Masterpiece Contemporary tells the story of a major road accident and the 10 seemingly disconnected people involved. Beyond the chaotic landscape of corpses and crumpled cars, a series of invisible dramas unfold 8 p.m. Sunday.

In telling the story of Seabiscuit’s unlikely career Monday at 8 p.m., Seabiscuit: American Experience illuminates the precarious economic conditions that defined America in the 1930s and explores the fascinating behind-the-scenes world of thoroughbred racing.

Elbert Hubbard: An American Original is a story of love, art, passion and controversy set against the backdrop of the Arts and Crafts Movement at the turn of the 20th century playing Monday at 9 p.m.

California Dreamin’ - The Songs Of The Mamas And The Papas highlights a wealth of classic television performances, rare home movies, and exclusive interviews with members 10 p.m. Monday and 9 p.m. Thursday.

NOVA joins the leading dream researchers 7 p.m. Tuesday and witnesses the extraordinary experiments they use to investigate the world of sleep.

As credit card companies face new regulation from Washington and a potential perfect storm of economic bad news, Frontline examines the future of the massive consumer loan industry and its impact on a fragile national economy 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Examine our complex relationship with manufactured objects and, by extension, the people who design them on Independent Lens at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Jim Thorpe: The World’s Greatest Athlete chronicles the sports superstar’s remarkable life—from his boyhood in Oklahoma and his gold-medal wins at the 1912 Summer Olympics to his subsequent fall from grace and later, his advocacy of American Indian rights and self-sufficiency 10 p.m. Tuesday.

What began as a typical day in Mumbai devolved into a nightmare of explosions, gunfire, and death when terrorists attacked. Told completely from the victims’ perspective, Secrets From the Dead captures the desperation and courage of ordinary people and how social media became a survival tool 7 p.m. Wednesday.

American Masters profiles Woody Guthrie’s complex story filled with frenetic creative energy and a treasure trove of cultural history - as well as personal imperfections and profound family tragedy 8 p.m. Wednesday.

It’s been eighteen years since Richard Linklater’s indie film Slacker brought fame to the director and a certain slice of Austin. Linklater’s next project, Me and Orson Welles, hits theaters November 25, 2009. Texas Monthly Talks gets the inside scoop on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Catch Downtown’s new special, the “Best of Downtown” 7:30 p.m. Thursday profiling the unique people, places and stories that make downtown Austin as diverse as those who live, work, play, and develop here.

Sting welcomes the holidays on Great Performances with a musical performance that conjures the moods and spirits of the season with a diverse collection of songs, carols, and lullabies spanning the centuries 8 p.m. Thursday.

Magic Moments –The Best of 50’s Pop mixes live performances and archival footage to bring viewers back to the 1950s pop days with classic moments from Perry Como, Debbie Reynolds, The McGuire Sisters and more 9 p.m. Friday.

Doo Wop 50 reunites more than 100 original performers, the biggest and best, to sing their mega-hits 6 p.m. Saturday.

Leonard Cohen has been one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time whose songs have set a virtually unmatched standard in their seriousness and range. See Leonard Cohen Live in London 9 p.m. Saturday to experience his overwhelmingly emotional crooning live.

Masterpiece Contemporary’s “Collision - Part 1″ tells the story of a major road accident and the 10 seemingly disconnected people involved 8 p.m. Sunday.

They were called “Black Blizzards,” dark clouds reaching miles into the sky, churning millions of tons of dirt into torrents of destruction. Learn more on Surviving the Dust Bowl: American Experience at 8 p.m. Monday.

Documenting the Face of America tells the inspirational stories from some of the most celebrated photographers in history 9 p.m. Monday. Narrated by Julian Bond, the program highlights the forgotten collective pieces of artists such as Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, Gordon Parks, Marion Post Wolcott and Russell Lee.

Examine the visceral nature of war and the bravery of Native American veterans who valiantly served in the United States military during the wars of the 20th century on Way of the Warrior 10 p.m. Monday.

In the final installment of a three-part series, NOVA probes a wave of dramatic new evidence, based partly on cutting-edge DNA analysis that reveals new insights into how we became the creative and “behaviorally modern” humans of today Tuesday at 7 p.m.

At the height of the protests following Iran’s controversial presidential election this summer, a young woman, Neda Soltani was shot and killed on the streets of Tehran. Frontline investigates the woman whose image remains a potent symbol for those who want to keep the reform movement alive 8 p.m. Tuesday.

This Tuesday at 9 p.m., Independent Lens paints a portrait of the 50- year journey of two giants of modern image making and their deep bond of brotherhood that transcended every imaginable boundary.

Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness zeros in on the situations that are playing out every day in homes, hospital ERs, city streets, school campuses, courtrooms, and jails as Americans struggle to face severe mental illness at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Explore the remarkable new archaeological discoveries in the world’s highest kingdom on Secrets of Shangri-La 7 p.m. Wednesday and 10 p.m. Saturday.

In a remote corner of the Himalayas, Lost Cave Temples follows a team of climbers scale cliffs to reach mysterious caves where they discover ancient cave temples lost to the modern world 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Mustang: Journey of Transformation tells the compelling story of efforts to rescue the Himalayan kingdom of Mustang from the brink of extinction and help spark a cultural renaissance 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Beyond India and Nepal’s crowded cities lie precious remnants of wild Asia where tigers, rhinos and bears still roam. Art Wolfe travels by elephant deep into Kipling country in search of the last of the planet’s Bengal tigers this week on Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Austin City Limits veterans and country music legends Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel join forces onstage in celebration of their collaborative LP, Willie and the Wheel 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Friday.

Thursday at 7 p.m., Texas Monthly Talks sits down with Taylor Branch who earned a Pulitzer Prize for Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63, but is now becoming equally well known for his latest book based on eight years of secret conversations with President Bill Clinton.

Catch the “Best of Downtown,” Downtown’s new series profiling the special people, places and stories that make downtown Austin as diverse as the people who live, work, play, and develop here.

Once taken for granted, the Painted Churches of Texas, are now capturing the interest of designers, historians and ordinary tourists everywhere. See the exuberant murals, elaborate foliage, and wooden columns for yourself 8 p.m. Thursday.

Given a list of blending components, the three final Winemakers make their wine and a team of super tasters judge how close they have come to creating their target wine 9 p.m. Thursday.

The Austin Daytripper travels to Bastrop, Texas to conquer the mighty Colorado River, a mighty chicken fried steak, and Chet’s mighty beard at 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Classic alternative rockers Pearl Jam take the Austin City Limits stage 7 p.m. Saturday with tunes from their latest album, Backspacer, as well as catalogue favorites.

November’s KLRU Community Screening is Nov. 17 at 7 p.m at KLRU. We’ll be showing the film “Power Paths” and have a panel discussion on energy issues. RSVP here

Confirmed speakers include:

Michael Holland is General Counsel at PowerFin Partners — a provider of financing for cost-competitive and reliable turnkey solar systems. Prior to joining PowerFin, Holland worked with the UT Humanities Institute and UT Law School’s Rapoport Center for Human Rights.  Holland has extensive experience in Indian law (having worked with tribes and tribal corporations on various legal matters), chairing the Yale NALSA (Native American Law Students’ group), organizing and leading a course on Federal Indian law and co-founding the Longhorn American Indian Council at UT.

Dr. Shannon Speed is an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Texas.  She was recently named assistant vice president for community engagement in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) at The University of Texas at Austin where she is responsible for community partnerships through the Community Engagement Incubator, the Volunteer and Service Learning Center, the Regional Foundation Library, the Institute for Community, University and School Partnerships, the DDCE Faculty Fellows Program, the African American Men and Boys Harvest Foundation, and Art and Social Engagement. Additionally she remains coordinator of the Indigenous Studies Initiative.

Gerald Torres is the Bryant Smith Chair in Law at The University of Texas School of Law and a former president of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). A leading figure in critical race theory, Torres is also an expert in agricultural and environmental law. Previously, Torres served as deputy assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and as counsel to then U.S. attorney general Janet Reno. Torres has served on the board of the Environmental Law Institute, the National Petroleum Council and on EPA’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council.

KLRU Community Screenings made possible with support from Austin Community College

2nd Half of Life is made possible thanks to our sponsor Seton Family of Hospitals and in cooperation with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

This week:
Life (Part 2) – “Ethnicity, Race & Aging”
How do different communities treat their older populations? Dr. Jerry C. Johnson, senior fellow at Penn’s Institute on Aging, Melvin Delgado, professor of social work at Boston University and Giang T. Nguyen, assistant professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania enlighten us about the many ways we age in a diverse society.

Life (Part 2) – “Survive and Thrive”
While some crumble in the face of adversity, others survive and even thrive — what makes them different? Mayo Clinic physician and cancer survivor Stephen Kopecky, Kate Braestrup (Here If You Need Me, the story of surviving Widowhood,) and clinical psychologist Cheryl Gore-Felton explain how survivors bounce back from crisis.

“Tattooed Under Fire” is a documentary examining the lives of soldiers at Ft. Hood Army Post. Their lives are documented through the lens of a tattoo shop where soldiers get tattoos prior to deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers share their fear and bravado in anticipation and their shock, anger and sorrow upon their return.

Seen through the eyes of a now 60 year old Vietnam era vet, who signed out of the Army at Fort Hood, Texas, the 25th of January, 1972, Tattoos Under Fire was more than poignant … it was heartwarming and chilling at the same time.

The metamorphosis of the soul that is war is both horrifying and mesmerizing to watch.  Similarly, the ripple effect on relationships – positive and negative – is like watching an approaching storm … one can take cover, but the storm will leave its mark.

In the end, for me, 30+ years on, Tattooed Under Fire reminded me of an old adage: The more things change, the more they remain the same.

— Bill Talbott

About the Reviewer: Bill Talbott is a psychologist with more than 25 years experience in forensics and crisis adult mental health. He is currently a free-lance research and training consultant.

Bill Cosby: The Mark Twain Prize honors Bill Cosby with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Sunday at 9 p.m. A notable list of entertainers honor Cosby, a man who has dominated the field of comedy for 40 years.

Rising more than 700 feet above the raging waters of the Colorado River, it was called one of the greatest engineering works in history. Hoover Dam: American Experience documents the tremendous struggles men overcame to build this wonder 8 p.m. Monday.

How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin is the unknown story of how the Beatles inspired a revolution that helped to destroy the communist system. Featuring a bizarre collection of Beatles tribute bands, the film tracks down the stories of how the Cold War was won with music as much as with nuclear missiles 9 p.m. Monday.

In the second of a three-part special, Nova at 7 p.m. Tuesday tackles the mysteries of how our ancestors managed to survive in a savannah teeming with vicious predators, and when and why they first left the African cradle to colonize every corner of the earth.

Can the U.S. learn anything from the rest of the world about how to run a health-care system or are these nations so culturally different from us that their solutions would simply not be acceptable to Americans? Get the answers Tuesday at 8 p.m on Frontline.

Filmed at Fort Hood, Tattooed Under Fire is a unique, intimate, character-driven portrait of Iraq-bound and returning US soldiers as they go under the tattoo needle: openly professing their pride, sharing their secrets and confessing their fears 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Independent Lens at 10 p.m. Thursday showcases Pat Spurgeon, a professional musician whose dreams of being in a successful working rock ‘n’ roll band have come true. But just as his band, Rogue Wave, starts to take off, one of his kidneys starts to fail.

Secrets of the Dead investigates a fantastic WWII tale of jungle ambushes, extreme engineering, blow darts defenses, and enemy headhunting at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

On call 24 hours a day for the past five years, a group of senior citizens has made history by greeting nearly 800,000 American troops at a tiny airport in Bangor, Maine. See how they are making a difference on P.O.V. at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Journey through Sin City’s all-you-can-eat buffets and find a kaleidoscope of characters behind the food on Buffet at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. In a city where it’s Thanksgiving every day, the simple act of eating a meal yields a bounty of fresh insights into America’s feeding frenzy.

Songwriting genius Elvis Costello returns to Austin City Limits Wednesday at 10 p.m. and Friday at 9 p.m. to showcase songs from his latest Americana-influenced record Secret, Profane and Sugarcane. Austin’s rootsy songwriting collective the Band of Heathens follows.

Madeleine K. Albright became the first woman to serve as Secretary of State when she was appointed in 1997. She’ll discuss the latest foreign policy issues as well as her recent book, Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box on Texas Monthly Talks on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Downtown is home to some of Austin’s most iconic independent businesses. From trendy to traditional, find out why shopping downtown is As Austin as it Gets! See it all Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on Downtown.

Thursday at 8 p.m. on Life (Part 2), learn how different societies treat their older populations on Ethnicity, Race & Aging. Then on Survive and Thrive at 8:30 p.m., experts and cancer survivor Stephen Kopecky explain how survivors bounce back from crisis.

In this challenge, the contestant must establish a wine style and label design, branding image, and business plan for that wine. They will be given access to a team of marketing experts, label designers, and advertising agencies to help them, but they have only one week to get it done on Winemakers, Thursday at 9 p.m.

The Austin Daytripper at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Chet travels to Waco, Texas — home of Baylor University, Dr. Pepper, and exceptional mountain biking right in the middle of the city. If you thought Waco wasn’t worth the trip, better think again.

Austin City Limits veterans and country music legends Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel join forces onstage in celebration of their collaborative LP, Willie and the Wheel Saturday at 7 p.m.