TV Daily

Prime Pick

Photo: CBS

Finally bored with filming on tropical islands, CBS is exploring uncharted territory with "Survivor: China" (premieres 8 p.m. EDT), filming in a country that isn't exactly popular among Hollywood location scouts. The CBS promos gush about sending the "Survivor" cast and crew to "the most mysterious place on Earth," a place where "the modern world collides with 5,000 years of ancient history." (Hey, doesn't that happen here, too?) But won't there be the same old obstacle courses and puzzles, just set in a different, slightly less convenient location? Host Jeff Probst told reporters that the setting provided inspiration for new challenges. (Maybe players have to navigate a coal mine, or chip lead paint off children's toys.) Probst also said that instead of sending one opponent to Exile Island, winning teams will get to kidnap one member of the other team to ply him or her for information. But the best innovation of all? Players were given Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" for inspiration on spying and manipulation. Now let's see if they weren't too lazy to read it.

-- H.H.

Also…

If you always wanted to see Charlize Theron's Oscar-winning performance as a serial killer, tune in for "Monster" at 7 p.m. EDT on IFC. Democratic presidential hopefuls are set to discuss healthcare and financial security in Davenport, Iowa, on "The Candidates 2008" at 8 p.m. EDT on PBS (check local listings). And don't miss the two-part season finale of USA's excellent maverick-spy series, "Burn Notice," at 9 p.m. EDT.

On the talk shows

Contributors: Megan Doll, Heather Havrilesky, Eryn Loeb, Amy Reiter

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