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Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are viewing suggestions for this week through Sunday, August 1.
Greetings, TV viewers!
This week's Media Hour chat will focus on whether you think kids should be interested in politics -- and how much is too much, or too little. Check out the coverage of the Democratic convention, whether you're a Democrat or not, to learn about the process, the pageantry, and the pompousness. There are other shows this week that that relate to this topic, too -- can you find them?
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 currently 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), though this time and day may change! Stay tuned for more on this, and post in the BBS what the best time of day is for you!
Monday, July 26
"Democratic Convention" (ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, NBC, PBS, 8-10 p.m. ET, 5:00-7 p.m. PT, also check local listings) This is coverage of the Democratic national convention in Boston. This part is especially for people too young to vote but already interested in what's going on in Boston this week -- Go tohttp://www.kidsvotingusa.org. or http://www.yda.org! Coverage continues Tuesday and Wednesday in the same time period.
"Growing Up Elephant" (Animal Planet Channel, 8-9 p.m. E/P) This documentary starts with the birth of a baby elephant, "Maximus", a rare event in any zoo or wildlife station. His keepers describe Maximus as cocky and quick to learn -- viewers will see a year of baby elephant's firsts, as he goes from a 300-pound baby to an 11,000-pound giant.
Tuesday, July 27
"Great White Shark: Uncaged" (Discovery Channel. 8-9 p.m. E/P) In this documentary, filmed in the world's most shark-infested waters, an extreme team of divers attempt to photograph massive great white sharks without the protection of a cage. The team also gets marooned for nine days off a remote island in Mexico.
Wednesday, July 28
"60 Minutes" (CBS, 8-9 p.m. E/P) This newsmagazine reports on a business that not only employs the folks down on their luck (among other things), but also puts its profits into social services to help them even more. There's also a report on people with unusual social and musical abilities.
"Extreme Engineering: Container Ships" (Discovery Channel, 9-10 p.m. E/P) Because of recent news stories about homeland security concerns due to the daily arrival of container ships in U.S. harbors -- and the problems of inspecting them for dangerous cargo -- here's a documentary about these new vessels which are changing the cargo industry. You will see computer animation and first-hand accounts from builders, designers and engineers designing a ship more like a skyscraper than a sea-going vessel. Able to store 4,000 shipping containers -- each 40 feet long, 15 feet wide and 12 feet high, it will also have the biggest engine in the world -- a 93,000-horsepower diesel power plant that, at full power, will put out as much thrust as all the Indy 500 cars of the last five years combined. But, this motor will turn at just 200 rpm -- or 20 to 30 times slower than your average family sedan.
Thursday, July 29
"And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself" (HBO, 8-10 p.m. E/P TV rated MA for strong emotional situations and violent historical reenactments. Available on video) This is a movie based on the true story of Mexican revolutionary who starred in Hollywood's first action epic. It's also about the fine line between fact and fiction, revealing how Villa allowed a Hollywood crew, for a fee, to film him and his rebel army as they battled the Mexican regular army in 1914 -- altering the course of film and military history in the process. Antonio Banderas stars.
Friday, July 30
"Dateline NBC" (NBC, 8-10 p.m. E/P) This is a special broadcast of a documentary entitled " Deadline" which originally premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. The topic is a controversial political issue: capital punishment. It follows Illinois Governor George Ryan's attempt to decide the fate of 171 condemned men. Few issues are as divisive as the death penalty. When Ryan became Governor of Illinois, he was a career politician known for taking a conservative, and tough stances on crime. However, soon after taking office, a handful of college journalism students doing a research project found out some things that would ultimately alter hundreds of lives in Illinois, and perhaps transform the way other states think about and act upon the death penalty. Immediately following this NBC broadcast there will be a discussion cablecast on the MSNBC channel with leading experts on the death penalty, including critics, supporters and lawyers, all familiar with death penalty cases.
Saturday, July 31
"Jetix Kids Cup" (ABC, 11-11:30am ET, 10-10:30 PT) Last month, kids from sixteen countries played each other for the title of Jetix Kids Cup Champion at the Manchester United Soccer School, located at Disneyland -Paris. In this special you can meet the players and coaches of the JETIX Kids Cup US girls and boys teams. Newly naturalized American citizen Freddy Adu, 15, the youngest player in professional team sports ("the next Pele") will be a commentator Teams of kids under 12 from Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain and UK competed. Details at http://disney.go.com/jetix/jetixkidscup/event.html
Sunday, August 1
"Isaac's Storm" (History Channel, 8-10 p.m. E/P) This is a documentary about the worst hurricane in U.S.. history. On September 8, 1900 Galveston, Texas was hit with 140 mph winds and wave swells 120 feet high. Isaac Cline, head of the National Weather Bureau's local office. Cline believed the island was safe from hurricanes, but by afternoon, a Category-4 storm proved how wrong he was. In this film, based on Erik Larson's book "Isaac's Storm", weather experts, historians, and survivors' descendants guide us through the day that claimed over 6,000 and left the island city looking like it had been hit by an atomic bomb. Details at http://www.noaa.gov/galveston1900/ and also at http://www.1900storm.com/.
"Columbus: Secrets Form the Grave" (Discovery Channel, 10-11 p.m. E/P) This is a documentary about Columbus. During his lifetime he kept the truth of his identity carefully hidden. Claimed by Italians as the son of Genoa, he has been claimed the son of a pirate, or a Pope or a Jew. This film follows a descendant of Columbus on a quest to discover her famous ancestor's true origins -- learn more at http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/columbus/columbus.html. Program repeats August 5 at 8 p.m. E/P.
"American Candidate" (Showtime, 8-9 p.m. E/P) Ten people from across the U.S. country have been chosen to compete in this Showtime Network unscripted reality series -- six men and four women of various ages, backgrounds and political views, including Independents, Democrats, Republicans, Greens and Libertarians. Hosted by talk show host Montel Williams, the 10-episode, one-hour program is being produced by documentary filmmaker R.J. Cutler ("The War Room," "American High," "Freshman Diaries"). Week-by-week, candidates will face-off against each other in a series of challenges designed to identify one individual who has the qualities to be President of the United States. Episodes will feature well-known political experts who advise the candidates on the challenges they will face. These consultants help the candidates shape their messages and campaigns, as well as give advice on everything from political ad creation and media coaching to image consulting and polling. More details at www.showtimeonline.com.
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