NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET
This instant fundraising special, hosted by Matt Lauer and shown live on all of the networks in the NBC Universal universe, isn’t political. This one-hour telethon is for victims of Hurricane Sandy, and features performances by artists who came together within days to offer assistance in helping to raise money for relief efforts. Scheduled artists include Bruce Springsteen and others associated with states hit hard by the mammoth storm, as well as just helpful performers such as Sting and Christina Aguilera. For some of these performers, the issue of waterfront disaster doesn’t just strike close to home – it struck their homes as well. Among the other scheduled performers are Jon Bon Jovi, who has a lavish waterfront estate in New Jersey, and Billy Joel, who has one in the Hamptons in New York. This special, in addition to NBC, is shown simultaneously on Bravo, USA, Syfy, E!, CNBC, MSNBC, Style and G4.
ABC, 8:31 p.m. ET
SERIES PREMIERE: This isn’t a recommendation, just a note. This is the last official new series of the 2012 fall season lineup, and stars Reba McEntire as a former country music star who heads to Californee,
Beverly Hillbillies style,with her mother along for support and wisecracks, to restart her music career. The noteworthy part of this, aside from McEntire’s unassuming likability, is the appearance of Lily Tomlin in the role of Reba’s cranky ex-hippie mother. Worth watching? Not really. Worth noting? Absolutely. And also worth noting is another supporting player, Sara Rue, who once headlined sitcoms of her own, and certainly knows her way around a punch line. For a full review, see
Uncle Barky's Bytes.
Fox, 9:00 p.m. ET
Last week’s episode included a twist that I didn’t see coming, and didn’t want to see, period. But it gave notice that, for these final 10 episodes, Fringe isn’t playing around. What’s going to happen tonight? Expect the unexpected – and realize that no one is safe, not even the series regulars.
Cinemax, 10:00 p.m. ET
In tonight’s new episode, Sam (Melissa George) gets closer to both of her major objectives: discovering the identity of the fellow agent who tried to kill her, and ingratiating herself further into the Turner family, and getting to glamorize herself up in the process.
HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET
So who makes the cut on Bill Maher’s guest list on his last live show before the 2012 presidential election? Rob Reiner, for one. And environmental nature photographer James Balog, for another, whose insights into Hurricane Sandy should be quite stormy. And former Fox News contributor Margaret Hoover, the great-granddaughter of President Herbert Hoover. And, finally, young political activist Matthew Segal. Let the discussion begin…