TV Daily

Salon’s guide to what to watch

Prime Pick

TV Daily

ABC/Adam Larkey

Sure, "Dancing With the Stars" (sixth season premieres 8 p.m. EDT on ABC) may not exactly constitute required viewing, but the show's premiere always offers the mesmerizing spectacle of those first frightening trips to the dance floor. This season, jokester Adam Carolla and giant Penn Jillette should provide a serious volume of impromptu witticisms -- but will they know how to dance? Oscar-winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin can't hear the music but apparently can feel the beat -- but can she dance? If this weren't just a popularity contest, our money would be on Olympic gold-winning skater Kristi Yamaguchi (history of performing gracefully under pressure). But with America voting, we're guessing Carolla and Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor will go far.

Also…

A new episode of nerd sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" airs at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS. Teen reality competition "America's Prom Queen" premieres at 9 p.m. EDT on ABC Family, while the Michael Moore-critiquing documentary "Manufacturing Dissent" airs at 9 p.m. EDT on Sundance. "The Bachelor" premieres at 9:32 p.m. EDT on ABC, while Paul receives some shocking news on "In Treatment" (9:30 p.m. EDT on HBO).

Friday night

What did you think of "The Return of Jezebel James" on Friday? Go here to discuss.

On the talk shows

Regis and Kelly

ABC, 9 a.m. EDT
Ben Affleck, Katie Holmes, Finger Eleven, Taye Diggs

The View

ABC, 11 a.m. EDT
TBA

Ellen DeGeneres

Syndicated, check local listings
Sheryl Crow, Minnie Driver, the latest "American Idol" castoff

Oprah Winfrey

Syndicated, check local listings
TBA

Charlie Rose

PBS, check local listings
Robin Wright, Thomas Keller

Larry King

CNN, 9 p.m. EDT
TBA

Jon Stewart

Comedy Central, 11 p.m. EDT
TBA

Stephen Colbert

Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. EDT
Susan Jacoby

David Letterman

CBS, 11:30 p.m. EDT
Rainn Wilson, Bell X1

Jay Leno

NBC, 11:35 p.m. EDT
Kate Beckinsale, Carlos Mencia, the Bravery

Tavis Smiley

PBS, check local listings
TBA

Jimmy Kimmel

ABC, 12:05 a.m. EDT
Martin Lawrence, Judy Greer (repeat)

Conan O'Brien

NBC, 12:35 a.m. EDT
Martha Stewart, Lance Krall, Billy Bragg

Craig Ferguson

CBS, 12:35 a.m. EDT
Ray Romano, Kate Flannery

Contributors: Molly Eichel, Heather Havrilesky, Amy Reiter, Charly Wilder

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