What2Watch: The Wire Is Tapped Out

We don't expect a happy ending to the finale on Sunday. We just hope the wrong people don't die.
Dominic West as Detective Jimmy McNulty in the fifth and final season of HBO's 'The Wire'
Dominic West as Detective Jimmy McNulty in the fifth and final season of HBO's 'The Wire' - HBO
I.A.

After five seasons of nearly unprecedented praise from critics and total lack of attention from the Emmy folks, The Wire airs its final episode Sunday (HBO, 9 PM). The breakdown of an American city isn't your typical feel-good topic, and accordingly the show has never had the ratings of HBO's other keynote programs. Those who have stuck around have been rewarded with realistic pathos, dozens of wonderful characterizations, and even the occasional note of triumph.

HBO hasn't let many details slip about the finale, titled -30- after the old journalism jargon meaning "the end," but we know that McNulty makes another effort to end the homeless hoax (and tries to stay out of prison himself, I'm guessing); Daniels and Ronnie take what they've found about McNulty's and Lester's ruse to Carcetti, who goes berserk; the abandoned Dukie tries to get help from the last adult who cared about him; revenge is meted out on the corner; and Haynes finally goes to the brass about Templeton's multiple lies. Most fans of the show know better than to expect a happy ending; I just hope the wrong people don't wind up dead.

Gone Country (CMT, tonight 8 PM): After several weeks of accustoming themselves to all the requisite clich&eacut;es, the gang takes the stage in Nashville in an effort to determine who has truly gone country.

In Treatment (HBO, tonight 9:30): Kate and Paul are apparently in couples therapy now, as if this show wasn't gloomy enough. Tonight, a discussion of their goth daughter Rosie leads to a heated argument.

Stargate Atlantis (SciFi, tonight 10 PM): After searching for Teyla, Sheppard returns to an abandoned Atlantis covered with sand several thousands of years in the future.

Flip That Restaurant (TLC, Saturday 8 PM): A new series that brings the excitement of house flipping to restaurants. This week, a veteran caterer who has always wanted her own restaurant gets her wish.

48 Hours Mystery (CBS, Saturday 9 PM): A two-hour special dealing with the 1996 murder of an Alaska man who had discovered his girlfriend had two other fiancés.

Rachael Ray Feeds Your Pets (Food Network, Saturday 9 PM): I hope your Siamese likes olive oil.

Trading Spaces (TLC, Saturday 9 PM): A man and woman who have kinda-sorta broken up get to work on each other's homes. I'm sure Trading Spaces is just a cover for being able to search all their ex's possessions for evidence of a new relationship.

Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday 11:30 PM): Amy Adams is the guest host, and Vampire Weekend is the musical accompaniment. At least that's what NBC says; the last two weeks there's been some weird Clinton political ad in this spot.

Scott Baio Is 46...and Pregnant (VH1, 11 AM and 10 PM): Baio embraces his new, responsible image, pitching in with wedding plans and trying out for a voice-over role. Not dropping the baby does not mean you're father of the year, fella.

My Fair Brady: Maybe Baby? (VH1, Sunday 11:30 AM and 10:30 PM): This is the season finale -- what am I going to do without my weekly update on the size, condition, firmness, and overall awesomeness of Adrianne's breasts? Chris and Adrianne have their second honeymoon in Hawaii, where Chris makes one more effort at bringing up the baby subject.

Big Brother 9 (CBS, Sunday 8 PM): The players in the house are now solo acts. This could help Ryan, the new Head of Household who has been in constant trouble for the first month through no fault of his own, and thus hasn't gotten anyone mad yet.

Everybody Hates Chris (CW, Sunday 8 PM); Chris tries on a new bad boy image to impress his crush; Julius's prize for becoming employee of the month is not what it seems.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC, Sunday 8 PM): A large West Virginia family, which is community-minded despite their struggles, is given a Walt Disney World vacation while their home is brought up to snuff.

The Simpsons (Fox, Sunday 8 PM): Bart and Lisa worry that their latest practical joke has gone horribly wrong; Marge suspects Homer is cheating on his diet. Well, duh. And d'oh!

Aliens In America (CW, Sunday 8:30 PM): When his career aptitude adviser is stumped as to what he does well, Justin decides that his future lies in becoming a stay-at-home dad.

King of the Hill (Fox, Sunday 8:30 PM): Hank is asked to speak at the Quinceanera of Enrique's daughter, which sparks the gentrification of his neighborhood.

Oprah's Big Give (ABC, Sunday 9 PM): The nine players left are dropped off in Denver and told to reward the most deserving person they can find in 48 hours. America definitely bought into the first week of this show.

The L Word (Showtime, Sunday 9 PM): The gang participates in a fundraiser for breast cancer; Molly is suddenly stalking Shane. What is it with this show going to the "normal girl becomes a total loon" well twice in the same season?

Unhitched (Fox, Sunday 9:30 PM): Gator is obsessed with his new girlfriend's minor physical imperfection, while Kate dates an oddball musician. How many plots from Seinfeld will these guys recycle?

Ax Men (History, Sunday 10 PM): You knew that eventually the History Channel would try to clone their surprise hit Ice Road Truckers with a new macho reality show. This series follows several logging camps in remote Oregon. I feel less manly already.

Breaking Bad (AMC, Sunday 10 PM): This grim series airs its season finale (the season was truncated to seven episodes due to the writers' strike). Walter has decided to abandon his qualms about a life of crime; Skyler has her baby shower; and Jesse tries to sell his aunt's house.

Dirt (FX, 10 PM): Lucy investigates why a young celeb spent so little time in jail after a drunk driving bust; a star's embarrassing home video goes viral.

Here Comes the Newlyweds (ABC, Sunday 10 PM): The couples get tango lessons from Dancing With the Stars luminaries; the husbands prepare roasts for their wives. Yes, there's nothing women love more than having their loved ones tell jokes about them in public.

Keeping Up With the Kardashians (E!, Sunday 10 PM) A second season for America's most inexplicable celebrity and her family. Kim shows signs of having let fame go to her head (as well as another body part we could mention), while Kourtney deals with a cheating Scott.

That's Amore (MTV, 10 PM): It slipped my mind that this series featuring former Tila Tequila pursuer Domenico debuted last week. Anyway, you know the drill by now: the girls fight for Domenico's heart, or whatever he leaves them when they break up two weeks after the finale airs; they'll compete in contests and argue a lot.


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