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Weekend Watching
Soccer, soccer and more soccer, something for the kiddies, and quite possibly the world's strangest competition show... that's what's on tap for this weekend's TV viewers.
World Cup coverage continues all over the dial, which is a good thing because Americans are tuning in in droves. Ratings for most of the games have been phenomenal, with millions of viewers watching from homes, offices and sports bars all over the country. Of course, this is nothing compared to the billions (yes, billions!) that are tuning in all over the world in countries where soccer - or futbol, as it's called - is king. Some countries have even taken to renting out movie theaters to watch games. Here in the States we have never quite come around to worshipping this sport the way we do football, basketball or baseball, and probably never will.
There's lots more sporting action this weekend.Saturday night, NBC airs Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals, with the Carolina Hurricanes one game away from victory over the Edmonton Oilers.On Sunday night, ABC carries Game Five of the NBA Finals, with the Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat.Golf fans will be glued to the tube all weekend for US Open coverage, which began Thursday.
Soccer, basketball, hockey or golf not your thing' Then be sure to check out the Rock, Paper, Scissors Championship airing Saturday afternoon on A&E.No, I'm not kidding.The prize is $50,000, so start practicing for next year. I figure if enough people watch, maybe we can get it on NBC next year.OK, not really. I already set my TiVo, though, because this I've got to see. It can't be any worse than watching bowling on TV, right'
If you are an "Amazing Race" fan then you'll probably enjoy "Treasure Hunters," premiering Sunday night at 8pm on NBC.Since everything on television seems to be a hybrid of something else, I'll dub it "The Amazing Race" meets "The Da Vinci Code" - and it's even from one of the producers of the film, Brian Grazer. Ten teams of three, with group names like "Geniuses," "Grad Students," "Ex-CIA" and "Wild Hanlons," race around the world, tackling physical and mental challenges, in order to uncover a hidden treasure. What's at stake, prize-wise, is never really revealed, at least in the first episode.It's apparently worth millions, but let's hope it's something that can be turned into tangible dollars. Otherwise three people could be staring at a million-dollar vase or rare painting or something like that. You can tell my sense of culture and history is very low. There's also an online challenge you can play along with somehow, but I'm way too computer illiterate to tell you how. The show is fast-paced and fun to watch, though - and of course it's got the requisite babes in bikinis and shirtless dudes on there for eye candy. Not that I was upset watching the hunky firemen from Boston... The show moves to its regular slot on Monday at 9pm the next night.
And last, but certainly not least, is the "something for the kiddies" portion of this watching guide.Disney Channel premieres an all-new movie Friday night, "Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior." It stars Brenda Song, who's best known for playing the spoiled hotel heiress on "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody." Song's castmate from that show, Ashley Tisdale, is, of course, the channel's most famous tween right now after the success of "High School Musical." The only song in this movie, however, is Brenda herself (sorry, had to go there!), but there is plenty of kick-butt martial arts action. Just don't let your kids try this stuff at home - especially since, in the rough cut of the film that was sent to me, they still hadn't edited out the wires holding up some of the actors during the stunts. You didn't think that stuff was real, did you' According to her bio, Song is a black belt in Tae Kwan Do, so I'm guessing she at least did most of her own stunts. It's a cute film. I'll admit it. I watched it. I'm not ashamed.
Happy Weekend TV Watching. Got a show you want us to know about at "Access Hollywood"' E-mail me and let me know at salt.dish@nbcuni.com
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