Contra Costa Times

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.

Don't Miss

"Mad Men" -- "What is wrong with you people?" a bewildered woman asks during the two-hour Season 5 opener of this acclaimed drama. "You're all so cynical. You don't smile. You smirk." She's referring to the hustlers and con artists who populate Don Draper's (Jon Hamm) 1960s-era ad agency, and, of course, she's right, but that's exactly how we prefer them. Finally back after a brutally long 17-month hiatus, these characters are now wondering what the future holds as they struggle to adapt to the changes brought on by the cultural upheaval of their times. Then again, some things never change: "Mad Men" is still as sleek and seductive as ever. 9 p.m. Sunday, AMC.

Exhibiting a touch of bravado, Alex Smith officially returned Wednesday as the 49ers' quarterback, a win-or-bust job that almost became Peyton Manning's.

Former 49ers quarterback Steve Young emphatically backed the 49ers' pursuit of Peyton Manning, and vice versa. Young, now an ESPN analyst, had this to say on "SportsCenter" on Friday:

"Really smart. Trent Baalke did the research and Jim Harbaugh threw with Peyton Manning. They didn't get on the front pages.

Don't Miss

"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.

Don't Miss

"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.

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