TV Smarts

Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are home-viewing tips:

* Today--”David Hockney: Pleasures of the Eye” (OVTN 7-7:30 p.m., repeats 11:30 p.m.-midnight) Profiles the modern British artist known for his depictions of California.

* Friday--”Titus” (CMAX, 7-10 p.m.) Movie based on the Shakespeare play “Titus Andronicus,” about a ruthless Roman general’s struggle for political power. Anthony Hopkins stars. Rated R. Also, “Teen People’s 20 Teens Who Will Change the World” (KTLA 9-10 p.m.) Reports on teens whose efforts in volunteerism, political activism, athletics and the arts are making a positive contribution to society. Also, “Tutu and Franklin” (KCET 9-11 p.m.) Historian John Hope Franklin and Nobel Peace prize laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa conduct a seminar on racial reconciliation for high school students at a seaport in Senegal formerly used by slave traders.

* Saturday--”Roots--The Next Generation” (ODSY 2-6 p.m.) Two-part miniseries continues the story of Alex Haley’s family line begun in his African American history book “Roots.” James Earl Jones, Debbie Allen, Ruby Dee star. Also, “Book TV: Public Lives” (C-SPAN2 5-6 p.m.) Author Rebecca Walker discusses “Black, White and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self,” about her mixed ethnic identities. Also, “Save Our History: Frontier Homes” (HIST 9-10 p.m.) Describes efforts to preserve historic frontier homes originally constructed from logs, adobe mud or sod.

* Sunday--”The American Wedding” (A&E; 8-9 p.m.) As Valentine’s Day approaches, this documentary surveys U.S. history by highlighting wedding practices in various eras. Also, “Haven” (KCBS 9-11 p.m.) Four-hour miniseries based on the book “Haven: The Dramatic Story of 1,000 World War II Refugees and How They Came to America” by Ruth Gruber, about a young Jewish U.S. government official who escorted Holocaust survivors to America in 1944. Natasha Richardson stars. Second part airs Wednesday from 9-11 p.m.

* Monday--”’Marcus Garvey: Look for Me in the Whirlwind” (KCET 9-10:30 p.m.) Traces the rise and fall of the leader of the “Back to Africa” movement that boasted 2 million members in the early 20th century. For background material, log on https://www.pbs.org/amex.

* Tuesday--”Mysteries of Mating” (TLC 10-11 p.m.) Examines the psychological and physiological conditions that influence a human’s choice of a potential mate. Also, “Transistorized” (KCET 10-11 p.m.) On the development of transistors, which made space travel and the Internet possible.

* Wednesday--”The Ultimate Ten: Machines” (TLC 8-9 p.m.) Describes the most influential machines today, such as artificial hearts and the space shuttle. Also, “Bob Marley: Rebel Music” (KCET 9-10:30 p.m.) About the world’s first reggae superstar, who also was a leading peace activist and an influential musician. Includes newly found concert footage.

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Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, dean of the School of Education, College of St. Rose, Albany, N.Y. Columns available at https://www.calendarlive.com/go/tvsmarts.