Tonight’s Top 10 Shows: Monday, July 30

Monday, July 30

Olympic Fun Fact: From 1912 – 1952, there was a fine arts component to the Olympic games. Items were submitted under the categories of Architecture, Literature, Music, Painting (which included drawing, painting, and graphic arts), and Sculpture. These categories were discontinued due to the argument that the artists submitting items for judgment should be considered professionals, whereas the athletes who competed had to be amateurs, and it was an unacceptable double-standard. No famous artists, musicians, architects, etc., competed in this aspect of the Olympics, and it is thought that the subjective nature of judging art did not allow for it to be a true competition, particularly since one president of the International Olympic Committee won a gold medal for his clunky and poorly written “Ode to Sport,” which was submitted under a pseudonym. The drawing above, titled “Rugby,” was the gold medal winning submission in the Painting category in the 1928 games.

Bachelor Pad (ABC 8pm) The contestants struggle with a rhythmic gymnastics challenge; sparks fly between two contestants at a rock concert; a shocking decision is made.

Is there any decision that these people could make at this point that would actually be shocking? Becoming a cloistered nun, I guess.

XXX Summer Olympics

From London. Swimming, finals: men’s 200m freestyle, men’s 100m backstroke, women’s 100m backstroke, women’s 100m breaststroke; gymnastics: men’s team final; diving: men’s synchronized platform; beach volleyball, women’s: USA vs. Czech Republic.

It’s the scantily-clad, sexy man competitions tonight. Who needs to pay $10 to go see Magic Mike when this is on?

The Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Family 8pm) Kathy is encouraged to make new friends at school, but falls in with a bad crowd; Leo learns about Ben’s plans to sneak around with Dylan.

Aren’t these people going to “age out” of this show at some point?

The Real Housewives of New York City (Bravo 9pm) Sonja dates Aviva’s sex-addicted father; Aviva asks Sonja how to deal with Ramona; Carole calls out LuAnn for asking a friend to loan her dresses.

A Countess nevah borrows dresses, dahling. It must all be a misunderstanding.

Off the Hook (The Discovery Channel 9pm) Premiere: Eric uses plywood and an inner tube to build a raft, then sets out off the coast of Miami to nab a sailfish.

Hijinks ensue when INS refuses to allow him entry back into the country based on his Cuban Refugee conveyance.

Assuming that the sailfish doesn’t puncture his raft first.

The Closer (TNT 9pm)

Somebody is very, very confused.

Single Ladies (VH1 9pm) Raquel believes that Charles is not interested in her; April and Reggie’s relationship hits a snag.

This is not, I repeat, not a reality show. I’m pretty sure.

Miss Advised (Bravo 10pm) Emily’s childhood crush comes to town with a surprise; Julia struggles with her column and with Andrew; Amy dates a man from her gym.

I like to think that the women on this show are watching themselves now and realizing what horrible people they are and how they are the reason why they can’t have a functional relationship, but we all know that’s highly unlikely.

Teen Wolf (MTV 10pm) Scott, Stiles, Melissa and Stillinski are taken hostage; Allison tracks Derek to the station.

Four Houses (TLC 10pm) …and a Disco Hot Tub: A Venetian villa is up against a modern high-rise condo, an Art Deco classic and a vintage bungalow.

Four enter. Only one leaves.

What will you be watching tonight?