Death on a Factory Farm
This disturbing documentary follows an animal-rights group’s three-year investigation of a hog farm in Creston, Ohio. Hidden cameras capture alleged abuse of livestock in footage that resulted in a sheriff’s department raid on the farm—and a subsequent trial that highlighted the dearth of federal and state regulation of industrialized farms that raise some 10 billion animals for consumption every year. Monday, March 16, at 10 p.m., HBO
Independent Lens: Arusi Persian Wedding
The history of tensions between the U.S. and Iran is thrown into dramatic relief when a young Iranian-American and his American bride decide to have an arusi—a traditional Persian wedding. In this documentary by the groom’s sister, cameras follow them to Iran for the ceremony despite discord between the bride’s conservative Christian family and the groom’s Iranian-born father. Tuesday, March 17, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
The State of the Planet’s Oceans
The latest installment of this award-winning series of specials focuses on fisheries and marine preserves. Aveiro, Portugal, once the richest cod fishery in the world, is now virtually depleted. A similar crisis has struck New Bedford, Mass., onetime home of the whaling industry that inspired Moby Dick. And the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has become a tempting target for poachers. Matt Damon hosts. Wednesday, March 18, at 8 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Global Warming: The New Challenge
With Tom Brokaw
In this follow-up to an Emmy-winning 2006 special, Brokaw travels from New York City to Yellowstone National Park to the Florida Everglades to investigate how climate change could affect the lives of ordinary Americans. He also interviews leading experts about the most promising potential solutions to global warming. In high-def. Wednesday, March 18, at 10 p.m., Discovery
Head Case
This dark, deadpan comedy starring Alexandra Wentworth as a therapist too self-absorbed to be of much help to her celebrity clients, is semi-improvised in the manner of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, and just as acerbic. In the second-season premiere, Macy Gray, Janeane Garofalo, and Tori Spelling all need a sympathetic ear, but Wentworth’s character is preoccupied with her upcoming wedding. Friday, March 20, at 10 p.m., Starz
Other highlights
Battlestar Galactica
The critically acclaimed sci-fi saga comes to its conclusion with a two-hour finale. Friday, March 20, at 9 p.m., Sci Fi
Dogtown
Rehabilitation gives misfit dogs a new chance as this series returns with 10 new episodes. Friday, March 20, at 10 p.m., National Geographic Channel
Party Down
This new comedy follows wannabe actors who must settle for being L.A. cater-waiters instead. Friday, March 20, at 10:30 p.m., Starz
