TV critic's picks for Jan. 29-Feb. 2

January 28, 2012 at 11:33PM
Brandon Grochow, Vicki Danielson, Donna Grochow, "Family Feud" host Steve Harvey, Donna Drew and Melissa Hillmyer.
Brandon Grochow, Vicki Danielson, Donna Grochow, “Family Feud” host Steve Harvey, Donna Drew and Melissa Hillmyer. (Margaret Andrews — FremantleMedia North America/"Family Feud"/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Sunday

If you didn't think Minneapolis' own Mary Richards made it after all, consider this: Dick Van Dyke will be presenting Mary Tyler Moore with a lifetime achievement award during "The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards" (7 p.m., TBS and TNT), joining previous lifetime winners Ed Asner and Betty White. It's only a matter of time before they get to Georgia Engel.

Monday

Are the Grochows ready to play the Feud? Members of the Minnesota family go up against the Woody clan on "Family Feud" (6 p.m., WUCW, Ch. 23) for a chance to win a car, $100,000 and three hairs from host Steve Harvey's 1970s-style mustache. Donna Grochow says that if they triumph, they might spend it on a girls' weekend, which must be shocking news for her son and teammate, Brandon.

Tuesday

How big is George Clooney these days? Big enough to warrant two hours of "Inside the Actors Studio" (6 p.m., Bravo). I'm guessing host James Lipton will spend a lot of time talking about Clooney's Oscar-nominated role in "The Descendants," but I hope at least one of his flip cards refers to the actor's unforgettable stint on "The Facts of Life."

Wednesday

CBS doesn't have the Super Bowl this year, but that's not stopping the network from airing "Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials" (7 p.m., WCCO, Ch. 4). I'll probably tune in, if only to rewatch that Mean Joe Greene Coke commercial and wonder aloud, "How come they don't make 'em like that anymore?"

Thursday

Elton John and Leon Russell make beautiful music together in "The Union" (8 p.m., HBO), a documentary about the making of their album of the same name. Director Cameron Crowe got some raw, emotional moments, such as capturing John in tears the first time he hears Russell's "In the Hands of Angels."

about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE, ASSOCIATED PRESS/The Minnesota Star Tribune

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