‘Runway’ returns for second season
Last year’s breakout reality series “Project Runway” (10 p.m. and 11 p.m., Bravo) returns for a second season with back-to-back episodes. And I’m pleased to announce that it doesn’t suffer from a sophomore slump.
I was a little worried that last season was a fluke, a product of too many memorable personalities. But unlike “The Apprentice,” which seems to get duller with each passing season, “Runway” picks up where it left off, presenting an addictive combination of high-strung ambition and the pressure of creating under a deadline.
If you love this show, you’ll have to catch both installments tonight. The second competition concludes with an emotional meltdown that borders on disturbing. In other words, perfect reality television.
The only thing I’ll say about the new group is that the 16 designers include one familiar face. Daniel Franco was the first to be eliminated last season. The self-assured and completely pretentious Franco returns for a chance at redemption. Is he a good designer or just a glutton for punishment? You’ll just have to tune in to find out.
On a similar theme, the new six-part weekly series “Going Hollywood” (9 p.m., TLC) follows three young interns trying to make it in the fantasy capital. And just to make it interesting, they will be working for production companies owned by producer Robert Evans, actor Kevin Spacey and hip-hop personality Method Man.
The best reality shows (like “Project Runway”) allow newcomers to become stars. It will be interesting to see if anyone can upstage Evans.
Host Joan Steffend joins First Lady Laura Bush on “The White House Christmas 2005” (8 p.m., HGTV). Bush provides a grand tour of the historic home, including the Blue Room, the State Dining Room and the East Room. She also shares her thoughts on the theme of this year’s festivities, the schedule of celebrations and receptions, and introduces viewers to the chefs, decorators, florists and volunteers who deck the halls at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Other highlights
Jon Voight stars in the second and concluding installment of the miniseries “Pope John Paul II” (8 p.m., CBS).
Sergeant Santa on “E-Ring” (8 p.m., NBC).
Tyra Banks hosts the finale of “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., UPN).
Hurley’s past may keep him out of the hatch on “Lost” (9 p.m., ABC).
Jury duty proves complicated on “Veronica Mars” (9 p.m., UPN).
Evidence suggests that a human spider was felled by a common mosquito on “CSI: NY” (10 p.m., CBS).
A ruined religious relic inspires homicide on “Law & Order” (10 p.m., NBC).
Risky romance imperils a mission on “Alias” (10 p.m., ABC).
Cult choice
An unfeeling dentist (Kirstie Alley) dies and is reincarnated as the Tooth Fairy in the 1997 made-for-cable comedy “Toothless” (8 p.m., Disney).
Series notes
Spying on Donna on “That ‘70s Show” (8 p.m., Fox) … Needless comparisons on “George Lopez” (8 p.m., ABC) … Defending Dan on “One Tree Hill” (8 p.m., WB) … Mightier than the sword on “Stacked” (8:30 p.m., Fox) … Budget battles on “Freddie” (8:30 p.m., ABC) … Video wars on “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” (9 p.m., NBC) … Parallel wives on “Trading Spouses” (9 p.m., Fox) … Party time on “Related” (9 p.m., WB).
Late night
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antony and the Johnsons appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Tommy Lee Jones, Sarah Silverman and Diana Krall on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Paula Abdul, Balthazar Getty and Faith Evans appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:05 a.m., ABC) … Colin Hanks and Coldplay chat on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts John Malkovich, Dave Foley and Kyle Cease on “The Late, Late Show” (12:37 a.m., CBS).