A look at television programming of note beginning Sunday

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Next week, the world bids farewell to the Beijing Summer Olympics -- Closing Ceremonies are slated to air via tape delay on Sunday beginning at 7 p.m. EDT on NBC -- and Democrats gather in Denver to ratify Barack Obama as their presidential nominee.It'll be hard not to stumble across convention coverage throughout the week, considering that most everyone, it seems, is offering some kind of coverage or another.Elsewhere, Mark Consuelos puts his acting chops to the test in his latest made-for-TV film, "For the Love of Grace" (9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, Hallmark Channel).For one, he plays a valiant firefighter. "I'm the kind of guy who would run out of a building, not run into a building during a fire," he says with a laugh.And, secondly, he plays a valiant firefighter who -- gasp! -- cooks. Consuelos admits he's a handy griller, but that's about it. He says he rarely cooks for his wife, Kelly Ripa, and their three kids."If I want the family to get sick, I do," he says.But "Grace" does allow Consuelos to do what he's known for -- a romantic lead. In the story, he plays a fireman who rescues a writer. Afterward, the two of them start collaborating on a cookbook.Through their time together, they learn about each other and confront some painful parts of their pasts. "It's a love story. It's a love triangle, but not one of those nasty ones," says Consuelos, whose character is a widower still reeling over his wife's death.Consuelos has a resume stuffed with romantic roles. He started his career on ABC's "All My Children," where he met his wife and eventually became her love interest on and off the screen.Since he and Ripa left the soap, they've continued to work together. He occasionally co-hosts her daytime talk show, "Live with Regis and Kelly," when host Regis Philbin isn't around. Consuelos also played her love interest in the ABC sitcom "Hope & Faith."And now they play themselves in comically toned TV commercials.In his career, Consuelos has learned a thing or two about chemistry.He also knows when it won't work well -- and that even includes when it comes to his wife. Consuelos says he has no desire to ever take over Philbin's seat next to Ripa someday."The great thing about two people doing the show that don't live together is that they have two points of view," he says. "I look good on that show because she makes me look good."I know my limits, and that's one of them."Other highlights for the week of Aug. 24-30 (all times EDT; listings subject to change; check local listings):SUNDAY-- "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (9 p.m., USA Network). In the season finale, Detective Goren has to find out how his brother is connected to a murder.-- "S.I.S." (10 p.m., Spike TV). A policeman who falls on hard times ends up working with an elite team of crimebusters who get no credit for their deeds. Bummer.-- "Z Rock" (11:30 p.m., IFC). In this comedy, a rock band tries to climb the ropes but has to play kiddie parties to make ends meet.MONDAY-- "Secret Access: Air Force One" (8 p.m., History). Cameras go into the president's plane to see what's inside. Hopefully, it has a better in-flight movie than most.-- "America's Toughest Jobs" (10 p.m., NBC). Thirteen contestants who think they can hack tough jobs -- like deep-sea crab fishing or, perhaps, being a TV critic (OK, I threw that one in) -- get a chance to test themselves.TUESDAY-- "Greek" (9 p.m., Oxygen). The freshmen's devotion is put to the test when they learn if they have been accepted into their fraternities and sororities.-- "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" (10 p.m., Oxygen). In this new season, she's making her models live and work together 24/7. She's evil, you know.FRIDAY-- "Outsiders Inn" (8:30 p.m., CMT). Ross the Intern comes to town to host a local talent show.(E-mail Terry Morrow of The Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee at morrow2(at)knews.com.)