TV picks for Aug. 25-27: MTV Video Music Awards, Whitney Houston, 'For the Love of Cars,' Princess Diana

August 24, 2017 at 9:23PM
Lafayette Films/Passion Pictures
Whitney Houston is the subject of ìWhitney. Can I Be Me."
Whitney Houston is the subject of a Showtime documentary. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The greatest love of all

Whitney Houston's death did not resonate in pop culture with the same force that the losses of Prince and Michael Jackson did, but the documentary "Whitney. 'Can I Be Me' " proves the singer's demise was just as much of a tragedy. Directors Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal strike an ideal balance between showing off the pop singer's gifts and her shortcomings, despite minimal participation from those closest to her.

8 p.m. Friday, Showtime

Joy rides

England, home of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, has its fair share of sexier vehicles, something we already learned from import "Top Gear." A new series, "For the Love of Cars," furthers the case with actor Phil Glenister and designer Ant Anstead renovating British faves, including the Triumph Stag and the Land Rover Series 1.

8 p.m. Friday, Velocity

Candle in the wind

It's nearly impossible to channel-surf these days without running into a Princess Diana special, most focusing on her death. "Diana and the Paparazzi" is no exception as filmmakers track the royal's love-hate relationship with the press, laying much of the blame on her passing on the rabid photo takers and not the intoxicated chauffeur. The lopsided documentary is followed by "Diana: The Day We Said Goodbye," narrated by Kate Winslet.

7-9 p.m. Sunday, Smithsonian Channel

Fun house

Katy Perry hosts the "2017 Video Music Awards" with Kendrick Lamar leading the pack of nominees. Pink will receive the Video Vanguard Award.

7 p.m. Sunday, MTV

Neal Justin

FILE - In this July 4, 2017 file photo, singer Katy Perry appears at the Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017/2018 fashion collection presented in Paris. MTV announced Thursday that Perry would host the Aug. 27 event at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Perry is nominated for five Moonmen, including best pop video for ìChained to the Rhythm.î (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
Perry (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Princess Diana won her TV gamble: The British public believe she is a caring, thoughtful woman who was badly treated by the royal family. But years of headlines about royal scandals and indiscretions are taking a toll on the monarchy, an institution Diana says she desperately wants to preserve for her sons. A new poll shows public respect for the royal family has slipped below that of teachers and social workers. Princess Diana is seen at the Argentine government residence in the outskirts of Bu
Princess Di (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer