Even after shifting most of its attention to things like "Ice Road Truckers," "Ax Men" and "Swamp People," the History Channel still cannot ignore this year's 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.
Hence they're kicking off a whole Civil War Week with a two hour film on the deadliest conflict on U.S. soil, "Gettysburg" (History, 9 p.m.). With Tony and Ridley Scott producing, it's much heavier than previous historic films on battlefield scenes, with explosions, mayhem, blood, bits of earth breaking apart in the skies, slo-mo death scenes and the kind of violence that big screen film audiences have come to expect.
As a result, it's one of the few historic films that comes with a warning about its unsettling battle scenes. There's no evidence they're trying to sensationalize anything; indeed, it likely captures the brutality and hellish confusion better than most.
More than that, the film, narrated by Sam Rockwell, concentrates on a half dozen or so frontline soldiers and leaders with names like Dawes, Humiston, Howard, Wilson and Barksdale and their terse journal entries and descriptions. A phalanx of historians help guide the story, providing the occasional interesting detail. They don't go overboard with the CGI stuff, except to illustrate maps. But there is the occasional cannonball's point of view that seems excessive.
In addition to pulling out previous Civil War documentaries for the week, there are, of course, "Civil War-themed" episodes of their popular series, including one tonight from "Pawn Stars" (History, 8:30 p.m.)
Among the half dozen reality shows starting this week, "Platinum Hit" (Bravo, 10 p.m.) fills the post-"American Idol" void by presenting a very familiar looking competition among performing singer/songwriters, with co-hosts Jewel and Kara DioGuardi assigning tasks and eliminating contestants until there's an "ultimate hitmaker" who gsets $1000,000 and a publishing deal.
To get the season started they skip any audition episodes and cut straight to the top 12 who turn out instant choruses about the city where they will all compete: L.A. The contest is hardly fair; three-fourths of them already live there. One who does not, and whom you can cheer for, is 22 year old Blessing Offor of Hamden. What's strange about the show so far is that the judges' taste is so off base; the ones you think will be surely booted are instead the ones singled out for praise.
The "Extreme Makeover" series of shows, it should be remembered, began as a series about plastic surgery before it became a feel-good home renovation spin-off. Now, it gets back to its roots, sort of, with "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" (ABC, 8 p.m.), in which the super obese - those who say they're too big for "Biggest Loser" get back to a manageable shape over a year, truncated into an hour episode week by week. But as fast as they seem to get in shape, there's no plastic surgery involved.
VH1 is best known for its endless string of reality shows, such as "Basketball Wives" (VH1, 8 p.m.), which starts its third season tonight. But "Single Ladies" (VH1, 9 p.m.) stands out as the first scripted series on the network; they use a two hour movie to introduce its storyline -- three women on the make with differing views on men, in the familiar vein of "Sex and the City." i
Colbie Caillat sings and Jabbawockeez dance on "The Bachelorette" (ABC, 8 p.m.). But that dude Tim won't be around to drink it all in.
Most everything on network TV are reruns, except for one episode of "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (NBC, 10 p.m.).
A first season finale hits "The Dance Scene" (E!, 10:30 p.m.).
Presumably it's also the last space shuttle cake made by the "Cake Boss" (TLC, 9 p.m.), in the one hour summer premiere.
War films abound on Memorial Day, with "The Green Berets" (TCM, 9:45 a.m.), "Kelly's Heroes" (TCM, 12:15 p.m.), "A Bridge Too Far" (TMC, 5 p.m.), "The Longest Day" (AMC, 6 p.m.), "Midway" (AMC, 8 and 11 p.m.), "The Best Years of Our Life" (TCM, 8 p.m.), "Von Ryan's Express" (Fox Movie Channel, 8 and 10 p.m.), "Since You Went Away" (TCM, 11 p.m.), "The White Cliffs of Dover" (TCM, 2 a.m.) and "Homecoming" (TCM, 4:15 a.m.).
Films that reflect recent wars include the sensitive "Taking Chance" (HBO, 9 p.m.) with Kevin Bacon as an officer who escorts the remains of a soldier back to Wyoming, and the Oscar winning "The Hurt Locker" (Showtime 2, 9 p.m.).
More than 50 veterans talk about their experiences "Inside the Vietnam War" (National Geographic, 7 p.m.).
And Billy Ray Cyrus engineers "Surprise Homecoming" (TLC, 10 p.m.), reuniting military personnel with their families. The series starts July 11.
In baseball, it's Yankees at Athletics (YES, 4 p.m.), White Sox at Red Sox (NESN, 7 p.m.) and Pirates at Mets (SNY, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Christina Aguilera, James McAvoy. Gayle King: Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden (rerun). The View: Ray Romano, Guy Fieri, Tinie Tempah, Kazia Hancock. The Talk: Jean Smart, Dr. Travis Stork (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Meredith Vieira, Taylor Swift. Wendy Williams: Gilles Marini, Mehcad Brooks.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Norm MacDonald, CC Sabathia, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis (rerun). Jay Leno: Kate Hudson, Chris Hemsworth, Sergio Mendes with Siedah Garrett (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Albert Brooks, Chaz Bono, Rammstein (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Matt Lauer, Miranda Cosgrove, Andy Cohen, Twisted Sister (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Adam Goldberg, Lucy Punch. Tavis Smiley: Larry King (rerun). Carson Daly: Neil Strauss, Death, Freddie Gibbs (rerun). Conan O'Brien: Jeff Bridges, Nick Swardson, Far East Movement (rerun). George Lopez: Dwayne Johnson, Cat Deeley, Kimberly Clark, Zack Wylde (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Donald Schultz, Whitney Cummings, Chris Franjola, Brad Wollack.
