Sing Your Song
Harry Belafonte overcame racial prejudice to become a beloved singer and movie star, but his greatest achievements may be as a humanitarian. Via a wealth of rare archival footage, this film traces his career as both artist and activist, including his work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his efforts to end South African apartheid and combat gang violence. Interviewees include Nelson Mandela, Sidney Poitier, and Coretta Scott King. Monday, Oct. 17, at 10 p.m., HBO
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More than a million immigrants have been deported during the Obama administration, and detentions have reached record levels, drawing complaints of abuse, even as Republican critics urge still stricter measures. Correspondent Maria Hinojosa journeys into the secretive immigration detention system to see just who is being detained—and what happens to them. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 9 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Independent Lens: Donor Unknown
Raised by two mothers, JoEllen Marsh became curious about her sperm-donor father. A real-life The Kids Are All Right, this often funny documentary about the unexpected consequences of modern reproductive technology reveals how Marsh discovered more than a dozen half-siblings and eventually met her genetic father—living with four dogs and a pigeon in a Venice Beach, Calif., parking lot. Thursday, Oct. 20, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis
Interviews with Jerry Seinfeld, Quentin Tarantino, Alec Baldwin, and Lewis himself punctuate this new survey of the 85-year-old comedian’s long career. Highlights include Lewis’s highly successful partnership with Dean Martin, his career as not only the star but the auteur of such films as The Nutty Professor, live concert footage, and behind-the-scenes glimpses from his annual telethon. Saturday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m., Encore
Once Upon a Time
This new series is set in a New England town whose denizens don’t realize the strange truth about themselves: They’re actually fairy-tale characters. The show seems too grown-up for children and a bit juvenile for adults, but it deserves credit for originality and might be just offbeat enough to find a following among fantasy fans. Jennifer Morrison is likable as a tough bail-bond collector surprised to learn her magical legacy. Sunday, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m., ABC
Other highlights
Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel
Segments include a profile of NBA legend Jerry West, highlighting his lifelong battle with depression. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 10 p.m., HBO
Nature: Radioactive Wolves
Twenty-five years after the historic nuclear accident at Chernobyl, scientists study the resurgence of wildlife in the area around the Ukrainian reactor. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m., PBS; check local listings
American Hoggers
This new docuseries follows a family whose business is tackling a Texas-sized invasive-species problem: the state’s millions of wild boars. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 10 p.m., A&E
