Three good shows will force choice
The three best new shows of the weekend are on opposite each other, of course.
Sunday at 8, KSPS debuts the two-hour “A Thief of Time” as “An American Mystery! Special.” This new whodunit was adapted from one of Tony Hillerman’s best sellers about Navajo tribal cops Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee (Wes Studi and Adam Beach).
This time they’re digging into illegal archeological excavations in a case involving illegal artifact dealing and the usual Navajo spiritual matters. Also starring are Peter Fonda and Graham Greene.
At 9 on HBO, “Six Feet Under” airs an episode called “Can I Come Up Now?” David’s ex-fiance re-enters his life _ wonder why she was so lucky to land him just before he came out of the closet. Meanwhile, David’s boyfriend Keith’s new job sends him into the closet, Federico identifies with David’s past, and Claire decides to seize the day.
“The 4400,” premiering on USA Sunday at 9, has a simple and unnerving premise — of the thousands of people who’ve disappeared over the last century, many are suddenly returned.
But from where? They look as if they’d never left. What could it mean? Is it God’s hand at work? Aliens?
Needless to say, the government is concerned and investigates.
Peter Coyote and Michael Moriarty are the biggest names here, but the star appears to be Joel Gretsch as Tom Baldwin, one of the federal agents assigned to the case, whose nephew is one of the returnees. He must drive to solve the mystery while dealing with personal and professional complications resulting from the case.
The limited series comes from Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope productions.
Highlights
“The Amazing Race,” CBS tonight at 8: Repeat of this week’s compelling 90-minute season premiere of one of the few reality shows that’s not plain icky.
U.S. Olympic trials, NBC tonight at 8 and Sunday at 7: Track and field and swimming events, from Long Beach and Sacramento, Calif.
“Crime & Punishment,” NBC tonight at 9: Should a high school coach be classified as a sex offender? Followed at 9 by a repeat of “Las Vegas.”
“Saturday Night Live,” NBC tonight at 11:30: A best-of-Will-Ferrell episode, no doubt intended to capitalize on this weekend’s release of his “Anchorman” flick.
“60 Minutes,” CBS Sunday at 7: After months as rivals in the race for the Democratic nomination, Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards appear in this joint interview.
“King of the Hill,” Fox Sunday at 7: Bill and Luanne get jobs at Arlen’s hot new hair salon. Repeat.
“Malcolm in the Middle,” Fox Sunday at 7:30: Once again, “Oliver Beene” gets yanked off the schedule.
On “Malcolm” tonight, Hal and the boys take care of the baby. It’s a repeat.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” ABC Sunday at 8: A family whose home was ruined by a drunk driver gets a whole lot of help making it habitable again and then some. Repeat.
“The Simpsons,” Fox Sunday at 8: Homer tells the story of his first kiss. The question is, who was the chick? Repeat.
“Cold Case,” CBS Sunday at 8: Repeat reopening the 1973 murder of a cop.
“Arrested Development,” Fox Sunday at 8:30: George hears the magic words: conjugal visit! Repeat.
“The Great Domestic Showdown,” ABC Sunday at 9: Adam Carolla hosts a two-hour contest that finds six sub-Martha Stewart contestants trying to best each other at cooking, decorating and entertaining.
“The Simple Life 2,” Fox Sunday at 9: Repeat featuring the first installment of Paris and Nicole’s “Road Trip.”
“Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” NBC Sunday at 9: No sainthood for forgers! A repeat involving a churchgoing widow and a 19th-century martyr.
“Quintuplets,” Fox Sunday at 9:30: Repeat of the episode in which Dad gets a cell phone and tortures the kids over who gets to use it.
“Las Vegas,” NBC Sunday at 10: Is this on every night of the week this summer? Tonight’s repeat involves a gambling machine that’s paying out too much, plus guest shots by Cheryl Ladd and Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray.
Family Fare
“The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron,” Nick tonight at 8: Hourlong episode finds Jimmy and friends competing to save the Earth from destruction on an alien game show. Repeat from Friday night.
Cable Cast
“Old School” (2003), HBO tonight at 10: Will Ferrell is over-the-top fun as he and pals (Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson) try to recapture their glory days by starting their own frat.
“Missing,” Lifetime tonight at 10: Season premiere with Vivica A. Fox as a veteran missing-persons agent with a new partner (Caterina Scorsone). Former series star Gloria Reuben is gone.
Baseball, ESPN Sunday at 5: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals.
“The Medallion” (2003), HBO Sunday at 10: Jackie Chan stars as a slain Hong Kong crime-fighter who comes back to life with even more power to back up his badge.