SUPERGROUP
10 p.m. Sunday, May 28
VH1 (Comcast Ch. 56)
If you’re a fan of rock ’n’ roll, you’ve probably wondered a time or three what a band composed of your favorite artists might sound like. You know: Elvis (the young, hot one) on vocals, Keith Moon on drums, Jimi Hendrix on guitar, maybe a little Chuck Berry or Eric Clapton thrown in for good measure. For many metal heads, VH1 has managed to make dreams a reality with their new show “Supergroup,” which rounds up five of the biggest talents in music to live in a house for two weeks and see what nice sounds come out. On hand are Ted Nugent, frontman Sebastian Bach, Anthrax rhythm guitarist Scott Ian, drummer Jason Bonham, and Biohazard bassist Evan Seinfeld. With the help of legendary manager and producer Doc McGhee, they’re pretty much a sure-fire thing — if their egos can coexist without going nuclear. Tune in and watch the fireworks.
NOVA: THE BOLDEST HOAX
7 p.m. Tuesday, May 30
AETN (Comcast Ch. 3, Broadcast Ch. 2)
In 1912, a fossil hunter named Charles Dawson was digging in a gravel pit near Piltdown, England, when he made what would be heralded as a landmark discovery in the search for the origins of man: a jaw bone and a skull fragments that seemed to belong to a “missing link” between man and apes. Backed up by expert analysis by the British Museum, Piltdown Man would remain a confounding piece of the evolutionary puzzle until 1953, when it was revealed as a hoax — bits of a human, chimpanzee and orangutan bones and teeth, filed and fitted together by their creator. Just who that creator was remains a mystery. Tune in to catch the true story of Piltdown Man, which has since become almost synonymous with the word “hoax.”
RESCUE ME
9 p.m. Tuesday, May 30
FX (Comcast Ch. 59)
In the vast electronic wasteland, roses do manage to bloom from time to time. One of those has been FX Network’s “Rescue Me.” Written and produced by comedian Denis Leary and “Murphy Brown” creator Christopher Tolan, it’s the story of Engine 62, a New York City firehouse still dealing with the mental aftermath of 9/11. Centered around self-destructive firefighter Tommy Gavin (played masterfully by Leary), a powder keg of barely restrained alcoholism, infidelity, depression and survivor guilt. The show comes blazing back next week for a third season, which promises to be the best yet. Funny, insightful and always at the top of its game, it’s easily the second best show on television (after HBO’s mob hit, “The Sopranos”). If you’ve never seen it, do yourself a favor.