“Lords of the Revolution” Tuesday-Friday 8pm, VH1 VH1 puts together some nifty documentary programs, and this new five-part series looks to be a decent addition. “Lords” focuses on counter-culture figures from the ’60s and ’70s whose pioneering work still has powerful repercussions today. Monday night’s episode focused on Muhammad Ali (you can catch the playback […]

“So You Think You Can Dance” Wednesday-Thursday 8pm, Fox The frustrating fifth season comes to a close. I maintain that S5 had the most talented Top 20 ever—there was nary a bad dancer in the bunch (except poor, pathetic hip-hopper Tony). But somehow along the way we ended up with the least interesting Final 4 […]

“More to Love” Tuesday 9pm, Fox From the creator of “The Bachelor” comes “The Fatchelor.” At least, that’s what my bitchy friends call this new dating show. In truth, “More to Love” raises some interesting cultural questions. While the “Bachelor” franchise has had 13 seasons (and five of its “Bachelorette” spin-off), the vast majority of […]

“Big Brother 11” Tuesday 9pm, Thursday & Sunday 8pm, CBS The twist for “BB11” is that the 12 original housemates were divided into four groups based on traditional high school cliques: The Brains, The Athletes, The Populars, The Offbeats. Some of the sorting is specious—I don’t think Braden is popular with anyone, and for a […]

“Dark Blue” Wednesday 10pm, TNT It’s always good to see Dylan McDermott again; he remains likable even after that disastrous male “Sex and the City” show “Big Shots” a couple seasons back. (It nearly destroyed poor Michael Vartan’s career.) Now the one-time star of “The Practice” and “fine hangin’ man” from Steel Magnolias is back […]

“10 Things I Hate About You” Tuesday 8pm, ABC Family Ten years ago, the film 10 Things I Hate About You introduced America to budding film stars Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. Now the teen-friendly retelling of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew is back with a serialized take in this new show on ABC Family. […]

“Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular” Saturday 9pm, NBC In case you’re too lazy to go to the backyard to watch one of the several area Independence Day fireworks displays, NBC is bringing the high-altitude explosions right into your living room. Musical guests Jewel, Rob Thomas and the cast of Broadway’s revival of West Side […]

“America’s Got Talent” Tuesday-Wednesday 9pm, NBC I’m not convinced that title is accurate. Now in its fourth season, the show would like you to believe it can produce a national sensation, like its across-the-pond sibling did with Susan Boyle. The best we’re likely to get is the second coming of Boy Shakira. All manner of […]

“Hawthorne” Tuesday 10pm, TNT Between “Saving Grace,” “The Closer,” and now this new show, TNT has carved out a niche for strong female-led dramas starring washed-up movie stars. “Hawthorne” follows Jada Pinkett-Smith as Christina Hawthorne, a tough but vulnerable head nurse in a chaotic hospital. She’s forced to navigate stifling bureaucracy and incompetent doctors, and […]

“Top Chef Masters” Wednesday 10pm, Bravo The chefs that act as guest judges on food competition “Top Chef” are among the bitchiest critics I’ve ever seen. Frequently, the contestants on the show will comment that they wish the culinary master pissing in their corn flakes had to work under their intense conditions. Those wishes have […]