"Frontline: Burden Of Innocence" (PBS, 9-10pm E/P) This is a documentary about some unexpected social consequences of scientific progress. For years, the media has covered the release of more than 100 longtime prison inmates who have been proven innocent due to advanced in DNA biological testing. But what happens to these wrongly accused inmates after the media spotlight turns elsewhere and they must attempt to rejoin a world far different from the one they left behind? This program examines the many challenges facing exonerated inmates, the vast majority of whom must re-enter society with no financial or transitional assistance whatsoever. It also examines efforts to pass laws that would allow the wrongfully convicted to sue the government for compensation. More info at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/.

Friday, May 2

"Book Club: The House On Mango Street" (KPCC-FM streaming audio, 1-1:30pm ET, 11-11:30 am PT at http://www.kpcc.org and click on the "Listen Live" icon. If you miss the live version, log on later to the archived version at http://www.kpcc.org/programming/talkofthecity/bcota.shtml) This Book Club Of The Air For Young Adult broadcast features Sandra Cinsneros' novel, which will also be the topic of discussion on the Whyville Media Hour, May 7th. Here's a description of the novel from the reference book, 500 Great Books by Women: "Esperanza and her family didn't always live on Mango Street. Right off she says she can't remember all the houses they've lived in, but "the house on Mango Street is ours and we don't have to pay rent to anybody, or share the yard with the people downstairs, or be careful not to make too much noise, and there isn't a landlord banging on the ceiling with a broom. But even so, it's not the house we thought we'd get." Her childhood life in a Spanish-speaking area of Chicago is described in a series of spare, poignant, and powerful vignettes. Esperanza's friends, family, and neighbors wander in and out of her stories; through them all Esperanza sees, learns, loves, and dreams of the house she will someday have, her own house, not on Mango Street." For info on author Sandra Cisneros log on http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/cisneros.htm.

"NOW with Bill Moyers" (PBS, 9-10pm E/P) This newsmagazine examines how the stock market works. Confidential e-mails and documents -- just made public -- reveal how brokers have duped investors and why, even though the brokers have agreed to stop, it will happen again. Details at http://www.pbs.org/now.

Saturday, May 3

"Mariachi: The Spirit Of Mexico" (PBS, 7-9pm E/P -- be sure to check local listings) This broadcast is PBS' contribution to the annual Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) celebration. It features the International Mariachi Festival in Guadalajara, Mexico where more than 500 perform in concert halls and street markets to celebrate the passionate music that stirs the hearts of the Mexican people. Operatic tenor Placido Domingo hosts and narrates, and even performs his favorite mariachi song, "Paloma Querida". The groups featured come from North and South America, Cuba, Spain, and as far away as Croatia -- a diversity that reflects the very nature of the music itself, which is reinvented in each generation the further it spreads beyond Mexico.

Sunday, May 4

"KAPOW! Superhero Science" (Discovery Channel 9-10pm E/P) This is a documentary about the science behind the gadgetry of comic book super heroes and heroines. It investigate real-life cases of super-strength, x-ray vision and speed, and looks at scientific feasibility of high-tech superpowers. In fact, there are some superpowers that we can actually perform -- with the help of science and a few new discoveries. Manmade superfibres that are almost as strong as spiders' silk, levitating sumo wrestlers, creatures that can regenerate limbs like Wolverine. We may not be able to bulk up to seven-feet tall and a thousand pounds with a blast of radiation, but there may be ways that we can come close. (HBO begins airing "Spiderman" this month -- log on www.hbo.com for airdates.)

Monday, May 5

"Leaders With David Faber." (CNBC, 8-9pm E/P) In this news-special Correspondent David Faber will take an in-depth look at the most important issue in the media business today -- digital piracy. He interviews Sony CEO Howard Stringer, Liberty Media CEO John Malone and Film Industry Spokesman Jack Valenti, as well as the "pirates" and those who would prosecute them. He also speaks with "Us Weekly" Editor-In-Chief Bonnie Fuller regarding her success at the magazine.

Tuesday, May 6

"National Geographic Science Times" (National Geographic Channel, 8-9pm E/P) The main stories in this science-news report are about boxing as a subject of study by physicists (action, reaction, etc??? the laws of physics in the the boxing ring), current investigation of airplane crashes with the goal of making air travel safer and a story called "Foam" which the program's editors describe as follows: "Scientists believe that a glass of beer may contain the ultimate defense against terrorism and maybe the key to understanding the universe itself. Well, not the beer exactly, but the foamy head."

Wednesday, May 7

House On Mango Street (this is a web-event -- log on to the Whyville Media Hour Book Discussion at 6:30-7:30pm PT, 3:30-4:30pm PT -- see instructions and information about the book above) If you missed the May 2nd live broadcast about this book, you can listen in to an archived version at http://www.kpcc.org/programming/talkofthecity/bcota.shtml and click on House On Mango Street.

"60 Minutes II" (CBS, 9-10 pm E/P) This newsmagazine's feature story is about a rather provocative social science experiment turned into a business -- by a company that has developed methods to bring long-lost classmates together. This has resulted in some life-changing relationships for the people involved.

Thursday May 8

"Life of Mammals" (Discovery Channel, 8-11pm E/P) Here are the first 3 episodes of a natural science series about mammals. "A Winning Design" explains that, from the tiniest shrew to the massive blue whale, mammals regulate their own temperatures and nurture their young on milk. These assets and the ability to adapt have helped mammals become the most widespread of all the animals on earth. "Hunters" is about the speed, endurance and maneuverability of these creatures. "The Opportunists" is about how mammals can eat anything found in the sea or the air, in or under the land.