Mekeisha Madden Toby

Wanda Sykes is ready for late-night drinks, talk

Wanda Sykes is a funny, busy woman. These days, she's juggling a role on CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and a brand new hosting gig on "The Wanda Sykes Show." The latter debuts Saturday on Fox. - 11/06/2009

New on kid vid

Henson's final 'Fraggle' season still rocks

This week's new releases for kids, teens and families, from Fraggles to Superman. - 11/06/2009

Friday TV pick

'Fanboy' fearlessly flies onto Nickelodeon

Get a sneak peek at Nickelodeon's newest animated offering, "Fanboy and Chum Chum," when it airs at 9 tonight. Comedic and cool, the show features a famous voice cast that includes actor Jaime Kennedy, Josh Duhamel ("Las Vegas"), Estelle Harris ("Seinfeld") and Wyatt Cenac ("The Daily Show"). The series, which uses computer-generated technology, follows a fearless, comic book-loving 11-year-old named Fanboy and his best friend and trusty sidekick, Chum Chum. - 11/06/2009

Mekeisha Madden Toby

A regular day at 'The Office'

Visiting the set of "The Office" is like visiting a friend at work. Unlike other shows that are brought to life on studio lots, the NBC sitcom films at a real office building at the end of a street filled with industrial storefronts and warehouses. - 11/05/2009

• TV blog: Mekeisha Madden Toby's news & views

Thursday TV pick

Rihanna tells her side of story on ABC's 'Good Morning America'

Whispers of domestic abuse have always circulated throughout Hollywood. From deceased singer Ike Turner to actor Steven Seagal, a number of famous men have been accused of beating women. - 11/05/2009

Mekeisha Madden Toby

Dr. Oz plans health fair in Metro area with Ch. 4

Dr. Mehmet Oz is planning a Metro Detroit health fair with WDIV-TV (Channel 4). - 11/04/2009

Wednesday TV pick

Far out 'Lock N Load' is a barrel of fun

To describe Showtime's new reality series "Lock N Load" as trippy would be an understatement. The show, which airs at 9 tonight, follows Denver gun shop owner Josh Ryan as he makes sales. In spite of this very unusual topic, there is something very honest and intriguing about the people who purchase guns and why. For instance this week, a woman whose ex-husband abused her comes to the store to buy loaded protection. - 11/04/2009

Neal Rubin

Polar Bears' chilling story

The 5,500 men of the North Russian Expeditionary Forces -- the Polar Bears, they eventually called themselves -- are all long gone and mostly forgotten. But as wars drag on in the Middle East and their purposes come more and more into question, it's worth remembering that protests did not begin with Vietnam and that, in 1919, the government listened. - 11/03/2009

• In Detroit History: Detroit's Polar Bears and their confusing war
• YouTube video: 339th Infantry Regiment in northern Russia 1918-1919

Tuesday TV pick

HBO documentary offers rare look at Obama

HBO's candid and touching documentary "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama" is definitely worth the watch when it airs at 9 tonight. - 11/03/2009

Monday TV pick: 'Unwrapped' showcases baked treats

Sara Lee pound cake is as versatile as it is delicious. Find out how this spongy, buttery, delicate and aromatic dessert came to be on the Food Network's tantalizing series "Unwrapped." - 11/02/2009

Soaps

All My Children: Adam begins to remember what really happened the night Stuart was shot. Aidan explains to Kendall that she can communicate with Zach using the laptop computer he stole for her by posting messages on a poetry Web site. Kendall is overwhelmed with emotion when she connects with Zach online. David offers to share custody of Trevor with Amanda if she agrees to have another baby with him. - 11/02/2009

Sir Ian McKellen: Where there's a Will, there's a wizard

Ian McKellen, who has attained worldwide fame for his roles as the wizard Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" and Magneto, the twisted mutant of "X-Men," is latest recipient of The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual Will Award. - 11/01/2009

Saturday TV pick

Michael Meyers scares on AMC 'Halloween' marathon

Nothing says scary like Michael Myers. Check out the 1978 John Carpenter movie that started it all when "Halloween" airs at noon today on AMC. But the screams don't stop with the original. AMC also is airing "Halloween 4" at 2 p.m. and "Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers" at 4 p.m. All three flicks are a part of the network's Halloween horror-movie marathon. - 10/31/2009

Mekeisha Madden Toby

Networks stick with what works by rehashing old TV shows

Remakes of shows like "V," which debuts Tuesday on ABC, and NBC's EMS offering "Trauma," an updated version of the 1999 drama "Third Watch," are proof that TV bigwigs would rather go with the formulas they know than take risks. - 10/30/2009

• TV blog: Mekeisha Madden Toby's news & views