TV Barn's TV Picks for Mar. 29

SEE YOU ROUND LIKE A RECORD
Fox's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" boasts that it had "the biggest television premiere in the United States in over eight years." What series' debut ratings record did it beat?

A) "Becker"
B) "Jesse"
C) "That '70s Show"
D) "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place"
E) "Will & Grace"

[Skip to the bottom of the column now for el answero correcte.]

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TV Barn's TV Picks for Thursday, March 29, 2007
by Tom Heald with Jon Delfin
All times Eastern
For PBS programs, check local listings




7:30 p.m.
"The Black Carpet" (BET)

8 p.m.
Jane Fonda sits for a "Private Screenings" (TCM, repeated at 11) interview, followed by public screenings of "Barefoot in the Park" (9), "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" (midnight), "Comes a Horseman" (2:15 a.m.) and "The China Syndrome" (4:30).

The (non-American) Immunity idol is claimed from banishment island (home of Ashleigh Banfield) on "Survivor" (CBS). But wait, there's a twist.

"Are You Smarter Than a Deal or No Deal Briefcase?" (Fox)
"Dog Whisperer" (National Geographic)
"Get Fresh With Sara Snow" (Discovery Health)
"Under Fire" (Court; also 8:30)

8:30 p.m.!
You're "Fired!" (Showtime)!

9 p.m.
DEE DO DO DO, DE DA DA DA IS ALL I WANT TO SAY TO YA GUEST STAR PATROL
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS): Ruby Dee, Robert Gant. Plot: A serial killer is targeting showgirls. Apparently, he didn't appreciate the fine Paul Verhoeven flick.

"American Chopper" (TLC)
"Swinging" (Sundance)
"1,000 Places to See Before You Die" (Travel; also 10): Alaska; Italy
"Celebrity Eye Candy" (VH1): "That's Awkward"
"TNA iMPACT!" (Spike)

9:30 p.m.
I falafel after eating this fried chickpea ball made stuffed with tainted chicken on "Andy Barker, P.I." (NBC).

"The Dan Ho Show" (Discovery Health)

10 p.m.
The pizza delivery gal will be Physical Phil's on "October Road" (ABC). Oh yes, she will be his.

Though it's no china shop, "Penn & Teller's Bulls Hit!" (Showtime) Wal-Mart. Is truth in the lay-away department?

Is "Shark" (CBS) being a bigot by presenting a "good cop/bad cop" scenario that shades things for the jury for an integrated partnership that killed a young black scholar and maimed his drug-dealing cousin? And can you diagram the previous sentence?

"Impossible Moves" (National Geographic): "Cathedrals"
"A Lyon in the Kitchen" (Discovery Health)
"Pros vs. Joes" (Spike)
"Throwdown With Bobby Flay" (Food): "Fish & Chips"
"Biker Build-Off" (TLC)

10:30 p.m.
I'm still not Ira Glass, but our topic this week is stubbornness as we hit the highway at the cost of "My Way." It's "This American Life" (Showtime).

"The Showbiz Show with David Spade" (Comedy Central)
"Ace of Cakes" (Food): "G Whiz"
"Healthy Decadence with Devin Alexander" (Discovery Health)

11:30 p.m.
"Hollywood Heat" (Court)

midnight
RECAPS FOR NIGHTOWLS
"Brothers & Sisters: A Family Matter" (ABC Family)


BANTER SANDMAN ...
* Rose: Jessica Mathews, Kanan Makiya
* Philip Zimbardo turns evil on "The Daily Show."
* Smiley: Benjamin Barber, Cyrus Chestnut
* Clive James exhibits cultural amnesia on "The Colbert Report."
* Rosario Dawson, bird callers and Bloc Party wear long tails and ears for hats for Dave.
* Campbell Brown, Will Arnett and Dave Koz & Johnny Mathis celebrate gay pride with Jay. (Okay, more so from Koz and Mathis.)
* Kimmel: Eddie Griffin, Kiele Sanchez, Saul Malone
* Jeff Goldblum, Nia Long and Papa Roach rain on Craig's parade.


OUR ROMANCE IS KINDA CHECKERED
B) "Jesse" (starring Christina Applegate) was one of the many "Must Miss" sitcoms that failed to deserve "Friends" as its lead-in.

-- posted by Jon Delfin