Notable TV Thru July 20, 2008
Who You Gonna Call? The Closer!
Monday | July 14
The Closer: And the summer-TV heat revs up into high gear with the return of Kyra Sedgwick as fabulous Southern brainiac Brenda Leigh Johnson. [9pm EST/TNT]
Saving Grace: I have yet to warm up to this rough heartland series, which opens its second season, but Oscar-winning star Holly Hunter definitely deserves props. [10pm EST/TNT]
Tuesday | July 15
Major League Baseball All-Star Game 2008: The American League takes on the National League at legendary Yankee Stadium in Da Bronx. I’ve always been a National Girl myself, for reasons that are completely illogical, but “Go Team!” to both teams all the same. [8pm EST/Fox]
The Cleaner: This new based-on-fact original series has two instantly recognizable and ultra popular stars in Law & Order alum Benjamin Bratt and Battlestar Galactica veteran Grace Park. I’m looking forward to it. [10pm EST/A&E]
Wednesday | July 16
Project Runway: How can we not have style now that the fifth and final Bravo season of this exemplary reality-TV staple is returning? Look out, Lifetime, it’s coming to you next! [9pm EST/Bravo]
Thursday | July 17
Rock Honors: The Who: The beloved band formed many decades ago by aging English musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey is given the rock god treatment in a two-hour special. [9pm EST/VH1]
The Gong Show with David Attell: A remake of Chuck Barris‘ classic, late 1970s variety-style show hits basic cable. If the series is anything like the original, it should be good, zany, brainless fun, albeit slightly unnerving, as well (where do those “performers” come from?). [10pm EST/Comedy Central]
Friday | July 18
Monk: Ace detective Adrian Monk returns to solve puzzling crimes for a seventh season, and he’ll also have a new shrink in veteran actor Hector Elizondo, who’s stepping in to fill the *huge* void left after Stanley Kamel’s recent passing. [9pm EST/USA]
Psych: Season Three kicks off with a visit from fake psychic Shawn’s never-before-seen mother, played by lovely Cybill Shepherd. [10pm EST/USA]
Saturday | July 19
The Graham Norton Show: Well-respected American thespian John Malkovich is among the guests taking a seat on Irish host Norton’s notorious couch. [10pm EST/BBC America]
Sunday | July 20
2008 ESPY Awards: Figures from the world of sports acknowledge notable accomplishments in the field over the past year. [9pm EST/ESPN]
NOTE: All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST)
The Closer photo courtesy of TNT
