What’s on TV This Week: ‘Slave Play’ and ‘Orphan Black: Echoes’

For those who still enjoy a cable subscription, here is a selection of cable and network TV shows, movies and specials that broadcast this week, June 17-23. Details and times are subject to change.

Monday

THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). “The Great British Bake Off” has taught us about jaffa cakes, brandy snaps and sachertorte, but this reality show focuses on all things American. Eight contestants from different regions around the U.S. compete for the title by preparing their prized signature dishes that represent them and where they are from.

Tuesday

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953) 9 p.m. on TCM. Marilyn Monroe stars as Lorelei, a showgirl engaged to Gus, much to the disapproval of Gus’s father. When Lorelei goes on a cruise with her best friend Dorothy (Jane Russell), her future father-in-law hires a private investigator to follow her and make sure she doesn’t do anything unbecoming. Though Bosley Crowther wrote in his review for The New York Times that the “direction is uncomfortably cloddish and slow,” he noted that “subtle backlash of burlesque banter not only tags the brand of wit that flows with old-fashioned charm through the picture, but pointedly explains the buoyancy and survival of the young ladies in this bumptious film.”

HERE TO CLIMB 9 p.m. on HBO. Sasha DiGiulian’s climbing career began at the age of 7, and over the years, she has scaled Big Wall in Brazil and the Misty Wall in Yosemite National Park. This documentary follows her ascent, literal and figurative.

Wednesday

TOP CHEF 9 p.m. on Bravo. While this season has mostly taken place in Wisconsin, the three finalists are setting sail on a cruise ship from Curacao, with Caribbean themed challenges on deck. For the finale, Dan, Danny and Savannah are going to compete with six eliminated contestants joining them to act as sous chefs. There are tons of fish in the sea, but only one can take home the title.