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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Heiress’ follows time-worn plot

Kevin Mcdonough United Feature Syndicate

Is there any story more enduring (or cliché) than that of the damsel in distress?

The new series “American Heiress” (8 p.m., MY Network) stars Alicia Leigh Willis as Elizabeth, the baby of the megabucks Wakefield family. When her plane goes down over the jungle of Guatemala, she must rely on Capt. J.D. Bruce (Carter MacIntyre) for survival.

Will dependence lead to love? I’ll never tell.

Look for Theresa Russell (whose credits include, oddly enough, both “Black Widow” and “Spider-Man 3”) as Elizabeth’s gold-digging ex-stepmother.

Former professional wrestler Bill Goldberg hosts “Bullrun” (10 p.m., Spike), a reality variation on a competitive cross-country road race. A dozen teams of paired drivers will roar across the fruited plain in cars ranging from exotic foreign sports models to vintage muscle vehicles from the golden age of STP stickers.

At least the cars are interesting.

If the three-minute teaser made available for review is any indication, this is a cavalcade of cursing drivers, roaring engines and high-octane reality-TV hissy fits.

Other highlights

If the predators caught on “Dateline” (8 p.m., NBC) watched “Dateline,” would they still walk into its trap?

The final 12 perform and compete on “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox).

A besotted lunch at a college weekend on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., CW).

A rescue from a cult turns tricky on “The Unit” (9 p.m., CBS).

A teen’s murder reveals a steamy past on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (9 p.m., NBC).

Scheduled on “Primetime” (9 p.m., ABC): outsiders.

“The Final Report” (9 p.m., National Geographic) looks at the 1992 shootings at Ruby Ridge.

A possible case of friendly fire on “CSI” (10 p.m., CBS).

Choreography can be murder on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).

Shirley negotiates with her abductor on “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC).

The fake breasts of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” (10 p.m., Bravo) go into hiding after tonight’s season finale.

“Costas Now” (10 p.m., HBO) looks at college sports.