I Want to Be a Paperback Writer... Paperback Wriiiii-ter!!

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book? It took me years to write. Will you take a look?... Yes, my "Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour'" is coming out in paperback -- later this month, with a cool new cover, and, naturally, a lower price. For a sneak peek of the new cover, and (if you want) to pre-order, details follow... (more)

	THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN Bravo, 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. ET Steve Carell is a much bigger Hollywood name today than when he took days off from The Office to portray the title role in this 2005 Judd Apatow film. For that matter, Judd Apatow is a much bigger name, too – and the same goes for the deep, and deeply funny, supporting cast.
	SAVING PRIVATE RYAN TNT, 8 p.m. ET On the start of the July 4th weekend, military movies are bound to pop up – but tonight, TV presents two of the best, each focusing on WWII but focusing on different theaters of operation, and made in different cinematic eras. This one, from 1998, begins with what may be the most jarring, frightening war sequence ever put on film. Tom Hanks stars; Steven Spielberg directed.
	PATTON Fox Movie Channel, 8:19 p.m. ET …And here, from 1970, when the U.S. was deeply divided over the war in Vietnam, is an epic biography of one of WWII’s most famous and brazen generals – George S. Patton, played to flag-waving, cigar-chomping perfection by another imposing figure: George C. Scott.
	TITANIC TBS, 9 p.m. ET This 1997 James Cameron film, by some measures, was the most successful movie of all time – until Cameron’s next film came along. And with Avatar returning to theaters with added footage this week, it’s a good time to revisit this earlier epic. Compare and contrast. It’ll all be on the “Cameron v. Cameron” final.
	CHINATOWN Cinemax, 10 p.m. ET The term film noir, most often, is applied to black-and-white films from the 1940s – but this 1974 Roman Polanski movie, in full color, is one of the finest examples of film noir ever made. From Polanski’s on-air cameo as a knife-wielding thug and Jack Nicholson’s perfect performance to Faye Dunaway’s unstable femme fatale and the movie’s still-iconic ending, this is one amazing strip of celluloid. Always good to see – especially uninterrupted by commercials.

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FLICK PICKS: 'The March of Time'

In our instantaneous age, it's hard to imagine people getting their latest look at world news in movie theaters many days or even weeks later. But that was the norm during Hollywood's studio heyday, from the 1920s into the '50s. Turner Classic Movies offers a great taste of old-time newsreels this weekend, saluting The March of Time for four hours (Sunday 8 p.m.-midnight ET). TCM unreels restored versions of 10 chapters that premiered on movie theater screens between 1937 and 1950. . . (more)

BUY THIS: Roku price drop for watching Netflix, Amazon, more

If you read my July review of the Roku streaming video box that delivers Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand and dozens of other viewing choices, you may want to jump on a new price cut for the amazingly handy little box. The Amazon deal of the day price I was touting back then has just been made the regular price for Roku's top-of-the-line HD-XR model. At $100 now, that's a $30 savings. Roku's other two models have dropped in price, too . . . (more)

Classic "Molly Dodd" Series Remains Locked Up, Awaiting 'Bail'

Tom Brinkmoeller

Rare snippets of "The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd" can be seen on YouTube -- but for those who would love to see that classic TV sitcom again in its entirety, on DVD, I have some not-so-good news...(more)

Can You Really Judge the New Fall Shows Without Even Watching Them?

Diane Holloway

As promised a few weeks ago, when I pre-judged most of the fall series based on press releases rather than actual previews, I am now ready to announce my track record. I have seen the available major network pilots, and I'm ready to confess. My biggest surprise? Two sitcoms were my favorite new shows! Nobody is more surprised about this than I am. For several years now I have hated network sitcoms (OK, I liked Emmy-winner Modern Family.) But out of all of the fall shows I've seen so far, Fox's Raising Hope and Running Wilde rank right at the top. I laughed so hard I scared Gus the Wonder Dog right off the couch . . . (more)

PBS Presents a Prime-Time Musical Competition, Sans Simon Cowell

Tom Brinkmoeller

Anomaly alert: Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings), a network will broadcast a competition during which no devious alliances were formed, no overstuffed mogul fired anyone and -- though music is center-spotlight -- there was no connection whatesover to Simon Cowell. No weigh-ins; no texting of votes; no mile-high performance pastries. Instead, gimmick-free and purely entertaining television. "A Surprise in Texas" is an engaging and very watchable documentary about last year's Van Cliburn International Piano Competition...(more)

Bawdy Betty, wicked Ricky, and other random Emmy notes

Theresa Corigliano

Only in TV can bringing an award show in at three hours be considered a major accomplishment. The 62nd Annual Emmy Awards telecast last night ended on time! And Jimmy Fallon, a talented guy and a capable host, was sometimes better than his actual material. But there was plenty more left to discuss around the water cooler --- When Jon Hamm and Betty White presented the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy, the 88-year-old actress was once again given yet another lame, lascivious joke to do . . . (more)

BOSOM BUDDIES

Tom Hanks and Newhart nerd Peter Scolari first made their mark in ABC's 1980 sitcom, playing guys who dress as gals to land low-priced housing in a women's residence.

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