TV Daily

Tuesday: The scintillating season finale of "Dancing With the Stars." Plus: What did you think of Monday's "Notes From the Underbelly"?

Published November 27, 2007 11:00AM (EST)

Prime Pick

Photo: ABC

They've been calling it the "Dancing With the Stars" curse: From Marie Osmond passing out cold to Jennie Garth slipping and falling to the deaths of Osmond's father and Jane Seymour's mother, a series of unfortunate events has plagued this year's contestants, leading to the most dramatic season in the show's short but colorful history. Even if you're only mildly curious, tonight's finale (9 p.m. EST on ABC) offers a scintillating glimpse at this schlocky bit of Americana. The hosts are sure to provide a tour of the season's cheesily delicious highs and sorrowful lows, as well as a quick look at each contestant's shining moments on the dance floor. But be forewarned: After a steady parade of sequins, feathers and hot pink bustiers worthy of a Vegas showgirl, you're likely to suffer from a bad case of pop cultural vertigo. Did you ever imagine, back when you were boogieing down to "Soul Train" in '78, that dance contests would be all the rage in the year 2007? That band Devo was right - we are devolving.

Also…

The best holiday special of all time, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," airs at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. The grumpy doctor is finally forced to choose his team on tonight's episode of "House" (9 p.m. EST on Fox) while Frontline replays "Spying on the Homefront" (9 p.m. EST on PBS, check listings), a detailed examination of the government's controversial domestic-surveillance program.

Last night

What did you think of Monday's "Notes From the Underbelly" season premiere? Go here to discuss.

On the talk shows

Regis and Kelly

ABC, 9 a.m. EST

Tim Gunn, the Jonas Brothers

The View

ABC, 11 a.m. EST

Guest co-host Mario Cantone

Ellen DeGeneres

Syndicated, check local listings

Howie Mandel, Anderson Cooper, 10-year-old inventor Derek Martinez

Oprah Winfrey

Syndicated, check local listings

Behind the scenes of Oprah's favorite things, Paula Deen

Charlie Rose

PBS, check local listings

John McCain

Larry King

CNN, 9 p.m. EST

Sharon Stone, Kenneth Cole

Jon Stewart

Comedy Central, 11 p.m. EST

Halle Berry (repeat)

Stephen Colbert

Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. EST

Katie Couric (repeat)

David Letterman

CBS, 11:30 p.m. EST

Al Franken, Isla Fisher (repeat)

Jay Leno

NBC, 11:35 p.m. EST

Julia Roberts, Pierce Brosnan, Geechy Guy (repeat)

Tavis Smiley

PBS, check local listings

Laura Linney, Gina Nahai

Jimmy Kimmel

ABC, 12:05 a.m. EST

TBA

Conan O'Brien

NBC, 12:35 a.m. EST

Ted Danson, Patton Oswalt, Devendra Banhart (repeat)

Craig Ferguson

CBS, 12:35 a.m. EST

Samuel L. Jackson, the Cliks (repeat)

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


By Salon Staff

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