TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2010


reality TV shows for Emmy Awards — a fairly recent, 21st-century development — at least trained, professional actors have been spared the indignity of going up against somebody’s Aunt Minny or Uncle Fudd, stars of such sure-fire amateur productions as Aunt Minny falls into the potato salad or Uncle Fudd takes a Frisbee in the groin. In prime time and other broadcast neighborhoods, actors who might have studied and struggled for years to attain some sort of professional esteem do suffer the humiliation of competing with artless crowd-pleasers shot in junk-strewn back yards and messy pastures of poop. The Emmys were immune until reality TV became so popular and huge that there was no ignoring it without looking pitifully oblivious. So categories on the 62nd


Primetime Emmy Awards, to be televised Sunday on NBC from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, will include “Reality Competition Program,” while the Emmy for best “Reality Program” was already given out at a separate ceremony. Nominees in the two categories include “Dirty Jobs,” “Top Chef,” “Project Runway” and “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.” (“Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” won in the “Reality Program” category). If it sounds absurd to dignify any of those shows with a


TELEVISION A


lthough skillfully scripted TV programs do have to compete against grungy


TOM SHALES On TV


statuette, one nominee does have a sort of dull stuffiness that could pass for dignity: “Antiques Roadshow,” the British-born, attic-plundering safari in which ordinary folks learn that an old grandfather’s clock is worth a small fortune — sometimes an infinitesimal one. And some of the nominees are worthy of an “official” kind of plaudit: “Dancing With the Stars,” which has brought music, dance and true festivity back to prime-time TV, and “American Idol,” observing the last year in which it can be nominated with Simon Cowell on its panel of otherwise dubiously qualified judges. The producers of “Idol” have demonstrated anything but genius when it comes to choosing new judges for their panel, so the notion that we’ve seen the last of “Idol’s” good days doesn’t seem in the least bit far-fetched. It’s near-fetched, if there is such a thing, highly probable if there isn’t. It would be a shame,


meanwhile, if voters in the TV Academy, which doles out the Emmys, went the logy, lazy route and once more gave the “Reality Competition” prize to “The Amazing Race,” the only show


KLMNO


TV NEWS ONLINE From TV’s top shows to industry buzz, get the latest television news in the TV Column blog at washingtonpost.com/tvcolumn.


Reality TV revolution has done a number on Emmys night


ever to have won it since the category was introduced. “Race” does have the gloss and class of handsome, imaginative production, but both “Idol” and “Dancing,” in the same category, deserve the prize more by virtue of their quality and for never having won it.


One moment, please: Can you


believe we’re actually discussing this stuff? And giving a hoot? Well, why not? It’s television, just as surely as an existential cop show is television, or a smart-alecky sitcom, an MTV documentary, a presidential press conference or “Life With Luigi” (that one goes back a few thousand years, but it was television when it aired). One participant in this year’s


Emmy hoopla has been appearing on TV since the same era when “Luigi” romped — back in the days of Milton Berle and Dinah Shore and such young actors as James Dean and Eva Marie Saint in live dramas. That star, of course, is Betty White, and though White already won her Emmy — over the weekend, when she was honored for her guest performance on “Saturday Night Live” — the TV Academy would be foolish indeed if an excuse isn’t found for White to make an appearance on Sunday night’s special. As for the other, more-routine


Emmys in other categories, there isn’t a great deal to root for — or to campaign against, for that matter. Both Kyle Chandler (for “Friday Night Lights”) and Hugh Laurie (“House”) seem woefully


Britton, long-suffering Mrs. Coach on “Friday Night Lights.” Somehow Larry David got on the ballot with other nominees for best actor in a comedy series. That’s ridiculous; “acting” is the least of his talents on display in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the wittily hilarious HBO sitcom in which David plays himself. “Glee” is, strangely, nominated in the Outstanding Comedy Series category — it’s not a comedy — but then there’s no category for Original Musical Series That Doesn’t Fit Anywhere Else. Even casual Emmy observers


MICHAEL YARISH/FOX


A REAL WINNER: Sue (Jane Lynch) taunts Will (Matthew Morrison) oh so well.


overdue for best-actor Emmys, and again, it would be a pity if Academy voters took the dull, predictable route and gave the prize — yet again — to Bryan Cranston for meth-making in “Breaking Bad.” Glenn Close of “Damages” needs another trophy for playing a dagger-staring alpha female like she needs an oil spill in her swimming pool; better to give that Emmy for lead actress in a drama to Connie


are likely to be aware of this year’s catty snubs by the Academy: “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” was nominated for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series despite being canceled after only a few months, while “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” was ignored; it would be sweet revenge, and probably precipitate a huge demonstration, if O’Brien were to win the honor. It would also get his forthcoming TBS talk show off to a roaring start. Unfortunately, “The Late Show With David Letterman” was also snubbed — for the first time in 26 years, as Letterman has been complaining nightly on his program (including in that tally the years he spent at NBC). Somehow it’s likely Letterman and his multimillions will muddle through. Injustices and even outrages are always part of the show, but there ought to be limits; it will be a true crime


BROADCAST CHANNELS


HIGHLIGHTS The two-hour special


“Jefferson” (History at 8) profiles Thomas Jefferson, from his early life in Virginia to his rise to the presidency, and looks at his personal life, including his relationship with Sally Hemings. Season 3 “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino has been a tabloid headline staple after she was recently rushed to the hospital after an overdose; now the singer gets her own “Behind the Music” special (VH1 at 9) to talk about the incident and discuss the traumatic events during her teenage years that have plagued her as she’s tried to move up in the music world. Shaquille O’Neal attempts to conquer new sports on “Shaq VS” (ABC at 9), and meets up with pal Charles Barkley to face off in a golf competition in Dana Point, Calif. And let’s hope all the golfing makes him hungry, because afterward Shaq indulges in a battle with champion competitive eater Joey Chestnut. Although he was only trying to help figure out which FBI agent was divulging confidential information for a price, Peter’s plan backfires when an innocent agent is named as a suspect on “White Collar” (USA at 9). On the second-season finale of


“HawthoRNe” (TNT at 9), the hospital becomes more hectic than usual when an explosion at a construction site causes chaos. A dozen acts perform on


“America’s Got Talent” (NBC at 9), hoping to make the cut as the field is narrowed to the top 10. Rachel is all work and no play


on “The Rachel Zoe Project” (Bravo at 10) as she skips her anniversary celebration with Rodger to work on Fashion Week and, later, help Demi Moore and Cameron Diaz get ready for the Academy Awards. “Memphis Beat” (TNT at 10)


wraps up Season 1 as Dwight explores a possible connection between a man with amnesia


4.1 WRC (NBC) 5.1 WTTG (Fox) 7.1 WJLA (ABC)


7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30  News


Access


 Seinfeld  Fortune


9.1 WUSA (CBS) News 14.1 WFDC (UNI) 


 T e Offi ce  Jeopardy!  Ent. Ton.


Llena de Amor Outdoors


26.4 WETA (PBS)  PBS NewsHour 30.1 WNVC (MHz) Al Jazeera Journal


 Two-Men 66.1 WPXW (ION) Without a Trace A&E


ABC Family AMC


Animal Planet BET


Bravo KAREN NEAL/TNT


NEEDED, STAT: Jada Pinkett Smith to finish off Season 2 of “HawthoRNe” on TNT at 9.


and a dead-end case involving a young child’s murder. The MTV series “Made” — in which people try to make their wildest hopes and dreams become a reality — serves as the inspiration for “Made: The Movie” (MTV at 10), an original film about a fearless high school student, hellbent on pushing through and beating the odds to . . . make the cheerleading squad. Auggie’s ex-girlfriend is


targeted when she starts hacking into important computer systems on “Covert Affairs” (USA at 10), causing major complications in Auggie’s life when he’s tasked to track her down. Actress Drew Barrymore stops


by “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS at 11:35), along with musical guest Katy Perry. On Comedy Central, news anchor Brian Williams visits “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (at 11), and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg is on “The Colbert Report” (at 11:30).


—Emily Yahr CNN  T e First 48 ’70s Show Melissa


106 & Park: Top 10  Flipping Out


Cartoon Network Total Drama Johnny Test  John King, USA


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ESPN ESPN2


Food Network Fox News FX


Hallmark HBO


HGTV


History Lifetime MASN


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TBDTV TBS TCM TLC TNT


Travel TruTV


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WGN


Comedy Central  Daily Show   Swamp Loggers Wizards E! News


 Minute to Win It  Glee


 Wipeout  NCIS


 Hasta que el Dinero


20.1 WDCA (MNTV)  House-Payne  House-Payne Smarter Smarter 22.1 WMPT (PBS) Business


 NOVA Doc Martin France News News  Plain Jane Without a Trace  Jewels  Melissa Weird, True 


 Jewels  Melissa


9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30  America’s Got Talent  Glee


News  Shaq VS


 NCIS: Los Angeles  Soy Tu Dueña


Doc Martin Wallander


32.2 WHUT (PBS) Tavis Smiley Travels-Edge Rounder Records 40th Anniversary 50.1 WDCW (CW)  Two-Men


 NOVA


 Life Unexpected Criminal Minds


 T e Good Wife Aquí y Ahora


Frontline


News News


 Primetime: What Would You News News


Noticias


T e Appalachians RT


Chris Botti in Boston, Part II Travelscope Charlie Rose Friends


Friends Criminal Minds


CABLE CHANNELS  Jewels


(5:30) Movie: Grease  Movie: Nanny McPhee  (2005)  Weird, True 


River Monsters: Unhooked  Movie: T e Wood  (1999)  Flipping Out


 Unnatural History  Rick’s List


Game 365 Countdown  Colbert


 Futurama  Swords: Life on the Line


 SportsCenter Special  Little League Baseball


Camp Party   Jewels  Make It or Break It


 Twisted  Melissa


River Monsters: Unhooked 


 Flipping Out  Chowder


 Futurama South Park  Swords: Life


Han. Montana Suite/Deck Suite/Deck Movie: 16 Wishes (2010) Daily 10


 20 Best and Worst Celebrity Plastic Surgery Stories  30 for 30


 Little League Baseball  T e O’Reilly Factor Hard Knocks


 Movie: Live Free or Die Hard  (2007) Who’s Boss? Who’s Boss? Touched by an Angel REAL Sports Bryant Gumbel 


 Modern Marvels Reba


Reba Reba


 Food Network Challenge Ace of Cakes Ace of Cakes Cupcake Wars  FOX Report


 Hannity  Trey


 Grow-Twisted   Melissa


KISSteria  T e 700 Club


Movie: Nanny McPhee  (2005) River Monsters: Unhooked  T e Game


 T e Rachel Zoe Project


 Larry King Live Terrapins


 Terrapins Redskins


River Monsters: Unhooked  T e Mo’Nique Show  Flipping Out


 Flapjack King of Hill King of Hill Family Guy Family Guy  Anderson Cooper 360 Sports


Sports  South Park  Big Lake  T e Colony  Big Lake  Daily Show   Take Miami  Kardashian Chelsea


Post Live Colbert


 Swords: Life on the Line


Phineas, Ferb Han. Montana Han. Montana E! News


 2010 World Series of Poker  2010 World Series of Poker  SportsCenter  Baseball Tonight  Chopped


 Greta Van Susteren  Rescue Me


Movie: Love’s Unending Legacy (2007) If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise


 House Hunt. House Hunt.  First Place  First Place  House Hunt.  Estate  Jeff erson Reba


 Wife Swap


 MLB Baseball: Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals  Countdown Teen Mom


 Hardball Chris Matthews Made


Nat’l Geographic  Fish Warrior  Victorious  DEA


Supernanny


 Warehouse 13 News


Seinfeld


 Say Yes Bones


Seinfeld  Say Yes  Search for Noah’s Ark Too Fat for 15


 Warehouse 13 News


 T e Offi ce


 SportsCenter Special  Good Eats


 T e O’Reilly Factor Louie


 House Hunt.  House Hunt.  For Rent  Swamp People  Kirstie Alley 


 Rachel Maddow Show  Teen Mom


 Witch Hunter’s Bible


 Victorious Movie: Back to the Future Part II  (1989)  DEA


 DEA Too Fat for 15  Warehouse 13


 ABC News Sports Talk Newstalk  T e Offi ce


 T e Offi ce


(6:30) Movie: Downstairs Movie: T e Big Parade  (1925)  Cake Boss  Cake Boss  19 Kids Bones


 Creepiest Destinations Repo


Oper. Repo Repo


 Haunted Lighthouses Repo


Martin Martin  Fantasia


 Law & Order: SVU  Fantasia


 19 Kids


 HawthoRNe  Bermuda Tria.


Bait Car Bait Car


Tracy Morgan All of Us  White Collar


 Fantasia Behind the Music  T e Offi ce


 Nats Xtra ESPNEWS Pro View Countdown With Olbermann  Movie: Made: T e Movie (2010)  Explorer


Lopez


 Scrappers  Clean House  WWE NXT News


 T e Offi ce Louie


Golden Girls Golden Girls Entourage True Blood  First Place


 MonsterQuest


Kirstie Alley Will & Grace Will & Grace  MLB Baseball


T e Rachel Maddow Show


 Search for Noah’s Ark  Hates Chris 


Hates Chris News


Scrappers T e Comedy Central Roast Messiest Home  Warehouse 13 News


News  T e Offi ce  Memphis Beat Bait Car  Lopez Tonight


(10:15) Movie: Bardelys the Magnifi cent (1926)  Kate Plus 8


 Cake Boss   HawthoRNe


 Mysteries of Smithsonian  Bait Car


Diff Wrld  MLB Baseball: Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals


 Covert Aff airs  Ochocinco: Ult  News


Cake Boss Creepiest Destinations Forensic Files Forensic Files


Cosby Show Cosby Show T e Nanny T e Nanny Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Got the Look Roseanne Living Single Eve  Law & Order: SVU  Fantasia


Diff Wrld Martin  Psych


Martin


 T.O. Show Behind/Music Scrubs


Scrubs LEGEND: Bold indicates new or live programs  High Definition Movie Ratings (from TMS)  Excellent  Good  Fair  Poor No stars: not rated  Unwrapped


 Jay Leno Simpsons  Nightline  Letterman Noticiero


Deal-No Deal Deal-No Deal T e Offi ce Name Is Earl Raymond Raymond Poirot


Antiques


Charlie Rose Asia News


Family Guy Family Guy Criminal Minds


against all that’s holy if Jane Lynch doesn’t win the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on “Glee.” As she was in “Role Models” and “Talledega Nights” and many other comedies on big screen and small, Lynch in “Glee” flirts with perfection, and perfection gives in. The Emmy telecast has one long-standing tradition likely to be upheld; the show is usually awful, and sometimes, ironically, a mess — even though it supposedly celebrates excellence in television. Jimmy Fallon, the NBC late-night star who’s hosting this year, is a very good choice, however, and in the annual struggle between the Emmy show and stupefying boredom, Fallon’s presence increases the odds on the Emmys’ behalf. Fallon announced recently


that he and the writers will incorporate Twittering into the show, by inviting viewers to twit – er, tweet – at selected intervals. Does that sound like fun? Absolutely not. What it sounds like is a scheme to make the audience complicit in the Emmy’s annual awfulness. You have to give them credit; if they have a hard time improving the show, maybe they’ll at least succeed at spreading the blame. shalest@washpost.com


ONLINE DISCUSSION Discuss the state of


television at noon ET with columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Shales at washingtonpost.com/style.


S


C5


INTERACTIVE TV LISTINGS Keep track of your favorite television shows and movies with our interactive TV listings at washingtonpost.com/tv.


If in-laws are hostile, others can fill the role


Adapted from a recent online discussion:


Dear Carolyn: A lot of the things I said I’d


“never” do, I’ve done. One was to marry someone whose family didn’t like me. After having two long-term relationships where we all got along great, and one where his mother was evil to me, I swore I wouldn’t go through that again. Now I’m years into it and realizing how much this is wearing on me. I think because I’m faced with watching my own parents age, and my mother is in very ill health, I’m really seeing that after they’re gone, we’ve got no one. And yes, his parents are


CAROLYN HAX


actively hostile. Therapists have told us to stay away from them because the grandparents won’t acknowledge our child’s health diagnosis. My husband is supportive, but I’m still struggling with not having any real “grandparent” presence in our lives. Any suggestions? I’m sure


others have gone through this. Lonely Family


Too many to count. Some suggestions:


1. Stop looking back. You chose your husband because you loved him and thought he’d be a good mate, right? And he is, apparently, since he’s backing up you and his child by standing up to his parents. You gain nothing now by second-guessing your decision. What’s done is done. Despite what people always say, you married him, not his family. 2. Start looking around. I realize it’s going to sound weird to advise you to shop for surrogate grandparents, so I won’t, but I will suggest you give the non-family people in your life a chance to serve in many of the roles that we normally assign to family without much thought. What is it grandparents (and


uncles/aunties) do, after all? Primarily, they give your kids someone besides their parents to love them and feel invested in


making them a bigger part of your life. There’s nothing that says “Auntie” Ann can’t come to milestones like recitals and school ceremonies. Even if no one like that lives nearby or even leaps to mind, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Be patient and open to the idea, and remember there are others in the “we’ve got no one” boat who might need you, too. It often doesn’t occur to people to invite non-family to a holiday dinner, say, when such an invitation would be the gratefully accepted beginning of a beautiful friendship.


NICK GALIFIANAKIS FOR THE WASHINGTON POST


their well-being. That’s so powerful. They’re also keepers of a piece of your history. So if you have extended family or good, old friends who feel a genuine bond with your kids, consider


Re: Surrogates: As a woman who will never have biological children, I would love it if some of my friends let me take on more of a surrogate-aunt role to their little ones. Granted, some families have plenty of real


grandmas and aunts, but quite a few don’t.


Anonymous Thanks for speaking up. Don’t


be afraid to offer to help with the kids, or go with the family to the zoo, or ask to see the kids’ soccer game/school play. If you were to offer to bake for school bake sales, you might be sainted on the spot. There are countless ways to show a genuine interest in friends’ kids, and therefore countless opportunities to extend your family through these friends.


Read the whole transcript or join the discussion live at


noon Fridays on www.washingtonpost. com/discussions.


Write to Tell Me About It, Style, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071, or tellme@washpost.com.


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