(ALL TIMES ET)

10PM, SUN | AMC
Breaking Bad – Damn, this show just gets better every week. In “Hermanos,” Walt realizes something shocking about Jesse, Hank asks for Walt’s help and, in one of the show’s all-time best sequences (which is saying a lot, obviously), we get some major insight into Gus (Giancarlo Esposito).

10PM, FRI | STARZ
Torchwood: Miracle Day – “The world is plunged into a recession” is today’s headline, er, the official description of tonight’s episode.

6PM, SUN | CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS
MDA Labor Day Telethon – That the MDA has ousted Jerry Lewis in what he had said would be his final hosting gig for the telethon? Shameful. But a lack of respect for all that Lewis has done to help the organization’s efforts – which includes helping to raise more than $2 billion in the last 50 years – doesn’t mean would-be donors shouldn’t continue to respect all the MDA has done for its beneficiaries.

9PM, SUN | DISCOVERY – SERIES PREMIERE
Dinosaur Revolution – The four-part series examines the evolution of dinosaurs, including the ones who made it the furthest through the evolutionary chain and, in a second episode on Sunday (10PM), how the dinos socialized.

9:30PM, SUN | CBS
The Good Wife: A New Beginning – To whet your appetite for the third season, which premieres on Sept. 25, The Good Wife‘s cast and producers discuss the show’s first two seasons and where the storylines are headed.

10PM, SUN | HBO
Curb Your Enthusiasm – Here it is, the “Mister Softee” episode, which reveals an incident from Larry’s early years that really explains a lot about why Larry is so … Larry. Also, Bill Buckner guest stars and, yes, his own traumatic experience from the past factors into the episode.

9PM, MON | TNT
The Closer – Brenda’s investigating the disappearance of a stage father when she gets some hopeful news and her civil suit.

9PM, MON | BRAVO – 2ND SEASON PREMIERE
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – After Russell Armstrong‘s shocking suicide, oh yeah, the show is definitely going to be kinda creepy now. Creepy enough to make it unwatchable? That remains to be seen.

10PM, MON | A&E – 2ND SEASON FINALE
The Glades – Two ex-cons take the hospital hostage, and Jim and Callie work together to capture the dudes and make sure everyone remains safe.

Worth flipping to during commercials:
FRIDAY
– Three-hour marathon of Chappelle’s Show on Comedy Central (Fri., 8PM);

SATURDAY
– The Brad Pitt/Will Ferrell/Tina Fey ‘toon Megamind makes its HBO debut (Sat., 8PM);
– On Doctor Who (Sat., 9PM, BBCA), The Doctor visits a boy who’s afraid of the monsters living in his bedroom;

SUNDAY
– Eviction nominees are revealed on Big Brother (Sun., 8PM, CBS);
– On Food Network Challenge (Sun., 8PM, Food Network), four pirates create extreme pirate-themed cakes;
– One crazy bride accuses her pregnant sister of trying to upstage her on Bridezillas (Sun., 9PM, WE);
– On Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (Sun., 9PM, VH1), a season five wrap-up includes updates on the patients, including Amy Fisher, as well as the woman she infamously shot, Mary Jo Buttafuoco;
– Parker represents his ex in a case against an insurance company on Drop Dead Diva (Sun., 9PM, Lifetime);
– On Great Food Truck Race (Sun., 9PM, Food Network), the trucks head to Kansas State University, where they have to create five-dollar dishes and sell them to KSU students;
– Lisa and Maya help a stranded driver on Ice Road Truckers (Sun., 9PM, History);
– Sam gets even with Marcus on True Blood (Sun., 9PM, HBO);
– Eric and Melinda crash Sloan’s date on Entourage (Sun., 10:30PM, HBO);

MONDAY
– On Bachelor Pad (Mon., 8PM, ABC), the remaining contestants have to pair up and compete as couples;
– Two surprise guests arrive for a graduation party on the 4th season summer finale of The Secret Life of the American Teenager (Mon., 8PM, ABC Family);
– The weekly four-ep marathon of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia includes the gem “The D.E.N.N.I.S. System” (Mon., 9PM, Comedy Central);
– The death of a female dockworker may include mob connections and Maura’s biological dad on Rizzoli & Isles (Mon., 10PM, TNT);
– A vamp hooker gets out of jail and teen vigilantes are on the hunt for zombies on Death Valley (Mon., 10:30PM, MTV).

And the late-night line-up for Friday and Monday:
– Conan (11PM, TBS): Norm MacDonald (REPEAT) (Monday);
– The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (11PM, Comedy Central): Anne Hathaway (REPEAT) (Monday);
– The Colbert Report (11:30PM, Comedy Central): Jeff Bridges (REPEAT) (Monday);
– The Late Show with David Letterman (11:35PM, CBS): James Franco (Friday); Emma Stone (REPEAT) (Monday);
– The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35PM, NBC): Andy Grammer and Dick Chaney (Friday); Jane Fonda (REPEAT) (Monday);
– Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05AM, ABC): Joel McHale (REPEAT) (Friday); Zoe Saldana and Anton Yelchin (REPEAT) (Monday);
– Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (12:35AM, NBC): Jason Sudeikis (Friday); Steve Carell (REPEAT) (Monday);
– The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:37AM, CBS): Peter Krause (Friday); Annie Duke and Julie Chen (Monday);
– Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35AM, NBC): David Sirota (REPEAT) (Friday); Dan Harmon (REPEAT) (Monday).

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• Filed in Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Late Night, Real Housewives, TV Marathon, TV Picks
• Tags: Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dinosaur Revolution, MDA Telethon, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, The Closer, The Glades, The Good Wife: A New Beginning, Torchwood: Miracle Day

(ALL TIMES ET)

10PM, SUN | NGC
George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview – Previously unseen video footage and other exclusive materials from the George W. Bush Presidential Library are included in this rare chat with the former President – in fact, the only interview he granted to mark the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 – as he talks about his personal experiences on 9/11 and the days immediately following the terrorist attacks.

11:30AM, SAT | FOOD NETWORK – SERIES PREMIERE
The Pioneer Woman – Ree Drummond, the city girl-turned-country wife and Pioneer Woman blogger, comes to TV. In the first ep, she whips up some hearty comfort food, including country fried steak and mashed potatoes.

9PM, SAT | BBCA
Doctor Who – The show’s back with new episodes, starting with “Let’s Kill Hitler,” in which The Doctor meets up with Adolf Hitler in 1930s Berlin.

9PM, SUN | MTV
MTV Video Music Awards – Lady Gaga opens the 28th annual VMAs, where Britney Spears is getting a special honor and Adele, Beyonce and Bruno Mars are scheduled to perform. There’s also no host this year, which could be fun, or could be a disaster. Either way, the VMAs feel underwhelming as a pop culture event this year, no? Here’s hoping Gaga does something entertaining, meaning more interesting than a meat dress and more compelling than yet another copycat of something Madonna did in the ’80s.

10PM, SUN | AMC
Breaking Bad – In the final scene of Sunday’s fantastic episode (yeah, I know, they’re always fantastic), you’ll see why Dean Norris, as Walt’s bro-in-law Hank, MUST be a contender for the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Emmy next year. Must. Be.

10PM, SUN | HBO
Curb Your Enthusiasm – In “Car Periscope,” Larry and Jeff consider a new investment opportunity. Yep … this was a Kramer idea.

10PM, SUN | BRAVO
Real Housewives of New Jersey – The opening of Lauren‘s cosmetic shop brings Jacqueline and the ever-bratty Ashley together, while Teresa gets a surprise when her brother comes to her book signing.

Worth flipping to during commercials:
– Gail counsels Laura, an 18-year-old who’s already racked up credit card debt on Princess (Sat., 10PM, CNBC);
– The Ronnie/Situation throwdown continues on Jersey Shore (Sun., 7PM, MTV);
– Eviction nominees are revealed on Big Brother (Sun., 8PM, CBS);
– The bakers whip up surfing-themed goodies on Cupcake Wars (Sun., 8PM, Food Network);
– On Bridezillas (Sun., 9PM, WE), one ‘zilla thinks her bridesmaid is trying to steal the groom, while another fights with her fam and then smashes her groom’s video game system;
– Patti Stanger guest stars as Teri’s high school enemy on Drop Dead Diva (Sun., 9PM, Lifetime);
– Tony and Lisa spread the ashes of a deceased fellow driver along the Dalton on Ice Road Truckers (Sun., 9PM, History);
– Sterling asks Nate and the gang to swipe a nuclear reactor from a skyscraper in Dubai on Leverage (Sun., 9PM, TNT);
– On True Blood (Sun., 9PM, HBO), Sookie has to rescue Bill, leading Marnie to rethink her big plan;
– An ex of Callie’s arrives with a big surprise on The Glades (Sun., 10PM, A&E);
– Ari gets some unsettling news from his divorce attorney on Entourage (Sun., 10:30PM, HBO).

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• Filed in Award shows, Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Real Housewives
• Tags: Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Doctor Who, George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview, MTV Video Music Awards, Real Housewives of New Jersey, The Pioneer Woman

(ALL TIMES ET)

10PM, SUN | AMC
Breaking Bad – Jesse helps Mike out in a big way, but it definitely isn’t going to make you feel like our guy Jesse is a bit safer. In fact, quite the opposite. Meanwhile, Walt does something nice for Walt Jr. that’s going to put Skyler in a bad place, and re: that Walt and Skyler reunion … oh, Walt.

11:30AM, SUN | FOOD NETWORK – SERIES PREMIERE
Sandwich King – Jeff Mauro, the winner of the recently-concluded 7th season of Food Network Star, stars in this new series, in which he says he can make a meal out of any sandwich and any sandwich into a meal. It would be Joey Tribbiani’s favorite show.

8PM, SUN | DISCOVERY CHANNEL
Curiosity – Maggie Gyllenhaal host this naughty special that explores why, as George Michael sang, sex is natural and sex is fun, for women. Why Maggie Gyllenhaal as hostess of this particular special, you might ask … have you seen the trailer for her new movie, Hysteria? You should.

9PM, SUN | NGC
The Liquid Bomb Plot – The producers of Locked Up Abroad created this fascinating a frightening special about the summer 2006 thwarted terrorist attack that involved more than a dozen people who planned to blow up 10 airplanes bound for North America, using liquid explosives carried in soda bottles. Undercover agents’ surveillance footage and interviews with the officials involved in stopping the plot are included. And warning: You are going to hate going to the airport even more after watching.

10PM, SUN | HBO
Curb Your Enthusiasm – Larry meets a woman he likes; the problem: his old nemesis, Rosie O’Donnell, likes her, too.

10PM, SUN | TLC
My Collection Obsession – Hey, they put Kate Plus 8 and LA Ink out of their misery, so there’s that. So now, TLC seemed to be fully embracing their obsession TV genre with shows like this latest entry, which includes a 16-year-old who collects vacuum cleaners.

10PM, SUN | BRAVO
Real Housewives of New Jersey – Teresa and Melissa behave badly (surprise) at Kathy‘s party, while Teresa’s financial problems escalate and Jacqueline tells her bratty daughter, Ashley, she’s finally had enough.

10PM, SUN | SHOWTIME
Talihina Sky – This documentary on Kings of Leon details their religious upbringing and wild rock star lives now, which is particularly timely given that recent meltdown in Dallas by lead singer Caleb Followill.

Worth flipping to during commercials:
– Eviction nominees are revealed on Big Brother (Sun., 8PM, CBS);
– On Food Network Challenge (Sun., 8PM, Food Network), the bakers make extreme dinosaur cakes that roar and move;
– A bride gets upset with a four-year-old wedding party member for wearing a tiara on Bridezillas (Sun., 9PM, WE);
– The patients graduate on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (Sun., 9PM, VH1);
– On Drop Dead Diva (Sun., 9PM, Lifetime), Jane represents a woman who lost her life savings at a casino and wants to sue to recover her funds;
– Alex surprises Hugh with a Christmas present on Ice Road Truckers (Sun., 9PM, History);
– Nate and the team have to recover a stolen heart, meant for a sick teenager, on Leverage (Sun., 9PM, TNT);
– R&B diva Jill Scott performs in France on the hour-long special Live in Paris: Jill Scott (Sun., 9PM, Centric);
– Marnie plans another attack against the vampires on True Blood (Sun., 9PM, HBO);
– The new reality series Big Easy Brides (Sun., 10, WE) follows the nuptials that take place at a New Orleans quickie wedding chapel;
– On The Glades (Sun., 10PM, A&E), a man is found dead at a bar at beach, with a giant diamond ring in his pocket;
– Drama tries to get Dice to come back to Johnny’s Bananas, and Vince tries to do damage control with a Vanity Fair interview on Entourage (Sun., 10:30PM, HBO).

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• Filed in Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Real Housewives, TV Picks
• Tags: Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Curiosity Maggie Gyllenhaal, My Collection Obsession, Real Housewives of New Jersey, Sandwich King, Talihina Sky Kings of Leon, The Liquid Bomb Plot

(ALL TIMES ET)

10PM, SUN | AMC
Breaking Bad – Tonight’s tension-filled episode is Breaking Bad, writers and cast, at its best. When Jesse (Aaron Paul) goes MIA, Walt (Bryan Cranston) fears the worst has happened, and acts accordingly where Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) is concerned. The situation also leads Walt to make an emotional phone call that results in a surprising family affair. And speaking of families, Walt’s ego gets the better of him during a dinner with Marie (Betsy Brandt) and Hank (Dean Norris), and that, more than Gus or Mike (Jonathan Banks), may be Walt’s undoing …

9PM, SAT | BBCA
Doctor Who: Best of the Doctor – The hour-long special celebrates all things Matt Smith from seasons 5 and 6.

8PM, SUN | ABC
CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock – Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts are among the country stars scheduled to perform.

9PM, SUN | FOOD NETWORK – 7TH SEASON FINALE
Next Food Network Star – One of the three finalists is eliminated, and then the final two film pilots for what would be their Food Network series upon winning.

10PM, SUN | HBO
Curb Your Enthusiasm – Jeff tries to land Ricky Gervais – who guest stars – as a client, and Larry takes a time out from being a social assassin to play hero.

10PM, SUN | FOOD NETWORK – 2ND SEASON PREMIERE
The Great Food Truck Race – Eight new gourmet food trucks begin the race cross-country – and for the $100,000 prize – in Malibu, before heading off to Vegas, baby, Vegas.

10PM, SUN | TLC
High Stakes Sweepers – Remember the crazy couponers? Sooooo two months ago. The new obsessives on TLC are people who spend 60 hours a week – for reals – entering contests.

10PM, SUN | BRAVO
Real Housewives of New Jersey – Teresa‘s kids have a playdate with Melissa‘s kids, and guess who – the kids or the adults – behave more maturely. And, Ashley gets a surprise visit from her father, which, perhaps, will finally shed some light on why she’s such a spoiled, nasty brat.

Worth flipping to during commercials:
– Gail tries to perform a financial makeover on a make-up artist who’s in credit card debt and personal debt to the tune of $20K on Princess (Sat., 10PM, CNBC);
– Potential evictees for the week ahead are named on Big Brother (Sun., 8PM, CBS);
– It’s hard to choose the bridezilla-iest bride ever on Bridezillas (Sun., 9PM, WE), but Suzy, the tantrum-tossing bride in tonight’s ep? She’s mean;
– Dr. Drew discusses post-rehab plans with his patients on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (Sun., 9PM, VH1);
– Kathy Griffin drops in on Drop Dead Diva (Sun., 9PM, Lifetime);
– Lisa loses two wheels and still manages to make it into town on Ice Road Truckers (Sun., 9PM, History);
– Back-to-back new episodes of Leverage (Sun., 9 and 10PM, TNT) find the team taking on a scamming funeral director and a con artist with a family history of conning;
– Jessica has a housing problem on True Blood (Sun., 9PM, HBO);
– Jim and Callie get romantic again on The Glades (Sun., 10PM, A&E);
– Ari tries to get under Mrs. Ari’s skin by taking a date to Bobby Flay‘s restaurant on Entourage (sun., 10:30PM, HBO).

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• Tags: Breaking Bad, CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Doctor Who: Best of the Doctor, Great Food Truck Race, High Stakes Sweepers, Next Food Network Star, Real Housewives of New Jersey

(ALL TIMES ET)

10PM, SUN | AMC
Breaking Bad – I would say that things are heating up for Walt and Jesse, but really, when aren’t they? Jesse’s behavior does bring some unwanted attention to he and Walt, while the Cartel makes a serious move (again, not that they’re ever not serious) and Walt and Skyler practice their card skills as they prepare to tell the “truth” about where their sudden financial uptick originated.

5AM, SAT | HALLMARK CHANNEL
I Love Lucy Marathon – August 6 would have been Lucille Ball‘s 100th birthday, and there is no better way to celebrate than by tuning in to Hallmark’s weekend-long marathon of I Love Lucy, her classic 1951-57 sitcom.
Must-see episodes:
– “L.A. at Last!” (Sat., 8AM), in which Lucy has to don a fake nose (which catches on fire) to meet William Holden (the episode has been cited as Lucille Ball’s personal favorite);
– “Lucy in Palm Springs” (Sat., noon), in which Lucy and Ethel meet Rock Hudson in Palm Springs;
– “Harpo Marx” (Sat., 1PM), in which the beloved Marx Brother guest stars and recreates the famous Duck Soup mirror scene with Lucy;
– “Lucy’s Italian Movie” (Sat., 9:30PM), featuring the classic grape-stomping scene.

11PM, SAT | COMEDY CENTRAL
Michael Ian Black: Very Famous – Skydiving and his kids’ lame trick-or-treating gear are among the topics the funny guy discusses in this performance, filmed at the Trocadero Theatre in Philly.

8PM, SUN | FOX
Teen Choice Awards – Kaley Cuoco hosts, One Republic and Jason Derulo perform and celeb presenters and attendees include Jason Bateman, Cameron Diaz, The Biebs, Robert Pattinson, Ellen DeGeneres, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Tyra Banks.

9PM, SUN | WE
Bridezillas – Where does a frustrated (read: crazy) bride turn when her hair trial goes badly? She takes it out on the one person who so clearly deserves her ire: the person who dares to offer her water on her wedding day (read: super crazy).

9PM, SUN | TNT – 1ST SEASON FINALE
Falling Skies – Tom stays at camp to protect the civilians when the resistance fighter launch a major attack against the aliens, who might finally reveal their motives.

9PM, SUN | CBS
Same Name – Mike Tyson, boxer, swaps lives with Mike Tyson … male nurse.

10PM, SUN | VH1
Behind the Music: Adam Lambert – Friends, family and the American Idol runner-up himself are interviewed for this BTM.

10PM, SUN | HBO
Curb Your Enthusiasm – The social assassin – that’s who Larry would be if he were a superhero! – is back in action, as Larry thwarts a buffet line-cutter. But not everything goes so well for him, as his excuse for getting out of volunteer work has very, ahem, moving consequences.

10PM, SUN | ANIMAL PLANET – SERIES PREMIERE
Hillbilly Handfishin’ – People swim (ha!) to Oklahoma to experience noodling, a.k.a. handfishing, a.k.a. that really stupid thing of sticking your paw inside a hole to catch a fish, without knowing for certain what’s inside that hole. Hmmm, if only there were some sort of catching device they could use to go fishing …

10PM, SUN | BRAVO
Real Housewives of New Jersey – It’s New Year’s Eve, and everyone’s resolutions seem to involve ticking off their relatives.

Worth flipping to during commercials:
– James McAvoy and Liza Minnelli visit the Graham Norton Show (Sat., 10PM, BBCA);
– Eviction nominees are revealed on Big Brother (Sun., 8PM, CBS);
– On Food Network Challenge: Renaissance Festival Cakes (Sun., 8PM, Food Network), chefs make cakes, uh, inspired by renaissance festivals;
– On Drop Dead Diva (Sun., 9PM, Lifetime), Jane’s mom gets arrested when she uses the emergency exit on an airplane;
– Hugh has to rescue Rick when his truck breaks down. Again. On Ice Road Truckers (Sun., 9PM, History);
– Next Food Network Star (Sun., 9PM, Food Network) cheftestants compete in Iron Chef battles;
– Andy has a date with Holly on True Blood (Sun., 9PM, HBO);
– Jim investigates when a high school teacher and coach (who was also a mentor to Jeff) is murdered on The Glades (Sun., 10PM, A&E);
– The fourth season finale of In Plain Sight (Sun., 10PM, USA) finds Mary’s work yet again interfering with her life, and, this time, Brandi’s wedding;
– Kim Coates, a.k.a. Sons of Anarchy‘s Tig, guest stars as Vince’s old nemesis Carl Ertz on Entourage (Sun., 10:30PM, HBO).

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• Filed in Breaking Bad, Classic TV, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Real Housewives, TV Marathon
• Tags: Behind the Music: Adam Lambert, Breaking Bad, Bridezillas, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Falling Skies season finale, Hillbilly Handfishin', I Love Lucy marathon, Lucille Ball 100th birthday, Michael Ian Black: Very Famous, Real Housewives of New Jersey, Same Name Mike Tyson, Teen Choice Awards