TV critic's picks: Wednesday 1/18

"Sexiest: Beyoncé," "American Idol" auditions begin, and an ex causes a stir on "Are You There, Chelsea?"

January 17, 2012 at 8:02PM
Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest are back for another season on "American Idol."
Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest are back for another season on "American Idol." (Fox/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Mother superior

The baby bump is now gone so we can't think of a better time to celebrate "Sexiest: Beyoncé" (5:30 p.m., Fuse). It's two hours of videos and photos of the pop/soul hottie. Wonder if Fuse will be up to date and explain that her newborn, Blue Ivy Carter, was the youngest person ever to land on the Billboard charts -- at 5 days old -- on daddy Jay-Z's "Glory" featuring B.I.C.

Talent is king

Season 11 of "American Idol" (7 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9) begins with auditions and, we're just guessing, the judges dissing "The Voice" and "The X Factor."

Cat fight

Sloane's ex shows up at a bar and Chelsea (Laura Prepon, right) pursues him against Sloane's wishes. That makes us ask "Are You There, Chelsea?" (7:30 p.m., KARE, Ch. 11).

about the writer

about the writer

Jon Bream

Critic / Reporter

Jon Bream has been a music critic at the Star Tribune since 1975, making him the longest tenured pop critic at a U.S. daily newspaper. He has attended more than 8,000 concerts and written four books (on Prince, Led Zeppelin, Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan). Thus far, he has ignored readers’ suggestions that he take a music-appreciation class.

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