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Must See HDTV (August 22nd - 28th)
It's a pretty slow week while we wait for the fall TV season to get in gear and the NFL preseason comes to an end, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to watch. Check out our top three picks for the week right here, and look after the break for our weekly listings of what to look out for on TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Swingers Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau star in this classic flick that's finally coming to Blu-ray in the US this week. Coming straight out of 1996 at a value priced $10.49, we'll take every opportunity to see Wayne Gretzky's head bleed. ($10.49 on Amazon, August 23rd) Doctor Who Season six of the popular British sci-fi show continues, with its summer premiere coming on BBC America Saturday night. Amy Pond and the Doctor have, as usual, a series of mysteries to investigate throughout time and space with a variety of aliens and famous historical figures tossed in. We preferred David Tennant's Doctor but Matt Smith is holding down the role admirably for now -- check out a prequel to this week's Let's Kill Hitler episode embedded after the break. (Saturday, BBC America, 9 p.m.) Little League World Series Seriously. This is one of the few youth sports that actually bears some resemblance to the pro version, and with teams coming in from all around the world to challenge the USA's best, there's plenty of national pride on the line, which is always a bonus. Finally, if you're an early 3D adopter many of the games this week will air on ESPN 3D, check the schedule to find out which ones. (All week, ESPN & ESPN 3D)
Must See HDTV (August 8th - 14th)
Yes, it's still summer, and the TV schedule still reflects that. Despite the oppressive heat, we've still found some nice things for you to watch, check our highlighted programming out right here, followed by TV and Blu-ray listings for the week after the break. Football FOOTBALL. It's back. We missed out on the Hall of Fame game last week due to the lockout, but a new CBA means the pigskin is getting kicked, tossed and carried by pros starting with ESPNs first Monday Night Football dry run Thursday night with the Seahawks vs. Chargers. Fox gets into the nationwide broadcast action Friday night with the Bucs vs. Chiefs, and not a minute too soon -- we were seriously considering watching the CFL. (August 11th & 12th, 8 p.m., ESPN & Fox) The Franchise: A Season With The San Francisco Giants If you're a baseball fan, you shouldn't have to read this because you MUST already be watching this week by week behind the scenes look at the Giants. So far this Showtime series has other premium cable peeks behind the curtain like Hard Knocks and 24/7, and it has an entire seasons worth of stories to tell as they happen. Get Showtime in your channel lineup and set your DVR, you'll thank us later. (August 10, 10 p.m., Showtime) Superheroes Another in HBO's summer series of documentaries, this one follows around real people who've decided to put on the mask and cape to become real-life superheroes, fighting evil and injustice in their local neighborhoods. Much-needed good samaritans providing community policing or dangerous lunatics who should be stopped? You watch and decide, check out the trailer embedded after the break. (August 8, 9 p.m., HBO)
Must See HDTV (August 1st - 7th)
As you should already know from last week's listings, it's Shark Week on Discovery. We'd definitely advise checking that out, but there's got to be something else on as well, right? Take a look below for our highlights this week and after the break for daily listings, plus a few Blu-ray and videogame recommendations. NFL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony This year's NFL Hall of Fame class includes Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Richard Dent, Shannon Sharpe and others, but we'll be watching mostly for one other person going in: Ed Sabol. The first man to mic up players and coaches has, along with NFL Films completely changed the way we watch and remember the game. NFL Network also has a tribute airing tonight, Ed Sabol: King of the Football Movies that should do more than our words could ever accomplish in convincing viewers of why he was such a visionary and contributed greatly to making the NFL what it is. (August 6th, NFL Network & ESPN, 7 p.m.) Take the Money & Run Just when we thought we'd heard every reality TV concept, Ben's favorite producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, is back with this new show on ABC. Take the Money & Run gives two everyday people an hour to hide a briefcase worth $100,000 somewhere in a city. After that, a pair of local detectives are given 48 hours to figure out where they put it. If the cash remains hidden, the original pair keeps it, but if the detectives find it, they split the money. This could be great. (August 2nd, ABC, 9 p.m.) Franklin & Bash If you've missed out on this show until now, we can only pity you. Franklin & Bash is yet another legal procedural, except this one stars the guy from Saved By the Bell and the guy from Road Trip. Whatever you can discern or imagine from that pairing is exactly what this show is, and it's definitely hitting at the high end of its potential for entertainment. If you're bored by Law & Order's latest ripped from the headlines retread, give this one a shot during this week's season finale episode. (August 3rd, TNT, 9 p.m.)
Must See HDTV (July 25th - 31st)
It's heating up outside which is giving us even more of a reason to visit our favorite place -- inside watching the television. Of course, we've got to know what's on first so take a look below to see our pics of what to watch this week. One more treat, check after the break for the entire Hollywood Hi-Tech episode we mentioned last week, the explanations may be a bit basic for many of you but if you enjoy seeing home theater builds it's an interesting one. X Games 17 ESPN's made for TV extreme sports spectacle takes off in its 17th iteration this week. Of course, it's back in 3D as well, so if you have one of those TVs you'll want to tune in to find out exactly what you paid for -- the in-car rallycar cameras are not to be missed. Whether you're watching in HD or 3D it's always the perfect event because it was designed that way, and while it may lack the historic luster of the Olympics, we can still appreciate it. (Thursday through Sunday, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN 3D) Shark Week Discovery kicks off Shark Week on Sunday with two specials predictably focused on the baddest fish of them all, the Great White. The 24th year is being hosted by Andy Samberg and the two specials airing Sunday include Great White Invasion, an investigation of increasingly close quarters shared by sharks and humans, and Jaws Comes Home, which follows the journey of five Great White sharks. (Sunday, Discovery) Awkward As an MTV show, this one is predictably angsty and teen focused, but we checked out the pilot last week and found out it was actually pretty funny. Following the misadventures of a high school girl whose slip and fall in her bathroom was misdiagnosed as a suicide attempt, we're willing to give it a shot. My So-Called Life it ain't, but it might be able to make us laugh until school is actually back in session. (Tuesday, MTV, 11 p.m.)
Must See HDTV (July 5th - 10th)
After a long holiday weekend we're ready to get back to it, and although this week's Blu-ray releases were unexciting beyond some Pixar re-releases there's still plenty to watch on TV. This time around we'll try extending through the weekend because really, why should we wait until Sunday to talk about Larry David? Curb Your Enthusiasm While Larry David may not understand why anyone wants to see this old man in HD, we wouldn't have it any other way and Curb is ready to kick off its second season in high definition Sunday night. Last season featured a Seinfeld reunion show-within-the-show and while the title itself may be a warning to lower our expectations, we can't wait to see where it will go next. (July 10th, HBO, 10 p.m.) Wilfred If you've been missing out on Elijah Wood starring as a somewhat lost young man suddenly accompanied by a dog that he (but not anyone else) sees as a human being, this Thursday's episode is an opportunity to correct a grave mistake. Yes, it's a remake of an Australian show, and a lot like a live action version of Calvin & Hobbes or Brian from Family Guy. So? (July 7th, FX, 10 p.m.) Women's World Cup soccer Yes, it's soccer, and it's women's soccer, but we'll always take an opportunity to watch the beautiful game being played at a high level with national pride on the line. The US faces Sweden in their final opening round match and having already locked up a spot in the quarterfinals, will play to determine seeding in the hopes of avoiding playing Brazil in the next round. Consider this one a warm up to get familiar with the squad before the matches get real this weekend. (July 6th, ESPN2, 2:45 p.m., replay at 9 p.m.)
Must See HDTV this week: Bounty Hunters in Space edition
As you may have noticed, after appearing almost every day since this site started as HD Beat we've ended our daily HDTV listings post. In 2005 pointing out the few selections available in high definition each day made sense, but with 100+ channels and dozens of new shows each night it's become a bit redundant. Still, we like pointing out some programming highlights and many of you have noted you like seeing them so we're trying something new old (this is actually how the post got started way back when) with this roundup of what we'll actually be watching on our HDTVs this week -- no Ice Princess Cowboys Lumberjack Antiquing for the Dress -- including TV shows, new Blu-ray releases and more. Check out our favorites and why we chose them right here, along with a few more worthwhile options for the week listed after the break. Think there's something we missed or should know about? Drop it in the comments so we can put it on our DVR schedule. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie The long-awaited release The Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition on Blu-ray finally arrives this week, but we're going a different direction. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie has had a long wait to be released on Blu-ray in the US and despite reportedly lacking the 5.1 soundtrack it featured on DVD, we'll be picking this one up for another bounty hunting trip through space with Spike, Jetblack, Faye Valentine and Ed. ($12.99 on Amazon, June 28th) Law & Order: Criminal Intent The writing was on the wall when this series shifted from NBC to USA, and tonight is the series finale which brings an end to the long partnership of Goren and Eames. Det. Goren's continuing use of odd trivia to solve crimes may have worn on the nerves of some, but this one jumped to the top of the list by promising a guest spot from the one and only James Van Der Beek -- you never know where he'll show up. (Sunday, USA, 9 p.m.) Necessary Roughness We're not really enthused by the concept (from the press release "tough, sexy Long Island divorcee, etc. etc. becomes a sports psychologist") but USA has been cranking out quality summer programming for several years now and on the strength of Burn Notice, Psych and Royal Pains we'll give this one a shot. (Wednesday, USA, 10 p.m.)
