The Week’s guide to what’s worth watching

Hunt for the Shadow Cat

Prowling for jaguars, documentary cameras follow animal preservationists into the jungles of Belize and the swamps of Brazil. The show is part of Big Cat Week, a programming blitz that will also spotlight other endangered species, including leopards and African lions. Hunt for the Shadow Cat: Monday, Dec. 12, at 9 p.m.; Return of the Clouded Leopards: Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 10 p.m.; The Last Lions, Friday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m.; Nat Geo Wild

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This year’s Oscar winner for best documentary short looks at a public school in Tel Aviv where Jewish, Christian, and Muslim children, many with violent backgrounds and little previous education, learn together. Over the course of one school year, the film follows several members of the multinational student body, including a 16-year-old from Darfur and a 9-year-old South African girl whose mother was murdered. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 7:45 p.m., HBO

Live From Lincoln Center: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

Choreographer George Balanchine created his iconic interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet in 1954, and the New York City Ballet has performed it during every Christmas season since. Eight cameras will capture the 2011 performance, which features 50 children from the School of American Ballet along with NYCB’s entire roster of 150 dancers and musicians. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m., PBS; check local listings

Christmas in Washington

Conan O’Brien makes his first appearance as host of this annual benefit event for the Children’s National Medical Center. This year the entertainment lineup includes rapper/singer Cee Lo Green, teen idol Justin Bieber, and the country group Band Perry. President Obama and the First Lady are expected to be in the audience. Friday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m., TNT

Homeland

As the first season of this gripping series reaches its climax, former al Qaida captive Nicholas Brody prepares for a policy summit hosted by the vice president; meanwhile, bipolar CIA officer Carrie Mathison is in a near catatonic state, putting the burden on her mentor to investigate the implications of her dark suspicions. Damian Lewis, Claire Danes, and Mandy Patinkin are all first-rate in this thinking-man’s thriller. Sunday, Dec. 18, at 10 p.m., Showtime

Other highlights

American Pickers

Scouring West Virginia, antiques hunters Mike and Frank come upon a 1929 Schwinn-built motorbike and a mask used in secret ceremonies of the Oddfellows fraternal organization. Monday, Dec. 12, at 9 p.m., History

Republican Presidential Debate

Special Report host Bret Baier moderates another debate among GOP White House hopefuls, this time broadcast live from the Sioux City Convention Center in Iowa. Thursday, Dec. 15, at 9 p.m., Fox News Channel

Saturday Night Live

Jimmy Fallon is this week’s host; the musical guest is pop/jazz vocalist Michael Bublé. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 11:30 p.m., NBC