All times Eastern

by DANIEL J. ENGLER

FEB., VARIOUS DATES

Enduring Faith

PBS, check local listings for time

This 90-minute documentary describes the Church's inspiring work of evangelizing African Americans, promoting vocations among them, and eliminating the culturally ingrained prejudice of some Catholics. The Diocese of Buffalo produced this program, which focuses on the Josephite Society and the Vatican's pro-brotherhood efforts, and the Catholic Communications Campaign helped fund it. Andre Braugher narrates.

SUNDAY, FEB. 11

Adventures From The Book of Virtues

PBS, 12:30 p.m.

Kids enjoy this animated series based on lively stories-with-a-moral from the best-selling anthologies compiled by William Bennett. “Self-Discipline,” this episode, features Plato telling modern youth Zach the timeless tale of a foolish king of old who neglected duty because his thoughts ran only to having fun.

SUNDAY, FEB. 11

NBA All-Star Game

NBC, 6 p.m.

As usual, the National Basketball Association's yearly East-West showcase game figures to be high scoring. The pre-game show starts at 6 p.m., with host Ahmad Rashad drawing analysis from P.J. Carlesimo, Kevin Johnson and Peter Vecsey. The game itself, from the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., starts at 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, FEB. 11

The American Wedding

A&E, 8 p.m.

It never hurts to start celebrating St. Valentine's Day a little early — so watch this new two-hour special from Lucky Duck Productions. The show waxes romantic as it explores the origins of present-day wedding customs. For example, the reason everyone in the wedding party dresses alike is to confuse any Lochinvars who might try to spirit away the bride or the groom. Also, you'll enjoy hearing spouses describe the one tradition, word or keepsake that made their wedding turn out just right. Joan Lunden hosts.

TUESDAY, FEB. 13

Secrets of the Pharaohs

PBS, check local listings for time

TV program schedulers never tire of airing shows about ancient Egypt's pharaohs, and that's because audiences always find them fascinating. This new three-part series is no exception. In “Tut's Family Curse,” tonight's Part I, archaeologists use DNA testing to investigate what caused the demise of King Tut's family — Egypt's 18th Dynasty. “Lost City of the Pyramids,” next Tuesday's Part II, examines the homes and tombs of the men who built the pyramids. “Unwrapping the Mummy,” the following Tuesday's Part III, studies the mummy of Asru, a noble lady who lived in Luxor.

SATURDAY, FEB. 17

Baking With Julia

PBS, noon. Check local listings

“You wanna taste somethin’ came di-rectly from Heaven?” a movie cowpoke once asked John Wayne when offering him a prospective cook's sample biscuits. That's the kind of compliment you'll receive after you watch Julia Child and other cooks, week after week, sharing their secrets of baking incredible breads, mouth-watering desserts and, yes, yummy biscuits too.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.