The first season of Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" has been delightful.

Brooke Elliott's Jane proves that being plus-size character on TV doesn't have to be all about being a preachy symbol or a representative from some kind of special group.

Jane is smart and sexy and worthy of the desire she's earning from suitor Tony. And, it seems, from Grayson.

Daytime Emmy Awards (8pm, CW) - Vanessa Williams hosts and "Sesame Street" receives the Lifetime Achievement Award. There's also a special tribute to "Guiding Light," which ends its 72-year run next month. 

Live From the Essence Music Festival (8pm, TV One) - A two-hour sampling of acts from the 15th annual New Orleans music festival includes Beyonce, Ne-Yo, and John Legend. 

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - Tonight's episode features Raleigh's Evan Rachel Wood as the 1,100-year-old Vampire Queen who is approached by Bill for assistance in battling the maenad, Maryann. Also, Sookie and Lafayette work on keeping Tara straight, while Jessica tests Hoyt's bond with his mother.

Drop Dead Diva (9pm, Lifetime) - Deb juggles attending Jane's high school reunion with defending and eccentric client's sanity. Gregory Harrison guest stars. 

Mad Men (10pm, AMC) - Betty's sulky manipulation of Don last week won the family the "careful what you ask for" prize of living with the constantly cranky and mentally incapacitated Grandpa, who promptly thanked them by pouring all their good liquor down the drain. This week, Gramps has a run-in with our favorite budding bartender, little Sally. Back at the office, the staff is required to work late and the writers get creative trying to stave off boredom. High-jinx ensue. Wink, wink.

Shark Week! (Discovery Channel) - Terrifying patrons of death, or misunderstood creatures of the sea? Either way, it's the most exciting TV week of the summer. Lots going on, beginning with "Blood in the Water," a two-hour special dramatizing the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks that killed four people and inspired Peter Benchley's novel, "Jaws."9pm. More about Shark Week at  Discovery.com. 

The Storm (9pm, NBC) - James Van Der Beek is still trying to save the world in the conclusion to last week's big two-part disaster movie. Also stars Treat Williams and Luke Perry.

Defying Gravity (9pm, ABC) - The premiere of a new series about eight astronauts (four men, four women) preparing for a six-year mission to Venus. It's been described by some cynical critics as "Grey's Anatomy in Outer Space." Whether or not that's a good or bad thing for you should help you decide if you want to watch.

The Next Food Network Star (9pm, Food) - In the season finale, Alton Brown helps the two finalists film pilots of their dream shows. The winner is announced before a live studio audience.

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - Stackhouses in trouble! Sookie's in serious danger with the Fellowship of the Sun folks, and still trying to summon Bill to help her. Meanwhile, Jason has some serious troubles of his own. 

Drop Dead Diva (9pm, Lifetime) - Raleigh native Sharon Lawrence stars as the mother of Deb (the "dead" model whose soul now resides in the body of attorney Jane). Deb's mom is represented by Jane in divorce proceedings, while Grayson represents her dad. We're hoping real hard this is a recurring role for Lawrence.

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - While Sookie and Bill are in Dallas doing business for Eric, Sookie tries to make friends with someone who shares her same powers. And no surprise, creepy Maryann tries to keep Tara from moving out.

Drop Dead Diva (9pm, Lifetime) - Deb defends a client who lost her waitressing job after she gained 50 pounds. Great show. Please watch.

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (9pm, USA) - Goren up. After a big loss, a poker player has to collect a debt for his bookie and accidentally kills someone. 

In Plain Sight (10pm, USA) - First of all, I can't believe Mary finally said yes to Rafael's proposal last week! I am a total sucker for that character (Cristian de la Fuente, right). But I also love Marshall, who has a secret crush on Mary, so I'm sure he'll be hurt by the news. Anyway. Tonight Mary helps make a training film for US Marshalls, while Marshall helps an elderly mobster in the program attend his son's funeral.

Entourage (10:30, HBO) - It's the "Gatsby" premiere. Eric gets to hang out with Sloane, and Turtle goes public with Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

I never thought I'd see the day when Lifetime would become a regular part of my TV rotation. Sure I've checked out the movies on a lazy weekend.

But now with the channel getting 'Project Runway' and after watching "Drop Dead Diva," I think I'm all the way in.

Premiering Sunday at 9 p.m., "Drop Dead Diva" begins with Deb (Brooke D'Orsay) and Jane (Brooke Elliott). Deb is a model, sweet enough to be beloved by a lawyer boyfriend, but so shallow that when she gets to the pearly gates, there is no log of either good deeds or bad deeds. She's declared a 'self-centered' zero.