SundayWhen Idris Elba played gangster Stringer Bell on "The Wire," he was as cool as a cucumber, so it only makes sense that he'd be an emotional wreck when he switched teams. In the British series "Luther" (9 p.m., BBC America), he's a brilliant English detective with a dangerous temper. The cases are less than riveting, but you can't take your eyes off Elba, wondering when he might snap.

MondayJust how much brainpower does it take to run a pawnshop? We'll find out when Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Chumlee of "Pawn Stars" (9:30 p.m., History) answer Meredith Vieira's questions on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" This episode goes behind the scenes of their appearance; you can see how they fare on Tuesday's episode of "Millionaire" (4 p.m. Tue., KSTP, Ch. 5).

TuesdayPatti Stanger, who swears she can find love for anyone except herself, returns for another round of "The Millionaire Matchmaker" (8 p.m., Bravo), a show that seems hell-bent on proving that one's social skills evaporate the minute you make a load of money. The latest series of male snobs and female freeloaders are particularly ingratiating. If only Stanger would use her talents to help out more deserving souls -- like TV critics.

WednesdayEthel Merman had "Everything's Coming Up Roses." Judy Garland had "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Elaine Stritch has "I'm Still Here." The cranky aunt of Broadway kills on her signature number from "Follies" during "A Broadway Celebration: In Performance at the White House" (8 p.m., KTCA, Ch. 2), a one-hour tribute so brisk and entertaining that the Obama children don't even fidget. Other highlights: Audra McDonald's breathless version of "Can't Stop Talking About Him" and Idina Menzel's wickedly good "Defying Gravity."

ThursdayDavid Letterman makes a rare prime-time appearance on "Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education" (8 p.m., Comedy Central), hosted by Jon Stewart. Get a load of the lineup: Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, Joel McHale and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

NEAL JUSTIN