War’ looks at roaming reporters
Cooped up and essentially imprisoned, given no contact with the outside world!
Racing around the globe on their own and on the cheap, risking danger and often getting nowhere!
Yes, that could describe tonight’s CBS premieres of “Big Brother 5” and “The Amazing Race 5.” But it also describes the fates of reporters who rode along with the military during the Iraq War versus. reporters who went to battle independently in hopes of getting a better story.
Reporters embedded with front-line combat troops got an amazing window on the war. But many others were trapped in rear areas or stuck in some briefing room in Kuwait.
Tonight at 10 on KSPS, “P.O.V.” looks at reporters who chose to go “unilateral” and cover the war without U.S. military protection or military restrictions.
Filmmaker Esteban Uyarra’s “War Feels Like War” shows them to be a brave and crazy crew, chasing stories other media roared past in their Humvees, notably combat’s effect on Iraq’s civilians. They include the famous like P.J. O’Rourke and the unknown, but all must cope with what they see.
Highlights
ABC at 8: Two hours of sitcom reruns, with “8 Simple Rules,” “I’m With Her,” “According to Jim” and “Less Than Perfect.”
“Big Brother 5,” CBS at 8: Julie Chen returns once again to host the 90-minute season premiere of this dismally awful show in which a group of the most annoying people on the planet are forced to live in an ugly mock house on the CBS studio lot. Cameras catch their every move as they play stupid reality games and back-stab and bicker in ways that seem calculated to make them appear petty, stupid and sleazy.
But how do I really feel, you ask? To sum up: Blecch.
“The Bernie Mac Show,” Fox at 8: Bernie believes that he is the master of all pranks, but his family, neighbor Carl Reiner and even “Punk’d” king Ashton Kutcher teach him a lesson.
“Last Comic Standing,” NBC at 9: The Jay Mohr-hosted reality game that’s just for yuks.
“Method & Red,” Fox at 8:30: Repeat of last week’s episode, with guests Chaka Khan and Kenny Loggins?!
“The Jury,” Fox at 9: The jury must decide if a defendant (Thomas Guiry) is guilty of the aggravated sexual abuse of his 3-year-old neighbor. Is the child’s testimony believable?
“Amazing Race 5,” CBS at 9:30: Season premiere. This reality show is as good as “Big Brother” is bad.
The 90-minute premiere tonight introduces the two-person teams we’ll be following around the globe. Guts, brains and simple endurance are key.
The only downside: One of the teams is composed of a a former “Big Brother” inmate and her boyfriend. At least that gives us someone to root against. Phil Keoghan hosts.
“NYPD 24/7,” ABC at 10: Compared to almost everything else on ABC this week, this is a great show. A look at the duties and dangers faced by Sipowicz’s real-life counterparts.
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” NBC at 10: Repeat on the “down low.” When a Bronx assistant district attorney is found strangled in a compromising position, his private life becomes an issue.
Family Fare
“Gilmore Girls,” WB at 8: Stuck in Stars Hollow, Jess keeps running into Rory. Funny how that happens. Repeat.
“Summerland,” WB at 9: It’s the mandatory sex-talk episode. Derrick’s friend finds a naked picture of Ava and takes it home. And Bradin is thinking of going all the way.
Cable Cast
“Crossballs,” 7:30 on Comedy Central: Debut of a parody of “Hardball” and “Crossfire,” as if those shows aren’t self-parody already. For serious wonks only.
“Blow Out,” Bravo at 9: All is not harmonious in salonworld.