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What to Watch on Sunday: 9/11 specials and big finales

9/11: 10 Years Later (9pm, CBS) - A 2011 update of Jules and Gedeon Naudet's 2002 documentary featuring footage of the FDNY's rescue efforts at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Included are new interviews with firefighters who commented in the original documentary and footage of the rebuilding of the site. Robert De Niro hosts.

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - In the fourth season finale, Sookie taps into the town's spiritual past during a Wiccan festival, for help in her battle with Marnie's latest incantation. Speaking of Marnie, Lafayette's recent medium encounter spells trouble for his relationship with Jesus. Also, Alcide makes a romantic proclamation.

Rebirth (9pm, Showtime) - A documentary following five people who suffered grievous losses during the September 11 terrorist attacks examines their recovery and hopes for the future.

All American Handyman (9pm, HGTV) - Durham's Howard Eason is still in the competition. Tonight, contestants build an item based on a drawing, and then must build a wooden toolbox using precise specifications.

The Great Food Truck Race (9pm, Food) - The four remaining food trucks roll into Memphis for a barbecue challenge. Memphis barbecue legend Jim Neely is the guest judge.

Breaking Bad (10pm, AMC) - Tonight's episode is one of the most powerful of the season, and that's saying something. Big mistakes from Skyler's past have an impact on her current situation, Gus is spurred to action against the cartel, and Jesse seeks help from Walt. There's a scene with Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) that gave me chills (several times). Don't miss.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (10pm, HBO) - In the Season 8 finale, Larry clashes with his New York neighbor Michael J. Fox, Jeff makes a sacrifice for Susie, and Larry is flagged for giving an improper birthday gift.

From the Ground Up (10:15pm, OWN) - Profiling the widows of five New York City firefighters who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The film follows the women as they come to grips with their losses, then put their lives back together and engage in charitable works.

Entourage (10:30pm, HBO) - In the series finale, Vince takes a surprising step after a first date with Sophia and a therapy session yields mixed results for Ari and Mrs. Ari. Also, the guys (pictured) encourage Sloan to work things out with Eric. I hope after this finale that I never have to hear the words "Sloan" and "Eric" in the same sentence ever again.

A more complete list of 9/11 specials.

What to Watch on Sunday: 'Glee Project' finale, Kings of Leon documentary

The Glee Project (9pm, Oxygen) - In the Season 1 finale, the final contestants deliver a group performance of the song "Raise Your Glass," after which the winner is revealed.

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - A Festival of Tolerance in Shreveport finds Marnie plotting another strike against the vampires, much to Tara and Holly's dismay. Meanwhile, a recuperating Sookie mulls a world where Bill and Eric can coexist, and Marcus recruits an ally to deal with Sam.

Drop Dead Diva (9pm, Lifetime) - Jane represents a former sorority house mother who lost her entire savings at a local casino and wants to prove that the casino is responsible for the loss.

In the Flow with Affion Crockett (9:30pm, Fox) - David Koechner, Michael Strahan, and Hugh Moore are Crockett's guest stars.

Talihini Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon (10pm, Showtime) - The story of the brothers Followill, three young men from Oklahoma who, along with their cousin Matthew, rose from humble God-fearing beginnings to become Grammy-winning global superstars. This documentary uses exclusive footage of the members and their family to chart the creation of Kings of Leon in 2002.

Breaking Bad (10pm, AMC) - A shocking discovery unsettles Skyler. Meanwhile, Walter Jr leans on his father to buy him a car, and Mike gets surprise help from Jesse.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (10pm, HBO) - Larry and Rosie O'Donnell vie for the same woman's affection. Also, Larry gets to the bottom of a Japanese cultural tradition and turns down lunch with a Los Angeleno.

Entourage (10:30pm, HBO) - Dissatisfied with his new "Johnny Bananas" costar, Drama hatches a plan to bring Andrew Dice Clay back to the show.

What to Watch on Sunday: Bobby Flay and 'Iron Chef' return to Raleigh

Same Name (9pm, CBS) - A new show in which celebrities swap lives with non-famous people sharing their same name. And yes, there's actually someone else (in Texas) named David Hasselhoff.

Masterpiece Mystery: Zen (9pm, UNC-TV) - Zen investigates the death of a disgraced aristocrat  who either jumped off a bridge or was pushed -- possibly because of his plan to reveal the existence of a shadowy organization called the Cabal -- while balancing the demands of his superiors.

Iron Chef America: Flay vs. Christensen (10pm, Food) - Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen (right) of Poole's Diner battles Bobby Flay. Christensen is the Poole's Diner owner and executive chef. "Iron Chef America" was in Raleigh in 2006 for the Angus Barn's Walter Royal to battle Cat Cora. Royal won handily. 

Breaking Bad (10pm, AMC) - Walt tries to establish a new alliance as he plots his next move. Meanwhile, Skyler urges him to consider a business opportunity that could keep the family safe.

Falling Skies (10pm, TNT) - Suspicions arise that the children's safe haven may not be so safe after all.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (10pm, HBO) - Larry relishes his role as a "social assassin" until it becomes a liability with his friends, on the golf course and at a Palestinian restaurant.

Entourage (10:30pm, HBO) - In the Season 8 premiere, the guys go to extremes to keep Vince away from temptation after he gets out of rehab, but they're also worried about triggering a relapse when he's excited about a lame idea for a movie. Also, Ari pleads with his wife to end their separation, and Eric and Scott court new clients for their fledgling management company. Check out a trailer of the new season and some interview clips.

'Entourage': Video clips from upcoming Season 8

HBO's "Entourage" returns for its eighth season Sunday night. Vince is out of rehab and ready for some action, and you won't believe how much weight Turtle has lost. Check out the extended trailer below, then watch some short interview clips with "the boys," "Ari & Lloyd," and Gary Busey (just because). If you still need more after all that, "Entourage" has a cool mash-up thing going on over on Facebook:

The season premiere of "Entourage" airs Sunday night at 10:30 p.m. on HBO

What to Watch on Sunday: MTV's VMA up against "True Blood" finale

The Perfect Teacher (8pm, Lifetime Movie) - David Charvet plays a teacher who is stalked by an amorous student (Megan Park) who is used to getting what she wants and refuses to accept his disinterest.

2010 MTV Video Music Awards (9pm, MTV) - The 27th annual VMA awards are hosted by Chelsea Handler and features performances by Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Florence and the Machine, Drake, and B.o.B.  Also look for the cast of "Jersey Shore," Katy Perry, the cast of "Glee," Cher, Ellen DeGeneres, Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Trey Songz, Selena Gomez, and Ne-Yo. This also airs on VH1.

Great Food Truck Race (9pm, Food) - The remaining teams go to Jonesboro, Tennessee, population 5000, where they must cook a five-course meal in the style of a pioneer-era chuck wagon. I'm already missing the shaggy Jimmy Fallon look-alike from Austin Daily Press.

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - In the third season finale, Eric's overwhelming thirst for revenge against Russell presents a moral dilemma (does that mean they both didn't fry and die in the previous episode?). Meanwhile, a frustrated Sookie gives serious consideration to a life without vampires, and Jason thinks about yet another new career.

My Boys (10pm, TBS) - Back-to-back new episodes end out the season. In the first, PJ and her crew consider finding a new bar when irritating college grads overrun their favorite one, and Mike's courtship with Marcia blossoms. In the finale episode, Mike plans a birthday party for Marcia and gets the gang to help, but PJ may miss party prep because of work. Also, London is calling for Stephanie and Brandon must make a game-changing decision. Rachel Harris guest stars in both episodes.

Mad Men (10pm, AMC) - Peggy and Joan are forced to deal with rambunctious office shenanigans.

Hung (10pm, HBO) - Also season finales tonight for the HBO series "Hung" and "Entourage" (10:30). On "Hung," Ray thinks he may have a shot at reconciling with Jessica, but Lenore isn't ready to give up her star employee. On "Entourage," Ari's emotional outburst threatens to undermine his wife's surprise birthday party, and the guys worry that Vince's behavior has reached the point of no return.

What to Watch on Sunday: The return of "Mad Men"

Mad Men (10pm, AMC) - In the first episode of Season 4, titled "Public Relations," Don's reluctance to talk about himself blows an important interview with an big magazine, while the new firm of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce tries to woo the wholesome Jantzen swimwear company. Also, Pete and Peggy stage a stunt at a grocery store to get more ad money from their client, and Roger sets Don up on a blind date. Read more about the premiere in our review.

My Boys (10pm, TBS) - Season 4 opens with two new back-to-back episodes. In the first, PJ and her friends come to terms with the loss of one of their buddies, who moved to China for work (that's right, Jim Gaffigan does not return for this season). In the second episode, Mike is upset when the gang goes to a fancy restaurant without him, so he has his own grown-up evening with Brendan at an upscale bar.

The Gates (10pm, ABC) - Marcus looks into the disappearance of Theresa, and Nick may  have to enter into an alliance with a vampire who saved his life.

Army Wives (10pm, AMC) - An AWOL soldier is arrested after missing her deployment and Grant Chandler (Harry Hamlin) takes the case.

Entourage (10:30pm, HBO) - Drama gets off on the wrong foot with potential costar John Stamos, and Eric and Scott find common ground in advancing Vince's career and the future of their company.

Is "Entourage" still worth watching?

I've been off the "Entourage" bandwagon for a few seasons now, and despite the slick promos from HBO, I can't get very excited about the seventh season, which starts tonight at 10:30.

New York Magazine has done a great job of breaking down exactly why the show has sort of ... okay, I'll say it ... sucked the past few seasons. Well, maybe "suck" is a strong word, but "bore" is not. And this show definitely bores me now. Yet, I'll probably watch the new season. Similarly, Time magazine's TV critic says that he can't "defensibly call it good," but he still watches because like the "Entourage" characters, he can't break out of his pattern.

What to Watch on Sunday: Daytime Emmys, HBO debuts

Ellen's Somewhat Special Special (9pm, TBS) - Ellen Degeneres hosts a variety show featuring everyone from musicians to magicians. Recorded at the 2010 Just For Laughs festival in Chicago.

Daytime Emmy Awards (9pm, CBS) - Regis Philbin hosts the 37th annual Daytime Emmy Awards honoring soaps, daytime talk shows, children's shows, and other daytime programming. TV legend Dick Clark is honored in a tribute that includes Ann-MargretFrankie Avalon, Garth Brooks, Cher, Barry Manilow, and Marie Osmond.

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - Sookie goes to Mississippi looking for Bill after Eric gets a werewolf to protect her and Jason looks toward a career in law enforcement.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band London Calling (9pm, VH1 Classic) - Bruce and the band play in London's Hyde Park at Hard Rock Calling Festival on June 28, 2009.

Hung (10pm, HBO) - In the second season premiere, Tanya gets pimping advice from a professional to use as leverage in her partnership with Ray and Lenore. "Entourage" debuts Season 7 immediately after, at 10:30.

Team Coco Presents Conan's Writers Live (10pm, TBS) - Andy Richter hosts a special featuring several of Conan O'Brien's writers, and a musical performance by comedian Reggie Watts. Recorded at the 2010 Just For Laughs festival in Chicago.

The Gates (10pm, ABC) - Nick investigates the death of the former police chief of The Gates, and vampiress Claire wants to put the past behind her.

What to Watch on Sunday: Seinfeld reunion and Entourage finale

Three Rivers (9pm, CBS) - The debut of another new medical show, this one about a transplant team in Pittsburgh and starring Alex O'Loughlin (left). Tonight, a pregnant woman needs a new heart.

Desperate Housewives (9pm, ABC) - Someone strangled Julie last week (and I tried very hard to care). The obvious suspects are from the new family who just moved in -- either the son Julie's tutoring or the creepy ass dad. But that's too obvious, so my guess is that Zach Young has gone nuts again and returned to Wisteria Lane.

My Monkey Baby (9pm, TLC) - I'm officially no longer surprised by any programming on TLC. This show is about a couple raising their pet monkey as a child.

Keep reading...

What to Watch on Sunday: Sookie does Dallas

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.

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