TV program notes -- week of Nov. 25

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Here are some television program notes for the week of Nov. 25 with their TV Parental Guidelines ratings if available. They have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by the Office for Film & Broadcasting.

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 10 p.m.-midnight EST (PBS) "Sisters in Law." This program looks at the work of one small courthouse in the African nation of Cameroon. With fierce compassion, the tough-minded state prosecutor Vera Ngassa and court president Beatrice Ntuba dispense wisdom, wisecracks and justice in fair measure. An "Independent Lens" presentation by Kim Longinotto and Florence Ayisi (TV-14 -- parents strongly cautioned).

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 8-9 p.m. EST (EWTN) "Untold Blessings: Three Paths to Holiness." Father Robert Barron provides concrete, practical advice on how to become a saint, marking out three specific paths to holiness.

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 9-10 p.m. EST (Discovery) "Taj Mahal." The "Lost Worlds" series explores the Taj Mahal in India, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Created by an emperor 400 years ago, today's structure is only a fraction of what he actually built. The program also investigates the myth of a second Taj Mahal, built in black marble.

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 9-11 p.m. EST (PBS) "Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Chicago." Eric Clapton leads an all-star lineup of B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy in a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration from America's blues capital, Chicago. Bill Murray hosts this "Great Performances" special (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Friday, Nov. 30, 9-10 p.m. EST (National Geographic) "India's Hidden Plague." On the eve of World AIDS Day, actress and activist Ashley Judd examines the country's growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS. The film explores the rapid spread of HIV in India and the vulnerability of men, women and children to this disease. On her journey, Judd visits several people affected by the disease, including one young girl whose story inspires Judd to take her own action.

Saturday, Dec. 1, 8-9 p.m. EST (PBS) "Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration." This Christmas celebration -- with singers Chloe, Lisa, Meav, Orla and fiddler Mairead -- includes such popular classics as "White Christmas," "Carol of the Bells," "Little Drummer Boy," "O Holy Night" and "Let It Snow." The special was filmed in Dublin's prestigious Helix Centre, where the Celtic Woman phenomenon began, and features several original pieces: "Green the Whole Year Round," a fiddle solo called "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Christmas Pipes" (TV-G -- general audience).

Saturday, Dec. 1, 9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) "Bob Dylan: Live in Newport 1963-1965." This program includes unreleased Bob Dylan performances filmed by Academy Award-winning director Murray Lerner at the Newport Folk Festival, 1963-1965, capturing full performances of some of Dylan's greatest songs, including "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Blowin' in the Wind," "It Ain't Me, Babe" and "Like a Rolling Stone." His 1963 and 1964 performances made him popular with the Newport crowd, but in 1965 he decided to "plug in," resulting in a mixed response of cheers and boos. Dylan left the stage after only three songs. Though he re-emerged and sang two acoustic numbers, this shift marked his changing artistic direction as he moved from leading contemporary songwriter of the folk scene to rock 'n' roll star (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

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