Jan
TV’s a little bit country with Brooks, ‘Gone’
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Country-music fans - I hear there are some of them ’round these parts - have a couple of things to choose from tonight: a new series in which rockers, rappers, poppers, soulsters and Bradys try to be country singers, and a new, unrelated special in which Garth Brooks shows ‘em all how it’s done.
Stuff to watch or record
All My Children: The soap opera brings back another big former player as Darnell Williams returns as Jesse Hubbard, part of ’80s supercouple Jesse and Angie (Debbi Morgan, who plays Angie, returned last week). OK, so Jesse died during his previous run. This is a soap opera. He’s allowed to return. 11 a.m., WFAA/Channel 8
1 vs. 100: Christopher Langan from Bozeman, Mont., billed as the “smartest man in America” (or “world,” depending on who’s doing the defining), takes on the mob in this episode. Also featured: Evan “Joe Millionaire” Marriott, the most-stretching-out-his-15-minutes-of-fame man in America. 7 p.m., KXAS/Channel 5
Gone Country: The Surreal Life meets Nashville Star as seven celebrities known for other things take a crack at being country stars. Among them: testosterone cases Dee Snider (of Twisted Sister fame) and Bobby Brown; perky Brady Bunch alum Maureen McCormick (who bonds quickly with Brown); potty-mouthed Wilson Phillips grad Carnie Wilson; former American Idol contestant Diana DeGarmo, Thong Song singer Sisqo; and Julio Iglesias Jr., son of … well, you know. With the guidance of Big and Rich’s John Rich, they’ll try to reinvent themselves without driving each other crazy. Tonight, though, there’s not much music, just a lot of exposition, and a bit about former glam-metal star Snider’s raging addiction … to caffeine. 7 p.m., CMT
Flash Gordon: Flash (Eric Johnson) must go on a mission in a frigid region of the universe. Is this what they mean by Flash-frozen? 7 p.m., Sci-Fi
Friday Night Lights: Last week’s episode was the best so far this season, getting away from overblown crime-drama-ish plotlines and focusing on racial tensions in Dillon - and although the FNL movie avoided racial issues, race was a big part of the classic H.G. Bissinger book that spawned the whole Friday Night Lights franchise. Tonight, temperamental running back Smash (Gaius Charles) faces the consequences - even though he was right - of standing up for himself and defending his sister. 8 p.m., KXAS/Channel 5
Garth Brooks: Live in LA!: The country superstar is doing five shows over two days at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, with proceeds going to benefit people affected by last year’s Southern California wildfires. 8 p.m., KTVT/Channel 11
Monk: Monk’s latest case hits close to home for his assistant, Natalie (Traylor Howard): Someone is killing young women named Julie, which is Natalie’s daughter’s name. 8 p.m., USA
Las Vegas: Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ne-Yo is in this episode, which revolves around parties - some that work, and some that go awry. 9 p.m., KXAS/Channel 5
Psych: Sharp-minded, smart-mouthed Shawn (James Roday) can probably deduce that there’ll be extra melodrama in his latest case: a murder that takes place on the set of a telenovela. 9 p.m., USA
Stargate Atlantis: Sheppard and McKay (Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett) must protect a young princess on a pilgrimage. Hmm … where have I heard that before? 9 p.m., Sci-Fi
20/20: Not long ago, 20/20 did a show about happiness. Tonight, it’s a show about anger. This newsmagazine sure is moody these days. 9:02 p.m., WFAA/Channel 8
Robert Philpot, 817-390-7872
rphilpot@star-telegram.com
