Tuning in: On TV this week.

Saturday Jan. 22

Town Haul (TLC, 10-11 p.m.): Genevieve Gorder of TLC's popular design reality series, "Trading Spaces," takes on a more ambitious project. In the first of six episodes, a design team endeavors to give Jeffersonville, N.Y., a face-lift on Main Street. The community spirit is really delightful to watch.

Masterpiece Theatre: Island at War (PBS, check local listings, continues Sundays through Feb. 20): When the British withdrew their troops from the Channel Islands in May of 1940, the Germans proceeded to bomb the islanders. This taut, superbly made miniseries zeroes in on three families, including the Mahy family - shopkeepers whose two lovely daughters could be easy prey to the occupying soldiers. The islanders struggle to maintain their dignity - sometimes with more courage than wisdom.

Dirty War (HBO, 9 p.m.): Terrorism is always a filthy business, but this political thriller from Britain dramatizes the threat of "dirty bombs," with their capacity to poison the atmosphere. More provocative than scary, this smart film demands answers to tough questions about what local and federal governments are doing to protect the people.

Nova Science Now (PBS, 8-9 p.m., check local listings): The magazine-style series is not meant to be the final word (is there ever one?) in science. Rather, the exciting format looks at everything from research in hurricane prediction to profiles of scientists like James McLurkin, a robotics engineer who tries to apply his findings to his life by planning out every moment for maximum efficiency - including falling in love.