TV Picks 11.22.2009

SUNDAY, 12:15 a.m.

A Man for All Seasons

TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES “I believe, when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties … they lead their country by a short route to chaos.” So says Thomas More, played by Paul Scofield, in this 1966 film classic scripted by Robert Bolt. England’s heretical and adulterous King Henry VIII (1491-1547) imprisoned and eventually beheaded faithful St. Thomas (1477-1535) for refusing to acknowledge him as “Supreme Head of the Church of England.”


SUNDAY, 11 a.m.

Designed to Sell: Changes in the Childhood Home

HOME & GARDEN TV Ed Gross and his sisters Sallie McClain and Elizabeth Maynard must sell their childhood home in Fairfax, Va., so this show’s experts fix up the entryway, dining room and master bedroom to help the house bring the best price possible.


TUESDAY, 8 p.m.

How the Earth Was Made: The Deepest Place on Earth

HISTORY The Mariana Trench, in the Western Pacific off the Mariana Islands and Guam, is 36,200 feet at its deepest. This show traces explorations of the trench and explains its geology. Advisory: TV-PG.


WEDNESDAY, 3 a.m., 6:30 p.m.

Bread of Life

EWTN “I adore you every moment, O living Bread from heaven, great sacrament,” says a beloved Catholic prayer. This new documentary on the Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass interviews priests of the Archdiocese of Atlanta about Jesus’ real presence in the Blessed Sacrament and films Masses in cathedrals and churches in Atlanta, St. Louis and New York City.


WEDNESDAY, 10 p.m.

Thine Eyes: A Witness to the March for Life

EWTN Taking its title from Psalm 139:16, “Thine eyes foresaw my actions … my days were shaped, before one came to be,” this documentary about the Jan. 22, 2009, March for Life in Washington proves that, contrary to the major news media, hundreds of thousands took part and most were young. Actress Jennifer O’Neill narrates.


THURSDAY, all day

Thanksgiving Day

VARIOUS “In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus,” St. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. EWTN has Mass at 8 a.m. (re-airs noon, 7 p.m.). National Football League games are on FOX SPORTS (12:30 p.m.), CBS (4:15 p.m.), and the NFL NETWORK (8:20 p.m.). NBC has the National Dog Show live at noon.


FRIDAY, 10:30 p.m.

The White House: Behind Closed Doors

HISTORY In this 2008 special, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush give a tour of the executive mansion and antiquaries offer expert commentary. Advisory: TV-PG.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.

Friar Pluck

Father Benedict Groeschel is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination — in the Year for Priests. He reflects on his life in religious life.

‘Power and Grace’

“Power and Grace — the Holy Patrons of Europe,” a new exhibit in Rome, takes the visitor on a journey through the history of the ups and downs of the church-state relationship in Europe.

Gather by the River

Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River 400 years ago, in 1609. The Register takes readers on a virtual cruise of the river, stopping in various places where the Church has made an impact.