What to watch
FRIDAY
All times Central. Start times can vary based on cable/satellite provider. Confirm times on your on-screen guide.
Judy Blume Forever Prime Video
With humor, sensitivity and a healthy dose of adolescent cringe, this documentary from filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok traces beloved author Judy Blume’s journey from fearful, imaginative child to storytelling pioneer whose tales dealt frankly with puberty and sex as they elevated the physical and emotional lives of kids and teens, to banned writer who continues to fight back against censorship today. In the film, which debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Blume candidly shares her own comingof-age story.
S.W.A.T. CBS, 7 p.m.
The team races to uncover the identities of kidnappers holding a prison guard’s family hostage before it’s too late in the new episode “Bunkies.”
Grand Crew NBC, 7:30 p.m.
In “Wine & Bachata,” Fay helps Nicky and Anthony cope with a big life change. Noah and Wyatt compete for the chance to go to a fancy dinner with Sherm.
Secrets of the Elephants Nat Geo, beginning at 8 p.m. New Series
This entry in filmmaker James Cameron’s “Secrets of” franchise of natural-history series programmed around Earth Day (April 22), which began with last year’s Secrets of the Whales, offers a four-part look into the lives of elephants. Narrated by Natalie Portman, it travels from Africa to Asia to discover the strategic thinking, complex emotions, sophisticated language and dynamic culture of elephants. The first two episodes air tonight, the final two tomorrow night. All installments can be streamed on Disney+ starting tomorrow.
Great Performances: Now Hear This PBS, 8 p.m.
In “Andy Akiho Found (His) Sound,” experience the creation of music by Japanese American composer Andy Akiho using “found” instruments. To develop a music video, Akiho and host Scott Yoo visit New York City and explore the creative process with an interactive light show and more.
Dear Mama FX, 9 p.m. New Series
Allen Hughes directs this five-part documentary series, debuting with the first two episodes tonight, about the illuminating saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur. Afeni was an activist, an intellect and a voice for the people in the 1960s. Her son, Tupac, was a rapper and poet, a political visionary and philosopher who in the 1990s became known as one of the greatest rap artists of all time. From a time of revolutionary fervor to hip-hop culture’s most ostentatious decade, this series is the definitive portrait of a global superstar and the woman who shaped him, forever linked by love and fate.
Next at the Kennedy Center PBS, 9 p.m.
Musicians Jason Moran and Christian McBride collaborate for an electrifying jazz performance at the Kennedy Center. They share stories about their legendary teachers and introduce their remarkable proteges.