TV critic's picks: July 29-Aug. 2

July 28, 2012 at 8:59PM
Kyra Sedgwick in "The Closer" on TNT.
Kyra Sedgwick in "The Closer" on TNT. (Marci Schmitt — ALL/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

SundaySeason 2 of "Bar Rescue" (8 p.m., Spike) kicks off with our expert, Jon, trying to salvage a pirate-themed watering hole in Silver Springs, Md. Tip No. 1: Unless you're located on the coast of Florida, never open a pirate-themed bar.

MondayDeputy Chief Brenda Johnson is almost out of a job, which explains why the final episodes of "The Closer" (9 p.m., TNT) have her spitting nails. Her frustration level rises a few notches in this installment when the show loses a beloved character.

TuesdayThe guest on "Trust Us With Your Life" (8:30 p.m., KSTP, Ch. 5) is David Hasselhoff, which gives the improvisational team an opportunity to re-create the "hamburger on the carpet" scene. Personally, I'd rather see them spoof host Fred Willard's visit to an adult theater.

Wednesday"So You Think You Can Dance?" (7 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9) makes its first elimination, which will give judge Mary Murphy ample opportunity to make up a new wacko catchphrase and shatter the eardrums of viewers cursed with pitch-perfect hearing.

Thursday"BrandX With Russell Brand" (10 p.m., FX) concludes its short experimental run that really didn't answer the question of whether or not the polarizing comic can host a talk show. First of all, Brand has been sailing along without actual guests or much of a game plan. A little more structure, a little less silliness, please.

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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