WITH GWEN IFILL

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 @ 9:00PM

THIS WEEK: THE STORIES THAT SHAPED 2013

We take pause for the holidays to look back at the big stories of 2013. The start of President Obama’s second term, the continued partisan deadlock in Washington, and attempts by the GOP to reorganize after the elections of 2012 were all predictable when the year began. But there were also unexpected developments that had a big impact throughout the year. The Edward Snowden-NSA revelations; the bungled rollout of the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court decisions giving the green light to same sex marriages; and new diplomatic initiatives with a decades-long adversary, Iran.

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MARVIN HAMLISCH: WHAT HE DID FOR LOVE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 @ 7:00PM & 12:00AM

Composer, conductor, genius, mensch: Marvin Hamlisch (June 2, 1944 – Aug. 6, 2012) earned four Grammys, four Emmys, three Oscars, three Golden Globes, a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize before his untimely death, making him one of only two PEGOT winners ever. Hit after hit — “The Way We Were,” “Nobody Does It Better” and scores for The Sting, Sophie’s Choice and the Broadway juggernaut A Chorus Line — made him the go-to composer and performer for film, Broadway, every U.S. President since Reagan and concert halls worldwide. With exclusive access to Hamlisch’s personal archival treasure trove and complete cooperation from his family, Dramatic Forces and THIRTEEN’s American Masters explore his prolific life and career.

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LIFE’S MILESTONES

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26 @ 7:00PM & 12:00AM

Join celebrity chef and television host Lidia Bastianich as she celebrates life’s milestones across the country!

“This December I’m continuing my journey through the US to experience American culture through food in my next Lidia Celebrates America special: Moments and Milestones.

I hope you’ll join me as I experience four families’ special rites of passage: A French-Cajun sweet-sixteen birthday party and country music debut in Nashville, a Greek Orthodox baptism for triplets, a Brazilian-American culinary student’s college graduation, and a Navajo house blessing ceremony.”

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JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 @ 11:00PM

Despite humble appearances, the tiny Tokyo sushi restaurant presided over by 85-year-old owner and meticulous chef Jiro Ono is the first of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3-star Michelin review, and sushi lovers around the world call months in advance for a reservation. This intimate documentary is an elegant meditation on work, family, and the art of perfection.

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DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 3

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 @ 7:00PM & 11:00PM

EPISODE 6

Change arrives in a big way for several key characters at Downton Abbey. A yearly cricket match with the village sees old scores settled and new plots hatched.

The much-loved cast of Downton Abbey Season 3 includes Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, and a host of others. Written and created by Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey, Season 3 marks the return of one of television’s most beloved and anticipated drama series to MASTERPIECE on Channel 26.1.

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WITH GWEN IFILL

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 @ 9:00PM

THIS WEEK: CONGRESS’ PARTISAN TRUCE, OBAMA REGROUPS, LIMITING NSA MONITORING, FED TRIMS STIMULUS

Partisan conflicts, the government shutdown, and the rocky rollout of the Affordable Care Act have all taken a toll on President Obama’s approval ratings this year. But with a healing labor market and improving economy, can the president turn things around in 2014?

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 @ 9:00PM

This year’s edition of Christmas at Belmont features the University Symphony Orchestra, Belmont Chorale, Percussion Ensemble, Musical Theatre, Jazz Ensemble and Bluegrass Ensemble, as well as mass choir. The performance includes both classic sacred holiday music such as “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen,” as well as festive seasonal songs such as “Carol of the Bells” and “We Need a Little Christmas,” to name a few.

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TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 @ 11:00PM

The theater fills to capacity. The house lights dim. From seemingly everywhere comes the soothing sound of over 500 voices in perfect blend with a symphony orchestra as the students of Luther College envelop the audience for the start of Christmas at Luther: Tidings of Comfort and Joy.

Christmas at Luther is a decades old institution at Luther College. Christmas celebrations were begun as Juletide and featured performances of Handel’s Messiah.

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EXTREME ICE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 @ 10:00PM

Follow photojournalist James Balog to some of the most remote and beautiful places on Earth as he documents the disappearance of an icy landscape that took thousands of years to form. An artist, scientist, explorer, and former mountain guide, Balog braves treacherous terrain to site his cameras in ideal locations to record the unfolding drama.

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HOW SHERLOCK CHANGED THE WORLD

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 @ 7:00PM & 11:00PM

How Sherlock Changed the World reveals the impact Sherlock Holmes has had on the development of real criminal investigation and forensic techniques. From blood to ballistics, from fingerprints to footprints, Holmes was 120 years ahead of his time, protecting crime scenes from contamination, looking for minute traces of evidence and searching for what the eye couldn’t see. The film features interviews with forensic scientists, toxicologists, crime scene investigators and criminal profilers.

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