SUNDAY, AUG. 7

EWTN New Series Preview

EWTN, 4:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m.

Debuting in September, a dozen brand-new series feature Fathers Andrew Apostoli, Alberto Cutie, C. John McCloskey and John Wauck, other priests and lay experts on subjects such as St. John's Gospel, good and evil, Christ-centered marriage, Catholic social teaching, the Vatican, Catholic literature, young catechists and our fellow Catholics who are under persecution.

SUNDAY, AUG. 7

Medal of Honor

Military Channel, 6 p.m., 7 p.m.

Since its inception in 1861, the Medal of Honor has been our country's highest decoration for valor on the battlefield. The first of tonight's two hour-long segments covers recipients from the Vietnam War. The second deals with holders of the medal from World War II, the Korean War and, again, the Vietnam War.

MON.-FRI., AUG. 8-12

Classroom: The Great Ships

History Channel, 6 a.m. daily

“… all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,” wrote English poet John Masefield in “Sea Fever.” And what more could we ask than this stirring five-part documentary as it takes us aboard riverboats, pirate ships, schooners, windjammers and sailing racers?

MONDAY, AUG. 8

The Secret Life of …

Food Network, 10 p.m., 10:30 p.m.

In these two episodes, host Jim O'Connor delves into the “secrets” of chewing gum — the average person chomps 350 sticks per year, we're told — and pretzels. Re-airs Saturday at 3 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 11

Life on the Rock

EWTN, 8 p.m., live

Father Francis Mary's guests are the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist.

THURSDAY, AUG. 11

Tommy Fleming

— A Voice of Hope

PBS, 10:30 p.m.

“Breathtaking,” “spectacular” and “like none other” go the reviews of Irish balladeer Tommy Fleming's voice. Here he sings hymns to Our Lady of Knock in the Basilica at Knock (Cnoc Mhuire) in beautiful County Mayo. Note: Not shown in all areas; check local listings.

FRIDAY, AUG. 12

Generation RX: Reading, Writing and Ritalin

A&E, 11 a.m.

This “Investigative Reports” installment cites grim statistics about the millions of children who are given the drug Ritalin every morning at school.

SATURDAY, AUG. 13

The Era of Ara

ESPN Classic, 9:30 a.m.

Ara Parseghian coached Notre Dame's football team from 1964 through 1974. His Fighting Irish lads won national championships in 1966 and 1973 and would have won in 1964 but for a season-finale narrow loss that many say featured suspect penalty calls.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.