The 2014 Winter Olympics
As another fortnight of athletic drama unfolds, prime-time coverage of days five through 12 should inspire plenty of gasps: On Tuesday, women ski jumpers will get their first-ever shot at Olympic glory and snowboarder Shaun White will hit the half-pipe in his attempt to become the first American to win three consecutive Winter golds in the same event. On Wednesday, speed-skater Shani Davis will try for a three-peat of his own as he vies for his sport’s 1,000-meter title. Nightly through Feb. 23 on NBC; check listings
Independent Lens: Spies of Mississippi
In 1956, the governor of Mississippi demonstrated his commitment to segregation when he established a secret agency that evolved into a kind of Southern-style KGB. The state’s Sovereignty Commission compiled files on voters, placed African-American informants inside civil rights groups, and forced activists out of their jobs and homes. This documentary revisits a dark chapter in history that culminated with the murder of three young Freedom Summer volunteers. Monday, Feb. 10, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Friday Night Tykes
Before the Cowboys, the Longhorns, or a local high school can turn them into gridiron gods, kids in Texas learn a love of football in highly competitive youth leagues. This 10-part docuseries, which focuses on teams of 8-year-olds, keeps adding nuance as it matures. But the series’s flash points remain the games’ ferocious helmet-to--helmet hits and the adults who push an embrace of unbridled violence. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 9 p.m., Esquire
Frontline: Syria’s Second Front
Moderate rebels fighting to depose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have been forced to contend with a new enemy. To report on the widening war, Frontline reporter and Syrian native Muhammad Ali traveled with Western-backed rebels as they mounted an offensive against jihadist forces from the al Qaida–linked group known as ISIS. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Broad City
Think 2 Broke Girls, except more broke. Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer play 20-something friends living on the low end of New York City’s income spectrum. They’re not our era’s Laverne & Shirley yet, but Amy Poehler’s presence as a producer suggests that the writing could get stronger over time. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central
Other highlights
Dangerous Grounds
Coffee procurer Todd Carmichael will make you think twice about how you get your joe as he dodges jungle dangers in this series’ second season. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 9 p.m., Travel Channel
Men’s Hockey: USA vs. Russia
It won’t be 1980’s “Miracle on Ice,” but this matchup between the elite Olympic teams should be worth waking up for early on a Saturday. Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 a.m., NBCSN
The 2014 BAFTA Awards
Gravity, American Hustle,and 12 Years a Slave battle it out at the U.K.’s answer to the Oscars. Sunday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m., BBC America
