TV THIS WEEK

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Jan. 16 - 22 in PDF format

TV listings for the week of Jan. 16 - 22 in PDF format (alternate link)

Weekly TV Listings can also be found at: www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv

This week's TV Movies

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'THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS'

SUNDAY 

With so many Americans out of work, why would “The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards” bring back Ricky Gervais (above) as host? Perhaps because nobody takes celebs down a peg quite like the sly, snarky and veddy British comedian. (NBC, 5 and 8 p.m.) 

There's a whole lotta “Big Love” in store as the polygamy-themed dramedy launches its fifth and final season. Bill Paxton plays the put-upon paterfamilias, with Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin as his better halves. (HBO, 9 p.m.) 

MONDAY

With so many Americans out of work, why would a certain cable news network tap a Brit — and former “America's Got Talent” judge — to replace the recently retired Larry King? The answer lies in the premiere of “Piers Morgan Tonight.” (CNN, 6 and 9 p.m.) 

TUESDAY

Boldly going where no men had gone before, “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and “Twilight Zone” mastermind Rod Serling helped bring sci-fi to prime-time. They're among those profiled on the return of “Pioneers of Television.” (KOCE, 8 p.m.) 

WEDNESDAY

Simon said goodbye, Ellen quit, Kara got cut, and Paula is long gone. But we'll always have Randy Jackson, joined by Jennifer Lopez (left) and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler at the judges' table on the season premiere of “American Idol.” (Fox, 8 p.m.; also Thu.)

THURSDAY

Part sitcom, part small-town civics lesson, “Parks and Recreation” is back — and not a moment too soon, given the Peacock network's scheme to extend its two-hour Thursday-night comedy block by 60 more minutes. Amy Poehler stars. (NBC, 9:30 p.m.)

FRIDAY

Watch as we shoehorn three shows into one item: The mystery-drama “Medium” dreams up a series finale, the sci-fi series “Fringe” mysteriously reappears on a new night, and the gladiator prequel “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” has some pretty big sandals to fill. Done, done and done. (CBS, 8 p.m.; Fox, 9 p.m.; Starz, 10 p.m.) 

SATURDAY

In “Green Zone,” Matt Damon heads to Iraq in search of WMDs, only to find — well, we won't spoil the ending for you. But we can tell you that the actor reunited with “Bourne Ultimatum” director Paul Greengrass for this 2010 action thriller. (HBO, 8 p.m.) 

Photos: 'Golden Globes': Virginia Sherwood / NBC; 'American Idol': Tony Duran / Fox

 

Comments

[Chris Taus]

I’d say Ricky Gervais is a perfect antidote to the numbing narcissistic ubiquity of award show seasons that function mainly as a 24/7 ass-licking ladder-climbing money-squeezing cajones-polishing Hollywood wet dream.

[the office ultimatum recap]

Gervais did a great performance at the GG's. Hilarious jokes, just like last year. Great addition, should definitely return.