What's on TV
Saturday 1/19
Sundance20 (Sundance Channel, 8-9 p.m.): The independent film movement might have been in a sorry state were it not for the Sundance Institute. Championing the cause of the small, idiosyncratic film, the institute has helped young voices learn how to articulate the language of film - cheaply. In this engaging documentary, we hear from former graduates such as Gregory Nava and Quentin Tarantino, John Cameron Mitchell and Robert Redford (who created Sundance), various working directors, and this year's crop of newcomers.
The Golden Globe Awards (NBC, 8-11 p.m.): It's the live awards show that's known for its spontaneous speeches and unpredictable moments. And it's also a good indicator of who might win an Oscar in March. Presenters of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's 59th annual event include Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Cameron Diaz, and Harrison Ford, who will receive the career achievement Cecil B. DeMille Award.
Vietnam's Unseen War: Pictures from the Other Side (MSNBC, 8-9 p.m.): A fascinating documentary returns to Vietnam to experience the war from the other side's perspective. North Vietnamese war correspondents' pictures describe what it was like living underground, fighting against the United States, and taking combat photos never before revealed to the West.
Hidden History of Egypt and Hidden History of the Roman Empire (Discovery Channel, 9-11 p.m.): Ever wonder what the Romans ever did for us? Well, Monty Python alumnus Terry Jones will tell you - the aqueduct for one. But this trip into ancient history is more fun than the usual form - it's more like a journey through ancient civilizations. Try out the cuisine for rich and poor alike. Or the daily spa. Jones is serious and seriously amusing.
Great Performances: From Broadway - Fosse (PBS, check local listings): Ben Vereen and Ann Reinking host this terrific "Dance in America" documentary that helps place Bob Fosse's contribution to jazz dance in its proper light. Song and dance is the mainstay of American musicals, but Fosse used movement from real life and invented more to express the real character of shows like "Damn Yankees," "Cabaret," and "All That Jazz."
