TVSquad

The makeover/lifestyle program has a unique niche in the Reality Revolution. Where other reality programs abide by the phrase "Only the Strong Survive," makeover shows are normally an individual or group effort. It comes from the shows themselves, of course, as they are intent in making life just a little bit better for the participants.

It may be redesigning a room in a neighbor's home, making over one's wardrobe, losing weight, controlling one's family or even turning someone from an ugly duckling into a swan. Granted, the hosts of these shows may show a bit of arrogance toward those trying to make a better life for themselves or others, but that just makes those wanting the makeover or lifestyle change even more interesting to the viewer. Plus, it doesn't hurt the star status of the hosts themselves.

The other interesting thing about this genre of reality program is, save for a handful of shows on the five major networks, the bulk of these programs are broadcast over the cable airwaves. Perhaps that's done to counteract some of the more sleazy reality programming that the cable networks produce. Or, maybe it's the fact that many of the channels that cater to the self-improvement set are on cable themselves. Either way, it is a genre that is quite popular and continues to grow year after year.

Designer and architect Vern Yip is back for a third season of HGTV's Deserving Design. The series will continue to focus on people with touching stories who are in need of some renovation assistance. Stories of this season include a couple who has taken in over sixty foster children (they get a much-needed new family room), a young woman diagnose with advanced breast cancer who needs some design assistance with her condo, and an eco-conscious couple who are in need of Vern's expertise.

I'm excited this show is back for a third season. I loved Vern Yip's designs when he was on Trading Spaces. He always did affordable, modern, and clean-looking updates to the participants' homes. Plus this show isn't as flashy as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. And there's no Ty Pennington screaming at you.

The new season starts tonight at 9 p.m. ET on HGTV. Will you be tuning in?

Car enthusiasts, take note: The British series all about cars, Top Gear, is coming to America. That's been previously announced, but today we can share the news that Adam Carolla, Tanner Foust and Eric Stromer will be teaming up to host the new NBC incarnation of Top Gear. It just so happens that I was watching Top Gear on BBC America yesterday and it's a fun show; it's not too techie-car show, it's more about the chemistry among the three hosts and the fun, goofy challenges they do that involve cars.

Yesterday's show, for instance, pitted a one host in a Mercedes Benz SUV driving from London the the airport versus one host on a super bicycle, another in a speed boat on the Thames, and The Stig -- an anonymous test driver -- making the trek via public transportation. It was pretty funny, especially since the car lost!

• At 7, ABC has two new episodes of Extreme Makeover, followed by the two hour season finale of Desperate Housewives.
• CBS has a new 60 Minutes at 7, then The Country Music Awards.
• NBC has a new Dateline at 7, followed by a marathon of The Office.
• At 8, The CW has the season finale of Everybody Hates Chris, then the series finale of Aliens in America and the season finale of The Game.
• FOX has the season finales of The Simpsons and King of the Hill at 8.
• History Channel has the special Indiana Jones and the Ultimate Quest at 8.
• TV Land has the M*A*S*H series finale at 8.
• Also at 8: Food Network has a new Challenge.
• At 8:55: Sci-Fi has the Indiana Jones-related documentary The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls.
• At 9, PBS has a new Masterpiece.
• There's a new episode of The Tudors on Showtime at 9, then a new This American Life.
• At 9:30, FOX has the season finale of American Dad.
• At midnight, Cartoon Network has a new Metalocalypse, followed by new episodes of Squidbillies and Assy McGee.

Check your local TV listings for more.

• At 7, CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by the season finale of Survivor and the Survivor Live Reunion Show.
• ABC has a new America's Funniest Home Videos at 7, then new episodes of Extreme Makeover, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters.
• NBC has the special America's Favorite Mom at 7, followed a mini-marathon of The Office.
• Also at 7: ABC Family has Mary Poppins, then the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
• At 8, FOX has a new Simpsons, then a new King of the Hill.
• There's a new Everybody Hates Chris on The CW at 8, followed by new episodes of Aliens in America and The Game.
• PBS has new episodes of Nature and Masterpiece.
• TNT has NBA Playoffs at 8.
• At 9, Sci-Fi has the new movie Never Cry Werewolf.
• Showtime has a new episode of The Tudors at 9, followed by a new This American Life.
• At 9:30, FOX has a new American Dad.
• At 10, Food Network has a new Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
• At 12:15am, Cartoon Network has a new Squidbillies, then a new Assy McGee.

Check your local TV listings for more.

• TNT has NBA playoff action all night.
• At 7, CBS has a new 60 Minutes, then new episodes of Big Brother and Cold Case, then an episode of Dexter.
• ABC has two new episodes of Extreme Makeover starting at 7, followed by new episodes of Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters.
• NBC has a new Dateline at 7, then new episodes of Monk and Psych.
• At 8, FOX has new episodes of The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Family Guy.
• There's a new Everybody Hates Chris on The CW at 8, then new episodes of Aliens in America and The Game.
• Nickelodeon has a new Zoey 101 at 8, then a new Dance on Sunset.
• Food Network has a new Challenge at 8.
• At 9, Sci-Fi has the new movie Infected.
• Showtime has a new episode of The Tudors at 9, followed by a new Tracey Ullman's State of the Union.
• At 10, Food Network has a new Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
• At 12:15am, Cartoon Network has a new Squidbillies.

Check your local TV listings for more.

Here are the weekly TV ratings, by number of viewers.

There's really nothing interesting about the ratings this week (American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, blah, blah, blah), except for the fact that ABC's Primetime got into the top 20 with their "What Would You Do?" special. That and the fact that FOX's 'Til Death is on the list.

The return of How I Met Your Mother made the top 20 too.

1. American Idol - Weds (FOX)
2. American Idol - Tues (FOX)

• At 7, CBS has a new 60 Minutes, then a new Big Brother.
• NBC has a new Dateline at 7.
• At 8, ABC has a new Extreme Makeover, then new episodes of Oprah's Big Give and Here Come The Newlyweds.
• The CW has a new Everybody Hates Chris at 8, followed by new episodes of Aliens in America and The Game.
• The first part of the Futurama movie 'Bender's Big Score' airs on Comedy Central at 8.
• Food Network has a new Ultimate Recipe Showdown at 8, then a new Iron Chef America.
• At 8:30, FOX has a new Unhitched (another new episode airs at 9:30).
• At 9, PBS has a new Masterpiece.
• There's a new Rock Of Love with Bret Michaels on VH-1 at 9.
• HBO has a new John Adams at 9.
• Also at 9: Showtime has a new L Word.
• At 10, FX has a new episode of Dirt.
• At 11:45, Cartoon Network has a new Aqua Teen Hunger Force, then new episodes of Squidbillies and Frisky Dingo.

Check your local TV listings for more.

Here are the weekly TV ratings, by number of viewers.

OK, OK, so we know that American Idol grabbed the top two slots again (get used to it). But I'm getting a little tired of putting a picture of AI on this post each and every week. Not because of any dislike for the show, but because it's the same old thing every week. So, above is a picture from the number 15 show, The New Adventures of Old Christine.

1. American Idol - Tues (FOX)
2. American Idol - Weds (FOX)

• At 7, CBS has a new 60 Minutes, then a new Big Brother.
• ABC has a new America's Funniest Home Videos at 7, followed by new episodes of Extreme Makeover, Oprah's Big Give, and Here Come The Newlyweds.
• NBC has 100 Most Outrageous Moments at 7.
• At 8, FOX has a new Simpsons, then a new King of the Hill.
• There's a new Everybody Hates Chris on The CW, followed by a new Aliens in America.
• Also at 8: TCM has The Absent-Minded Professor, then Son of Flubber.
• At 9, HBO has the series finale of The Wire at 9, then a new episode of Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam.
• Showtime has a new L Word at 9.
• Sundance has a new Shameless at 9.
• At 9:30, FOX has a new Unhitched.
• At 10, CBS has an episode of Dexter.
• Breaking Bad's season finale airs on AMC at 10.
• FX has a new Dirt at 10.
• At 11:45, Cartoon Network has a new Aqua Teen Hunger Force, followed by new eps of Squidbillies and Frisky Dingo.

Check your local TV listings for more.

Here are the weekly ratings, by number of viewers.

All of the usual suspects are here again this week: American Idol, Deal Or No Deal, Lost, and they're joined by Oprah's Big Give. It seems Oprah can do no wrong, and once she puts a TV show on the air we MUST WATCH IT (case in point: she also produced the number 9 show this week).

Interesting that both episodes of Back To You on FOX made the top 15 in the first week back after the strike, though coming on the same night as Idol can't hurt. Anyone know what Here Come The Newlyweds is? I distinctly remember typing that title in one of my "What's On Tonight" posts, but after that I forgot all about it.

1. American Idol - Tues (FOX)
2. American Idol - Weds (FOX)
3. American Idol - Thurs (FOX)
4. Oprah's Big Give (ABC)

• At 7, CBS has a new 60 Minutes, then The Grammy Awards.
• ABC has a new America's Funniest Home Videos, then new episodes of Extreme Makeover and Brothers and Sisters.
• There's a new CW Now on The CW at 7.
• At 8, PBS has a new Nature, then a new Masterpiece.
• Food Network has a new Challenge at 8, then new episodes of Iron Chef America and Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
• At 8:30, FOX has a new King of the Hill.
• At 9, HBO has a new episode of The Wire, then a new Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam.
• Showtime has a new L Word at 9.
• At 10, AMC has a new Breaking Bad.

Check your local TV listings for more.

• At 7, CBS has a new 60 Minutes, then a new Shark and the movie The Russell Girl.
• ABC has a new America's Funniest Home Videos at 7, then a new, two hour Extreme Makeover.
• NBC has Figure Skating at 7, then Guinness World Records: Top 100.
• At 8, FOX has a new Simpsons.
• The CW has a new Life is Wild at 8.
• TNT and TBS have The Screen Actor's Guild Awards at 8.
• At 9, PBS has a new Masterpiece.
• ESPN has coverage of the Winter X Games at 9.
• HBO has a new episode of The Wire at 9, followed by a new Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam.
• Also at 9: Showtime has a new The L Word.
• At 9:30, FOX has a new American Dad.
• At 10, Food Network has a new Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
• At 11:45, Cartoon Network has a new Aqua Teen Hunger Force, followed by new episodes of Squidbillies and Tim and Eric's Awesome Show, Great Job.

Check your local TV listings for more.

• FOX has the Packers/Giants game all night (starts at 6).
• ESPN has The Australian Open all night.
• At 7, CBS has the special The Age of Warming, followed by the season finale Amazing Race.
• NBC has a new, two hour Dateline at 7.
• Also at 7: The CW has a new CW Now.
• At 8, ABC has a new, two hour Extreme Makeover.
• The CW has a new Life is Wild at 8.
• At 9, NBC has a new Masterpiece.
• CNBC has the Detroit Auto Show All Access special at 9.
• Food Network has a new Iron Chef America at 9, then a new Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
• There's a new episode of The Wire on HBO at 9, followed by a new Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam.
• At 10. AMC has the season premiere of Breaking Bad.
• Showtime has a new L Word at 10.
• At midnight, AMC starts to run the first season of Mad Men again.

Check your local TV listings for more.

Here are the weekly TV ratings, by number of viewers.

Wow, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is really making an impact, eh? The first episode got over 18 million viewers! I don't know if that's because people were really excited about seeing what the pilot was like or because it was a benefit of the writers strike or a combo of both, but those are good numbers.

1. NFC Playoffs (FOX)
2. AFC Playoffs (CBS)
3. Allstate BCS National Game (FOX)
4. CSI (CBS)