Kansas.com: Television

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:07 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.

Best TV bets (Nov. 6)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:06 CST

Reality show

"Supernanny"

Jo Frost takes on a tough case in this new episode: a mother who insists on using corporal punishment to keep her three rambunctious boys in line. Jo doesn't believe in spanking, and neither does the boys' dad, but Mom is adamant, and her stubbornness is taking a toll on the marriage as well as her relationship with her sons. 7 p.m., ABC and KAKE, Channel 10.

Best TV bets (Nov. 5)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:58 CST

Series

"Parks and Recreation"

Megan Mullally guest stars in this new episode as Ron's (Nick Offerman) ex-wife, Tammy, who runs the library. Leslie (Amy Poehler) is distressed to find out Tammy's department is trying to take over her lot, and the powerful hold Tammy still has over her ex is further complicating the matter. Incidentally, Offerman and Mullally are married in real life. 7:30 p.m., NBC and KSNW, Channel 3.

Best TV bets (Nov. 4)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:38 CST

Specials

"Bill Cosby: The Mark Twain Prize 2009"

A roster of top American comics including Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock salutes the Emmy-winning actor as he becomes the recipient of the 12th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. 7 p.m., PBS and KPTS, Channel 8.

TV is on a roll this fall

Neal Justin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:03 CST

The most mind-boggling aspect of the still-fresh TV season isn't that witches have returned to Eastwick or that the planet got a sneak peek at the apocalypse. It's that, for the first time in years, network executives can step away from the ledge.

Ratings are up 2 percent after falling for several seasons. I'm not suggesting the suits break open 11,000 bottles of champagne, but there is plenty of cause to pop a can of ginger ale. Freshman shows have reinvigorated a medium that once seemed headed the way of the typewriter.

Here are early winners and losers:

Best TV bets (Nov. 3)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:21 CST

New show

"V"

In this reimagining of a hit 1980s miniseries, life on Earth undergoes a seismic kick in the pants when a bunch of charismatic extraterrestrials led by the beautiful Anna (Morena Baccarin) captivates most of the population, but FBI counterterrorism agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell) quickly comes to suspect the aliens have a far more sinister agenda. 7 p.m., ABC and KAKE, Channel 10.

Best TV bets (Nov. 2)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:22 CST

Special

"The People v. Leo Frank"

Nearly 100 years later, the 1913 murder of Mary Phagan and the trial and lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory supervisor, still resonates in an America that outwardly prides itself on being a melting pot yet still is wary of "the Other." A cast led by Will Janowitz and Seth Gilliam re-enacts many of the still-harrowing events, which inspired the Tony-winning Broadway musical "Parade." 9 p.m., PBS and KPTS, Channel 8.

Best TV bets (Oct. 31)

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:42 CDT

Movies

"Night of the Living Dead"

The granddaddy of all zombie flicks, this 1968 horror tale from George Romero has become a cult classic. Radiation causes the dead to rise from their graves and go in search of sustenance: specifically, human flesh. If you haven't seen it and think that because of its age, it can't be that scary or gory compared with more recent cinematic fare, think again. 5, 7:15, 9:30 and 11:45 p.m., AMC, Channel 55.

Frank lynching re-examined

FRAZIER MOORE — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:03 CDT

It's a century-old miscarriage of justice that still haunts anyone who knows of it, and will surely disturb viewers introduced to this tragedy in "The People v. Leo Frank," a powerful retelling that premieres Monday on PBS at 9 p.m. (KPTS, Channel 8).

In a rich blend of experts' accounts and dramatic re-enactments, the 90-minute film revisits the case of Leo Frank, a young Cornell-educated Brooklyn native who was plant supervisor of the National Pencil Co. in downtown Atlanta.

On a Sunday morning in April 1913, the bludgeoned, sexually molested body of Mary Phagan, a 13-year-old factory girl, was found in the building's filthy basement. Within weeks, Frank, professing innocence, was arrested and charged with her murder after an inept police investigation that turned up no conclusive evidence.

Best TV bets (Oct. 29)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:25 CDT

Season premiere

"UFO Hunters"

"The Silencers" kicks off a new season with accounts from people who claim they have encountered men in black bent on silencing UFO researchers and witnesses to alien encounters. 7 p.m., History, Channel 49.

Can Oscar top Gervais pick?

Patrick Goldstein — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:05 CDT

I was talking to a veteran talent agent on the phone this week when the news arrived that Ricky Gervais had signed on to host a high-profile award show.

"Ricky's going to host the Oscars?" asked the agent, who like most agents is on a first-name basis with all the top talent, even the ones his agency doesn't represent. "That's totally brilliant!"

I said the news was slightly different. Gervais was going to host the Golden Globes. There was a moment of thoughtful silence.

Best TV Bets (Oct. 28)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:52 CDT

Special

"Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space"

In this holiday spin-off of the hit movie, when mutant pumpkins try to take over Earth on Halloween, the Monsters must combat the gourds and try to end their wicked scheme. Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Seth Rogen, Will Arnett and Rainn Wilson reprise their voice roles from the film. 7 and 7:30 p.m., NBC and KSNW, Channel 3.

Best TV bets (Oct. 27)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:25 CDT

Specials

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

So many Halloween TV specials these days are like getting a rock in your trick-or-treat bag, but some 43 years after its first airing, this animated gem remains one of the best, as idealistic young Linus patiently sits in his "sincere" pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin to reward him with Halloween largesse. 7 p.m., ABC and KAKE, Channel 10.

Best TV bets (Oct. 26)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:12 CDT

Specials

"Herbert Hoover: Landslide"

Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, leaves a legacy mostly defined by the Great Depression, with most people forgetting he was swept into office in a 1928 landslide victory, buoyed by remarkable humanitarian work and an earlier career that included a stint as U.S. secretary of commerce. This hour takes a fresh look at the controversial chief executive. 9 p.m., PBS and KPTS, Channel 8.

The state of late night

Aaron Barnhart — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:06 CDT

When Americans are looking to soothe their frazzled nerves after a long day, late-night TV shows have always been happy to oblige. But these days, the world of late night is as topsy-turvy as the real world we're trying to tune out.

Just one year ago, Jay Leno was cruising along as the undisputed king of late night. Five million faithful watched the "Tonight" show host, as reliable as his restored Model T, night after night delivering A-list guests, John McCain jokes and wacky headlines.

A million viewers behind him was the urbane David Letterman, still considered the best in show by many, and everyone else followed in the wake of these two old pros. Conan O'Brien, Craig Ferguson, Jon Stewart and Jimmy Kimmel all had their multitudes, but the pecking order in late night was clear and it was unalterable.

Forecast: 'The Perfect Storm'

DAVID BAUDER — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:09 CDT

The Weather Channel plans to show movies for the first time in its 27-year history and it's easy to guess which one is leading off.

"The Perfect Storm," of course.

The George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg movie about a horrific storm off the New England coast will air on Oct. 30, the 18th anniversary of the actual storm. Network executives had been thinking about adding movies, and the timing proved too good to pass up, said Geoffrey Darby, the network's chief programmer.

Saturday's best TV

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:13 CDT

Series

"MythBusters"

Adam and Jamie test the physics theory of bullet dropped vs. bullet fired; and Kari, Grant and Tory test whether it's possible to knock someone's socks off. 8 p.m., Discovery, Channel 42.

Best TV bets (Oct. 23)

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:23 CDT

New show

"White Collar"

This new comedy-drama is built around uptight FBI Agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) and his unlikely partner, con man and prison escapee Neal Caffrey (Matthew Bomer), who hunt an elusive and vicious counterfeiter known as the "Dutchman." 9 p.m., USA, Channel 28.