The Week’s guide to what’s worth watching

Presidential Debate

To be held at Belmont University in Nashville, the second of three scheduled debates between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama is the only one between the nominees that will be conducted in a town-hall format. Moderator Tom Brokaw will have the option of including questions to the candidates submitted by voters via MySpace. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 9 p.m., various networks

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An emphasis on the technical side puts this new series about daunting repair challenges a cut above the rest of the hazardous-occupation reality genre. This week, host Sean Riley goes to the Gulf of Mexico to witness the replacement of a 38-ton propeller on a ship too large for most ports—meaning the delicate operation must be done in open water. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 10 p.m., National Geographic Channel

In this credible Americanization of a hit Australian sitcom, Molly Shannon and Selma Blair play the respective title roles of a perky middle-aged mom and her sulky, self-obsessed daughter. Though a tad gentler than the original, it retains a satirical view of mass culture and celebrity worship. Both Shannon and John Michael Higgins, as her sandwich-vending suitor, find a balance between mockery of and sympathy for their characters. Thursday, Oct. 9, at 8:30 p.m., NBC

Over the 218-year history of the U.S. Senate, fewer than 2 percent of the 1,875 Americans who served there have been women. As recently as January 1992, there were only two female senators, but by January 2006 there were 14. Filmmaker Mary Lambert, the sister of Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln, here interviews them all: in their offices, while campaigning, and in their homes. From Elizabeth Dole to Dianne Feinstein to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, the women have different political views, and their cited inspirations range from their parents to Anita Hill. But all reveal a fierce dedication to public service, which has helped them balance family responsibilities with their challenging jobs. As Hillary Clinton puts it, “There’s a lot of slings and arrows.” Annette Bening narrates. Monday, Oct. 6, at 9 p.m., Sundance Channel