TV This Week: ’30 Rock’ returns for a new season
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Click here to download TV listings for the week of Oct. 11 - 17 in PDF format
Prime Choices: Oct. 11 - 17
SUNDAY
“JFK: 3 Shots That Changed America” uses home movies, news footage, and police radio recordings to reconstruct the fateful day in Dallas in 1963 when America witnessed the death of its 35th president. (History, 9 p.m.; Part 2, 9 p.m. Mon.) MONDAY From Wilie Colón and Celia Cruz to Carlos Santana and Shakira (below), the four-part documentary “Latin Music USA” -- airing as part of Hispanic Heritage Month -- celebrates the contributions of Latino artists from across the spectrum. Everybody mambo! (KCET, 9 p.m.) TUESDAY A veritable who’s who of hip-hop’s finest come together to mark the 25th anniversary of the pioneering rap music label Def Jam Records at the “2009 Hip Hop Honors,” hosted by “30 Rock’s” Tracy Morgan (below). Performers include Mary J. Blige and Method Man. (VH1, 9 p.m.) WEDNESDAY You want to know what I don’t like about myself? Well, for one thing, that I’m too squeamish to watch the otherwise sleek and sexy plastic surgery-themed drama “Nip/Tuck,” which returns for its penultimate season. Julian McMahon, Dylan Walsh and Roma Maffia star. (FX, 10 p.m.) THURSDAY How many more awards does “30 Rock,” starring Tina Fey, need to win before you finally start watching? Because it already has a whole bunch, including a third straight Emmy for outstanding comedy series. C’mon, people! Get onboard with the season premiere. (NBC, 9:30 p.m.) FRIDAY Virginia Madsen (“Sideways”) begins a three-episode stint on the comedy-mystery series “Monk” as a possible new lady friend for the gruff-but-lovable Capt. Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine, below, with Madsen). Good for you, big guy. (USA, 9 p.m.) SATURDAY It’s no “Pather Panchali” -- quite the opposite, in fact -- but director Danny Boyle’s 2008 Oscar winner “Slumdog Millionaire” is a real crowd-pleaser, a rags-to-riches fable set in modern-day India complete with a Bollywood-style dance number over the closing credits. Dev Patel and Freida Pinto star. (HBO, 8 p.m.) ‘WILD’ MAN
Meet the man behind the monsters as “Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak” profiles the author-illustrator of the beloved children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are,” soon to be a major motion picture. (HBO, 7 p.m. Wed.)
MISSION STATUS With the Taliban resurgent and Al Qaeda lurking in the shadows, the newsmagazine “Frontline” presents “Obama’s War,” an examination of the United States’ ongoing military and diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. (KCET, 9 p.m. Tue.)
SEASON FINALE Lifetime’s surprise summer hit “Drop Dead Diva,” a mix of comedy, fantasy and courtroom drama, ends its freshman season. Brooke Elliott (left) stars, with guest star Paula Abdul as . . . “Judge Paula Abdul.” (Lifetime, 9 p.m. Sun.)