Sunday While Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric have risen to the top for the night shift, women have yet to get a fair shake on the Sunday morning talk-show circuit. That changes this weekend as no-nonsense political correspondent Candy Crowley takes over "State of the Union" (8 a.m., CNN). Former anchor John King moves to weekday evenings.

Monday Hugh Laurie takes a step back in a new episode of "House" (7 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9) that focuses squarely on the woefully underrated Lisa Edelstein, who plays the always exasperated, always charming hospital administrator Dr. Lisa Cuddy. The episode, titled "5 to 9," follows Cuddy on a day in which battling her boyfriend, egotistical doctors and an insurance company takes its toll. Edelstein's well-balanced performance may finally get her some Emmy love.

Tuesday Ellen DeGeneres finally takes a seat on the judges panel as "American Idol" (7 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9) enters the Hollywood round, in which competitors from across the country try to make it to the final 24. The chemistry -- or lack thereof -- between DeGeneres and Simon Cowell should be more intriguing than the performances.

Wednesday It's OK if the title "The Robert Verdi Show Starring Robert Verdi" (9 p.m., LOGO) sounds self-indulgent, because that perfectly describes the host. Verdi, best known for his appearances on cult fashion shows, apparently wants to be known for a lot of other things as he sticks himself into one sticky situation after another, such as starting his own diet craze or writing a politically incorrect children's book. Verdi's desire to be the next Borat is so overwhelming that you don't believe the setups for a minute.

Thursday

Bob Dylan has played the Vatican and Newport, but he's never gigged at the White House. That changes with "In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music From the Civil Rights Movement" (9 p.m., KTCA, Ch. 2). Others on the roster include Jennifer Hudson, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Howard University Choir. In a perfect world, the concert would close with Malia Obama performing a violin recital.

NEAL JUSTIN