Independent Lens: Writ Writer
This compelling hour profiles Fred Arispe Cruz, a Mexican-American convict who became a self-taught jailhouse lawyer, fighting for inmates’ rights and badly needed reforms by composing writs—sometimes on tissue paper, when he wasn’t allowed anything else. The film is a brutal, revealing look at the Texas prison system as well as an inspiring portrait of human endurance. Tuesday, June 3, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
On the Road in America
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This documentary series follows three young people from Arab countries on their journey across the United States. Ostensibly it’s a social experiment to foster understanding between cultures—addressing such topics as poverty in America and the Arab-Israeli conflict—but it also delivers some of the voyeuristic pleasures of a reality series like MTV’s Road Rules. Wednesday, June 4, at 9 p.m., Sundance Channel
Swingtown
Heavily indebted to The Ice Storm, Ang Lee’s brooding film adaptation of Rick Moody’s novel set in the 1970s, this new drama follows several couples and their offspring through the hedonistic days of 1976 in a Chicago suburb. Molly Parker (Deadwood) stands out among the cast as a young mom belatedly joining the sexual revolution. Thursday, June 5, at 10 p.m., CBS
Sybil
Sally Field won an Emmy for her role in the 1976 television adaptation of Flora Rheta Schreiber’s Sybil, the best-selling story of a woman who supposedly harbored more than a dozen distinct personalities. That leaves big shoes to fill, but Tammy Blanchard (Life With Judy Garland) handles the challenging lead role admirably in this remake. Jessica Lange co-stars. Saturday, June 7, at 8 p.m., CBS
When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions
A trove of historical NASA footage, much of it shot by astronauts themselves, has been restored and transferred to high-definition format for this comprehensive chronicle of America’s manned space program, from the Mercury suborbital flights to the shuttle missions to fix the Hubble space telescope. Gary Sinise narrates. Sundays, June 8–22, at 9 p.m., Discovery
Other highlights
Ghost Ships of the Black Sea
Cameras follow the excavation of two ancient but well-preserved shipwrecks. Tuesday, June 3, at 10 p.m., National Geographic Channel
Wa$ted!
Wasteful households get environmental audits in this new series hosted by Annabelle Gurwitch. Wednesday, June 4, at 8 p.m., Planet Green (formerly Discovery Home)
Fear Itself
Four stranded criminals discover strange secrets in an old fort, in the debut episode of this new suspense anthology. Thursday, June 5, at 10 p.m., NBC
All listings are Eastern time.
Show of the week
Freeheld
Detective Lt. Laurel Hester worked 25 years as a police officer in Ocean County, N.J., before being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Given a year to live, she sought to transfer her pension to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree—just as her fellow officers had with their spouses. But though state law permitted such a transaction, the county’s elected officials, called freeholders, refused to do so. This documentary follows the emotionally charged legal battle that ensued in public hearings and the media, while poignant domestic scenes chronicle Hester’s failing health. The film won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short earlier this year, as well as a Special Jury Prize at Sundance and other awards. Wednesday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m., Cinemax
Movies on TV this week
Monday, June 2
The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944)
Daring in its day, this classic Preston Sturges comedy concerns an army reject and a girl who can’t remember which soldier got her pregnant. Eddie Bracken and Betty Hutton star. 4:45 p.m., TCM
Tuesday
Separate Lies (2005)
An auto accident causes the disintegration of a well-to-do English couple’s marriage in this drama, featuring Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, and Rupert Everett. 7:30 p.m., IFC
Wednesday
Nurse Betty (2000)
Traumatized by her husband’s murder, a waitress becomes convinced she’s a character in a medical soap opera. Renee Zellweger, Morgan Freeman, and Chris Rock star in Neil LaBute’s black comedy. 8 p.m., TMC
Thursday
The Professional (1994)
Natalie Portman’s first starring role was in this offbeat action thriller, as a 12-year-old orphan who persuades a hit man (Jean Reno) to make her his apprentice. 10:10 p.m., Encore
Friday
Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)
Laura director Otto Preminger reunited with Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney for this film noir about a detective who accidentally kills a suspect, then covers it up. 10 a.m., FMC
Saturday
The Contender (2000)
Joan Allen and Jeff Bridges both received Oscar nominations for this political thriller about a senator whose past comes back to haunt her when she is tapped for the vice presidency. 12:45 p.m., Cinemax
Sunday
Home of the Brave (2006)
This recent film follows four soldiers’ return to struggles to resume civilian lives after combat in Iraq. With Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Biel.
8 p.m., Showtime
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