Top Picks: 'Gregory Porter: Nat ‘King’ Cole & Me,' 'Survival in the Skies,' and more

The podcast 'Ben Franklin's World' has explored topics relating to the 18th century, from British soldiers who fought in the Revolution to the Nat Turner revolt, CBS is honoring the legacy of 'The Carol Burnett Show,' and more top picks.

Present meets past

One of today’s top vocalists takes on the well-known canon of a beloved voice from the past. Gregory Porter: Nat ‘King’ Cole & Me is a sincere and heartfelt tribute to a musical father figure that only comes up a bit short because Nat King Cole was such a giant. Singing to fully orchestrated arrangements by Grammy winner Vince Mendoza, Gregory Porter brings his commanding yet tender touch to Cole chestnuts “The Christmas Song” and “Mona Lisa” as well as to his own composition “When Love Was King.”

Life of Franklin

Ever wondered what it would be like to live in Ben Franklin’s World? The podcast has explored topics relating to the 18th century, from British soldiers who fought in the Revolution to the Nat Turner revolt. A recent intriguing episode told the story of the African-Americans who fought on the side of America during the Revolution. Find it at www.benfranklinsworld.com.

Flight advancements

Traveling through the sky was a long-held dream of humanity, but multiple advancements had to be made before we could join the birds. The new Smithsonian Channel program Survival in the Skies tells the story of how parachutes, spacesuits, and more were invented to make sure we could return safely to the ground. “Survival in the Skies” debuts Nov. 28 at 9 p.m.

Courtship of cultures

The film The Big Sick, available on DVD and Blu-ray, tells the story of couple Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani) and Emily (Zoe Kazan). After Emily is put in a medically induced coma, Kumail begins to win over Emily’s parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) with his devotion to her while she is in the hospital. “The story of Emily and Kumail is about more than the fraught courtship of two lovers,” Monitor film critic Peter Rainer writes. “It’s about the fraught courtship of two cultures.”

‘Burnett’ retrospective

“The Carol Burnett Show” featured an ensemble for the ages and has influenced comedy ever since its 1967 debut. Now CBS is honoring the program’s legacy with The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special, featuring original castmates Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner. It premières Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.