Talking about the failure of Kings on the network, president of prime time entertainment Bromstad told the audience,

I think that it was an amazingly big swing and a great production, and Michael Green is a phenomenal writer... I think our challenge now-and hopefully what you see with the new shows is in a really crowded marketplace-you have to sell something. People want to know what something's about. That was a very complex idea. It was a show that was originally developed when I was there before [with] Laura Lancaster. We thought it was too highbrow and sophisticated to sell in a 30-second spot. It doesn't mean we're not looking for big ideas, but they have to be big ideas an audience can grab onto and relate to.

Maybe it's just me, but there seem to be a lot of things that seem wrong with that quote (Kings was "too highbrow and sophisticated" to sell in 30 seconds? Really? Don't get me wrong, I think that it was a wonderful show, intelligent and, yes, sophisticated, but at the same time, it could easily have been sold on the family drama aspects, the religious/spiritual aspects or even the wartime political aspects - the fact is that NBC didn't do any of these; saying that it was too hard without even trying sounds like false justification after the fact), but the most worrying is the message it seems to send that NBC has given up on programming that doesn't appeal to the lowest common denominator, and that because of that, SF is in trouble on the network.

Looking at the shows on offer from that network, there's some evidence to support that theory. Heroes and Chuck - as much as I like them both (And I genuinely do like Heroes, despite the snark) - are both firmly in the populist category, far from the sometimes obtuse Lost or willfully discordant Dollhouse, for one thing, and also tend to stay away from the occasional uncomfortable questions offered by the otherwise-cuddly Fringe; the danger is never too real (whether in terms of tension or scale), the status quo always within one reset. That shouldn't necessarily be a surprise; NBC drama in general is softer and more comforting than what you'd see on Fox, after all, and the network has already taken enough hits in terms of attempts at SF edginess - even if the results were Bionic Woman and My Own Worst Enemy, in addition to Kings - that you could see why they'd want to turn away from the idea.

(It's strange that a network that can produce - and support, despite weaker ratings than expected at launch - shows like 30Rock and The Office is so resistant to doing the same thing to non-comedy shows that are equally less-likely to stick to stereotypes and expectations.)

Additionally, NBC has given up the 10pm slot by stripping Jay Leno's new show across the week at that time, surrendering what used to be their time slot for high profile serious drama. It's the time slot that, ideally, Kings would've been in, a sign that the show had more to it than the obscure advertisements that NBC managed to produce for it after being confounded by how highbrow and sophisticated it ended up being, but it's hard to stifle the thought that perhaps the Sunday time slot it started with was a sign that the show was already being dumped as a result of confusion over what to do with it.
All of this makes me concerned for Day One, Jesse Alexander's new series launching next year. Closer in tone to Lost than Heroes, and asking more of the viewer than an episode of Law & Order, Day One is the kind of smart, engaging show that Kings was... and, worryingly, Bromstad is already making comments about a willingness to consider the show a mini-event, as opposed to an ongoing series. To be fair, she's made these comments before, and Alexander has already responded by pointing out that "[i]f the audience is there, we'll stay on the air," but it's bad buzz that the show doesn't need before it's made it to air.

That said, Day One has a lot of things going for it that Kings didn't: A defining opening event, for one, giving the show a "what if?" hook that can be summed up in one line, as opposed to Kings' alternate world scenario. The potential for more crowd-pleasing action scenes than Kings offered, for another. And - currently, at least - a better time slot and the backing of a network that should know better than to move new series two weeks into their run because they're worried that ratings are all. Day One has the potential to be a great series in the same way that Lost is, or Battlestar Galactica was; I just hope that it's allowed to fulfill it.

Writing on the show's Court Historian blog, Green offered these words of farewell:

The outcome of Kings was heartbreaking to all of us who worked so hard and had such a wonderful time making it. Every moment on screen represents stories, conversations, arguments, decisions by dozens — hundreds — of blazingly talented, always impassioned people.

It was a difficult show to make. We had to fight for every choice, so we thought each one through.

Many involved with the show felt wronged by our network, or at least scuttled. I personally don't feel I have enough information to know precisely what led to our failure to achieve ratings success — though I believe that had the show been given a better launch, the outcome would have been something to celebrate... Even if it is tempting to trash NBC, we do owe them gratitude. Writing, acting, filming is about the work, not the reward, and NBC allowed us to make the best possible show we could. They let us film in New York. They let us assemble a cast without equal on the network landscape. A group of actors who came ready every day to spin the broken-meter mouthfuls we wrote for them into song. Ian McShane, Chris Egan, Susanna Thompson, Sebastian Stan, Allison Miller, Dylan Baker, Eamonn Walker, Marlyne Afflack, Becky Ann Baker... Every one of them suffered long hours, cold nights, and still came prepared, passionate, elevating every piece of material put to them. They made us look better than we deserve.

He also offered the following sad words of wisdom:

Some have asked, what can they do to "Save the show." We are, sadly, well past that point.

If there is anything to do at all, it's to find your voice and let the networks know that if they covet your attention at all — and yes yes yes they do — they can have it by programming and standing by shows with substance.

Write a letter. Mail it to any network. Stick a butterfly on the envelope if you'd like.

We'd be honored.

(Of course, that comes after he'd said, "While it is true that the episode budget was high for a first season show, that number was reduced by the outstanding aggregate 30% tax benefit New York provided (which we all hope will remain in effect), thus bringing the cost down to rates comparable to other prime time dramas. And, of course, plans were already made to bring the costs down to whatever number the studio required of us in the future." You mean someone else could've picked up the show? Noooo.)

The full letter is available here.

[Court Historian]

Monday:

Spectacular Spider-Man -
At the turn of the New Year, Spidey has to take the fight to the Planner's lair, revealing the Planner's true identity in the process. But not before teen aged superhero has to navigate the murky waters of love, when Gwen is kidnapped.

Spectacular Spider-Man Promo:

Movies:

It's end-of-the-world day over at the Syfy Channel. First there's Meltdown: Days of Destruction, where the Earth moves threateningly close to the Sun. After that, Asteroid threatens the world with, what else? Asteroids, in the two-part movie starring Annabella Sciorra. All of this airs on SciFi Channel, beginning at 9:30 AM.

Tuesday:

Warehouse 13 -
Two sexy Secret Service agents are put in charge of America's storage spot for weird crap. Even though the warehouse is stocked to the brim with time traveling and shape shifting whosits and what-nots, there's still plenty of unclaimed weird objects for this good looking duo to track down, in Warehouse 13. What will they fid next? My guess is, a big steaming pile of romantic tension. It's like a sugared-up X-Files, but with steampunky gadgets. The two-hour premiere airs on the newly christened SyFy Channel, at 9 PM.

Warehouse 13 Promo:

Better Off Ted - repeat on ABC at 9 PM.

Movies:

Nic Cage's rip-off of Indiana Jones, National Treasure, is on the SyFy Channel at 6 PM.

Adam Sandler is a pawn in the ultimate procrastinator's backlash that is Click, when his living Jiminy Cricket, Christopher Walken, hands over a real-life remote control, on FX at 8 PM.

Wednesday:

Time Team America -
The series premiere chronicles various archeological digs open with a trip to North Carolina's Roanoke Island, the first settlement in North America, which disappeared suddenly. Years later, the only remaining clue was the word "Croatoan" carved into a fencepost. The dig is on PBS at 8 PM.

Time Team Preview:

Monsters Inside Me -
The show that makes you scared to go anywhere, or do anything, returns with a new episode. Scientists rush to stave off what could become the worst parasitic outbreak in history, which may or may not already be eating away your intestines. Quick, stop drinking water — germs are EVERYWHERE, on Animal Planet at 9 PM.

Monsters Inside Me Promo:

MonsterQuest -
Adventurers hunt down the wily Sasquatch, on this new episode on the History Channel at 9 PM.

Movies:

Treasure Planet, an animated scifi update of Treasure Island featuring the voice of our favorite wrecked-faced Cobra Commander, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is on Disney XD at 5 PM.

Thursday:

Naked Science -
Scientists try to prove their hypothesis that about 500 years ago a large meteor caused a tsunami, severely changing Australia's coastline. The theories fly on National Geographic Channel at 10 PM.

Also, we'll probably get another clip from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when Daniel Radcliffe is on Letterman, on CBS at 11:30 PM.

Movies:

Contact, the movie that refuses be constricted by things like common sense, blasts Jodie Foster off to alien worlds... or does it? Join the confused alien-stalker and her long-haired boyfriend, Matthew McConaughey, on the look out for aliens and space-bound millionaires, in Contact on TNT at 10 PM.

Friday:

Eureka -
Sheriff-no-more Jack Carter and his sharp wit return for the second half of season three as he applies for a job with the Department of Homeland Security. Meanwhile, the new sheriff in town seems to have a very robotic personality. Carter has to deal with becoming Allison's pal, as our friends who became lovers who became friends deal with Allison's baby on the way. Season 3 and a half premieres tonight on SyFy, at 9 PM.

Saturday:

Kings -
Treasonous David is on trial, and Silas hands the reins over to his son Jack. Will the pretty prince show mercy to the doe-eyed country boy? Side note, this is actually the second to last week for Kings — next week there will be a two hour farewell. And I will weep big fat tears as this beautiful show sputters out its dying breath.

Kings You Tube Good Bye:

Primeval -
You'd think these accidents the Primeval people would figure out a way to close these space-time anomalies — but no, another week another problem causes chaos on Earth. Meanwhile, Abby's brother decides to find out what she does for a living, and accidentally passes through an anomaly. Whoops. Now the team has to chase him down too, on BBC America at 9 PM.

Movies:

An all-day Harry Potter marathon is in order, before the new movie is released July 15. Harry and the Sorcerer's Stone kicks off the first three movies as they play in order on ABC Family at 12:30 PM.

Sunday:

True Blood -
Will we find out what Daphne truly is? Probably not. At least not before Sookie endangers the lives of everyone on the show one more time, just for kicks! As everyone's favorite grown-up vamp show becomes more of an ensemble effort, Sookie, Bill and Jessica travel to Dallas. And Tara hopefully gets her head screwed on straight, and Jason continues his vampire purification process. Let's go to Dallas, on HBO at 9 PM.

True Blood Promo:

Movies:

Meteor -
A curious cast of prime time favorites from long ago gathers together, to stop a giant asteroid from careening to Earth. It's like the recent TV movie Impact, only with slightly more interesting actors. Jason Alexander and Christopher Lloyd put their minds together, to stop the meteor Kassandra. Part one of the miniseries airs tonight on NBC at 9 PM.

Additional reporting by Caitlin Petrakovitz.

Monday:
Spectacular Spider-Man -
It's a Christmas-centric Spidey with Vulture, Sandman and Rhino are all bringing gifts of destruction and mayhem. What do they want in return? The beaten, broken body of high-school Spider-Man. See if they've been good villains this year, on Disney XD at 7:30 PM.

Spidey Promo:

Movies:

In Outbreak, Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo attempt to stop the spread of a killer virus in NorCal, on AMC at 5 pm.

Tuesday:

Nova -
Have absolutely no musical talent whatsoever? (Hey, some of us aren't blessed.) Tonight on NOVA, scientists watch music's effects on four very different people, including one woman with amusia (the inability to process music). Listen in on PBS at 8 PM.

Better Off Ted -

Rejoice, nerd lovers — Phil and Lem are back, and as lovable as ever. This week, Linda has to move into Ted's office, and Lem asks Lucy out on a date. Let the romantic hilarity begin. All new episode on ABC at 9:30 PM.

Better Off Ted Promo:

Movies:

Adding fuel to the rumor mill fire, there are back-to-back Ghostbusters films tonight on AMC. The original and its sequel begin at 8 PM. Until then, enjoy this radical mash-up of NIN's "The Hand That Feeds" and the theme of the Extreme Ghostbusters cartoon.

Wednesday:

Monsters Inside Me -
There are things living inside of you, no lie they sneak into your bed and shoot eggs into your ears and crawl in and out of your mouths. In order to make sure NO ONE EVER SLEEPS AGAIN, Monsters Inside Me breaks down bugs living in people minds and in their eyes — and even helpful parasites. Enjoy this delightful show on Animal Planet, at 9 PM.

Movies:

Star Wars returns! Amid rumors that a new Star Wars tv series may be in the works, Spike is airing Episode II and Episode III beginning at 3 PM and 5:30 PM respectively. Here's the best trailer for the third ep.

Otherwise, Hugh Jackman gets hairy, showing why he got his own spin-off (which arguably began with this film). X-Men: The Last Stand airs on FX at 5:30 PM.

Thursday:

On the channel we're calling the Sci Fi Channel for just a few days more (till July 7, to be precise), there wil be a Twilight Zone marathon from 8 AM until late the 3 PM the next day.

Movies:

If you're looking for a really bad supernatural film, comparable to Catwoman, Sandra Bullock has a premonition of her husband's death in ... (wait for it) Premonition on TMC at 6 PM.

In other news (better news?), you can return to your roots with Star Wars Episode IV on Spike at 6 PM.

Friday:

It's just movie mania tonight.

Movies:

Van Helsing tracks down the Werewolves, Frankenstein and Dracula with a busty Kate Beckinsale by his side in Transylvania on FX at 6 PM. And right after, watch Kate become a vampire in Underworld: Evolution.

If continuing sagas are more your thing, Star Wars Episode V is on Spike at 6 PM.

But if you miss seeing the real Schwarzenegger Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day airs on MTV at 10 PM.

Saturday:

Primeval -
This week on Primeval, insects from the the future threaten the lives of everyone in the U.K., yet again. I'm wondering why no one has ever said: "Why don't we plug up this anomaly thing, since it leads to so many problems?" Dinosaurs are fun, I guess. Primeval is on the BBC America at 8 PM.

Primeval Promo:

Kings -
In the second to last episode of the cut-too-short series, David heads out to uncover new info about his daddy's death. Back on the mainland, the royalty reacts to their son's engagement. Blame NBC for the demise of the show, at 9 PM.

Movies:

Finishing the story, Star Wars Episode VI should wrap up the week nicely on Spike at 7 PM.

Picking up where the SciFi Channel dropped the ball on the Bond theme-song debate, USA begins a Bond marathon with Dr. No at 9 AM. Throughout the day you can then watch, in order: Thunderball, The World is Not Enough, Tomorrow Never Dies, and Casino Royale. 12+ hours of Bond? What more could you ask for?

Sunday:

UPDATE: You guys are right TB is on vacation! But this is what will be coming out the following week. Many apologies!
True Blood -
The vampires are taking us all on a trip, to Dallas. Sadly old Daddy Bill has to come too and make sure nobody is having any fun, whatsoever. The next episode of True Blood heads to Texas in search of vampire murderers on HBO at 9 PM.

Movies:

There's an epic comic book movie marathon beginning with the totally-coulda-shoulda-been-better Superman Returns, followed by Fantastic Four, Spider-man 2.1, and X-Men: The Last Stand. After, if you're in the mood for some light fare, Ice Age and Ice Age 2 round out the full day of films. The world needs heroes, on FX, starting at 8 AM.

However, if you crave some pure science fiction films, the soon-to-be-Syfy Channel serves up a day of films beginning with 2007's Alien Agent, I Am Omega (an adaptation of Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend"), Blade Runner and Total Recall starting at 12 PM.

Alien Agent Trailer:

Additional reporting by Caitlin Petrakovitz.

Monday

Spectacular Spider-Man -
High School Spider-Man is back tonight, and he's bringing you two colorful animated adventures. (G-rated, of course.) In the season premiere, Spidey and his NON-Mary-Jane girlfriend Gwen are talking about their first kiss, and whether it means anything. And the second episode has Kraven...I know which one I'm watching! Catch the season premiere on Disney XD at 7 PM.

The Crumbling of America -
Scientists and historians showcase the collapse of America's infrastructure in this two hour special, while animators give us new technologies and designs to prevent problems on the History Channel at 8 PM.

Movies:
Watch pre-Donnie Darko Jake Gyllenhaal, as a 1950s teen who escapes his coal mining town on a rocket in October Sky, on AMC at 5:30 PM.

If you're not into learning about 70,000+ structurally deficient bridges in America, the best bet is following security guard Ben Stiller in the live-action version of Toy Story, Night at the Museum on FX at 8 PM.

Tuesday

Life After People -
How much rain is too much? What happens when New Orleans is flooded from rainfall, corrosion destroys the Space Needle and humidity attacks the Middle East? (What do you think happens?) Tune in on the History Channel at 10 PM.

Movies:

There's a crazy thriller film marathon on television covering, in order, 1979's Dracula, followed by Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist; Sawyer/Josh Holloway in Sabretooth, and finally, the 2004 prequel to Exorcist. It all begins on AMC at 9 AM.

Wednesday

MonsterQuest -
Do dinosaurs still exist? Weighing the evidence, the show will investigate eyewitness accounts of legendary creatures. Hmmm, dinosaurs, I'd like to see the odds on finding them, compared to capturing Big Foot.

MythBusters -
Test the theory that it's impossible to pull two phone books apart, on the Discovery channel at 9 PM.

Movies:
Arguably Halle Berry ‘s worst post-Oscar winning decision, Catwoman, is on tonight. Seriously, with a cast that included Benjamin Bratt and Sharon Stone, this should have been so much better. Watch the incredible disappearing leather catsuit on AMC at 8 PM.

And if that's not enough bad TV for ya AVP-R (Aliens Versus Predator: Requiem) is on Cinemax at 8:15 PM.

Thursday

There's a Dark Angel marathon from 8 AM until 3 PM on Syfy Channel.

Naked Science -
Despite the fact that Earth and Venus were created around the same time, we populate Earth while the sister planet is deserted. So what gives? "Earth's Evil Twin" explores the why behind the barren planet with beautiful images of her. Naked Science is on National Geographic Channel at 10 PM.

And later, Megan Fox will hopefully transform into something on Letterman. That's on CBS at 11.

Movies:

The fight over best Bond theme continues with Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights (representing the ‘80s) pitted against Pierce Brosnan in The World is Not Enough. The mini-Bondathon begins on the SciFi Channel at 6 PM.

Garbarge theme song for TWINE:

Friday:

Virtuality airs! In case you've missed it (which is very likely as FOX has apparently been trying to bury it), the show is about the crew aboard a spaceship that's equipped with a virtual-reality device/machine/version of the holodeck. What's designed to help them survive the 10-year mission becomes a problem, when a nasty virus is discovered in the system. Now they have to fix the VR and save Earth. Tough.

What 3 Things Would You Bring With You To Space For A 10-Year Mission?
Meredith: A Case Of Tequila (all for me), Some Sort Of Pet, And One Of Those Taser Guns (seems like a good idea)

Batman The Brave And The Bold -
OMAC and Shrapnel may or may not battle to the death, as long as the Bat doesn't interfere, this week on the Cartoon Network at 8:30 PM.

Saturday:

Kings -
We get to glimpse Silas outside the confines of the palace, and Rose struggles to keep her mouth shut. Watch Silas and David go a pilgrimage-ing on NBC at 8 PM.

Primeval -
A Cretaceous dino comes through the anomaly and so does a medieval knight poised to slay a dragon. It airs on BBC America at 8 PM.

Sunday:

Prehistoric Disasters -
Did an asteroid strike kill the dinosaurs? What's the deal with dinosaurs this week? Evidence of the claim is examined on the Discovery Channel at 10 PM.

True Blood -
Sookie and Bill head out to turn to their favorite vamp for help, and the show everyone thought was about Sookie really begins to turn into an ensemble. Hopefully this week we'll finally get some of Jason's behind, on HBO at 9 PM.

Movies:

Aliens - Yes, the "s" signified a whole new film, and Sigourney Weaver will remind you why she is the only constant in the Alien films. Ripley wakes up on AMC at 8 PM.

Additional writing and reporting by Caitlin Petrakovitz.

Monday:

The Universe –
What's "Beyond The Big Bang" after all? Physicists and historians gather round to talk creation and utilize some nifty animations showing how the universe was made, on The History Channel at 9 PM.

Movies:
Could anyone replace Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice? Seriously I'd love to see someone try to remake the ghost with the most, and fail miserably. Even the cartoon was funny, but sadly not the same without MK. Watch the original on ABC Family at 9:30 PM, and marvel at how young and innocent Alec Baldwin looked.

Tuesday:

There's a Doctor Who marathon from 8 AM to 4 PM over at the SciFi Channel — nothing wrong with that.

Life After People –
What will happen to the city of cars when we all disappear? Will Detroit's vast car lots become dangerous land mines? Also looks like the future aliens will have a long-horn cattle problem if they ever try to settle on Earth after we're gone. Seriously hasn't this show run out of topics yet? "It will get old, deteriorate and be covered with plants" seems to be the answer for everything. But maybe cars will be different. Check it out on the History Channel at 10 PM.

Wednesday:

MonsterQuest –
Think crocodiles only eat pirate hands? WRONG, these creatures are large and in charge — just ask the cast of Lake Placid. In fact, since I can't find a clip from this week's episode on the The History Channel at 9 PM, I'm going to include my favorite Placid moment, to get you revved up for super ginormous crocodiles.

Mythbusters –
The boys pin cars against the rain and proceed to bust up all the weather related car myths on The Discovery Channel at 9 PM.

Ryan Reynolds is on Letterman — shilling for The Proposal, no doubt — but maybe he'll talk a little Deadpool, which is infinitely more interesting than yet another rom com. We'll have to wait and see on CBS at 11:30

Conan plays host to William Shatner, and McLovin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). So there's really no reason not to tune into The Tonight Show on NBC at 11:30.

Thursday:

Mini Joan Of Arcadia marathon on from 8 AM until 3 PM on the SciFi Channel. It's all about a modern day Joan of Arc (kind of.) Oh, and God is a hottie.

Movies:
There's a bit o' Bond to get you through the night, from the SciFi Channel. At 6:30 PM Roger Moore stars in the movie with maybe the best theme song, Live and Let Die. After that, Pierce Bronsan takes the reins to ensure Tomorrow Never Dies.

Friday:
Batman The Brave And The Bold -
Batman gets zapped to the future, where animals are humanoid, and now we're the pets, or urm... slaves? But whatever — there are CAT PEOPLE, on the Cartoon Network at 8:30 PM.

Clip:

Clip:

Clip:

Saturday:

Kings –
It's Silas' birthday and uh-oh, there's a city-wide blackout. And you guys know what blackout is code for in TV land, secret sex, and lots of it. In the darkness, David tries to explain himself to the Princess, Jack makes off for his secret man lover and I sit alone in the corner and weep for what NBC did to this beautiful series. Kings is on NBC at 8 PM.

Primeval -
The ARC is being taken over by the military, and the group has to flee to the hills. As our heroes abandon their technology, it's humans versus prehistoric Terror Birds, on BBC America at 9 PM.

Sunday:
There's a Mythbusters marathon from 10 a.m. to past midnight, which promises a lot of smashing and crashing.

BBC Earth -
The lovely series BBC Earth will be airing on BBC America. This special is dedicated "Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life," delightful. It airs at 5 PM.

First 10 Minutes

Impact –
The two-parter miniseries Impact has managed to do the unthinkable, make both Natasha Henstridge and David James Elliot unattractive. But you know you're going to watch it, because there's nothing else on TV, and you're a sucker for an apocalypse movie. The moon is crashing to Earth, and it's up to these mega cable TV show stars to save us all, at 9 PM on ABC.

Impact Promo

True Blood -
Mother of God, what have you done to my Lafayette? There had better be some explaining this episode. But it looks like this week, we're in for some Jessica and Sookie one-on-one time, so no that shouldn't be shrillingly annoying at all. Ah, I kid. I love you ladies and every melodramatic moment you give me, bad accents and all. "Keep This Party Going" is on HBO at 10 PM.

Additional writing and reporting by Caitlin Petrakovitz.

Monday:

The Universe -
This weeks episode explores the dangers of space exploration, and the many ways the cosmic void can kill you. Check it out on the History Channel at 8 PM.

Tuesday:

Life After People -
Once we're all gone, what will happen to our all our WMDs? Will they detonate eventually, after time has its way with each deadly missile? Assuming any animals survive our extinction, would they be in danger if all the bombs on the Earth went boom? Life After People is on the History Channel at 9 PM.

Movies:

The saddest little robot in all the world with the longest never-ending tale, A.I., is on 7:30 PM on Cinemax.

Meet the man who's so extreme his name has three X's. That's right Vin Diesel's XXX, the movie about some tattooed extreme sports guy who has to fight terrorists (of course), is on 5 PM on FX.

Wednesday:

MonsterQuest -
The monster gang gets to the bottom of a monkey creature that terrorized the people of New Delhi in 2001. A South Asian cousin of Big Foot? I'm thinking yes, but get all the monster facts on the History Channel at 9 PM.

Mythbusters -
Time to test the curve-the-bullet theory from the scrupulously scientific movie Wanted, on Mythbusters over on the Discovery Channel at 9 PM.

Here Is The Actual Video From The User Challenge:

Thursday:

Eliza Dushku fans, rejoice! There's a Tru Calling marathon from 8 AM until 3 PM on the Syfy Channel.

Movies:

Watch the art of dragon riding and pouty swordplay, while watching Eragon at 7:30 PM on the ABC Family channel.

Learn how to drink beer the alien way in the SNL sketch inspired film Coneheads, staring the original players Dan Aykoyd and Jane Curtin. It airs on Comedy Central at 4:30 PM.

Friday:

Batman: The Brave and the Bold -
Jonah Hex winds up in Gotham after a battle with Zebra-Man, and a little time traveling. After some initial misundersandings, Batman is convinced to help Hex back to his time in exchange for information. The new episode is on Cartoon Network at 8:30 PM.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold Clip:

Batman: The Brave and the Bold Clip:

Saturday:

Kings -
God save NBC's Kings. The alternate reality monarchy drama is back in action tonight. Where did we leave off? In this episode Jack and David go to Gath to "shore up" the peace, and I think we all know what that means. Also Michelle prances around with her health bill some more, and Silas tries to protect the city from a plague (which was actually made before all this scary swine flu drama so how strangely timely). Kings is back at 8 PM on NBC, for two more weeks.

Primeval -
A flesh eating fungus from the past is unleashed onto our world turning one soul into a fungus monster. BBC America at 9 PM.

Primeval Trailer:

Pushing Daisies -
It's the proper series finale for Daisies. The Darling Mermaid Darling's rival Aquadolls are killed, which means it's time for a mermaid revival. Olive and Ned team up to uncover the murderer, while Chuck hides in the wings. Watch, for the last time, our dear pie-maker and friends, on ABC at 10 PM.

Trailer (Sorry it's in German, can't find English)

Sunday:

True Blood-
It's been too long since we've blown a blood line and got naked with the ridiculous vampire community in Bon Temps. But this Sunday Alan Ball's blood sucking series based on the books by Charlaine Harris is back. So whose foot was that in the car? Are our worst suspicions true, and the very best character from last season is now food for worms? Will I be able to even watch this series without one redeeming character (unless the new religious ones are interesting? I'm thinking no.) Guess we'll have to wait and see, on HBO at 9 PM.

True Blood Trailer Promo

Talking to Newsarama.com, Green said,

They were very confused with how to market our show... And I think, ultimately, I think it's one of the reasons they lost the desire to make a success out of it. It's very easy to say, 'we have a nice cop show we executed really well for you.' It's harder to say, 'we have a character-based soap that's got some bizarre elements to it.

One of those bizarre elements, of course, was religion... Not that you would've known that from the trailers for the show. Green explained why none of the trailers really explained what the show actually was:

I found that in the development of the show, on the creative level of what the episodes and their content would be, I got nothing but support and interest in the religious or magical or somehow belief-inspired storytelling. When the time came for the marketing, there was a very deliberate, outspoken, loud desire articulated by them that, 'We are not going to say King David.' They were scared to say King David. They just felt that that would be detrimental to the show... I thought it was the clearest way to express what the show was about, and I thought it might actually generate interest. But there was a fear of either backlash or marginalizing or pigeonholing. There were a lot of reasons they had. They wouldn't go near it in the marketing, but they never had a problem with it on the creative level, which is why I was so baffled.

With the series looking unlikely to be renewed - or, for that matter, to finish its first season anytime soon - you have to wonder how much blame marketing blames for the show not being as successful as it could've been. Damn you, NBC marketing department... although, if God exists, maybe he/she/it's already taken care of that.

God Complexity: 'ELI', KINGS, the Almighty & Network TV [Newsarama.com]

Monday:

Chuck -
It's the Chuck that changes everything - but not as much as the season finale next week that really changes everything. Even though the show's hinting that Sarah and Chuck are going to get together, it's never actually going to happen. Chuck is on NBC at 8 PM.

Chuck Promo:

Chuck Promo:

Heroes -
Sylar has an "identity crisis" because he can change his identity now, Big Matt starts to act like a Daddy, and Ando and Hiro plot to destroy Building 26. Heroes is on NBC at 9 PM.

Heroes Promo:

Movies:

Jump around the globe, with the power of terrible hairstyles. Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson star in Jumper at 10 PM on Cinemax.

Tuesday:

Caprica -
The back story of the Cylons is revealed, on DVD and digital download. Follow the Adama family and the Greystone family, as their joint tragedy leads humans down a destructive path, paved with holographic orgies.

Fringe -
This weeks Fringe was written and directed by Oscar-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman. Olivia is able to see terrible deaths happening in NYC from her Boston bed, but what does it have to do with her past? Fringe is on Fox at 9 PM.

Fringe Promo:

Reaper -
Alan moves to the Vatican to escape the devil, with the help of Sam, but first Alan has to tell everyone how he won his soul back. Meanwhile,Nina wants Ben to meet her family. Reaper is on the CW at 8 PM.

Reaper Clip:

Reaper Promo:

Cupid -
Cupid continues to serve as a Craigslist substitute for the people of New York. This week he pairs a jewel thief-turned-locksmith with the his parole officer. Cupid is on ABC at 10 PM.

Wednesday:

Better Off Ted -
Ted deletes himself from the system, and chaos ensues. Better Off Ted is on ABC at 8:30 PM.

Lost -
A clip show tells the story of the Oceanic 6 "from a whole new perspective." So who haven't we heard from yet: the polar bear? If this is just a big tease to keep me away from Faraday for one more episode, heads will roll. Lost is on ABC at 9 PM.

Lost Promo:

Mythbusters -
Can you make your own diamonds? The myth-masters attempt to debunk this rumor once and for all, on the Discovery Channel at 9 PM.

Movies:

Learn all about how to charm a lady werewolf, with your wolf scent and ability to kill off her former wolf-lover, in American Werewolf In Paris, on TBS at 3:30 AM.

Thursday:

Smallville.
Lois is making believe that she's the superhero Stiletto. Downer Clark is afraid for her safety, and then they all get jumped by kryptonite-wielding gangsters - just another day in Smallville, on the CW at 8 PM. Watch as Clark discovers Lois' secret identity in two seconds - and yet no one else knows that Clark is the red and blue blur?

Smallville Clip:

Smallville Promo:

Supernatural -
Is there a new Winchester brother in the mix? Sam and Dean meet a 19-year-old who might be their long lost half- brother. Dean thinks it's a trick, naturally. Personally, I think it's the slash fiction baby. It's on the CW at 9 PM

Supernatural Promo:

Supernatural Clip:

Supernatural Clip:

Supernatural Clip:

Friday:

Dollhouse -

A dead woman's mind gets downloaded into Echo, and now it's up to the folks at the Dollhouse to solve her murder, on Fox at 9 PM.

Dollhouse Promo:

Movies:

The classic 1950s alien B-movie in which a young boy learns that aliens are taking over human brains, Invaders From Mars, is on AMC at 2:30 AM.

Saturday:

Kings -
A plague descends upon the city of Gath, which is perfect timing for Michelle's health-care bill. Jack and David head over to Gath to smooth over some wrinkles in the peace talks - will this finally be the night these two young boys hit it off? Kings NBC at 8 PM.

Movies:

A scientist, his nephew and a mountain man discover a dangerous and exciting world at the earth's core, Journey To The Center Of The Earth is at 8 PM on HBO.

Sunday:

Movies:

In 100 Feet, Famke Janssen plays a woman who kills her abusive husband, and she's placed under house arrest, where she's haunted by his vengeful ghost. Plus apparently, Ed Westwick makes an appearance. Watch the woman-versus-ghost showdown, on the Syfy Channel at 9 PM.

Monday:

Chuck -
When you mess with Scott Bakula (Chuck's on screen dad), you're in for a heap of trouble. Our nerdtastic hero has to dig all the way back into his personal life and pull Jordana Brewster out of jail to save his father. Chuck is on NBC at 8 PM.

Chuck Promo:

Chuck Promo:

Heroes -
We continue on down Angela's rickety memory trip to meet her sister, while her bratty kids argue about baseball and whom mommy loved more. Heroes is on NBC at 9 PM.

Heroes Promo:

Heroes Clip:

Tuesday:

Fringe -
What has the body of a lion and claws of an eagle? Whatever it is, Walter made it - and Charlie now has to fight it. Fringe is on Fox at 9 PM.

Fringe Promo-

Reaper -
Sam and Morgan are under strict orders from the Devil to spend more time together. Plus all the other dudes teach us how to seduce demon girlfriends, using shower coffee. Reaper is on the CW at 8 PM.

Reaper Clip:

Reaper Promo:

Cupid -
Cupid gets political when the Earth-bound god has to match up a liberal lady with a right winged fella, because what are we, if not ridiculous stereotypes pigeon-holed into easy plot hurdles? Cupid is on ABC at 10 PM.

Movies:
Learn all about the Monster that Challenged the World, on TCM at 3:15 PM. And develop a fear of evil mollusks that travel through California's efficient waterways and terrorize the residents.

Wednesday:

Better Off Ted -
Linda "accidentally" takes uppers and Veronica tries to help Rose with her school fundraiser, but we all know why we're tuning in again... Phil and Lem. Better Off Ted is on ABC at 8:30 PM.

Lost -
LIke it or not, it's a Miles-centric episode, where the writers trick us into thinking that we'll find out why or how he talks to dead people. I don't believe it for a second, but the curiosity is piqued. Now bring Daniel back, or I'm going to throw a tantrum. Lost is on ABC at 9 PM.

Lost Promo:

Lost Promo:

Time Warp -
I will never get tired of examining anything in extreme slow motion, especially flipping kitties (see below). This week, Time Warp slows down a medieval catapult, rockets and stick fights. Check it out on the Discovery Channel at 8 PM.

Time Warp Promo

Mythbusters -
Part of Discovery Channel's "Alaska Week," the boys head North and test out how a V-shaped snowplough can avoid injury by splitting in half after a collision. Check out all the Alaska-themed goodies on the Discovery Channel at 9 PM.

No new UFO Hunters.

Thursday:

No new Smallville.

No new Supernatural.

Movies:

My biggest guilty pleasure, Titan A.E is on Cinemax at 2 PM. It takes place a thousand years in the future where Drew Barrymore and Matt Damon battle killer aliens (who blew up Earth) and attempt to unify humanity. There are space angels, energy aliens, blind aliens, a jaded main character and rock music.

Jennifer Garner freaks out about being a 13-year-old trapped in a 30-year-old's body. FX is showing 13 Going On 30 at 8 PM - no doubt to promote 17 Again, the Zac Efron backwards aging flick, which is kind of the same thing.

Friday:

No new Dollhouse.

Movies:

Debbie Reynolds stars as a witchy old grandma who is eager for her grand kid to leave the normal world and come to Halloween Town to attend Witch U. How have I not heard about this? It's like Harry Potter for idiots. The THIRD movie in this Disney franchise will be on at 9 PM. Here is the trailer for the first one - I can't find the third as I assume it's too evil even for youtube. I'm buying the DVDs right now.

Not looking for family-friendly bad movies, but still want a laugh? White Noise 2 (you know, the movie where they talk to ghosts through static - no, not Poltergeist, the sequel to the bastardized version with smoke people and Michael Keaton) is on TNT at 12 AM.

But if you'd rather have your eyes burned out in a different manner you could always watch Star Wars Episode 1 and 2 on Spike TV at 9 PM and 12 AM.

Saturday:

Kings -
So Kings has been moved to Saturday and it's up to us to keep it alive and kicking. So stay in and flip on your TV. This week, Macaulay Culkin stars as the creepy little doll faced nephew-to-the-King who was cast out on NBC at 8 PM.

Kings Promo:

Movies:

The Syfy Channel movie War Of The Worlds 2: The Next Wave premieres tonight. Words kind of fail how ridiculous this looks. Why make it War of The Worlds at all - why not Yet Another Alien Invasion,? But if they kill that annoying teen in this sequel, who had no business surviving in the Tom Cruise version, then I will change my stance entirely. The movie is on at 8 PM on the Syfy Channel.

Sunday:

Movies:

Get twice the Arnold Schwarzenegger for your buck, in the futuristic 6th Day flick on TMCe at 8 PM.

Spike is debuting Robert Englund and Jenna Jameson's Zombie Strippers at 10 PM. Lap dances and brains for us all!

The fantastic, Stan Winston directed, creature feature Pumpkinhead is on IFC at 11:45 PM. Join Lance Henriksen as he avenges the death of his son, with a giant pumpkinheaded demon. If you fancy yourself a monster fan, you must see this movie - preferably in a dark and dingy basement that smells like mold.

Who else would you hire to play a charming but devilishly evil boy, so terrible he was banned from a tyrants court? And what could Macaulay Culkin's character have done that was so evil that his own Uncle kicked him out of Gilboah? I don't know, but I'm dying to find out this week when Culkin makes his first of a four episode appearance on Kings this Sunday, in the episode titled "Judement Day"

Also, what's up with the kissing cousins look the Princess is giving Mac? Learn some shame, sweetie — not even if you're a modern-day-royal is that OK... oh wait it is, yikesamuch.

Here is a blurry promo for the episode (I'll keep looking for something better):

Last night's Kings finally stepped up to the plate and matched its over-the-top biblical dialogue with a twisty plot worthy of such lengthy banter and Ian McShane scenery-chewing.

Dirty deeds are being orchestrated behind our noble King Silas' back. And while the people of Gilboah yearn for peace with Gath, the price may be too high when Silas asks a small number of farmers (who, coincidentally, include David's family) to part with their land. Well it just so happens that this land was the territory that David's Pappy gave his life for in the war, so no one is very happy, and one of David's many disposable siblings joins the the rebellion and take the pier or port (some sort of industrial type place) hostage.

Meanwhile the devious brother-in-law, William Cross, is gathering up suits and military types to stage his little military coup. Which includes buying up the broadcasting station so he can give it to the less-than-fortunate gay Prince Jack.

Just about every player in this alternate universe is fleshed out from the pilot's two-dimensional shadows, and makes real steps towards acting less like a stereotype. Jack starts angling himself, in a fairly smart manner, to crap upon his father's policies, by gobbling up the formerly Silas-controlled press. The King reveals he's smarter than he seemed, the scary guy from The Last of the Mohicans gets a bit more interesting, Tomasina steps up her game and dares to confront the King in her own way.

Even the fresh-faced David learns how to put his morals to one side, and do what's right (or wrong) for his King. And trust me, after weeks of watching old country mouse do the right thing again and again, it was wonderful to watch him deliver the eviction news to his family, followed by a speech about how it'll "make him love our king even more" - then turn around and ask Silas what more he could possibly give to his leader. That's using a character's flawless perfection to the story's advantage.

With a few guns, Silas squashed the resistance and opened up a handful of ministry positions at his not-so-round table. These doors opened up to Jack, and let's guess Tomasina, the sexy new rich character who's motivations remain to be seen - but let's hope the princess isn't included, because frankly she bores me to tears right now. Still, I'll keep my mouth halfway shut until we find out what this mysterious "oath" is that she took so many years ago.

Either way, the secret police murders opened up a lot of doors for Kings to start delving into the ugly underside of this monarchy. This episode, while not the most riveting of the bunch, raised the bar a little plot-wise.

And if this week didn't excite you, wait until William Cross' evil child shows up next week.

Monday:

Chuck -
The dreamy Scott Bakula dons a floppy hair-don't as Chuck's washed out drunkard Pop. Together, Chuck and his blonde girlfriend convince Pops to dry out long enough to join the family wedding. But all that work goes to hell when Chevy Chase pops in as a lunatic CEO with a dark and twisted past that links directly back to Bakula. Chuck is on NBC at 8 PM.

Chuck Promo:

Chuck Clip:

Heroes -
After last week's not-terrible episode, this week's has a lot to live up to, especially since it's all about Angela. This week, we get answers to Angela's past. Meanwhile, Noah continues to have marital troubles, and Sylar continues his buddy cop journey with Danko. Heroes is on NBC at 9 PM.

Heroes Promo:

Heroes Clip:

Movies:

Possibly the creepiest, and most overlooked, movie ever — Disney's The Black Hole — is on TCM tonight at 5:45 PM. A crew discovers a spaceship on the edge of a black hole with a nasty secret and a mad Captain.

Tuesday:

Fringe -
J.J. Abrams' Scooby Gang is back, with a pale feral child who makes Walter dance. But how does this silent child relate to a creepy serial killer who's been leaving his/her victims splayed out in public squares for all to see? Fringe is on Fox at 9 PM.

Fringe Clip-

Fringe Promo-

Reaper -
It's a Reaper road trip, where Sock tries to sleep with his stepsister, and Sam almost gets eaten by a giant snake creature. You know: same old, same old. Reaper it on the CW at 8 PM.

Reaper Clip:

Reaper Promo:

Cupid -
Trevor continues on with his Cupid shtick, with Claire's friend Riley. And we all learn an important lesson about love, or something. Cupid is on ABC at 10 PM.

Wednesday:

Better Off Ted -
A glitch in the company's sensor system causes Ted to have to battle the execs' cost-cutting ways yet again. But who cares about him? Phil and Lem are back! Better Off Ted is on ABC at 8:30 PM.

Lost -
The horribly misunderstood Ben must atone for all his bad deeds, by coming face to face with the smoke monster. Will we ever find out what it is? Who knows, but Smokey is still my favorite character on the island. Lost is on ABC at 9 PM.

Lost Promo:

UFO Hunters -
Cuba and Florida teem with underwater alien bases — just ask the UFO Hunters, on the History Channel at 10 PM.

Thursday:

Catch up on your Kings from 11 PM until 3 AM with a mini marathon, over at the Syfy Channel.

No new Smallville.

No new Supernatural.

Movies:

Aliens are disguised as creepy little infants in this 90s remake of the classic 1960 film, Village of the Damned. That's at 2 AM on Cinemax.

Friday:

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles -
It's a face-to-metal-face confrontation. Weaver finally gets the business meeting of a lifetime, tonight in the season finale. That's on Fox at 8 PM.

TSCC Promo

Dollhouse -
The House team figures out that an intelligence leak is coming from inside the house! So the only thing to do is turn Sierra and Echo into super-secret spies and set them loose inside their own abode. Dollhouse is on Fox at 9 PM.

Dollhouse Promo:

Prepare to suspend your disbelief indefinitely for both parts of a movie about a massive 10.5 scale earthquake that threatens to turn the US into some version of hell, only with sushi. Apocalypse parts 1 and 2 is on USA at 10 AM.

Another good double feature is The Fly and The Fly 2, over at AMC at 2:14 AM and 4:15 AM. I'm actually more interested in seeing Fly 2 as it's all about the unfortunate fly scientist's spawn being a teen and dealing with his raging insect instincts.

Saturday:

Movies:
There's a classic SyFy channel low-budget werewolf movie — this time with a military slant because they're using werewolves as soldiers. War Wolves is on at 11 PM.

Another terrible Syfy Original, Monster Ark, alleges that before Noah built THE arc, he built another one for monsters — and one got loose and he hid it in a box in Iraq, and they find it in this movie. So that's what happened to the unicorns, check it out at 5 PM.

Sunday:

Kings -
Macaulay Culkin is finally making his grand Kings debut, and I cannot wait. He's so perfect for the evil cast-out son, it's going to be tremendous. Kings is on NBC at 8 PM.

Movies:

The worst Kevin Costner movie of them all, Waterworld, will come jet skiing your way on Encore at 8 PM.

This week, we watched Ian McShane get his first godly smack in the face - which saved us from another cliched and overdone hand-of-god sequence that has run through the first two episodes of Kings.

Finally, after grinding my teeth through the CG butterfly crown and the doves that save you from snipers, it was nice to see the hand of God operate in a much more brutal, if not consistently obvious, manner. If they insist on keeping the physical "hand of god" scenes in Kings, it's at least a good idea to change them up occasionally. This was Ian-McShane-baby-cow-neck-snapping brutal. I wish they hadn't used the sacrificial calf metaphor, but I guess it could have been worse. It could have been a lamb. Update: could also be a deer, OK the general consensus is it's a deer.

Poor Silas can't get a break - just when he's starting to get work done on the peace treaty, his wife throws a fancy hootenanny for the arts, celebrating the "angels without wings" ballet dancers. Once again, Susanna Thompson steals the show by waltzing into her husband's Parliament and declaring the day's governance officially over. The rest of the town shuts down, while Rose gathers up the puppet strings to her family. First on her to-do list: kicking David out of the fancy-pants party because he's getting too much attention, setting up his love interest, her daughter, with someone else, and sicking the family bad boy, Jack, on David for a night out with cocaine, girls and fighting. Amazing - and she didn't even bat an eye.

Meanwhile back on the farm of Silas' secret other family, his other son may die of some nameless disease that keeps him looking heartstring-tuggingly weak. But unfortunately for everyone, this is happening during the big ballet affair. Which means if Silas leaves, the Ice Queen is going to be pissed - and nobody wants that, apart from all the viewers. Silas dodges the big afterparty, and high-tails it over to the hospital, only to be told that there is no chance. Which means it's time to play "lets make a deal" with God.

Reverend Samuels meets with Silas, and they both talk about the Lord like some distant college buddy holding a grudge. "Has he not moved past that yet?... He wants what I will not let him take," Silas bemoans, and I love every overdone minute of this crazed yet beautiful dialogue. God then throws a baby deer in front of his SUV, and Silas knows: he has to give up seeing his other family, in order to save the life of his other son. And here I thought he would have happily sacrificed Jack.

Speaking of Jack, last night we finally got to meet the secret boyfriend who puts a look of utter disgust on Jack's face, whilst he's out trying to get David and his friends to do dirty deeds. Sebastian Stan is growing on me - he's a quality actor with brilliant facial expressions - but I just need him to start doing more things besides being the spoiled son. Let's move past this stereotype, please. I hope the introduction to Joseph will allow this to happen. The same goes for his sister, except in her case she needs to stop spending all her time being noble. I need more from these kiddies, but it's only the third episode, and we've got nine more to go. So I'm still very optimistic to see Stan hit his big crescendo, in which I'm assuming he falls for David or tells off his Dad - both of those possibilities are in the Book of Samuel, which inspires this tale. One, however, is often debated. Guess which. But anyways, Jack takes David out for a night on the town, hoping he'll slip up - and of course (eye roll) he walks away.

I'm having a difficult time rooting for the country mouse. His biggest flaws (kissing a pretty girl and fearing a tank) hardly conjure up a lot of sympathy or excitement from the audience. David is always going to do the right thing - that much is obvious - but it's impossible to relate to such a perfect kid. Plus it's not terribly interesting to watch. After all, he was crowned prince of the butterflies in the pilot episode. He's chosen by God, and his blood runs red with goodliness and an "aw shucks" attitude. He's going to need to get a clue if he wants to lead the future Biblical team of rebels in the wilderness. Also, if his fake girlfriend is mad that he kissed another girl, then maybe she shouldn't blow him off all the time.

If he doesn't go up against someone important and actually prove that he has some stones, I'm going to start muting the TV whenever he's on and make up my own dialogue.

With no David about, the city mouse daughter gets all in a fuss when she realizes it's mommy dearest who kicked her boyfriend out of the fancy pants party. To which the Queen responds, ever so smartly, to grow the hell up. Knee deep in an amazing dialogue about how their fame matters, the Queen shakes her diamond covered head at her pup coldly reminding Michelle that no one here gives a crap about ballet, it's the family that people pay to see. The whole scene left me standing on my tip-toes with excitement. More evil queen, please! Even if it's just a one-liner coldly barked to her husband, like "That's enough of that," in regards to the other woman, she's amazing. Her ability to humanize her psalm-spouting husband and upgrade her spawns' arguments to a higher understanding is the glue that brings these two worlds together. The show would not be the same without her.

I look forward to next week - this show is getting juicier with every turn, besides already being the prettiest show on TV. If only we could get more people to watch it.

Monday:

Chuck -
Move over Sarah - Tricia Helfer is on Chuck detail, and the world's sexiest robot is getting her spy on. Of course, Sarah won't stand for this replacement and I'm sure there will be yet another "hot" girl fight just like every other time a sexy woman guest stars. Chuck is on NBC at 8 PM.

Chuck Promo:

Chuck Clip:

Heroes -
Nathan and Claire hightail it to Mexico, and Peter reconnects with Angela. But more importantly Heroes is bringing back classic bad-boy Sylar. Let's hope it works - but if it doesn't, they could always make him good again, and then bad, and then good. Heroes is on NBC at 9 PM.

Heroes Promo:

Movies:

Get an eyeful of mutated cave dwellers, when the National Guard comes under attack from cave people in The Hills Have Eyes 2, on Cinemax at 8:30 PM.

Tuesday:

Still no new Fringe this week - but thank goodness, it's back next week. Meanwhile, there's a Level 9 marathon on the Syfy Channel from 8 AM until 4 PM.

Reaper -
Sam has to babysit one escaped soul's baby, and calamity ensues, on Reaper at the CW at 8 PM.

Reaper Clip and Promo:

Wednesday:

Better Off Ted -
This week Ted brings his cute little girl into the Veridian offices, and she befriends Veronica. But more importantly, what hijinks will Phil and Lem get into this week? Better Off Ted is on ABC at 8:30 PM.

Better Off Ted Veronica Promo:

Lost -
What have you done, Sayid? Surely the island won't let the Iraqi assassin off our favorite morally gray sociopath, Ben - but until then the Dharama people are pissed and looking for someone to blame. Lost is on ABC at 9 PM.

Lost Promo:

UFO Hunters -
This week, the UFO experts break down our favorite type of aliens, the Greys. Learn all about our skinny alien friends, on the History Channel at 10 PM.

Life On Mars -
The series finale of LOM is tonight, and Sam finally gets the chance to return home back to 2008. While it can't possibly top the English series finale, I'm excited to see them try. What price will American Sam have to pay to return home? LOM is on ABC at 10 PM.

Movies:

What kind of powers would an Atom bomb give someone? The H-Man attempts to answer this question by giving the main character nuclear powers, in this Japanese film set in the seedy criminal underworld. It's on at 12:30 AM on AMC.

Based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, this 50s film follows a space ship sent from earth to explore a colony of scientists sent out years earlier, only to discover all but two have perished, Forbidden Planet is on at 2 AM on TCM.

Thursday:

There is a Highlander marathon on the Syfy Channel from 8 AM until 12 AM.

Smallville -
It's a Davis-centric episode, which means more of the awesome Sam Witwer. No one else does eyes filled with evil like our Sam. And we learn more of Davis' secret past... with young Lex Luthor. Smallville is on the CW at 8 PM.

Smallville Promo

Smallville Clip:

Smallville Clip:

Supernatural -
Dean and Sam turn out to be famous comic book characters. One bath-robed comic-book writer has been making a fortune off of his Sam-and-Dean visions. But when the two boys find out he's written their life story - including an ending - they're less than thrilled. But more importantly, where is this much-vaunted naked Dean book, and how can I get it? Supernatural ever on the CW at 9 PM.

Supernatural Clip

Supernatural Promo

Supernatural Promo

Eleventh Hour

In the season finale, Hood rolls out his arched eyebrow one last time, when a woman accuses the FBI of stealing her baby, and forcibly keeping her medicated and out of the way. Say goodbye to Hood - for now - on CBS at 10 PM.

Friday:

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles -
I'm still a bit torn up about losing Charley Dixon. They are killing off all the characters I love on T:SCC, but at least it's been delightful at every turn. But this week puts John dangerously close to Catherine Weaver - which makes us nervous for our favorite baddie. T:SCC is on Fox at 8 PM.

T:SCC Promo:

Dollhouse -
Echo wakes up with all her memories intact - along with a few other mind-wiped vessels. But when they arise from their "floor coffins," they're no longer as willing as they used to be to serve as sex-puppet money makers. Dollhouse is on Fox at 9 PM.

Dollhouse Promo:

Saturday:

Movies:

When werewolves and vampires fall in love and make babies, they're blue things with black eyes, that can kill EVERYONE. Or at least that's the way it works in Underworld, where Kate Beckinsale fighters wear pleather catsuits, so I don't complain. Underworld at 8 PM on TNT.

Sunday:

Kings -
Loyalties are being tested again on this expensive alt-history soap opera. This week, William tries to get Jack to betray his dad, again. Meanwhile, David's loyalties are tested...also again. And Michelle has to do something with the rebels of Gath, so that's new. Kings is on NBC at 8 PM.

Movies:

DOOMSDAY is on tonight! Think of it as Mad Max meets Dragonheart meets 28 Weeks Later, with a heaping of terrible and a dollop of fantastic. When the U.K. is hit with a deadly virus, the government builds a wall around Scotland, thus sealing in the infected. But, many years later, when it starts to spread, they have to go back inside the quarantine zone and look for survivors. And let me tell you what they find is pretty amazing - think Medieval Times fantastic. Doomsday is on HBO at 2:30 AM.

Jumanji for the information age, Zathura stars Twilight's Kristen Stewart as a teenaged girl who finds herself and her brothers hurled through time and space, as a result of a board game, that's at 5:55 A.M. on TBS.

SGU: Stargate Universe
The Pros: It's on the same channel as Galactica and, in Robert Carlysle, has an actor who could stand up to Edward James Olmos in an act-off without embarrassing himself by doing so. Also, the set-up may be reminiscent of Star Trek: Voyager, but that doesn't make it a bad one... and, as Galactica has shown, stories about people trying to find their way home can be much more complicated than they may initially sound.
The Cons: It's a Stargate show, and that has historically meant more camp than many feel comfortable with, as well as shying away from deep characterization. But that said, this is being sold as the gritty Stargate, so who knows whether they can pull it off? If nothing else, the trailer last week looked good.

Day One
The Pros: Written by Lost and Heroes alumnus Jesse Alexander, this post-apocalyptic (well, kind of) series offers a dose of ensemble sci-fi drama that some have called "Lost meets Cloverfield," but without losing sight of characterization (and refreshingly free of Heroes' awkward sentimentality). Also, mysterious mythologies and alien invasions? It's got them and then some.
The Cons: It's not been officially picked up by NBC for a series yet - although it's surely only a matter of time - and rumors are that the network are considering it for a limited run if they do. Keep your fingers crossed, because the pilot script is amazing.

Virtuality
The Pros: Galactica showrunner Ron Moore's new show for Fox may be "as dark in its own way as Battlestar Galactica", centering on the crew of a long-haul space mission who spend their time in and out of virtual reality that doesn't help with their own neuroses.
The Cons: The show may be dead already; Fox are reportedly already considering reworking the show to make it more "mainstream", and Moore's recent post-BSG interviews haven't seemed incredibly optimistic on the subject.

Caprica
The Pros: It's the prequel spin-off from Battlestar Galactica, created by almost everyone who worked on Battlestar Galactica behind the scenes, with Ron Moore as showrunner until Buffy, Galactica and Dollhouse vet Jane Espenson takes over.
The Cons: It's a prequel, which may rob the show of some tension for some fans. Also, the Sci-Fi Channel and producers Moore and David Eick have talked up the importance of it being a drama more than a science fiction show, which sounds ominously like the shadow of "respectability" may loom over the series, drawing out the more pretentious aspects of Galactica. People who have seen the pilot, however, love it, so we're cautiously optimistic.

Kings
The Pros: Mixing spirituality, destiny, politics, family drama and ambition, NBC's recently-launched new series from Heroes' Michael Green (who also co-wrote the script for the upcoming Green Lantern movie from Warners) is pretty much Galactica minus the cylons. Morally ambiguous and well-acted, don't let the appallingly-bad NBC promos put you off; this is worth tuning in for.
The Cons: Ratings have been poor so far, and rumors have it that Green won't get the second season that he's already plotted out, which would be a shame. Maybe Sci-Fi could pick it up, if NBC drop it; it could easily fill the gap in their programming that Galactica has left behind.

American Jesus is the new official title for the comic trilogy from Wanted and Kick Ass creator Mark Millar, which started with 2005's Chosen (re-released this week by Image Comics). It was announced yesterday, as probably the next movie from Kick Ass director Matthew Vaughan. Millar explained the origin of his story to Newsarama.com:

When I was a kid, I read the Bible like everyone else, and I sort of hoped that the ending would happen in my lifetime. The Book of Revelation is just really cool – all the old stuff with the sandals just sounded less exciting than the returning Jesus versus the Beast at the end of time. I think everyone who reads it kind of assumes that it's going to happen in their lifetime, so just as a kid, it sounded great. So the idea has been percolating in me for a long time, and has actually appeared in a couple of projects that I've done over the years... As a kid, I remember watching a copy of The Final Conflict – the last Omen movie - and being so upset that it wasn't the big fight with Jesus. But back then, I suppose it would be too controversial to do something like that. But now, luckily we're in these crazy times where you can get away with anything, so God versus Satan gets a telling in American Jesus.

Of course, "everyone else" didn't read the Bible as a kid, despite what Mark thinks; Kings creator Michael Green, for one, said that his upbringing was "not very religious," despite being taught by rabbis in yeshiva. But is a religious upbringing the only thing behind these two high-profile Biblical genre stories? We're not convinced, and wonder if there's not some cynical grab for the Left Behind mass audience going on. It's something that Millar, at least, is open to:

I'd be comfortable with that, actually. I was going through the states a few months back, and all the places everyone said I would hate – all the flyover states – they were the ones that I liked the best. I mean, I'm a left-leaning Scot, and I'm comfortable with conservative Americans. I think America, especially during the Bush years, and even now, sees itself split into two groups, and I feel comfortable in both of them. The Left Behind audience is an audience that I understand because they embrace material that I'm interested in, so if they pick up the book, great.

The new culture wars may be about to invade your SF viewing pleasures. Be prepared.

Comic 'American Jesus' eyed for film [Hollywood Reporter]

This week in the kingdom of Gilboa, King Silas' son is out of control. We learned last week that Jack's penchant for men needed to be "iced down," if he ever wanted to sit on dad's throne, but you can't keep a guy from accessorizing. To get back at his daddy for kicking him out of the super-important peace talks dinner - which country mouse David was invited to - the son plots his revenge by "wasting some money."

I immediately thought: "All right, Jack - let's break out the hookers, cocaine and bottle service, and show these fellas a good time." But instead we got a shopping spree that would make the thigh-high ladies of Clueless jealous. And for some reason, it reminded me of this scene from another movie:

Update: Maybe I need to be more blunt as some of you have been commenting below, sorry for any confusion. Yes I knew this was an evil plot hatched by the brother-in-law, it was obvious and terrible and made me gag. It was as blatant as the previously mentioned movies with its mallet-over-the-head subtlety. Plus it was tonally terrible in comparison to the rest of the show, Zoolander out of place silly so much so that I refuse to take it seriously. This moment was my last week's crown of butterflies. Never again with the bad jokey "I know what I'm doing shooooopiiiiing sluuurpeeees, but it all has a meaning, get it, get it, wink, wink, nudge, nudge?"

Last week I gave Kings' pilot a pass for being a little obvious - it was a pilot, after all - but at least it was an absolutely gorgeous TV show with heaps of promise. This time around, the alternate-reality drama continued to deliver both the lovely angled shots, and the cheesetastic performances from the baby faced David. Including more of David's magical tears that can stop wars, heal baby birds and capture moonbeams. Some moments excelled, but at times the show got bogged down by taking itself too seriously.

David helped end the big war with Gath last weekend, which was what King Silas secretly wanted. So it's no surprise that Silas orders his execution immediately - wait, what? While I understand Silas' delicate ego around those who could threaten him, David's far too useful as a pawn to cast off so easily, and Silas is smarter than that. But apparently, not right away.

The peace talks begin in Gilboa, and the Queen is seen delivering orders to her army of servants and just making me fall in love with her Ice-Queen sensibility all over again. When David's presence is demanded at the peace-talks table, everyone throws a bit of a tiff.

They remind the farm-boy not to say a word - even though his ridiculous speech about brothers and murder, and being tired, just ended the war. Of course, the ruler of Gath absolutely loves David and forces him to get all chatty and spew out how, "he can't speak, so he's saying nothing at all about peace, except for these words right here." While the rest of the fantasy world groans under the pretentious weight of that sentence. But it works, and peace is restored... eventually, after more long speeches and tear-filled puppy eyes that stop guns, and soften the hearts of even the most hardened generals. Then David goes on to heal a bird with his tears, thus saving his own life from a sniper (you remember, because Silas wanted him dead).

In other plot points, the Queen's brother pulls all of the money from the Treasury, thus forcing Silas to go to the deepest darkest cell in the deepest darkest corridor and unlock the frumpy former king, Brian Cox. McShane and Cox then compete in a game called "who can who can arch his eyebrow the highest, whilst chewing scenery and giving crazy-face." McShane wins, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I rewound that moment again and again. I really think that Kings' success could hinge on the popularity of the guest characters, such as Cox and Macaulay Culkin (who was finally mentioned last night, as the son banned from court). So Silas wins this match, but I cannot wait to see when they'll put these two together again.

David and the King's daughter tried to resume their country mouse, city mouse relationship, with big sappy smiles and furrowed brows of understanding - but apparently she's made some sort of oath and therefore can no longer pet the country mouse at her leisure. I have no idea what this could be, or why this didn't stop her from making out with David in front of a crowd of people in the pilot, but perhaps she's a Nun, or betrothed to someone else? I'm not sure, and I'm not sure I care either, since this relationship was pushed forward and pulled apart way too quickly for my taste.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern showed up briefly through out the episode being adorable whilst chasing around birds that were symbols of Jesus or God or hope or something. They end up saving David's ass and opening up yet another metaphor door on this show and competing with all the butterflies. But either way, more of these two please - they provide some comedy to balance out all the drama on Kings, and so far they've been pretty successful.

So that was that - I still don't feel invested in any of these characters besides the two bumbling guards and the Ice Queen. Hopefully, next weeks Jack-centric story can redeem him from last night's shopping abomination. Because in the real world, spoiled rich kids do dark things to bathroom attendants in filthy club basements, while silently weeping and hoping this will make Daddy love them. They don't go around buying everyone shiny watches. I'm still rooting for this series, and I still love the ridiculous dialogue they give Ian McShane (which he completely sells - who else can make "Two pens, one paper, we sign our names, we shake hands," sound interesting and compelling? Only McShane.)