“Bravo A-List Awards”
Wednesday 10pm, Bravo
Let us be clear: No one involved in this awards show is remotely A-list. When your guests include Tori Spelling, Traci Lords and the bizarre new couple that is Tila Tequila and Billy Corgan, you’re barely cresting the D level. Still, if you’re a Bravo fan, there’s much to love. All the stars of the entertainment net’s universe will be on-hand to present awards to honorees in the fields of food, fashion, design and more, so expect “Top Chef” judge Padma Lakshmi, any combination of the cougars from the now four “Housewives” shows, and poor TV latchkey kid Tim Gunn, the true victim of the “Project Runway” divorce. And can we talk about the categories? “A-List Kate”? Malia and Sasha Obama up for “A-List Breakout”? No Doubt up for “A-List Artist of the Year” despite not having an album out since 2002? Oh, Bravo.
“World’s Strictest Parents”
Saturday 9pm, CMT
We’ve had “Wife Swap” and “Super Nanny,” and this new series combines both concepts. Two unruly teens are sent to live with incredibly strict families and basically forced to get their shit together. As the uncle of a 15-year-old who was just arrested for shoplifting, I wholeheartedly approve. Things could get uncomfortable as surly, entitled teens get busted on for their awful behavior, but hopefully at least one or two of them will sack up. If nothing else we may get a new Marguerite Perrin (Google it, watch it, remain agog) out of it, since you know CMT is going to be gunning for the churchy crowd.
“Sit Down, Shut Up”
Sunday 8:30pm, Fox
The good news: This new animated series re-teams “Arrested Development” writer Mitch Hurwitz with several of his “AD” stars, including Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Henry Winkler, who act as voice talent. The bad news: It’s produced by the people behind the awful (and awfully popular) “Two and a Half Men.” The good news: The concept is fun, as it centers around self-absorbed teachers in a crappy Florida school who care more about their personal BS than their students. The bad news: The characters have really corny names, like Larry Littlejunk the coach, Miracle Grohe the science teacher, and Willard Deutschebog the German teach. The good news: Did I mention the “Arrested Development” thing already?
