Military Propaganda via Reality Show
Most reality shows are just dumb but “Stars Earn Stripes” (NBC, 8 p.m.) is almost maliciously bad, built on deceptive premises blown up to a jingoistic, action film level with…
Also on Monday: ‘Closer’ Ends, ‘Major Crimes’ Begin
After seven seasons, more than 100 episodes and Emmy and Golden Awards for the star Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer” (TNT, 9 p.m.) calls it quits. And while her character Brenda…
Sunday TV: Closing Ceremonies, Roseanne Roast
The closing ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics (NBC, 7 p.m.) will focus on 50 years of British music. So yes, we’re expecting to hear some Beatles and Stones, but…
Saturday TV: Games Wind Down, ‘Dog Whisperer’ at Playboy Mansion
The last Saturday for the 2012 London Olympics (NBC, 8 p.m.) means finals in the men’s 4 x 100 meter relays, 5,000 meter javelin as well as women’s 4 x…
Friday TV: Tanglewood and Track
The granddaddy of great outdoor summer concert spaces throws itself a diamond anniversary party on "Great Performances” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). The 75th anniversary of Tanglewood in the…
W. Kamau Bell’s Fresh Comedy
Russell Brand’s stab at nearly-live topical monologue on late night cable sort of went off the rails as he floundered for topics and relevance (it will be retooled by the…
Also On Thursday: ‘POV’ Shorts, Behind the Rover
This season of “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) seems to concentrate on showing aspects of different communities and cultures – and that’s much in evidence tonight for the…
Wednesday TV: ‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo’ and Rita Hayworth Too
A Kewpie Doll with catch phrases, Honey Boo Boo was enough of a diversion in the already beyond the pale “Toddlers & Tiaras” to warrant a spin-off show highlighting her…
Tuesday TV: Football Training Amid the Summer Games
Even as lots of other sports vie for our attention at the Olympics, it may not be too soon to think about the football season. Hence the season seven premiere…
Monday TV: Athletes With and Without Cigarettes
For a truly bizarre world Olympics experience, you may want to switch over to “Classic Battle of the Network Stars” (ESPN Classic, 8 p.m.), which the network dug up probably…