Ahead of the curve: Weekly pop culture calendar

After 2008’s “The Dark Knight” turned Batman from Gotham’s resident hero into a fugitive, we’re ready for the caped crimefighter to rise up and prove his honor.

Batman is back in Gotham, eight years after taking the blame for the death of District Attorney Harvey Dent and fleeing the city. But the superhero’s arrival in the city will be met with danger — he must confront a feline burglar and masked terrorist who are wreaking havoc on the city.

One of the most anticipated films of the summer, this movie has an all-star cast, including Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

“The Dark Knight Rises,” which is the final installment in this Batman superhero series, opens in theaters Friday.

Here’s what else you shouldn’t miss this week:

Sunday

• The moment so many have been waiting for: The fifth and final season of edgy drama “Breaking Bad” will premiere at 10 p.m. ET on AMC.
• Kate Walsh is a guest judge on “Cupcakes Wars” as four bakers compete to serve their cakes at a release party for the star’s fragrance at 8 p.m. ET on Food Network.
• Sigourney Weaver makes her TV debut in USA's "Political Animals" tonight at 10 p.m. ET.
• Catch the premiere of “3 Days to Open With Bobby Flay” in which chef Bobby Flay offers his expert advice to first-time owners just days before their restaurants are set to open, beginning at 10 p.m. ET on Food Network.

Monday

• In anticipation of the film’s Friday opening, learn about the history and evolution of Batman’s tricked out ride and hear from stars Christian Bale and Adam West as well as directors Christopher Nolan, Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher on “The Batmobile” at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.
• The band No Doubt, which hasn't released an album in more than a decade, will debut a music video for the track “Settle Down,” as well as sit down with Ryan Seacrest to talk about their music and history together, at 8 p.m. ET on E!.

Tuesday

• New books releasing this week include: “The Sandcastle Girls” by Chris Bohjalian; “Running for My Life: One Lost Boy’s Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games” by Lopez Lomong and Mark Tabb; “Close Your Eyes” by Iris and Roy Johansen; “Earth Unaware” by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston; and “When In Doubt, Add Butter,” by Beth Harbison.
• This week's new music: “Life Is Good” by Nas; “Carry Me Back” by Old Crow Medicine Show; “Spark Seeker” by Matisyahu; “The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle” by Missy Higgins; and “Yellow & Green” by Baroness.
• Movies being released on DVD and Blu-ray this week include: “The Three Stooges: The Movie”; “Lockout”; “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”; “Get the Gringo”; “Casa de Mi Padre”; and the Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds classic “Singin’ In the Rain: 60th Anniversary Collector’s Edition.”
• Pregnancy expert Rosie Pope takes on a new client and anticipates the birth of her own third child in the season 2 finale of Bravo’s “Pregnant in Heels” at 10 p.m. ET.

Wednesday

• See who will be the first to go as the contestants face elimination on “So You Think You Can Dance” at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
• Wolfgang Puck will appear and the first season winner will be announced on “Around the World in 80 Plates” starting at 10 p.m. ET on Bravo.

Thursday

• Find out which amateur wins the contract and which professional gets the glory when Jason Farol, J Rome and John Glosson perform one last time before a winner is announced on the season finale of “Duets,” beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
• “Project Runway” is back for its tenth season to give another round of budding fashion designers the chance at a $100,000 prize at 9 p.m. ET on Lifetime.

Friday

• Joining “The Dark Knight Rises” in theaters is documentary “Shut Up and Play the Hits,” which chronicles the final days of LCD Soundsystem, and the band’s final show at Madison Square Garden on April 2, 2011.