‘Rebel’ all about Richard Branson
If you think Donald Trump is the world’s most shameless self-promoting showboat tycoon, you stand corrected.
Richard Branson, a British billionaire and founder of Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic Airways and other enterprises, has created, hosts and dominates the screen time of “The Rebel Billionaire: Branson’s Quest for the Best” (8 p.m., Fox).
Much like on “The Apprentice,” Branson has assembled a team of photogenic would-be business leaders from a pool of thousands of applicants – presumably from modeling schools. But while the Trump show tests contestants with business-world tasks, Branson dares his acolytes to compete in “Fear Factor”-like feats.
In the first hour, they are challenged to walk across a platform between two hot-air balloons floating thousands of feet above the English countryside. Then, two unlucky souls who failed in that high-wire act must climb a 150-foot rope ladder to the very top of the balloon to join Sir Richard for a tea party at 10,000 feet.
While some of the scenery is nice, one is left with the distinct impression that this has little or nothing to do with business training or acumen and everything to do with keeping Sir Richard’s impish mug on camera at all times.
In fact, he stays on camera even in scenes when you can’t see his face.
The Rev. Al Sharpton hosts “I Hate My Job” (9 p.m., Spike), an eight-part career “makeover” show. “Hate” dares men in dead-end or unfulfilling occupations to see if they have what it takes to pursue their dreams.
Eight contestants are broken into two teams on the streets of Hollywood, where they must cajole stores and vendors to give them the clothes that fit their new aspirations. If “Hate” proves anything, it’s that stores display a great deal of generosity to beggars accompanied by TV camera crews.
After dressing for their dream job, each man has to perform on stage before Sharpton and a career coach. At the end of each episode, the Rev gives the contestants a little talk that combines tough love, encouragement and the often-poetic eloquence of a practiced preacher.
He really serves as a kind of Wizard of Oz to these men, showing at least some of them that they had the talent and power to follow their dream all along and only needed a little push in the right direction.
Other highlights
Brooks and Dunn host the 38th annual Country Music Association Awards (8 p.m., CBS).
The discovery of ancient weapons challenges long-established theories on “America’s Stone Age Explorers” on “Nova” (7p.m., KSPS).
Richard and Emily introduce Rory to a select circle on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., WB).
“Frontline” (9 p.m., KSPS) examines surprising new methods in marketing and advertising in “The Persuaders.”
Kyle MacLachlan guest-stars on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
A commuter faces a knife-wielding assailant on “NYPD Blue” (10 p.m., ABC).
A 30-year polka-festival tradition in Gibbon, Minn., is threatened by the sale of a dance hall in the documentary “Polka Time” on “Independent Lens” (10:30 p.m., KSPS).
Cult choice
Somebody had the bright idea to turn Dickens characters into dogs and cats in the 1988 feature-length cartoon “Oliver & Company” (8 p.m., Disney).
Series notes
Hitting the scales again and again on a 90-minute episode of “The Biggest Loser” (8 p.m., NBC) … Junior thinks about popping the question on “My Wife and Kids” (8 p.m., ABC) … Bobby Jr. can’t be found on “All of Us” (8 p.m., UPN).
Peer pressure on “George Lopez” (8:30 p.m., ABC) … Not so sweet revenge on “Eve” (8:30 p.m., UPN).
Ruby snubs Jim on “According to Jim” (9 p.m., ABC) … An expectant mother vanishes on “Veronica Mars” (9 p.m., UPN) … Slumber-party secrets on “One Tree Hill” (9 p.m., WB).
Julianna Margulies guest-stars as a malpractice attorney on “Scrubs” (9:30 p.m., NBC) … An impromptu visit from Mom on “Rodney” (9:30 p.m., ABC).