Nuptial-based shows married to formula
Weddings are often associated with June. But TV sweeps come in May, so tonight seems to be bride night. And remember, these shows were on the schedule even before last week’s “runaway bride” news story.
Look for tear-stained rose petals on “Extreme Makeover: Wedding Edition” (10 p.m., ABC). The “Extreme” team has only three days to whip up a dream ceremony for groom Kyle Garlett, 33, a four-time cancer survivor currently awaiting a transplant to replace the heart destroyed by chemotherapy. He met his bride-to-be, Carrie Riordan, 29, when she was training for a charity run for the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society in 2002. Garlett’s medical expenses put their wedding plans on hold, until now.
Despite its spring schedule and California setting, the wedding spectacular will have a “Christmas in New York” theme, complete with a realistic recreation of the ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Center.
And, much like the prizes behind door number three on “Let’s Make a Deal,” this wedding just keeps on getting grander. Who is going to skate on that rink? Why, ice-skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi! The Kansas City Chiefs’ Tony Gonzalez and celebrity choreographer Cris Judd also show up. And, because every “Christmas in New York” theme wedding spectacular needs a singer, they’ve invited Liza Minnelli. She’s always good luck at weddings.
Shannon Elizabeth stars in the comedy “Confessions of an American Bride” (9 p.m., Lifetime) lampooning the quest for a “perfect” wedding. This slight comedic entree uses plenty of “Sex and the City”-style voiceovers and “Ally McBeal”-ish visual gags to distract viewers from a fairly familiar story.
Samantha (Elizabeth), a young advertising exec, is swept off her feet by her charming boyfriend, Ben (Eddie McClintock), only to develop second thoughts when she encounters an old crush (Geoff Stults). Her efforts to bury her feelings in planning the wedding backfire when her family of WASP stereotypes bickers with Ben’s family of Jewish stereotypes.
How hackneyed are some of the plot devices here? In an early scene, Ben woos Samantha by recreating the prom night she never had. Funny, that’s exactly what happens on tonight’s “One on One” (8 p.m., UPN). According a UPN press release, in this episode Flex tries to make amends with Danielle (Saskia Garel) by “recreating the prom she never got to attend.” They say imitation is the sincerest form of television, but this is ridiculous.
“The Carter Family: Will the Circle be Unbroken” on “American Experience” (9 p.m., KSPS) celebrates the seminal influence of country musicians A.P., Sara and Maybelle Carter, as well as the marital strains that divided them.
The Carter Family’s early Bristol, Tenn., recordings have been called the “big bang” that created country music. Maybelle’s self-taught guitar style, incorporating both chords and melody, also paved the way for generations of folk, country and rock balladeers.
Tonight’s other highlights
A much-needed vacation on “Nanny 911” (8 p.m., Fox).
Behind the drywall on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: How’d They Do That?” (8 p.m., ABC).
On two episodes of “Everybody Loves Raymond” (CBS), Ray can’t pick up after himself (8:30 p.m.), Amy’s mom’s big secret (9 p.m.).
The rejected women tell all on “The Bachelor” (9 p.m., ABC). According to my unscientific survey, they are the only people left who still care about “The Bachelor.”
A big spender (Jon Lovitz) and his girlfriend (Ashanti) arrive on “Las Vegas” (9 p.m., NBC ).
America holds its collective breath on “24” (9 p.m., Fox). We can be glad Chloe didn’t “go all fetal position” on us last week, though.
Series notes
Doug’s ulterior motives ruins a romantic mood on “King of Queens” (8 p.m., CBS) … Joe Rogan hosts “Fear Factor” (8 p.m., NBC)… Simon awaits his lab work on “7th Heaven” (8 p.m., WB).
Tiffany’s green eyes on “Cuts” (8:30 p.m., UPN).
Toni worries about Mom on “Girlfriends” (9 p.m., UPN) … Ephram mulls a move on “Everwood” (9 p.m., WB) … Alan’s serve on “Two and a Half Men” (9:30 p.m., CBS) … Dee Dee’s no no on “Half & Half” (9:30 p.m., UPN).