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Chuck Barney

Underappreciated 'Community' returns, 'Harry's Law' back on new night

Last updated Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 7:55am

Don't miss

"Community" -- When NBC left this underappreciated show off its midseason schedule, fans flew into a rage. And who can blame them? The campus comedy about misfit members of a study group continues to be one of the funniest and most inventive half hours in prime time. Now, it finally returns to continue its third season with an episode that has Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) being asked by her ex (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) to remarry him, and the eccentric duo of Troy and Abed (Donald Glover, Danny Pudi) practicing to be "normal" (good luck with that). If there was ever a time to rally around "Community," it's now, as lackluster ratings make it a candidate for cancellation when the season ends. 7 p.m. Thursday, KSL Channel 5.

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Around the Remote: Julianne Moore stars as Sarah Palin in HBO 'Game Change'

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, March 4, 2012 - 8:56am

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"Game Change" -- Like a master illusionist, actress Julianne Moore makes an incredible metamorphosis to become Sarah Palin in this compelling, behind-the-scenes look into John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. Based on segments of the bestselling book of the same name, "Game Change" revisits a defining moment in U.S. politics, capturing the human drama tied to the process in which Palin was chosen to be McCain's running mate and her stunning emergence as the "game-changer" who invigorated his beleaguered campaign. Ed Harris plays McCain and Woody Harrelson plays chief strategist Steve Schmidt, the man who championed Palin for the ticket. 10 p.m. Saturday, HBO.

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Cupcakes get scary, tensions mount in Zombieville

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, February 26, 2012 - 8:33am

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"The 84th Annual Academy Awards" -- It's Billy Crystal to the rescue. The genial comedian returns to host the Oscar telecast, stepping in for Eddie Murphy, who flaked out back in November. It will be Crystal's ninth time as emcee (second only to Bob Hope's 19), but his first in nearly a decade. So expect a return of his popular opening monologue where he inserts himself into scenes of the nominated movies. As for the films themselves, it's shaping up to be a big night for "The Artist," a delightful production that proved you don't have to talk a lot to make a good impression. Now, if only the winners would keep that in mind when they make their acceptance speeches. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, KTVX Channel 4.

Best bets:

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'Downton Abbey,' 'Simpsons' 500th, 'Glee' heads for hiatus

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 8:42am

Don't miss

"Downton Abbey" -- Expect all the soapy shenanigans to reach a boiling point in the Season 2 finale of this ceaselessly addictive costume drama. The two-hour episode has the family gathering to celebrate Christmas and welcome the new year (1920). But not all is bliss as poor Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) is on trial for the murder of his wretched ex-wife. Meanwhile, we continue to wonder if Mary (Michelle Dockery) will throw over Sir Richard (Iain Glen) and pledge her true love to hunky Matthew (Dan Stevens). Who knows where that plot line will go, but judging from the preview footage, Matthew and Richard are set to duke it out. 8 p.m. today, KUED Channel 7.

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Grammys awarded, dogs on show, hellish felines on prowl

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, February 12, 2012 - 8:34am

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"The 54th Annual Grammy Awards" -- It's shaping up to be a huge night for Adele, who not only is expected to make off with a boatload of trophies, but also sing in public for the first time since having vocal cord surgery. As usual, the performances will undoubtedly overshadow the prizes. Among the big names taking the stage will be Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Tony Bennett and more. LL Cool J hosts the festivities from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Sunday, KUTV Channel 2.

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Will Hart/NBC
Katharine McPhee as Karen Cartwright in “Smash,” premiering 9 p.m. Monday on KSL Channel 5.

'Smash' is ready for spotlight

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, February 5, 2012 - 8:42am

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- All the world may be a stage, but Megan Hilty, one of the stars of NBC's "Smash," has been around long enough to know that the most compelling action doesn't happen under the spotlights.

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Super Bowl kicks off; 'Voice,' 'Swamp People' return

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, February 5, 2012 - 8:36am

Don't miss

Super Bowl XLVI -- Are you ready for some football? It's America's day of gridiron gluttony -- when something like a gazillion viewers tune in to see big, sweaty men frolic on plastic grass. But even if you don't have your head in the game, there are plenty of things to watch besides the New England Patriots and New York Giants. Highlights include all those wacky, high-priced commercials and the halftime festivities with Madonna rocking the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth will call the play-by-play, but not before hours upon hours of monotonous pre-game blather. 4 p.m. today, KSL Channel 5.

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Football injuries probed, 'Glee' celebrates MJ

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, January 29, 2012 - 5:39pm

Don't miss

"Big Hits, Broken Dreams" -- As the Super Bowl approaches, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the growing concern over football-related concussions and brain injuries in this revealing documentary. Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, spent the 2011 season with a Greenville, N.C., high school team still shaken by the 2008 death of a star running back who had suffered repeated concussion injuries. The program explores what happens to the brain under concussive conditions, and what parents, coaches and athletes need to know in order to protect themselves. 9 p.m. today, CNN.

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Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs play two waitresses in “2 Broke Girls,” a freshman comedy that thrives on raunchy humor.

Photo courtesy CBS

Really? You can get away with that on TV today?

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, January 22, 2012 - 6:20am

PASADENA, Calif. -- Where's George Carlin when we need him?

The late comedian, who famously crafted a monologue about the dirty words you can't utter on television, surely would have something smart-alecky to say about the TV critics media tour. At times, the event, which ends Sunday, has felt like a ponderous course in linguistics, with network executives and TV producers analyzing what language is acceptable in this day of free-falling standards.

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Keifer Sutherland returns in 'Touch'; 'Chuck' bows out

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, January 22, 2012 - 6:19am

Don't miss

"Touch" -- So much for Jack Bauer. Kiefer Sutherland returns to television, playing a man dramatically different from the amped-up federal agent he embodied for eight years in "24." Now, Sutherland is Martin Bohm, a widower and single father exasperated by an inability to connect with his 11-year-old mute son (David Mazouz). But a major breakthrough occurs when he discovers that the boy possesses a gift of incredible genius: the ability to see things that no one else can in life's everyday patterns. The gift begins to manifest itself in strange cases, involving people across the globe who are connected in ways they never knew. Both compelling and inspiring, "Touch" quickly gets you in its grasp. 8 p.m. Wednesday, KSTU Channel 13.

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Happy B-day Betty White; 'American Idol,' 'Shark Tank' return

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, January 15, 2012 - 8:46am

Don't miss

"The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards" -- Ready or not, the verbal blowtorch known as Ricky Gervais returns to host Hollywood's most irreverent awards show, despite plenty of calls for his head after last year's incendiary stint. Will he be held in check this time? Or will he fire away? Among the movies up for honors are "The Artist" with six nominations and "The Help" and "The Descendants" with five apiece. Meanwhile, new TV shows breaking into the party include "American Horror Story," "Homeland," "Enlightened" and "New Girl." 6 p.m. today, KSL Channel 5.

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PBS
Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern star in “Downton Abbey” on PBS. The second season of the acclaimed series premieres at 8 p.m. today on KUED Channel 7.

Lavish 'Downtown Abbey' addictive

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, January 8, 2012 - 8:45am

Last year, something magical and rare happened on PBS. A lavish period piece called "Downton Abbey" not only won critical raves and a bundle of shiny awards, it turned into a ratings powerhouse. And Ken Burns had nothing to do with it.

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'Firm' premieres; Billy the Kid profiled; '30 Rock' returns

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, January 8, 2012 - 8:42am

Best bets

* "The Firm" is a new TV drama that picks up 10 years after the events established in the John Grisham novel and the subsequent movie. Stepping in for Tom Cruise is Josh Lucas as attorney Mitchell McDeere. 8 p.m. today, KSL Channel 5.

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Haggard, Busey swapping wives, 'Bachelor' woos, 'Liars' returns

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, January 1, 2012 - 9:07am

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"Celebrity Wife Swap" -- We're usually among the first to decry the relentless barrage of celebrities in reality TV. And we certainly don't expect this potential train wreck to contain even a hint of redeeming value. But the very idea that disgraced evangelist Ted Haggard will trade significant others and house rules with freaky actor Gary Busey makes it just too kooky to resist. Other oddball swapping couples include Tracey Gold and Carnie Wilson, Flavor Flav and Dee Snider, and Nicey Nash and Tina Yothers. Let the slack-jawed gawking begin. 8 p.m. Tuesday, KTVX Channel 4.

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CBS
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, actress Meryl Streep, singer and songwriter Neil Diamond (back, from left), saxophonist and composer Sonny Rollins and singer Barbara Cook (front, from left) receive honors for 2011 on The 34th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, airing at 8 p.m. Tuesday on KUTV Channel 2.

2012 celebrated, Kennedy Center honors five superstars

Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times

Last updated Sunday, December 25, 2011 - 10:30pm

Don't Miss

New Year's Eve celebrations --So you can't make it to that big noisy, sweaty bash this year? No problem, you can party down on Saturday night from the comfort of your couch as TV rings in 2012. (Just remember to vacuum up the confetti in the morning.) Among the festive telecasts is "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2012" (9 and 11:30 p.m., KTVX Channel 4), which has the guys celebrating with Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Florence + The Machine and others. Meanwhile, on "New Year's Eve With Carson Daly" (9 and 11:30 p.m., NBC), our host is joined in Times Square by JB Smoove, Amy Robach and Drake. In addition, there's "New Year's Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin" (9 p.m., CNN), featuring our favorite TV odd couple, and "MTV's New Year's Eve Bash 2012" (11 p.m., MTV), hosted by Demi Lovato and "Teen Wolf" star Tyler Posey.

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