SCIENCE

CIVILIZATIONS CLASH IN SURVIVOR STORY

THE domination of European culture in world development is the focus of “Guns, Germs and Steel,” a three–part series based on a Pulitzer prize-winning book by Jared Diamond.Diamond,a scientist,explores how geography,biology,technology and economics helped some societies dominate others.The Fertile Crescent,for example, gave rise to successful civilizations largely though its geographical advantages – good soil and climate.Diamond also explores the Spanish conquistadors who nearly wiped out Incan culture with their sophisticated weaponry and germs to which the Incas had no immunity.

GUNS,GERMS AND STEEL

Monday, 10 p.m., PBS

DOCUMENTARY

Bump and grind

FILMMAKER Liz Goldwyn started collecting old burlesque costumes with an eye to preserving them for museum exhibition.But her eye for bugle beads and sequins led to a deeper fascination with the lives of the women – temptresses such as “Ball of fire ” Betty Rowland,,Lois de Fee and Sherry Britton – who wore these costumes,,

and did the bump-and-grind in them.In “Pretty Things,” Goldwyn conjures up the bygone era of burlesque,from the stage-door Johnnies who panted after the dancers to the police who hauled them away when things got a little too hot on stage.Besides the interviews with the dancers, who are now in their 70s and 80s,the film also offers archival footage and costume sketches.

PRETTY THINGS

Tuesday, 10:30 p.m., HBO

REALITY

DANCE FEVER

THIS is the summer that Americans stayed home to watch other people dance on TV.First,it was the hammy has-beens on “Dancing with the Stars.” Now,,real people strut their stuff on “So You Think You Can Dance.” Borrowing one page from “American Idol ” and another from “American Bandstand,” the show gathers dancers from casting

calls held in several U.S.cities and pits them against each other to see who can shake it up on stage.During the show ‘s 12-week run,the dancers will be tested on everything from ballroom to jazz dancing. Are we really to believe that today ‘s youth will execute the foxtrot?

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

Wednesday, 8 p.m., Fox

REALITY

Ink spots

THE folks that brought you the interior design show “Trading Spaces ” are now branching out into new decorating territory – the human body..In “Miami Ink,” four old friends run a Florida tattoo parlor and give viewers an intimate look at what goes into making a Celtic band tattoo or something as subtle as a shamrock.The guys – Ami James,,Chris Nunez,Chris Garver and Darren Brass – work from noon until nighttime,but find plenty of time for shenanigans and brotherly hazing rituals.Their clients range from suburban housewives to famous actors,and “Miami Ink ” tells the story of their tattoos as well.

MIAMI INK

Tuesday, 10 p.m., TLC

DRAMA

A freak tries to fit in

CLAIRE (Lauren Ambrose)meets a new guy at work and decides,after a quartet of weird relationships – Gabe,,Russell,Edie,Billy – to make more of an effort to fit in with the part of the human race that doesn ‘t want to crawl out of its own skin.David (Michael C.Hall)and Keith (Mathew St.Patrick)have some tense moments with their new roles as adoptive parents.Brenda (Rachel Griffiths)and Nate (Peter Krause)get some ambiguous news,which should have them gnashing their teeth,and George (James Cromwell) drops a bomb on Ruth (Frances Conroy).

SIX FEET UNDER

Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO

COMEDY

Star quality

IT ‘S hot times at Sundance as Eric (Kevin Connolly)and Vince (Adrian Grenier)arrive for the premiere of “Queens Boulevard,” which is attended by “Titanic ” director James Cameron,who ‘s also helming “Aquaman.” After having

lunch with a studio bigwig, Eric scores an offer for Vince that is so juicy it would be insane to pass it up.The budding movie star is game,but his agent,Ari (Jeremy Piven),advises him to play it safe.

ENTOURAGE

Sunday, 10 p.m., HBO