Frontline/World: Behind Taliban Lines
In the lead report, a daring video journalist travels through an area in northern Afghanistan that has fallen back under the control of the Taliban. There he tracks insurgents who are working with members of al Qaida to sabotage a major U.S. supply route. Also in this episode: a look at Pakistan’s public schools, which remain in a dismal state despite having received U.S. aid for years. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 9 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Garbage! The Revolution Begins at Home
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To dramatize the cumulative environmental effects of household garbage, filmmaker Andrew Nisker persuaded a Toronto family of five to stockpile all their trash for three months. Then he catalogued it and followed various pieces of detritus to their final destinations, from a recycling plant in Michigan to the mountains of Appalachia. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 9 p.m., Sundance Channel
Independent Lens: Behind the Rainbow
The African National Congress accomplished the “Mandela Miracle,” liberating South Africa from apartheid. But today the nation’s ruling party is being torn apart by scandal, corruption, and disagreement over the country’s response to globalization. This documentary traces the ANC’s century-long history and reveals how two prominent leaders went from brothers-in-arms to bitter rivals for power. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel
In a Winter Olympics–themed episode, correspondent Jon Frankel goes behind the scenes of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which employs the world’s most stringent drug tests to catch athletes looking for an illegal edge. Other segments include a profile of skier Bill Johnson, whose life took a tragic turn after he won a gold medal in 1984, as well as a lighthearted look at curling. Friday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., HBO
Live From Abbey Road
The third season of this musical showcase begins with a 40th-anniversary tribute to the Beatles’ Abbey Road and the London recording studio for which it was named. In addition to an interview with Abbey Road producer George Martin, there are new performances of songs from the album by Seal, Sugarland, and others. Friday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m., Sundance Channel
Other highlights
Shadow Soldiers: Israel
Cameras follow former British special forces agent Chris Ryan as he joins Israel’s border police on a mission against a drug dealer. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 9 p.m., National Geographic Channel
Prison Wives
This grim new documentary series profiles women married to men behind bars. This week, a wife makes a conjugal visit to a convicted murderer serving life without parole. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 10 p.m., Investigation Discovery
21st Winter Olympics: Closing Ceremony
NBC brings its 17 days of Olympics coverage to an end with a live broadcast of the closing ceremonies in Vancouver. Sunday, Feb. 28,
at 7 p.m., NBC
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