Queerview television guide: The Weekend of June 5

Neil Patrick Harris hosting The Tony Awards isn't the only noteworthy gay TV highlight this weekend. The summer season shifts into gear with the debuts of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, The Next Food Network Star and Brooke Knows Best.

Factor in gay-inclusive episodes of HGTV $25,000 Challenge, Denise Richards: It's Complicated and Beverly Hills Groomer and you've got yourself a very busy weekend for your DVR.

Friday

The Early Show (CBS) Check local listings
The View
Neil Patrick Harris hits the morning shows today, where he'll likely be talking about this weekend's Tony Awards.

Live with Regis and Kelly (syndicated) Check local listings
Anderson Cooper guest-hosts again today as Army Wives' amazing Catherine Bell and hottie Bradley Cooper stop by.

Saturday

The Game Show Awards (GSN) 8:00 PM EDT
GSN's first awards show of its own has a couple gays (Neil Patrick Harris and Rosie O'Donnell for their appearances on Million Dollar Password) and plenty of gay-faves (Betty White for Million Dollar Password and Margaret Cho for Celebrity Family Feud) among its nominees.

Groomer Has It (Animal Planet) 9:00 PM EDT
The remaining designers have to deal with doppelgangers this week: an obedience challenge with basset hounds turns into a challenge of doubles, and they then have to make dogs look more like their owners.

Pushing Daisies (ABC) 10:00 PM EDT
Okay, I'm going to let my inner fanboy out this once because OMG, Gina Torres appears on this week's penultimate episode, playing Emerson's ex. Gina Torres! Zoe! Jasmine! Eeeeee! If this is how the series is ending, this goodbye isn't going to be so painful.

Beverly Hills Groomer (Animal Planet) 10:00 PM EDT
Silver fox diver Greg Louganis gets a visit from the Groomer Has It winner this week. It'll be interesting to see if Lougainis's work in dog training comes up.

Greg Louganis and Nipper

The Graham Norton Show (BBC America) 10:00 PM EDT
Graham's guests this week are comedian Jenny Eclair and Kurt Russell. This should make an interesting bookend to Graham's interview with Goldie Hawn last season.

Sunday

63rd Annual Tony Awards (CBS) 8:00 PM EDT
Neil Patrick Harris hosts the gayest night in television. This year has plenty of out performers up for awards, including Raul Esparza (for Speed-the-Plow), Gavin Creel (for Hair), Christopher Seiber (for Shrek: The Musical), John Glover (for Waiting for Godot), and Elton John and Stephen Daldry (for Billy Elliot: The Musical).

Any Dream Will Do (BBC America) 8:00 PM EDT
First the AfterElton Hot 100 pits Neil Patrick Harris against John Barrowman, and now BBC America seems to be getting into the action by putting the season finale of the reality talent show (where Barrowman is a judge) against NPH's hosting of the Tony Awards.

The Next Food Network Star (Food Network) 9:00 PM EDT
While I've enjoyed HGTV Design Star on its sister channel, every time I've watched the Food Network's version it's been a pretty painful experience, with its bland challenges and annoying judging. I've been able to stay away for a little while but this season has out chef Michael Proietti. After getting a sample of his contagious enthusiasm, I'll keep my fingers crossed that this show has improved.

Next Food Network Star hopeful Michael Proietti

Brooke Knows Best (VH1) 10:00 PM EDT
After a year of turmoil for her family, Brooke Hogan's reality series returns for a second season and her choreographer gay BFF Glenn is still living with her.

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? (BBC America) 10:00 PM EDT
Following the season finale of Any Dream Will Do is this earlier series, which looked to cast the role of Maria in a production of The Sound of Music. Like Any Dream Will Do, this series has John Barrowman and Graham Norton performing the judging and hosting duties.

HGTV's $25,000 Challenge (HGTV) 10:00 PM EDT
HGTV's summer reality show has David Bromstad appearing this week to offer advice when the four remaining families are challenged to take a bedroom from tired to stunning.

Denise Richards: It's Complicated (E!) 11:00 PM EDT
Denise Richards' reality show returns for a second season, bringing Lance Bass into the mix as he helps Richards co-host a New Year's bash.