‘Greensboro’ recalls civil rights event
When did the “real” 1960s begin?
Many cultural historians and pop-culture buffs associate the tumultuous era with the longhaired youth, antiwar protesters, riots and rebellion of the decade’s concluding years. They argue that the “real” ‘60s only began with Vietnam, or the Beatles, or the spirit of disillusionment evoked by the Kennedy assassination.
But the “Independent Lens” (10 p.m., KSPS) documentary “February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four” makes a solid case that the spirit of the decade was born on the first day of the second month of 1960. It was on that day that four black college freshman at North Carolina A&T State University – Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr. (who now calls himself Jibreel Khazan), Joseph McNeil and David Richmond – began a peaceful sit-in at the lunch counter at their local Woolworth’s store.
Under the prevailing segregation of the era, blacks were allowed to shop at Woolworth’s, but they were not permitted to eat with white customers at the counter. Only 18 years old each, the four students decided that this law was unfair and decided to challenge it.
Their protest was reported by the local media and then gained national attention. Within days, hundreds of black students and sympathetic whites engaged in similar demonstrations in dozens of cities.
“February One” includes interviews with three of the surviving Greensboro Four (Richmond died in 1990), as well as scholars of the era and of the Civil Rights movement.
Although film directors have long been seen as the medium’s most creative players, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ most prestigious award is named for a producer. The documentary “Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood” (5 and 9 p.m., TCM) celebrates the short life, many films and lasting influence of Hollywood’s premiere studio executive.
Born with a weak heart, Thalberg was frequently reminded that his days were numbered. So he lived his life in a hurry.
According to this film, he was running Universal Studios before his 21st birthday and, during his heyday at MGM, was overseeing production at the rate of a movie a week. He virtually invented MGM’s star-making machinery and developed the technique of using screenings to test an audience’s reaction to a picture.
Writer Budd Schulberg said that Thalberg “was like a young pope.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald made Thalberg the subject of his final, unfinished novel “The Last Tycoon.” Thalberg died in 1936 at the age of 37, after having produced “Grand Hotel” (10:30, TCM) and “Mutiny on the Bounty” (6:30 p.m., TCM)
“Keeping the Faith: Becoming a Priest in Today’s Catholic Church” (10 p.m., Discovery Times) follows 42 men in an Ohio seminary. They speak frankly about their now unusual vocation and the changes and controversies facing the church.
Other highlights
More auditions on “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox).
Richard and Emily’s romantic collision on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., WB).
Spanning the globe on “The Amazing Race” (9 p.m., CBS).
A patient refuses treatment on “House” (9 p.m., Fox). Brandy (“Moesha”) guest-stars.
Amy breaks the news to Bruce on “Judging Amy” (10 p.m., CBS).
After a teen star is raped, the son of a movie critic becomes the prime suspect on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
A young widow under suspicion on “NYPD Blue” (10 p.m., ABC).
Series notes
Gibbs’ seeks his shooter on “Navy NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS) … Gaffes galore on “Most Outrageous Live TV Moments 3” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) … A kind gesture spurned on “My Wife and Kids” (8 p.m., ABC) … A reconciliation ruined on “All of Us” (8 p.m., UPN).
An estranged relative on “George Lopez” (8:30 p.m., ABC) … Eviction on “Eve” (8:30 p.m., UPN).
A barmaid’s boyfriend secrets on “Scrubs” (9 p.m., NBC) … Jim mulls a healthier way on “According to Jim” (9 p.m., ABC) … Greedy geeks on “Veronica Mars” (9 p.m., UPN) … Nathan confesses on “One Tree Hill” (9 p.m., WB).
Marni sulks on “Committed” (9:30 p.m., NBC, TV-14) … Dad shows up on “Rodney” (9:30 p.m., ABC).