Independent Lens: Whatever It Takes
Edward Tom gave up an executive post at Saks Fifth Avenue for a far-lower-paying job as principal of a small public high school in the South Bronx. Cameras follow him through his first year as he struggles to deal with its challenges—epitomized by a failing 14-year-old girl whose mother is a recovering crack addict. Tuesday, March 30, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
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Faux sea bass crafted from tofu and watermelon made to look like seared tuna are just two of the dishes served at Moto, a Chicago restaurant with its own science lab. This lively new series follows the eatery’s “molecular gastronomists” as they concoct and field-test food designed to be easy on the environment as well as pleasing to the eye and palate. Tuesday, March 30, at 10 p.m., Planet Green
The Street Stops Here
Perhaps the best high school basketball coach in America, Bob Hurley Sr. has won 24 state championships for his inner-city Catholic school in Jersey City. He has also sent on to college all but two of the hundreds of players whom he’s coached during the past 35 years. This inspirational documentary captures his greatest test—a financial crisis that threatens to close the school. Wednesday, March 31, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism
Marking International Autism Awareness Day, this documentary follows a mother from Iceland to the U.S. and Europe as she seeks to understand her severely autistic 10-year-old boy’s condition by talking to experts and other families touched by the disorder. Kate Winslet narrates. Friday, April 2, at 6 p.m., HBO
Miami Medical
Set at a Miami trauma center, this prime-time medical drama follows a corps of young doctors who race to save lives within the “golden hour”—the period immediately following a critical injury. The pilot is brisk and rather graphic, with a stronger emphasis on medical detail than you see in such hospital soaps as Grey’s Anatomy. Friday, April 2, at 10 p.m., CBS
Other highlights
Saving Grace
Holly Hunter returns to the role of a hard-living Oklahoma police detective who has an actual guardian angel, as the final nine episodes of this popular series begin. Monday, March 29, at 10 p.m., TNT
Known Universe
For its first episode, this new science series goes to Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, which monitors objects in space that could collide with Earth. Thursday, April 1, at 10 p.m., National Geographic Channel
ESPN Sports Saturday
ESPN’s Hannah Storm anchors a new weekly two-hour block of sports programming, which will include the series Winners Bracket. April 3, at 4 p.m., ABC
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Savages: a tragi-comedy set in a 'quirky handcrafted world'The Week Recommends This new animated film by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Claude Barras is undeniably political, but it has a hopeful message
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Why 'faceless bots' are interviewing job huntersIn The Spotlight Artificial intelligence is taking over a crucial part of recruitment
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Who will win the battle for the soul of the Green Party?An ideological divide is taking root among the environmentalists
