Gettysburg
This two-hour documentary employs re-enactments and computer imagery to present a visceral, soldier’s-eye view of the pivotal 1863 battle that claimed some 50,000 lives over three days. The History channel is also marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War one night later with Lee & Grant, a new profile of the two generals created in cooperation with historian Winston Groom, the author of Forrest Gump. Monday, May 30, at 9 p.m. (Gettysburg); Tuesday, May 31, at 9 p.m. (Lee & Grant), History
American Masters—James Levine: America’s Maestro
This profile traces James Levine’s distinguished 40-year career as music director of the Metropolitan Opera all the way back to his 1971 debut with Tosca and through the Met’s two most recent seasons. Interviewees include Levine’s longtime collaborator Plácido Domingo and the maestro himself. Wednesday, June 1, at 8 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Franklin & Bash
Blending frat-boy antics with legal drama, this new series stars Breckin Meyer and Mark-Paul Gosselaar as a pair of brash, ambulance-chasing lawyers who are improbably hired by a major law firm. Though its humor is broad and sometimes sexist, the show has energy and its leads are winning. A good supporting cast, including Malcolm McDowell and Reed Diamond (Homicide: Life on the Street), also helps. Wednesday, June 1, at 9 p.m., TNT
Men of a Certain Age
As this Peabody Award–winning series returns, its three middle-aged protagonists all face crossroads: Former golf pro Joe (Ray Romano) gets signals that his ex-wife may want to reconcile; fading Peter Pan Terry (Scott Bakula) may finally be ready to settle down with one woman; and car dealer Owen (Andre Braugher) is offered a potentially life-changing buyout by a competitor. Wistful and well-acted, Men of a Certain Age continues to offer compelling character drama. Wednesday, June 1, at 10 p.m., TNT
The First 48: Missing Persons
This new docuseries follows the missing persons unit of the Chicago Police Department through the first 48 hours of its investigations, after which the chances of a successful resolution plummet. In the premiere, the detectives race against time to find three people, including a straight-A college student who disappeared while heading toward the lakefront. Thursday, June 2, at 10 p.m., A&E
Other highlights
Love Bites
Jennifer Love Hewitt guest-stars in the debut of this romantic comedy series, which was created by a Sex and the City producer and will interweave three serialized stories into each hourlong episode. Thursday, June 2, at 10 p.m., NBC
TCM Essentials Jr.
Bill Hader of Saturday Night Live is the host of this weekly showcase of classic films suitable for kids. First up: the 1938 Errol Flynn swashbuckler The Adventures of Robin Hood. Sunday, June 5, at 8 p.m., TCM
The Glades
Returning for a second season, this police drama stars Matt Passmore as a Chicago homicide detective transplanted to South Florida. Sunday, June 5, at 10 p.m., A&E
