Thursday TV Hot List

Beginning tonight at 12Midnight ET/PT (6/26), MTV will air a 9-hour marathon in tribute to Michael Jackson featuring music videos, exclusive performances and heartfelt messages from artists and celebrities who were inspired by the legendary artist.

"Michael Jackson: A Tribute”will air at 9PM ET/PT on MTV & VH1 and will repeat on MTV at 11PM ET/PT.

Immediately following at 9am ET/PT on Friday, June 25, MTV will air an encore presentation of “Michael Jackson: A Tribute.” Hosted by MTV News Correspondent Sway, this one-hour special features personal statements from Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Lisa Marie Presley and Li’l Wayne, celebrity and musician call-ins from Sheryl Crow, Pete Wentz, Timbaland, Reverend Run, Fat Joe and Snoop Dogg and a look at the music legend’s greatest music videos and performances.

MTV & VH1 TO AIR MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE TONIGHT LIVE AT 9PM/ET

At 9pm/ET LIVE, MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Tr3s and VH1 will air “Michael Jackson: A Tribute.” Hosted by MTV News Correspondent Sway, this one-hour special will feature celebrity and musician call-ins and a look at the music legend’s greatest videos and performances.

Fallen Angel: ABC Rushes Barbara Walters Special On Farrah.

NBC, which had scheduled a one-hour tribute to Farrah Fawcett tonight at 10 p.m., has now expanded that special to two hours, beginning at 9 p.m., to cover the deaths of both Ms. Fawcett and Mr. Jackson. CBS will broadcast a special report covering both deaths at 10 p.m.

ABC will air Barbara Walters’ 20/20 special report on the life of actress and iconic golden girl, Farrah Fawcett. The show was originally slated to air on Friday, but as her health quickly deteriorated last night, the network pushed the airing a day earlier. In addition to classic and revealing moments from Walters' past interviews with Farrah, the special will feature interviews Walters taped a few days ago with Farrah’s closest friends and family members, including best friend, Alana Stewart, fellow “Angel,” Jaclyn Smith, her hairdresser of 30 years, Jose Eber, and the man Walters calls the love of Farrah’s life, Ryan O’Neal.

Barbara Walters was live on a Detroit ABC Newscast this morning when she received the news that Farrah Fawcett had lost her fight with anal cancer. Walters was visibly shaken as she received word while on the air and announced, “The beautiful, vibrant, Charlie’s Angel…uh… has died,” her voice cracked as she added, “I’m sorry... Forgive me… I just heard this.” Walters then went on to talk about Farrah’s 25-plus year love affair with Ryan O’Neal, stating that O’Neal had asked the spirited beauty to marry him many, many times, but she always refused saying “he was too bossy.” In 1997 the two split for several years, but got back together when he was diagnosed with cancer (which is now in remission).

Besides be ing an iconic pin-up girl and “Jill” on Charlie’s Angels, the 5-time Golden Globe nominee was also an accomplished dramatic actress in powerful films such as Extremities and The Burning Bed. But for fans of her early work on, as well as new found fans who watched her brave fight with cancer, she will always be remembered as an angel to us.

Alright 80’s lovers, tonight’s Samantha Who? is dedicated to you! John Taylor from Duran Duran makes a special appearance as Sam’s new rock star fling! Sam gives off a bit of the “and you are?” vibe, since her amnesia makes her forget that he was a huge rock icon who she had a crazy crush on when she was younger. Unfortunately Andrea and Dena don’t suffer from the same memory loss affliction and fawn over him like two 11-year olds at a Jonas Brothers concert!

The Biography channel airs a 2-hour special tonight called, Tragic Side of Comedy, taking an inside look at the troubled lives behind some of the funniest comedians that we’ve lost to tragedy over the years. Friends, colleagues, psychiatrists and authors lend their insight to the lives of comedians including John Belushi, Chris Farley, and Phil Hartman.

And finally, think of the two guys you would least want to watch talk about orgasms, then stick ‘em on Showtime and you get tonight’s season premiere of Penn & Teller Bull! Although I should correct myself, Penn will actually talk about the big O’s, while I don’t even want to imagine what his miming sidekick Teller will be doing to add to the discussion. Ick.

Notable mentions… What’s the only thing that can compete with Johnny Depp and Megan Fox on Letterman tonight? Sacha Baron Cohen as Bruno on the Tonight Show With Conan! Pow!

Thursday Night Hot List

8:00

Samantha Who? (ABC)

So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)

Snapped (OXYGEN)

9:00

Real Housewives of New Jersey: Watch What Happens Reunion Pt 2 (BRAVO)

River Monsters (DSC)

True Life (MTV)

10:00

Farrah's Journey 20/20 with Barbara Walters (NBC)

Penn & Teller Bull! (SHO) season premiere

Raising Sextuplets (WE)

The Fashion Show (BRAVO)

Tragic Side of Comedy (BIO)

(Photo: WENN)