on "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" as the women vying for the role of Maria von Trapp in Toronto's upcoming "The Sound of Music" stage production perform at the London Palladium. Their audience is legendary musical theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and his discerning guests. Webber says "so long, farewell" to 10 of the top 20 contestants in the end. (CBC)
-Two hundred contestants are featured on "Canadian Idol," competing for a spot in the Top 22 (CTV). And six will become four on "The Bachelorette" as love seeker DeAnna Pappas crushes the hopes of two men vying for her affection. (Citytv, ABC)
-Don't do it, Spinner! On "Degrassi: The Next Generation," the troubled musician considers skipping his final high school exam - and thus not graduating - so he can pursue an opportunity with his band. (CTV)
-
Tuesday, June 17
-The top 22 "Canadian Idol" contestants are revealed, giving viewers a chance to start considering their favourites and picking apart the rest. (CTV)
-If you're already lamenting the high number of reality TV talent shows on the schedule this summer, prepare to sigh even deeper as season 3 of "America's Got Talent" premieres this evening. David Hasselhoff is back on the judging panel, along with U.K. TV personality Piers Morgan and rock manager Sharon Osbourne. (A-Channel, NBC)
-Stephen O'Keefe's talent is standup comedy, but as we learn in the documentary "Between the Laughter" on "The Lens," the funnyman can't hear the laughter of his audience because he's deaf. This touching piece won the National Film Board's Reel Diversity Competition for its portrayal of O'Keefe's struggles. (CBC Newsworld)
-If there ever was a time for the asinine "Hell's Kitchen" contestants to shape up and speed up, this is it. This episode finds the wannabe chefs cooking lunch for 80 pregnant and hungry women whose raging hormones mean they can get very cranky - even more cranky than caustic Chef Ramsay - if their meals aren't ready on time. (Citytv, Fox)
-Cinephiles can look forward to "AFI's 10 Top 10," outlining the American Film Institute's ranking of America's 10 greatest films in 10 genres. (E, CBS)
-
Wednesday, June 18
-The top 18 movers and shakers on "So You Think You Can Dance" work their grand grooves in the hopes of sticking around. (CTV, Fox)
-Also strutting their stuff are the competitors in the "Ford Models Supermodel of the World Canada Finals." The special sees seven genetically gifted finalists from across the country competing for a spot in the Ford Models Supermodel of the World Contest. Canadians Monika Schnarre and Tricia Helfer became household names after winning the contest. (Citytv)
-Model-actor Antonio Sabato Jr.'s career was hopping in the 1990s. He had a high profile Calvin Klein underwear ad, a spot in a Janet Jackson video and roles on "General Hospital" and "Melrose Place." Tightrope and trapeze are his focus these days as he and other C-and D-list personalities compete in "Celebrity Circus," airing tonight. (E, NBC)
-Circus acts know all about the importance of reaction time, which is the focus of tonight's "Sport Science." The episode investigates how athletes improve their reaction time in the boxing ring, on the baseball diamond, in the hockey rink and on the race track. (Discovery Channel)
-A roller rink is where we find the Poison frontman and his gaggle of classy ladies on "Rock of Love With Bret Michaels." The blond singer puts the eager hopefuls through a "stroller derby" challenge before going on a solo date with one of the more disliked girls in the house. (E)
-
Thursday, June 19
-Tears are shed and hugs are spread on "So You Think You Can Dance" as two competitors are sent home and 16 are left standing (or dancing, as the case may be). (CTV, Fox)
-It's a fierce battle at the box office this weekend as the much anticipated comedy films "The Love Guru" and "Get Smart" both debut. Those excited about the latter film, which is an adaptation of the 1960s spoof TV series, have tonight's "Get Smart - Live From the Red Carpet" special. "Get Smart" stars Steve Carell in the lead role of Maxwell Smart, Agent 86, along with Anne Hathaway and Dwayne Johnson, a.k.a. The Rock. (E)
-On the horror anthology series "Fear Itself," which is being compared to "The Twilight Zone," a man switches bodies with a serial killer after a near-death experience and must fight to save his wife and kids from behind bars. (E, NBC)
-Things are easier - and breezier - for the folks on "Swingtown" as they get naked and play with fondue at Susan's housewarming party. (Global, CBS)
-In the reality special "Once Upon a Prom," two high school students who couldn't find a date for their high school graduation parties are surprised by singers Bobby Valentino and Rihanna, who want to take them to the bash. (MTV)
-Actors Lonny Ross and Keith Powell from the series "30 Rock" are on "Last Comic Standing," judging international talent in auditions in Miami. (Global, NBC)
-
Friday, June 20
-Soap star Cameron Mathison of Sarnia, Ont., and Sherri Shepherd of "The View" host the "35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards," honouring excellence in daytime television production. Trophies are awarded in 58 categories live from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Shepherd and her co-hosts on "The View" are up for best talk show host - a category they've lost 10 times. Regis Philbin gets the lifetime achievement award. (E, ABC)
-The first episode of the homegrown, cancelled CBC night-time soap "MVP," about the sordid private lives of NHL players, airs directly following the Emmys. It premiered south of the border last night on the ABC-owned pay channel Soapnet. (ABC)
-If you have a tween or teen in the house - or you are a teen or tween - you probably already know about tonight's regular cable premiere of "Camp Rock." Like the hugely popular "High School Musical," "Camp Rock" is a highly anticipated musical special filled with pretty talent, including mop-topped singing sensations the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Toronto's Jasmine Richards. The made-for-TV movie is about a prestigious summer camp for aspiring young rockers. (Family Channel)
-Talk about moonlighting! Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson of Rhode Island snake toilets as plumbers by day and try to snag spirits as ghost hunters by night. Their journeys are chronicled in the series "Ghost Hunters," having its Season 2 Canadian premiere with back-to-back episodes. (Space)
-
Saturday, June 21
-Demetri Martin's name may not immediately ring a bell, but fans of the gut-busting "Flight of the Conchords" will recognize him as the "keytar" player in the Season 1 finale. He has also acted as a correspondent on "The Daily Show." You can see more of the New York City comedian in the special "Demetri Martin: Person." For kicks, check out his hilarious biography on his website, demetrimartin.com. (The Comedy Network)
-More laughs can be found in "Comedy Now" featuring Toronto comedian Johnny Gardhouse. (The Comedy Network)
-"Aboriginal Day Live" celebrations air for three hours from Winnipeg and Yellowknife with a slew of talent marking National Aboriginal Solidarity Day. Also marking the occasion are encore presentations of the "Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards" and a one-hour special presentation of the "2008 Winterlude" celebrations in Ottawa. (APTN)
-"About Schmidt" was lauded by critics when it was released in theatres in 2002 with its tale of a widower (Jack Nicholson) who sets out on a journey of self-discovery in his motorhome. Nicholson received an Academy Award nomination for his role in this dark comedy. Co-star Kathy Bates got an Oscar nom for best supporting actress. (CBC)
-
Sunday, June 22
-"Air India 182" is a powerful documentary about the June 22, 1985, bombing of Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland that killed 329 people, many of them children. (CBC)
-Also stirring is "The Passionate Eye"'s airing of "No End in Sight," an Oscar-nominated piece on how U.S. policy led to the insurgency and chaos in Iraq. (CBC Newsworld)
-"How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" airs live for the first time as the top 10 performers take the stage at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto and give their best "Do-Re-Mi"s for viewers' votes. The hopefuls are vying for the lead role of Maria von Trapp in an upcoming Toronto stage production of "The Sound of Music." (CBC)
-Taking us from theatre singing to pop-rock vocals is Jude of the teen drama "Instant Star," who tonight is upset after getting shut out of Jamie and Paegan's party. (CTV)
-The angst continues on "The Hills" as Stephanie, sister of the evil Spencer, breaks her loyalty to her brother and Heidi and attends Lauren's birthday party. (CTV)
-On "Mad Men," where backstabbing and deceit are the norm, the newly married Pete is tormented by thoughts of his fling with Peggy, and Don acts strangely at a party. (CTV)
-"American Idol" judge Randy (Dawg) Jackson presents Season 2 of his dance choreography competition "America's Best Dance Crew," with judges J.C. Chasez, Shane Sparks and Lil Mama. Mario Lopez returns as host. (MuchMusic)
News from �The Canadian Press, 2008
See Also
