Spotlight Show of the Night
Survivor: Gabon (8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central, 17th Season Finale) – It’s amazing that after seventeen seasons, this show can be just as compelling as it was the first time around. And the formula hasn’t been messed with that much. It all comes down to the fact that we’re dealing with real people. This has been one of the better seasons in awhile.
We had the underdogs, in Kenny and Crystal, turn the game around to make themselves the power players. In turn, though, they were undone by their own success as Crystal was eliminated by a new power player in Sugar last week. What that leaves us with is a very satisfying Final Five. Only Susie’s near invisibility makes you question her place, but that’s a power in itself considering she was targeted for early elimination almost on day one. Still Susie, Bob, Sugar, Matty and Kenny have all played uniquely strong games. The big question is can Kenny pull his own ass out of the fire now that the power has shifted away from him.
Beginnings, Endings & Specials
Animal Gladiators (Animal Planet, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central) – A 2-hour special looking at the ancient Roman’s use of animals in arena battles.
Bowl Mania (ESPN, 8:30 p.m./7:30 p.m. Central) – Two and a half hours dedicted to all the excitement around College Football’s bowl season. I know I don’t have two and a half hours of excitement about it, but maybe you do.
Californication (Showtime, 10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central, 2nd Season Finale) -Sonja’s baby is born, Hank finishes his biography, Charlie can’t get a job as an agent, and Karen takes a job in New York.
Chicano Rock!: The Sounds of East Los Angeles (PBS, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central) – A look at the history of Chicano rock music, examining how such luminaries as Lalo Guerrero, Don Tosti and others ushered in a new style of Latino-inspired music into the popular culture.
Devil’s Bible (National Geographic Channel, 8:00 p.m/7:00 p.m. Central) – This special looks at the Codex Gigas, the largest existing medieval manuscript, which features a full-page centerfold … I mean portrait … of the devil. What kind of book do you think this is?
Dexter (Showtime, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central, 3rd Season Finale) – Miguel may be out of the picture, but Dexter still has to deal with his unstable brother Ramon. We’ll have a review up later tonight.
Exodus (The Discovery Channel, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central) -A scientific look at the Book of Exodus and what theories may support the events documented therein.
House of Saddam (HBO, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central, Mini-Series Finale) -The mini-series event picks up the story of Saddam Hussein in 1995, when his failure to comply with UN inspections led to sanctions, straight through to the US invasion, the collapse of his regime, the deaths of his sons and ultimately his own demise.
Marathon Love (Discovery Health, 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central) – A marathon runner who took up the sport after his wife woke up from a coma and will push her along with him in the Boston Marathon. A touching story, but he took up the sport after she woke up? Kinda sounds like someone was trying to get some peace and quiet after having gotten used to it.
Pinocchio (ION, 7:00 p.m./6:00 p.m. Central) – With Bob Hoskins as Gepetto, a two-part mini-series event, all four hours will be broadcast back-to-back-to-back-to-back tonight, so better get extra popcorn. This promises to be the most comprehensive adaptation of the classic story, while staying true to the original source material.
Second Chance Season (ESPN2, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central) – The 2-hour story of NBA star Nick Young.
Sharks in Venice (Sci Fi, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central) -It’s exactly what it sounds like, except that it’s apparently one great white shark. Still it’s in the “streets” of Venice killing people. Thankfully, Stephen Baldwin is there to save the day.
Shroud of Turin: New Evidence (The Discovery Channel, 10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central) – New scientific evidence is discussed concering the Shroud of Turin.
Snow 2: Brain Freeze (ABC Family, 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central) -In this sequel to Snow, which I’ve never even heard of, Nick Snowden forgets he’s Santa Claus (and all this time I thought it was Tim Allen) and it’s up to his wife to help him remember in time.
Sodom and Gomorrah (The Discovery Channel, 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central) – This special takes a look at the Biblical tale and examines it in conjunction with related evidence that may link the scriptural account to an asteroid strike.
Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton (PBS, 10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central) – This is a famous monk whose writings and ideas continue to resonate with people who know who he is. If you do, or want to know, this is the place for you.
Spike TV’s Video Game Awards 2008 (Spike TV, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central) -Not only a look back at the best in video games of 2008, but also a look ahead at games coming in 2009 in this 6th annual event.
TV’s Biggest Moments of 2008 (TV Guide Channel, 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central) – This 2-hour special looks back at the year that was in television, though I’m sure it’s not nearly as cool as what CliqueClack does on a daily basis. You just can’t beat genius like this.
Sports, Movies & New Programming
7:00 p.m./6:00 p.m. Central
8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central
9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central
10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central
11:00 p.m./10:00 p.m. Central
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Dec 14, 2008 @ 19:03 EST5EDT
You might want to check your facts on Marathon Love again. He had been running for years before he had even met his wife, much less before she got hurt or woke up from her coma.