Both ‘Riverman,’ ‘Clean’ have merit
Another serial-killer flick where the cop gets into the heads of the psychos? Or another home-makeover reality show?
Sounds like a miserable choice of new shows tonight, but each one has its good points.
“The Riverman,” on A&E at 8, tells the based-on-fact story of a cop who almost caught Ted Bundy and later sought the killer’s help in catching another one like him. In some ways it’s a dreary proposition — I mean, how many times have we seen this story? — but the good news is that Bruce Greenwood plays the cop and Carey Elwes is Bundy.
They’re both reliable and might lift this above the average.
Then, at 11 on Lifetime, you can dial up the debut of “How Clean Is Your House?,” a new reality show likely to have many viewers looking around the room uncomfortably. This is lifted from a British hit, but unlike many such occasions, the Brit hosts have been retained.
So the memorably unkind Kim Woodburn and Aggie Mackenzie will be pointing out the dust bunnies and cobwebs in the homes of their chosen victims. Good sadistic fun.
Highlights
College football, ABC at 5: Florida State at Miami.
“Still Standing,” CBS at 8: Brian and Lauren working together? Something is up. Repeat.
“North Shore,” Fox at 8: Fall premiere brings a big revelation.
Jason seeks to prove that Walter Booth had his father’s surf shop burned down, but that leads him and Nicole to a past connection in the older generation.
“Fear Factor,” NBC at 8: Former champs face tomato horn worms and a tractor-trailer/bicycle stunt.
“Yes, Dear,” CBS at 8:30: Wedding video causes family scrap. Repeat.
“Everybody Loves Raymond,” CBS at 9: Debra starts hanging out with the geezers at Frank’s lodge. Repeat.
“Renovate My Family,” Fox at 9: Time-period premiere features Chicago’s Rosier family, who want to create a better environment for Steven, a 17-year-old in a wheelchair.
“Hawaii,” NBC at 9: Gains infiltrates a bank-heist crew.
“Two and a Half Men,” CBS at 9:30: Alan is deathly ill, but Charlie needs him to make a foursome, so he drags him to the steam room. Repeat.
“CSI: Miami,” CBS at 10: Dead photographer may have seen something he shouldn’t have. Repeat.
“Last Comic Standing,” NBC at 10: Another elimination vote.
Family Fare
“7th Heaven,” WB at 8: Matt, who is trying to salvage his marriage, questions whether he still has feelings for ex-girlfriend Heather. Repeat.
“Everwood,” WB at 9: Ephram is on cloud nine after being accepted into Juilliard’s summer program, but then Amy shares her feelings for him and asks that he stay in Everwood for the summer. Repeat.
Cable Cast
“Serpico” (1973), AMC at 8: Al Pacino stars as the brave cop fighting corruption on the mean streets of the early 1970s in this classic Sidney Lumet drama.
“ESPN25: Silver Anniversary Special,” ESPN at 5: You’d think they’d cured cancer or something, the way they’re dragging out their 25th birthday party. Chris Berman hosts this latest installment.
“Wedding Daze,” Hallmark at 8: John Larroquette and Karen Valentine star as the parents of three brides in a movie I wouldn’t watch at gunpoint. And that’s before I heard French Stewart is in it, too.
Late Night Talk
“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Neve Campbell and music from Keane.
“Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” NBC at 11:35: Paris Hilton, Orlando Jones and Anita Baker.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.
“Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35: Kelsey Grammer, Mariska Hargitay and Lewis Black. Repeat.