TV Junkie: TV Guide Sold; Helvetica Anyone? Also, Nip/Tuck Returns

"Nip/Tuck", FX @ 10pm

The big news yesterday was that the TV Guide Network was sold for $255 million to Lionsgate, and apparently not sold to investor Allen Shapiro for $300 million as had been announced less than 3 weeks ago. While we're not sure who should be disappointed and who should be elated, what we're sure of is that $255 million seems like a lot of money for a brand as stale as TV Guide.

Tonight brings us the return of that porno car-wreck of a show, "Nip/Tuck" (FX @ 10:00pm) but we're conflicted as the uber design geek documentary "Helvetica" is on PBS/KCET at the same time. Thankfully "Nip/Tuck" repeats at 11pm and again on Friday and Sunday.

"Scrubs" returns to TV but as an ABC program but that doesn't answer the question "why?" With its multiple musical numbers and endless stream of guest stars, the show had jumped the shark by all appearances on NBC, what was the point of resurrecting it?

The TV Junkie Plan: "Scrubs" (but will switch to "Dirty Jobs" if "Scrubs" sucks), "Independent Lens" (but will switch to "Nip/Tuck" if I feel like watching a car wreck), "10 Items or Less", Kimmel

8:00pm Homeland Security USA ABC - A voluptuous young woman arrives in the U.S. from Switzerland with no paperwork but carrying a suitcase full of "titillating surprises". This show is for real?

8:00pm According to Jim ABC - New time

8:00pm The Biggest Loser NBC - Season Premiere

9:00pm Dirty Jobs Discovery - Mike tries his hand at making bologna and then travels to Alaska to repair a special toilet.

9:00pm Scrubs ABC - Season Premiere

10:00pm Independent Lens: Helvetica PBS/KCET - Historians and designers talk about fonts, and why Helvetica reigns as the most popular. Designer geeks unite!!!

10:00pm Nip/Tuck FX - Season Premiere

10:00pm Leverage TNT - The team goes after an adoption company that is scamming couples looking to adopt war orphans; the team hijacks the production of a horror movie. We interviewed Timothy Hutton last year, this is his show.

10:00pm The Bad Girls Club Oxygen - Kayla continues to be trouble, Tiffany declares war on her. The Mother of all wars? It's amazing that LA is still standing after they taped these episodes.

10:00pm The Real Housewives of Orange County Bravo - Gretchen gets excited when her ring arrives; Vicki's son gets caught throwing a pool party. The ladies of Southern California appear to be firing on all cylinders tonight.

11:00pm 10 Items or Less TBS - Season Premiere. After losing a bet to SuperValueMart employees, Todd recruits Leslie to beat them at a new sport, turkey bowling. C'mon, you thought about it.

11:35pm The Tonight Show With Jay Leno NBC - Actress Queen Latifah; TV and radio personality Adam Carolla; Pussycat Dolls perform.

12:05am Jimmy Kimmel Live ABC - Comic Mike Birbiglia.

12:35am Late Night With Conan O'Brien NBC - Actress Kate Hudson; actor Tim Daly; Bang Camaro performs.

Comments (14) [rss]

[1] | Zach Behrens

My friend worked on Homeland Security USA, I'm curious how it turns out.

Independent Lens: Helvetica looks awesome. Thanks for that.

Reply | January 6, 2009 3:34 PM

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[2] | DaynaDrew

Can you tape the Helvetica special for me? thx

Reply | January 6, 2009 3:42 PM

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Zach Behrens replied to comment from DaynaDrew

My plan was to TIVOo it. So I guess I can throw a font party someday. I tend to like sans-serif fonts.

Reply | January 6, 2009 3:53 PM

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DaynaDrew replied to comment from Zach Behrens

yup, no serifs here. For this font party you should make everyone show up dressed as their favorite font, then have a serif v. sans-serif beer pong championship.

Reply | January 6, 2009 4:02 PM

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Zach Behrens replied to comment from DaynaDrew

Unless we walk around like ballerinas, aren't we all serif by nature?

Reply | January 6, 2009 5:51 PM

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DaynaDrew replied to comment from Zach Behrens

I will show up in my pointe shoes.

Reply | January 7, 2009 10:18 AM

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