Manufacturing Dissent
Provocateur Michael Moore winds up on the other side of the lens in this documentary by two liberal filmmakers who sympathize with his goals but question his methods. In addition to talking to Moore’s friends and colleagues, they follow him in an unsuccessful quest to land an interview (à la Moore’s own breakthrough film Roger & Me). Monday, March 17, at 9 p.m., Sundance Channel
The Riches
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This interesting series about a family of Irish Traveller con artists impersonating law-abiding American suburbanites returns for a truncated second season consisting of seven episodes. In the season premiere, “The Last Temptation of Wayne,” paterfamilias Wayne Malloy sends his clan back on the road. Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver lead the cast. Tuesday, March 18, at 10 p.m., FX
Independent Lens: Iron Ladies of Liberia
In 2006, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became president of Liberia—and Africa’s first freely elected female head of state. She also appointed women to key positions in her government. Independent Lens follows them through a challenging first year in office as they attempt to rebuild a country crippled by debt, riddled with corruption, and ravaged by nearly 20 years of civil war. Tuesday, March 18, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Live From Lincoln Center: Madama Butterfly
American tenor James Valenti plays the faithless American naval officer and Chinese soprano Shu-Ying Li the title role of the teenage bride he abandons, in this New York City Opera production of Puccini’s beloved work. City Opera music director George Manahan will conduct the performance live from the New York State Theater. Thursday, March 20, at 8 p.m., PBS
Masterpiece: The Complete Jane Austen, Emma
Kate Beckinsale portrays Austen’s willful matchmaker in this made-for-TV production from 1996, a more traditional adaptation than the version starring Gwyneth Paltrow, which came out the same year (or the 1995 comedy Clueless, which was also based on Austen’s book). This handsome Emma won Emmys for art direction and costume design. Sunday, March 23, at 9 p.m., PBS
Other highlights
Human Ape
This documentary studies what distinguishes humans from apes, whose DNA is nearly identical to ours. Monday, March 17, at 8 p.m., National Geographic Channel
America: The Wright Way
In this new series, Globe Trekker host Ian Wright visits American destinations, starting with Las Vegas. Monday, March 17, at 8 p.m., Travel Channel
All listings are Eastern time.
Show of the week
Nice Bombs: A Journey Back to Iraq
Born in Baghdad, Chicago-based filmmaker Usama Alshaibi was 10 years old when his family fled the Iran-Iraq War and settled in the United States. In 2004, accompanied by his American wife, Alshaibi returned to a country he hadn’t seen in 24 years. His vérité-style memoir of the journey is noncommittal about the American occupation, letting Iraqis speak for themselves (they casually refer, for instance, to the “nice bombs” of U.S. troops). Executive-produced by Studs Terkel, the film is part of
an evening’s programming marking the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion. Wednesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m., Sundance Channel
Movies on TV this week
Monday, March 17
The World’s Fastest Indian (2005)
Anthony Hopkins stars as motorcycling New Zealander Burt Munro, who in his late 60s set still-unbroken land speed records at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. 8 p.m., TMC
Tuesday
Chinese Box (1997)
This story of a dying journalist, a bar hostess, and a street vendor is set against the backdrop of the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China. With Jeremy Irons, Gong Li, and Maggie Cheung. 7:15 p.m., IFC
Wednesday
Carousel (1956)
Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones star in the film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical fantasy about the tragic romance between a carnival barker and a factory girl. 9:30 a.m., FMC
Thursday
Gunga Din (1939)
A rousing adventure classic about three British sergeants battling a native uprising in colonial India. Featuring Sam Jaffe, Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Victor McLaglen. 9:30 p.m., TCM
Friday
Dick (1999)
The Watergate scandal is grist for this satire about two high school girls who chance into jobs in Richard Nixon’s White House. With Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, and Dan Hedaya as Nixon. 8 p.m., Flix
Saturday
Blades of Glory (2007)
In this silly but funny comedy, Will Ferrell and Jon Heder star as the first all-male Olympic pairs skating duo. 8:30 p.m., HBO
Sunday
The Human Stain (2003)
In the film version of Philip Roth’s novel, Anthony Hopkins portrays a disgraced professor who becomes involved with a younger woman. Nicole Kidman co-stars. 9:05 p.m., IFC
