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What to Watch on Tuesday: The State of the Union (Don't worry, be happy)

Bobby McFerrin: A YoungArts Masterclass (7:30pm, HBO) - Grammy-winning vocalist Bobby McFerrin (yes, now that song is stuck in your head -- you're welcome) mentors four young singers in a memorable workshop environment. The YoungArts program offers emerging artists (ages 15 to 18) from around the country the chance to be mentored by some the world's greatest artists.

Frontline: Cliffhanger (8pm, UNC-TV) - Examining the failure of America's elected representatives to solve the country's debt and deficit problems. Included: the political and personality clashes that nearly pushed the nation off the "fiscal cliff"; the ideological divide within the GOP; the struggle between House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va).

State of the Union Address (9pm) - President Obama's address will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, UNC-TV, CSPAN, Fox, Fox News, Fox Business Network, CNN, CNBC and MSNBC.

The Face (9pm, Bravo OXYGEN!) - A new reality competition show in which 12 attractive people vie to be a supermodel. In tonight's premiere, the hopefuls move into a luxury loft, participate in their first test shoot and pose for photographer Patrick Demarchelier. Check out Adrienne's review of "The Face."

The Lying Game (9pm, ABC Family) - Emma impersonates Sutton to expose Rebecca's lie. Meanwhile, Theresa's support for Alec jeopardizes her relationship with Dan.

Real Husbands of Hollywood (10pm, BET) - Kevin Hart boxes Shane Mosley at a charity event where Robin Thicke sings the National Anthem.

Justified (10pm, FX) - More about that severed foot discovered last week by Raylan ("Well, my goodness."). Also, Boyd and Ava target Harlan's upper class. (Harlan has an upper class???)

Holiday giveaway: An HBO comedy combo

Today we've paired up two HBO comedy series for you: "The Life and Times of Tim" (Season 3) and "Funny or Die Presents" (Season 2).

"The Life and Times of Tim" is an animated comedy series about a 20-something New Yorker trying to get his life together. We have the third and final season, which has all ten episodes.

"Funny or Die Presents" is a sketch comedy series based on the funnyordie.com website. It has a mix of scripted sketches, animated shorts and fake commercials and music videos. You'll see stars like Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Ben Stiller, Zooey Deschanel, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly and many others.

If you're interested in winning this combo, send me an email by midnight tonight and you'll be in the random drawing. Include your mailing address. I'll notify the winner on Monday.

Holiday giveaway: Season 8 of HBO's 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'

Today we've got Season 8 of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," the uncomfortably hilarious comedy from Larry David, one of the creators of "Seinfeld."

Season 8 is the New York City season, so the DVD extras include a "Roundtable Discussion with Larry and the Cast" and "Leon's Guide to NYC" (FYI: Leon is played by JB Smoove, a North Carolina native -- and one of the best parts of "Curb"). 

This most recent season also had some great guest stars: Michael J. Fox, Ricky Gervais and Mayor Bloomberg.

If you'd like to win, send me an email by midnight tonight and you'll be entered in the drawing. Please include your mailing address. The winner will be notified on Monday.

"In Vogue: The Editor's Eye" offers a look at visionary women

If you've ever picked up a Vogue magazine, you've seen the beautiful, sometimes magical, fashion spreads. They aren't just pretty pictures with pretty women in pretty clothes. They're telling a story.

"In Vogue: The Editor's Eye" (9 tonight, HBO) introduces us to the storytellers, the fashion editors who conceive the stories and then find just the right photographers and models and moments to bring them to life on the magazine's pages. It's a documentary full of stories, fun characters, and of course, gorgeous images, although at an hour long with several stories to tell you might be left wanting.
 

What to Watch on Thursday: HBO doc looks at 120 years of Vogue magazine

The Big Bang Theory (8pm, CBS) - Amy takes ill and Sheldon becomes her nursemaid, while Wolowitz takes a fishing trip in order to bond with his father-in-law.

The Vampire Diaries (8pm, CW) - Stefan and Damon visit New Orleans and recall their last trip there in 1942. While there, Damon runs into one of his former flames. Meanwhile, Elena, Caroline and Bonnie share a fun evening together, until Elena reveals some shocking news.

In Vogue: The Editor's Eye (9pm, HBO) - A documentary chronicling Vogue magazine's 120 years of covering the fashion industry's highs and lows. Includes archival photographs, and interviews with editors, designers, models and photographers. Check out Adrienne's review.

Parks and Recreation (9:30pm, NBC) - Ron's new girlfriend meets his ex-wife Tammy when they all attend a woodworking awards dinner. At the same time, Jerry throws a holiday party and not everyone is invited.

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - Olivia returns to working at the White House in the wake of a national tragedy (the First Lady should love that!), while the early days of Fitz's presidency are recalled.

Elementary (10pm, CBS) - Holmes investigates a college professor's murder, and Watson gets a call from a former lover who asks for her help.

Burn Notice (10pm, USA) - Michael sets up a deal to sell a valuable piece of technology, but things take a turn when Sam is caught up in a risky robbery. 

Holiday giveaway: 'Too Big To Fail' is too good to pass up

Today's giveaway is "Too Big To Fail," an HBO film based on Andrew Ross Sorkin's bestelling book about the intersection of Washington and Wall Street, and how decisons made there caused the near-collapse of the U.S. economy in 2008.

It's not a documentary, though. It stars William Hurt, Edward Asner, Paul Giamatti, Cynthia Nixon, Bill Pullman, Tony Shalhoub, James Woods, Topher Grace and Billy Cruddup.

Plus, it's a DVD/Blu-ray combo with a digital download copy available for your computer or iPad. The Blu-ray features include an in-depth look at pivotal events that impacted the economic crisis, discussion by cast, crew and financial experts on the origin of the crisis, and other thoughts from the cast and crew on the events that inspired the film.

If you're interested, email me by midnight tonight and include your mailing address. The winner will be notified on Monday.

What to Watch on Saturday: HBO movie shows 'The Girl' of Hitchcock's obsession

A Nanny's Revenge (8pm, Lifetime) - A woman vows revenge against a wealthy contractor who is responsible for her parents' death. She sets her plan into motion by getting a job as a nanny in the man's house.

Too Cute (8pm, Animal Planet) - The first few months of litters of kittens and puppies are observed. How you can resist this?

The Girl (9pm, HBO) - An HBO original movie depicting the unusual relationship between actress Tippi Hedren and filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. In the film, model Hedren gets her big acting break after Hitchcock casts in her his 1963 thriller, "The Birds." But what begins as a promising professional relationship turns sour when the director becomes dangerously obsessed with his leading lady. Stars Toby Jones, who played Truman Capote in "Infamous," and Sienna Miller. Adrienne reviews.

Celebrity Ghost Stories (9pm, BIO) - Two new back-to-back episodes tonight. Lucky, right? In the first, Biz Markie gets advice from a ghost. At 10, Dick Cavett encounters a ghost in a mansion (which, really, is where all ghosts should live).

Bedlam (9pm, BBC America) - A wedding forces Ellie to reflect on her own failed engagement, and she finds comfort in an unexpected place.

Pit Bulls and Parolees (10pm, Animal Planet) - A volunteer at Villalobos adopts a dog with an uncommon history, and a man who rescued two dogs needs help caring for them from Tia and her daughter Mariah.

Saturday Night Live (11:29pm, NBC) - Bruno Mars pulls double duty as host and music guest.

"The Girl" shows Alfred Hitchcock could be as creepy as his movies

Learning about great artists is always disappointing. Few of them are nice people, some are downright awful. And then there's Alfred Hitchcock.

As portrayed in "The Girl" (9 p.m. Saturday, HBO), the legendary English director was creepy, cruel and pathetic. The portrayal makes for a mildly flawed film that's sometimes compelling and often disturbing with an excellent performance at its center.

That performance isn't by "The Girl" of the title. It's by Toby Jones as Hitchcock. But let's talk plot first. The film begins in 1962, after the director has gotten acclaim for "Psycho," and is beginning to make "The Birds." With prompting from his wife Alma (Imelda Staunton), he casts Tippi Hedren (Sienna Miller), an ex-model with no acting experience. Tippi, grateful to have the confidence of someone of Hitchcock's stature, is brought to tears, and Hitch and Alma are too. It's the start of a beautiful relationship.

What to Watch on Thursday: '30 Rock' proves women are funny

The Big Bang Theory (8pm, CBS) - Wolowitz is disappointed when he doesn't receive a hero's welcome upon his return from space, while game night degenerates into a pitched battle of the sexes.

30 Rock (8pm, NBC) - Liz (Tina Fey, right) clashes with Tracy and sets out to prove to him that women are indeed funny. Liz must also protect Jenna from negative publicity, while Jack takes a shot at an offbeat dating strategy.

Grey's Anatomy (9pm, ABC) - The plane crash survivors face a difficult choice that will have far-reaching effects.

Ethel (9pm, HBO) - A profile of Ethel Kennedy, widow of former Senator Robert F. Kennedy, features her recollections of political campaigns, her conservative roots, and her husbands death. The film, directed by Rory Kennedy, Ethel and Robert's youngest child, features interviews with seven of their 11 children. Adrienne reviews.

Parks and Recreation (9:30pm, NBC) - Leslie responds to an STD outbreak among Pawnee high schoolers by conducting her own sex-education class. At the same time, Tom finds himself gadget-less and turning to Ron for help in coping with life without technology.

Elementary (10pm, CBS) - A child is abducted by a serial killer known as the Balloon Man, who leaves a signature batch of balloons at each of his crime scenes.

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - An overly suspicious government employee shocks the team with a case involving top-ranking people, Meanwhile, lingering questions about Quinn's past cause trouble at the firm, and Olivia's ex-boyfriend reappears.

The vibrant life of a Kennedy wife is revealed in "Ethel"

"Ethel" (9 tonight, HBO) is a big-hearted documentary, full of love and life, not as tough as its subject, but certainly as elegant.

Directed by Rory Kennedy, the last of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy's children, born six months after her father's murder, the film is an appropriate tribute to a woman who raised 11 children, lost two of them and held her ground.

The film features the first interview Ethel Kennedy has given in 25 years, and don't think because she's talking to her daughter, she's cooperative. She's mostly candid, but there are places she refuses to go. One of those places is talking about her late husband's assassination. That's understandable, but her silence, actually, her inability to speak of it, speaks volumes about her lingering pain as a wife and mother, and the nation's lingering pain surrounding that awful day.

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