RURAL 101
Gone Country
8 p.m., CMTOh me, oh my. And that Diana DeGarmo from "American Idol" was such a nice girl. Now she’s slumming with the D-list on this latest reality show about learning to be a country star. The cast of people who've signed up to live in a Nashville home and learn the ways of country music include Carnie Wilson, Maureen McCormick, Sisqo, Dee Snider, Julio Iglesias Jr., and the one and - thank God - only Bobby Brown.
Ugliest House on the Block
10 p.m., WEBut a very nice personality.
How to Look Good Naked
9 and 9:30 p.m., LifetimeHave your birthday suit pressed.
Miss America Reality Check
10 p.m., TLCPinch me! I could be the next Mary Ann Mobley!
SMASH CLASH
Friday Night Lights
9 p.m., Channel 7Last week, Smash and his white girlfriend, Noelle, encountered much racial flak. First, their parents openly discouraged their relationship. Then the couple were harassed while kissing at a movie. What, is this 1960? Tonight, Smash, played by Gaius Charles, deals with the fallout from that violent movie-theater incident. New episodes of "FNL" continue through Feb. 8, by the way.
Dog Whisperer
8 and 9 p.m., National GeographicHe's calm, assertive, and has experience with bulldogs. Cesar for president.
Desperate Housewives
9 p.m., Channel 5Lynette's brownies are wasteful, to be blunt about it.
ON DEMAND
Sarafina!
No ordinary musical, this one starring kids from Soweto is a beautiful juggernaut, more powerful on screen than on stage, singing a song of freedom without shying away from the fact that blacks as well as whites are poisoned by the murderous rage born of apartheid. The film is carried by the irresistible spirits of its cast, including Leleti Kumalo, Miriam Makeba, and Whoopi Goldberg. (PG-13; runs on Encore through Jan. 31)
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