"Helen Thomas: First Lady of the Press" (A&E, 7-8am E/P) This is an early morning telecast of a biography that's intended to be taped and brought into a classroom. Iam suggesting it because it's interesting to see a veteran reporter at work -- in contrast to the just-out-of-communications-school people you see on so many newscasts. Thomas is the legendary White House reporter who broke ground for women in journalism and who has kept presidents since Truman on the defensive with her probing questions and coverage. More info at http://www.aeispeakers.com/Thomas-Helen.htm.

"Monster Machines: Big Builders" (The Learning Channel, 8-9pm E/P) In this documentary, you will meet the experts who build and operate the massive equipment used in the most ambitious civil engineering projects of modern history. Also, tunnel-machine operators, crane supervisors, designers and project managers describe their lives on the job.

Friday, March 28

"World of Wild Discovery: Jackal" (Discovery Channel, 6-7pm E/P) This is a documentary about the black-backed jackal's constant battle for survival in the harsh African bush. It follows a young jackal as he is driven to find his own territory through the challenges of floods, drought, starvation and predators. I'm warning you that these mean creatures are really cute when they are young. And your parents will give you a lot of trouble if you start asking for one as a pet, which some you will probably want to do.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FRIDAY APRIL 4TH: This is a reminder to read the novel "The Tiger Rising" by Kate DiCamillo which will be discussed on a radio program, "Young Person's Book Club Of The Air' Friday April 4th. You can listen to the club's opinions on the web anytime, anywhere after 6pm ET/9pm PT. by logging on to http://www.kpcc.org/programming/talkofthecity/bcota.shtml and clicking on the "Listen" link which will be located next to the name of the book (The Tiger Rising). If you want information about the book, log on to the author's website http://www.katedicamillo.com. I want you to read the book because it will be the Whyville Media Hour main topic of discussion on Wednesday, April 9.

"NOW with Bill Moyers: War And Tax Cuts" (PBS, 9-10pm E/P) This newsmagazine takes on a difficult topic related to the war in Iraq -- the consequences for America's economy. This stuff is going to have an effect on the rest of your life, wherever you are in the world. The U.S. Senate and House are now crafting a spending plan for the next fiscal year that will include some of the President's proposed deep tax cuts -- and paying for the war.. Who will these cuts will benefit and what's their potential effect on an already fragile U.S. economy? Moyers reports on the budget shortfalls facing U.S. city, state, and county governments. They are considering cuts in crucial programs including healthcare, education, childcare and transportation which could worsen the crisis in our communities? Also, the U.S. may have miscalculated the response of the Iraqi citizens who have taken up arms against coalition forces. As the U.S. continues the war and plans the reconstruction of Iraq, Bill Moyers interviews Arab scholar Dr. Shafeeq Ghabra via satellite from Kuwait about what the U.S. should know about the Iraqi people.

Saturday, March 29

Note: The movie below was recommended for the Mediawiz column by Whyvillian Ahdieh, for which I thank her.

MediaHour Pick! "Lawrence Of Arabia" (Turner Classic Movie Channel, 4-8pm ET, 1-5pm PT) This movie stars the actor, Peter O'Toole, who got a special Oscar last Sunday. There were clips of this film shown on that occasion. In it, his film debut, he played the enigmatic T.E. Lawrence, a British officer during WWI who becomes a kind of messiah to the Arabs who were fighting to liberate themselves from Turkish rule. O'Toole's performance captures the reality of a complex character. Look carefully at Lawrence's (O'Toole's) face, especially his eyes, in scenes where someone is speaking to him one-on-one and he is listening (his first meeting with his military boss General Allenby is an excellent example). His constant inner struggle that ranges from terrible self-doubt to an almost Messiah-complex is fascinating to watch. That's where the real story lies -- not so much in what he did, but how he dealt with it internally. This is one of the best films ever made, and even if you don't understand all of it the first time you see it, I do not doubt you will avail yourself of opportunities to see it again later in life. If you watch it this particular week, you will find many things in it related -- deeply -- to the current conflict in Iraq. Available on DVD and video.

Sunday, March 30th

"Greatest Raids: The Adventures of Lawrence Of Arabia" (History Channel, 8-9pm E/P) This is a documentary version of the exploits of T.E. Lawrence who was the subject of the movie telecast on March 29. He appeared on the historical scene in June 1916, when, after 400 years of oppression, Arabs began a revolt throughout the Arabian Peninsula to win independence from the Turkish Ottoman Empire. The British supported them with arms, money, and the presence of one extraordinary man: 27-year-old military intelligence officer, Captain T.E. Lawrence, who proved to be an inspirational leader and highly skilled at guerrilla warfare in the desert. This program delves into the truth -- and the myth -- of Lawrence of Arabia.

Monday, March 31st "Death on the Amazon" (National Geographic Channel, 8-9pm E/P) This documentary is about Brazilian adventurer Sydney Possuelo, 'Amazon Ambassador' and head of Brazil's Department of Isolated Indians (FUNAI). He's caught malaria 37 times, nearly lost an eye, and broke a rib in a plane crash. But through it all, he's fought to protect the way of life some of Brazil's most isolated Indians. The fate of isolated Indians has become increasingly precarious in the more than forty years since Possuelo first made their cause his life's work. . FUNAI itself has also withstood the hardships of its work -- 50 staff members have died in the field, from both violent conflicts and the jungle itself. Traveling into Korubo territory, we learn about the plethora of forces that threaten Amazonian tribes, from drug smuggling and disease to tribal conflicts, and Possuelo's struggle to protect their land and preserve their way of life.

Tuesday, April 1

"Deep Sea Invasion" (PBS, 8-9pm E/P) In 1989 French marine biologist Alexandre Meinesz made the alarming discovery that a tropical alga had taken root in the cold water of the Mediterranean, wiping out native sea life wherever it grew. This NOVA documentary follows his scientific detective hunt to discover the source of this deadly organism, his uphill battle to alert authorities to its danger, and the struggle to find a non-toxic way to control it. The invasive seaweed has since spread to harbors and coral reefs throughout the world. Given its robust constitution and apparent lack of predators, scientists are worried that it could devastate marine ecosystems around the world. Not only does it thrive at a water temperature that should kill it, but it also produces a powerful toxin that makes it deadly to fish and invertebrates (though not humans). In the search for a less drastic defense, Meinesz and other scientists have identified a tropical slug that is unique in producing an enzyme that allows it to eat Caulerpa and neutralize the toxin. Mindful that the slug may be yet another Frankenstein's monster, just like Caulerpa, scientists are pondering whether or not to set it loose. Wherever Caulerpa grows, it carpets the seabed in brilliant green foliage, like a golf course. Hardy and decorative, Caulerpa seemed a blessing at first, even becoming the most popular aquarium plant on Earth.

Wednesday, April 2

"Junkyard Wars: Jet Trikes" (The Learning Channel, 9-10pm ET/PT) They said it couldn't be done! Actually, their exact words were "Don't do it!" In this documentary the Auto Amigos, three expert mechanics from Los Angeles, will face the Dirty Drivers, a team of autocross racers from Detroit to see who can build the best jet-air powered car and ride it to victory. The Auto Amigos build a thermo-jet out of an industrial fan mounted at the front of an oil barrel tube. They've added an afterburner for an extra kick. The Dirty Drivers go for a bicycle-frame vehicle and create a jet engine from an old turbocharger. Special note: join the interactive supplement to this Junkyard Wars during the on-air broadcast: While you watch the show, log on to TLC.com for real time games, quizzes, polls, behind-the-scenes info, interactive diagrams and animations, plus a chance to chat with other Junkyard Wars fans during the program. http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/junkyard/episode/season_stb.html

Thursday, April 3

"New Detectives: Double Helix -- Case Studies in Forensic Science" (Discovery Channel, 7-8pm E/P) This documentary describes how, since the the advent of DNA analysis, just a few microscopic cells found at a crime scene can be used to put a murderer behind bars. Forensic scientists now can analyze droplets of blood, hair fiber, or even chewed gum.