Terry Morrow: Matt LeBlanc returns for more 'Episodes' of disaster

Copyright: Showtime 2012

Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Matt (Matt LeBlanc) try to mend their broken friendship when "Episodes" begins Sunday night.

When we left Matt LeBlanc last time on "Episodes," his life was a mess, and he dragged everyone else down with him.

Playing a heightened version of himself, LeBlanc is lonely and self destructive to an oddly hilarious degree. He'll use any woman in his path and end up ruining many friendships as a result.

In any other place than Hollywood, he'd be driven out of town. But since this is Tinsel Town, his success as a star on "Friends" allows him to get away with outrageousness.

(In real life, "Episodes" is earning LeBlanc some of his most positive notices, nabbing him a Golden Globe win and a Primetime Emmy nomination.)

"Episodes" (10:30 p.m. Sunday on Showtime) ended a year and a half ago with LeBlanc crossing one line too many: seducing the head writer/ producer of his comeback series and tearing apart her marriage to his best friend.

Taking place four months after the season one finale, "Episodes" follows LeBlanc trying to make amends — without much success. He offers cars to the husband and wife he has hurt, hoping he can buy away their hatred.

His new series (titled "Pucks!"), about the coach of a teen boys' hockey team, is about to debut. The critics hate it, but the executives behind it are keeping the faith (although its competition is a sitcom about a talking dog).

Meanwhile, LeBlanc's libido keeps getting a workout. The blind wife of his show's top executive puts the moves on him.

LeBlanc, who should know better by now, allows her to keep throwing her hands all over him.

LeBlanc has many more lessons to learn despite his most recent travails.

Other highlights for the week of July 1-7. All times Eastern. Listings subject to change. Check local listings.

SUNDAY

n "Weeds" (10 p.m. Showtime). It's been a buzz kill for years now, but the marijuana comedy with Mary-Louise Parker will finally take its one last puff this season.

n "Shark Wranglers" (10 p.m. History). The work of world-class fishermen and ocean explorers working with sharks is profiled in this high-stakes reality series.

MONDAY

n "Four Houses" (10 p.m. TLC). Four proud homeowners are invited to look over each other's homes and give their opinions, hoping their insight will garner them $10,000 and a feature in Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

n "Web Therapy" (11 p.m. Showtime). Lisa Kudrow's comedy about a webcam-based therapist returns for a new season with guest stars such as Minnie Driver and Conan O'Brien.

TUESDAY

n "Ann Rutherford Marathon" (6 a.m. to 10 p.m. TCM). The recent deceased classic movie actress from Hollywood's golden age is paid her due, from 1938's "Of Human Hearts" to 1939's "Gone with the Wind."

WEDNESDAY

n "Twilight Zone" marathon (8 a.m. to 5 a.m., SyFy). It's a holiday tradition as the iconic horror series rolls out its most popular episodes for Independence Day. Who doesn't love seeing the last librarian left on Earth breaking his glasses, doomed to forever roam the world without reading.

n "America's Funniest Videos" marathon (beginning 11 a.m. ABC Family). Want to see a kid bop his dad with a plastic bat again and again and again? Sure. Who doesn't?

n "Macy's July 4 Parade" (9 p.m. NBC). Kenny Chesney and Katy Perry perform for this spectacular, live from New York City.

n "America's Lost Treasures" (9 p.m. National Geographic Channel). Could you have a museum-worthy item in your house of junk? Maybe this series from producer Thom Beers ("Deadliest Catch") will point you in the right direction.

SATURDAY

n "Sell This House: Extreme" (noon, A&E). Host Tanya Memme and a construction expert reinvent a hard-to-sell home in order to get it off the owner's hands and make it look cool in the process.

n "The Walking Dead" (7:55 p.m. AMC). If you missed the episode from season two when Shane and a companion search for medical supplies and are chased by a legion of zombies, you missed one of the most jaw-dropping endings to any show all year.

© 2012, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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