The best SYTYCD dances and a “Rumble on the [Project] Runway” both air next week

It’s time for Past Forward: what happened last week, and what to watch on TV next week, which is kind of slow as we wait for the blast of fall shows to arrive.

The Past

• Last week, the search for VH1 star Ryan Jenkins ended in a Canadian hotel room, and VH1 continued its pathetic response when it announced it was cancelling both shows he appeared on, although it’s going to change its ways—maybe. Meanwhile, Lifetime did a happy dance while Bravo cried, although Bravo does have a reason to be happy, and Simon Cowell actually stood up for someone. People who are not me are still watching the first modern reality show, while people in the White House are watching Project Runway. Another great reality show, Whale Wars, will return and feature an amazing new ship, while the UK axed their Big Brother even as the US’ keeps doing well. But thankfully Big Brother’s crap will be gone soon and we met the 20 new cast members for Survivor Samoa, and I love and hate not quite as many as I’ve loved and hated in the past.

The Forward

• Sunday After a slow weekend, we’ll find out what the insane, crazy, creative, or just lame new twist is on Big Brother [CBS, 8 p.m., unless Andy Rooney pushes it back], while Tool Academy [VH1, 9 p.m.] returns for a second season, and although I didn’t watch the first, I heard good things from people who don’t have pureed brains, so I might give it a shot. On The Human Family Tree [National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.], scientists test the DNA of people in Queens, New York, to trace our common ancestors—which the network did for TV critics this summer, having us swab our cheek cells to find out who we came from and add our data to The Genographic Project. Finally, Design Star [HGTV, 10 p.m.] continues to be great television, although I swear I get more frustrated every week with the stupid judging. Just let us hear the judges discuss the designers by name! Dammit.
• Monday
  Surprise hit Dance Your Ass Off [Oxygen, 10 p.m.] ends its season with a 75-minute finale, although a reunion will follow a week later.
• Tuesday
  Tonight HBO rebroadcasts its documentary about Ted Kennedy, Teddy: In His Own Words [HBO, 7 p.m., and On Demand]. The first 10 acts in the top 20 perform on America’s Got Talent [NBC, 9 p.m.], which, yes, is still on the air. I’m enjoying Flipping Out [Bravo, 10 p.m.], but Jeff Lewis hasn’t really flipped out yet. The preview suggests someone quits tonight, perhaps his new assistant, who I’m not very fond of anyway, so I’m hoping for fireworks.
• Wednesday
  Get your friends who’ve never watched So You Think You Can Dance, those people who think American Idol is a talent showcase, and get them to watch to tune in to the hour-long “best-of” special [Fox, 8 p.m.], that will show the past five season’s best dances. Top Chef Las Vegas [Bravo, 10 p.m.] is still one of my favorite shows, but it’s testing my patience by force-feeding us the brother storyline, never mind the gimmicky crap. Just cook.
• Thursday
  Tim Gunn has teased a dramatic, controversial episode of Project Runway [Lifetime, 10 p.m.], and tonight’s episode is titled “Rumble on the Runway.” Will there be a fight, or are they making clothes for wrestlers?