truTV Programming Alert: Week of March 7

Almost Genius is a self-contained, half-hour comedy series that celebrates the people, places and things that try so hard to succeed but come up just a bit short. Hosted by April Richardson and Chris Fairbanks, this next-generation clip show features comedians and performers digitally inserted into viral videos to comment on and congratulate people for their bravery and ingenuity in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. But Almost Genius doesn’t mock, because as everyone knows, “almost” is awesome and genius.

10 Things About Sports That Will Blow Your Mind: What do cell phone throwing, Olympic sex, and sports fashion have in common? They all made the list of 10 Things About Sports That Will Blow Your Mind! Join host Jamie Lee as she counts down to #1 with special guest Metta World Peace.

Bidder Loser: Joe, Sal, Murr and Q try to dig themselves out of a jam by asking strangers to help them bury bizarre items, then go head-to-head to see who can cling the longest to a stranger’s car. And tonight’s punished Joker makes a room full of enemies at an auction house, thanks to an ill-timed attack of seller’s remorse.

EPISODE SIX – What’s Eating Uncle Jake?: After leading the JV Girls Volleyball team to the State Championship on the back of star Little Debbie, Fairbell must watch from the sidelines when the PTA appoints a new coach. Shoemaker takes assistant coaching a little too far, while Loren schemes for a shady game sponsor (played by guest star T.J. Miller.). Abbey seeks to improve Smoot’s literacy with unusual tactics.

Those Who Can’t is truTV’s first foray into full-length scripted comedy. The half-hour comedy follows three trouble-making teachers, played by show creators Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl and Ben Roy of the Denver-based comedy troupe The Grawlix. More inept than the kids they teach, they’re out to beat the system as they struggle to survive each day on their own terms. Joining them is Maria Thayer (Eagleheart) the school librarian with an insuppressible passion for life.

Guest stars this season include Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Crazy Ones), Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm), T.J. Miller (Silicon Valley), Mary Lynn Rajskub (24), Peter Stormare (Fargo, The Big Lebowski) and Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs).