Contra Costa Times

Don't miss

"American Idol" -- Power ballads. Teen divas. "Goosies." Randy Jackson's hideous jackets ... We've experienced it all in this, the 11th season, of prime time's most popular talent competition. But now, it's finally time to crown a champion. After the final two contestants face off on Tuesday, they'll have to suffer through a horrendously bloated two-hour finale the following night before hearing the verdict. Our prediction? Confetti will fall and someone will cry. 7 p.m. Wednesday, KSTU Channel 13.

Don't Miss:

"Desperate Housewives" series finale -- The week is stuffed with season finales, so many that we couldn't squeeze them all in. But we weren't about to ignore the swan song of a milestone show. "Desperate Housewives," which is ending its eight-year run, clearly was past its prime a long time ago. But that doesn't take away the fact that it was a ratings blockbuster and cultural phenomenon back in 2004 when it introduced us to the women of Wisteria Lane. The "splashy" two-hour finale revolves around Bree's (Marcia Cross) murder trial, Renee's (Vanessa Williams) impending wedding, Susan's (Teri Hatcher) secret attempt to sell her house and Mrs. McCluskey's (Kathryn Joosten) preparations to deal with the final stages of her lung cancer. A couple of familiar faces will also return for the farewell episode: Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany) and the late Mrs. Huber. 8:01 p.m. today, KTVX Channel 4.

Television viewers who were suddenly clued into the existence of PBS, thanks to the rousing success of "Downton Abbey," might be interested to know that the public television service does, indeed, offer other exceptional dramas.

Case in point: "Sherlock," a contemporary take on Arthur Conan Doyle's stories with the charismatic Benedict Cumberbatch playing the fabled sleuth. "Sherlock" debuted last year and immediately captivated fans of the "Masterpiece Mystery!" franchise with its amusing banter, sharp wit and visual verve. Now it returns with three new tales beginning this weekend and, thankfully, the game is on.

Don't miss

"Jesse Owens: American Experience" -- This fascinating new documentary recalls the legendary track and field athlete who wreaked havoc with Adolf Hitler's goal of using the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a showcase for the superiority of Aryan athletes. In winning four gold medals at the Games, Owens captivated the world while infuriating the Nazis. But when he returned to America, he couldn't even ride in the front of a bus and would go on to confront overt racism and financial hardship. The film, which includes insights from Owens' daughters Beverly and Marlene, also taps into the fleeting quality of fame and the way we tend to idolize athletes when they suit our purpose, but forget them once they don't. 7 p.m. Tuesday, KUED Channel 7.

Don't miss

"Fox's 25th Anniversary Special" -- The ubiquitous Ryan Seacrest (who else?) is our host for this rousing two-hour celebration of the greatest hits produced by a network that launched in 1987 with a feisty, maverick attitude and brought big changes to prime time. Stars scheduled to appear and reminisce include Calista Flockhart ("Ally McBeal"); Kiefer Sutherland ("24"); David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson ("The X-Files"); Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal and Christina Applegate ("Married ... With Children"); Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler ("American Idol"); Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher ("That '70s Show"); and Gabrielle Carteris, Shannen Doherty and Jason Priestley. ("Beverly Hills, 90210"). Meanwhile, the proud combatants of "Celebrity Boxing" are wondering why they got left off the invite list. 7 p.m. today, KSTU Channel 13.

Best bets

* "Titanic at 100: Mystery Solved" is a special that has scientists, archaeologists, engineers and imaging experts joining forces to determine just how the famous ship sank. Have they not heard about the iceberg? 9 p.m. today, History Channel.

* Tonight brings the debut of "NYC 22," because, well, prime time just doesn't have enough cops shows. This one focuses on a group of badge-wearing rookies who patrol the mean streets of New York. Leelee Sobieski and Adam Goldberg head the cast. 7 p.m. today, KUTV Channel 2.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- We are surprising slaves to conformity when it comes to the materials used to make things. An armoire made of bicycle parts? That would just be silly. But what about a bicycle made from an armoire? As it turns out, a bike hewn out of wood is a ride that some people pine for.

For the most part, form has rigidly followed function in bicycle design, with increasingly featherweight wonders forged out of materials ranging from aluminum to titanium. But a pair of San Jose, Calif., woodworkers -- one a self-taught genius, the other his interpreter to the real world -- are turning recycled Honduran mahogany, cherry and maple hardwoods into cycling's most splendid splinters.