In a week filled with season and series finales (see the full list here) on the broadcast networks, cable rolls out some new offerings, mostly in the “freak show” vein. Watch them or run screaming to avoid them, here are seven shows that should be on your radar this week.
‘Charm School With Ricki Lake,’ 8 p.m. Monday on VH1
The appeal of the “Love” shows (”Rock of Love,” “Rock of Love Bus,” “Real Chance of Love”) on VH1 is mainly in the appalling behavior of the “ladies” who compete. In this third edition of “Charm School,” new host Lake takes various “Love” rejects and attempts to “bring them to a place of new emotional understanding,” the network promises. But judge for yourself. You can watch the full episode now on VH1’s website.
‘Real Housewives of New Jersey,’ 10 p.m. Tuesday on Bravo
Heaven knows, my taste in TV isn’t highbrow. But the “Housewives” of Bravo’s popular franchise, tonight joined by a bunch from New Jersey, just aren’t people I want to spend time with — not a season, not an hour every week, not 15 minutes, which is how long I lasted in the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” premiere Bravo sent me.
‘Lost,’ season finale, 8-10 p.m. Wednesday on ABC
“The Incident,” Parts I and II, promises pivotal developments, a judicious number of answers and just enough new questions to keep us hanging over the long hiatus before “Lost” returns for its final (sob!) season next February.
‘Prison Break,’ series finale, 7-9 p.m. Friday on Fox
Even if you drifted from “Prison Break” over its four-year run, the series finale (provided for preview) is more than rewarding. It’s so exciting and satisfying — and in the end, with a flash-forward from 2005, when the action took place, to the present — so touching that it sends the series out on a real high note.
‘Farrah’s Story,’ 8-10 p.m. Friday on NBC
Farrah Fawcett, reported in grave condition with cancer, shares the video diary she kept during her fight for survival.
‘Beverly Hills Groomer,’ 9 p.m. Saturday on Animal Planet
Artist Knox, who won the first season of “Groomer,” gets his own show, in which he attempts to break into the celebrity grooming scene in Beverly Hills. Knox was a great character and (in small doses) a lovable guy. But would you let him primp your poodle? Shampoo your shar-pei? Let’s see how the show goes.
‘Survivor: Tocantins,’ season finale, 7-10 p.m. Sunday on CBS
This has been a lackluster “Survivor” season, with only the bizarre character called Coach setting it apart. At this point, I still don’t have a favorite. But a highlight of any “Survivor” season is the reunion show, which will follow the two-hour finale.
