These listings cover television programs up to Sunday, June 20.
Greetings, TV viewers!
This week, there are several shows about inventions that were thought up way, way before they became widely used. "What inventions are you thinking up -- or you hope somebody's thinking up?" is the question for the Media Hour Wednesday. The discussion will take place in the Greek Theatre at 6:30 p.m. Whyville Time.
For the Media Hour, watch the show(s)-of-the-week, jot down some ideas, then talk about them with me and other citizens (including other City Workers, if they're available) at the Greek Theater, over in City Hall. You'll find that the Theater makes discussions pretty easy, since City Workers are able to direct people's movement and behavior, when we need to, and it keeps everyone's chat bubbles from overlapping too much. We meet for MediaHour on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Whyville Time (that's the same as Eastern Standard Time).
Monday, June 21
"X Prize Competition: The Launch Of SpaceShipOne" (early morning coverage on CNN, MSNBC and
online at
www.xprize.org -- Take-off happens at 9:30 a.m. ET, 6:30 a.m. PT) This is TV and
web coverage of the launch of a privately-financed and -built three-passenger
rocket. The goal is to compete for the Ansari X-Prize of $10,000,000 intended to
jumpstart the private space travel industry. The prize is supposed to encourage competition between
entrepreneurs and rocket experts. The cash goes to the first team that privately
finances, builds and launches a spaceship able to carry three people to 100
kilometers (62.5 miles) and to return safely to Earth (about 2 hours after
takeoff). The competitors must also repeat the launch with the same ship within
two weeks. Further information at
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/06/18/ssone.flight.history/index.html,
http://www.xprize.org/, and
http://www.space.com.
"History Detectives" (PBS, 9-10 p.m. E/P) This is the initial episode of a documentary
series about how to do scientific research based on historical objects. The
process is very similar to police-lab work, as you will see. This episode covers
three cases: the discovery of a submarine-like warship suspected to have been
used by the Rebels during the American Civil War, the story of a house built by
Thomas Edison in which he used all sorts of modern methods that others took half
a century to apply, and the mystery of how Native American warrior chief Red
Cloud's pipe came into the hands of U.S. officials over 100 years ago and
caused a scandal that continues until today. More info about the series at
http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/
Tuesday, June 22
"Tactical To Practical:
Crash
Survival/Cyberwar/ Video Surveillance" (History Channel 8-9 p.m. E/P) This
documentary looks at crash-survival
techniques borrowed by Detroit from the military, and how carmakers are
experimenting with automatic collision-avoidance systems, developed to aid
pilots, and heads-up displays and night-vision technology. It also checks out
U.S. defense preparations against a terrorist computer attack, and shows viewers
how to protect themselves from cybercrime. Finally, it surveys military tactical
surveillance, and how video surveillance has made its way into the everyday
world.
Wednesday, June 23
"La Bamba" (AMC Channel 7:45 ???9 p.m. E/P. Movie rated PG-13) This movie is the true story of the rise of Richie Valens, a
17-year-old Mexican American boy from the migrant camps and fruit groves to the
front lines of rock and roll in the 1950's. His real name was Ricardo
Valenzuela, a third-generation American who couldn't speak a word of Spanish. He
had the kind of career that rock legends are made of. From start to finish, it
lasted all of about eight months, during which time he had three Top 10 hits,
and culminated in 1959 with a plane crash. Lou Diamond Phillips stars.
"Rebels and Redcoats: How
Britain Lost America -- Episodes 1 and 2" (PBS, 9-11 p.m. E/P) Told from an
unusual point of view -- that of the British losers -- this documentary series
explores conflicts within the American populace during the fight for
Independence: the battles of brothers, friends and families forced to choose
sides between loyalists and rebels. (Episodes 3 and 4 air June 30 at 9 p.m.)
Thursday, June
24
"The Physics Of
Motion" (Discovery Channel, 9-10 am E/P) This documentary, airing at an hour
when you might prefer to tape it than view it 'live', provides a way for you not
to get behind with your science knowledge during the months out of school. The
program shows the physics of how roller coasters work, how the measurement of
sped and distance relates to driving a car and how electricity is generated.
Friday, June 25
"The Wheel" (History Channel, 7-8 p.m. E/P) Can
you imagine life without wheels? The very word means different things to
different people.. One of the six
simple machines and perhaps the most important invention in the history of
mankind, the wheel has been essential in all aspects of life--from farming to
fighting, traveling to trading. This documentary features interviews with
scientists, historians, philosophers, millers, potters, and spinners.
Saturday, June 26
"Movie Monsters" (Animal Planet Channel, 8-10 p.m. E/P)
Here's a zoology documentary that's guarantees not to be boring. It's about a
team of experts who separate the science from the fiction and reveal the truth
about the animals that star in the classic movie monster films, such as giant gila monsters and
killer shrews. You will discover that sometimes reality can be stranger than
fiction. TV rated PG.
Sunday, June 27
"Heavyweights" (Disney Channel, 8-10 p.m. E/P) this is a
movie about overweight youngsters' experiences with diet and exercise at a health camp. An overweight pre-teen, is sent to a
"fat farm" for the summer, lured by the promise of go-karts and swimming fun. However, he finds that the camp has been bought out by an exercise and fitness
fanatic. The movie is sympathetic to the problems of fat boys of all sizes,
shapes and nationalities, and suggests that we should judge people by the
quality of their character and not by how much they weigh. Ben Stiller stars.
Movie rated PG.
