manswers

"America's Next Top Model" (8 p.m., The CW): More supermodel wannabes compete for Tyra Banks' love.

"Back to You" (8 p.m., Fox): Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier") and Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond") form a squabbling news anchor team in the hysterical new sitcom "Back to You." Grammer's character is returning to Pittsburgh after blowing it big time in a major market and his on-screen partner isn't exactly welcoming him with open arms.

"Kid Nation" (8 p.m., CBS): Until a few weeks ago, "Kid Nation" was destined to be just another reality show sliding under the radar in primetime. But when questions about the show's production brought claims of illegal child labor practices and a lawsuit, "Nation" became a media curiosity. It has also emerged as one of the most-anticipated shows of the fall, for better or worse. At the very least, "Nation" (premiering tonight) has generated unanticipated buzz, which, usually, is good news for opening night. That typically means the curious will tune to the show just to see what the fuss is all about. "Nation" puts 40 overachieving children, ranging between ages 8 to 15, in a deserted town for 40 days. The idea is to see how the children will create their own community without adult supervision. Outstanding achievers in the all-child community are awarded real gold stars, worth around $20,000. The children select who gets the star each week. Children who did not want to stay
were free to leave at any point, the producers say. Though adults were not part of the on-screen production, they were around nonetheless, the producers say.

"Seeing in the Dark" (8 p.m., PBS): Now turn your eyes skyward for "Seeing in the Dark," a rhapsodic sight-and-sound odyssey into the night sky. Produced, written and narrated by Timothy Ferris (and based on his book of the same name), the film is meant to lure newcomers into stargazing, and to hear from a few of those already in its thrall. Shot in high-def, the film features never-before-seen astronomical photography and special effects as well as an original score by Mark Knopfler and Guy Fletcher. It interweaves themes of music, the stars, and the stark contrast between the brief span of human lifetimes and the vastness of the cosmos, where a backyard stargazer equipped with nothing more than binoculars can see light older than the human species. Says Ferris: "Astronomy, with its spectacular visual qualities and its relevance to enduring questions about the origin and evolution of the universe, has long been a gateway to science." His film is a gateway to astronomy.

"Kitchen Nightmares" (9 p.m., Fox): Fresh from his reign in "Hell's Kitchen," Gordon Ramsay visits struggling U.S. restaurants. This unscripted series will follow the chef as he tries to help restaurant owners concoct their own recipes for success. In the first episode, it's the always-fiery Ramsay vs. the hot-tempered head of a small Italian eatery.

"Gossip Girl" (9 p.m., The CW): What happens when you take "The O.C.," transplant it to the East Coast and toss in a bunch of privileged prep-school brats? You get "Gossip Girl," an edgy new teen soap based on the popular series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar.

"MANswers" (midnight, Spike TV): Two comedians give viewers insight into what men think in sketches and other bits.

By TERRY MORROW
Scripps Howard News Service
Thursday, September 13, 2007

Until a few weeks ago, "Kid Nation" was destined to be just another reality show sliding under the radar in primetime.

But when questions about the show's production brought claims of illegal child labor practices and a lawsuit, "Nation" became a media curiosity. It has also emerged as one of the most anticipated shows of the fall, for better or worse.

At the very least "Nation" (premiering 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, CBS) has generated unanticipated buzz, which, usually, is good news for opening night. That typically means the curious will tune to the show just to see what the fuss is all about.

"Nation" puts 40 overachieving children, ranging between the ages of 8 to 15, in a deserted town for 40 days. The idea is to see how the children will create their own community without adult supervision.

Outstanding achievers in the all-child community are awarded real gold stars, worth around $20,000. The children select who gets the star each week.

Children who did not want to stay were free to leave at any point, the producers say.

Though adults were not part of the on-screen production, they were around nonetheless, the producers say. The show provided counselors, doctors and other emergency aid workers, just in case things got out of hand.

They also say the children set their own schedules. They could go to bed and wake up when they wanted.

Critics of the show say the production schedule, which filmed the children at all hours, may have infringed on child labor laws in New Mexico, where the series was shot.

The town itself is not quite what it seems. It has been used before as backdrops for movie and television productions.

"It's surprising and inspiring to see how these kids handle the theme of every episode: religion, politics, economics, arts and entertainment, pollution," says producer Jonathan Karsh.

"They know a lot about these subjects, more than I ever expected of a 9-year-old to know about or than I knew when I was 9 years old. And they have solutions that a lot of us can't figure out. And that was fascinating to me."

Other highlights for the week of Sept. 16-22 (All times EDT; check local listings):

SUNDAY, Sept. 16

-- "Primetime Emmy Awards" (8 p.m. Fox). Ryan Seacrest is the host. "The Sopranos" and "The Office" are among the major nominees.

MONDAY, Sept. 17

-- "Deal or No Deal" (8 p.m. NBC). Howie Mandel's game show is back to try and finally give away $1 million.

-- "K-Ville" (9 p.m. Fox). Anthony Anderson plays a law enforcer working the mean streets of post-Katrina New Orleans.

TUESDAY, Sept. 18

-- "Beauty & The Geek" (8 p.m. CW). A new edition brings another new twist -- a hunky dude and a geeky girl.

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 19

-- "Back to You" (8 p.m. Fox). Kelsey Grammer plays a preening broadcaster who is forced to start over at the bottom again. It's "Frasier" in a TV newsroom.

-- "America's Next Top Model" (8 p.m. CW). More supermodel wannabes compete for Tyra Banks' love.

-- "Kitchen Nightmares" (9 p.m. Fox). Gordon Ramsey tries to save failing restaurants with his gentle touch. Well, it's more like a ramming fist.

-- "Come Rain or Come Shine: From Grey's Anatomy to Private Practice" (9 p.m. ABC). Get your pad and pencil for this primer on Addison from "Grey's Anatomy."

-- "Gossip Girl" (9 p.m. CW). Teens smoke, drink and do naughty things in this drama based on the hit book series.

-- "MANswers" (midnight, Spike TV). Two comedians give viewers insight into what men think in sketches and other bits.

THURSDAY, Sept. 20

-- "Survivor: China" (8 p.m. CBS). No wonder the rest of the world hates us so much these days.

FRIDAY, Sept. 21