Sunday "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" (8 p.m., A&E) is determined to prove that we still care about the '70s sensation without the presence of Michael or Janet. I'm not convinced that the brothers can pull off a musical comeback, but that's beside the point. This is reality TV, and the emphasis is squarely on infighting and having emotional breakdowns rather than producing danceable music.
Monday A former "CSI" player returns -- but it's not William Petersen. Adam Rodriguez, who left "CSI: Miami" (9 p.m., WCCO, Ch. 4) last year, swings by to serve as a witness who questions evidence gathered by his former teammates. He's also on hand to steal David Caruso's sunglasses, sending his former boss into a frenzy that's reminiscent of Al Pacino's breakdown in "Scarface."
Tuesday Gordon Ramsay isn't really a curmudgeon, and to prove it, he'll provide free cooking lessons for every pinhead jerk -- I mean, gracious viewer -- who tunes in to "Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live" (8 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9). On the menu: Angel hair pasta with shrimp, steak Diane with sauteed potatoes and tiramisu.
Wednesday The competition is done, but that never stops "So You Think You Can Dance" (7 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9) from stretching its season finale into a two-hour affair. As the six finalists await their fate, we'll get plenty of highlights and a performance from Adam Lambert, who we hope will grind up against judge Nigel Lythgoe, an event that might make even Mary Murphy speechless.
Thursday Kristen Wiig, the only genuine "Saturday Night Live" star, steps up to the plate to host "SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas" (7 p.m., KARE, Ch. 11), which also could be titled "A Collection of Skits You've Seen a Billion Times Before." Those oldies and semi-goodies include Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg's ode to something in a box and Alec Baldwin's Schweddy Balls. You know, the sophisticated stuff.
NEAL JUSTIN
