TV Daily

HBO offers a frank look at PETA and its founder, Ingrid Newkirk. Plus: What did you think of Sunday night's American Music Awards?

Published November 19, 2007 11:00AM (EST)

Prime Pick

Photo: HBO

Just in time for Thanksgiving, HBO's documentary "I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA" (8 p.m. EST) looks at some of the actions PETA and its founder have taken to stop animal suffering globally. Although many people have a perception of Newkirk and PETA as a bunch of aggressive, red-paint-throwing lunatics, PETA members see it as a means to an end. "We've had to change our style because we're desperate to catch people's attention," explains Newkirk. "It's an act of desperation that we must use, or there will be silence, and nobody will know there is an animal rights movement." Few disagree that PETA has made some missteps over the years with their outrageous stunts, and resentment of the group is well documented in the film. "Everything that has turned you off about PETA has come directly from Ingrid," says one associate. But Newkirk and her group feel their tactics are justified, given the atrocities unfolding under our noses. "It's not the worst thing in the world to cross the line," says Bill Maher, a PETA board member. "To me, a much worse thing is to never even approach the line."

Also…

Isn't it time to see everyone's Favorite Documentary Ever? "Grey Gardens" airs at 7:15 p.m. EST on Sundance. We're not sure what "Ellen's Really Big Show" is, frankly, but it sounds, well, really big (9 p.m. EST on TBS). Brad picks his No. 1 gal and maybe gives her a ring that doesn't mean all that much in tonight's finale of "The Bachelor" (10 p.m. EST on ABC). And Agrestic goes apocalyptic in tonight's "Weeds" finale (10 p.m. EST on Showtime).

Last night

Did you watch the American Music Awards on Sunday night, or were you glued to "The Amazing Race" or the final episode of "The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard"? Have a response to the shows you'd like to share? Go here to discuss.

On the talk shows

Regis and Kelly

ABC, 9 a.m. EST

Neil Patrick Harris, Dana Delaney

The View

ABC, 11 a.m. EST

Garth Brooks, Jessica Seinfeld

Ellen DeGeneres

Syndicated, check local listings

Christina Applegate, Bobb'e J. Thompson, Backstreet Boys

Oprah Winfrey

Syndicated, check local listings

TBA

Charlie Rose

PBS, check local listings

Jeff Bezos

Larry King

CNN, 9 p.m. EST

Joy Behar, Joan Rivers, Gene Simmons

Jon Stewart

Comedy Central, 11 p.m. EST

Nikolas Kozloff (repeat)

Stephen Colbert

Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. EST

Willie Nelson (repeat)

David Letterman

CBS, 11:30 p.m. EST

TBA

Jay Leno

NBC, 11:35 p.m. EST

Jack Black, Kat Williams, John Legend

Tavis Smiley

PBS, check local listings

Sen. Barack Obama (repeat)

Jimmy Kimmel

ABC, 12:05 a.m. EST

Ryan Seacrest, Anthony Anderson, Hot Hot Heat

Conan O'Brien

NBC, 12:35 a.m. EST

Frank Caliendo, Galactic

Craig Ferguson

CBS, 12:35 a.m. EST

TBA

Contributors: Megan Doll, Heather Havrilesky, Eryn Loeb, Amy Reiter


By Salon Staff

MORE FROM Salon Staff


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Television