MONDAY ... The 100 Greatest TV Characters (Bravo, 9 p.m.) Excuse me if I get a little choked up. This five-part series solidifies my life's work (being a television viewer). Once again I would like to applaud Bravo at its initiative to captivate, titillate and satisfy those of us who have been dedicated to syndication. So many of them are running through my mind and I wonder at what number they will fall? Will the Golden Girls each get their own slot? Will Archie Bunker withstand the turn of the century? Will Jerry Seinfeld be considered since essentially, he played himself? More importantly, will Donald Trump's hair make the top 10? They Made America: Gamblers (PBS, 9 p.m.) A look at some of the most notable products and companies and how their big ideas attained legendary status. Highlights include Barbie creator Ruth Handler, Pan Am president Juan Trippe and Tom Watson Jr. of IBM.
TUESDAY ... The Amazing Race 6 (NBC, 8 p.m.) Six reality-seasons this program has aired and at the begging and pleading of a relentless sister, I have finally tuned in. I have to say - it's worth it. Ten teams of two (Fathers and daughters, married couples, siblings or friends) compete by literally traveling around the world. The teams don't interact much with one another as they are usually in different places at different times. But the relationship of each couple adds an element of drama to the "Fear Factor" challenges they face. Each team thrives on gaining the coveted position of being in the top three, but there are the rare occasions where all of the teams will end up at the same location at the same time. By the power invested in the producers, clues leading to the next destination will be fixed so that everyone will be departing at the same time. This leaves the couples who have taken their sweet time, at an even standing with the couple who have hauled ass. Once the viewer realizes the distances these people are traveling and with little sleep, the grueling exhaustion they face becomes yet another reason to tune in. I don't say this often, but with the physical, mental and emotional strain the team members go through, this is the only reality program where the winners truly earn their prize.
WEDNESDAY ... The Bachelor (ABC, 8 p.m.) Finally, the one show we've all been waiting for - the final episode (also known as the only one worth watching). Tonight, Bachelor Byron makes his selection and hands out his final rose. Is it me, or is this concept getting a little old? Roses, shmoses- can we get a car over here? Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas (FOX, 9 p.m.) Aren't these American Idols home a little early? It's not even Thanksgiving yet. The trio graces us with their overly-vocal renditions of some classic carols while pushing their own "hits" on us between holiday tunes.
THURSDAY ... Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC, 9 a.m.) What does it say about this country when our cornucopia of tradition is presented by a department store and hosted by the Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Katie Couric? I'll tell you what it says. Put down that turkey leg and get to bed - the mall opens at 7 a.m. tomorrow! The floats will also be adorned with celebs Kelsey Grammar, Jimmy Smits, Tony Shaloub and the Rockettes. Well, when you put it that way...wake me up when it's over. Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (ABC, 8 p.m.) Some things truly stand the test of time. Especially when they're animated. The 1973 Emmy winner is back and the Peanuts crew shows us what Thanksgiving is really all about. Apprentice (NBC, 9 p.m.) Just because this is an evening of family and togetherness, try to keep your priorities in line. Be thankful for an all new Apprentice. Tonight, the final six take the Pepsi challenge (doesn't Trump know that Coke is it?) and have to design a new bottle for the brown, syrupy, bubbly, "soft" drink. How many options can there be, you ask? Good question. Might I suggest filling it with Coca Cola? In case any of you missed it, two deadbeat wannabes were fired in last week's boardroom. That's right-two! Thankfully, one of them was blink-aholic Maria. TV's Greatest Sidekicks (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) In a tribute to the women of sitcoms and in an effort to compete with Bravo's 100 Greatest TV Characters, Laverne and Shirley (Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall) host this evening of laughs. Don't disregard this program as a cheap ploy. Guest interviews include three out of four Golden Girls and costars from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and 227. The former cast mates chat amongst each other, reigniting old banter while touching on some of their favorite programs. Hype aside, these are all adored ladies of the hour. Too bad I won't be watching. At the same time the retrospective Seinfeld Story (NBC, 10 p.m.) will air. And on Thanksgiving, this program is what I am thankful for. Jerry, Elaine, Kramer and George are all together again to chat about the some of the best TV ever created. And now that people know who Larry David is (co-creator of Seinfeld and star of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm), he will also sit down with the fab-four. The hour-special will undoubtedly promote the new release of the first three Seinfeld seasons and will highlight some of the bloopers, outtakes and edits. All of which can be purchased in full, on the DVD's. The night before one of the biggest shopping days of the holiday season and the cast of Seinfeld will rekindle America with its humor in a one-hour infomercial. Ingenious.
FRIDAY ... It's the day after Thanksgiving and in keeping with cultural traditions, many of you will be out shopping today. When you come in from the cold and snuggle up with your turkey leftovers ... don't bother watching TV because there is nothing to watch. Hopefully you bought one of the Seinfeld DVD's as a gift for someone. Just pop that in and re-wrap later.
SATURDAY ... Love Actually (HBO, 8 p.m.) Hugh Grant, Keira Knightly, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney and may more star in this English romantic-comedy about London couples finding love at Christmas time. It's funny, sweet, and endearing. Anything with Hugh Grant is appealing - that's my motto. Muriel's Wedding (TMC, 8 p.m.) Toni Collete stars in this Australian hit - nothing to do with the holidays but nothing short of hilarious, heart-warming, moving and sincere.
SUNDAY ... Love is in the Heir (E!, 10 p.m.) Princess Ann Claire is the granddaughter of HIH Princess Shams of the Pahlavi Dynasty and the eldest of three daughters raised in London. She has moved to Los Angeles and against her parents' wishes, is pursuing a singing career in country music. That's a British princess, country music and L.A. Sounds like the makings of an entertaining reality show. The E! network has a difficult time steering away from staging scenarios with their reality programs (ie. The Anna Nicole Smith show) but with a winning recipe like this, this season of "The Heir" is bound for greatness. It's Princess Ann Claire's career after the show that will be questionable.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.