TBS’ ‘National Geographic’ goes on a turf safari; Learning about Byzantium; CBS’ ‘Price of Heaven’

Sunday

“National Geographic Explorer” / 4 and 8 p.m. TBS

One intrepid team of cameramen checks out another as the series zooms in on the people who track wildlife of a different variety--the NFL. Steve Sabol, the hard-driving president of NFL Films, says, “We want to show the game the way the players experience it: eyeballs bulging, sweat flying.” And that’s precisely what they got while covering Super Bowl XXXI last January, as chronicled by the “Explorer” team in this behind-the-scenes documentary.

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“Byzantium: The Lost Empire” / 6 and 9 p.m. (also Monday) TLC

Hosted by historian John Romer, this four-part miniseries recounts the legacy of the Byzantine Empire that ruled Asia Minor and the Balkan Peninsula for a thousand years. But centuries filled with plagues, invasion and corruption eventually led to its demise in 1453 A.D. as Constaninople fell to the Turks. Romer presents the history of the empire, illustrating its impact on Western civilization.

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“The Price of Heaven” / 9 p.m. CBS

Ah, but is this TV movie (produced two years ago in North Carolina) a slice of heaven? “Melrose Place” alum Grant Show plays an insurance salesman who chooses between a simple gal (Cari Shayne) and a wealthy one (Lori Loughlin) with help from a customer (Cicely Tyson). Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, the film is adapted from “White People,” a novella by Allan Gurganus, author of “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All.”

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“Subway Stories” / 10 p.m. HBO

In 1995, HBO invited New Yorkers to submit their stories of life on the subway. More than 1,000 people responded, and this hit-and-miss collection of 10 vignettes is the result. By turns odd, amusing and ironic, the 90-minute project features a diverse mix of actors and directors. Among the highlights: Jerry Stiller as an elderly rider offering insider tips to a suspicious stockbroker, and Bonnie Hunt as an uptown, uptight woman who gets locked in overnight. Rosie Perez, who doubles as executive producer, interacts in silence with a newlywed (Mike McGlone of “Brothers McMullen”).

Monday

“The Flip Wilson Show” / 9 p.m. Nick at Nite. Tuesday 6:30 p.m. TV Land

Two decades before “Friends” and “Seinfeld” dominated Thursday nights, Wilson scored in a big way with this inspired, enormously popular variety hour, which premiered in the fall of 1970. Heralding the show’s inclusion in the TV Land lineup, Nick presents a three-hour marathon featuring Flip as the feisty Geraldine, who made millions laugh with his/her sassy catch phrase “What you see is what you get!”

Wednesday

“Melanie Darrow” / 9 p.m. USA

No relation to Clarence, Miss Darrow (played by Delta Burke) is a high-powered defense attorney whose latest client may turn out to be a handful. After all, he’s the husband of her murdered best friend. Making matters worse in this telepic, his own family thinks he really did the dirty deed.

Thursday

“The Grateful Dead: Anthem to Beauty” / 9:15 p.m. KCET

Deadhead alert. Using the band’s second and sixth albums (1968’s “Anthem to the Sun” and 1970’s “American Beauty”) as chronological bookends, this PBS documentary recalls their singular music, lifestyle and mystique. The mix of performance footage, interviews and home movies includes Bob Weir discussing the making of “Sugar Magnolia” and Phil Lesh sharing the inspiration for “Box of Rain.” Among the tunes: “Golden Road,” “New Potato Caboose,” “Candyman” and “Alligator.”

Saturday

“HBO Comedy Hour: Janeane Garofalo” / 10 p.m. HBO

Already a star thanks to her sublime work on TV (“The Larry Sanders Show”) and movies, the two-time Emmy nominee appears in her first hourlong HBO stand-up special. Among the topics of choice: the anti-smoking movement, religious intolerance and summer blockbusters. Afterward, HBO screens “The Truth About Cats & Dogs,” Garofalo’s 1996 comedy with Uma Thurman.