‘20/20’ focuses on Barbara Walters
It’s a piece of TV history.
Tonight at 9, ABC offers “25 on 20/20,” a two-hour special celebrating Barbara Walters’ quarter-century in the anchor chair she’s about to vacate.
Expect the show to feature tons of the newsmaker and celeb interviews that were her trademark.
The ABC release doesn’t specify exactly who, but they’re offering pictures of her with Fidel Castro and Vladimir Putin, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Christopher Reeve.
So this is all about gravitas, but don’t be surprised if you find a few younger and hotter star types in the mix, too.
Highlights
“Big Brother 5,” CBS at 8: Reality TV at its most loathsome and petty.
“The Complex: Malibu,” Fox at 8: The five remaining couples will compete in another project and find out who makes the final four.
Followed by a repeat of this week’s “The Next Great Champ.”
“Dateline,” NBC at 8: Dateline tells the story of seven people who were murdered in a Chicago chicken restaurant over a decade ago and reveals how DNA may provide an answer to the murder mystery.
“What I Like About You,” WB at 8: Season premiere. After a summer in Paris, Holly (Amanda Bynes) returns home with Ben (David de Lautour), a handsome British musician who has stolen her heart.
What are Vince and Henry going to do?
“Grounded for Life,” WB at 8:30: Season premiere. Mila Kunis (Jackie of “That ‘70s Show”) guests as Brad’s space-camp buddy, who has become something more. And then Brad finds out Lily forgot to mention her little thing with Mocha Joey, the coffee shop boy.
“Joan of Arcadia,” CBS at 9: Is Joan really talking to God, or is it only the Lyme disease? Repeat.
“Third Watch,” NBC at 9: Season premiere has guest-star Gene Simmons of KISS returning as a psycho mob boss bent on revenge for his son’s death, leading to a gun battle at the hospital.
“Reba,” WB at 9: Season premiere. Reba (Reba McEntire) finds herself in the middle of one of Brock (Christopher Rich) and Barbra Jean’s (Melissa Peterman) fights once again, but this time the odds have been raised as Barbra Jean considers calling it quits on their marriage and declares Reba her inspiration.
Followed at 8:30 by a repeat of Thursday night’s “Blue Collar TV.”
“CSI,” CBS at 10: Serial murderer suspects are found dead. Now there’s a puzzling twist.
“Medical Investigation,” NBC at 10: Four veterans of the recent Gulf War fall victim to a lethal pulmonary disease that has Connor suspecting Gulf War syndrome — until elderly residents of a nursing home start dying from the same symptoms.
Family Fare
“The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000), Disney Channel at 8: David Spade and John Goodman lead the voice cast of this animated tale. Repeats at 9:30.
Cable Cast
Baseball, ESPN at 4: Teams to be announced. Or there’s a Connecticut at Boston College football game on ESPN2 at 5.
“Jackie Brown” (1997), Bravo at 8: We’ll take this Elmore Leonard adaptation by Quentin Tarantino over that “Kill Bill” (2003 and 2004) nonsense anytime. Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Forster star.
“Stargate SG-1,” Sci Fi at 9: Investigating the disappearance of the Stargate. Repeats at 11.
“Stargate Atlantis,” Sci Fi at 10: Facing “The Storm.” Repeats at midnight.
Late Night Talk
“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Former President Bill Clinton and musical guest Natalie Merchant. Repeat.
“Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” NBC at 11:35: Selma Blair, Oliver Hudson and musical guests Crosby & Nash.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Charlie Sheen.
“Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” CBS at 12:35.
“Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35: Drew Barrymore and Emo Phillips.