What's On TV

TV highlights for the week of Oct. 3-9. Shows listed are not necessarily recommended by the Monitor. All times are Eastern; check local listings.

SATURDAY 10/3

Epicurious (Discovery, 9:30-10 a.m.): A fascinating new food show that takes place in the kitchen as well as "out in the field." In the premire, co-hosts Ishbel MacIntosh and Jonathan Karsh visit a Vermont farm for fresh maple syrup, a key ingredient for maple-barbecued chicken and baked beans. (TV-G)

SUNDAY 10/4

Merrow Report (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): John Merrow hosts this compelling report on "Lost in Translation: Latinos, Schools and Society," which explores educational barriers that are faced by Latinos, the fastest growing group in America.

Shot Through the Heart (HBO, 8-9:50 p.m.): A gripping tale, based on a true story from 1992, about best friends Vlado Sarzinsky (Linus Roache) and Slavko Simic (Vincent Perez, pictured), who are forced to take opposite sides once Sarajevo becomes a bloody war zone. Simic is Serbian, but Sarzinsky is a Croat married to a Muslim. In the eyes of Radovan Karadzic - then leading the Bosnian Serb "ethnic cleansing" movement - this doesn't fit his vision for the future. Some scenes are grim and difficult to watch, but the story is moving. (TV-MA)

PBS Election '98: The National Report (PBS, 9-10 p.m.): This program previews one of the most critical off-year elections in decades. The coverage includes reports from selected campaigns, an update on impeachment charges against the president, and strategic issues such as tax cuts and the budget.

TUESDAY 10/6

Nova - Lost at Sea: the Search for Longitude (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): Precision is an indispensible part of navigation. But have you ever wondered how the ancient Phoenicians found their way at sea and how today's advanced Global Positioning System works? "Nova" kicks off its 25th season with an "ahoy" presentation of navigation. (TV-G)

THURSDAY 10/8

Holding On: a Love Story From the Street (PBS, 10-11:30 p.m.): This film documents a five-year journey in the lives of Luis Santiago and Donna Mercier, on and off the streets of Boston and across New Hampshire. Filmmaker John Baynard successfully captures on film their struggle to stay together through economic hardships. (TV-PG, L)

FRIDAY 10/9

NHL Hockey (ESPN, 7:30-10:30 p.m.): The "coolest" game in the planet skates into its 82nd season today with the New York Rangers hosting the Philadelphia Flyers.