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Golden Globe winner Keri Russell of "Felicity" fame takes a turn as a fleeting love interest of Zach Braff on "Scrubs." (NBC Universal) |
Consider a list of past Emmy winners in the guest actor categories and a trend is obvious: Voters swoon shamelessly over top celebs like Sharon Stone, Bruce Willis, Mel Brooks, Laura Linney, Gene Wilder and Sally Field slumming it on regular TV series.
Lots of others abound this week, including Adam Sandler and Eric Roberts, plus past Emmy champs Kim Delaney and Sean Hayes.
Here's a rundown of everything to catch on the tube this week as TV saves up its best for last to appeal to voters during these final weeks of Emmy eligibility.
Monday
While last year's best drama "24" (FOX) struggles to regain its footing, best actor Kiefer Sutherland faces a foe even more powerful than the vice president (Powers Boothe), who steps into the president's shoes yet again in hour number 19, and that is the return of "Heroes" (NBC) with the first of five new episodes. Internal mysteries become less murky tonight as Nathan learns about Lindeman's involvement while Eric Roberts is back as recurring character Thompson, who comes closer to finding Claire.
Another Thompson, Lea, stars in "A Life Interrupted" (Lifetime), based on a true story of one woman's fight to expand the use of DNA evidence to prosecute rapists. The television movie, once a programming staple of the Big Three (ABC, CBS, NBC), has been relegated to cablecasters such as Lifetime, with even HBO and Showtime scaling back their efforts.
The CBS comedy lineup sparkles tonight, kicking off with an episode of "How I Met Your Mother" entitled, appropriately enough, "Robin Sparkles." This November rerun showcases Cobie Smulders' character when a secret from her past comes back to haunt her. Turns out she was an '80s teen idol in her native Canada and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) has the cheesy music video to prove it.
"The New Adventures of Old Christine" follows with last year's Emmy winner, Julia Louis-Drefyus, mining comedy gold in "My Big Fat Sober Wedding" as she is forced to stick to soft drinks while facing hard questions from a jealous bride.
Jane Lynch, one of the regulars in the Christopher Guest-led ensemble comedies (the most recent was last year's "For Your Consideration"), guests on "Two and a Half Men" (CBS) as a therapist who guides Charlie Sheen through the dating maze. And Adam Sandler pops in on buddy Kevin James' sleeper hit sitcom "The King of Queens" (CBS) as a blast from the past. The two pals pair up this summer in the movie comedy "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry."
Tuesday
Two-time guest drama actor Emmy winner Charles S. Dutton drops by "House" (FOX) as Foreman's father, who is struggling with his wife's decline due to Alzheimer's disease. And Emmy winner Kim Delaney appears on a rerun of "Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit" (NBC) as a police captain who clashes with last year's Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay while Mary Stuart Masterson reprises her role as a peacemaking psychologist.
This "Law & Order" franchise has featured six Emmy-nominated turns by guest actresses with one win, for Amanda Plummer, who last year prevailed over Emmy's biggest loser, Angela Lansbury, who starred in a two-parter that started on "SVU" and ended on one-season wonder "Law & Order: Trial By Jury."
On the other hand, the CBS procedurals, with exception of the original "CSI," have not had much Emmy love. Tonight's episode of "NCIS" (CBS) shifts gears and turns the spotlight on office director Lauren Holly (star of '90s Emmy winner "Picket Fences"), who moves into the field with tragic results.
Ratings winner "American Idol" (Fox), always an also-ran in the best reality competition race, uses the power of the TV pulpit to preach about poverty in Africa and offers viewers a chance to donate to this worthy effort.
Wednesday
"Idol Gives Back" (Fox) is a special two-hour version of the results show, with appearances by a slew of British stars, including Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen), Daniel Radcliffe and Keira Knightley, as well as American singers Pink, Gwen Stefani and first season "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson.
2005 Emmy winner "Lost" (ABC) also runs two hours tonight a repeat of last week's outstanding "Catch 22" episode and then the new "D.O.C." which features another Emmy worthy performance from Elizabeth Mitchell as the "is-she-good-or-bad" doctor.
"Bill Moyers' Journal" (PBS) returns after a two-decade-plus hiatus with the four-time Emmy winning journalist hosting an insightful look at media coverage of the war in Iraq.
Thursday
Lots of others abound this week, including Adam Sandler and Eric Roberts, plus past Emmy champs Kim Delaney and Sean Hayes.
Here's a rundown of everything to catch on the tube this week as TV saves up its best for last to appeal to voters during these final weeks of Emmy eligibility.
Monday
While last year's best drama "24" (FOX) struggles to regain its footing, best actor Kiefer Sutherland faces a foe even more powerful than the vice president (Powers Boothe), who steps into the president's shoes yet again in hour number 19, and that is the return of "Heroes" (NBC) with the first of five new episodes. Internal mysteries become less murky tonight as Nathan learns about Lindeman's involvement while Eric Roberts is back as recurring character Thompson, who comes closer to finding Claire.
Another Thompson, Lea, stars in "A Life Interrupted" (Lifetime), based on a true story of one woman's fight to expand the use of DNA evidence to prosecute rapists. The television movie, once a programming staple of the Big Three (ABC, CBS, NBC), has been relegated to cablecasters such as Lifetime, with even HBO and Showtime scaling back their efforts.
The CBS comedy lineup sparkles tonight, kicking off with an episode of "How I Met Your Mother" entitled, appropriately enough, "Robin Sparkles." This November rerun showcases Cobie Smulders' character when a secret from her past comes back to haunt her. Turns out she was an '80s teen idol in her native Canada and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) has the cheesy music video to prove it.
"The New Adventures of Old Christine" follows with last year's Emmy winner, Julia Louis-Drefyus, mining comedy gold in "My Big Fat Sober Wedding" as she is forced to stick to soft drinks while facing hard questions from a jealous bride.
Jane Lynch, one of the regulars in the Christopher Guest-led ensemble comedies (the most recent was last year's "For Your Consideration"), guests on "Two and a Half Men" (CBS) as a therapist who guides Charlie Sheen through the dating maze. And Adam Sandler pops in on buddy Kevin James' sleeper hit sitcom "The King of Queens" (CBS) as a blast from the past. The two pals pair up this summer in the movie comedy "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry."
Tuesday
Two-time guest drama actor Emmy winner Charles S. Dutton drops by "House" (FOX) as Foreman's father, who is struggling with his wife's decline due to Alzheimer's disease. And Emmy winner Kim Delaney appears on a rerun of "Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit" (NBC) as a police captain who clashes with last year's Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay while Mary Stuart Masterson reprises her role as a peacemaking psychologist.
This "Law & Order" franchise has featured six Emmy-nominated turns by guest actresses with one win, for Amanda Plummer, who last year prevailed over Emmy's biggest loser, Angela Lansbury, who starred in a two-parter that started on "SVU" and ended on one-season wonder "Law & Order: Trial By Jury."
On the other hand, the CBS procedurals, with exception of the original "CSI," have not had much Emmy love. Tonight's episode of "NCIS" (CBS) shifts gears and turns the spotlight on office director Lauren Holly (star of '90s Emmy winner "Picket Fences"), who moves into the field with tragic results.
Ratings winner "American Idol" (Fox), always an also-ran in the best reality competition race, uses the power of the TV pulpit to preach about poverty in Africa and offers viewers a chance to donate to this worthy effort.
Wednesday
"Idol Gives Back" (Fox) is a special two-hour version of the results show, with appearances by a slew of British stars, including Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen), Daniel Radcliffe and Keira Knightley, as well as American singers Pink, Gwen Stefani and first season "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson.
2005 Emmy winner "Lost" (ABC) also runs two hours tonight a repeat of last week's outstanding "Catch 22" episode and then the new "D.O.C." which features another Emmy worthy performance from Elizabeth Mitchell as the "is-she-good-or-bad" doctor.
"Bill Moyers' Journal" (PBS) returns after a two-decade-plus hiatus with the four-time Emmy winning journalist hosting an insightful look at media coverage of the war in Iraq.
Thursday
