'House M.D.': 16 spleens to be thankful for

As I mentioned in my review of "Grey's Anatomy" last week, I'm a big fan of Very Special Holiday Episodes. Perhaps it's leftover from Charlie Brown Christmas specials, but I like that warm-and-fuzzy feeling that holiday episodes tend to leave you with.

On "House," however, the holidays generally mean 'tis the season to be lonely, bitter and manipulative. This week's episode, "Ignorance Is Bliss," was no exception to that rule!

The case of the week was James Sidas (Esteban Powell), a boy genius who, as an adult, turned in his Mensa card and became a courier instead. He says he'd rather be happy than smart -- and apparently that's also how he likes his women, because his wife, while beautiful, drove me crazy with her obvious questions and wide-eyed confusion. In the cold open, his hand abruptly stops working, and predictably, the rest of his body follows suit.

House wouldn't be House without a scheme to distract him from his job. This week, he's decided that he's going to deal with the Cuddy/Lucas situation by simply breaking them up. Hey, at least he's being honest about it! Wilson doesn't even have to use his House-ESP to get to the bottom of it.

'How I Met Your Mother': Thankful for slaps

“Slapsgiving 2: Return of the Slap” started off sweet by showing the true meaning of friendship: Driving to the port authority to pick up the perfect turkey your friend left behind in a taxicab. Marshall (Jason Segel) is so touched by Robin (Cobie Smulders) and Ted's (Josh Radnor) gesture that he bequeaths to them the fourth slap against Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). There are some caveats, however. The slap has to be administered by sundown so as not to interfere with Lily's dinner. Barney will be tied to a chair known as the slapping thrown. Ted and Robin must decide amongst themselves who will administer the slap.

While Ted and Robin bicker over who will slap Barney, Marshall and Lily (Alyson Hannigan) have it out in the bedroom. And I don't mean that in a fun way. Marshall has invited Lily's estranged father Mickey (Chris Elliott) over for Thanksgiving and Lily's far from happy. It turns out Lily's dad spent much of her childhood in a room trying to create the next great board game instead of at Lily's recitals and art shows. Some of his failed attempts: Tijuana Slumlord, Car Battery and There's a Clown Demon Under the Bed. The first two sound like true stories. The last one makes me want to call the Winchester brothers. Mickey shows up at Marshall and Lily's Thanksgiving dinner bearing a new game.

“Hey, princess. I brought Diseases,” he says. “The fun's infectious.”

But Mickey's crimes are greater than horrible slogans and being an absentee father. His lack of a job forced him to move into his parents' house, sending Lily's retired grandfather back to work. How crazy was it that Lily's grandma (Christina Pickles) was played by Monica's mother from “Friends”? She looked closer in age to Elliott than the actor playing her husband. IMDB says she was born in 1935, so whatever she's doing, it's working.

Tuesday's Highlights: Woddy Harrelson on 'Biography'

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies

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CHEERED: Woody Harrelson is profiled in a new episode of 'Biography,' at 7 p.m. on Biography.

SERIES

Explorer: This new episode imagines the aftermath of a 6-mile-wide asteroid slamming into the Earth -- which some scientists believe happened 66 million years ago -- paying particular attention to which organisms survived the impact (7 and 10 p.m. National Geographic).

NCIS: Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and his team are forced to put their Thanksgiving plans on hold after the horrific death of a Marine leads them to a government think tank that employs child prodigies, where a 12-year-old might be the killer's next target. Gabriel Olds, Lisa Sheridan and Madeline Carroll guest star (8 p.m. CBS).

The Biggest Loser: Suze Orman talks to the five remaining contestants about the connection between health and wealth and gives them tips on becoming fiscally fit. Then former pro football player Rod Woodson helps start an NFL challenge (8 p.m. NBC).

Dirty Jobs: Mike reflects on some of his more hazardous apprenticeships and makes a plea for job safety (9 p.m. Discovery).

How the Earth Was Made: This documentary series premieres with a look at how geology and the Colorado River shaped the Grand Canyon, which is about a mile deep and extends for nearly 200 miles across the Southwest (9 p.m. History).

Dancing With the Stars: The winners are announced in the season finale (9 p.m. ABC).

The Good Wife: Alicia (Julianna Margulies) must navigate carefully through the minefield of office politics when she's assigned to represent a partner in the firm on a DUI charge (10 p.m. CBS).

Dinner With the Band: This new series premieres with an evening of cooking and live music as master chef Sam Mason invites his favorite bands over (11 p.m. IFC).

SPECIALS

Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure: Two antlered workers at the North Pole Weather Center try to help Santa save Christmas in this new holiday special (7 p.m. ABC Family).

MOVIES

Hercules: Tate Donovan voices the title role in Disney's 1997 animated adaptation of the Greek myth. With the voices of Danny DeVito and James Woods. Charlton Heston narrates (8 p.m. ABC Family).

The Matrix: A computer programmer and hacker (Keanu Reeves) discovers that his entire reality is virtual in this 1999 sci-fi tale. Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving and Joe Pantoliano also star in the action and effects-packed adventure (8 p.m. AMC).

Appaloosa: Ed Harris directed and starred, with Viggo Mortensen and Renée Zellweger, in this 2008 western (8 p.m. Cinemax).

SPORTS

College basketball: EA Sports Maui Invitational: consolation games: (10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. ESPN2); semifinals, (4 and 6:30 p.m. ESPN). O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic final (7 p.m. ESPN2).

College football: Ball State at Western Michigan (4 p.m. ESPN2).

UEFA Champions League Soccer: Barcelona vs. Inter Milan (11:30 a.m. FSN).

Pro basketball: The New York Knicks visit the Lakers (7:30 p.m. FSN).

Photo: Glen Wilson / New Line Productions

Tuesday's TV Talk Shows: Charlie Rose continues his 'Brain Series'

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies

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The Early Show (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Today Alicia Keys; author Al Roker; Rhea Perlman and Lucy DeVito. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America Robin Williams ("Old Dogs"); Nadya Suleman. (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day L.A. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Live With Regis and Kelly Jimmy Kimmel; Carrot Top. (N) 9 a.m. KABC

The View Robin Williams ("Old Dogs"); Matthew Rhys ("Brothers & Sisters"). (N) 10 a.m. KABC

The Doctors A cosmetic procedure adds a dimple to one's cheek; breast augmentation. (N) 11 a.m. KCAL

The Dr. Oz Show The controversial new mammogram guidelines. 11 a.m. KTTV

The Martha Stewart Show Thomas Keller; David Gregory. (N) 2 p.m. KNBC

The Bonnie Hunt Show Scott Wolf; the winner of "Project Runway"; the U.S. trampoline team. (N) 3 p.m. KNBC

The Tyra Show Judge Jeanine Pirro provides decisions for people who have recently ended relationships and want their belongings back. 3 p.m. KTLA

Oprah Winfrey A salute to 2009's most extraordinary people. (N) 3 p.m. KABC

Dr. Phil A woman tries to rebuild her reputation after stealing her neighbor's dog and abandoning it. (N) 4 p.m. KCBS

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Penélope Cruz; Kris Allen performs; "So You Think You Can Dance" castoffs. (N) 4 p.m. KNBC

The Tyra Show Dr. Drew Pinsky ("Sex Rehab With Dr. Drew") discusses sexual addiction. (N) 4 p.m. KTLA

The Dr. Oz Show Hidden dangers of airports and hotels around the country; Kitchen 911. (N) 5 p.m. KTTV

Dr. Phil People close to the case of a 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped and beaten while witnesses stood by without calling 911. 7 p.m. KCAL

Tavis Smiley Kris Kristofferson. 7 and 11 p.m. KCET

The Jay Leno Show Charles Barkley; the latest contestant eliminated from "The Biggest Loser." (N) 10 p.m. KNBC

Lopez Tonight Sandra Bullock; Derek Luke. (N) 11 p.m. TBS

Charlie Rose Brain series (Part 2). (N) 11:30 p.m. KCET

Late Show With David Letterman Zac Efron; Carrie Fisher; Rihanna performs. (N) 11:35 p.m. KCBS

The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien Jack McBrayer; Marisa Miller; Weezer performs. (N) 11:35 p.m. KNBC

Nightline (N) 11:35 p.m. KABC

Jimmy Kimmel Live Charlize Theron; the winner of "Dancing With the Stars"; Regis Philbin. (N) 12:06 a.m. KABC

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson Maria Bello; Peter Capaldi; Ben Harper and Relentless7. (N) 12:37 a.m. KCBS

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Claire Danes; Chad Ochocinco; the Pixies perform. (N) 12:37 a.m. KNBC

Last Call With Carson Daly OK Go performs. (N) 1:36 a.m. KNBC

Amanda Peet signs on for 'How I Met Your Mother' guest spot

Amanda Peet will guest star on an upcoming episode of “How I Met Your Mother,” CBS confirmed.

Details about Peet's character have not yet been released. Her episode will air in January.

In an article posted Thursday on E! Online, “How I Met Your Mother” star Neil Patrick Harris said that he would like the actress to guest star on the series. The next day, CBS revealed on Twitter that Peet was slated to guest star on the show.

Peet, who currently appears on the big screen in the film “2012,” costars alongside “Mother's” Jason Segel in the upcoming film “Gulliver's Travels.”

– Vlada Gelman (follow my TV musings on Twitter at @stayingin)

Related:

'HIMYM's Jason Segel crashes L.A. Swell Season concert, offers himself up for a date

'How I Met Your Mother': Going to the smoon

Complete 'How I Met Your Mother' coverage on Showtracker

Photo credit: AP

'Family Guy': I’m Outrageous!

I love holiday episodes. Whether it’s New Year's Eve on “Night Court” or Halloween on “The Real Ghostbusters.” One of my favorite “American Dad” episodes is the Christmas that Stan dies and crashes Jesus’ birthday (and the classic bit of what happened to Jim Henson when he tried to sneak into heaven). Now, “The Cleveland Show” adds to the classic tradition of holiday episodes with “A Brown Thanksgiving.” Brought to you by Cascade (not really brought to you by Cascade).

Cleveland is excited for his first Thanksgiving with his new family, especially since his mom, Cookie, is joining them. Unfortunately his father, Freight Train, has returned from running away with a waffle house waitress for the second time and comes for the holiday as well. Freight Train spends his time putting down Cleveland and Cookie, and in turn Cookie spends her time putting down Donna. It’s just like a real family!

Then Auntie Momma arrives. Donna’s outrageous aunt lightens everyone’s mood. That is until Cleveland finds out she’s pulling a Tyler Perry. Guess her name should be Uncle Daddy, though that sounds incredibly creepy.

'Californication': That's my girl

“Californication” is certainly intended for adults, but Sunday night’s episode got me thinking: What if this show spent just a little bit more time at the kids’ table? Or in the kids’ room? Or at the kids’ school?

This line of thought stemmed from watching this latest episode twice. The first time I found it amusing but felt as if this was more or less one of those bridge episodes that come along during the course of a TV season, a half hour that serves as a connector of sorts between what was and what’s next. Nothing much seemed to really happen, other than Marcy finding out what everyone else already had — that Rick Springfield is a degenerate (no offense, Rick Springfield). The rest was merely further fallout from last week’s romp.

But then I watched it again and realized that something major had happened; we just didn’t see it, and perhaps the show — like its parents — glossed over the event just a little too passively. Becca (Madeleine Martin) and her best friend, Chelsea (Ellen Woglom), had gotten into a fight, the physical kind, the kind that got them both expelled from school — a posh, all-girls private school, from what we can tell. But we only discovered this through Hank getting that phone call from the principal’s office and not by actually seeing the fight itself. Hank’s reaction? A big smile and an “Ah, that’s my girl.”

That response — and especially with David Duchovny’s always-hilarious line reading — made me laugh. But then later, when Hank’s ho-hum ways continued both at Becca’s school and at home, I felt Karen’s pain. “Do you know how frustrating you are?” she asked. Becca, meanwhile, whined to her parents as she usually does (and usually has reason for) before escaping to her room, slamming the door. Hank and Karen then fought with each other, and she kicked him out. Then Hank whined about the whole thing to Charlie.

Morning round-up: Oprah gets into bed with HBO, 'Cougar Town' shuts down, and 'Fringe' producers talk ... Season 6?

Oprah goes risque at HBO: While industry observers ponder the syndication biz without its queen, Oprah is focused on other projects. The latest (outside of the yet-to-launch OWN)? Her production banner Harpo Films has set up an hourlong series pilot at HBO about a woman who leaves her seemingly perfect family to indulge in "her secret fantasies and desires" in the underbelly of L.A. The project is being written by Erin Cressida Wilson, who wrote 2002's kinky love story "Secretary."

Speaking of Oprah... The talk show host's former personal chef Art Smith (more recently of "Top Chef Masters") has signed a deal to star in his own show on TLC. The series, according to the Hollywood Reporter, "Craving Comfort," will follow Smith as he travels the country exploring different takes on classic dishes, such as fried chicken and apple pie. Variety reports that TLC also has ordered the reality series "Mall Cops: Mall of America" (thanks to the many of you who made "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" a hit) and "Ghost Intervention."

"Cougar Town" shuts down: A rep for ABC told US Weekly, "We can confirm production of 'Cougar Town' has been temporarily shut down in order for [star Courteney Cox] to deal with a private family matter." No word on when production is expected to resume.

David Tennant's end draws near: BBC America has announced the actor's final two "Doctor Who" specials: "Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part 1" and "Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part 2." The first will air Dec. 26 at 9 p.m. Break out the Kleenex!

"Fringe" executive producers plan for ... Season 6? According to Digital Spy, during a conference call with reporters, executive producer Jeff Pinker said, "If we're lucky enough, we have six seasons that we're really excited about." Might have to get those ratings up first, no?

Tune-in reminder: "Battlestar Galactica" fans! Katee Sackhoff guest stars in tonight's "Big Bang Theory" on CBS.

-- Denise Martin

'Dexter': Cornucopia of criminals

Before I get to discussing the Worst Thanksgiving Ever, I'd like to make a prediction. Either Maria Laguerta (Lauren Vélez) or Angel Batista (David Zayas) won't make it through the season alive.  The couple who have traversed mountains and rivers (actually: some bureaucratic red tape but otherwise the mild interest and support of their colleagues) have finally declared their love. Unfortunately this story line has been lacking much strength this season (never have I thought "Enough Trinity killer! How are Angel and Maria doing?") so for some reason I see it ending with a literal bang. 

Last night's Thanksgiving episode of "Dexter" was one of the freakier, more horrifying installments to date and yet one of the least bloody. It was Arthur Mitchell (John Lithgow) breaking his son's finger after grabbing it in a high-five. It was him flatly calling his wife an unprintable name at the dinner table after she, full of terrified optimism, told him she was thankful for him. It was the jar of human ashes flung against the wall in anger. And you thought it was bad when you ran out of Beaujolais Nouveau.

Dexter witnessed the freak show after inviting himself to the Mitchells' for dinner, fearing that Mitchell's son Jonah (Brando Eaton) was in physical danger at the hands of his father. Dexter knew already, of course, that Arthur was the Trinity killer but then learned that Mitchell's happy family was anything but. 

Monday's TV Highlights: 'Robot Chicken' gets an update

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies

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USE THE FARCE: Action figures make stop-motion mockery of Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and company in the updated special "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode 2.5" on Cartoon Network at 11:30 p.m.

SERIES

How I Met Your Mother: Lily's (Alyson Hannigan) estranged father (Chris Elliott) visits for Thanksgiving in the new episode (8 p.m. CBS).

House: On the eve of Thanksgiving, the team treats a brilliant physicist (Esteban Powell), who traded his career for a job as a courier because he found intelligence to be a burden that led to depression and addiction. With Hugh Laurie, Robert Sean Leonard and Lisa Edelstein (8 p.m. Fox).

Accidentally on Purpose: Billie (Jenna Elfman) feels threatened when old flame and current boss James (Grant Show) hires another film critic, motivating her to prove just how valuable she is. Jon Foster and Ashley Jensen also star (8:30 p.m. CBS).

'The Amazing Race': Playing dirty

This week's episode of "The Amazing Race" brought up one of the race's eternal questions: Is it right to play dirty when there's a million dollars on the line or should you take the moral high road?

This week, the four remaining teams jetted off to Prague (which, contrary to Sam and Dan's beliefs isn't a country nor do they speak Spanish there) and each made their own decisions about engaging in duplicitous gamesmanship to get ahead.

Some of those decisions were minor while others had major implications about not only how the race is being run but also about the racers themselves. Is it right to steal another team's taxi? If you agree to work with another team, can you just ditch them? 

Yes, with the grand prize within spitting distance of the four remaining teams, things are bound to get heated. These are pretty competitive teams, and none of them want to walk away empty-handed. And yes, it's a race, so there shouldn't be any alliances or understandings. But when does it become acceptable to actually engage in malicious behavior?

'Curb Your Enthusiasm': Larry David, wood detective

The season finale of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" brought us not just the "Seinfeld" reunion but also an ending and a new beginning for Larry David.

It's crazy to me that more than 10 years have passed since the end of "Seinfeld," but seeing Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards and Julia Louis-Dreyfus reunite on that set brought back a flood of memories. In those brief scenes, it was suddenly as though no time had passed -- for the characters or for this viewer.

While the "Seinfeld" reunion provided the throughline for the season, this week's episode also drew in such varied topics as water marks on wood furniture, tinted car windows, tipping (always a Larry David hallmark), and the concept of favors.

It also had a lot to do with an irate coffee cart barista named Mocha Joe, whose irrational behavior spurred Larry to perform an unlikely favor (namely driving to Hollywood to pick up a coffee bean shipment). I didn't buy any of the Mocha Joe storyline. There's no way that this guy would speak this way to Larry David on the studio lot and keep his job, nor would he take umbrage that Larry didn't tip him after he was asked to perform a simple task and return some jumper cables to the production office ... where he was already going. There's often some unbelievable elements to "Curb," but I just couldn't accept that Mocha Joe would be able to get away with behaving that way. (Having worked in the television industry for many years, I can honestly say that he would probably have been fired before he returned to his cart.)

Having said that (heh heh), I thought that the season finale was absolutely hysterical and heartfelt while also remaining true to the fact that Larry David just can't let anything go, even when his dream is about to come true.

'The Next Iron Chef': Technique trumps creativity

"The Next Iron Chef" is Chef Jose Garces.

In the end, Garces' technique -- though bland at times -- beat out Chef Jehangir Mehta's unquestionable creativity.

For this finale, the judging panel added Iron Chefs Michael Symon, Bobby Flay and Masaharu Morimoto, weighing in on who should join their stable of "cooking giants" who defend their titles in Kitchen Stadium on Food Network's "Iron Chef."

The cheftestants were given 60 minutes to make a five-course feast that represents America's melting pot. The secret ingredient was ribs and racks of all sorts, including buffalo, pork and beef.

Monday's TV Talk Shows: Dr. Drew Pinsky is a guest on 'Oprah Winfrey'

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies

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The Early Show Zac Efron; Claire Danes. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Today Susan Boyle sings on the plaza; author Marlo Thomas ("Thanks & Giving"). (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America Chef Emeril Lagasse; Anika Rose ("The Princess and the Frog"). (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day L.A. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Live With Regis and Kelly From Las Vegas; Mark Harmon ("NCIS"); David Cook performs; "Project Runway" winner; Kelly learns acrobatic moves from the show "Le Reve." (N) 9 a.m. KABC

The View Zac Efron and Claire Danes; Norah Jones performs. (N) 10 a.m. KABC

The Doctors Jillian Michaels provides tips for celebrating the holidays without gaining weight. (N) 11 a.m. KCAL

The Dr. Oz Show A bed bug infestation. 11 a.m. KTTV

Rachael Ray Holiday gifts giveaway; Peter Facinelli. (N) 2 p.m. KCBS

The Martha Stewart Show (N) 2 p.m. KNBC

The Bonnie Hunt Show Bill Engvall; Whitney Port; Troy Dunn. (N) 3 p.m. KNBC

The Tyra Show A woman who decided to become a prostitute when she was pregnant. 3 p.m. KTLA

Oprah Winfrey Drew Pinsky discusses sex addiction and his reality series. (N) 3 p.m. KABC

Dr. Phil The Dr. Phil Family returns: Alex is asked to submit to random drug testing; a disturbing e-mail. (N) 4 p.m. KCBS

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Jon Bon Jovi; Bon Jovi performs; Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel. (N) 4 p.m. KNBC

The Tyra Show Teens who pressure themselves to be perfect. (N) 4 p.m. KTLA

The Dr. Oz Show The new mammogram guidelines. (N) 5 p.m. KTTV

Dr. Phil The Dr. Phil Family returns: Dr. Phil confronts Chris about Alex's accusations of abuse. 7 p.m. KCAL

Tavis Smiley Serena Williams. 7 and 11 p.m. KCET

The Jay Leno Show Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; Lady Gaga. (N) 10 p.m. KNBC

Lopez Tonight Eva Mendes; Craig Robinson. (N) 11 p.m. TBS

Charlie Rose Barton Biggs, Traxis Partners; Bonnie Hammer, NBC Universal Cable. (N) 11:30 p.m. KCET

Late Show With David Letterman Robin Williams; Ashley Greene. (N) 11:35 p.m. KCBS

The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien Taylor Lautner; John Cleese; Timbaland performs with Nelly Furtado and SoShy. (N) 11:35 p.m. KNBC

Nightline (N) 11:35 p.m. KABC

Jimmy Kimmel Live Andre Agassi; Weezer performs. (N) 12:06 a.m. KABC

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson Margaret Cho; race car driver Carl Edwards. (N) 12:37 a.m. KCBS

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon ILO performs. (N) 12:37 a.m. KNBC

Last Call With Carson Daly Brett Dennen. (N) 1:36 a.m. KNBC

Sunday's TV Highlights: 'Collision' concludes on 'Masterpiece Contemporary'

AFTERMATH: Repercussions from a horrific multi-car accident reach far and wide in the conclusion of 'Masterpiece Contemporary: Collision' at 9 p.m. on KCET.

SERIES

Cold Case: The team reopens a 1983 case, originally investigated by Stillman (John Finn), focusing on a teenager who was killed before he could get justice for his slain girlfriend, who died in a spray of gunfire from Chinese gang members during a festival. Kathryn Morris, Danny Pino, Jeremy Ratchford, Thom Barry and Bobby Cannavale also star (9 p.m. CBS).

Curb Your Enthusiasm: A returned favor costs Larry quality time with Cheryl in the season finale (9 p.m. HBO).

Cowboys & Outlaws: This new series opens with a look at the complex character of Wyatt Earp, who straddled both sides of the law (9 p.m. History). A second new episode follows at 10.

'The Next Iron Chef': Life is about to change for one cheftestant

For Chef Jose Garces, it was a curdled flan. For Chef Jehangir Mehta, it was the grape leaves.

The last two chefs standing in the battle to become "The Next Iron Chef" say they are haunted by such flops as they head into Sunday night's finale on the Food Network. The Season 2 winner will join an elite stable of champions including Masaharu Morimoto, Bobby Flay and Cat Cora. These culinary warriors are the ones to beat on the popular Food Network game show "Iron Chef America."

But the title goes beyond a TV game show. The winner gains immediate fame thanks to a singular standing on the Food Network platform, and fortune is not far behind.

That's a chief reason why many of the competitors -- all successful chefs in their own right -- gambled all to join the competition.

"It's a huge risk to go on the show and possibly be eliminated early ... or be displayed in a negative light," said Chef Garces. "But [if you win] it brings a lot of prestige, it's an honor and a privilege to be an 'Iron Chef.' ... It's very good for business as well, let's be honest. I have six restaurants, so having that title would be great."

A reporter puts on her dancing shoes to perform on 'Dancing With The Stars'

 

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to be a "Dancing With The Stars" contestant? You know, beyond the beautifully packaged clips of rehearsals the talented producers of the ABC hit show us every week? What does it really take?

Well, Los Angeles Times entertainment reporter Dawn Chmielewski couldn't turn her back on an ABC executive's dare and recently agreed to put herself through the rigors of learning a salsa routine with professional partner Jonathan Roberts.

Chmielewski did everything the contestants do each week -- rehearsals, spray tan, hair extensions, and a live performance filmed in front of the studio audience assembled for a recent taping of the actual show. She was even judged by Bruno, Len and Carrie Ann, and teased by host Tom Bergeron.

You won't see Dawn's salsa on TV, but that's what the Internet is for. Watch her perform in our video and read her personal account here.

What score would you give her? 

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Related: 

Dawn's rehearsal video

In pictures: Dawn prepares for her performance

Saturday's TV Highlights: 'Robin Hood' learns he has a half-brother

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies

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BROTHERS: Gisborne and Robin (Richard Armitage, left, Jonas Armstrong, right) work together to save their half-brother (Clive Standen, center) on a new episode of 'Robin Hood' at 6 and 9 p.m. on BBC A

SERIES

Celebrity Ghost Stories: Jay Thomas mistakenly used a tombstone in a home renovation (7 p.m. Biography).

America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back: John Walsh travels to Eastern Europe to hunt down a drug lord who has led authorities on an international cat-and-mouse game, then partners with some of the best crime busters in the United Kingdom to track down some criminals there. He also examines new CSI technology developed in England that gives detectives a powerful tool to help identify suspects (9 p.m. Fox).

Weekend TV Talk Shows: Senate Healthcare debate is the weekend's hot topic

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies

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TODAY

Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC

The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer Fort Hood shooting: Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.). Cancer; mammogram debate: Breast cancer survivor Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.). Afghanistan; Pakistan: Seymour Hersh. Iran: Con Coughlin, the Telegraph. Swine flu: Father David O'Connell, Catholic University of America. Hunger in America: Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. 3 p.m. CNN

McLaughlin Group 6:30 p.m. KCET

SUNDAY

Today Unable to get home for the holidays. (N) 6 a.m. KNBC

Good Morning America (N) 6 a.m. KABC

State of the Union With John King Healthcare debate; Afghanistan; New York terrorism trials: Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). Healthcare debate: Afghanistan; New York terrorism trials: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). (N) 6 a.m. CNN

James Franco on "General Hospital," six lines in

James Franco, movie actor, Golden Globe winner, "Freaks and Geeks" class of 2000, began his guest arc on the extremely long-running "General Hospital" today. It is quite some time since I paid any attention at all to the goings-on in fictional Port Charles, N.Y. These days the landscape is dominated by Italian gangsters of the post-"Sopranos" variety, some of whom are apparently less villainous than others. There are also: a woman who runs or works for an art gallery and her perky assistant; some security specialists of no clear moral convictions; a cop; and a couple of women whose specific roles I could not divine, apart from the sex. There was no hospital in evidence, general or otherwise -- nor any doctors, for that matter, or likely holders of doctorates.

The soap opera is an exceedingly talky medium. Franco -- who, it seems, will be firmly established next week as a famous yet mysterious graffiti artist, named Franco -- had exactly six lines in his debut episode, spread over the hour: "Spare any change?"; "Quickest way to catch cold, Wylie -- always keep your head covered"; "It's open"; "Good"; "Later"; and "They're expecting me." The first was spoken to some mobsters just before a big shootout on the steps of a soundstage-built brownstone. (Afterward, Franco crushed the windpipe of a dying hood with his foot, then rearranged the body.) The second was to a mannequin, on which he placed a cap. And the rest were to a mysterious woman with an English accent who came over to his studio to give him a straight-razor shave and a long kiss. Mostly he lurked, "disguised" as a homeless person, his face half-hidden or turned away. When the camera finally allowed us a good look at him, he did shine like the superior screen presence he is.

It is hard to tell yet just where on the good-evil scale Franco is meant to fall -- actually, it is hard to tell that about any of these characters, a situation I would imagine that more familiarity would only partly relieve. But artists on TV shows are usually some sort of crazy, and all signs so far point to trouble.

-- Robert Lloyd