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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: McCreery on CMA show, Gervais on 'Curb'

CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock (8pm, ABC) - Scotty McCreery is slated to perform! Oh, and also: Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, Reba, and many others.

In the Flow with Affion Crockett (9pm, Fox) - A new sketch comedy series created by actor-comedian Affion Crockett, who is from Fayetteville. Tonight's first episode comes out swinging with a spoof of Tiger Woods trying to get his game back together after his extramarital scandal, and a skit about auditions for new judges on "American Idol."

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - Sookie and Eric side with the king when Bill and Marnie prepare for an epic confrontation.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (10pm, HBO) - Larry's heroic side comes out and Jeff pursues a professional relationship with Ricky Gervais.

The Great Food Truck Race (10pm, Food) - In the second season premiere, eight gourmet food trucks begin their cross-country competition for a $100,000 prize. Things start in Malibu, California, and move on to Las Vegas.

Breaking Bad (10pm, AMC) - Jesse's disappearance leaves Walt fearing the worst. Also, Skyler has a surprising reunion and Hank gives Det. Roberts bad news.

Against the Wall (10pm, Lifetime) - An ex-con accuses some police officers of harassment. Meanwhile, Abby is propositioned by the detective investigating Richie's shooting of a teen, and Sheila visits the mother of the boy Richie shot in an attempt to cope with her own grief.

Ryan & Tatum: The O'Neals (10pm, OWN) - In the Season 1 finale, Ryan and Tatum find themselves at an impasse as the publication date for Tatum's second memoir looms.

Durham's Only Burger falls short in Food Network contest

Food Network announced the winner of their online "Great Food Truck Race" contest tonight, and Durham's Only Burger truck, which appeared to be in first place when the contest ended last week, was not declared the winner.

Only Burger and Oklahoma City's Big Truck Tacos went back and forth between first and second place in the final days of the contest, sometimes trading places several times in a single day. But for the entire final day of the contest, Only Burger held the top position and was still in the top spot when voting ended. Yet, Big Truck Tacos was named the winner tonight during the finale of "Great Food Truck Race." The winner of the contest receives $10,000 and the chance to appear on next season's "Great Food Truck Race."

All of this makes me wonder the point of Food Network's online "Leader Board" at all if it did not accurately reflect who was ahead. If it was wrong the entire last day of voting, was it ever right? Well, here's what Food Network says about it. I don't think even the food truck participants knew the Leader Board was being frozen.

Coincidentally, the winner of tonight's first season of "Great Food Truck Race" was a burger truck named Grill 'Em All.

Only Burger is still number one in our hearts.

What to Watch on Sunday: "Gates" and "Food Truck" finales, "Boardwalk" debut

Boardwalk Empire (9pm, HBO) - Tonight is the Martin Scorsese-directed debut of HBO's new drama set in Atlantic City at the dawn of Prohibition. Steve Buscemi (left) plays Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, who controls the booze going through the town. Read our review and make a date to tune in.

Great Food Truck Race (9pm, Food) - In tonight's season finale, not only do we find out of Grill 'Em All can beat the undefeated and seemingly undefeatable Nom Nom Truck for the top prize, but also learn officially if Durham's Only Burger truck won the network's online food truck contest.

The Gates (9pm, ABC) - Two new back-to-back episodes end out the first season (the show is currently waiting to hear if they'll get picked up for a second). In the first episode, Buckley and Vanessa make a decision that has ramifications for the entire community. At 10pm, the Monohans prepare to leave The Gates, but Charlie complicates things by running away with Andie. Also, the Radcliffes persue Devon, who has the means to destroy their entire race.

 

Fantasia for Real (10pm, VH1) - Fantasia's reality show gets even more real in the second season. In the opener, Fantasia has everyone moved out of her house and Aunt Bunny confronts her about tabloid rumors concerning her love life.

Keep reading for more on Sunday shows.

Only Burger hosts viewing party for Food Network verdict

Absent some kind of hanging-chad controversy and a Supreme Court intervention, I'm fully expecting Only Burger to have won this Food Network "Great Food Truck Race" online contest when the winner is announced Sunday night.

Though voting was back and forth in the final days, the Durham-based food truck seemed to be in first place in the contest when voting ended last weekend, but there was some back-pedaling later -- presumably because Food Network wants to announce the winner during the finale of "The Great Food Truck" race, which airs Sunday night at 9pm.

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: An assist from Josie Tigertail on "Glades"

Rubicon (9pm, AMC) - A security breach at API leads the FBI to put the department on lockdown, and Katherine suspects her home is no longer safe. AMC has a marathon of the first 6 episodes "Rubicon" today starting at 9am, and then this new episode at 9pm.

The Great Food Truck Race (9pm, Food) - Loving this show. The four remaining teams travel to New Orleans, where a surprise catfish-cookoff awaits. I bet the Ragin' Cajun will cry for sure when he finds out about this! (Vote for Durham food truck Only Burger to be on this show next season!)

Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch (9pm, VH1) - Two women remain and Chad's choice comes down to passion versus a "close mental connection." Oh my. I wonder which he'll choose.

The Glades (10pm, A&E) - Jim (left) investigates the death of a Native American tribal elder who crashes to her death through a skylight at the Blues Rock Casino, and the case has him collaborating with Josie Tigertail, a tribal police officer. Later, Callie gets jealous when she sees Jim interacting with Josie Tigertail. I'm promoting this only so I can say "Josie Tigertail." I think I would rather watch a show about him. Or her.

The Gates (10pm, ABC) - Nick learns more about Claire and Dylan's vampiric past when a kidnapper snatches their daughter Emily.

Mad Men (10pm, AMC) - A quickly approaching deadline causes stress at the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce office.

Remember to Vote for Only Burger to appear on Food Network

You can start voting TODAY to get Durham's Only Burger food truck on next season of the Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race." Voting runs until Sept. 10. You can vote once a day, and each time you'll be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the Food Network's New York City's Wine and Food Festival.

For details and to vote, go HERE.

Next Durham food truck roundup is this Saturday

Lots of news from Brian Bottger of the Only Burger truck:

The next food truck roundup will be 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at CCB City Plaza in downtown Durham. The Durham Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a music festival. The confirmed trucks are Only Burger, Parlez-Vous Crepes and Mom's Delicious Dishes. The trucks that are maybes at this point are Don's Italian Ices, Kona Chameleon (a coffee truck), and Bulkogi Korean BBQ To Go.  

Also Only Burger has been nominated to be on next season of the Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race." Voting runs from Aug. 29-Sept. 10. You can vote once a day, and each time you'll be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the Food Network's New York City's Wine and Food Festival. For details and to vote, go HERE.

If you can't go to the food truck gathering, click READ MORE for information on how to track down the food trucks.

What to Watch on Sunday: More Vampire King of Mississippi, please!

Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman (8pm, Discovery) - Morgan Freeman hosts a series of shows (originally airing on the Science Channel) that examine some of the great mysteries of the universe. Tonight's back-to-back-to-back episodes look at implications regarding a possible creator, black holes, and time travel.

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - How unbelievably awesome is the Vampire King of Mississippi? Can HBO please give him his own show right now? Tonight, on heels of last week's stunning national news appearance, the King (Denis O'Hare) vows revenge on his enemies. And he's probably still carrying Talbot around in that candy jar.

The Great Food Truck Race (9pm, Food) - The six remaining teams arrive in New Mexico and a snow storm complicates the competition.

Drop Dead Diva (9pm, Lifetime) - The nauseating "Bachelor" Jake Pavelka guest stars as a dating show producer being sued by a former contestant.

Rubicon (9pm, AMC) - Will begins to suspect someone at API is behind his ongoing problems. The episode is called "Connect the Dots," so let's hope it does.

Mad Men (10pm, AMC) - Don and Pete disregard Roger's wishes while trying to land an important new client.

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