‘Crosswords’ offers challenge

Mon., Sept. 10, 2007

Kevin Mcdonough United Feature Syndicate

Unlike many game shows that seem to get dumber as the prize amounts grow ever higher, the new series “Merv Griffin’s Crosswords” (5:30 p.m., KSKN) demands that players think quickly on their feet.

When it begins, “Crosswords” seems closer to Scrabble, with players filling in the letter blanks for individual words. Most words garner a reward of between $100 and $300.

But as they progress, the words form connections, and the puzzle takes shape. After a winner is declared, he or she gets to complete the full puzzle in a lightning round for a bonus prize of $2,000.

Yikes. Players on “Millionaire” seem to win that just for tying their shoes.

Soap star and host Ty Treadway is perfectly pleasant in an unobtrusive way.

Like “Jeopardy,” another Griffin production, “Crosswords” will appeal to game-show buffs eager to give their gray matter a workout. Unlike “Jeopardy,” this new show lacks a catchy theme song.

The probing documentary “Falling Man” (9 p.m., Discovery Times) recalls one of the most powerful photographs to emerge from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 – that of a victim descending to his death from the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Sitcoms new and old come and go. “My Boys” (10 p.m., TBS) ends its first bifurcated season with back-to-back episodes.

Nick-at-Nite, the convalescent home for sitcoms past, welcomes “George Lopez” (10 p.m.) to its lineup.

TV Land celebrates the 35th anniversary of the “Bob Newhart Show” with a four-hour, eight-episode marathon (8 p.m.).

And fans can enjoy an eight-hour “Malcolm in the Middle” marathon (noon, FX).

Other highlights

On back-to-back episodes of “Prison Break” (8 p.m., Fox), time to stop T-bag (8 p.m.) and take on Mahone (9 p.m.).

The eight-episode series “Sin City Law” (9 p.m., Sundance) revisits four recent trials in Las Vegas.

Hiro’s sword heist goes awry on “Heroes” (9 p.m., NBC).

Larry King, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Dominick Dunne and Rikki Klieman guest-star on “The Closer” (9 p.m., TNT).

Anthony Bourdain travels to Argentina on “No Reservations” (10 p.m., Travel).

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