‘P.O.V.’ opens with family’s slave trade past
Tonight’s must-see
PBS’ “P.O.V.” season-opener, “Traces of the Trade,” 10 p.m., KUID channel 12.
Katrina Browne grew up amid comfort and culture. She’s a third-generation Princeton grad, from the DeWolf family that is prominent in Rhode Island charity and church work.
Then came a jolt. Her direct ancestors, she learned, brought 10,000 slaves to the U.S.
Browne and nine relatives visited Ghana at Cuba, grasping at the horror in their past.
The final half-hour tends to drift. Still, “Traces” is a strong and emotional start to a consistently good series.
Tonight’s must-see II
“BET Awards,” 8-11 p.m., BET.
D.L. Hughley hosts, with a superb line-up of performers.
Plans call for Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Nelly, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Marvin Sapp and more. There are lots of music awards, plus ones for actors and athletes.
Other choices include:
“Wipeout,” 8 p.m., ABC. In one swoop tonight, ABC introduces three hours of new summer shows. This one has contests, with lots of people crashing and splashing.
“Celebrity Family Feud” debut, 8 p.m., NBC. Consider the elements that make CBS’ “Password” remake a success; in each area, “Feud” fails. It has cheap production values, a blah host (Al Roker), so-so guests. The questions and the format-tinkering are poorly conceived.
“America’s Got Talent,” 9-11 p.m., NBC. Last week’s opener was often loud and loony. Still, it was worth it in the final minutes; a young insurance salesman drew a standing ovation for his powerhouse opera solo.
“I Survived a Japanese Game Show,” 9 p.m., ABC. Disguised as bugs, contestants crash into a giant windshield. More odd things happen.
“The Outsiders,” 10 p.m., ABC. This “Primetime” series starts by looking at teens during their time away from the Amish religion.
“Rescue Me” (10 p.m.) and “30 Days” (10:05), FX. These mini-episodes will have to suffice until the strike-delayed “Rescue Me” returns next spring. Then comes an angry “30 Days.” An opponent of allowing gays to adopt spends an uneasy month with two men and their four adoptive sons.