TV Picks 10.16.16

MONDAY-FRIDAY, Oct. 17-21, 11am

Women of Grace

EWTN In these five episodes, Johnnette Benkovic and her guests discuss in detail the topic “Our Lady of Fatima and Today’s Culture: What Her Message Tells Us.” Re-airs 11:30pm except Monday. Advisory: TV-PG.
 

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 19, 9pm, live

Campaign 2016 Third Presidential Debate

ABC, CBS, CNN, C-SPAN, FOX, FOX NEWS, MSNBC, NBC, PBS Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace will be the moderator in this six-segment face-off at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 
 

SATURDAY, Oct. 22, 5pm

Witness to Hope

EWTN Based on George Weigel’s 1999 biography with the same title, this 2002 documentary intimately studies the life of Pope St. John Paul II (1920-2005). John Paul’s feast day is Oct. 22.

SUNDAY, Oct. 23, 9pm

Catholics Come Home

EWTN In this show, “Divorced Catholic Returns After 27 Years,” host Tom Peterson interviews Margaret Yucas about the faith and courage that helped her come back to the sacraments. Re-airs 11pm Monday and 5:30am Saturday. Advisory: TV-PG.
 

SUNDAY, Oct. 23, 9pm

WWII’s Most Daring Raids

SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL This episode, “Secret Weapon Sabotage,” highlights the heroism and self-sacrifice of the 12 Norwegian agents who parachuted into Norway in February 1943 to disable the heavy water unit at the German-controlled Norsk hydro plant in Telemark so as to hinder the Nazis’ atomic weapon research.
 

MONDAY-FRIDAY, Oct. 24-28, 6:30pm, 2:30am

You Did It to Me: Putting Mercy Into Action

EWTN In this 2015 five-part series, Father Michael Gaitley of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception explains the spiritual and corporal works of mercy and supplies practical ways to apply them. Some topics: forgiving offenses, the value of suffering, comforting the sick, praying for the souls in purgatory and almsgiving as a way of life.
 

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 26, 1:30am

Please Don’t Eat the Daisies

TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES This 1960 comedy, inspired by Catholic playwright and author Jean Kerr’s 1957 novel of the same name, follows the struggles of a Manhattan drama critic’s family as they adjust to suburban life. Doris Day and David Niven star.
 

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 26, 8pm

Nature: Giraffes: Africa’s Gentle Giants

PBS This special chronicles the efforts of Namibia-based Julian Fennessy, his wife, Steph, and their team to research endangered giraffes in Uganda and relocate several to a new, safe habitat across the Nile. Advisory: Scenes of capturing the giraffes.
 

WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY, Oct. 26-29, 9:30pm

The Inquisition

EWTN This EWTN original four-part miniseries shows that the Inquisition was far different than anti-Catholics’ lies insist. Fairer than the civil courts of the time, the Inquisition saved lives even as it fought the corrosive civil and religious effects of heresies; and its toll on those punished was lamentable, but much smaller than the Church’s enemies allege. A re-air. Advisory: TV-PG.

Dan Engler writes from
Santa Barbara, California.