(ALL TIMES ET)

10PM, FRI | STARZ – SERIES PREMIERE
Boss – Kelsey Grammer‘s recent campaign of nastiness towards nearly equally unsympathetic ex-wife Camille has overshadowed some of the buzz for Boss, which is a shame, because, well, Grammer is really fantastic in it. He plays Tom Kane, mayor of Chicago, who finds out he has a neurological disease that will eventually debilitate and kill him. He keeps it a secret and goes on about his ruthless business of running the city and maneuvering relationships with his cold wife and estranged daughter. As Starz’ best original series since Party Down, it’s definitely worth checking out.

9PM, FRI | PBS
American Masters: Pearl Jam Twenty – Cameron Crowe, who made one of the best movies ever – Singles – and included the members of Pearl Jam in the cast, is behind this documentary, which celebrates the Seattle band’s 20th anniversary with fresh video footage (including Eddie Vedder dancing with Kurt Cobain), concert clips and interviews with the band.

9PM, FRI | THE CW
Supernatural – Clever Buffy reunion alert: Charisma Carpenter guests as a witch who unleashes her anger, and powers, on a small town when she finds out her husband (guest star James Marsters) is cheating on her.

10PM, FRI | CBS
Blue Bloods – While Danny tries not to let work interfere with a romantic weekend he and Linda have planned, Jamie goes deep undercover in a crime family.

8PM, SUN | ABC – SERIES PREMIERE
Once Upon a Time – House alum Jennifer Morrison plays a woman who gave up a child for adoption years earlier and is later found by the boy and asked to accompany him to Storybrooke, a town where fairytale characters like Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) live. The effects and characters are whimsical, I guess, but pilot episode is a mess that never makes clear what the show is really going to be about. Still, worth a look and judging for yourself.

9PM, SUN | SHOWTIME
Dexter – Deb holds her first official press briefing, while Homicide begins to uncover the reasons behind Travis and Professor Gellar’s sick plot.

9PM, SUN | CBS
The Good Wife – When a key witness commits suicide, Alicia has to go to killer Colin Sweeney (Dylan Baker) for help.

9PM, SUN | AMC
The Walking Dead – Rick continues to try to help save Carl, which leaves it in Shane’s hands to try to get past the walkers and retrieve some desperately needed medical supplies.

10PM, SUN | SHOWTIME
Homeland – The powers that be want to push Brody as a national hero, but his flaky behavior may tarnish their plans.

10PM, SUN | BRAVO
Real Housewives of New Jersey Reunion, Part 2 – Teresa and Caroline continue to trash their friendship in the final part of the season three reunion.

Worth flipping to during commercials:
– Michael invites a new doc (guest star Eriq La Salle) to join the practice on A Gifted Man (Fri., 8PM, CBS);
– Michael arouses Nikita’s suspicions when he tries to help an ex-girlfriend who’s in danger on Nikita (Fri., 8PM, The CW);
– The CSIs are on the case when a paroled man, the brother of a young basketball whiz, is suspected of murder on CSI: NY (Fri., 9PM, CBS);
– Writer Toure is among the guests on Real Time with Bill Maher (Fri., 10PM, HBO);
– On The Amazing Race (Sun., 8PM, CBS), the competition continues in Thailand;
– Ghost stories inspire cool, elaborate cakes on Challenge (Sun., 8PM, Food Network);
– Nucky thinks he may be about to leave his opposition behind on Boardwalk Empire (Sun., 9PM, HBO);
– Bridezillas (Sun., 9PM, WE) takes its craziest turn yet, as a bride tries to feed her groom drugged brownies, which accidentally fall into the hands (and bellies) of her family, too;
– Lynette hits a singles bar on Desperate Housewives (Sun., 9PM, ABC);
– On CSI: Miami (Sun., 10PM, CBS), Horatio protects a Mexican police woman whose husband has been murdered;
– Ray and Tanya whip up a plan to get rid of a difficult client on Hung (Sun., 10PM, HBO);
– Kathy Griffin and Kelly Ripa are among the judges on Iron Chef America (Sun., 10PM, HBO);
– On Dirty Soap (Sun., 10:30PM, E!), Kelly returns home to the Poconos and has a dramatic run-in with her ex-fiancée.

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• Filed in Blue Bloods, Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, Real Housewives, TV Picks, Walking Dead
• Tags: Kelsey Grammer Boss, Real Housewives of New Jersey, Walking Dead

(ALL TIMES ET)

9PM, SUN | SHOWTIME – 6TH SEASON PREMIERE
Dexter – The new season gets off to a great start, as Dexter worries about Harrison’s spiritual future while looking for a good preschool for his son, and also goes to his high school reunion, where he’s got a little Dexter-style karma to deliver. He also unexpectedly finds himself as one of the most popular guys among his old classmates, which leads to several delightfully funny moments.

Not so funny: the season’s new baddies, played by Edward James Olmos and Colin Hanks. They are up to some gruesome adventures, and as great as EJO is as a heroic space commander, he’s even better as a warped, homicidal religion professor.

CHECK LISTINGS FOR TIME AND CHANNEL, SAT | PBS – 37TH SEASON PREMIERE
Austin City Limits – Mumford & Sons and Flogging Molly kick off the new season which will also include episodes with Raphael Saadiq, Widespread Panic, The Decemberists and Gillian Welch.

9PM, SAT | COMEDY CENTRAL
Weird Al Yankovic Live!: The Apocalypse Tour – Multiple costume changes and a whole string of familiar hits are the highlights of any Weird Al concert. This one, taped in July, includes classics like “Fat,” “Amish Paradise” and “White & Nerdy,” as well as his latest parody, the Lady Gaga-skewering “Perform This Way.”

9PM, SAT | BBC AMERICA – 6TH SEASON FINALE
Doctor Who – “The Wedding of River Song” is the name of the season ender and it occurs on the day The Doctor is supposed to die.

11:30PM, SAT | NBC
Saturday Night Live – The fabulous Gilmore Girls/Bridesmaids/Mike & Molly star Melissa McCarthy makes her first appearance as SNL host, with musical guest Lady Antebellum.

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR TIME, SUN | PBS
Prohibition – Ken Burns‘ latest documentary, this three-part history of Prohibition kicks off with “A Nation of Drunkards,” about the initial movement towards temperance.

8PM, SUN | FOX
The Simpsons – Superintendent Chalmers’ tales of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders get Bart all fired up, and when Chalmers gets axed from his job, Bart employs Teddy tactics to get Chalmers’ job back.

9PM, SUN | CBS
The Good Wife – Alicia tries a case against a tough British attorney, played by guest star Eddie Izzard.

9PM, SUN | FOOD NETWORK – SERIES PREMIERE
Halloween Wars – The four-part series features five teams, comprised of candy makers, cake designers and pumpkin carvers, who create tricked out Halloween displays for a shot at winning a $50,000 grand prize.

9 and 10PM, SUN | TV GUIDE NETWORK
100 Moments That Changed TV – Parts one and two of this five-part miniseries counts down TV events like the “Who shot J.R.?” cliffhanger, the Menendez brothers’ trial, the O.J. Simpson car chase and the classic Apple 1984 commercial.

10PM, SUN | HISTORY – SERIES PREMIERE
Around the World in 80 Ways – Survivor alum Boston Rob Mariano and Dennis Anderson attempt to travel around the globe, using any method of transportation they can. In the premiere, that means bus, horse, zipline, motorcycle and water taxi to get to Peru.

10PM, SUN | AMC
Breaking Bad – “End Times” is the penultimate episode of season four, and if you think Walt and Jesse have been painted into a corner so far, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

10PM, SUN | SHOWTIME – SERIES PREMIERE
Homeland – Claire Danes stars in this terrific new thriller from 24 showrunner Howard Gordon. Danes is CIA operative Carrie Anderson, who’s suspicious when long-missing Marine and POW Nicholas Brody (Damien Lewis) turns up after eight years. He’s got big secrets for sure, but is one of them what Anderson thinks it is, that he’s been flipped by Al Qaeda and is part of some planned terrorist plot against the United States? And, Carrie has a secret of her own … she’s taking medication for some, uh, emotional issues.

10PM, SUN | HBO – 3RD SEASON PREMIERE
Hung – Ray and Tanya look for financing for their business, while Lenore finds a new, ahem, resource, that may make her their biggest competition.

10PM, SUN | BRAVO
Real Housewives of New Jersey – The gang’s still in Punta Cana, and they’re all still getting on each other’s nerves. Meanwhile, back in New Jersey, the bratty Ashley considers getting a tattoo.

11PM, SUN | BRAVO
Watch What Happens: Live – Given all the Real Housewives of New Jersey drama that has unfolded this week, it should make for an interesting evening in the clubhouse when Caroline Manzo stops by to chat with host Andy Cohen.

Worth flipping to during commercials:
– Gail counsels a 30-year-old woman whose shopping addictions have left her homeless more than once on Princess (Sat., 10PM, CNBC);
– On The Amazing Race (Sun., 8PM, CBS), the teams face a double elimination in Indonesia;
– The Gomez family in Utah get an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (Sun., 8PM, ABC);
– Making Monsters (Sun., 8PM, Travel) is the new reality series that follows animatronic monster makers Ed and Marsha Edmunds;
– The third season premiere of Tough Love (Sun., 8PM, VH1) finds matchmaker Steve Ward moving the action to Miami as he tries to help a new crop of women meet potential mates;
– A hurricane hits Stoolbend on The Cleveland Show (Sun., 8:30PM, Fox);
– Jimmy tries to make a deal with Arnold Rothstein on Boardwalk Empire (Sun., 9PM, HBO);
– On Bridezillas (Sun., 9PM, WE), one bride’s strict, weird wedding rules includes no chewing gum for anyone;
– Lynette and Tom’s kids take advantage of their parents’ guilt about their separation on Desperate Housewives (Sun., 9PM, ABC);
– Brian ingests some powerful pharmaceuticals on Family Guy (Sun., 9PM, HBO);
– The creepy cliff roads, a truck on the fritz and the language barrier slow the truckers down on IRT: Deadliest Roads (Sun., 9PM, History);
– The CSIs investigate the murder of a gigolo on CSI: Miami (Sun., 10PM, CBS);
– On Dirty Soap (Sun., 10PM, E!), Nadia‘s mom reveals she’s not too happy about the Nadia/Brandon pairing.

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• Filed in Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, Dexter, Music on TV, Real Housewives, Saturday Night Live, TV Picks
• Tags: 100 Moments That Changed TV, Around the World in 80 Way, Austin City Limits, Breaking Bad, Dexter season 6 premier, Doctor Who season 6 finale, Halloween Wars, Homeland premiere, Hung season 3, Ken Burns Prohibition, Real Housewives of New Jersey, Saturday Night Live Melissa McCarthy, The Good Wife, The Simpsons, Watch What Happens: Live, Weird Al Yankovic Live!: The Apocalypse Tour

(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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• Filed in Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Real Housewives, TV Picks
• 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