Kansas.com: Television

travel Web sites

ELLEN CREAGER — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

www.groople.com

What: Booking site for group travel, small or large.

Why: Useful if you have several people taking a trip together, all needing flights, hotels, cars or sightseeing activities.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

Series

"America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back"

John Walsh travels to Eastern Europe to hunt down a drug lord who has led authorities on an international cat-and-mouse game, then partners with some of the best crime busters in the United Kingdom to track down some criminals there. He also examines new CSI technology developed in England that gives detectives a powerful tool to help identify suspects in "The World's Most Wanted Special Edition." 8 p.m., Fox and KSAS, Channel 4/24.

Best TV bets (Nov. 20)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:37 CST

Series

"Smallville"

Tess kidnaps Lois, determined to find out where she went when she disappeared for weeks. 7 p.m., CW and KSCW, Channel 5/33.

Going gaga for 'Glee'

David Hiltbrand — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:05 CST

"Glee," Fox's sharp and subversive musical comedy series, is averaging a respectable 8.6 million viewers a week.

And apparently all of them are going online to champion and celebrate the show, which is turning out to be more viral than H1N1.

"Glee" may rank 42nd in the Nielsen ratings, but it's a phenomenon on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

Best TV bets (Nov. 19)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:33 CST

Series

"Bones"

Always a bit of a lone wolf, Booth is forced to make some adjustments when his grandfather (guest star Ralph Waite) comes to live with him and tags along as he and Brennan investigate human remains found by a real estate agent showing a property to prospective buyers. 7 p.m., Fox and KSAS, Channel 4/24.

Best TV bets (Nov. 18)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:25 CST

Reality show

"America's Next Top Model"

The real crunch time has finally arrived, and the two remaining models pull out all the stops as they try to impress the judges with their final commercial and runway show, which is attended by actor Eddie Murphy. Then, host and judge Tyra Banks announces who will become America's Next Top Model. 7 and 8 p.m., CW and KSCW, Channel 5/33.

Nothing funny about this mom

GREG BRAXTON — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:06 CST

HOLLYWOOD — Katey Sagal is back in mommie-not-so-dearest mode.

The actress was hardly the model mother as the wisecracking, lazy housewife Peg Bundy on Fox's "Married ... With Children." But that character would be "Mother of the Year" next to Gemma Teller Morrow, the ruthless matriarch of an outlaw biker club on FX's "Sons of Anarchy."

The role on the drama, which has grown in its second season to one of the cable network's most popular dramas, is the latest in a gallery of TV mothers for Sagal, who also played a soccer mom on the comedy "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter." While thrilled over the growing popularity of "Sons of Anarchy," which was created by her husband, Kurt Sutter, she still finds time for her first love — music. She often performs at the intimate M Club in Hollywood. As she sat in one of the club's booths, she talked about TV bikers and the late John Ritter.

Best TV bets (Nov. 17)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:00 CST

Documentaries

"Frontline"

Neda Soltani became the face of a powerful movement opposing Islamic hard-liners after she was shot and killed on the streets of Tehran, Iran, during protests over the country's presidential election last summer. "A Death in Tehran" grippingly investigates the life and death of this woman whose memory is cherished by those seeking to keep the reform movement alive. 8 p.m., PBS and KSAS, Channel 8.

Best TV bets (Nov. 16)

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:35 CST

New show

"Lopez Tonight"

He may be best known for "The George Lopez Show," his long-running ABC family sitcom, but that venue may have been a little confining for the high-energy Lopez. The self-described "people's comic" initially made his name with a stand-up act that was opinionated and decidedly irreverent, qualities he brings to this latest venture, which includes audience interaction along with interviews ranging from favorite celebrities to popular new faces. 10 p.m., TBS, Channel 29.

Crime pays for USA network

MARIA ELENA FERNANDEZ — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:06 CST

Talk about using pain as your muse.

Though there are certainly echoes of movies such as "Catch Me If You Can," "48 Hours" and especially "Lethal Weapon" all over USA's new hit, "White Collar," one of the series' most distinctive elements wasn't brought on by a writer's love of a good caper. Rather, it was sparked by creator Jeff Eastin's divorce.

At the time he was penning his pilot about FBI Agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) and convicted con artist Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) who become an unlikely crime-fighting duo, Eastin and his wife had separated. In the traumatic wake of his personal life, Eastin soon felt that resident dreamboat Caffrey was a little too perfect. So, in a move that transformed the cunning criminal into a romantic hero, Eastin decided that Caffrey's girlfriend would leave him just months before his prison sentence was set to expire.

Saturday's best TV

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:44 CST

New movie

"Flower Girl"

Marla Sokoloff ("The Practice") stars in this new romance as Laurel, a florist who can't seem to find the man of her dreams. When a doctor and a writer (Terry Maratos, Kieren Hutchison) both take an interest in her, she has to decide whether to keep looking or take a chance on one of them being Mr. Right. 8 p.m., Hallmark, Channel 54.

'Half' star unsure about acting

MARIA ELENA FERNANDEZ — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:06 CST

HOLLYWOOD — Is it fair that one of Hollywood's most successful and richest young actors didn't set out to be a performer — in fact, never took an acting class — when there are thousands of others like him, sweating auditions, posing for head shots, tweeting their every move?

To underscore the point: Angus T. Jones, the "half" in the No. 1 comedy on TV, "Two and a Half Men," doesn't even know if he wants to continue to hone the skill that's made him a millionaire when the seven-year-old CBS sitcom goes off the air. He's a 16-year-old high school sophomore who wants to go to college, and that's as far as his plans go.

"I don't know what I'm going to take or where I'm going to go," he said. "I'm not really sure. I don't really know if I want to do acting as a career. I really don't know what I want to do yet."

Best TV bets (Nov. 13)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:38 CST

Special

"Invitation Only: Tim McGraw"

Taped earlier in Nashville, this special features country star McGraw performing some of his biggest hits as well as numbers from his latest album, and answering questions from an intimate studio audience. 8 p.m., CMT, Channel 66.

Best TV bets (Nov. 12)

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:06 CST

Series

"Bones"

Booth must get recertified for FBI marksmanship but discovers he is not the accurate shot he was before undergoing brain surgery. 7 p.m., Fox and KSAS, Channel 4/24.

Best TV bets (Nov. 11)

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:09 CST

Special

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards

Let's hope Brad Paisley has comfortable footwear on for this awards show. Not only is he co-hosting with Carrie Underwood, but he's the most-nominated artist of the evening — up for seven honors including entertainer and male vocalist of the year. It could also be a big night for Taylor Swift; she has four nominations, as does George Strait. 7 p.m., ABC and KAKE, Channel 10.

Best TV bets (Nov. 10)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:54 CST

Special

"In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville"

On the eve of the CMA Awards, "Good Morning America" anchor Roberts goes home with several country music stars, including Carrie Underwood, whose trip to her Oklahoma hometown includes a surprise for the students at her old high school. Also on the itinerary are a visit to Tim McGraw's private retreat and the Music City home of Martina McBride. 9 p.m., ABC and KAKE, Channel 10.

'Sesame Street' turning 40

FRAZIER MOORE — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:04 CST

Big Bird is leaving Sesame Street!

That's what he decides on the "Sesame Street" season opener. A rapping real-estate agent pitches him on migrating to a new habitat ("habitat," the episode's "Word on the Street"). After sizing up a beach and a swamp for his new habitat, Big Bird chooses a rain forest.

But then he comes to his senses with a musical number.

Best TV bets (Nov. 9)

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:01 CST

Special

"How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin"

Despite singing a song called "Back in the U.S.S.R.," the Beatles never actually performed in the Soviet Union. That didn't stop their music from making an impact behind the Iron Curtain. In this special, filmmaker Leslie Woodhead talks to Russians who grew up listening to the Beatles and found hope and inspiration in their music and their message of rebellion — which may have played a role in the downfall of communism. 9 p.m., PBS and KPTS, Channel 8.

Saturday's best TV

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:17 CST

New show

"The Wanda Sykes Show"

The late-night talk show arena wasn't especially kind to Joan Rivers, but it's been good to Chelsea Handler, and now Wanda Sykes — fresh off her HBO special and her recurring role in "The New Adventures of Old Christine" — weighs into the fray with her own blend of comedy and topical commentary, which is set to include panels to discuss current events. 10 p.m., Fox and KSAS, Channel 4/24.

'Dexter' a plum for Lithgow

LYNN ELBER — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

John Lithgow was going to pass on the chance to play serial killer vs. serial killer on "Dexter," with an Italian vacation, cruise and his son's wedding awaiting him.

He made it to the ceremony but postponed the trip, and he credits his very understanding wife of 28 years, university professor Mary Yeager Lithgow, with pushing him into the plum job.

"She's the one who said, 'No, you've got to take the role,' " he recalled.