“Undercover Boss” seems to have a thing for Central Florida. The reality series, which sends executives incognito to work in their companies, opened the season with the CEO of Choice Hotels International in Orlando. Last month, the show took a spin with NASCAR in Daytona Beach. And this weekend, “Boss” returns to our region for Subway. The show airs at 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.

Executive producer Chris Carlson says the Subway employees were the lure. “Those people were so intriguing,” he said. “We could have gone anywhere in the nation, but these two people stood out.”

Those people are Jessi Leigh Polk, 19, who works at a Maitland Subway, and Efrain Lozada, 20, who’s shown at the store at the Orlando Science Center. They work with Don Fertman, Subway’s chief development officer who’s based in Milford, Conn.

Polk’s take on Fertman’s sandwich-making: “Don was kind of slow. He was really slow, actually.” Would he have lasted in the job? “No, I don’t think so.”

Lozada’s take on Fertman: “With a little work, he might work out. He couldn’t multi-task. I’m all about speed, and he didn’t have it.”

Fertman’s take on the Orlando employees: “I found them to be amazingly dedicated. Jessi is a taskmaster. She’s on my case, she’s timing me. She had me do dishes — that’s my calling.”

Fertman, 56, even gets stuck in a freezer, and he acknowledges, “I’m not the speediest sandwich artist.”

The trip to Orlando surprised him. “I could have gone anywhere. We have a great team in Orlando,” Fertman said. “They didn’t give my destination for each store until I got on the plane.”

Will “Boss” be back to Central Florida? “For some reason we have good luck there. I wouldn’t see why not,” executive producer Carlson said.

The best news this weekend in scripted programming is PBS’ “Sherlock,” a new take on Sherlock Holmes from “Masterpiece Mystery!” But here’s a list of programs to keep in mind:

1. CBS’ “60 Minutes” is promoting two segments of note. Lara Logan watches Jane Goodall interact with chimpanzees in Tanzania. And Steve Kroft studies the phenomenon of “Top Gear.” The newsmagazine is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Sunday.

2. CBS’ “Undercover Boss” looks at the world of NASCAR by sending Steve Phelps, the chief marketing officer, to work various jobs at Daytona International Speedway. You can find out how he did at 9 p.m. Sunday.

3. Ann Curry talks to former NASA chief Sean O’Keefe about surviving the plane crash in Alaska that killed former Sen. Ted Stevens. The report airs at 9 tonight on “Dateline NBC.”

4. ABC’s “20/20″ delivers a Brian Ross investigation about scam artists who have swindled senior citizens. The program airs at 10 tonight.

5. Can Sherlock Holmes make it as a 21st century man? PBS’ “Masterpiece Mystery!” presents that fascinating premise over three Sundays, starting at 9 p.m. this weekend.

Today’s Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a laser-sharp consulting detective to Scotland Yard. He leaves new roommate Dr. John Watson spewing superlatives (“amazing,” “fantastic”).

But Holmes is also an overbearing, work-obsessed neurotic who calls himself “a high-functioning sociopath.” He reminded me of Sheldon on “The Big Bang Theory.”

Kind, lonely Watson (charming Martin Freeman) becomes crucial in helping viewers connect to chilly Sherlock. Watson, who was wounded while serving in Afghanistan, is a heroic heartthrob. He blogs about Sherlock and indulges the great sleuth but also realizes there’s more to life — how very 21st century.

This stylish reboot of a classic comes from writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss (“Doctor Who”). In the mysteries, Holmes takes on a serial killer, smugglers and a bomber terrorizing London. The third ends with a chilling cliffhanger, but not to worry: More is coming.

Have you ever wondered why Holmes’ appeal never wanes?

Fans really wanted to see Betty White host last night’s “Saturday Night Live.”

NBC says the show scored its best household rating since Nov. 1, 2008, when Ben Affleck hosted, David Cook was the musical guest and Sen. John McCain put in an appearance before the presidential election. That telecast scored a 9.0 household rating.

Last night’s show with White and musical guest Jay-Z put up an 8.8 household rating.  Many “SNL” alumna, including Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, returned to help put across the Mother’s Day theme and to support White.

“Saturday Night Live” was higher rated than anything in prime time Saturday. Early numbers show that Fox scored a 3.9 household rating with NASCAR and CBS also scored a 3.9 rating with its lineup. ABC posted a 3.0 household rating with NBA basketball, and NBC had a 2.6 household rating in prime time.

To many viewers, Wilmer Valderrama will always be Fez from “That ’70s Show.” But the actor, who is 30, has branched out since that sitcom ended its run on Fox four years ago. Valderrama has moved into producing, he has three movies coming out this year, and he gives voice to Disney Channel’s Handy Manny.

The animated series delivers “Handy Manny Big Race,” a special at 7 p.m. Saturday. Manny demonstrates the importance of teamwork at a speedway and becomes a fill-in driver when nerves overtake pal Elliot (Lance Bass).  Valderrama came to Central Florida to promote the special, which features Dale Earnhardt Jr. playing a famous driver. I spoke to Valderrama recently. (Valderrama, left, and Earnhardt are pictured.)

Why did Earnhardt take part?

“Dale is a fan of the show. When we approached him, he said, ‘No doubt about it. I want to be part of it.’ ”

Continue reading Wilmer Valderrama: From Fez to Handy Manny and beyond »

The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona proved a winner for Fox last night.

Fox averaged 7.5 million viewers in prime time with NASCAR, according to preliminary ratings released today. We’ll have updated numbers on this live sporting event early this week.

Here’s how the other networks fared: CBS with 5.8 million, NBC with 4.2 million for reruns and Disney-owned ABC with 3.7 million for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Fox easily won the 18-to-49 age group. ABC edged CBS for second in that count.

CBS repeated a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, “Front of the Class,” which drew 5.7 million. Then the network offered “48 Hours Mystery,” which attracted 6.2 million.

CNBC takes a look at the uncertain business world of NASCAR in a special next month.

"Inside Track: Refueling the Business of NASCAR" will debut at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 9, with repeats at 10 a.m. and 1 a.m. Darren Rovell is the reporter.

What's the approach? CNBC says it "takes viewers inside the world of NASCAR, once the fastest-growing sport in America. NASCAR is now threatened by an imploding car business and the loss of the corporate dollars that are its very lifeblood."

Rovell will look at the France family's control of the sport and talk to Brian France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR. The special also features superstars Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards, actor Kevin Costner and  fan Julie Geary.

NASCAR was the big winner in prime time Saturday and drove Fox to the top.

The Southern 500 at Darlington, S.C., averaged 6.5 million viewers in prime time on Fox, according to preliminary ratings released this afternoon. Mark Martin won the race. We'll have updated ratings early next week.

Here's how the other broadcast networks fared: CBS with 5.2 million, ABC with 4.5 million and NBC with 4.1 million.

Fox also won the 18-to-49 age group, outpacing ABC.

But "Saturday Night Live," hosted by Justin Timberlake, posted a higher household rating than anything in prime time last night. "SNL" put up a 5.3 household rating — the NBC late-night series' best showing since Feb. 14.

CBS' "48 Hours Mystery" scored the best household rating in prime time Saturday: a 4.4.

How did Carl Edwards walk away from that crash at Talladega?

The NASCAR driver will share his story at 9 tonight on CNN’s “Larry King Live.“

CNN bills it as the “miracle on the racetrack!” Do you agree?

NASCAR's Jeff Burton is dropping by Port Charles.

On Wednesday's "General Hospital," Burton visits Jake's tavern, but race fan Dr. Patrick Drake (Jason Thompson) won't recognize the driver. ABC says comedy will follow in the confusion.

"General Hospital" airs at 3 p.m. weekdays on WFTV-channel 9.

CBS had the most viewers Sunday night, but the Eye Network placed fourth in the 18-to-49 age group.

Disney-owned ABC was tops with young adults, thanks to a strong showing by a two-hour "Brothers & Sisters." Fox was a close second with NASCAR and animated comedies. NBC even placed ahead of CBS with help from "The Celebrity Apprentice."

For the night, CBS averaged 13.8 million in prime time. ABC was second with nearly 11 million. Here's how other broadcasters fared: Fox with 8.7 million, NBC with 6.6 million and The CW with 1.5 million.

The night by time slot … At 7, CBS' "60 Minutes" delivered 14.1 million viewers. Fox was second with 10.5 million for NASCAR — we'll have updated numbers on Tuesday morning. "America's Funniest Home Videos" amused 9 million for ABC.

At 8, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" drew nearly 11 million to ABC. "The Amazing Race" was close behind with 10.8 million tuned to CBS. NASCAR and animated comedy brought 9.6 million to Fox in the hour.

At 9, Tom Selleck's "Jesse Stone: Thin Ice" movie pulled 15.1 million to CBS. "Brothers & Sisters" averaged 11.9 million for ABC. "The Celebrity Apprentice" pulled 8.8 million to NBC.

NASCAR was the big winner in Saturday ratings, according to preliminary numbers released Sunday.

The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway pulled in 7.6 million total viewers to Fox from 8 to 10 p.m. The race ended at 10:35 p.m., so look for the audience to climb when updated numbers are released next week. Fox easily drew the biggest audience in the 18-to-49 age group.

Placing second to Fox in prime time was CBS, with an average 5.8 million viewers. Way back were NBC with 3.9 million viewers and ABC with 2.3 million.

The best showing by a regular series was by CBS' "48 Hours Mystery" with 6.4 million viewers at 10 p.m.