Thursday 1
“Celebrity Poker Showdown” (Bravo 7 p.m.) This has been a phenomenally entertaining season. It all boils down to this, though—a betting-heavy battle royale with five celebs fighting for control of the coveted golden chip. My money's on Lauren Graham. That Gilmore Girl is a wily minx.
Friday 2
Dr. Giggles (AMC 8 p.m.) It seems kinda snippy to point out every time a movie on American Movie Classics fails to qualify as an American movie classic, but c'mon! Dr. Giggles? This lame 1992 slasher flick isn't even a classic among slasher flicks. It does feature death by liposuction, though.
Saturday 3
“The Flip Wilson Show” (TV Land 4 a.m.) We don't get to see much of old Flip on TV these days. There was a time, though, when he was king of the airwaves. This weekend, we get to relive it with 48 hours worth of his classic comedy variety show.
Sunday 4
See Above
Monday 5
“Celebrity Blackjack” (GSN 8 p.m.) Bravo has already snapped up the “Celebrity Poker” idea, so Game Show Network tries to counter by pulling B-listers Snoop Dog, Shannon Elizabeth, Jason Alexander, Camryn Manheim and Kevin Nealon in for a little 21. Didn't anyone at the network realize that blackjack consists of people sitting at a table saying “hit me” once or twice? Sort of lacks the drama of high-stakes poker.
“Airline” (A&E 8 p.m.) A&E launches another season of its behind-the-scenes look at Southwest Airlines. A critic (obviously smarter than I am) once described this show as “random homely people milling aimlessly around a place no one wants to be.” Enjoy!
The Ranch (Showtime 10 p.m.) Amy Madigan stars in this Showtime Original movie about a widow who inherits a Nevada brothel. It was supposed to be a pilot, but Showtime shot it down. Oh well. One night of hookers is better than none.
Tuesday 6
“Crossballs” (Comedy Central 8:30 p.m.) CC's latest joke is to put unsuspecting real people on a fake news discussion show and have them “debate” comedians pretending to be experts.
“The Amazing Race” (KRQE-13 8:30 p.m.) “Big Brother” can go take a flying leap as far as I'm concerned, but its companion piece has proved to be fairly compelling summer viewing over the last couple years. Tune into tonight's season premiere and place your bets early.
Wednesday 7
“Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” (Sci-Fi 6 a.m.) Screw it. I'm just gonna call in sick today and spend eight straight hours in bed watching this marathon of the late, but not so great sci-fi series starring Gil Gerard. The show (particularly the space age fashions) is early-'80s at their cheesiest, I admit. But there's something about the show that's comforting. Maybe it's just the sight of Erin Grey in silver Spandex.
