‘49 Up’ offers quality viewing
If you watch only one program this week, don’t miss “49 Up” on “P.O.V.” (9 p.m., KSPS).
The seventh in director Michael Apted’s (“Coal Miner’s Daughter”) “Up” films, this remarkable documentary continues one of the most intense and intimate character studies in the history of television.
Back in 1964, Apted and his crew interviewed a group of 7-year-old students from a diverse cross-section of British society for the film “7 Up.” Since then he’s caught up with them every seven years for documentary updates, “14 Up,” “21 Up,” etc.
Apted’s “kids” are now 49. Hairlines have taken a beating, and waists have thickened. Many are parents and grandparents. Some divorced and others soldiered through marriages that seemed rather rocky in the earlier films.
Apted’s profiles constantly cut between “Up” versions, offering us snippets of each character at different ages. It’s fascinating to see both consistencies and abrupt and dramatic change.
Apted’s “Up” films are so well-known that they’ve even been parodied on “The Simpsons.” They have long transcended mere television.
Critic Roger Ebert considers the series to be among the 10 greatest films of all time.
Other highlights
The documentary “Dear Talula” (7:30 p.m., Cinemax) follows one woman’s struggle with breast cancer.
A killer haunts a kinky demimonde on “Bones” (8 p.m., Fox).
“Nova” (7 p.m., KSPS) looks at secrets of the Samurai sword.
House continues to evaluate and eliminate new candidates on “House” (9 p.m., Fox).
The devil, the flesh and a toaster on “Reaper” (9 p.m., CW).
Republican presidential candidates debate economic matters (6 p.m., MSNBC).
The documentary “We Feed the World” (9:35 p.m., Sundance) examines the pressures that a globalized economy puts on agriculture.
Alex puts Frank to the test on “Cane” (10 p.m., CBS).
A troubled teen’s teacher (Melissa Joan Hart) falls under suspicion on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
The firm puts cockfighting on trial on “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC).
The trial puts everyone’s nerves on edge on “Damages” (10 p.m., FX).