TV critic's choice: April 4-10

Check out Disney's "Good Luck Charlie"

April 3, 2010 at 11:35PM

Sunday The Disney machine keeps churning along with "Good Luck Charlie" (7:30 p.m., DISN), another slapstick-heavy, laugh-track-fueled sitcom with zero redeemable value (with the possible exception of keeping your 11-year-old sedated for a half-hour). The "Charlie" in question is the pint-sized youngster Mia Talerico, whose parents are probably praying will grow up to be the third "Olsen twin."

Monday The stupidest of stupid pet and human tricks are unveiled on "The Late Show With David Letterman" (11:05 p.m., WCCO, Ch. 4), the results of an online poll that asked viewers to choose from among a monkey that rides a dog down a slide and a woman who bugs her eyes out. I'm pretty sure that President Obama won't be stopping by.

Tuesday I don't have intimate knowledge of the New York City legal system, but if it's populated with as many hotties as the characters we see on the "Law & Order" series, well, it's time for me to go to the police academy. The latest: Saffron Burrows joins the cast of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (9 p.m., USA) and, coming soon, so will Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as the squad's new boss. The new scenery will make it easier to swallow the departure of Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe.

Wednesday Richard Gere reminds us of his dedication to Buddhism by providing solemn narration to "The Buddha" (7 p.m., KTCA, Ch. 2), a rather elementary but earnest two-hour documentary that tells the origins of the Prince Siddharta and how he launched a religion. Tiger Woods would be wise to record this and watch it every time he gets an "urge."

Thursday Bones and Brennan kiss -- and it's not a fantasy! Don't get too excited, fans. The 100th episode of "Bones" (7 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9), directed by star David Boreanaz, is a flashback to six years ago, when the investigators first teamed up -- and tried to, um, feel each other out. The final scene is a bit on the sappy side, but it's nice to see that producers realize we care more about the sparks than the cases.

NEAL JUSTIN

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