Q: Was that Jon Stewart I saw on an old episode of "The Nanny?"
It was. Some don't remember that Jon Stewart was a working standup comic and actor before he took over the reins of "The Daily Show" in 1999 (even fewer know that he wasn't the original host -- it was Craig Kilborn, who left to host "The Late Late Show" on CBS).
Stewart appeared on the hit Fran Drescher sitcom "The Nanny" in 1997, a year after the cancellation of his first attempt at a talk show, MTV's "The Jon Stewart Show," which lasted a little over a year.
Rookie Blue, on ABC
Dov walks into a robbery in progress and ends up shooting a black teenager. The incident leads to complete chaos in the community because it isn't clear whether or not the young man was even armed.
Q: I recognize one of the bullies from "Donnie Darko." Can you help me put a name to the face?
I can, but the two barely match anymore. It was a much younger Seth Rogen who played the bit role of a bully in the cult-favorite 2001 film "Donnie Darko."
It's important to remember that though he was already a full-time actor on the short-lived TV comedy "Freaks and Geeks," Rogen was just 18 when he filmed his small part in "Donnie Darko."
Top Chef Masters, on Bravo
The chefs face a wedding challenge when they meet a couple who want their wedding feast to pay tribute to their love. From canapés to tasting menus and a cake, the chefs strive to please the bride and groom.
Storage Wars, on A&E
An evening of modern-day treasure hunting kicks off in a prime-time marathon. Cameras follow the bidders as they take a quick look inside storage units before deciding whether or not to bid on the contents.
Q: On prime-time TV, how many minutes are devoted to TV commercials in an hour today compared to the years 2002, 1992 and 1982?
As you may have already guessed, the short answer is "more." Beyond that, it's not quite as clear-cut as it might seem, and it's mostly unregulated.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has rules about how many advertisements can air during a children's program (10.5 minutes per hour on weekends, 12 on weekdays), but we adults are left to the whims of the free market.
Market Warriors, on PBS
Miller, John, Bob and Kevin head to the Lakewood 400 Antiques Market in search of vintage advertising and more interesting finds. When the pickers are finished, their finds are auctioned off at Cowan's Auction.
New Releases for the week of July 29 - Aug 4
LOL
Teenager Lola tries to find happiness while navigating high-school life's ups and downs and using social media to share her journey. But while a break-up leaves "Lol" devastated, she is surprised to find that true love might have been close at-hand the whole time in this coming-of-age story.
Director: Lisa Azuelos. Stars: Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore, Ashley Greene, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Thomas Jane, Gina Gershon. 2012. 97 mins., comedy/drama.
Detention
Riley Jones is hopelessly in love with childhood friend Clapton Davis. The problem is, Clapton is in a relationship with Riley's former best friend, Ione Foster. This might seem like a teenage love story that's in need of a happy ending, there might not be one since a serial killer is on the loose. While the slasher-movie villain terrorizes their small town, the high school seniors will have to save themselves while they're stuck serving all-day detention.
Director: Joseph Kahn. Stars: Josh Hutcherson, Shanley Caswell. Spencer Locke, Dane Cook. 2011. 93 mins., comedy/horror.
Hijacked
All hopes of a reconciliation are dashed for special agent Otto Stockwell when his former fiance boards a plane that soon falls prey to hijackers. He soon learns that the perpetrators are working for none other than the very crime boss he's been trying to bring down. With no time to wait for back-up, Stockwell manages to get onto that plane and put his life on the line in the name of love.
Director: Brandon Nutt. Stars: Dominic Purcell, Randy Couture, Tiffany Dupont, Holt McCallany, Craig Fairbass. 2012, action/thriller.
ATM
Following an office Christmas party, Emily, David and Corey pull up to an ATM to withdraw money. But what seemed to be a routine stop turns into a night filled with sheer terror after a hooded figure commits murder right in front of them. The three trap themselves inside the ATM booth, hoping they can either escape or be rescued from this figure who seems intent on harming them.
Director: David Brooks. Stars: Alice Eve, Joseph Peck, Brian Geraghty. 2012. 90 mins., thriller.
The Whisperer in Darkness
H. P. Lovecraft's short story comes to life in this sci-fi/horror film that tries to re-capture the magic of classic horror films from the 1930s. It tells the story of Professor Albert Wilmarth, who travels to Vermont to investigate a local tale of mysterious sightings -- only to make the most frightening discovery.
Director: Sean Branney. Stars: Barry Lynch, Stephen Blackehart, Annie Abrams, Matt Lagan. 2011. 104 mins., sci-fi.
Live: Jimmy Kimmel
The baseball All-Star Game was played in Kansas City last night. Baseball used to be our national pastime before it was replaced by the Kardashians.
The Tonight Show: Jay Leno
Katie Holmes has divorced Tom Cruise. I didn't think “Rock of Ages” was that bad!
Strange bait: Wrestler tries hand at odd fishing methods
A scene from "Off the Hook: Extreme Catches"
STRANGE BAIT: This week, Animal Planet is launching a new fishing series, and the cabler has suggested it will employ the kind of ingenuity associated with MacGyver. The real catch here is that the man who will imitate the famed TV agent's inventive ways happens to be a professional wrestler.