Call her agent
If Katherine Heigl wants to be taken seriously as an actress, she'll have to do better than the unintentionally hilarious "State of Affairs," a new drama that has a tin ear when it comes to capturing the rhythms of Washington, D.C. Heigl plays a CIA briefer who just happened to be engaged to the slain son of President Constance Payton (a wasted Alfre Woodard). Writers appear to have spent more time reading Shonda Rimes scripts than actual CIA documents, with one ridiculous element after another. There was a time when "Affairs" may have gotten away with a less than savvy political drama. But after "The Good Wife," the bar has been raised too high for this effort to clear. 9 p.m. Monday, KARE, Ch. 11
House music
Everyone wants a guest house band these days. David Letterman got the ball rolling last month with a week's worth of the Foo Fighters. Not to be outdone: "The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson" (11:35 p.m. WCCO, Ch. 4) keeps Metallica on retainer until Friday.
Barnstorming in the USA
"Cold War Roadshow" reminds us that not all Communists are stone-cold figures. This documentary captures Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's visit to the United States in 1959, charming everyone despite the fact that we were at the height of the Cold War. Among the highlights: Khrushchev's visit to an Iowa farm, where he indulged in his first hot dog. If that doesn't say democracy, what does? 8 p.m. Tuesday, TPT, Ch. 2
It takes two
When Keegan-Michael Key (left) comes to St. Paul on Friday to tape an episode of "Wits," he'll be without Jordan Peele, the other half of "Key & Peele," one of the smartest, fast-on-its-feet sketch shows on the air. Their comedy knows no boundaries, which explains why they can do bits on a man losing his street cred and Stan Lee picking out new superheroes — in the same episode. 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Comedy Central
Neal Justin
