“Lock N Load”
Wednesday 8pm, Showtime
The hidden-camera series wraps its first season tonight with an episode about a Christian couple that loves its guns as much as the Lord, and a feisty senior citizen who owns a small arsenal of vintage firearms. The series follows charming gun store owner Josh T. Ryan, who is aware enough to understand the absurdity of his business (how can you not take a beat when a postal worker comes in looking to buy an assault rifle?), but neither he nor the show openly mocks the very mockable people who come into his store to purchase or test guns in the adjacent firing range. It’s interesting, although occasionally hard to watch as a wide range of folks discuss their love of guns and thoughts on gun control. (Spoiler: Most of them are staunchly against it.) Think of it as National Geographic for the Second Amendment set.
“Punkin Chunkin 2009”
Thursday 9pm, Science Channel
By Thursday night most of you will probably have had your fill of pumpkin pie, and will be cursing the orange gourd’s delicious existence as you struggle to button your pants and repeatedly reach for the Rolaids. (Not me; I am strictly an apple pie kind of guy.) Get your vicarious revenge by watching this special, which chronicles the 2009 World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association championships. Teams from around the country design and build air cannons, slingshots, catapults and other propulsive machines and descend on sleepy Delaware in the hopes of shooting pumpkins as far as possible. Last year Young Glory III broke the world record by launching one of the veggies 4,483 feet. See if they can clear the extra 800 feet this year and score the much-coveted mile mark. Tune in an hour early for the warm-up “Road to Punkin Chunkin” special.
“Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert”
Sunday 8pm, HBO
I could write a whole bit on the merits and demerits of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but instead I’m just going to list off the names of the performers for this concert special: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, U2, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Jeff Beck Band, Metallica, Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby Stills & Nash. Also look for appearances by Mick Jagger, Sting, Billy Joel, and maybe some people who are still musically relevant.
