TUESDAYS, Aug. 16,
Aug. 23, 8pm

History Detectives

PBS On Aug. 16, the team probes a story of heroism in Hawaii, a Civil War cannon, and movie pioneer stuntman Yakima Canutt. On Aug. 23, the team investigates a 60s’ leftist anti-police poster, a carving of Andrew Jackson, and a Modoc Indian War heroine. Advisory: Both shows are TV-PG.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY, Aug. 18-21, live and re-airings

World Youth Day

EWTN, CATHOLICTV “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (Colossians 2:7) is Pope Benedict XVI’s theme for this year’s event. The Holy Father is to arrive in Madrid on Thursday, speak at Barajas airport, visit the Plaza de la Independencia, and address youth in Cibeles Square. On Friday, he is to meet with young nuns, address young professors, and preside at a Way of the Cross. On Saturday, the Pope will hear confessions, say Mass for seminarians, and make two addresses. On Sunday, he is to say the closing Mass and make three more addresses.Times of EWTN’s live coverage are forthcoming. CatholicTV will broadcast re-airings throughout.

FRIDAY, Aug. 19, 9:30pm

Great Performances: Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night 2011

PBS In this 90-minute open-air concert in the gardens of Austria’s Schönbrunn Palace, guest conductor Valery Gergiev will lead the Philharmonic in Liszt’s Les Préludes, Paganini’s Violin Concerto, D Major, First Movement, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, and Johann Strauss II’s Wiener Blut (encore).

SATURDAY, Aug. 20, 4pm

Big Sur: Wild California

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL In this California coastal area, 200,000 acres of wilderness teem with abundant species onshore and off. Advisory: TV-PG.

SATURDAY, Aug. 20, 10pm

The Lost Kennedy Home Movies

HISTORY This documentary features home movies taken by Kennedys and close friends from the 1930s through 1963, plus interviews with friends and historians. A re-airing. Advisory: TV-PG.

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24, 10pm

Wisdom in God’s Country: An Extraordinary Adventure

EWTN Doug Barry hosts this 60-minute special about Wyoming Catholic College. The liberal arts college in Lander, which graduated its first 30 students this May, prepares students spiritually, intellectually and physically through Mass and spiritual exercises, a Great Books program, and a 21-day outdoor leadership course. Re-airings at 1pm Friday and 5am Saturday.

FRIDAY, Aug. 26, 7:30pm

This Is the Day

CATHOLICTV Marist Missionary Sister Claire Rheaume shares about the primary health care and refugee network of her order. The more than 500 sisters worldwide evangelize and serve the poor as nurses, teachers, social workers, pastoral helpers “and whatever else is needed.” Re-airing 4:30am Saturday.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.