Programming Notes

A country music theme brings Martina McBride as guest "coach" on Idol. I can't stand McBride after an insufferable overplay of "Independence Day."

Next week is the vomit-inducing "Idol Gives Back" show. The contestant's theme will be "life anthems."

That Wednesday is a two hour telethon results show featuring Gwen Stefani, Pink, Annie Lennox, Michael Buble, Kelly Clarkson and Il Divo. We're "raising awareness" of starving children in Africa. How very 1980's!

The first image from "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," a Fox tv pilot has appeared online. The show stars Lena Headey as Sarah and Thomas Dekker as John.

Dekker played the controversial gay character Zack in "Heroes."