Tonight's TV Hot List: Sunday, June 6, 2010

Drop Dead Diva
9/8c Lifetime
Paula Abdul shares a dance number with Jane in the second-season opener, which has Jane, who is facing disbarment in the waking world, working at a food court with Paula in her dreams. There's no blaming Jane for this fantastic leap since her career is at risk, Kim is testifying against her at the hearing — oh, and Ethan (Devon Gummersall), her secret husband, is back in town. — Rhoda Charles
Kate Plus 8
9/8c TLC
We watched her marriage crumble before our eyes on Jon & Kate Plus 8; now Kate Gosselin is letting cameras document her new life as a single mom in a series of specials that will air on a semi-regular basis on TLC. The entire Gosselin brood (minus Jon, of course) returns to prime time with the celebration of the sextuplets' sixth birthday. It's been a tough year for the kids, so Kate goes out of her way to make their special day memorable by planning a surprise family trip to Florida. — Karen Andzejewicz
Breaking Bad
10/9c AMC
Jesse keeps getting bolder and more brazen and less apt to heed the more experienced Walt's advice. And that becomes a recipe for disaster when the young meth cooker-dealer gets himself deeply involved in a most dangerous situation. Always the father figure, Walt takes some drastic measures to help extricate Jesse from his dire predicament and put things right. But the best-laid plans don't always pan out in the end, and a totally unexpected confrontation turns shockingly tragic. — Ray Stackhouse
Next Food Network Star
9/8c Food Network
The Food Network kicks off its annual search for new talent as 12 wannabe TV chefs arrive in Los Angeles and begin vying for their own cooking show (not to mention countless specials, spin-offs and endorsements, like Season 2 winner Guy Fieri has landed). Even the most confident hopefuls' nerves are rattled in the premiere when they face their first on-camera test, which has them preparing and presenting a dish that represents their culinary point of view. And later, the intimidation factor is kicked up a notch when they cook for legendary chef Wolfgang Puck. — Karen Andzejewicz
2010 MTV Movie Awards
9/8c MTV
The hilarious Human Giant alum Aziz Ansari hosts this raucous celebration of the best movies of 2009, as voted on by MTV viewers. The Hangover leads the pack with six nominations, followed by New Moon and Avatar, which have five nods each. But the night's highest honor, the MTV Generation Award, will go to Sandra Bullock, who's set to make her first public appearance since her high-profile split from husband Jesse James. Scheduled performers include Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera. — Karen Andzejewicz
Ice Road Truckers
9/8c History
Armchair drivers can put on their thermals and get a pot of coffee brewing as the fourth season opens. Hugh, Alex, Jack and Lisa return and welcome two new truckers. There's Ray, who owned his own trucking company but soon learns that, despite his experience, he's in a whole new game when he hits the Atigun Pass. Joining him is Greg, the youngest driver. He's full of himself and out to prove something. — Bill Ecklund
NBA Finals
8/7c ABC
Somewhere on their flight to L.A. and three-day stay in SoCal, the edgy, driven Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics softened into a not-ready-for-prime-time outfit that was plainly outplayed in a 13-point Game 1 loss. Inspired efforts from veterans Ron Artest (going for his first title ring), Derek Fisher and splendid Spaniard Pau Gasol helped Kobe Bryant take a big step toward winning one for the thumb — his fifth ring, and first against the archrival C's. Doc Rivers has to reach deep into his bag of motivational ploys to spark the Garnett-Allen-Pierce trio. Otherwise, ABC is left only with the irreverent thoughts of Jeff Van Gundy to keep viewers tuned in. — Roger Leister