Sunday

Some cable programmer has a wicked sense of humor. While the Oscars are going on, HBO is airing two of the worst reviewed movies of 2011: "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son" (6:05 p.m., HBO) and "Something Borrowed" (8 p.m., HBO2). The only thing more hilarious would have been a Sarah Jessica Parker marathon.

Monday

Mick Jagger may not be ready to make up with Keith Richards, but he is willing to strut his stuff with some other legendary guitarists, including Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy and B.B. King. They're all part of "In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues" (8 p.m., KTCA, Ch. 2). That's followed by a top-notch documentary on an often overlooked legend, "Cab Calloway: Sketches" (9 p.m., KTCA, Ch. 2).

Tuesday

Now it really begins. The 24 semifinalists begin live competition on "American Idol" (7 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9). Up first: the men, including Minnesotan Reed Grimm. Wednesday, it's the women's turn, and we'll find out Thursday if Grimm made the top 12. (For more, see story on E1.)

Wednesday

"America's Next Top Model" (8 p.m., WUCW, Ch. 23) starts the Revolutionary War all over again with a new cycle pitting Yanks against former contestants from "Britain's Next Top Model." To get things off to a proper start, guest judge Kelly Osbourne will try to remember which country she actually hails from.

Thursday

"Awake" (9 p.m., KARE, Ch. 11) is a new drama about a detective who wakes up in alternative worlds, one in which his son is dead, the other in which he's lost his wife. Which is reality and which is a dream? The premise may sound complicated, but it's pulled off nicely thanks to a steady lead performance by Jason Isaacs. The concept may run out of juice after half a season, but for now, my eyes are wide open.