SUNDAY, 8 p.m.
Nature: Silence of the Bees
PBS Reports surfaced in November 2006 that honeybees in the United States and abroad were dying off. This new special looks at this mysterious phenomenon — dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder — and its potentially dire consequences for agriculture and even much of our food supply. Scientists might be close to finding the cause of the disaster, and we see them at work in the United States, England, France, Spain and China.
MONDAY, 9 p.m.
American Masters: Good Ol’ Charles Schulz
PBS This new 90-minute documentary covers the life of Charles M. Schulz (1922-2000), who created the “Peanuts” comic strip in 1950 and saw it grow into a multimillion-dollar worldwide enterprise of TV specials, books and countless licensed products. Schulz’s 17,897 comic strips inventively portrayed the childhood struggles of Charlie Brown, his beagle Snoopy and their pals. They also, say his family and friends, reflected his own beliefs, self-doubts and worries. Advisory: Some grownup themes, such as divorce.
WEDNESDAYS, 12 a.m., 9 p.m.
The Words of Peter: Exploring Papal Documents
Familyland TV In these half-hour shows, Apostolate of Family Consecration co-founder Jerry Coniker interviews cardinals, bishops and priests about encyclicals and other documents from the vicars of Christ. Also airs Saturdays at 4:30 a.m.
THURSDAY, 4:30 p.m.
All Saints’ Day Celebration With Father Fox
EWTN Learn all about this feast day, which Pope Gregory III (731-741) fixed for Nov. 1 in Rome and Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended to the universal Church.
THURSDAY, 10 p.m.
Way of the Warrior
PBS This new hour-long documentary about American Indians who fought in the U.S. military in World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam uses first-hand accounts from combat veterans, their comrades in arms and their relatives to explore their motivations, battle experiences and post-war lives. Advisory: TV-PG for scenes of war.
FRIDAY, 3 a.m., 6:30 p.m.
Poor Clare Nuns: A Life for God
EWTN “The Lord be with you always, and, wherever you are, may you be with him always,” goes the Blessing of St. Clare (1194-1253), the friend of St. Francis of Assisi who began the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares). These cloistered nuns, who today number around 17,000 in 67 countries, are contemplatives who joyfully live in prayer, penance and poverty.
SATURDAY, 9 p.m.
Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest
Food Network Learn the baking secrets of some of America’s best homemakers as 100 finalists compete for the $1 million grand prize in the 42nd edition of this appetizing event.
Dan Engler writes from
Santa Barbara, California.