Apr 30th, 2008
Reality shows, Cliburn doc fill the bill
A big American Idol dominates a night crowded with unscripted offerings, some of which are frivolous and some of which aren’t.
Stuff to watch or record
American Idol: The second annual Idol Gives Back episode, a concert to raise awareness of and to benefit various U.S. and international charities, is so big that all of it won’t fit in Fox’s usual two-hour prime time. It starts a half-hour early and is scheduled to include appearances by Idol alums Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry, and celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg and way too many other people to mention here. 6:30 p.m., KDFW/Channel 4
Big Brother: ‘Til Death Do Us Part: The “houseguests” have been trying to get James, the kid with the pink Mohawk (which sometimes looks really furry), out of the BB house for weeks — he even was evicted once, then came back, because of a controversial “twist.” He’s on the block again tonight, along with the relatively easygoing Sharon, so it isn’t looking good for James. 7 p.m., KTVT/Channel 11
America’s Next Top Model: The semi-obligatory clip show includes some unseen footage from this “cycle,” which for some of us — ahem! — would be every episode. If you’re not a regular ANTM watcher and you need some bait, here it is: “New York City firefighters [practice] their runway struts and [contestants have] wrestling matches.” 7 p.m., KDAF/Channel 33
Van Cliburn: Concert Pianist: As the 50th anniversary of Van Cliburn’s victory at the first International Tchaikovsky Competition approaches, KERA airs this profile of the Fort Worth-based pianist. Dan Rather narrates the program, which includes interviews with opera stars Marilyn Horne and Leontyne Price, and footage from a 1994 tour. 8 p.m., KERA/Channel 13
Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious: With new episodes of Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill about to come to Mondays for a soapy double bill, Girlicious moves to Wednesday to make room. Tonight, the remaining contestants film a video during a sailing expedition, and yeah, that put thoughts of Duran Duran’s Rio video in my head, too. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, just count your blessings.) 8 p.m., KDAF/Channel 33
Tags: 10, 11, antm, cycle, episode