Spotlight Show of the Night
Leverage (TNT, 10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central) – Technically this is the second episode of the series, but as the first one premiered over the weekend in a goofy time slot, this is where it really matters. And to make things easier, TNT is re-airing the pilot right before this episode at 9/8 Central. Leverage may be the best new series of the season, if the pilot is any indication. Timothy Hutton stars as a former insurance investigator turned ringleader to an eclectic group of thieves and criminals. How it all plays out is brilliantly conceived and the production values are top-notch. This is one slick-looking, adrenaline-racing beautifully executed “heist” show. If subsequent episodes can come close to touching the pilot which captured 5 million viewers, TNT has a hit on their hands … and deservedly so.
Beginnings, Endings & Specials
25iest: Bad Girls Gone Good (Oxygen, 11:00 p.m./10:00 p.m. Central) – This special spotlights female celebrities of a “bad girl” reputation who’ve since turned their lives around. Yes, it’s another one of those list shows with comedians and Z-list celebrities offering commentary and opinions.
Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force (A&E, 10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central) – The NY/NY Division of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force are tracked in this new docudrama. In the pilot a marshal initiates a hard target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse in his pursuit of a repeat drug trafficking and firearms possession fugitive.
Double Shot at Love (MTV, 10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central) – No Tila Tequila. This time around we have 24 contestants vying for the affection of a set of bisexual twins (Rikki and Vikki Ikki). I’d show you a picture of them, but I haven’t yet found one in which they’re not naked.
Sturgis: Motorcycle Mania (Discovery Channel, 10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central) – A look at the annual Sturgis Motorcyle Rally in SD, this special looks at both bike-building as well as stunt-riding.
X-Play: Best of 2008 Awards (G4, 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central) – For those of you who don’t watch G4, this is the former Tech TV, and the home for geek chic, and strange Japanese game shows and Ninja Warrior. But X-Play is video game central, and this special looks back at the year that was in video games, spotlighting the best of the best for X-BOX 360, Playstation 2/3, Nintendo Wii/DS and more!
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Dec 09, 2008 @ 18:36 EST5EDT
