Watch It: Here are some highlights of what to watch on TV this week:
MONDAY
8 PM on Channel 17
Antiques Roadshow
In the second new episode airing from San Diego, host Mark L. Walberg and appraiser Rafael Eledge meet aboard the USS Midway to discuss how the cutlass, a 19th-century sailor's sidearm, evolved. In other highlights, an 18th-century ivory carved creche may prove to be worth 30 times what the owner paid for it, while another visitor to the Roadshow brings a lovingly preserved banner from George Washington's inaugural ball. (G)
8 PM on Channel 29
Human Target
Chance (Mark Valley) and the team protect a man (guest star Todd Grinnell) who suspects his wife is a Russian spy who is plotting to murder him to obtain classified government secrets. Ames (Janet Montgomery) tries to keep a secret of her own from Chance in the new episode "Kill Bob." Lauren German also guest stars; Chi McBride and Jackie Earle Hailey also star. (14)
9 PM on HISTORY
American Pickers
Ah, the unexpected perils of picking! While checking out potential finds on a Tennesse farm, Mike and Frank find themselves in a high-risk situation when they are chased by a crazy emu. Frank Wolfe gives the guys a golden lead on a Schwinn bicycle and two rare BB guns. Frank and Mike surprise an old friend and Nashville set designer who sells them an old dentist chair in the new episode "Emu Chase." (PG)
9 PM on ESPN
College Basketball
A long-standing rivalry known as the Lonestar Showdown gets another chapter tonight in College Station, where the Texas A&M Aggies host their Big 12 adversaries in the Texas Longhorns. Sophomore swingman Jordan Hamilton leads the attack for the Longhorns, at this writing the 14th-ranked team in the nation, while second-year forward Khris Middleton is the top scorer for the No. 13 Aggies. This is the first meeting between these teams this season.
9 PM on LIFETIME
Movie: Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story
This harrowing docudrama chronicles Tiffany Rubin's (Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") risky 2008 rescue of her son (Drew Davis) after the 6-year-old boy's biological father (Sean Baek) kidnaps him from his Queens, N.Y., home and flies him to Seoul, South Korea. Her mission is supported by Mark Miller (Terry O'Quinn, "Lost") of the American Association for Lost Children. Beverly Todd co-stars. (PG)
11 PM on LIFETIME
Beyond the Headlines: The Tiffany Rubin Story
The real-life Tiffany Rubin, whose story is recounted in "Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story," gives her personal account of the exhausting and dangerous rescue she undertook in 2008 after her son, Kobe, was kidnapped and taken to South Korea by her ex-boyfriend, the boy's biological father. (PG)
TUESDAY
6 AM on TCM
Movie: Eskimo
An Eskimo family finds adventure and daunting challenges when it begins an odyssey beset by stormy weather. Edgar Dearing, Peter Freuchen and Edward Hearn star in this 1933 drama directed by W.S. Van Dyke. The winner for best editing at the 1934 Oscars, "Eskimo" kicks off the 2011 edition of TCM's annual "31 Days of Oscar" programming event.
9 PM on Channel 23
Hellcats
To raise money for sectionals, the Hellcats throw a party with 3OH!3 to launch their calendar fundraiser. Urged by Wanda (Gail O'Grady), Savannah (Ashley Tisdale) tells her mother (guest star Teryl Rothery) about Charlotte (guest star Emma Lahanna). Marti (Aly Michalka) breaks into Bill Marsh's (guest star Aaron Douglas) office, hoping to clear Travis' (guest star Ben Cotton) name, but finds someone else already there in the new episode "Worried Baby Blues." (14)
9 PM on Channel 7
V
After three Peace Ambassadors are murdered by the radical faction of the Fifth Column, Erica (Elizabeth Mitchell) pursues their leader, a former Mossad agent (guest star Oded Fehr, "Sleeper Cell"). Anna (Morena Baccarin) visits the Vatican in a gambit to convince the world's religious leaders that the Visitors are peaceful in the new episode "Unholy Alliance." Jay Karnes and Jane Badler also guest star; Morris Chestnut and Joel Gretsch also star. (14)
10 PM on DISCOVERY
Auction Kings
From 19th-century vampire-hunting kits to jewel-encrusted gold pencils, this show takes a rare look at objects that come up for auction at storied auction house Gallery 63 and offer insight into history. The season finale features a 1946 Willys Jeep, a Rock-Ola jukebox and a Ouija board. (PG)
10 PM on LIFETIME
One Born Every Minute
No, it's not a mean-spirited reality show aimed at setting up and mocking "suckers." Instead, this new one-hour unscripted series takes viewers behind the scenes in a maternity ward, as cameras track the expectant mothers' final stage of pregnancy from checking in at the front desk all the way into the delivery room. (PG)
WEDNESDAY
8 PM on Channel 29
American Idol
Veteran judge Randy Jackson and newbies Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler continue their quest to find potential musical superstars as they sit through more auditions by both the talented and the delusional among "Idol" aspirants in the new episode "Auditions No. 5." Ryan Seacrest hosts. Another episode airs Thursday. (PG)
9 PM on HISTORY
Bigfoot: The Definitive Guide
A team of scientists focuses on answering such questions as whether this elusive creature even exists and if it does, where is it, and how can it evade detection so consistently? Using a new interactive map, the team examines global hot spots and searches for explanations of Bigfoot, including new theories that suggest people may have been looking for the wrong creature all along. (PG)
9 PM on Channel 17
NOVA
Host David Pogue looks at new "green" materials that will build and power the devices of the future. Included are batteries grown from viruses, plastics made of sugar and solar cells that cook up hydrogen in the new episode "Making Stuff: Making Stuff Cleaner." (PG)
10 PM on TCM
Movie: Terms of Endearment
Thanks to the skills of filmmaker James L. Brooks, 1983's Oscar-winning best picture is a beautifully structured mix of laughs and tears. Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger play Aurora and Emma, a mother and daughter with a roller-coaster relationship. Brooks won Academy Awards for writing and directing; acting honors went to MacLaine and co-star Jack Nicholson, who plays her retired-astronaut neighbor and eventual beau.
10 and 11 PM and Midnight on BRAVO
Top Chef
Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi -- because when you think fine cuisine, you think Mizrahi, right? -- is the judge for the quickfire challenge, but here's why: For the first time in "Top Chef" history, the dishes are judged strictly on plating and presentation, not how they taste. Then Lorraine Bracco ("The Sopranos") returns as a guest judge as the cheftestants prepare a traditional three-course Italian meal in the new episode "An Offer They Can't Refuse." (14)
THURSDAY
8 PM on Channel 23
The Vampire Diaries
Johnathan Gilbert's (guest star David Anders) return to Mystic Falls doesn't thrill Elena, Jenna and Damon (Nina Dobrev, Sara Canning, Ian Somerhalder). At Caroline's (Candice Accola) urging, Stefan (Paul Wesley) reaches out to a conflicted Tyler (Michael Trevino). Bonnie (Katerina Graham) has a disturbing conversation with Jonas (guest star Randy Goodwin). Jules (guest star Michaela McManus) takes a hostage in the new episode "Daddy Issues."
9 PM on Channel 23
Nikita
Alex and Nikita (Lyndsy Fonseca, Maggie Q) plot to derail Alex's first mission, the assassination of the prince of Georgia. Unfortunately, Nikita puts her trust in the wrong person, foiling their plan and causing Division to be alerted to her whereabouts. Percy (Xander Berkeley) sends in Michael (Shane West) to kill her in the new episode "Coup de Grace." (14)
10 and 11 PM on FX
Archer
Wiped out financially in a Ponzi scheme, Malory (voice of Jessica Walter) hatches a shady gambit of her own to sell ISIS -- all of it -- to chief rival ODIN. That leaves Archer (voice of H. Jon Benjamin) and his colleagues, who justifiably worry about their job security, ready to use every trick in the book to stop the sale in the new episode "A Going Concern." (MA)
FRIDAY
8 PM on Channel 29
Kitchen Nightmares
Chef Ramsay travels to Queens to help the inexperienced husband-and-wife owners of PJ's Steakhouse, an eatery intended to preserve the memory of a departed brother. Unfortunately, inconsistent food, indifferent service and a chef who is not in the mood to cooperate may sink this labor of love -- and when Ramsay makes startling discoveries about how the restaurant is being operated, he makes some tough changes. (14)
8:30 PM on SHOWTIME
Movie: Still Bill
Rare live performances highlight this documentary portrait of musician Bill Withers, the singer-songwriter who walked away from stardom 25 years ago in his 40s, yet whose songs -- which include "Lean on Me," "Lovely Day," "Just the Two of Us," "Use Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine" -- remain popular today.
9 PM on Channel 23
Supernatural
Sam (Jared Padalecki) starts having flashbacks to a case he worked on with Samuel (Mitch Pileggi) before he reconnected with Dean (Jensen Ackles). The brothers follow coordinates Sam received in a mysterious text message to a small town where Sam used to live, and Dean is surprised at what the townspeople have to tell him in the new episode "Unforgiven."
10:30 PM on FX
Movie: Hellboy II: The Golden Army
This slightly belated fantasy-adventure sequel turns out to have been worth the wait. It boasts the visual flourish of "Pan's Labyrinth" filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro, who keeps the unusual sights coming as the bizarre but well-meaning Hellboy (heavily made-up returnee Ron Perlman) opposes other strange beings and their pursuit of power. Selma Blair ("Kath & Kim") and Doug Jones also are back.
SATURDAY
6:15 PM on TCM
Movie: Father of the Bride
Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy) has a hard time giving away his daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor), for emotional and financial reasons, in the 1950 version of this comedy. Stanley's wife, Ellie (Joan Bennett), tries to keep him on an even keel as their offspring's wedding plans irritate him. Don Taylor plays the other Taylor's intended.
9 PM on SHOWTIME
Movie: A Single Man
Colin Firth earned bountiful critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for director-screenwriter (and fashion world veteran) Tom Ford's drama, based on the Christopher Isherwood novel about a college professor facing life without his suddenly deceased partner (Matthew Goode). Despite her own troubles, a friend (Julianne Moore) lends support, and one of the teacher's students (Nicholas Hoult, "About a Boy") displays uncommon interest.
10 PM on TCM
Movie: Gandhi
This 1982 film garnered eight Academy Awards, including the prize for best picture, on its way to becoming one of the most respected films of all time. Richard Attenborough, who took home the Oscar for best director, weaves the incredible story of Mahatma Gandhi, the lawyer and pacifist who led India to independence. A true 20th-century hero, Gandhi overcame tremendous obstacles in his quest to gain India's freedom from imperialist Great Britain.
SUNDAY
2:30 PM on Channel 7
NBA Basketball
Eastern Conference rivals meet at Boston's TD Garden for a rematch of their Christmas Day contest, won by the Magic 86-78 in Orlando. That game saw the Magic's Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson snap a 14-game winning streak held by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal and the Celtics. The Magic came back from 10 points down at halftime, thanks mostly to Nelson's hot shooting in the final minutes.
6 PM on Channel 29
NFL Football
Two of the more storied franchises in NFL history meet today at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, where the Pittsburgh Steelers meet the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers are certainly no strangers to the big game, having won two in the past five years, and as a franchise they own six titles. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls, in 1967 and '68 -- or about 15 years before their current quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, was born.
8 PM on TCM
Movie: Sunrise
German director F.W. Murnau ("Nosferatu") helmed this 1927 silent film in which a woman from the city (Margaret Livingston) seduces a guileless farmer (George O'Brien) into a plot to kill his wife (Janet Gaynor). Gaynor won an Oscar as best actress for her performance in this film, as well as "Seventh Heaven" and "Street Angel," since at that time the acting awards were given for a performer's entire body of work during the course of the year.
9 PM on HBO and 10 PM on HBO
Big Love
Worried by the groundswell of anti-polygamist sentiment, Bill (Bill Paxton) fights for his right to be sworn in as senator. Barb's (Jeanne Tripplehorn) high-profile appearance at a First Ladies' fashion show stirs tensions among the three sister wives. Nicki (Chloe Sevigny) lobbies for Cara Lynn's (Cassi Thomson) adoption. Lois (Grace Zabriskie) learns the source of her ailment in the new episode "The Oath." (14)
9 PM on SHOWTIME and 12 AM on SHOWTIME
Californication
Charlie (Evan Handler) is stunned to discover his vasectomy was botched, which means Marcy's (Pamela Adlon) baby could be his. Hank's (David Duchovny) relationship with attorney Abby (guest star Carla Gugino) gets more personal, but a compromising photo stemming from a good deed could ruin his life. Natascha McElhone also stars in the new episode "Freeze Frame." (MA)
9:30 PM on SHOWTIME
Episodes
Matt (Matt LeBlanc) invites Sean and Morning (Stephen Mangan, Mircea Monroe) to a charity event, where Sean is stunned to discover his attraction to the beautiful actress is reciprocated. Beverly and Carol (Tamsin Greig, Katherine Rose Perkins) get stoned and commiserate about the men in their lives. (MA)
10 PM on SHOWTIME and 11 PM on SHOWTIME
Shameless
Never ones to ignore a lucrative gambit, the Gallaghers scheme a fake wedding when they learn that Kev's (Steve Howey) new fiancee comes with a hefty dowry. Frank (William H. Macy) gets bad medical news and responds, as usual, by spinning totally out of control. Fiona (Emmy Rossum) goes along for the ride as Steve (Justin Chatwin) looks for a new car in the new episode "Three Boys." (MA)
10 PM on TCM
Movie: Wings
A must for movie buffs because it won the first Academy Award for best picture, this 1927 drama stars "It Girl" Clara Bow and Charles "Buddy" Rogers and Richard Arlen as two friends who woo her. The guys are in the World War I Air Corps, and the flight scenes are breathtaking.
11 PM on Channel 17
Nancy Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime
To the casual observer, Nancy Reagan may have looked like the very traditional American first lady, dutifully and dotingly deferring to her presidential hubby, but historians are coming around to the notion that Reagan was one of the most influential first ladies in modern times. The hourlong profile of Reagan covers both her domestic side and the far-reaching impact she had behind the scenes on personnel and policy issues. (G)