CRITIC’S CORNER
A YEAR IN SPACE PBS, 8 ET/PT (TIMES MAY VARY)
Literally a year in the making, this PBS special focuses on Scott Kelly, the American astronaut who spent 12 months in the International Space Station — the longest any American has spent in space — to help research the obstacles facing a manned mission to Mars. PBS has very good timing: The film is set to air within a day of Kelly’s expected return to Earth.
THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA/ROSEWOOD NBC/FOX, 8 ET/PT
On TV, of course, things often don’t go as expected. Few thought anyone would ever see more than a few episodes of Laura or
Rosewood, two of the more brutally reviewed shows of the past few seasons. But here they are: Laura wrapping up its second season and Rosewood back for the second half of its first — and both more popular than anyone would have guessed, including most anyone at their networks. And they have some great guests as well: Jenna Fischer and Mercedes Ruehl on Laura, and Taye Diggs and Nicole Ari Parker on Rosewood.
MODERN FAMILY ABC, 9 ET/PT
When it comes to guests, few shows have proven to be better at getting and using visiting stars than Family. This week, it boasts a visit from one of its best guests and our best actors, Nathan Lane, who is back as Pepper.