TV critic's picks for the week of June 10-14

June 9, 2012 at 11:02PM
Anytime Fitness co-founders Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen on "Secret Millionaire."
Anytime Fitness co-founders Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen on “Secret Millionaire.” (Margaret Andrews — ABC/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Sunday

Minnesota's Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen went from creating the health-club franchise Anytime Fitness to living in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Oklahoma City. Don't worry; they haven't lost their fortune. They're just the latest participants on "Secret Millionaire" (7 p.m., KSTP, Ch. 5), a series in which rich folks go undercover to see which charity groups deserve a financial boost.

Monday

In "Bunheads" (8 p.m., ABC Family), the latest series to revolve around the world of dance, Tony winner Sutton Foster stars as a former showgirl who clashes with her new mother-in-law (Kelly Bishop of "Gilmore Girls"), the operator of a small-town dance studio. If Elizabeth Berkley's character had taken the same route, maybe "Showgirls" wouldn't have been such a stinker.

Tuesday

"The Next Big Thing: NY" (10 p.m., Oxygen) attempts to make a star out of performance coach Trapper Felides, who's so flamboyant he makes Rip Taylor look stoic. The biggest problem with this series is that Felides doesn't appear to have any sound advice for the kids or any real talent -- unless you count throwing a hissy fit every few minutes.

Wednesday

At the rate Michelle Obama is going, it won't be long before she's playing a French teacher on "Glee." The latest stop on her endless media tour: "Restaurant Impossible" (9 p.m., Food). The first lady challenges host Robert Irvine to rebuild Horton's Kids, a community center in Washington, D.C., that serves after-school meals to kids. If successful, Irvine will be commissioned to bring peace to the Middle East.

Thursday

"41" (8 p.m., HBO) is a kinder, gentler documentary on George H.W. Bush, made up almost solely of memories from the former president as he sails around his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. While fascinating, it's not terribly objective (the words "Iran contra" never come into the conversation), but it's good to see the ex in such good spirits.

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.

See Moreicon

More from Minnesota Star Tribune

See More
card image
Provided/Sahan Journal

Family members and a lawyer say they have been blocked from access to the bedside of Bonfilia Sanchez Dominguez, while her husband was detained and shipped to Texas within 24 hours.

card image