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Thursday, November 4
THE O.C. The highest-rated new drama of the 2003 season returns with its mix of sexy, troubled teens and their sexy, perturbed parents. New this year: a nightclub called the Bait Shop (think 90210’s Peach Pit) that’s scheduled upcoming gigs by the Walkmen , Modest Mouse and the Killers . 8 pm on Fox/CTV
Friday, November 5
THE RUTLES (1978, dir Eric Idle and Gary Weis , w/ Idle, Neil Innes and Michael Palin ) Irreverent Python-style spoof of the Fab Four follows the 60s moptops’ rise to fame. Spot-on Lennon-McCartney parodies by Innes as well as cameos by John Belushi , Mick and Bianca Jagger , Bill Murray and some geezer named George Harrison . Idle’s 2002 sequel, Can’t Buy Me Lunch, has yet to be released. 8 pm on Star, repeated at midnight
SOUTH PARK Superstar Michael Jefferson and his veiled son Blanket move to town to get away from it all. Befriending Cartman and crew, the would-be recluse gets involved in a sensational sex scandal. Sound familiar? 9:30 pm on Comedy, repeated at 1 am
Saturday, November 6
PARTY IN THE PARK Annual charity pop concert filmed this summer in London’s Hyde Park features performances by Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morissette, Nelly Furtado and Sean Paul as well as UK lightweights McFly, Peter Andre, Will Young and Sugababes . 9 pm on Much, repeated at midnight and 1 pm Sunday
Sunday, November 7
BREAKFAST WITH THE ARTS: STING Sting takes time off from saving the rain forest and non-stop tantric coitus to debut his Sacred Love CD in concert at L.A.’s Mayan Theatre. 8 am on A&E
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT The Emmy-sweeping cult sitcom returns for a second season. Henry Winkler guests as the unorthodox attorney of TV’s most dysfunctional post-Osbourne family. 8:30 pm on Fox/Global
Monday, November 8
THEY MADE AMERICA Documentary series profiling American innovators. The first episode spotlights rap mogul Russell “Def Jam” Simmons and CNN founder Ted Turner , followed by a second instalment focusing on abolitionist entrepreneur Lewis Tappan , who went on to establish credit firm Dun & Bradstreet. 9 pm on PBS
Tuesday, November 9
THE REBEL BILLIONAIRE: BRANSON’S QUEST FOR THE BEST The shameless self-promotor and oft-deflated balloonist challenges 16 globe-trotting competitors to execute death-defying stunts in order to become president of his budget airline and win a million bucks. In other words, The Apprentice Goes On An Amazing Race. 8 pm on Fox/Global
Wednesday, November 10
RAMSAY’S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES The first episode of this foodie must-see finds Britain’s most curmudgeonly gourmet, acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay , attempting to turn a struggling restaurant around in only a week. Caution: violence and profane language. 9 pm on Food, repeated at 11 pm, and at 9 pm and midnight Sundays
