Headline high jinks The country's best fake news source takes another significant step into the TV world with "Onion News Network" (9 p.m. Friday, IFC), a dead-on spoof of cable news, thanks in no small part to the contributions of former Fox reporter Suzanne Sena, who nails the role of self-centered anchor Brooke Alvarez. You don't have to be a CNN addict to appreciate the digs at the bickering roundtables and high-tech touch screens. Don't look now, Jon Stewart, but you've got some impressive competition.

Sword play Men in loincloths and women in even less return for "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" (9 p.m. Friday, Starz!), a prequel to the swords-and-sandals series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." By the time you get through the fourth gladiator battle, you'll be ready for "Spartacus: Martinis and Footrubs."

A smashing duet We knew that Sleater-Kinney's Carrie Brownstein could rock, but who knew she could jam with the best in comedy? Brownstein has teamed up with "Saturday Night Live's" Fred Armisen for "Portlandia" (9:30 p.m. Friday, IFC), a collection of quirky sketches that "SNL" could only dream of putting on, particularly an inspired bit in which the show's co-creators play the owners of an ultra-feminist bookstore. Among this season's guest stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Steve Buscemi and Heather Graham.

Unsafe travels You don't have to be a Golden Globes celebrity to be the butt of Ricky Gervais' jokes. Just ask Karl Pilkington, the strangely wired, dimwitted star of Gervais' podcasts and now the tour guide for "An Idiot Abroad" (9 p.m. Saturday, Science). Gervais and his partner in pranks, Stephen Merchant, have sent their clueless "friend" to visit the world's greatest wonders, starting with the Great Wall of China. Not exactly side-splitting stuff, but it will make you feel better the next time you feel lost in translation. Diehard Gervais fans may want to check out a sneak-preview special that airs at 8:30 p.m., just prior to the premiere.

NEAL JUSTIN