The Dude abides, man...the Dude abides...

Called "the most natural and least self-conscious screen actor that has ever lived" Jeff Bridges has been plying his craft most of his life...Sea Hunt, The Last Picture Show in 1971 with a Best Supporting Actor nomination, Heaven's Gate, Starman, Jagged Edge, The Fisher King, Fearless, Wild Bill, The Fabulous Baker Boys, The Big Lebowski, and his 2010 Oscar-winning best actor in Crazy Heart, not to mention the Coen brothers' True Grit. He is an exceptional musician, an artist, a photographer, an occasional vintner and a story teller extraordinaire. And tonight he's on display and "abiding" his own American Masters: Jeff Bridges...8pm

Haiti - one year later...

In 2010, the deadly earthquake in Haiti killed more than 200,000, reducing homes, hospitals, schools, and the presidential palace to rubble. In exclusive coverage, a NOVA camera crew follows a team of US geologists as they first enter Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy...7pm

Then FRONTLINE files a report on the rising crime wave caused by thousands of the country's worst criminals escaping from the National Penitentiary during the chaos of the earthquake.
One year later, the gang leaders are re-asserting control in the capital. With unique access to the police units trying to hunt down the gangsters -- and revealing encounters with the gangsters themselves -- FRONTLINE examines the uphill fight to rebuild Haiti in the face of deep-rooted corruption and intimidation...9pm

The greatest hero of the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant was a brilliant military strategist...

who rose from obscurity to a rank held previously only by George Washington. However, the strength of the Confederate resistance forced Grant into a hard war that destroyed the South and led to his being labeled "a butcher." American Experience: U.S. Grant: Warrior...8pm

And at 7pm, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW highlights include an archive of correspondence and photos, marking the friendship between a cigar-loving Winston Churchill and the guest's Cuban great aunt and uncle; a stunning 1908 example of New Orleans' Newcomb College pottery; and an heirloom collection of vintage diamond rings and a necklace, estimated to be worth $80,000 to $100,000.

If you missed last night's Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic, you've another chance to make good tonight at 1am...you won't be sorry.

Think "The Full Monty" in the pool on Independent Lens...

Austin City Limits presents alternative rock supergroup Monsters of Folk, performing songs from its debut album. Saturday night at 10pm.

Independent Lens follows with "Men Who Swim", a look at a group of middle-aged men who have found unlikely success as members of Sweden's all-male synchronized swimming team. What begins as a weekly escape from the daily grind of work and family responsibilities gradually evolves into a more serious commitment. Inspired by Esther Williams's techniques from the 1950s, these train engineers and meat buyers, archivists and teachers soon become passionate exponents of a sport generally associated with women....11pm

And on Sunday it's the premiere of Masterpiece Classic "Downton Abbey". Created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park), it depicts the lives of the noble Crawley family and the staff who serve them, set at their Edwardian country house in 1912. Featuring Hugh Bonneville (MASTERPIECE CLASSIC "Miss Austen Regrets"), Dame Maggie Smith (Harry Potter) and Elizabeth McGovern. Laura Linney hosts...8pm

Look who came through Texas...

Howard Dean began his professional life as a physician, but was soon splitting his time between his medical practice and a seat in the Vermont legislature. He was elected lieutenant governor in 1986, and went on to six terms as governor before running for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. Today, after four years as the chair of the DNC, Dean continues his political work through Democracy for America, his million-member PAC...
current affairs show OVERHEARD with EVAN SMITH...8PM

Opera aficionados rejoice!

Great Performances at the Met presents the sophisticated comedy "Don Pasquale" tonight at 8pm...

Coming soon...the venerable British costume drama—embodied in such classics as Upstairs, Downstairs, Brideshead Revisited, and Pride and Prejudice—gets an intelligent, cheeky reinvention with the addictive Downton Abbey, the brainchild of Julian Fellowes, who won a best original screenplay Oscar for 2001’s similarly themed Gosford Park. Downton Abbey, airing over the next four weeks in 90-minute episodes, launches this Sunday evening as part of PBS’ Masterpiece Classic’s landmark 40th season. Watch for it...

Yes people...Christmas break is over - back to the important daily business of TV.

Tonight marks the 15th season for one of PBS's iconic shows - ANTIQUES ROADSHOW.
From Miami Beach, Florida, we scout for mid-century modern bargains at some of Miami's antiques and thrift shops. Highlights include a rare 1960 re-release movie poster for the iconic biker film The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando and a 1940s mobile by Alexander Calder - grabbing the number two spot in the list of all-time highest value ROADSHOW appraisals at $400,000 to $1,000, 000!...7pm

Nearly a century and a half after his death, Robert E. Lee, the leading Confederate general of the American Civil War, remains a source of fascination and, for some,veneration. This film examines the life and reputation of the general, whose military successes made him the scourge of the Union and the hero of the Confederacy, and who was elevated to almost god-like status by his admirers after his death...ROBERT E. LEE: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE...8pm