Sunday Dora the Explorer is celebrating her 10th year on the air with a star-studded party. "Dora's Big Birthday Adventure" (7 p.m., Nick) includes contributions from Rosie Perez, John Leguizamo and Hector Elizondo. As a special present, Dora gets to stay up past her bedtime for a documentary (8 p.m.) that explores her contributions to children's television. Among those weighing in: famed educators Shakira, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Salma Hayek Pinault.
Monday Les Gold and his family may be fascinating people, but you wouldn't know it from the premiere of their reality series, "Hardcore Pawn" (9 p.m., TruTV), which is as awful as its punny title suggests. The family runs a pawn operation in Detroit, where they deal with such dramatic fare as price haggling and angry customers. If that's what I wanted for entertainment, I'd spend more time at the farmers market. A much better option: "Pawn Stars" (9 p.m., History), which looks this week at a coin minted by Paul Revere and a 1950s peep-show machine.
Tuesday It takes a while to get into the irreverent groove of the new comedy "Big Lake" (9 p.m., Comedy Central), but once you make the adjustment you're in for a treat. The series, which comes from Will Ferrell's company, is a perfect mesh of sweet and sour comedy, as we follow a young man's ill-fated attempts to make back his father's investments. It reminds me a lot of "Strangers With Candy" -- and that's a mighty compliment.
Wednesday Last month's TV Critics Association awards ceremony in L.A. was populated by big stars, including Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston and the cast of "Glee." But nobody turned more heads or got more requests for photos than the characters of "Yo Gabba Gabba!" Heck, even Hanks stopped for a photo op. Now Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa will get their turn to share the spotlight with the team when they bounce onto "Live With Regis and Kelly" (9 a.m. KSTP, Ch. 5).
Thursday Bill Murray can be an elusive guest, more interested in creating havoc than revealing himself, so his recent appearance on "The Late Show With David Letterman" (10:35 p.m. WCCO, Ch. 4), repeated tonight, is a real gem as a relaxed Murray shares fascinating stories, including one about the time he met Jimmy Stewart.
NEAL JUSTIN
