The Pitch
Capitalizing on the Mad Men buzz, this new docuseries reveals the real work that ad agencies do to win clients. This week, Las Vegas–based SK+G vies with New York City’s The Ad Store to be awarded an account by Houston-based Waste Management, a company in need of an edgy new strategy. With just one week to formulate their presentations, both agencies spend long days and nights searching for the right idea. Monday, April 30, at 9 p.m., AMC
Hawaii Five-0
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Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J of NCIS: Los Angeles guest-star, linking two of CBS’s livelier police dramas in a sweeps-month stunt. The premise behind the crossover: A suspect is threatening to release a deadly virus on Hawaii’s population. Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan lead the Five-0 cast in a two-part story that concludes the next night in their peers’ time slot. Monday, April 30, at 10 p.m., and Tuesday, May 1, at 9 p.m., CBS
American Experience: Jesse Owens
After Jesse Owens bested German rival Luz Long in the long jump at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, the two linked arms in a victory lap. The moment was remarkable because Hitler had intended the games to showcase Aryan superiority, and because the African-American Owens was on his way to winning four golds. In this absorbing documentary, track is the great equalizer. Tuesday, May 1, at 8 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Independent Lens: Circo
“The circus is tough and beautiful,” says Tino Ponce, ringmaster of a family circus, in this unsentimental yet poignant documentary. Tino and his wife disagree about the futures of their four children, who work and perform throughout the small towns of rural Mexico. Though the children’s plight is bleak, the lush and beautiful colors of this award-winning film provide real pleasures. Thursday, May 3, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
The 27th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
At April 14’s annual ceremony in Cleveland, highlights included an energetic performance by the Faces (with Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall substituting for no-show Rod Stewart) and a spirited Guns N’ Roses medley (with Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge filling in for Axl Rose). Donovan also teamed up with John Mellencamp for “Season of the Witch,” and Bette Midler offered an emotional tribute to the late Laura Nyro. Saturday, May 5, at 9 p.m., HBO
Other highlights
Kentucky Derby
Bob Costas and Tom Hammond co-host coverage of “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” Saturday, May 5. Coverage starts at 4 p.m.; post time is 6:24 p.m., NBC
Treasure Island
Eddie Izzard portrays Long John Silver in this new, four-hour production of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic. With Elijah Wood. Saturday, May 5, at 7 p.m., Syfy
The Comedy Awards
Jon Stewart is scheduled to present Don Rickles with a career award for “comedic excellence.” Sunday, May 6, at 9 p.m., Comedy Central
The pressure of South Korea's celebrity culture
Should lying in politics be a criminal offence?
Store closings could accelerate throughout 2025
