Fear Factor
On the 12th day of December, with only 12 days (gulp) until Christmas Eve, here's a dozen topics of interest — or possibly disinterest — regarding today's unusually busy, for mid-December, TV lineup.
Mother's Day: On CBS's biggest Monday hit, Two and a Half Men (9/8c), Mimi Rogers drops by the Malibu manse as Walden's mom. Alan, naturally, is smitten (ewwww), but in the opposite-of-nurturing tradition of mothers ...
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Anthony Bourdain
In his role as a professional eater and drinker on Travel Channel's No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain's omnivorous bacchanals across the globe have become the stuff of foodie legend. So I braced myself for our meal at NYC's Takashi, a Japanese/Korean restaurant that's known for specialties like beef heart and flash-boiled Achilles' tendon. Would I be able to keep up with his infinite appetite for offal and sake? As it turned out, Bourdain is considerably more tame when he's off duty — and readily admits that these days, he'd rather get home to his wife and kid than stay out late being a bada--.
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Anthony Bourdain
On No Reservations' mid-season finale, snarky world traveler Anthony Bourdain visits Japan's island of Hokkaido. Having filmed the episode prior to March's deadly earthquake, the host hopes to share with audiences "a sense of what we've lost and what's probably been changed forever."
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Matt Lauria, Jason Clarke
The Chicago Code (Monday, 9/8c, Fox)
As often happens in the best crime dramas, the bad guy often gets some of the meatiest material. And Ronin Gibbons, the Chicago Alderman played so deliciously by Delroy Lindo, is no ordinary adversary. We get a better sense of what makes him tick in this episode, when the powerful politician is confronted by an armed teenage robber, causing Gibbons to look back on his own upbringing, back before he became so cynical about the city's corrupt ways. In another storyline, a bomber blows up a city building and promises more mayhem, putting a ticking clock on Jarek and Caleb's efforts to track down the culprit. This situation is not unlike the dilemma on ABC's Castle an hour later (10/9c), in the conclusion of a tense two-parter that finds Beckett and Castle teaming up with a fed (Adrian Pasdar) to avert a terrorist calamity....
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White Collar
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Monday, 10/9c, Travel Channel)
The outspoken culinary expert and world traveler celebrates his 100th episode with a return to Paris — hitting all the foodie hot spots in the City of Lights with the renowed chef Eric Ripert (whose chops Bourdain busted while guest-judging Top Chef last week). A daylong marathon of favorite episodes ends at 9/8c, with a "What Were We Thinking?" retrospective special that looks back at five years of filming the show in locales all across the world...
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Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
10/9c Travel
Five years and 99 episodes ago, Tony Bourdain kicked off this entertaining travelogue in Paris. Now, he's going back to the City of Lights to celebrate the show's 100th episode, and he's bringing along his pal, renowned French chef Eric Ripert. Together, they embark on a culinary tour of the French capital, sampling both classic cuisine and bold new dishes that are redefining French cooking.
Read on for previews of Aftermath, Thintervention with Jackie Warner, Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, Giuliani's 9/11 and 100 Greatest Artists.
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Miss Universe 2010
Miss Universe Pageant
9/8c NBC
A global collection of head-turning beauties is featured as the women vie for the crown by competing in swimsuit, evening-gown and interview categories at the 59th annual contest, hosted by Natalie Morales and rocker Bret Michaels from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Adding sonic glitz to the gala is a song medley from the Cirque du Soleil show, Viva ELVIS, plus a performance by John Legend and the Roots. The celeb panel of judges includes illusionist Criss Angel; actors William Baldwin, Chazz Palminteri and Jane Seymour; anchor Tamron Hall; skater Evan Lysacek; singer Chynna Phillips; model Niki Taylor; and musician Sheila E.
Read on for previews of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Aftermath, Huge, Bond of Silence, , If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise and Dance Your Ass Off.
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The Bachelorette
The Bachelorette
8/7c ABC
First Justin, then Frank: Isn't Ali supposed to do the rejecting, not being rejected? But that's for the Bachelorette history books; now it's time for Ali's finale as Season 6 ends. This summer's Super Bowl of Love pits Chris L., the landscaper from Cape Cod, against Roberto, the Charleston, S.C., insurance agent. The setting is Bora Bora, and Ali brings her family along for advice. Trouble is, they like both guys equally.... So, Ali, who'll it be? Hope it works out better than Jake and Vienna.
Read on for previews of Phineas and Ferb, Huge, Shark Attack Survival Guide, Money Hungry, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and Aftermath.
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Secret Life of the American Teenager
Secret Life of the American Teenager
8/7c ABC Family
Sarah Palin's oldest daughter, Bristol, makes an appearance in this episode, playing herself. Amy runs into her at her New York City dorm, and she clues Amy in to the fact that the music program they're in is just for teen mothers. Amy's not too happy to learn this — she thought she was selected to participate solely based on her musical talent. Back in California, Ruben does not agree with Adrian's choice regarding her pregnancy; and Jack finally finds a roommate: Tom.
Read on for previews of The Bachelorette, SpongeBob SquarePants, Mad Men, Unwrapped, No One Dies in Lily Dale and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.
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Mad Men, Desperate Housewives
Too hot outside? If you'd rather spend July Fourth on a couch, there's plenty of TV to watch. Check out our marathon roundup for the holiday weekend:
(All times are ET/PT and subject to change)
Monday, July 5
Real Housewives of New Jersey marathon (3 p.m.-Midnight, Bravo)
Cake Boss marathon (6 a.m.-8 p.m., TLC)
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