Emma’s Must-Sees for October 2026

This month brings two amazing documentaries that highlight prominent Chicano artists in Los Angeles. Be sure to check out VOCES on the art collective ASCO and the American Masters documentary about Luis Valdez to really understand their work in a new light. With elections coming up in November, there’s also a broadcast of a San Francisco congressional debate and a new Frontline episode to keep you informed. Plus for my fellow mystery fans, an addictive, moody crime drama comes to KQED at the end of the month.

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Looking at the art produced by the Chicano art collective ASCO is a very trippy experience for me: on one hand it looks bold and new, like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and on the other it’s so instantly iconic it feels like I’ve always known it existed. The new VOCES documentary captures this feeling perfectly, challenging typical documentary conventions in the way ASCO challenged the mainstream art world. It’s both a high-energy portrait of the 1970s Los Angeles art scene, and a work of art itself — with a lot to say and a lot of personality. Rather than being a backwards facing history, it brings ASCO into the present day and into the future. Hopefully you finish and feel inspired to challenge the status quo and create art!

Airs on KQED 9 Friday October 2 at 9pm. Stream for free the same day on the PBS App.

An excellent pairing with VOCES’ ASCO documentary, this American Masters special showcases the life and legacy of filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez,  a founding member of the Chicano Movement. You probably know Valdez from La Bamba — the Ritchie Valens biopic he directed — or his play Zoot Suit starring Edward James Olmos. But this documentary goes so much deeper into not only his story, but the history of Latine representation in media. Luis Valdez himself gives amazing anecdotes about his ups and downs in Hollywood and Broadway. The film is also just a lot of fun, full of wonderful clips from his work and capturing an exciting, dynamic time in Chicano art. I guarantee you’ll be singing and tapping your feet to “La Bamba” by the end.

Airs on KQED 9 Tuesday October 6 at 9pm. Stream for free the same day on the PBS App.

On October 1, KQED is proud to host a congressional debate between Supervisor Connie Chan and State Senator Scott Wiener. It will be just before ballots start arriving in the mail, and I’m sure it will be critical in helping people stay informed and engaged this election season. If you can’t make the live event or livestream, we’ve got your back! We’ll be airing a broadcast version of the debate this month, and it will be available to stream for free as well. Each candidate will have a chance to show how they would represent local interests in this current political moment and their vision for our future — it’s sure to be immensely helpful for people making their voting decisions come election day.

Airs on KQED 9 Friday October 9 at 8pm. Stream early for free on the PBS App on October 6.

It’s basically impossible to watch this new Nature special without a huge smile on your face the whole time. This crossover episode with Sesame Street features Elmo, Abby and Nina going on a safari adventure to a Kenyan sanctuary. Seeing Elmo meet a baby elephant is something I didn’t know I needed in my life, but that’s a clip I’ll definitely be revisiting when I’m down. There’s heartwarming songs, and lots to learn about Kenyan wildlife — plus some important life lessons about facing your fears and homesickness that I think will resonate with both children and adults. So grab the kids in your life and settle in for a delightful night of television with the whole family. I know this is one I’ll be sharing with my niece and nephew.

Airs on KQED 9 Wednesday October 14 at 8pm. Stream for free the same day on the PBS App.

On a previous trip to Scotland, one of my favorite activities was going on a whisky distillery tour: learning about the production process was just such a fascinating, detailed look into how the drink was made. This documentary gave me a similar feeling about tequila. It’s a beautiful film and gives so many captivating details about the tequila making process: from the baskets used to collect the plants to sharpening the blades used to chop them. Everyone featured is so passionate about their work and proud of the region they come from — it’s incredibly inspiring to hear them talk about both with such love and pride. I especially appreciate that the documentary is in Spanish, letting the subjects talk in their own language about something so important to them.

Airs on KQED PLUS Thursday October 15 at 7pm. Stream early with KQED Passport on the PBS App now.

It seems like every month a new gritty crime drama pops up on some streaming service — and as a mystery addict I watch every single one of them. So when I say Mystery Road is one of my favorite new discoveries in the genre, it’s beating out a lot of competition! Maybe it’s the dusty, desolate Australian outback setting, the loveably brooding Detective Jay Swan, or the tense, well constructed mystery at the center of it, but this show has totally won me over. I’m so excited to bring it to our KQED Thursday night lineup in October, along with Passport member favorite Bergerac. As the nights get longer and Halloween looms closer, what better way to spend your evening than with some deliciously dark mysteries?

Airs on KQED 9 starting Thursday October 22 at 8pm. Stream seasons 1 and 2 early with KQED Passport on the PBS App now.

Following the changing views of Americans from the 2020 election to today and returning to voters first filmed six years ago to see how their hopes and fears have changed.

Airs on KQED 9 Tuesday October 13 at 10pm. Stream for free the same night on the PBS App.

A fiendish evil lurks beneath the mist-shrouded cliffs of England’s fabled moors. Tune-in for the Sherlock Holmes classic with Peter Cushing this Halloween season.

Airs on KQED 9 Saturday October 17 at 9:30pm and Saturday October 24 at 8pm.

From Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and the stage of The Grand Ole Opry, a diverse mix of talents pay tribute to Tammy Wynette’s life, legacy, and music.

Airs on KQED 9 Friday October 23 at 8:30pm. Stream for free on the PBS App the same night.

Pati Jinich continues her journey through the American heartland. She discovers how immigrants, Indigenous peoples, refugees and artists are redefining what it means to be American.

Airs on KQED 9 starting Monday October 26 at 9pm. Stream the whole season for free the same day on the PBS App.

Michael Londra, host of the popular travel series Ireland with Michael, embarks on a spine-tingling journey through Ireland to uncover Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival behind Halloween.

Airs on KQED 9 Wednesday October 28 at 11pm and on KQED PLUS Thursday October 29 at 7pm. Stream for free on the PBS App October 1.

Check, Please! returns with new episodes. See what guests think of a homey Chinese spot in Berkeley, a nautical-themed restaurant in Redwood City, and a sausage grill in San Francisco.

Airs on KQED 9 starting Thursday October 29 at 7:30pm. Stream new episodes for free the night of their premiere on the PBS App.

Looking for more programs to watch? Find our past recommendations:

September 2026
August 2026
July 2026
June 2026
May 2026
April 2026
March 2026
February 2026
January 2026
December 2025
November 2025
October 2025
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