Saturday’s crime time expands; ‘Shark Week’ turns 29
Russian intrigue never ends! Now entering its second season, the eight-episode nonfiction series “Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies” (9 p.m. today, CNN) kicks off with a true story of Russian agents who blended in as normal people for years in order to steal identities and later secrets from their contacts in elite circles.
Aware of their presence, the FBI played a “long game” of its own, launching a counterintelligence operation over the course of more than a decade that ultimately reached the highest levels of government. If this sounds like the inspiration for “The Americans,” it’s because it was.
Later episodes of “Declassified” will explore efforts to counter spies from Castro’s government, Chinese industrial and military espionage, and homegrown terrorists and white supremacists.
NOT FORGOTTEN
“Gone: The Forgotten Women of Ohio” (9 p.m. today, Spike) will devote eight hourlong episodes
to the stories of the deaths and disappearances of six young women in southern Ohio, a place where a declining economy and an explosion in drugand sex-trafficking have overwhelmed the local police and social services.
Some relatives, friends and survivors allege that police have put these cases on a back burner because of the victims’ suspected work as prostitutes. “Gone” is executive-produced by Joe Berlinger, whose films include “Brother’s Keeper” and the “Paradise Lost” trilogy.
JURY’S PERSPECTIVE
“The Jury Speaks” (9 p.m. today, Oxygen) revisits some of the more sensational trials of the past quarter-century from the point of view of the men and
women who listened to the evidence and decided the verdicts.
Over the course of its first season, “Jury” will interview jurors from cases involving Michael Jackson, George Zimmerman and Robert Durst. First up: Jurors from the O.J. Simpson murder trial recall their decision and ordeal.
WHO, TIMES 2
› BBC America celebrates Christmas in July with a 14-hour marathon of holiday “Doctor Who” (6 a.m.-10 p.m. today, TV-PG) movies and episodes.
› From Doctor Who to The Who. AXS TV devotes tonight to the classic-rock band with “Rock Legends: The Who” (6 p.m.); “The Big Interview: Roger Daltrey” (6:30 p.m.); the 1979 documentary “The Kids Are Alright” (7 p.m.) and the 1975 movie musical “Tommy” (9 p.m.).
PROGRAMMING WITH BITE
› Now in its 29th summer, the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” tradition still finds ways to seem vaguely new and yet remain utterly familiar. Sunday night’s kickoff includes the joyously gimmicky “Phelps vs. Shark: Great Gold vs. Great White” (8 p.m.), a “race” between 23-time gold medalist Michael Phelps and a shark.
This year’s Shark Week marks the first time that the event has been broadcast at the same time all over the globe to more than 220 countries and territories. Look for actor Eli Roth to return as host of “Shark After Dark” (11:06 p.m. Sunday, TV-PG). His first guest is Tony Hale (“Veep”), ready to recap Phelps’ poolside shark encounter. “Dark” airs through Thursday.
› Proving that imitation is the sincerest form of television, Nat Geo Wild kicks off its weeklong “SharkFest!” programming block, serving up documentaries including “Shark v. Predator” (8 p.m. Sunday, TV-14); “Mission Critical: Sharks Under Attack” (10 p.m. Monday, TV-PG) and “World’s Deadliest: Shark Frenzy!” (8 p.m. Wednesday, TV-14).
NEW HBO SEASONS
› Comic actress Issa Rae continues to navigate the uncertain world of 20-something singledom in season two of “Insecure” (10:30 p.m. Sunday, HBO, TV-MA). A natural talent, her face can express exasperation, surprise, contempt and desire — sometimes all at the same time, particularly when she has to deal with another bad date or the lessthan-steadfast support of her girlfriend Molly (Yvonne Orji).
› The Rock returns with season three of “Ballers” (10 p.m. Sunday, HBO, TV-MA). A comedy set in the world of sports agentry, “Ballers” features cameos from many celebrity athletes. Amid so much glitz, fame and conspicuous consumption, it’s hard to tell what really matters. Or if anything’s funny.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
› A former surrogate wants her children back in the 2017 shocker “The Wrong Mother” (8 p.m., Lifetime).
› The fourth-season premiere of “Cold Justice” (8 p.m., Oxygen, TV-14) examines an unsolved mystery in a very small town.
› Ben and Abe hatch conflicting plans on “Turn: Washington’s Spies” (9 p.m., AMC, TV-14).
› Dodgeball looms large on the second-season premiere of “The Dude Perfect Show” (9 p.m., Nickelodeon, TV-PG).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.