Frontline: The Card Game
The aggressive marketing of credit cards to low-income customers has driven up profits for banks in recent years, this joint Frontline–New York Times investigation reveals; it has also led to a rise in bankruptcy. Could potential new federal regulations, spurred by the financial crisis of 2008, curb the industry’s excesses? Correspondent Lowell Bergman seeks answers from lobbyists, politicians, and consumer advocates. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 9 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Independent Lens: Objectified
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Director Gary Hustwit, whose acclaimed documentary Helvetica celebrated a typeface, now turns his camera on industrial design, examining why everyday items from Apple computers to potato peelers are made the way they are. As he talks to designers about their decisions, he reveals the art in objects as prosaic as chairs, clocks, and toothpicks. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
The Jazz Baroness
Eccentric heiress Pannonica Rothschild frequented jazz clubs, served Scotch from a teapot, and was the patron of groundbreaking pianist Thelonious Monk. This well-crafted documentary by her great-niece traces their platonic yet passionate love affair, offering fascinating looks at both the Rothschild financial dynasty and the creators of bebop, as well as presenting portraits of two colorful personalities. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 8 p.m., HBO2
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 83rd edition of the holiday event has a new route and new balloons (including fresh incarnations of Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man), but will still feature the traditional marching bands and Broadway numbers. The Early Show’s Maggie Rodriguez and Dave Price anchor coverage on CBS, while on NBC the hosts will be Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer, and Al Roker of Today. Thursday, Nov. 26, at 9 a.m., CBS and NBC
The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert
This music special consists of four hours of highlights from the Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 concerts held at Madison Square Garden to mark the 25th birthday of Cleveland’s temple to rock music. Headline acts included Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, and U2, performing along with such guests as Mick Jagger, Billy Joel, and Sting. Sunday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m., HBO
Other highlights
Apollo Wives
Spouses of the astronauts who took part in NASA’s pioneering Apollo space missions reveal the emotional challenges the space program placed on their marriages. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 8 p.m., BBC America
NCIS
U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus portrays an NCIS investigator in a Thanksgiving-themed episode. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 8 p.m., CBS
Meet the Natives USA
In this new series, cameras follow five tribesmen from the South Pacific island of Tanna on a diplomatic mission to learn about American culture. Sunday, Nov. 29, at 9 p.m., Travel Channel
