"The Biggest Loser"
Tuesday 9pm, NBC
NBC’s feel-good weight loss competition is shaping itself up for the new season, jettisoning dead weight host Caroline Rhea and replacing her with Alison Sweeney, best known as bad girl Sammy Brady from "Days of Our Lives." As a "Days" fan from back in the day, this excites me very much, but just being rid of the talentless, grating Rhea is gift enough. In tonight’s "Did They Keep It Off?" reunion special, viewers get to see how some of the show’s most popular contestants have done since leaving the ranch. Have they continued to lose weight? Have they porked back up? Let’s hope not, or trainer Bob might start crying again.
"Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style"
Thursday 10pm, Bravo
Rumor has it that this spin-off was part of Tim Gunn’s deal to come back to "Project Runway" (the fashion design competition FINALLY returns this fall, thank Heidi Klum). If that’s the case, then good for Gunn—he’s worth every penny, and is a crucial factor in "Runway"’s success. In this show, the silver-haired fox tracks down style-deficient women, dives into their closets and uses his brand of blunt yet inoffensive criticism to teach them what works, what fits and what should be burned immediately. He’s aided by his girl Friday, former supermodel Veronica Webb. Although the focus of the makeover show is solely on women, men could probably pick up a few tips from the impeccably dressed style guru, too.
"2007 MTV Video Music Awards"
Sunday 9pm, MTV
There have been all sorts of rumors flying that Justin Timberlake would be performing a duet with current recording partner Madonna (denied by Madge’s people) or disgraced former baby-making partner Britney Spears (denied by Timbaland, who’s overseeing this year’s various performances). Ah, well. You’ll still see Timberlake, who’s tied with Beyonce for most nominations—seven each—and confirmed performers include Common, Nelly Furtado, Foo Fighters, Gym Class Heroes, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse, although that last one’s dubious given her recent public meltdown. The "Rehab" singer is also up for Best New Artist against Lily Allen, Gym Class Heroes, Peter Bjorn & John (who?) and, curiously, Carrie Underwood, who won "American Idol" two years ago. Oh, that MTV. Always so current…
