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What to Watch: TV Picks for June 28-July 4, 2010

by Kim Potts, posted Jun 27th 2010 3:00PM
MONDAY, JUNE 28
'Huge' (9PM, ABC Family) series premiere
'Hairspray' star Nikki Blonsky and David Hasselhoff's daughter Hayley star in this adaptation of Sasha Paley's young adult novel of the same name, about kids who attend a weight-loss summer camp. They're all there for the same reason, but their motivations for going, and their attitudes about staying, vary. Blonsky's sarcastic, rebellious Willamina, for instance, isn't thrilled to be at the camp, where she's been sent by her parents, because she doesn't think there's anything wrong with her curvy bod. Amber (Hasselhoff), meanwhile, is a happy camper, as the prettiest and thinnest girl in the place, who also becomes one of Camp Victory's most popular residents. One thing they agree on: the hotness of Camp Victory's fitness instructor, which is sure to lead to some kind of drama. Also adding to the promise that the show will be a welcome addition to the summer primetime line-up: the premiere was penned by 'My So-Called Life' creator Winnie Holzman and her daughter, Savannah Dooley.

'The Kilborn File' – Craig Kilborn is back! The former 'Daily Show' and late-night host will share his take on various matters political, newsy and pop culture-y in this half-hour show each weeknight (Check local listings for time and channel) series premiere

'The Secret Life of the American Teenager' – When Amy leaves for NYC, Ricky moves into the house to help take care of the baby (8PM, ABC Family)

'The Best Thing I Ever Ate' – Everyone's looking for the best burgers in their area, and Food Network personalities are going to share their finds in this installment (9PM, Food Network)

'Behind the Music: Jennifer Hudson' – The Grammy and Oscar winner talks about her time on 'American Idol,' as well the tragic murders of her family members in 2008 (10PM, VH1)

'Make It or Break It' – The girls question Sasha's methods, while Payson lets it be known that she is determined to make it back to the top (10PM, ABC Family) season 2 premiere

'Obsessed' – Among the OCD sufferers: A woman who works out so much that her family feels neglected and a man whose fear of germs has him washing his hands more than 100 times a day (10PM, A&E) season 2 premiere



TUESDAY, JUNE 29
'Rescue Me' (10PM, FX) season 6 premiere
We almost wish the series would have ended with last season's finale, in which a boozing Tommy, who had fallen off the wagon and, in convincing his alcoholic family members to follow suit, had a hand in the drunken car accident death of his aunt Ellie. His Uncle Teddy then shot Tommy in a fit of angry grief, and the season ended with Tommy bleeding on the floor of the bar he co-owns with his firefighter pals. It would have made for a fitting end to the show, no? Still, we're excited to see where Tommy and company will end up, as the new season doesn't start off well for him. Oldest daughter Colleen has inherited her family's worst habit, Tommy's firefighter pal Franco has stepped in, all too well and comfortably, for Tommy's family while Tommy was recuperating from the gunshot wound, and Uncle Teddy and the rest of the Gavins seem to have finally accepted, i.e. given up on, Tommy and his boozing, cheating, reckless ways.

'10 Ways to Kill Bin Laden' – Military personnel are among those who comment n the sundry ways the U.S. government has tried to capture and/or kill the notorious terrorist (8PM, History Channel)

'Cupcake Wars' – Duff Goldman is the judge when the contestants have to concoct cupcakes to celebrate the 100th episode of 'Ace of Cakes' (9PM, Food Network)

'The Hills' – On the show's 100th episode, the gang heads to Costa Rica, where Brody gets jealous over Kristin's hook-up with a bartender and Audrina yet again ponders life with Justin (10PM, MTV)

'Memphis Beat' – Dwight's on the case at work, but his personal life is wigging him out, as he doesn't trust his mom's new boyfriend, and his ex-wife is hinting that she may want to get back together (10PM, TNT)

'Double Exposure' – Drama! Lindsay Lohan shows up 10 hours late for a photo shoot (11PM, Bravo)

'Louis' – Louis C.K. plays himself, kinda, sorta, in this comedy about a comedian who, newly divorced, tries to revamp his love life while raising two daughters in New York City (11PM, FX) series premiere



WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30
'The Real World: New Orleans' (10PM, MTV) season 24 premiere
At this point, the show itself is older than some 'Real World' fans, but those viewers who haven't tuned in for a while might want to head back to the tube, as the show packs up eight new strangers and heads back to New Orleans. 'Real World's' ninth season also unfolded in New Orleans, but even Melissa, Danny, Julie and the gang weren't as dramatic as this bunch of twentysomethings. Among them: hockey jock Knight, who's also a recovering drug addict; hairdresser Ryan, who's offended that everyone assumes he's gay (yet who goes around making all kinds of assumptions about others); Jemmye, a wild child who may or may not embark on a romance with a housemate; and Preston, a gay African-American who gets into a tiff with a roomie in the premiere. In fact, a situation that begins in the opener will carry over well into the season and culminate in cops coming to the tricked out 'RW' mansion ...

'General Hospital' – Big-screen star James Franco rejoins the cast, sneaking back into town as a homeless man (3PM, ABC)

'Most Daring: Holidays From Hell' – Not every 4th of July celebration ends well, like the one in this episode where a man's entire stash of fireworks accidentally goes off during a neighborhood party (9PM, truTV)

'Top Chef: Washington, D.C.' – The chefs have to make a pie from scratch. Mmmmmm, pie (9PM, Bravo)

'Billy the Exterminator' – Billy's on an extra-special mission: He has to hunt down an alligator that's gotten loose ... at a children's summer camp! (10PM, A&E)

'Hot in Cleveland' – Carl Reiner guest stars as Elka's (Betty White) blind date (10PM, TV Land)

'Locked Up Abroad' – Billy Hayes, whose real-life experiences inspired the Oscar-winning movie 'Midnight Express,' talks in more detail about the time he spent in a Turkish prison and his dramatic escape after five years (10PM, NGC) season 4 premiere

'Toddlers & Tiaras' – At a Brooklyn kiddie pageant, a six-year-old wows the crowd with her Tina Turner impersonation (10PM, TLC)



THURSDAY, JULY 1
'Bethenny's Getting Married?' (10PM, Bravo)
This reality series, the best to come out of Bravo in a while, has proven to epitomize why we've been firmly ensconced on Team Bethenny from the beginning. The tough, sharp-tongued diva is at her tough, sharp-tongued best as she plans for the birth of her first child and her hastily-planned wedding to adorable fiancé Jason. But we're also getting a rare and welcome glimpse at the chef/bestselling author/cocktail creator's more vulnerable side, as she visits her therapist to deal with the stress of her uber-hectic life and ongoing emotional issues that stem from her less-than-idyllic childhood. Tonight, the stress of planning a gorgeous Four Seasons wedding in a month continues to plague the bride-to-be, but it'll be tempered by a bridal shower thrown for Bethenny by her fellow 'Real Housewives of New York City' star Alex, and a rehearsal brunch where she might finally be able to start letting her hair down.

'Burn Notice' – A doctor in charge of a neighborhood medical clinic comes to Michael for help when drug dealers threaten the clinic (9PM, USA)

'Ace of Cakes' – Duff and the gang celebrate their 100th episode and make a roller coaster cake (10PM, Food Network) season 9 premiere

'Futurama' – A less-than-flattering video of Leela hits the Internet, and Fry is to blame (10PM, Comedy Central)

'Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t!' – The fellas examine the difficulties parents have in dealing with teen sex (10PM, Showtime)

'Royal Pains' – After Marisa's treatment fails, Boris turns to Hank for help with his rapidly declining health (10PM, USA)



FRIDAY, JULY 2
'Friday Night Alright' (11PM, VH1)
If you haven't seen her in person, here's a chance to check out Lady Gags in concert, for the low, low, low ticket price of ... free. Well, assuming your cable bill is paid up, of course, as the over-the-top pop star joins the likes of Bruce Springsteen, U2, Green Day, Madonna, Pink and Stone Temple Pilots, who've all aired shows from their recent tours on 'FNA' this season. For Gaga fans, the show is a chance to focus on her music, as the most recent headlines surrounding the singer have revolved around Jerry Seinfeld's criticism of her and her finger-flipping shenanigans at a Mets game.

'Friday Night Lights' – Julie makes a new friend, Beck gets some surprising new info and Landry's new romance heats up (8PM, NBC)

'America Celebrates July 4 at Ford's Theater' – The President and the First Lady, Colin Powell, the Army band chorus, Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie and Dick Van Dyke help celebrate the 234th birthday celebration for the U.S., hosted by 'Modern Family; star Ty Burrell (9PM, ABC)

'Battle of the Wedding Designers' – The challenge: Plan a chillaxed Caribbean wedding, on a tiny budget. And, go! (10PM, TLC)

'Merlin' – The freed dragon attacks Camelot, and Arthur and Merlin go off in search for the only dragonlord that can help the dragon check himself, before he wreaks himself ... and the kingdom (10PM, Syfy) season 2 finale

'Miami Medical' – The good news: it's a good episode. The bad news: it's the last one. Ever (10PM, CBS) series finale



SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JULY 3-4
'Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular' (Sun., 9PM, NBC)
Bieber fever heats up with the best fireworks show in the whole country, as the annual Macy's red, white and boom fest takes place on the Hudson River in New York City (yes, the same place where Sully landed the plane!). Teen dream Justin Bieber is among the performers, while 'America's Got Talent' host (and Mr. Mariah Carey) Nick Cannon co-hosts with 'Days of Our Lives' and 'The Biggest Loser' host Allison Sweeney. But the real star of the show, as always, is the fireworks, and more than 40,000 will light up the sky above Manhattan this year.

'Dolly Parton Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood' – Kenny Rogers and Miley Cyrus head to Pigeon Forge to celebrate the silver anniversary of the country legend's amusement park (Sat., 8PM, Hallmark)

'A Capitol Fourth' – Jimmy Smits hosts, Darius Rucker performs and fireworks, uh, explode (Sun., 8PM, PBS)

'Behind the Music: Jennifer Lopez' – It's hard to imagine there's anything we don't already know about her well-covered life, but there must be something the tabloids missed, right? (Sun., 9PM, VH1)

'Bridezillas' – With bridesmaids like these ... one bride, who's already upset that a guest will miss the wedding because of a death in the family (the nerve!), thinks her bridesmaids are plotting against her (Sun., 9PM, WE)

'Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular' – Craig Ferguson hosts the Beantown celebration and fireworks show, with a performance by Toby Keith (Sun., 10PM, CBS)

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