Week In Sloth

The Week In Sloth

\ Jun 28, 2007

3 min read

Thursday 28

“Burn Notice” (USA 8 p.m.) Jeffrey Donovan (“Crossing Jordan”) stars in this new action series about a pink-slipped spy who uses his special skills to help strangers in need ( a la “The A-Team,” “MacGyver,” “The Equalizer,” etc.). Sounds pretty standard-issue, but kudos for the odd supporting cast (Gabrielle Anwar from “The Tudors,” Bruce Campbell from Evil Dead and Sharon Gless from “Cagney & Lacey”).

“Hey, Paula!” (Bravo 8 p.m.) A new reality series starring Paula Abdul? Thank god! Now, maybe we can finally put to rest the old “drunk or insane” conundrum.

Friday 29

“July 4: Exploding the Myths” ( National Geographic Channel 8 p.m.) Find out the rumors and realities behind America’s birthday.

Saturday 30

The Master of Disguise (KWBQ-19 7 p.m.) Have you ever been drinking in a Mexican bar and some dude walks up to you with a lamp battery attached to two wires? The idea is for you to hold on to the wires for as long as you can to prove your manliness. Only drunk frat boys and Marines do it. Well, this 2002 Dana Carvey vehicle is a little like that. Sitting through more than 10 minutes of this comedy endurance test will prove you a person of steely fortitude. But you’d have to be pretty drunk and/or stupid to attempt it.

Sunday 1

“Dateline NBC” (KOB-4 6 p.m.) NBC news does not pay for interviews. The network didn’t shell out one red cent for tonight’s high-profile interview with Princes William and Harry. The two young royals did it for free.

“Princess Diana Tribute Concert” (KOB-4 7 p.m.) … Right after the network forked over millions to air this 10 th anniversary love fest for their dead mother featuring Elton John, Duran Duran, George Michael, Joss Stone and Beyoncé.

Monday 2

“Extreme Makeover” (KOAT-7 8 p.m.) “Extreme Makeover” returns after a long hiatus. Don’t get all excited, though. This is the surgery one, not the construction one. The sob stories still play well, but they’re not as much fun to watch when they end in extensive surgical reconstruction of mangled limbs rather than in the building of houses by hunky construction guys.

Tuesday 3

“Barbecue Championship Series” (Versus 7 p.m.) Tonight’s three-hour marathon kicks off with Mike Davis vs. Joe Davidson and Hillary Pouncy. I’ve been waiting for this rematch since last year’s stunning upset at the dry-rub semifinals.

Wednesday 4

“Drive” (KASA-2 7 p.m.) FOX burns off the final two eps of the series it dropped like a hot carburetor earlier this summer.

“The Taste of Chicago 2007 Fireworks Spectacular” (KASY-50 7 p.m.) The “Taste of Chicago” part is a wash, since you can’t actually eat anything; but you do get the Grant Park Orchestra, the cast of “High School Musical” and some fireworks.

“Macy’s 4 th of July Fireworks Spectacular” (KOB-4 8 p.m.) Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle from “American Idol,” plus more fireworks.

“The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” (KRQE-13 9 p.m.) The Boston Pops and still fireworks. … Hey, ABC, where’s your “Fireworks Spectacular”?