TV Junkie: Thursday

Tivo NY Times, the paper of record, says that Tivo has struck a deal with DirecTV so that subscribers will be able to record programs in HD on a new recorder made by Tivo. Other than the coolness factor, what should be noted is that Tivo will now be the recorder of choice for DirectTV, Comcast, and Cox - and people were saying Tivo was gonna disappear.

TV tonight has more of McSame and the "Gong Show" and "Reality Bites Back" finales on Comedy Central. Late night TV is a little weak for some reason.

4:00pm-10:00pm The Republican National Convention MSNBC - McCain speaks and closes convention. Four More Years! Four More Years!

8:00pm Kitchen Nightmares FOX - Two-Hour Season Premiere.

9:00pm Dragon's Den BBC America - Business ideas include: student accommodations website; fitness supplements; baby products line.

9:30pm Death and the Maiden IFC - (1994) A bit disturbing and extreme: ex-political prisoner (Sigourney Weaver) puts her presumed torturer (Ben Kingsley) on trial at her home in South America. I had a boss from my high school days that I'd like to try this with.

10:00pm The Gong Show with Dave Attell Comedy Central - Season Finale

10:00pm Tabatha's Salon Takeover Bravo - NJ Tabatha Coffey has one week to show a New Jersey party guy that he needs to grow up

10:00pm Smash Lab Discovery - Chuck and Gadget devise ways to stop a hijacked tractor trailer.

10:30pm Reality Bites Back Comedy Central - Season Finale. “American Surv-idoler's Kitchen”

11:35pm The Late Show With David Letterman CBS - Actor Robin Williams; actress Shannen Doherty; Duffy performs.