Prime Pick
Photo: Discovery
When you see kids today wailing on their little fake Wii guitars, it's hard not to sit them down and tell them how, when you were their age, you used to sit in front of a tiny black-and-white TV set, trying to hit a bouncing ball with a stick. Those whippersnappers won't want to hear about "Pong," though, so you might have to force them to watch Discovery's five-part series "Rise of the Videogame" (Part 1 airs tonight at 8 p.m. EST), which traces video game development over the years, including the ways in which social and political concerns of the times shaped gaming. Tonight's premiere episode focuses on the 1970s, highlighting the birth of such golden oldies as "Halo," "PacMan" and that old thriller "Asteroids." Those young folks won't understand it, of course, but what do they understand, really? At least they'll have a firmer grasp of the rich and rewarding heritage that's to blame for their ADD.
Also…
The season finale of the Cheesiest Show on Earth, "Phenomenon," airs at 8 p.m. EST on NBC, but fans of Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman) will want to skip that and watch his guest-starring role on tonight's "Pushing Daisies" (8 p.m. EST on ABC). The season finale of "Hotel Babylon" airs at 9 p.m. EST on BBC America, and "Queer Eye's" Thom Filicia stars in the new home design show "Dress My Nest" (premieres at 11 p.m. EST on E!).
Last night
What did you think of Frontline "On Our Watch" Tuesday night? Go here to discuss.
On the talk shows
Regis and KellyABC, 9 a.m. EST |
Donald Trump, Jordin Sparks |
The ViewABC, 11 a.m. EST |
Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, D.L. Hughley, guest co-host Candace Cameron Bure |
Ellen DeGeneresSyndicated, check local listings |
Alicia Keys, Soulja Boy |
Oprah WinfreySyndicated, check local listings |
Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus |
Charlie RosePBS, check local listings |
TBA |
Larry KingCNN, 9 p.m. EST |
"Dancing With the Stars" contestants, guest host Mario Lopez |
Jon StewartComedy Central, 11 p.m. EST |
Sen. Barack Obama (repeat) |
Stephen ColbertComedy Central, 11:30 p.m. EST |
Sam Waterston, Tony Bennett (repeat) |
David LettermanCBS, 11:30 p.m. EST |
Bill Clinton, Patti Scialfa (repeat) |
Jay LenoNBC, 11:35 p.m. EST |
Denzel Washington, Dave Salmoni and animals, LeAnn Rimes (repeat) |
Tavis SmileyPBS, check local listings |
Halle Berry (repeat) |
Jimmy KimmelABC, 12:05 a.m. EST |
TBA |
Conan O'BrienNBC, 12:35 a.m. EST |
Morgan Freeman, Cheryl Hines, KT Tunstall (repeat) |
Craig FergusonCBS, 12:35 a.m. EST |
Fred Willard, Ashley Scott, Gabriel Iglesias (repeat) |
Contributors: Megan Doll, Heather Havrilesky, Eryn Loeb, Amy Reiter
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