Weekend Pick
HBO / Paul Schiraldi
As the final season of "The Wire" (9 p.m. EDT Sunday on HBO) comes to a close with a two-hour finale, we bid adieu to not only one of the smartest, most authentic TV shows in the history of television but also one of the most entertaining. As weighty as the subject matter always is -- and how much heavier can you get than an exploration of the inherent flaws and failings of every layer of civic life in a modern dystopia? -- the show also has a casual flavor of humor that can pick you up right after the most devastating scene kicks you down. Sure there are big questions going into Sunday's finale: Will fabricating reporter Scott Templeton finally get his comeuppance? Will detectives McNulty and Freamon get sent to the slammer for their roles in the serial-killer fraud? But the biggest question of all is, how will we live without this magnificent show? (Don't miss our recap of "The Wire" finale immediately following the show on Sunday night, plus an exclusive interview with show creator David Simon first thing Monday morning.)
Also…
On Friday, James Crump's documentary "Black White and Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe" airs at 8:30 p.m. EST on Sundance, Oscar-nominated film "Babel" airs at 8 p.m. EST on Showtime, and the "Stargate Atlantis" finale airs at 10 p.m. EST on Sci Fi. On Saturday, "Road to Perdition" airs at 8 p.m. EST on ABC while Billy Wilder's classic film "The Apartment" airs at 8 p.m. EST on TCM, and the Killers and Spoon perform on "Austin City Limits" (9 p.m. EST on PBS, check listings). On Sunday, "Quarterlife" airs at 9 p.m. EDT on NBC and "Oprah's Big Give" airs at 9 p.m. EDT on ABC; "Breaking Bad" airs at 10 p.m. EDT on AMC and the lumberjack version of "The Deadliest Catch," "Ax Men," premieres at 10 p.m. EDT on History.
Last night
What did you think of "Terminal City" on Thursday? Go here to discuss.
On the talk shows
Regis and KellyABC, 9 a.m. EST |
Paul Giamatti, Julianna Margulies, guest co-host Bryant Gumbel |
The ViewABC, 11 a.m. EST |
Raven-Symone |
Ellen DeGeneresSyndicated, check local listings |
Jack Hanna, skateboarder Ryan Sheckler (repeat) |
Oprah WinfreySyndicated, check local listings |
High style on a budget with Vera Wang (repeat) |
Charlie RosePBS, check local listings |
TBA |
Larry KingCNN, 9 p.m. EST |
Psychics John Edward and Char Margolis |
David LettermanCBS, 11:30 p.m. EST |
Tom Hanks, Mike Huckabee (repeat) |
Jay LenoNBC, 11:35 p.m. EST |
Will Ferrell, Hayden Christensen, the Hives (repeat) |
Tavis SmileyPBS, check local listings |
Denzel Washington (repeat) |
Jimmy KimmelABC, 12:05 a.m. EST |
Will Arnett, Camilla Belle, All Time Low |
Conan O'BrienNBC, 12:35 a.m. EST |
Dr. Phil McGraw, David Borgenicht, Les Savy Fav (repeat) |
Craig FergusonCBS, 12:35 a.m. EST |
Amy Sedaris, Shanna Moakler, Blake Shelton |
Contributors: Molly Eichel, Heather Havrilesky, Amy Reiter, Charly Wilder
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