'Marilyn Monroe: Still Life,' VH1's 'Pop Up Video' and more
In this photo released by Christie's auction house, actress Marilyn Monroe is photographed on a Long Island beach by photographer Andre De Dienes. Credit: AP, 1949
Off the Wall likes it hot, too.
REMEMBERING MARILYN TV marks the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's early death (Aug. 5, 1962). Watch 24 hours of iconic movies Saturday, from drama kickoff "The Asphalt Jungle" (6 a.m.) to comedy faves like "The Seven Year Itch" and "Some Like It Hot" (6 and 8 p.m., all on TCM). Explore Monroe's continued popularity in "Reel Life: Marilyn Monroe" (Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m., Reelz) and her photographed image in the "American Masters" study "Marilyn Monroe: Still Life" (Sunday at 8 p.m. and midnight, PBS/13). Lots more Monroe at tcm.com and pbs.org/americanmasters.
ARE YOU OLYMPIC-ED OUT? Start watching scripted action. Try the first five episodes of the spy series "XIII" (Saturday 2-7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Reelz), starring Stuart Townsend ("The Night Stalker") as an amnesiac ex-operative, allied with Aisha Tyler's government agent. Thereafter, the series continues Friday nights at 9, from the minds behind "La Femme Nikita." Video at reelz.com/xiii.
OTRO ANIVERSARIO Another big 50th anniversary belongs to "Sábado Gigante" (Saturday night at 8, Univision/41), the gonzo cornucopia of comedy, music and audience participation led each weekend by ageless host Don Francisco. His Spanish-language parade of superstar anniversary guests continues with Dominican sensation Elvis Martinez and salsero artist Alex Matos. Visit tv.univision.com/sabado-gigante.
LONG ISLAND LOVE GOES BAD The 1988 disappearance of Huntington Station newlywed Lisa Solomon is this week's episode of "Happily Never After" (Saturday night at 10, ID), re-creating wedding-related crimes. There's also Wednesday's 10 p.m. Addicted Edition encore adding pop-ups and fan tweets. Series home page at investigation.discovery.com/tv/happily-never-after/episodes.
FOUR DOSES OF THE DOCTOR The BBC's seemingly eternal series "Doctor Who" gets a four-special salute on Saturday nights in August. "The Science of Doctor Who" (Saturday night at 9, BBC America) dips into the real-life concepts and possibilities behind the show's fantastical happenings. Upcoming: "The Women of Doctor Who" (next Saturday), "The Timey-Wimey Stuff of Doctor Who" (Aug. 18) and "The Destinations of Doctor Who" (Aug. 25). More medicine at bbcamerica.com/doctorwho.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW 'SEINFELD'? Maybe not. The folks at Bio channel have come up with "25 Things You Didn't Know About Seinfeld" (Sunday at 11 a.m.). Study up in airings on WPIX/11 (weeknights at 11 and 11:30) and TBS (weeknights at 7 and 7:30), or online at tbs.com/seinfeld.
FROG MEETS DISCO They're all good, really, but this weekend's episodes of "WKRP in Cincinnati" (Sunday 9-11 p.m., Antenna TV) have a special place in KRP-heads' hearts. "Frog Story" (9 p.m.) finds Herb in a frenzy after he accidentally paints his daughter's pet frog, Greenpeace, pink. And "Dr. Fever and Mr. Tide" (10-11 p.m.) takes two parts to tell the tale of Dr. Johnny Fever's descent into disco host. Record 'em all! Episode details at antennatv.tv/shows.
TV TO READ New episodes are back for "Pop Up Video" (Monday at noon and 12:30 p.m., VH1), playing weekdays to enliven lunch hours everywhere. Watch more at popup.vh1.com.
ROCKIN' IT Chris Rock serves as executive producer of "Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell" (Thursday at 11 p.m., FX), with commentary and comedy sketches tackling the same kind of political and pop culture topics as Bell's standup. Video at fxnetworks.com/totallybiased.
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: The shortage of game officials on LI On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to young people who are turning to game officiating as a new career path.
