July 25 – July 31 (All Times Eastern)

Sunday, July 25

“Sons of Tucson” (Fox) 7 p.m.

Photo: Benjamin Stockham

When Robby (Benjamin Stockham) is entered into a ballroom-dancing competition, his brother Gary (Frank Dolce) pushes him to fulfill his own failed dancing dreams while Ron (Tyler Labine) becomes a typical “pageant parent” on “Sons of Tucson,” airing Sunday at 7 p.m. on Fox. Meanwhile, Brandon (Matthew Levy) gets a job working with Ron at Sport Space and struggles to keep up with all the lies Ron has told their co-workers. Well, they won’t have to worry about the ruse much longer, as Fox has already pulled the plug on the show, with its series finale airing next Sunday. http://www.fox.com/sonsoftucson/

“Mad Men” (AMC) 10 p.m.

Photo: Jon Hamm

Following the unexpected implosion of his professional and personal lives, ad executive Don Draper (Jon Hamm) makes a costly mistake that jeopardizes the new agency on the fourth season premiere of AMC’s “Mad Men,” airing Sunday at 10 p.m. A Golden Globe and Emmy winner (with 17 more Emmy nominations this year), this drama set in the Swingin’ Sixties is still making a big impression on the media zeitgeist – Esquire’s cover story for May named co-star Christina Hendricks as America’s best-looking woman, knocking out 2009 designee Megan Fox – and most anyone else who catches a glimpse of her. http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/

“My Boys” (TBS) 10 p.m.

Photo: Jordana Spiro

Now that PJ’s (Jordana Spiro) brother has moved to China for his new job, the gang is short a poker player, so they decide to audition various friends for the slot on the season premiere of “My Boys,” airing Sunday at 10 p.m. on TBS. Meanwhile, Stephanie (Kellee Stewart) and Kenny (Michael Bunin) continue in their attempts to prove their relationship is genuine to a stubbornly disbelieving Mike (Jamie Kaler). http://www.tbs.com/shows/myboys/

Monday, July 26

“20/20: The Stories Behind the Rose” (ABC) 10:02 p.m.

Monday at 10:02 p.m. on ABC, the correspondents of “20/20” take a special look behind the scenes of the romantic elimination-competition series “The Bachelorette” with their report on “The Stories Behind the Rose.” This one-hour news expose follows “The Bachelorette 6: The Men Tell All” (8 p.m.), so the ample dirt will be dished out from all possible directions. http://abcnews.go.com/2020

“Lie to Me” (Fox) 8 p.m.

Photo: Tim Roth

After a young woman is killed at a gubernatorial campaign rally in Virginia, Lightman (Tim Roth) and his colleagues are hired to determine whether the case is actually a failed assassination attempt or a well-disguised murder plot on “Lie to Me,” airing Monday at 8 p.m. on Fox. Melissa George (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Richard Burgi (“Desperate Housewives”) guest-star on the episode. http://www.fox.com/lietome/

“Huge” (ABC Family) 9 p.m.

Photo: Nikki Blonsky

It‘s movie night at Camp Victory, and while the campers anxiously await the announcement of the film title, anticipation builds about potential “hookups,” with Will (Nikki Blonsky) growing jealous of Ian’s (Ari Stidham) rising obsession with Amber (Hayley Hasselhoff) on “Huge,” airing Monday at 9 p.m. on ABC Family. The once reluctant and rebellious Will now sets out to reveal her romantic side by writing a love song and making her feelings more apparent. http://abcfamily.go.com/shows/huge

“The Closer” (TNT) 9 p.m.

Photo: Kyra Sedgwick

Brenda’s (Kyra Sedgwick) opinion holds sway when Pope (L.K. Simmons) has a chance to become police commissioner on “The Closer,” airing Monday at 9 p.m. on TNT. Meanwhile, the squad members are reluctantly drawn into the middle of a bitter and complicated battle between parents over the custody of a child. http://www.tnt.tv/series/closer/

“Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County” (HBO) 9 p.m.

Photo: Joshua and Zach Brewster

In some of the nation’s wealthiest ZIP codes, children of the working poor, like Joshua Brewster (top) and his little brother Zach, live in single motel rooms and play in concrete parking lots in “Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County,” debuting Monday at 9 p.m. on HBO. Directed by Emmy winner Alexandra Pelosi (“Journeys with George”), the documentary reveals the devastating impact of lean times on the children of often hard workers who simply don’t earn enough to rent or buy their own homes. http://www.hbo.com/#/documentaries/homeless-the-motel-kids-of-orange-county

Tuesday, July 27

“Breakthrough with Tony Robbins” (NBC) 8 p.m.

Photo: Tony Robbins

Motivational speaker and self-help author Tony Robbins guides six people through a series of tough challenges that will help empower each of them to reach their personal goals on “Breakthrough with Tony Robbins,” premiering Tuesday at 8 p.m. on NBC. Robbins aims to inspire each of the participants and their families to find the tools to change their own lives, and reach out to help others as well. http://www.nbc.com/breakthrough-with-tony-robbins/

“MasterChef” (Fox) 9 p.m.

Photo: Graham Elliot

The culinary mastermind behind Chicago’s first “bistronomic” restaurant, Chef Graham Elliot is one of the judges on “MasterChef,” a new Fox series in which amateur cooks compete in various challenges to possibly realize their dreams of becoming professionals, premiering Tuesday at 9 p.m. Completing the panel of judges are restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich, and host and co-producer Gordon Ramsay (“Hell’s Kitchen”). http://www.fox.com/masterchef/

“The Colony” (Discovery) 10 p.m.

Photo: Jim Armistead

California carpenter Jim Armistead draws upon his longtime survival preparedness as one of the volunteers struggling to make it through a global catastrophe on the second season of “The Colony,” premiering Tuesday at 10 p.m. on Discovery. Set in the backwoods of Louisiana still marred by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the reality series challenges the participants to totally fend for themselves in a simulated wasteland while fending off wild animals and malicious outsiders. Another hit from reality-TV pioneer Thom Beers (“Deadliest Catch”), “The Colony” is not just a show to enjoy, but to study and learn from. http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/colony/

“Growing Up Twisted” (A&E) 10 p.m.

Photo: Dee Snider Family

As the former frontman in drag for the heavy metal band Twisted Sister, Dee Snider (seated) was used to making lots of noise, but now the father and new grandfather is considered the “quiet one” of his suburban Long Island family, all of them “Growing Up Twisted,” a new A&E reality show premiering Tuesday at 10 p.m. The seven-episode series follows the offbeat but tight-knit clan through the oddball pursuits that define them individually, while their love binds them together in solidarity. It should prove interesting to witness Snider’s style of fatherhood, as many of Twisted Sister’s songs focused on parent-child conflicts. At least he can’t gripe too much about the way his kids dress. http://www.aetv.com/growing-up-twisted/index.jsp

Wednesday, July 28

“So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox) 8 p.m.

Photo: Mia Michaels

Mia Michaels and her fellow judges, Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman, scrutinize the performances by the top five contestants on “So You Think You Can Dance,” airing Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Fox. Tune it to see who trips up and who has the right moves, or just to catch that wonderful smile of host Cat Deeley. http://www.fox.com/dance/

“The Middle” (ABC) 8 p.m.

Photo: Eden Sher

Sue (Eden Sher) discovers that she is actually not the world’s best babysitter when she lets her little brother, Brick (Atticus Shaffer), watch a scary movie and he freaks out on “The Middle,” airing Wednesday at 8 p.m. on ABC. Meanwhile, Frankie (Patricia Heaton) and Mike (Neil Flynn) make a huge deal out of their impression that Axl (Charlie McDermott) has managed to find the perfect girlfriend (Alexa Vega), only to find their own hands full with an unexpected turn of events. http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle

“Plain Jane” (CW) 9 p.m.

Photo: Louise Roe

British fashion expert Louise Roe uses her style savvy to provide a head-to-toe transformation for one woman each week on “Plain Jane,” a new CW series premiering Wednesday at 9 p.m. In addition to the new wardrobe and confidence-building exercises, each participant will also get the chance to make her romantic dreams come true as she surprises her unsuspecting crush with her new look and reveal her true feelings to him. Well, if that fantasy beau ends up rejecting her, at least she’ll look a lot better (hopefully) as she’s getting dumped. http://www.cwtv.com/shows/plain-jane

“Troy” (AMC) 10:45 p.m.

Photo: Diane Kruger

With “the face that launched a thousand ships,” the beautiful Helen (Diane Kruger) so enchants the Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) that he abducts her from her Spartan husband, King Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), despite the epic war this legendary desire brings in “Troy,” airing Wednesday at 10:45 p.m. on AMC. Co-starring in mythological action-romance are Eric Bana, Sean Bean, Julie Christie, Brian Cox, Brad Pitt and Peter O’Toole.

Thursday, July 29

“Community” (NBC) 8 p.m.

Photo: Chevy Chase

Pierce (Chevy Chase) and the gang return from their winter break to discover there is a new addition to their study group, and they must decide if this one eager student is worthy of joining their number on “Community,” airing Thursday at 8 p.m. on NBC. Meanwhile, Jeff (Joel McHale) takes the job as the new editor of the student newspaper. http://www.nbc.com/community/

“On the Road with Austin & Santino” (Lifetime) 9:30 p.m.

Photo Santino Rice

Fashion designer Santino Rice teams up with fellow “Project Runway” contestant Austin Scarlett for a journey through small-town America as Lifetime goes “On the Road with Austin & Santino,” beginning Thursday at 10:30 p.m. The talented team becomes immersed in local culture as they design “dream-come-true” garments for such special women as a military officer, a truck driver and a rodeo trick rider. http://www.mylifetime.com/
“Jersey Shore” (MTV) 10 p.m.

Photo: Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and her “Jersey Shore” castmates take their mission of being fashion plates and role models of the New Jersey scene (although none are actually from there) to the warmer climes of Miami for season two, premiering Thursday at 10 p.m. on MTV. But don’t worry, the self-proclaimed (and self-celebrated) “Guidos” and “Guidettes” will return to Jersey later in the season (if any survive their encounters with the South Beach locals) and continue to insult the Italian-American community with negative stereotypes brought to embarrassing life. http://www.mtv.com/shows/jersey_shore/series.jhtml

“The Universe” (History) 9 p.m.

Photo: Enceladus

Thursday at 9 p.m. on History, “The Universe” debuts its fifth season with a look at the “7 Wonders of the Solar System,” including a trip to Enceladus, the giant moon of Saturn, as well as the planet’s famous rings. The episode will also use high-definition computer graphics to examine Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, the Asteroid Belt, the searing surface of the sun, and Earth itself. http://www.history.com/shows/the-universe

“X Games 16” (ESPN) 8 p.m.

Photo: Ashley Fiolek

At the age of 19, motocross phenom Ashley Fiolek has already achieved several firsts in the sport, such as becoming the first female factory rider for Honda Red Bull Racing, and being the first deaf medalist at the X Games when she won the 2009 Women’s Moto X Super X, a feat she hopes to repeat at the “X Games 16,” continuing Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Set in downtown Los Angeles, the summer edition of the annual extreme-action sports event also includes competition in BMX, skateboarding and rally car racing. http://espn.go.com/action/news/story?page=x-games-16-downtown-la

Friday, July 30

“Medium” (CBS) 9 p.m.

Photo: Patricia Arquette

When Allison (Patricia Arquette) begins having visions of strange symbol, she believes they may in fact be clues to the identity of a notorious serial killer on “Medium,” airing Friday at 9 p.m. on CBS. Meanwhile, Joe (Jake Weber) starts working at a new job, but experiences doubts as to how well he will be able to perform at it. Better hang onto that job, Joe, unless Allison has a vision of you winning the lottery. http://www.cbs.com/primetime/medium/

“House” (Fox) 8 p.m.

Photo: Olivia Wilde

When Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) and the team take on the case of a “knight” who collapsed during a reenactment at a Renaissance fair, she debates with Sir William (Noah Segan) about the acts that define honor and loyalty on “House,” airing Friday at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Meanwhile, Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) tries for a fresh start with his ex-wife Sam (Cynthia Watros), and we all know how that usually turns out. http://www.fox.com/house/index1.htm

“Let the Good Times Roll” (TCM) 8 p.m.

Photo: Chubby Checker

Friday at 8 p.m. on TCM, Chubby Checker, the king of the Twist, is among the music greats of the Fifties and Sixties that appear in “Let the Good Times Roll,” a 1973 documentary depicting the rise of rock ’n’ roll in America. The all-star lineup also includes Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino, Bill Haley, Little Richard, Danny and the Juniors, The Shirelles, The Coasters and The Five Satins.

“What Just Happened” (Showtime) 7 p.m.

Photo: Robert De Niro

A once-great Hollywood producer (Robert De Niro) struggles to finish his latest beleaguered film while coming to terms with his second divorce and the sudden maturity of his teen daughter (Kristen Stewart) in “What Just Happened,” airing Friday at 7 p.m. on Showtime. Inspired by the memoirs of producer Art Linson, this showbiz-skewering comedy co-stars Catherine Keener, Sean Penn, Robin Wright Penn, Stanley Tucci, John Turturro and Bruce Willis. http://www.whatjusthappenedfilm.com/

Saturday, July 31

“Flightplan” (ABC) 8 p.m.

Photo: Jodi Foster

A recently widowed woman (Jodi Foster) awakens from a nap during an overseas flight to discover her daughter (Marlene Lawston) is missing, and no one else remembers her being aboard, in the thriller “Flightplan,” airing Saturday at 9 p.m. on ABC. Of course, Jodi should have checked the kid in with her other luggage, but that’s no guarantee she’ll show up either, and the airlines just keep wanting to charge more and more.

“The Bridge” (CBS) 8 p.m.

Photo: Aaron Douglas

When two off-duty police officers are involved in a shooting outside of a gym, union representative Frank (Aaron Douglas) soon learns that the pair had been illegally selling steroids on “The Bridge,” airing Saturday at 8 p.m. on CBS. Frank can’t stomach corruption on the force, and really has a problem with fellow officers who are way much stronger and faster than he is. http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_bridge/

“Lies Between Friends” (Hallmark) 9 p.m.

Photo: Gabrielle Anwar

When an art authenticator (Gabrielle Anwar, “Burn Notice”) reunites with six college girlfriends for a bridal shower weekend, long-buried secrets are revealed after one of the women is killed in “Lies Between Friends,” airing Saturday at 9 p.m. on Hallmark. Craig Sheffer (“One Tree Hill”) co-stars as the local sheriff who investigates what first appears to be an accident, but soon comes to regard everyone of them as a murder suspect. http://www.hallmarkchannelpress.com/MicrositesLib/Default.aspx?SIMSCode=419-28238

“The Final Destination” (HBO) 8 p.m.

Photo: Bobby Campo

Although a teen’s (Bobby Campo) premonition about a deadly racetrack accident saves the lives of his friends, Death finds many inventive ways to even the score in “The Final Destination,” airing Saturday at 8 p.m. on HBO. http://thefinaldestinationmovie.com/

“Surrogates” (Starz) 9 p.m.

Photo: Bruce Willis

In the near future when homebound people live their lives through designer robots, an FBI agent (Bruce Willis) comes out of such isolation to investigate the techno-utopia’s first murder in years in “Surrogates,” airing Saturday at 9 p.m. on HBO. This cautionary tale about man’s overdependence on machines was adapted from the graphic novel by Robert Venditti and co-stars James Cromwell, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike and Ving Rhames. http://www.chooseyoursurrogate.com/

“9” (Cinemax) 10 p.m.

In the aftermath of an apocalyptic war between man and machines, the rag doll 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood) awakens in a bleak and dangerous world where he alone may hold the key to saving civilization in “9,” airing Saturday at 10 p.m. on Cinemax. The animated fantasy also features the voice talents of Jennifer Connelly, Crispin Glover, Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer and John C. Reilly. http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/9/