NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET
Any concerns that the Battle Rounds on this show would be less entertaining than the swivel-chair audition rounds were obliterated last week, when two of Christina Aguilera’s singers climbed into the ring and tore up the same Alicia Keys song. Jesse Campbell and Anthony Evans both killed it, but only one could advance to the next round. I also loved it when Christina Aguilera brought in Jewel as a guest mentor, and Jewel promptly advised one singer to focus on the song’s lyrics and true emotion, and not to throw in unnecessary musical runs and trills just to show off – an Aguilera hallmark. (Awwwk-ward.) Tonight, the battle rounds continue – perhaps, again, between some of the judges and their mentors.
HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET
Because of how much attention this HBO telemovie, starring Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin, has gotten, I’m pointing out tonight’s prime-time repeat telecast. In the same spirit, I’ll also repeat my offer, from Saturday’s BEST BETS, that if you want to read my TV WORTH WATCHING review of
Game Change, and find a link to hear my full review on NPR’s
Fresh Air with Terry Gross, click
HERE.
OWN, 9:00 p.m. ET
Lady Gaga, with her mother, Cynthia, along for the ride, invites Oprah Winfrey into her home, and behind the scenes, to talk about the pleasures and pressures of being one of the most visible and profitable entertainers in the world. That’s Gaga talking about that, and Oprah, too, in what amounts to a one-on-one, two-hour divapalooza.
TV Guide Network, 9:00 p.m. ET
Part 2. I’m keeping this documentary series on the viewing list because its definition of See Before You Die shows includes ones that are unspeakably bad – and by that definition, this show qualifies to make its own list. It’s that horrendous. Where to start? How about with a total lack of perspective? Last week, in an episode repeated tonight at 8 p.m. ET, The Flying Nun ranked as No. 90, The Cosby Show at No. 89, and Land of the Lost as No. 88. Roll that around your tongue for a while. The interviewees gathered to offer context include unfamiliar young comics, unfamiliar young magazine editors, and unfamiliar staffers and columnists on such websites as HitDanBack.com -- so if you want your TV history served up by the clueless “cool kids” at the snark table, this is for you. But since you’re reading this site, it isn’t – except as a jaw-dropping example of low-budget TV history with a short-term cultural memory. Fox’s wretched 2001 reality series, Temptation Island, lands at No. 82, only one notch behind South Park and two behind All in the Family. Archie Bunker way down at No. 80? Warning: If you don’t watch with the express intention to be amused by shockingly awful historical rankings, 100 Shows to See Before You Die might kill you.
NBC, 10:00 p.m. ET
Ivy (Megan Hilty) gets more caught up in the All About Eve and A Star is Born whirlpools swirling inside this series, in an episode that involves rejection, paranoia and drugs – and also provides a potential opening for chorus girl Karen (Katharine McPhee), her former rival for the leading role in Marilyn: The Musical.