What to Watch: Memorial Day Festivities and The Season Premiere of American Diner Revival

Jump-start your weekend with a special season premiere of American Diner Revival tonight. Tune in Saturday and Sunday for new recipes and competition fun.
By: Rosanna Talarico
Amanda and Ty

Jump-start your weekend with a special season premiere of American Diner Revival tonight at 10:30|9:30c. Watch as Chef Amanda Freitag and home improvement pro Ty Pennington team up to renovate and revitalize diners across America in only 36 hours.

Tune in on Saturday morning for a birthday celebration feast on The Pioneer Woman and great make-ahead recipes on Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. Join the cast of The Kitchen for Memorial Day party tips, dishes and drinks. Start off your Sunday with new episodes of Giada at Home and Southern at Heart. Giada De Laurentiis makes small dishes that all include fennel. And Damaris Phillips is making Hot Chicken-Fried Steak Sandwiches with Smoked Macaroni Salad on the side and a delicious Blackberry-Almond Cobbler for a sweet ending to her dinner party.

On Sunday night, don’t miss three hours of competition, starting with an episode of Guy’s Grocery Games at 8|7c. On Spring Baking Championship, watch to see which of the final four bakers makes the best red, white and blue dessert. Then on Cutthroat Kitchen, Alton Brown drives the competing chefs nuts with his outrageous challenges.

This trip, Guy Fieri's indulging himself in righteous, rich recipes. In Charlotte, N.C., he visits a crazy seafood spot reeling in off-the-hook gumbo and dishing out a spicy mahi mahi specialty. Across town, check out the mother-daughter team serving up savory lamb ragout and a decadent ice cream sandwich. And in Los Angeles, there's a Korean-German combo firing up drunken chicken and a killer burger.

Friday 10|9c

Famous for the championship chili featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, The Diner has been central to the Norman, Okla., community since it opened as a chili parlor over a century ago. Today restaurants are booming on Main Street, challenging The Diner's dilapidated decor and menu. In only 36 hours, home improvement expert Ty and Chef Amanda attempt a renovation that embraces The Diner's Southwestern flair and flavors before it becomes ancient history.

Friday 10:30|9:30c

Ree Drummond is cooking up a celebration dinner for her husband, Ladd's, birthday. There are delicious Chili Cheese Burgers, crisp Thin Fries, a cowboy-friendly Wedge Salad with Parmesan-Peppercorn Ranch dressing, and a towering Yellow Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, which Ladd loves.

Saturday 10a|9c

Trisha Yearwood prepares make-ahead dishes Chicken Broccoli Casserole and French Coconut Pie, then heads down to one of her old Nashville stomping grounds to perform a special duet with her songwriter friend Karyn Rochelle. After the gig, they return to the house, and together they make a salad of Mixed Greens with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fried Goat Cheese Croutons, then relax and reminisce over their delicious home-cooked meal.

Saturday 10:30a|9:30c

For your first summer barbecue, there's a great new recipe for a killer burger and barbecued ribs. Discover some unique fries with sweet and savory dips. There are timesaving tricks for food prep, and actor David Burtka shares the secrets for great homemade ice cream sandwiches. Plus, get ideas for poolside snacks and a recipe for a classic Long Island iced tea.

Saturday 11a|10c

Giada creates a small-plate tasting menu for some of her friends. The twist is that each dish on the menu contains fennel: Citrus Fennel Salad, Pan-Roasted Salmon with Fennel Puree, Fennel Upside-Down Cake and a Fennel Martini made with fennel vodka.

Sunday 10:30a|9:30c

Damaris and her girlfriends have a semiannual dinner party dressed up as a clothing swap. To accompany the fashion show, Damaris and her chef friend Terra bring the heat with their menu: Hot Chicken-Fried Steak Sandwiches, Smoked Macaroni Salad and Blackberry-Almond Cobbler.

Sunday 12|11c

Four chefs take a gamble when Guy makes them roll dice to determine the details for creating their best dish. Next the chefs must use odds and ends from the Clearance Carts to make a classy champagne brunch. Finally, two chefs must plan their menu on the fly while making their best chicken dinner using one ingredient per aisle.

Sunday 8|7c

The final four bakers must tap into their basic training to create memorable Memorial Day desserts to make it to the finale. First they're challenged to create a layered springtime trifle, then they'll have the freedom to create the dessert of their choosing — as long as it's red, white and blue.

Sunday 9|8c

One chef must use a shark jaw as a knife. Then two chefs must cook out of — and on top of — a suitcase. Finally, a banana nut muffin challenge drives the chefs both bananas and nuts.

Sunday 10|9c

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