Dish Of Salt: Weekend TV Guide (June 2, 2006)

It’s the first full weekend of the long hot summer but not everyone will be hitting the beach or pool. So, here is a quick go to guide to what’s up with this weekend’s TV.

The tabloids have had a field day with the feud between former BFF’s Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. So, it was surprising to many when they went ahead anyway with season four of “The Simple Life.” Fox cancelled the series after ratings began to dip last season and the E! network swooped in and grabbed it. I guess its a good fit consider E!’s new managing editor, Ryan Seacrest, has dubbed E! as the place where you can get “Your hookup to young Hollywood.” Premiering this Sunday night, Paris and Nicole both embark on separate adventures as they learn what it’s really like to become wives and mothers. The girls will have to survive Lamaze classes, handling a three-year-old’s demands and deal with their new “husbands” all while keeping the house clean. It’s worth tuning in to see them each wearing fake pregnancy bellies. In Sunday night’s premiere episode, Paris and Nicole meet face-to-face for the first time since their falling out. Paris sends her former pal a good luck gift that only she could get away with (along with a wink and a smile.) Let’s hope by the end of the season these two kiss and make up because from the smirks on each of their faces, when they see each other, it’s obvious they’ll be friends again one day.

If you are looking for a good belly laugh, NBC airs an encore presentation of its reality series, “Last Comic Standing” tonight beginning at 9pm. “Dateline NBC”, airing right beforehand, gets up close and personal with Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau for an update on how their lives have changed since Mary Kay was released from prison and the couple celebrated by tying the knot in May 2005. I’m sure the folks at Dateline didn’t pay for this interview, unlike a certain competing entertainment news show that I hear paid one million dollars for the rights to air their wedding footage. They turned it into nearly two weeks of programming. A bit of overkill wouldn’t you say? I’m sure one story one night on Dateline will be sufficient enough to update us on their lives.

On Saturday night, ABC is airing 1995’s adorable kid friendly film, “Toy Story.” I was recently working on a story about Don Rickles, who voices Mr. Potato Head, and had a chance to re-watch some of the clips from the film. I forgot how funny and sweet this story is. The animation even holds up to today’s standards. It’s worth another look if you haven’t seen it in awhile. Let’s start a letter writing campaign for “Toy Story 3” right now!

I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about USA Network’s original series “The 4400.” NBC is giving the show an early boost by airing an original special about the show on Saturday night. I’m hearing it will include a preview of the new season and re-caps of past episodes for folks who have never seen the show, which returns June 11th.

Three of Hollywood’s hottest hunks can be front and center together in your living room on Sunday night if you turn on CBS. They’ll be showing the blockbuster “Ocean’s Eleven” with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon. Yum, yum and triple yum! It’s a good flick though too, besides the eye candy. For guys its got the lovely Julia Roberts as well. George, Brad and Matt will be reuniting this summer to begin filming the second sequel to the film, “Ocean’s Thirteen.” Julia will not be back since she’s busy starring on Broadway but you will be able to catch her next Sunday night on CBS though, as a presenter at the Tony Awards. Somehow, I think that show will get more media coverage this year than ever before with America’s Sweetheart taking the stage!

Happy TV Watching!

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