What's On The Tube?
Last month's Comic-Con is only legend now but the San Diego comic-book convention keeps exerting its pull on Hollywood, with TV's "Shootout" the latest example.
The AMC talk show airs its second Comic-Con special 11 a.m. EDT Sunday with hosts Peter Bart and Peter Guber interviewing Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee, 85, creator of Spider-Man, the Hulk and much more, and actor Kevin Spacey, producer of the film "Fanboys."
Spacey was part of the film industry contingent that trekked to Comic-Con to generate buzz among, well, fanboys and others devoted to comics and the movies they spawn - which this summer includes the astounding blockbuster "The Dark Knight."
It makes sense to seek consumer feedback on a project, whether at a convention or online, Spacey told "Shootout."
"People in the motion picture industry spend a lot of money every year trying to figure out what the fans want," he said. If they can actually tell you what they want, "then as far as I'm concerned, that's a home run."
Dana Brunetti, another producer of the "Fanboys" movie about "Star Wars" buffs on a quest, is also on the "Shootout" special, along with writer-director Frank Miller ("Sin City," the upcoming "The Spirit").
Other shows to look out for:
"The Inspector Lynley Mysteries"
When last seen, Thomas Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) of Scotland Yard had suffered the loss of his wife, Helen. When PBS "Masterpiece Mystery!" returns 9 p.m. EDT Sunday with the seventh season of "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries," Lynley is in a dark place and his partner, Barbara Havers (Sharon Small), is worried. He's soon got more to bedevil him, as he's drawn into the long-unsolved abduction of his godson and a trip to Rome ends in another tragedy - and Lynley's arrest for murder. Can he prove his innocence? With the intrepid Havers at his side, smart money says yes.
"Elvis: Viva Las Vegas"
Elvis would be enough, of course, but there is plenty more in "Elvis: Viva Las Vegas," debuting 8 p.m. EDT Monday on CMT. The special details how Presley changed the gambling town and how it changed him, telling the tale through interviews and rare performance footage. There's also testimony to his legacy from a range of artists performing Presley classics, including Toby Keith and Joe Perry with "Mystery Train," Faith Hill singing the gospel classic "Peace in the Valley," Chris Isaak and Brandi Carlile dueting on "Love Me Tender," Three 6 Mafia with "In the Ghetto," Chris Daughtry singing "Suspicious Minds" and Celine Dion with "Can't Help Falling in Love." Journalist Elizabeth Vargas is the host.
"My Life On The D-List"
Sharp-tongued Kathy Griffin may prove to be just what the doctor ordered for soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. That's where "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" wraps up this season, with a special airing 10 p.m. EDT Thursday on Bravo. Griffin, who has entertained U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, had both compassion and comedy in mind when she met and entertained injured soldiers at the facility. She bonded with a corporal over his "questionable tattoo," we're told, and even the brassy comedian couldn't resist a sergeant and her therapy dog, George.
"MTV Tr3s Fashionista"
The show promises the "perfect mix of high fashion and hot music"-and you can decide if it delivers when "MTV Tr3s Fashionista" airs on Latino-oriented channel MTV Tr3s at 2 p.m. EDT Saturday. Hosted by former model and actress Natalie Martinez and MTV Tr3s veejay L.Boogs, the lineup includes models strutting their stuff in fall styles from Latino and other designers; profiles rising design stars; and showcases trendsetters ranging (wildly) from Frida Kahlo to Jennifer Lopez to Ricky Martin. Special added bonus: Gossip maven Perez Hilton will pick his top five fashion favorites. (Note to producers: Wouldn't his bottom five, a la Mr. Blackwell, be more fun?)
By Lynn Elber