TV This Week for Oct. 17th – 23th
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Click here to download TV listings for the week of Oct. 17 - 23 in PDF format
Weekly TV Listings can also be downloaded here
SUNDAY
“The Wire’s†Idris Elba is back on the small screen — and on the right side of the law this time — as “Luther,†the latest in a long line of brilliant but troubled TV detectives, in this imported police drama. “Rome’s†Indira Varma costars. (BBC America, 7 and 11 p.m.)
It’s season-finale time for the conspiracy-theory drama “Rubicon†and the stylish 1960s period drama “Mad Men.†The latter series is slated to return next year, but the fate of the former remains — suspiciously — undetermined at press time. (AMC, 9 and 10 p.m.)
MONDAY
It may in fact be better for rock stars to burn out than to fade away, but really, why do either? The new series “Bret Michaels: Life as I Know It†gets fans even more up close and personal with the Poison lead singer turned reality TV regular. (VH1, 10 p.m.)
TUESDAY
The awards special “Scream 2010†salutes all things sci-fi, fantasy and horror. “A Nightmare on Elm Street†creator Wes Craven gets a career nod, and Michael J. Fox will help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1985 hit “Back to the Future.†(Spike, 9 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY
Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald and “Wicked’s†Idina Menzel give their regards to Broadway as “In Performance at the White House†enlists some of the Great White Way’s leading lights for a salute to American musical theater. Break a leg! (KCET, 9:30 p.m.)
THURSDAY
Jon Stewart hosts a new “Night of Too Many Stars,†benefiting autism education. How many stars are too many? Well, let’s see, there’s Lewis Black, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais, Joel McHale, Sarah Silverman.… (Comedy Central, 9 p.m.)
FRIDAY
Vampires are everywhere these days, even — surprise! — on “Supernatural.†Ghoul-busting brothers Sam and Dean (Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles) battle an entire brood of the bloodsuckers in the cleverly titled episode “Live Free or Twi-hard.†(KTLA, 9 p.m.)
SATURDAY
Pimps, prisoners, presidents: Morgan Freeman has played them all, elder-statesmanlike, and especially so with his portrayal of South Africa’s Nelson Mandela in director Clint Eastwood’s inspirational 2009 drama “Invictus.†Matt Damon also stars. (HBO, 8 p.m.)