Off the Wall: 'The Fades' comes in focus

Off the Wall can't resist a monster mash.

SUPERNATURAL SCRIPTS The harder TV tries to be different, the more it ends up the same. In three days, we get two uncanny arrivals. Britain's "The Fades" (Saturday night at 9, BBC America) follows a teen whose creepy dreams start becoming real, complete with ghostly spirits. (At least they've got a sense of humor.) Canada's "Lost Girl" (Monday at 10 p.m., Syfy) is a succubus who doesn't wanna be, fighting her urge to feed on humans. Previews at bbcamerica.com/the-fades and syfy.com/lostgirl.

UNSCRIPTED PREMIERES Medieval food rituals start the journey of "The Supersizers Go" (Saturday night at 10, Cooking) through the history of British cuisine. "Ragin' Cajuns" (Tuesday at 10 p.m., Discovery) are hardworking, hard-partying shrimpers still trying to recover from Katrina. Rocker Dave Navarro hosts the tattoo artists competition "Ink Master" (Tuesday at 10 p.m., Spike). And S. Epatha Merkerson of "Law & Order" hosts "Find Our Missing" (Wednesday at 10 p.m., TV One), highlighting the missing black Americans that cable news never seems to notice.

CRAZY CREATURES Comedy and horror both met their match in a very surreal series of feature films. The surprise hit "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (Sunday at 8 p.m., Turner Classic Movies) led to '50s faves "Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man" and "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy" (Sunday at 9:30 and 11 p.m., TCM). Background at tinyurl.com/77ckmam.

RICKY RAGS ON Who'da thunk they'd ask Ricky Gervais to host again? But he's back for a third gig on "The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards" (Sunday 8-11 p.m., NBC/4), despite previously ripping stars in attendance like a cackling madman. Tune in early for the 7 p.m. arrivals hour. Nominees, video, other goodies at nbc.com/golden-globes.

OPRAH'S ON A ROLL This week on "Oprah's Next Chapter" (Sunday at 9 p.m., OWN), Winfrey has an hour's chat with controversial New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Stay tuned for "Oprah's Master Class" (Sunday at 10 p.m., OWN), in which Goldie Hawn discusses her hits, misses and personal past. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it's "Oprah and the Legendary Cast of 'Roots' 35 Years Later" (Monday at 8 p.m., OWN), with LeVar Burton, Cicely Tyson, Leslie Uggams, John Amos, Louis Gossett Jr. and Ben Vereen gathered at Oprah's California home. More at oprah.com/own.

BETTY AT 90 Who's on the guest list for "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl" (Monday 8-9:30 p.m., NBC/4)? Only a show-biz who's who -- Mary Tyler Moore, Hugh Jackman, Carol Burnett, Amy Poehler, the inevitable William Shatner and many more. It's followed by a preview of the upcoming series "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" (Monday 9:30 p.m., Ch. 4), in which seniors play wacky pranks. If that's not enough, the day also holds a marathon of "The Golden Girls" (Monday 3 p.m.-2 a.m., Hallmark), being called "Rose's Greatest Hits," at hallmarkchannel.com/goldengirls/home.