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These listings cover television programs up to Sunday, July 18.
Greetings, TV viewers!
The discussion for the Media Hour in the Greek Theater at 6:30 p.m. Whyville Time on Wednesday, July 14, will be based on programs below which deal with a most precious commodity -- water. So, the topic will be "What happens when the water gets turned off or gets polluted?"
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, July 12
"Blue Planet: Seas Of Life" (Discovery Channel, 5-6 p.m. E/P) This is the initial episode of an exceptional Emmy-winning miniseries of natural history
documentaries about the oceans. The first, entitled "Coasts", is about the boundary between land and sea, a place with animals constantly coming and going.
The series continues in this time-slot through July 16, with episodes entitled
"Ocean World", Frozen Seas", "Open Ocean" and "Tidal Seas". I suggest you tape
or buy a set of all of these to take to science class. Your friends and science
teacher will thank you. For a detailed description of the series and info on
purchasing, if you can't tape it, go to the Discovery Channel's store
Tuesday, July 13
"Matisse And Picasso" (Ovation Network, 8-9 p.m. ET, 5-6 p.m. ET) This
documentary traces the separate paths taken by these giants of modern art. It
looks at how the genius of each artist nourished that of the other.
"Thirst" (PBS, 10???11 p.m. E/P) This "P.O.V." documentary focuses on one
of the 21st Century's greatest issues, the conflict between public stewardship
and private profiting of water. Activists say that water is a human right and
corporations declare it a commodity. Global corporations are rapidly buying up
local water supplies, and communities face losing control of one of their most
precious resources. Looking at tensions in Bolivia, India and Stockton,
California, the film reveals how water is becoming the catalyst for explosive
community resistance to globalization. More info at http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2004/thirst/index.html,
including a downloadable "Thirst" Discussion Guide. Also, you can log onto
http://www.washingtonpost.com/liveonline to discuss the program with filmmakers
Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman on July 14, 1 p.m. ET.
Wednesday, July 14
"60 Minutes" (CBS, 8-9 p.m. E/P) The lead story in this newsmagazine is
about an ambitious father who gives up everything, hoping to create the next
Tiger Woods. Obesity in America is the subject of the second segment and Martha
Stewart is profiled in the final segment.
"Modern Marvels: Bathroom Tech" (History Channel, 10-11 p.m. E/P) Here's
a documentary about the most-used and least-discussed room in the house. From
the first home bathrooms in ancient India, Roman latrines, and bizarre
Victorian-era bath contraptions, to modern luxurious master bathroom suites, the
film traces the history of bathing, showering and oral hygiene. And they reveal
the messy truth about what was used before toilet paper -- brainchild of the
Scott brothers of Philadelphia -- and why astronauts wear diapers. Program rated
TV-G (suitable for any audience).
Thursday, July 15
"Houdini" (AMC Channel, 12:50-3:05 p.m. E/P Available on video) This
movie, based on the life of the great 20th Century magician Harry Houdini, has
fascinating re-creations of his most famous stunts. Beginning with his early
career as an "illusionist" in New York City, his quick courtship and marriage to
wife Bess, and his subsequent trip to Europe, where his escape artistry brought
him fame, the program goes on to show his return to the U.S., where he began
performing death-defying acts across the country as an 'escape artist', and soon
became a household name.
Friday, July 16
"Jimmy Carter's Plains Georgia" (Travel Channel, 10-11 p.m. E/P) This is
a documentary about how a small town shaped the character of the 39th President
of the United States, Jimmy Carter. There, in Plains, Georgia, he is known
simply as Mr. Jimmy.
Saturday, July 17
"The Sewers Of London" (National Geographic Channel, 5-6 p.m. ET, 2-3 p.m.
PT) I know the title of this program sounds like it's an old horror film.
It's not that, but rather a documentary about engineering. Oh, sure, there will
be portions of the program about horrid things that have happened in some of
those miles of tunnels, but you'll learn a lot about how a city works, too.
Sunday, July 18
"Selena" (Lifetime Channel, 2:30-5:00 p.m. E/P, Available on video) This
is a movie based on the life of Selena Quintanilla. She began her musical career
as a child in the family's singing group in Lake Jackson, Texas, and, with the
support of her controlling father, became a top Tejano music artist and beloved
star of Mexico and southwest America until her tragic death at age 23. The
film's stars are Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos. The movie is rated TV-PG
because of strong language and brief violence. The University of Texas' website
has factual information about this artist at
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/QQ/fquxg.html.
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