A documentary on the Amish, a “Cat in the Hat” marathon and this season’s first live “American Idol” telecast are among the TV highlights for the week of Feb. 26 through March 3. Also “Good Morning America” will reveal the next crop of celebs for “Dancing With the Stars,” Lindsay Lohan returns to “Saturday Night Live” and “Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe will take a turn on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” View all of the highlights below.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Be Inspired: The Life of Heavy D (CENTRIC) 11 PM
This one‐hour documentary follows the life and career of Dwight “Heavy D” Myers. Family members as well as artists such as Will Smith, Mary J. Blige, Eddie F., Queen Latifah and many others will reflect upon Heav’s life through his most popular songs, music videos, and his television, stage and film performances. The show was named after Heavy’s final tweet, “Be Inspired.” Watch a clip here.
Jimmy Kimmel Live: After The Academy Awards (ABC) Immediately after your late local news
Jimmy Kimmel goes live from L.A.’s El Capitan Theatre for the seventh consecutive year. Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Martin Scorsese, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Don Cheadle and many more are scheduled to appear. Academy Awards host Billy Crystal will help Kimmel kick off the special, and Coldplay will wrap things up on “JKL’s” outdoor stage
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, (Syndicated) Check Local Listings
Mike Rowe from "Dirty Jobs"
Celebrity contestant Mike Rowe – creator, executive producer and host of the popular Discovery Channel “Dirty Jobs” – will try to raise money for the mikeroweWORKS Foundation during episodes airing Monday and Tuesday. Formed in 2008, the foundation supports and promotes the skilled trades and serves as a “PR Campaign for Hard Work.” Mike’s on-air companion is Andrew Reisinger, a mikeroweWORKS Foundation 2011Tools Scholarship recipient. The scholarship provides funds that are used to purchase tools that the recipient may need upon graduating from trade school. Watch a preview here.
Cab Calloway: Sketches (PBS) Check Local Listings
Emmy-winning filmmaker Gail Levin explores Cab Calloway's musical beginnings and milestones in the context of the Harlem Renaissance and segregationist America using archival footage, animation based on caricatures by illustrator Steve Brodner and French cartoonist Cabu, and interviews. Additional interviewees include Calloway's daughters Cecelia and Camay; grandson and Cab Calloway Orchestra bandleader Chris "Calloway" Brooks; horn player Gerald Wilson; and “The Blues Brothers” (1980) director John Landis and band members Steve Cropper, Lou Marini and Donald "Duck" Dunne.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Good Morning America (ABC) 7-9 AM
Cast of “Dancing With the Stars” Season 14 Revealed
The celebrities chosen for the new season of "Dancing with the Stars" will be announced during the two-hour broadcast. “DWTS” season 14 premieres Monday, March 19 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), then continues Tuesday, March 27, with the premiere of "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET).
American Idol (FOX) 8-10 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed
First Group of Semifinalists Perform
In the first live show of the season, the first set of semifinalists takes the stage to perform for judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler and for the nation. On this first night of voting, America will send their favorites through to the next round.
The Amish (PBS) 8 PM
From American Experience, this two-hour documentary – shot over the course of a year – goes inside the hidden world of the Amish and explores why and how the closed and communal culture has thrived within one of the most open, individualistic societies on earth. "In our 23 years, with almost 300 films completed, this was the most difficult that we've ever made," said Mark Samels, executive producer of American Experience. "It took six month of trust building before the Amish let our cameras into their homes, barns and workplaces." Watch a clip here .
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29
The Rosie Show (OWN) 7 PM
Exclusive with Patti Blagojevich
Former Illinois First LadyPatti Blagojevich opens up Rosie O’Donnell about the day the FBI took her husband Rod Blagojevich from their home, getting fired from her job, what she will do when her husband begins his 14-year jail sentence for corruption in March and how her family is coping. Rosie also asks why Patti went to Costa Rica to film “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me out of Here.” Later in the show, Rosie addresses her controversial statements about little people, which were made while talking with Chelsea Handler in an episode that aired Feb. 8.
THURSDAY, MARCH 1
The Best Of Soul Train (PBS) Check Local Listings
With the recent death of the series' executive producer Don Cornelius, “The Best Of Soul Train” provides a unique tribute to this visionary who showcased African American talent in a way no other program has. Offered to public television stations across the country beginning March 1 by American Public Television (APT), the special celebrates more than 35 years of iconic performances, including “Dance to the Music” (Sly and the Family Stone), “I Want You Back” (The Jackson Five), “Let's Get It On” (Marvin Gaye), and a medley of hits by Stevie Wonder.
Family Affair (OWN) 8-10 PM
The first documentary by filmmaker Chico Colvard examines his own family’s complex dynamic and struggle with abuse. At 10 years old, Colvard accidentally shot his older sister in the leg. This seemingly random act sparked a chain reaction that shattered his family. Thirty years later, Colvard bravely visits his relatives and revisits the past. (View a clip in the player at left.)
FRIDAY, MARCH 2
Cat-In-The-Hat-A-Thon (PBS) Check Local Listings
PBS Kids is celebrating Dr. Seuss’ 108th birthday with a two-hour marathon of its series “The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That!” Kids and parents can enjoy a block of episodes from the science-focused series, including two brand new episodes. Families will be able to continue the celebration online and on their mobile device as video clips from all four episodes featured in The Cat In The Hat-A-Thon will be available for free online at www.PBSKIDS.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3
Saturday Night Live (NBC) 11:30 PM
Lindsay Lohan, Jack White
Fresh from her successful probation hearing last week (stemming from DUI and theft cases), actress Lindsay Lohan will take her fourth turn as host of the long running sketch comedy series. She appeared in 2004, 2005 and 2006, before her personal life went awry. Jack White of the White Stripes will perform.
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