Night of the Hunter Holly Hunter’s first foray into series television was a good one: Her new TNT se ries, “Saving Grace,” aver aged 6.4 million viewers Monday night as the year’s top- rated basic cable series premiere. It received a huge boost from its lead-in, “The Closer” (7.2 million viewers).
And ESPN shattered re cords with last Saturday’s L.A. Galaxy vs. Chelsea FC soccer match – featuring the U.S. debut of David Beck ham. It averaged 1.5 million viewers as the most-viewed Major League Soccer telecast ever (on ESPN or ESPN2).
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Former “American Idol” contestant Constantine Ma roulis, now appearing on CBS’ “The Bold & The Beautiful,” has been a frequent target of E!’s “The Soup” and host Joel McHale. So, in the old, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” vein, Maroulis will actually appear on “The Soup” this Friday (8 p.m.) to talk about his “B&B” role and his debut album in stores Aug. 7. Maybe then they’ll lay off the jokes. Maybe.
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“CSI: NY” star Gary Sinise will be here Saturday, Aug. 11 with his band, the Lt. Dan Band, to help raise money to honor 9/11 first responders with the Concert for the Wall of Remembrance & Tribute Walk. Si nise and the guys will play at the Whit man The ater at Brooklyn College (doors open at 7 p.m.). Q104’s Ken Dashow hosts; all pro ceeds will benefit the Wall of Remembrance Foundation (the Wall of Remembrance and Tribute Walk are located in Keyspan Park). Last, but not least: * Satellite radio: XMKiDS host Mindy Thomas inter views Jim Dale, the voice of the Harry Potter Audio Books, today at 3 (XM/Ch. 116).
* Happy (belated) birthday to Amanda Ruisi (NBC).