Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present
The emotions that cross the faces of museum-goers as they sit across from performance artist Marina Abramovic lend a spiritual air to this engrossing documentary about Abramovic’s controversial 2010 exhibit at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. “An artist has to be a warrior, to conquer himself and his weaknesses,” says the provocative artist, now in her 60s, whose lifetime of work has been both pilloried and praised. Monday, July 2, at 9 p.m., HBO
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POV: The City Dark
When filmmaker and amateur astronomer Ian Cheney moved from rural Maine to New York City, he could no longer see stars in the night sky. In this award-winning documentary, he interviews experts about the effects of light pollution, both on animals that have their navigational instincts disrupted and on humans, whose health seems to be compromised by overexposure to artificial light. Thursday, July 5, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Perception
Using Monk and House as models, this new series casts Will & Grace’s Eric McCor-mack as another brilliant but damaged sleuth—this one a neuroscience professor who aids the FBI. In the premiere, he gets unexpected help investigating the murder of a drug company executive. Though far-fetched, the show benefits from McCormack’s vigorous performance; Rachael Leigh Cook co-stars. Monday, July 9, at 10 p.m., TNT
Voters in America: Who Counts
Recent changes to voting laws in Florida could affect this November’s presidential election. This documentary taps both critics who say the new laws will suppress voting by minorities and defenders who say that they will prevent voter fraud. A panel discussion, featuring the film’s producers and its narrator, Jesse Williams of Grey’s Anatomy, will follow the film. Sunday, July 15, at 8 p.m., CNN
Other highlights
Comic Store Heroes
Cameras follow the proprietors of New York’s Midtown Comics as they deal with colorful (and obsessive) collectors and prepare for a major convention. Friday, July 13, at 8 p.m., National Geographic Channel
Breaking Bad
A new season begins for this edgy drama—winner of six Emmys and a Peabody Award—about a high school teacher turned drug kingpin. Bryan Cranston stars. Sunday, July 15, at 10 p.m., AMC
Political Animals
Sigourney Weaver plays a U.S. secretary of state contending with both family and international crises in a new summer series that will run for six weeks. Sunday, July 15, at 10 p.m., USA
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Disarming Hezbollah: Lebanon's risky missionTalking Point Iran-backed militia has brought 'nothing but war, division and misery', but rooting them out for good is a daunting and dangerous task
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Woof! Britain's love affair with dogsThe Explainer The UK's canine population is booming. What does that mean for man's best friend?
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Crossword: August 31, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
