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After this bumpy week we wish Showtime's "Shameless" was on tonight instead of Sunday at 10pm.
Please read our interview with Fred Armisen of "SNL" whose new series, "Portlandia," premieres at 10:30pm tonight on IFC. Also check out our red carpet interviews from the Critics' Choice Movie Awards which were posted earlier this afternoon - we spoke with Katie Aselton from FX's "The League" and several others.
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PaleyFest is less than 6 weeks away so if you want to see panels of the creators and talent from your favorite shows check out the packages and tickets that have just become available this week. We have found these events to be the most entertaining and informative of any organized around television - comprehensive, funny, and insightful, we highly recommend them.
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Highlights from Last Night: Ricky Gervais on Piers Morgan's CNN show, refusing to be apologetic for his hosting of Sunday's Golden Globes - way to take a stand Ricky! Later in the evening, Fred Armisen was really great on Jimmy Fallon's show. Although the new 3 hour block of Thursday night comedy on NBC held up pretty well in the ratings, it has to be remembered that both ABC and the CW were in reruns last night. We enjoyed some of the performances on "Perfect Couples" but we think the show needs to tighten up a bit and be less "message-y" in the final few minutes. Both "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation" were very very good last night.
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Highlights for the Weekend: Bill Maher promises to be excellent this evening, also remember the series premieres of the "Onion News Network" and "Portlandia" on IFC - both are worth your time. On Saturday we're particularly excited about seeing Sonic Youth and The Black Keys play on "Austin City Limits." Sunday, we return to the familiarity of Showtime's evening schedule of "Californication," "Episodes," and "Shameless."
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The TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan: Tonight - "Real Time With Bill Maher" (Rachel Maddow, Steve Moore, David Stockman, Michael Hastings, Russell Simmons), "Funny or Die Presents," "The Ricky Gervais Show," "Onion News Network," "Portlandia," Letterman (Nathan Lane, comic Mike Palascak, Esperanza Spalding performs), Ferguson (Jeff Bridges). Saturday - The Uninvited, "Austin City Limits" (Sonic Youth, The Black Keys), "The Graham Norton Show" (Matt LeBlanc, Donald Sutherland, journalist Mary Portas). Sunday - "Nature" (Birds of the Gods hosted by Sir David Attenborough), "Californication," "Episodes," "Shameless."
Tonight
8:00pm Real Time With Bill Maher HBO - news anchor Rachel Maddow, commentator Steve Moore and economist David Stockman. Journalist Michael Hastings and music entrepreneur Russell Simmons are interview guests.
8:00pm Kitchen Nightmares Fox - Season Premiere
8:00pm Medium CBS - Series Finale
9:00pm Funny or Die Presents HBO - "Tijuana Jackson: Life Coach"; "United States Police Department"; "Reenactments of Actual Conversations From the Ladies Rooms of Hollywood"; "Paco Dances"; "Welcome to My Study."
9:00pm Fringe Fox - The team works with an observer to fix a mistake; Walter befriends someone he admires.
9:00pm Meet the In-Laws CMT - Series Premiere
9:30pm The Ricky Gervais Show HBO - A listener's e-mail asks what Karl would do with his doppelganger; Ricky gives Karl a logic riddle to solve; entries from Karl's diary; Stephen discusses his recent trip to Rio de Janeiro.
9:30pm My Big Redneck Wedding CMT - Series Premiere
10:00pm Onion News Network IFC - Series Premiere
10:00pm Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Starz - Series Premiere
10:00pm The Soup E! - Joel McHale in the hizzy!
10:30pm Portlandia IFC - Series Premiere
10:30pm Fashion Police E! - Joan Rivers & Co. will take the Golden Globes fashion apart, hopefully in the same manner that Ricky Gervais took apart those people wearing the fashion.
11:00pm Comedy Central Presents Comedy Central - Season Premiere Tom Segura followed by Michael Kosta.
11:35pm Late Show With David Letterman CBS - Actor Nathan Lane; comic Mike Palascak; Esperanza Spalding performs.
11:35pm The Tonight Show With Jay Leno NBC - TV personalities Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb; Hayes Carll performs.
12:05am Jimmy Kimmel Live ABC - Sports commentator Terry Bradshaw; actor Jim Sturgess; KT Tunstall performs.
12:35am The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson CBS - Actor Jeff Bridges.
12:35am Late Night With Jimmy Fallon NBC - Actor David Duchovny; actress Greta Gerwig; chef Lidia Bastianich.
Saturday
7:15pm The Uninvited TCM - (1944) A British brother (Ray Milland) and sister (Ruth Hussey) move to a coastal mansion haunted by two ghosts.
9:00pm Primeval BBC America - A Therocephalian attacks a school during Saturday detention.
9:00pm Austin City Limits PBS/KLCS - Sonic Youth performs songs from "The Eternal"; classic blues rock with the Black Keys.
10:00pm The Graham Norton Show BBC America - Actor Matt LeBlanc; actor Donald Sutherland; journalist Mary Portas.
Sunday
3:00pm NFC Championship Game Fox - Special Presentation
6:30pm AFC Championship Game Fox - Special Presentation
8:00pm Nature PBS/KOCE - Birds of the Gods Scientists search for the bird of paradise in the New Guinea rain forest; host David Attenborough.
8:00 pm Mean Girls 2 ABC Family - Special Presentation
8:30pm Bob's Burgers Fox - Bob is furious when a documentary filmmaker tries to makes a statement by placing a live cow outside the restaurant.
9:00pm Californication Showtime - Hank takes advantage of the misperception and moves home with Karen and Becca; Charlie tries to reach a sexual benchmark.
9:00pm Masterpiece Classic PBS/KOCE - Downton Abbey As he grows into his role as heir, Matthew brings out the rivalry between sisters Mary and Edith; servants Thomas and O'Brien scheme against Bates.
9:00pm Big Love HBO - Bill attempts to stage a meeting for polygamist leaders; Barb tries to find common ground with her mother; Nicki learns the extent of Adaleen's isolation; Margene worries about the situation with Ana and Goran; Cara Lynn impresses her math teacher.
9:30pm Episodes Showtime - Sean and Matt bond during a trip to Las Vegas; Beverly feels left out.
10:00pm Shameless Showtime - Fiona turns her attentions to a cop; Ian is targeted by the brothers of a girl he spurned; the family searches for Aunt Ginger.
10:30pm Holly's World E! - Season Premiere
