tv

new and noteworthy tv: 9/3-9/9

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Labor Day signals the end of summer, and typically the start of nice weather in SF, perhaps a bit more tennis before we get serious about new tv…

Monday

  • US Open Tennis (CBS, 8am, T-Th ESPN2, F-Su CBS) – Enjoy Labor Day with a little tennis and then if you have to work perhaps skip the cable coverage during the week and tune back in starting with the men’s and women’s semis on Friday.
  • Switched at Birth (ABCFam, 8pm) Season Premiere – The gals go through another year of drama with their extended family.
  • American Chopper/Fast n’ Loud (Disc, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Senior and Junior collaborate and then let the car restoration continue.
  • Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Trav, 9pm) Season premiere – Sometimes the places that don’t take reservation are just plain weird.
  • Coma (A&E, 9pm) Miniseries Premiere – A remake of the ’78 thriller.
  • T.I & Tiny (VH1, 9pm) Season Premiere – Camping?
  • Girlfriend Confidential (Oxy, 11pm) Series Premiere – Eva from ANTM and some other gal pals hang in the big city.

Tuesday

  • Flipping Out (Brav, 9pm) Season Premiere – Designer flips out while trying to flip a house.
  • Democratic National Convention (NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, 7pm T/W/Th) – It’s the Democrat’s turn.

Wednesday

  • Ghost Hunters (Syfy, 9pm) Season Premiere – A serial killer’s revenge.
  • Sweat Equity (DIY, 10pm) Season Premiere – Converting a basement.

Thursday

  • 2012 MTV Video Music Awards (MTV, 8pm) – Kevin Hart hosts.
  • Raising House (DIY, 9pm) Series Premiere – Starting with a rebuild.
  • Texas Car Wars (Disc, 10pm) Series Premiere – Let the rivalries begin.
  • Living Abroad (HGTV, 11pm) Series Premiere – Three American families living in Shanghai.

Friday

  • Stand Up to Cancer (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, 8pm) – Celebs perform, chat about, and take money for cancer.
  • Making the Team/Cheer (CMT, 9/11pm) Season/Series Premieres – Cowboy’s prelims and if you’re a diehard cheer fan…

Saturday

  • My Fair Wedding (WE, 9pm) Season Premiere – Medieval-themed wedding.
  • I Was Impaled (Health, 10pm) Series Premiere – Seriously a whole show on impalements?

Sunday

  • Long Island Medium/Breaking Amish (TLC, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Family and the hereafter and then I think there might need to be special protections about filming the Amish, I mean how can they know how terrible reality tv is and how much privacy they’re giving up?
  • Wallander (PBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – How long until his peace is interrupted by a mystery?

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 8/27-9/2

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A little more time ’til fall hits so time for a bit more tennis…

Monday

  • US Open Tennis (ESPN2, 10am) – The US Open kicks off, plus preview and Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day Sunday on CBS.

Tuesday

  • The Republican National Convention (ABC, CBS, NBC, 7pm also Wed/Thurs) – Convening.
  • 19 Kids & Counting/Abby & Brittany (TLC, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Lots of kids and then 22 year old conjoined twins.
  • Property Virgins (HGTV, 9pm) Season Premiere – Property happens.
  • Addicted (Health, 10pm) Season Premiere – Combating addiction.

Wednesday

  • Buying and Selling (HGTV, 9pm) Series Premiere – Getting ready to buy and sell.
  • Restaurant Stakeout (Food, 10pm) Season Premiere – Struggling chef needs help.

Thursday

  • Gigolos (Show, 11pm) Season Premiere – They’re back.

Friday

  • Perhaps a little ANTM?

Saturday

  • Doctor Who (BBCA, 9pm) Season Premiere  – The Doctor’s next escapade.

Sunday

  • TV’s Most Dynamic Duos (ABC, 8/9pm) – Robin Roberts counts them down.
  • Million Dollar Contractor (DIY, 10pm) Season Premiere – Big restorations.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 8/20-8/26

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A light week may mean more Netflix catch up and of course I’m on about page 500 of 650 on my book… Or you know I could go outside.

Monday

  • Beyond Scared Straight (A&E, 10pm) Season Premiere – Prison fun for rebellious kids.
  • InBetweeners (MTV, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – I never caught the UK version of this comedy about high school awkwards, worth checking out.

Tuesday

  • Face Off (Syfy, 9pm) Season Premiere – Creature creation competition.

Wednesday

  • Dirty Jobs Down Under (Disc, 10pm) Season Premiere – Mike Rowe goes down under.

Thursday

  • Repeats, reality, netflix?

Friday

  • America’s Next Top Model (CW, 8pm) Season Premiere – Fierce Fridays begin with a new crop of judges and a college crew of wannabes, I will at least check out the new talent.
  • Bering Sea Gold/Yukon Men (Disc, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Hunting for gold and then hunting in Alaska.
  • Say Yes to the Dress/I Found the Gown (TLC, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Wedding dress fun.

Saturday

  • US Open Series (CBS, 9:30am, during week at ESPN2) – Men’s finals at Winston-Salem Open.
  • Wrestlemania (NBC, 9pm) – Rock vs. Cena.

Sunday

  • A day of rest.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 8/13-8/19

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I think I, and my TiVo, have survived the Olympics, now it’s time for fall to start trickling in before the big push…

Monday

  • Hotel Hell (Fox, 8pm) Series Premiere – Because we need more Gordon Ramsay.
  • Stars Earn Stripes/Grimm (NBC, 8/10pm) Series/Season Premiere – “Celebrities” in the military and the return off the irregular creature crime fighter.
  • The Closer/Major Crimes (TNT, 9/10pm) Series Finale/Premiere – Say goodbye to Brenda Leigh Johnson and welcome Captain Sharon Raydor to her new role.
  • United Bates of America/Big Tiny (TLC, 9/10pm) Series Premieres – Lots of kids and then dwarf siblings.
  • Blog Cabin (DIY, 9:30pm) Season Premiere – Redecorating.
  • Gallery Girls (Brav, 10pm) Series Premiere – Seven folks in the art world are followed.
  • Counting Cars (Hist, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – A car is restored.
  • Get to Work (Sund, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – A boot camp to get folks employable.

Tuesday

  • Top Gear (Hist, 9pm) Season Premiere – Drive challenge comparison.
  • Collection Intervention (Syfy, 10pm) Series Premiere – Hoarders meets collectibles.
  • The Week the Women Went (Life, 10pm) Series Premiere – South Carolina men are fending for themselves, well probably not all South Carolina men.
  • The Burn with Jeff Ross (Com, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – Comedians riff on popular culture.

Wednesday

  • Oh Sit (CW, 8pm) Series Premiere – Musical chairs!
  • Storage Wars Texas/American Hoggers (A&E, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – What’s in the lockers and how are the hogs?
  • Toy Hunter (Trav, 10pm) Series Premiere – In search of rare vintage items.

Thursday

  • The Next (CW, 9pm) Series Premiere – Celebs find and coach aspiring musicians.
  • Time Machine Chefs (ABC, 9pm) Series Premiere – Back to the basics of kitchen equipment.
  • Braxton Family Values (WE, 9pm) Season Premiere – The Braxton girls are back.
  • Run My Renovation (DIY, 9pm) Season Premiere – Viewers vote to determine next steps.
  • Bullet in the Face (IFC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Comedy series begins with a criminal getting a new face and a new job with the police.
  • Extreme Chef (Food, 10pm) Season Premiere – Dropped into a location and scavenge for ingredients, sounds yummy.

Friday

  • Teachers Rock (CBS, 8pm) – A tribute to US educators and a promotional vehicle for new flick Won’t Back Down.
  • Boss (Starz, 9pm) Season Premiere – The Mayor returns.
  • Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO, 10pm) Season Premiere – Bill’s back.
  • Strike Back (Cin, 10pm) Season Premiere – Military drama?

Saturday

  • Renovation Realities (DIY, 9pm) Season Premiere – Renovate it.
  • 10 Kids, 2 Dads (OWN, 10pm) Series Premiere – A gay couple with adopted kids.

Sunday

  • All American Handyman (HGTV, 10pm) Season Premiere – Who can replace a toilet or build a dog house first?
  • Married to Jonas (E!, 10pm) Series Premiere – Yes, I believe they are old enough to be married.
  • Copper (BBCA, 10pm) Series Premiere – A cop in 1864 New York.
  • The Great Food Truck Race (Food, 10pm) Season Premiere – Ready, set, cook…
  • Lovetown, USA (OWN, 10pm) Series Premiere – Oprah ushers in some matchmaking.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 8/6-8/12

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One more week of sporting and getting ready to sample some fall fun…

Monday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, gymnastics, men’s diving, beach volleyball.
  • Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (Food, 10pm) Season Premiere – Non traditional traditional fare.

Tuesday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, gymnastics, beach volleyball.
  • Shipping Wars (A&E, 9pm) Season Premiere – Let the wars resume.
  • Extra Yardage (DIY, 9:30pm) Season Premiere – First stop creating an artist retreat.
  • Hard Knocks (HBO, 10pm) Season Premiere – Miami Dolphins.

Wednesday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, women’s diving, beach volleyball.
  • Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (TLC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Because we need a Toddlers & Tiaras spinoff.
  • Paranormal Witness (Syfy, 10pm) Season Premiere – Parapsychological investigations.
  • Go On (NBC, 11:05pm) Series Premiere – Chandler’s back and NBC is trying to give it a little Olympics promo check in on him as sportscaster checking out a support group.

Thursday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, women’s diving, beach volleyball, bmx cycling.
  • Totally Biased wtih W. Kamau Bell (Fx, 11pm) Series Premiere – Comedic political talk and whatnot.

Friday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, men’s diving, bmx cycling.
  • The Dead Files (Trav, 10pm) Season Premiere – More hauntings.

Saturday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, women’s volleyball, men’s diving.
  • Tanked (AnPl, 9pm) Season Premiere – A whole show about special tanks?

Sunday

  • Olympics (NBC, 7pm) – Closing Ceremonies.
  • Hell on Wheels (AMC, 9pm) Season Premiere – The railroad returns.
  • Shark Week (Disc, 9pm) – Sharks, sharks, and more sharks get going on Discovery.
  • Animal Practice (NBC, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – Another try at post Olympic promotion, sadly this show perhaps about an animal hospital couldn’t look more dumb.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 7/30-8/5

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A little tardy with my posting but it’s really all Olympics anyhow… As it has been, tune into the myriad of channels NBC, NBC Sports, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo and Telemundo. Check out http://www.nbcolympics.com/ for specific listings, though of course be prepared for a spoiler or two if you click it, highlighted below are prime time spots.

Monday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Men’s team gymnastics, Swimming, Diving, Beach Volleyball.
  • Off the Hook (Disc, 9pm) Series Premiere – Extreme catches.

Tuesday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Women’s team gymnastics, swimming, women’s syncro platform diving.
  • All the Right Moves (Oxy, 9pm) Series Premiere – Follow dance dudes from So You Think You Can With the Stars as they dance it up reality style.
  • HGTV Design Star All Stars (HGTV, 9pm) Series Premiere – Six former designers.
  • Rat Bastards (Spike, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – Hunting giant swamp rats?

Wednesday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Swimming, diving, men’s gymnastics, and beach volleyball.

Thursday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Swimming, women’s gymnastics, and beach volleyball.

Friday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Swimming, Diving, women’s Volleyball, men’s Trampoline (really?), and the start of Track and Field.
  • Super Saver Showdown (OWN, 9pm) Series Premiere – Doing more on less.

Saturday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Swimming conclusion, Track and Field, Diving, and Beach Volleyball.
  • Home By Novogratz/Dina’s Party (HGTV, 7pm) Season/Series Premieres – Homes and parties.
  • The uneXplained (Bio, 10pm) Series Premiere – Metaphysical helpers.

Sunday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and Field, Gymnastics apparatus, Diving, and Beach Volleyball.
  • Flip Men (Spike, 10pm) Season Premiere – The guys flip it.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 7/23-7/29

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Scheduling conflicts are giving us a head start on next week, good thing there’s lots of Olympics to get ready for…

Monday

  • Bachelor Pad (ABC, 8pm) Season Premiere – The super fans join a new crop.
  • Warehouse 13/Alphas (Syfy, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – More freaky stuff for the team to stick in the warehouse and more freaky abilities and the struggle to keep them on the straight and narrow.
  • In the Big House (Logo, 10pm) Series Premiere – More reality families.
  • I’m Having Their Baby (Oxy, 11pm) Series Premiere – A look at people having other people’s babies?

Tuesday

  • 15 Awesomest Boy Bands (E!, 9pm) – What else are you going to do on a Tuesday.

Wednesday

  • Clios (NBC, 8pm) – Best commercials.
  • Top Chef Masters (Brav, 10pm) Season Premiere – Vegas baby!
  • WakeBrothers (MTV, 11pm) Series Premiere – What do professional wakeboarding brothers do when they hang out?

Thursday

  • Code 9 (Dis, 8pm) Series Premiere – Hidden camera hijinks.
  • 3 (CBS, 10pm) Series Premiere – A few, let’s say three, ladies meet some eligible dudes.

Friday

  • 2012 Olympic Summer Games (NBC, 7:30pm) – The opening ceremonies officially kick things off, though women’s soccer starts on Wednesday, check out MSNBC, NBCSN, CNBC, and when all else fails: http://www.nbcolympics.com/ for additional listings throughout the run.

Saturday

  • 2012 Olympic Summer Games (NBC) – Cycling starts at 5am with Tour familiar Mark Cavendish and then we get some early rounds of swimming, women’s basketball, rowing, women’s and beach volleyball before leading into primetime coverage including swimming finals, men’s gymnastic qualifying and early-round Beach Volleyball; followed by late night weight lifting and table tennis.

Sunday

  • 2012 Olympic Summer Games (NBC) – More cycling, swimming, men’s and beach volleyball, gymnastics, water polo, rowing leading into primetime coverage for women’s gymnastics qualifying, swimming finals, and diving; followed by late night canoe and kayak.
  • Hillbilly Handfishin’ (AnPl, 8pm) Season Premiere – Fishin’.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 7/16-7/22

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The final week of the tour should be getting folks in shape for Olympic coverage coming next week…

Monday

  • The Batmobile (CW, 8pm) – Sadly I don’t know if we’ll see any Christian Bale in the evolution of the Batmobile.
  • Eureka (Syfy, 8/9pm) Series Finale – What will go wrong in Eureka next and will they live happily ever after, I’m kinda over this show but always kinda sad to say goodbye.
  • Market Warriors (PBS, 9pm) Series Premiere – Flea market fun.
  • Degrassi (Teen, 10pm) Season Premiere – More teen Canadian drama.

Tuesday

  • American Gypsies (NGC, 9pm) Series Premiere – Let’s follow along with some Manhattan psychic gypsies.
  • The LA Complex (CW, 9pm) Season Premiere – When Canadian teens want to make it big they go to LA, this was so bad it was good and then it just got bad, do I tune back in?

Wednesday

  • Mama Drama (VH1, 11pm) Series Premiere – Mothers and daughters together again.

Thursday

  • Project Runway (Life, 9pm) Season Premiere – We’re back from the All Stars!
  • Great Lake Warriors (Hist, 10pm) Series Premiere – Sailors operating tugboats on Great Lakes.
  • Sullivan & Son (TBS, 10pm) Series Premiere – A son returns to buy back his dad’s bar, and the actor is a comedian, so I think it’s supposed to be funny.

Friday

  • King of Dirt (DIY, 9pm) Season Premiere – Landscape away.
  • John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show (Com, 11pm) Season Premiere – More stand-up.

Saturday

  • 30 Greatest NBC Olympic Moments (NBC, 8pm) – USA, USA, USA!
  • Rove LA (TVG, 10pm) Series Premiere – Australian comedian interviews US stars.

Sunday

  • Tour de France (NBC, 10am) – The final week’s coverage on NBCSN rides into Paris for the glory lap and a final sprint stage, will the jerseys change hands before then?
  • Teen Choice Awards (Fox, 8pm) – Because our teen icons need to be honored.
  • Bar Rescue (Spike, 9pm) Season Premiere – Transformation of failing bars.
  • The Bachelorette (ABC, 8/10pm) Season Finale – I have at least one friend who still watches these, she picks and then they all talk…
  • Flip Men (Spike, 10pm) Season Premiere – Turning foreclosures around.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 7/9-7/15

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Relieve to have the Tour as my only sports obligation, I mean it’s a fun obligation but it’s a lot of tv…

Monday

  • Tour de France (NBCSN, 5am) – Another week kicks off with the time trials, will Wiggins prevail?
  • Bizarre Foods in America (Trav, 9pm) Season Premiere – $750 cupcake?
  • The Closer/Perception (TNT, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premiere – Goodbye to Brenda and hello to Eric McCormack and his psychotically induced imaginary friends as he joins Rachel Leigh Cook to solve FBI cases.
  • The Bad Girls Club (Oxy, 10pm) Season Premiere – More bad.
  • Opening Act (E!, 10pm) Series Premiere – Picking a band from the online competition sounds like a recipe for success.

Tuesday

  • Destination Truth (Syfy, 8pm) Season Premiere – Bigfoots and Goblins oh my!
  • Hardcore Pawn (Tru, 9pm) Season Premiere – I’m sure there is a difference amongst the pawn shows but…
  • Trust Us With Your Life/NY Med (ABC, 9/10pm) Series Premieres – Celebrity improv and another visit to another hospital to see how the real healers heal.
  • White Collar/Covert Affair (USA, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – How Neal gets back into the FBI fold from his island escape is I’m sure one plot twist away and more CIA thrills.

Wednesday

  • Beverly Hills Nannies (ABCFam, 9pm) Series Premiere – Writing that title makes me physically ill.
  • Damages /Hit & Miss (DirTV, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Those crazy legal ladies are back, and then Chloe Sevigny as a contract killer who happens to be a transsexual, you bet.
  • Toddlers and Tiaras (TLC, 9pm) Season Premiere – More of this.
  • The Franchise (Show, 10pm) Season Premiere – A season with the Miami Marlins.
  • Picked Off (Hist, 10pm) Series Premiere – Throw team competition into a pawn show.
  • Restaurant: Impossible (Food, 10pm) Season Premiere – Steak and Seafood done wrong?

Thursday

  • Big Brother (CBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – Is this show still on?
  • Natural Born Sellers (HGTV, 9pm) Series Premiere – Too lazy to look up what they’re selling.
  • The Real L Word/Polyamory (Show, 10/11pm) Season/Series Premieres – NYC lesbians join and relationships multi partner style.
  • Property Wars (Disc, 10pm) Series Premiere – Battle on.
  • Top Spot (Trav, 10pm) Series Premiere – Your pick of the best of three.

Friday

  • Tyler Perry’s for Better or for Worse (TBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – I guess worse is more dramatic…

Saturday

  • Dark Matters (Sci, 10pm) Season Premiere – Looking into the dark?

Sunday

  • Leverage (TNT, 8pm) Season Premiere – I just can’t resist this fluffy con/heist show.
  • Breaking Bad/Small Town Security (AMC, 10/11pm) Season/Series Premiere – Walt and Jesse appear to have survived another season and the reality of private security.
  • Political Animals (USA, 10pm) Series Premiere – Word is good on this Sigourney Weaver as fictional not Hillary Clinton.
  • Strange Sex (TLC, 10pm) Season Premiere – More sexual irregularities.
  • 3 Days to Open with Bobby Flay (Food, 10pm) Series Premiere – Can he help in time?
  • Combat Pawn (Tru, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – How much pawn can we take?

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 7/2-7/8

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Still wrapping some sports, but taking it a little bit light for the American holiday week…

Monday

  • Four Houses (TLC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Decorating times four.
  • Web Therapy (Show, 11pm) Season Premiere – Lisa Kudrow returns as the therapist most in need of therapy.

Tuesday

  • Michael Wood’s Story of England (PBS, 8pm) Series Premiere – History.
  • Haunted Highway (Syfy, 10pm) Series Premiere – Paranormal roads.

Wednesday

  • A Capitol Fourth (PBS, 8pm) – Host Tom Bergeron brings music and fireworks.
  • Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular (NBC, 9pm) – Regis hosts with performers and fireworks.
  • America’s Lost Treasures (NatGeo, 9pm) Series Premiere – Treasure, historical style.
  • Boston Pops Spectacular (CBS, 10pm) – Orchestra and fireworks.

Thursday

  • Breakfast at Wimbledon (ESPN, 4am) – Recover from the fourth with a little preshow the the Wimbledon action.

Friday

  • And recover from the fifth maybe by going out.

Saturday

  • Tour de France (NBC, 5am) – Stages 7 & 8 hit the network for a little weekend viewing, otherwise catch one of the many showings on NBCSN.
  • Wimbledon Highlights (ABC, 1pm, Sat & Sun) – Randomly the Wimbledon finals for both men and women are noted as “highlights” on ABC so keep the recording set for ESPN at 6am for what should be the full events.
  • Dog Whisperer (NatGeo, 8pm) Season Premiere – Cesar begins his final season of dog (or owner) interventions.
  • The Walking Dead (AMC, 8:30am) – Catch up from the beginning starting on Saturday or just the TiVo lost second half of season two starting Sunday at 11:30am.

Sunday

  • Big Ang (VH1, 9pm) Series Premiere – A mob wife gets her own show.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

 

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