Tonight's TV Hot List: Thursday, June 17, 2010

Royal Pains
10/9c USA
WWE's Big Show guest stars on this episode as a famous action star who collapses unexpectedly. When Hank and Divya take the big man's case, his sheer size presents challenges for them while making a diagnosis. But when they do come up with some answers, they realize that what's ailing the man is also responsible for making him famous. — Brie Hearn
World Music Awards
8/7c MyNetworkTV
Top musicians from around the globe gather in Monte Carlo for the annual gala honoring the world's best-selling recording artists. The event always boasts a diverse lineup of performers, and this year is no different. Jennifer Lopez, will.i.am, N.E.R.D, and Ludacris take the stage, as do Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Japanese pop star Namie Amuro, French DJ David Guetta, Canadian R&B songstress Deborah Cox, and the German heavy metal band the Scorpions. Actresses Hayden Panettiere and Michelle Rodriguez host. — Karen Andzejewicz
So You Think You Can Dance
9/8c Fox
Like one of Nigel Tufnel's amps in This Is Spinal Tap, the judges surprised everyone this season by upping the field of finalists to 11, rather than the previously announced 10. Last week the dancers got one more chance to strut their stuff before the real competition began last night, and tonight marks the first elimination show. But before we bid someone good-bye, the evening features Usher singing "OMG," and a performance by professional dancing duo Karine Plantadit and Keith Roberts. — Joe Friedrich
Penn & Teller: Bull!
10/9c Showtime
Fast food doesn't necessarily have the reputation for being the most nutrition-laden meal you could possibly eat. So that makes it a perfectly delectable subject for Penn Jillette and his little silent buddy Teller. Actually, what the guys really chew on is whether Uncle Sam should be spending taxpayers' hard-earned dough on regulating just what consumers consume. With nutrition activists, public-health agencies and special-interest groups all up in arms, it makes for some serious food for thought. — Ray Stackhouse
The Mentalist
10/9c CBS
If ever there was a case made for Patrick Jane, it would be this one, combining his two loves: solving crimes and showing people that anything beyond the physical world is an illusion. In this repeat from October, the team is assigned to investigate the claim that a wealthy man was killed by a ghost that haunted his mansion. With Jane's background as a psychic and knowing all of the tricks of those who prey on other's beliefs, the killer doesn't have a ghost of a chance. — Bill Ecklund
U.S. Open Golf
1/Noon c ESPN; 3/2c NBC
Think Pebble Beach and you envision the rugged Pacific coastline and expansive ocean views. Think U.S. Open and Pebble Beach, and the scenic course takes a mental backseat to the image of Tiger Woods riding roughshod over the field and the layout in a record-setting victory here in 2000. Woods led the tourney start-to-finish, was the only player to break par, and finished a major-record 15 strokes ahead of his closest competitor. Expect Woods to be in action today as first-round play of the U.S. Open begins. — Dave Roeder
World Cup Soccer
2/1c ESPN2
The second phase of round-robin action begins in earnest as France and Mexico convene in Polokwane, the northernmost of South Africa's nine host cities. Both sides have had six days to mull over missed opportunities in opening draws as the consensus favorite teams in Group A. "Les Bleus" went scoreless in their opening game (against Uruguay) for the third straight time since winning it all in 1998, but, like Mexico in a 1-1 draw with South Africa, built a decided edge in possession and shot attempts in what amounted to 90 minutes of warm-up for this pivotal clash. — ­Roger Leister