In the promos, star Tracee Ellis Ross describes "Reed Between the Lines"(10 tonight, BET) as a 'new definition of what it means to be happily married.'
Nah. It's just "The Cosby Show," again; a sitcom about an educated, professional, in-love African-American couple with cute kids. And you know what? I'm OK with that. After all, "The Cosby Show," was groundbreaking and funny.
Joining BET, TV One and Centric is Bounce TV, a new television network aimed at African-American audiences that launches in the fall.
The venture is especially notable in two ways; it will be the first over-the-air televison network, employing the digital signals of local television stations. And the group putting the network together includes former Ambassador Andrew Young and Martin Luther King III.
According to Broadcasting & Cable, Bounce TV plans to broadcast a mix of theatrical movies, live sports, off-net series and original programmng aimed at adults 25-54. It will televise CIAA football and basketball games, including the CIAA Championship football game and some quarter and semi-final CIAA tournament basketball games.
Dancing with the Stars (8pm, ABC) - The new season begins and the cast includes Kirstie Alley and Sugar Ray Leonard. Read more about the new cast and new season. We'll post a recap of the show later tonight.
How I Met Your Mother (8pm, CBS) - Barney finally meets his dad, who is played by John Lithgow.
Chuck (8pm, NBC) - A whodunit case emerges when a spy is murdered in Team Bartowski's secret high-tech home base. Also, Morgan is challenged when the Buy More crew battles their nemesis, Large Mart. Robin Givens guest stars.
The Chicago Code (9pm, Fox) - Jarek investigates a powerful drug dealer, but the FBI gets involved and causes problems. Elsewhere, Liam puts his cover at risk when he sympathizes with grieving families in front of Gibbons.
Triangle: Remembering the Fire (9pm, HBO) - A documentary about the 1911 New York City fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory that killed 146 garment workers and changed workplace safety rules. Many of the people could not escape the fire because managers had locked doors to the exits and stairwells.
Being Human (9pm, Syfy) - Juxtaposed against the arrival of four troubling coffins at the funeral home, flashbacks from Bishop's past reveal his relationship with a human woman in 1955. I really hate to hear this is going to be a Bishop-centric episode. But in other news, Josh gets abducted.
Castle (10pm, ABC) - Castle's writing skills prove advantageous in the investigation into the murder of a popular soap opera's head writer. The serial's ambitious stars make for an interesting pool of suspects. Corbin Bernsen and Jane Seymour guest star.
Rip the Runway (10pm, BET) - Mehcad Brooks and Selita Ebanks host this high-energy fashion show featuring live performances from Wiz Khalifa, Keri Hilson, Fabolous, and New Boyz.
The Bachelor (8pm, ABC) - Brad visits the four remaining bachelorettes in their hometowns, which means he accompanies Emily Maynard (left) to Charlotte. Will she let him meet her daughter with late NASCAR driver Ricky Hendrick? Will she make the cut and move on to the South Africa trip next week?
The Chicago Code (9pm, Fox) - Jarek and Caleb chase a bank robber and try to uncover details about him. Elsewhere, Teresa and Gibbons discuss a pivotal construction site.
It's Good to be President (9pm, History) - The life of the U.S. president is explored, focusing on daily tasks outside of the political arena, and the perks and dangers that go with the job.
BET Honors (9pm, BET) - Gabrielle Union hosts the awards show, which pays tribute to Linda Johnson Rice, Herbie Hancock, Jamie Foxx, Cicely Tyson, and Lonnie G. Bunch.
Amanda Knox: Murder Trial in Italy (9pm, Lifetime) - Hayden Panettiere plays the Seattle exchange student accused of murdering her British roommate in Italy. Read Adrienne's review.
Castle (10pm, ABC) - In part one of a two-part story, an investigation of a murdered cab driver reveals his involvement in a high stakes conspiracy. That leads to a federal agent (Adrian Pasdar) taking charge of the case.
President of the World: The Bill Clinton Phenomenon (10pm, MSNBC) - In another Presidents Day offering, this "Hardball" documentary examines the life and legacy of President Bill Clinton. Includes footage of Chris Matthews' weekend with Clinton attending the Clinton Global Initiative in New York and a visit to Ireland. Also includes interviews with Clinton's close friends and colleagues.
Lincoln's Secret Killer (10pm, National Geographic Channel) - The health of Abraham Lincoln in his final year of life is probed by experts, who perform a DNA analysis on a piece of fabric stained with his blood. Some believe Lincoln was dying from a rare form of cancer when he was assassinated.
Celebration of Gospel (8pm, BET) - A repeat of last week's blockbuster gospel music special hosted by Steve Harvey and featuring a duet between Kim Burrell and Whitney Houston.
Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Phil and Claire once again assume their alter egos (Clive and Juliana) for their annual Valentine's Day rendezvous. Also, Jay encounters obstacles trying to surprise Gloria, and Cameron and Mitchell dispute an admirer's intentions. "The Middle" (8pm) and "Better With You" (8:30pm) also have Valentine's themed episodes tonight.
Human Target (9pm, Fox) - In the second season finale, Chance digs into the past of Ilsa's deceased husband, but the unsavory details of lies and deceit he discovers may cause irreparable damage to the team.
Reagan (9pm, History) - Another documentary about former President Ronald Reagan, this one focusing on pivotal periods in his life, including his presidency, his role as governor of California, and his acting career. Interviews with Sam Donaldson, David Gergen, and George Shultz.
Mr. Sunshine (9:30pm, ABC) - A new sitcom starring Matthew Perry as the manager of a San Diego sports arena. Also stars Andrea Anders ("Better Off Ted") as a coworker and Allison Janney as his wacky boss.
Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The chefs cater Jimmy Fallon's birthday party and Fallon serves as the guest judge.
Justified (10pm, FX) - Season 2 has Raylan tracking down a sex offender and renewing acquaintances with the matriarch of a powerful Rabbit Holler pot farming family. Also, Boyd is once again on the loose. Our preview of the new season.
It's not often that a show gets booted off a network, disappears for more than a year, and then re-launches on a new network, with the entire cast in tact to boot.
Yet that's the journey "The Game" (BET, 10 tonight) has taken, and so consider this premiere a cause for celebration for all fans who've had a favorite show dropped without satisfying resolution.
If you're not familiar with the show, it chronicles the life and times of the players of a San Diego pro football team, The Sabres, and their families and hangers-on. It's billed as a half-hour comedy, but it's better described as a dramedy. There are comic moments for sure, but "The Game" isn't afraid to tackle serious/timely issues like gay athletes, interracial relationships, workplace sexism and politics.
Around this time last year, TV One tested "Love That Girl," its first original scripted sitcom, executive produced by comic star Martin Lawrence, with a limited run of four episodes.
Guess the audience responded positively because tonight (9 p.m.) the network airs two episodes of the half-hour sitcom as part of a full season.
If you missed the first run, the show stars Tatyana Ali (Ashley from "The Fresh Price of Bel-Air) as Tyana Jones, a young divorcee who has returned home to work with her father (Phil Morris) in his real estate business. She lives with her unemployed, aspiring stand up comedian brother Latrell (Alphonso McAuley), and has a best friend (Kendyl Joi) who owns a hair salon.
If you haven't had your Anoop fix in awhile, you'll want to catch "The Monique Show" this week.
The Chapel Hill native will appear on the show Wednesday, November 10, to promote the release of the new music video for his single, "Crazy Love," and also the release of the special deluxe edition of his album "All is Fair," which is available on November 9.
Anoop is scheduled to perform on the show.
"The Mo'Nique Show" airs on BET at 11pm.
There will be no shortage of television specials to mark Friday's first anniversary of the sudden tragic death of pop king Michael Jackson. Nearly every channel has something to offer, starting Thursday and continuing all weekend. Here's what we've seen so far and we'll update if there's more. The "Bubbles" special on Animal Planet looks like it can't miss.
ABC
“20/20: Michael Jackson, After Life ” (Friday, 9pm)
Animal Planet
“Michael Jackson & Bubbles: The Untold Story” (Friday, midnight)
BET
“Michael Jackson: Our Icon” (Saturday, 1:30 am)
“The Jacksons: An American Dream” (Thursday, 1 pm)
“Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Michael Jackson” (Saturday, 1 am)
“Michael Jackson: Life of a Superstar” (Friday, 1 pm)
“Inside the Michael Jackson Mansion: Never Can Say Goodbye” (Friday, 2 pm)
“Michael Jackson History: The King of Pop” (Friday, 8 pm)
When BET announced it would launch Centric, it said it was aiming for an older African-American audience, 25 to 54 years old, adding that perfect examples of its desired audience would be Barack and Michelle Obama.
Since then, the show has been mostly repeats; "Soul Train" episodes, "Miami Vice," "The A Team," R&B videos.
Slowly, though, it's added some original programming. The revived "Soul Train Awards" was, well, embarrassing. A reality show "Model City" didn't seem to fit the demographic.
Tonight, the channel tries again with another reality show, "Keeping Up With the Joneses," (8 p.m.), which chronicles a Houston woman as she raises her two children and tries to move her magazine from regional to national.
