What to watch next week

Cable's new No. 1 show (hint: It's not "The Closer" anymore), the return of "Jericho" and "Doctor Who," and have you assumed the position?

All times Central.

SUNDAY

  If you don't get HBO -- or if you have HBO but you just don't get “John from Cincinnati” -- check out Lifetime's “Army Wives,” which the network is trumpeting as the most-watched series in its history and the No. 1-rated show on cable. Thanks to its multiracial cast, this soap about women at a military post is making a strong showing among black and Latino viewers as well. And along with all that data, I'm happy to report it's a pretty good show, too. It airs at 9 p.m. on Lifetime; if you're new to the show, two episodes re-air starting at 7 p.m.

  FRIDAY

 

“Jericho” is back. Go nuts. After fans of the Kansas-based apocalyptic thriller bombarded CBS executives with salty snacks, the network relented and agreed to return “Jericho” for seven episodes sometime next season. In the meantime, it's starting to air reruns at 8 p.m. on KCTV-5, beginning with the mushroom-cloud premiere.

  Also returning with new episodes (unless you saw them earlier this year on the BBC) is “Doctor Who.” First at 7 p.m. on SciFi is a Christmas special, “The Runaway Bride,” following by the season premiere at 8:30. This time around, the doctor's the same (David Tennant), but the cute sidekick has changed. Goodbye Rose, hello Martha (Freema Agyeman). She'll accompany the Doctor as they zip across time, meeting William Shakespeare and running through Depression-era New York City, among other adventures.

  NEXT SATURDAY (JULY 7)

  When it aired last summer, “Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl,” featuring comedian Robert Wuhl, a classroom of sharp college students and Wuhl's caustic takes on American history, made for a terrific and all-too-short HBO special. “Assume the Position 201” airs 9 p.m. on HBO, and again it's too short. Our instructor (along with guests Sarah Vowell, Jeff Greenfield and others) takes a cynical view of the presidency while redeeming other Americans that history hasn't been so kind toward. I only wish I'd gotten seven years of this show and two episodes of “Arli$$.”