Is it a great way to showcase a new show to put it on Thanksgiving week, or a way to bury it? Many people will already be distracted by the holiday to pay much attention to the new show “You Deserve It” (ABC, 9 p.m.). On the other hand it is still November sweeps.
In the new show, hosted by the odious Chris Harrison of “Bachelor” fame, the normal trivia test is conducted, the only twist being that contestants play for loved ones who are “deserving” of the prize money, to get that “Extreme Makeover” emotion in there (or going back much further, “Queen for a Day”).
Why is network TV so bad? ABC seems to be telling you that “You Deserve It.”
But it isn’t exactly being thrown away – ABC scheduled it to play immediately after the final performance show of “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.). Still in it are J.R. Martinez, Ricki Lake and Rob Kardashian, and they’ll probably finish in that order. They will each do two dances tonight, one of which will be the annual freestyle. The mirror ball trophy will go home Tuesday.
Anthony Bourdain broadens his horizons a bit on a travel show that talks about more than food. In “The Layover” (Travel, 9 p.m.) he finds the most unique parts of the cities he’s in during the shortest possible time. First stop: Singapore, where he disparages the Singapore Sling, stops in the botanic gardens and searches for a bootleg copy of “Roadhouse 2” at the flea market.
Thanksgiving on “2 Broke Girls” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) means that the two central characters take a part time job at a department store Santa Land where they are elves.
It’s down to four groups on “The Sing Off” (NBC, 8 p.m.) who combine for an opening performance mash up of the Who’s Baba O’Reilly” with “Bittersweet Symphony,” “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” and “Hollaback Girl.”
Jimmy Buffett portrays a helicopter pilot on “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
A sniper triggers bad memories for Beckett on “Castle” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
“Death Valley” (MTV, 11 p.m.), the zombie series that isn’t nearly as popular as the other, has its season finale.
Its Chiefs at Patriots in Monday Night Football (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.).
In college basketball, it’s Missouri vs. Notre Dame (ESPN2, 7:30 pm.), California vs. Georgia (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.) and UCLA at Chaminade (ESPNU, 9:30 p.m.).
In women’s college basketball it’s two of the best teams, Stamford at Connecticut (ESPNU 7:30 p.m.).
Dougie gets a little fresh with Amy on a new “Enlightened” (HBO, 9:30 p.m.). It follows a new “Bored to Death” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
Reports are scheduled on Rham Emanuel, Betty White and lobster diving. But mostly Bob Costas will try to continue to make hay from the Penn State story on this week’s “Rock Center with Brian Williams” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
The concluding half of “Woody Allen: A Documentary” on “American Masters” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) isn’t quite as cohesive as Sunday’s part one, which ran from his early days through to the 1980 film “Stardust Memories.” There were simply too many to include – he usually does one a year, and it’s been more than 30 years since then!
But there is an instructive visit to him on the set, where he does as little as possible, allowing the action to happen all around him. And time is spent on the blowup of his personal life and his shock that it was of interest to anyone else.
It’s the first week for “Live with Kelly” (check local listings, 9 a.m.) the newly named morning show minus Regis Philbin. Kelly Ripa continues the show with a series of weeklong guests in the seat next to her. The first is Jerry Seinfeld. They’ll host Jason Segel and Jamie Oliver.
In NHL action, it’s Boston at Montreal (Versus, 7:30 p.m.)
Janet Leigh stars in “My Sister Eileen” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “Houdini” (TCM, 10 p.m.); Brigitte Bartot is in “And God Created Woman” (TCM, midnight) and “A Very Private Affair” (TCM, 1:45 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Jason Segel, Jamie Oliver, Jerry Seinfeld. The View: Ben Kingsley, Cat Cora. The Talk: Mary Steenburgen, Christopher Gorham. Ellen DeGeneres: Rihanna, Drew & Brittany Brees, Steve Spangler. Wendy Williams: Adrienne Maloof. Rosie O’Donnell: Sharon and Kelly Osbourne.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Ty Burrell, Needtobreathe. Jay Leno: Dennis Miller, Javier. Jimmy Kimmel: Artie Lange, Nick DiPaolo, Atticus Shafer, Lady Antebellum. Jimmy Fallon: Jason Segel, Deepak Chopra, Michele Bachmann, M83. Craig Ferguson: Robin Williams, Johnny Galecki. Tavis Smiley: Christoph Waltz, Hill Harper. Carson Daly: Roy Choi, Tiffany Schlain, the Joy Formidable (rerun). Jon Stewart: Bill Clinton (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Elijah Wood (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Jimmy Fallon, Reggie Watts (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Miss Piggy, Bill Bellamy, Heather McDonald, Ben Gleib.