Here’s a beautiful use of the History channel, otherwise clogged by stuff like “Pawn Stars” (History, 8, 8:30 and 9 p.m.): Running recent documentaries about important events that might otherwise get lost on regular movie channels. It happens tonight with “The Unknown Known” (History, 9:30 p.m.), Errol Morris’ brilliant depiction of Donald Rumsfeld’s imperial reign as Defense Secretary, by setting the stage with background of his decisions, and balanced them with his own often radically revisionist perspective.
Because Rumsfeld is so game for the exercise, he actually agrees to read from the numerous philosophical memos, or “snowflakes” that he issued. Morris does a good job at challenging him but it hardly shakes his self-satisfied recollection. Done in his distinctive documentary style, “The Unknown Known” is fascinating.
Though it sounds like a variant of a reality show obsession, “Expecting Amish” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.) is actually a TV movie starring A.J. Michalka as an Amish youth on rumspringa, who meets a college student played by Jesse McCartney.
It’s a “Facts of Life” reunion when Lisa Whelchel and Kim Fields star in the made for TV movie “For Better or Worse” (Hallmark, 9 p.m.), playing a widow and her friend who run a wedding planning business right next to a divorce lawyer, played by Antonio Cupo. They quarrel at first but I wonder what happens next.
The idea of burning off unseen episodes of canceled series now extends beyond the current season. In addition to showing recent yanked series like “Bad Teacher” (CBS, 8 and 8:30 p.m.), the cable network Logo has acquired and is showing unseen episodes of “Don’t Trust the B– in Apt. 23” (Logo, 10 p.m.) with Krysten Ritter and James Van Der Beek, who is becoming the king of canceled series.
He’s got a solid music series in “Daryl’s Place,” but now the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Daryl Hall wants to fix up the place — or another place nearby. “Daryl’s Restoration Over-Hall” (DIY, 10 p.m.) has the half of Hall & Oates fixing up an 18th century cottage in Sherman, Conn. I can’t go for that (no can do).
The second season begins for the romantic series “Cedar Cove” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) with Andie MacDowell.
Look, up in the sky, it’s a doctor, it’s an animal love, it’s “The Supervet” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.) featuring British veterinarian Noel Fitzpatrick on the case.
Tommy makes a peace offering to Ruiz on “Power” (Starz, 9 p.m.).
eorge and Poppy finally make it to Washington D.C. on “Almost Royal” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
Wayne Newton visits a haunted theater in Las Vegas on “The Haunting Of…” (Lifetime Movie Channel, 10 p.m.).
If you use your TV like you do your computer: “America’s Cutest Cats” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.).
It’s the season finale of “Bet on Your Baby” (ABC, 8 p.m.). As they say in Texas Hold ‘Em, I’m all out.
Steven Spielberg’s first feature, “The Sugarland Express” (TCM, 8 p.m.), with Goldie Hawn and William Atherton, gets a showcase, alongside a repeat of “AFI’s Master Class – The Art of Collaboration” (TCM, 10 p.m.), featuring Speilberg’s work with composer John Williams.
Later, there’s a pair of horror films in the late 70s, “The Visitor” (TCM, 2 a.m.) and “Tentacles” (TCM, 4 a.m.).
Sandra Bullock stars in “Miss Congeniality 2” (HBO Family, 8:30 p.m.) and “The Blind Side” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.).
Baseball today includes Cincinnati at Yankees (MLB, 1 p.m.), Dodgers at St. Louis (F0x Sports 1, 4 p.m.), Cleveland at Detroit (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.) and Baltimore at Oakland (MLB, 10 p.m.).
With considerably less fanfare than baseball’s this week, here’s the WNBA All-Star Game (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.).
The Tour de France (NBC Sports Network, 7 a.m.) hits Stage 14, from Grenoble to Risoul.
Milk Carton Kids and Sarah Jarosz play a replay of “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
The Kerry Washington-hosted “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) with Eminem gets a replay.