Queerview television guide: the Weekend of July 2

While the 4th of July weekend is normally not a time for gathering in front of the TV (unless there's a real need to get away from the heat) it does offer Thom Bierdz's big return to Genoa City on The Young and the Restless as well as the debut of Margaret Cho's new concert film Beautiful.

And for you Next Food Network Star fans, this weekend offers a double dip thanks to The Rachael Ray Show.

Thursday

The Rachael Ray Show (syndicated) Check local listings
Sunday's Next Food Network Star will have the remaining competitors film a segment on Rachael Ray's show and those segments will air on today's show. This could be fun for those who like to look behind the curtain and compare the actual segments to how they're edited on Sunday's episode.

The Fashion Show Marathon (Bravo) starting at 6:00 PM EDT
Kick off your 4th of July weekend with five episodes of Bravo's newest fashion reality show -- if you can take that much Merlin. I'm not sure I can handle one hour a week of him.

Friday

The Young and the Restless (CBS) Check local listings
So far Y&R has teased us with a few glimpses of out actor Thom Bierdz, either in flashbacks as Phillip or in short cameos as "Langley" (who, according to the anvils that have been falling in Genoa City, is probably a not-dead Phillip) and today Langley arrives in Genoa City, an even that will likely result in plenty of drama.

The Young and the Restless' Thom Bierdz

Bump! Marathon (Logo) starting at 7:00 PM EDT
Follow the travels of Dante's Cove star Charlie David as he visits seven cities around the world (including Santa Fe, Budapest, São Paolo and Portland) in this mini-marathon of the gay travel show.

Margaret Cho: Beautiful (Showtime) 11:00 PM EDT
The gay-fave comedienne's newest concert film makes its showtime debut this weekend. Cho's latest tour examines the idea of beauty, being a "fag hag" along with her usual smackdowns on bigotry.

Saturday

Kings (NBC) 8:00 PM EDT
Prince Jack gives Queen Rose some headaches this week due to his engangement to Minister of Information Katrina Ghent.

Sunday

Next Food Network Star (Food Network) 9:00 PM EDT
As you can see on Thursday's Rachael Ray Show, the final six has them making "grown up food" for kids' palletes and then film a segment on Ms. 30 Minute Meals' show.