TV Picks 10.24.2010

Sundays, 8:30am

Word on Fire With

Father Barron

WGN America “Now is the time to reach out to Catholics and others who are searching for meaning in their lives or who have left the Church because they are disillusioned,” says Father Robert Barron, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, about his new weekly national Catholic show. “In each episode, our mission will be to encourage believers and bring the transformative power of the Gospel to the culture.”


MONDAY, Oct. 25, 10:30pm

Fort Niagara: The Struggle for a Continent

PBS Strategic Fort Niagara stands by Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River near present-day Youngstown, N.Y. First a fortress of New France, it fell to the British in 1759, was a Loyalist base in the American Revolution, and has been in U.S. hands since 1796, except briefly during the War of 1812. Re-airing from 2004.


TUESDAY, Oct. 26, noon

Angels in the Outfield

TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES This 1951 gem blends Catholic and baseball themes. When little orphan Bridget (Donna Corcoran) prays for her lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, an angel gets grumpy manager Guffy (Paul Douglas) to start mending his ways, angels whom only Bridget can see begin helping the team, and a sports reporter (Janet Leigh) gets the story and her man.


WEDNESDAY, Oct. 27, 7:57pm, live

World Series, Game 1

FOX “Ya gotta believe!” was the rallying cry that pitcher Tug McGraw used to help propel his New York Mets teammates into baseball’s 1973 World Series. This year’s 106th Fall Classic promises similar inspiration and many thrills. Teams not determined as of press time.


SUNDAY, Oct. 31, 2pm

In Concert: Koopman in Freiberg — Bach’s Organ Works

EWTN Dutch conductor, harpsichordist and organist Ton Koopman (b. 1944) visits Freiberg, Germany, to perform works of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) in the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Marien.


WEDNESDAY, Nov. 3, 8pm

Secrets of the Dead: The Silver Pharaoh

PBS Psusennes I, the third king of Egypt’s 21st dynasty, ruled ca. 1047-1001 B.C. His tomb, discovered intact in Tanis in 1939, yielded magnificent treasures, including the only silver sarcophagus ever found in Egypt.


SATURDAY, Nov. 6, live

Pope Benedict XVI in Spain

EWTN On the first day of his two-day trip to Spain, Pope Benedict XVI is to travel to the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela, where he will meet with the Prince and Princess of Asturias, visit the cathedral, lunch with the cardinals of Spain, and celebrate Mass in Obradoiro Square outside the cathedral. Broadcast times TBA.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.

Porn-Free Vision

Pornography is more of a problem for Americans every day. Two former addicts have set up websites to help those who are hooked.