“Top Chef Masters”
Wednesday 10pm, Bravo
Although I love “Top Chef,” I have never been able to get into its “Masters” spin-off. It’s basically the kinder, gentler version of the competition, featuring already world-renowned chefs at the top of their game. But honestly, I do need a little drama in my reality competitions. And since I still don’t get to taste the food, it’s a tough sell. If you like the show, or host Curtis Stone (who I swear is on TV all the time, constantly), it’s back for its fourth season.
“3”
Thursday 10pm, CBS
Despite its scandal-baiting name, this new dating show has a simple concept and prides itself on taking the competition out of dating. Three very attractive single women—a young widowed mother of two, a Baptist model with a focus on faith, and an entrepreneur who would happily give up her career to be a wife and mother—are introduced to a variety of potential suitors, go on dates, and work together to help each other pick the guys of their dreams. It certainly sounds like the least humiliating televised dating option, but I always wonder: how awkward must it be to date someone with cameras following you? My dates are bad enough when it’s just the two of us and I can embarrass myself in private.
“XXX Olympiad Opening Ceremonies”
Friday 7:30pm, NBC
To celebrate the opening ceremonies, my friends and I are throwing an Olympics party. Everyone has been assigned a random country participating in the games (the more obscure the better), and we’ll each do little presentations on the foreign locale and its athletes, plus bring sports-themed dishes. Oh my God, we’re so lame. But we are going to have so much fun! And that’s all before we start ripping apart the terrible, terrible outfits worn by most of the delegations in the Parade of Nations. (Cough. Team USA’s Ralph Lauren-designed, made-in-China beret prep-school looks. Cough.) The games run through August 12. This weekend you can catch coverage of swimming, men’s gymnastics, and beach volleyball on NBC, and its affiliate networks (CNBC, MSNBC, Telemundo, etc.) will show assorted other cool competitions. Bear in mind that there’s a five-hour time difference between host city London and the American east coast, so avert your eyes from the Interwebs in case of spoilers.