TV picks for Dec. 16-18: 'Man in the High Castle,' Robert Bly, Lawrence Phillips, 'Paranormal Lockdown'

You don't have to be a football fanatic to appreciate the power and grace of a blessed athlete in "Running for His Life: The Lawrence Phillips Story," an unvarnished look at the University of Nebraska standout. Phillips was plagued by problems with temperament and alcohol that ultimately cut short one of the sport's most promising careers. Prepare to be awed, and heartbroken, by this documentary.

8 p.m. Friday, Showtime

When "Robert Bly: A Thousand Years of Joy" was screened at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival in April, Star Tribune books editor Laurie Hertzel sang its praises, noting that the documentary did a "remarkable job of tracing the life and influence of Minnesota's most important poet." If that blurb wasn't enough to draw you to its TPT premiere, note that Bly turns 90 next week. Consider a viewing both an early Christmas present and an education in homegrown literature.

8 p.m. Friday, TPT

"Paranormal Lockdown" returns for a second season of would-be ghostbusters, forcing themselves to live in haunted houses that probably won't show up on Airbnb. First up: Monroe House in Hartford City, Ind., where we can only assume any actual spirits are ticked off that Alexander Hamilton got a Broadway musical before James Monroe did.

8 p.m. Friday, TLC

And the "Man in the High Castle" is ... Milton from "Office Space"? To be fair, actor Stephen Root has played a variety of vastly different characters over his long career, including the smug owner in "NewsRadio." Root brings just the right amount of charm and bravado to the long-awaited mysterious figure who could reclaim the world from the Nazis in this newly available second season. Still have your doubts? Just remember what the seemingly meek Milton did in the 1999 Mike Judge comedy when pushed too far.

Neal Justin