THIS WEEK’S TOP TV TIPS
SUNDAY
West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson
It is the 100-year anniversary of Canadian painter
Tom Thomson’s first visit to Algonquin Park in 1912, and the occasion is marked this evening by a special oneand-a-half hour documentary celebrating his life and work. While the doc presents a somewhat sentimentalized version of his short life, it does a good job of filling many of the blanks that exist in other Thomson bios.
Bravo Paws for Autism Dogs have been used for many decades as an aid to the blind, but now, more and more, they are also playing a role as friends and protectors of children with autism. National Service Dogs have been training dogs to care for autistic children since 1996 and have placed over 250 dogs in homes throughout Canada. This documentary chronicles the positive changes that occurred within two families after their boys connected with their new ‘friend.’
AP
Jeff Dunham: Minding the Monsters
Rated by Pollstar as the highest-earning concert comedian in the world for two consecutive years, the popular standup star is back with a new special just in time for Halloween. Joining him are all the usual suspects: Walter the Grumpy Retiree, Peanut, Bubba J, Jose Jalapeno and Achmed the Dead Terrorist. The special includes horror movie trailer spoofs featuring each of the puppets.
Comedy Network
Curiosity: Plane Crash
The specialty channel’s ‘big question’ documentaries are back with a groundbreaking episode that looks at what actually happens during a plane crash and the science behind the passengers’ best hopes for survival. A Boeing 727 passenger jet was deliberately crashed in a remote part of Mexico, carrying crash test dummies, dozens of cameras, and scientific experiments that would allowing an international team of experts to study the crash-worthiness of the airframe and the impact of crashes on the human body.
Discovery Channel
MONDAY
Falling Skies This critically acclaimed series is now premiering on a regular cable channel.
Noah Wyle ( ER) stars as Tom Mason, a Boston history professor whose family was torn apart during a devastating invasion by an alien culture, six months previ- ously. Weaver ( Will Patton), Mason’s commanding officer, leads the Earth’s survivors in their battle against the ‘mechs’ (mechanical drones) and the six-legged green-skinned ‘skitters.’ Canuck Connor Jessup plays Mason’s kidnapped son. The first two seasons have already aired on Super Channel.
Space White Collar In the Season 3 premiere, FBI agent Peter Burke ( Tim
DeKay) isn’t entirely convinced that the priceless art collection plundered by the Nazis actually burned in Adler’s ( Andrew McCarthy) warehouse fire – in fact, he has a sneaking suspicion that Neal ( Matt Bomer) stole it. While con artist Neal manages to pass a polygraph test, he knows who stole the collection and he’s afraid Peter has evidence that links him to the theft.
Bravo
TUESDAY
The Big Jig This new documentary follows five girls, aged 10-12, as they head to Belfast to take part in the 42nd World Irish Dance Championships. Learning to perform like the Irish step dancers in Riverdance takes time and practice, and the girls start young, train hard and spend a lot of money on hair and dresses.Unlike the characters in such series as Dance
Moms, however, these mothers, coaches and kids are sane and self-disciplined.
TLC
WEDNESDAY
Chicago Fire This action-driven drama, starring Jesse Spencer
Complete online listings at montrealgazette.com ( House) as Lt. Matthew Casey, follows the firefighters, rescue teams and paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51 as they go about their lives. And with big reputations and some hefty egos at play, there’s plenty of guilt to go around when a tragedy claims one of their own. Taylor Kinney co-stars as the head of the Rescue Squad.
NBC, Global
THURSDAY
Covert Affairs The international spy drama is back for a third season as young CIA operator Annie’s ( Piper Perabo) mission in Stockholm turns deadly, and she returns to her safe haven, Auggie ( Christopher Gorham), who is more pre- occupied with the idea of joining his new girlfriend. In the opener, Annie is badly shaken when one of the team’s key agents is killed just minutes after meeting with her secretly to share his suspicions that there is a mole inside Langley.
Showcase
FRIDAY
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The CW, MuchMusic