TV Smarts

Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are home-viewing tips:

* Today----”Bravo Profiles; Rupert Murdoch” (Bravo 7:30-8:30 p.m.). Details the rise of the Australian-born media mogul who owns Fox cable, sports and news networks, a movie studio and newspapers. Also, “20/20 Downtown: The Next President” (KABC 10-11 p.m.). Compares the early lives of Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush. Peter Jennings reports.

* Friday--”Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony” (KNBC 7:30 p.m.-midnight). Tape-delayed broadcast of the opening of the 27th Summer Olympics will be followed in coming days by regular coverage of the competition this month. Excerpts of individual sports will appear daily on CNBC and MSNBC. Consult listings.

* Saturday--”Great Books: Grapes of Wrath” (TLC 9-10 p.m., repeats at midnight). Uses historical photos, interviews and reenactments to document John Steinbeck’s novel about migrants in California in the 1930s. Also, “Una Vida Mejor: A Better Life” (KLCS 9:30-10:30 p.m.). Looks at the phenomenon of Latino immigrants finding jobs in the Midwest.

* Sunday--”BookTV--Creole: The History and Legacy of Louisiana’s Free People of Color” (C-SPAN2, 5-6 p.m.). Features book containing essays on Creole language, literature, art, religion, food, music and social barriers. Also, “National Geographic Explorer: Giants of the Deep” (CNBC 8-9 p.m.). Filmed in the Costa Rican feeding and breeding zone of the California blue whale, this documentary looks at the 100-foot, 200-ton creature.

* Monday--”A Force More Powerful: A Century of Nonviolent Conflict” (KCET 9-10:30 p.m.). Traces the nonviolent movements of the 20th century in places such as India, United States, Poland, Chile and South Africa. Part 2 airs Sept. 25. Also, “The Maginot Line” (HIST 10-11 p.m.). Documentary on France’s elaborate pre-World War II border defense system that failed to stop the country from being overrun by enemy troops in 1940.

* Tuesday--”Arthur” (KCET 8:30-9 a.m.). The animated aardvark celebrates “Library Sign-Up Month,” sponsored by the American Library Assn. The on-screen characters take a field trip to visit classmates’ parents at their jobs. Further information at https://www.ala.org/parentspage.

* Wednesday--”Rivera in America” (KCET 10:30-11:30 p.m.). Explores the influence of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera on U.S. artists and looks at the work he did for the Rockefellers and Fords in the 1930s.

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Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, dean of the School of Education, College of St. Mary, Albany, N.Y. Columns available at https://www.latimes.com/tvsmarts.