Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are viewing suggestions for October 11-17, 2004.

The topic of this week's Media Hour is business on TV. Have you been watching "the Donald" on "The Apprentice"? How about any of a dozen other business-related shows? Come to this week's Media Hour on Saturday, then check out "Taking Care Of Business" at 10pm on TLC (videotape it if you need -- see below for description).

What's the Media Hour? Watch the show(s)-of-the-week, jot down some ideas, then come and talk about them with me and other citizens (including other City Workers, if they're available). We get together at the Greek Theater (next to City Hall), every Saturday morning at noon, Whyville Time. 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 makes everyone's chat bubbles overlap a little less than other rooms.

Monday, October 11

"Maya & Miguel" (Language Arts, Elementary and Middle School, PBS, 3-3:30 pm E/P -- check for local times, which may be earlier or later) This new animated daily series presents culture and language-learning as fun, relevant and rewarding for all children, with a special emphasis on the Latino population in the U.S. The show chronicles the adventures of 10-year-old twins Maya and Miguel Santos and features their family, friends and a richly diverse neighborhood. An accompanying website in English and Spanish (http://pbskids.org/mayaandmiguel/flash.html provides lessons based on word play through conversational language activities to build confidence and increase proficient language skills for Early English Language Development.

Tuesday, October 12

"Decisions That Shook The World" (American History, Middle and High School, Discovery Channel, 8-9 pm E/P) This is the initial episode of a documentary miniseries about Presidential decisions. This one is set in the 1960s when the end of racial segregation was on the horizon. It explains how and why the son of the South, President Lyndon Johnson, championed the controversial Civil Rights Movement, and the far-ranging impact his actions had on domestic and foreign affairs. The next episode, about Ronald Reagan's role in ending the Cold War, airs October 19. Franklin Roosevelt's preparations for America's entry into WWII, begun years prior Pearl Harbor, are described in the program airing October 26.

"Frontline: The Choice 2004" (Current History, Middle and High School, PBS, 9-11 pm E/P -- check local listings) This program, a dual biography of George W. Bush and John Kerry, goes beyond political rhetoric and campaign packaging to explore how the candidates and their values have been shaped by family background, history, victory, and defeat. (The program repeats on PBS October 16 and November 1.) There's a website with more details at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/choice2004.

Wednesday, October 13

"Presidential Debate" (Current History, Middle and High School, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS and cable news channels, 9-11 pm ET, 6-8 pm PT) George W. Bush and John Kerry meet in their final campaign debate. The site is Arizona State University, and the focus is domestic issues.

Thursday, October 14

"Alexandra Pelosi's Diary Of A Political Tourist" (Current History, High School, HBO, 6:20-8 pm E/P) This is the chronicle of documentary filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi (daughter of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi) of her two-year road trip on the Democratic campaign trail following presidential hopefuls. Everybody knows what candidates have to do in their public quest to earn the nomination for President of the United States. But who were the people behind -- Gen. Wesley Clark, Howard Dean, John Edwards, Dick Gephardt, Bob Graham, Dennis Kucinich, Joe Lieberman, Rev. Al Sharpton and John Kerry?

"Paths Of Glory" (World History, High School, Turner Classic Movie Channel, 10pm-midnight ET, 7-9 pm PT, repeats October 16th at 4 pm ET, 1 pm PT Available on video.) Senator John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, will discuss this 1957 drama of French soldiers on a futile mission during World War I. McCain cites the film's stark examination of the human toll during wartime, thereby emphasizing the gravity of holding public office. In this multiple-Oscar-nominated film a military lawyer comes to question the status quo when he defends three men accused of cowardice. More info at the website http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/ThisMonth/Article/0,,81889|83306||,00.html.

Friday, October 15

"Modern Marvels: The Wheel" (Science and Technology, Elementary, Middle and High School, History Channel, 7-8 pm E/P) The history of civilization has turned on the wheel, and we have traveled as far as we have because of it. 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, October 16

"Taking Care Of Business" (Mathematics and Economics, High School, TLC-The Learning Channel, 10-11 pm E/P) This documentary delivers a double dose of "reality TV". It utilizes the customary hidden cameras. Plus, it probes the cold, hard world of business. You will watch a team of outside experts armed with fresh ideas swoop into a business that's in trouble. Their goal is to move things from 'in the red' to 'in the money' -- turning things around financially and helping the owners achieve success. In this premiere episode of a new weekly series on this theme, the business shown is the Microchip Caf??. Owners Patty and Gabe are coping with having combined five businesses into one location -- computer classes, computer repairs, internet access, a gaming room and a juice bar/caf??. The experts' challenge is to reorganize the space to give it some 'curb appeal'.

Sunday, October 17

"Mummy Detectives: Crypt Of the Medici" (World History, Medical Technology, TLC-The Learning Channel, 9-10 pm E/P) This documentary follows a team of scientists as they open the burial crypts of the famous, ancient, rich, powerful -- and large -- Medici family and use the latest forensic technology to investigate how they lived and died. The scientists turned up so many revelations about who actually murdered who to settle family conflicts or inherit family fortunes or who died from bad medical treatment, etc, that scenes of this film were shown on "CBS 60 Minutes" last week. Details about this news -- that's still news after 500 years -- at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/01/60minutes/main646857.shtml and also http://www.guardian.co.uk/italy/story/0,12576,1256459,00.html.

"The Lost Prince" (World History, High School, PBS, 9-11 pm E/P) This is Part 1 of a 2-part drama based on the real-life story of Prince John, the current Queen of England's uncle, who as a young boy was shut away due to epilepsy and a learning disability. (Part 2 airs October 24) For a description of his life, and the world events to which he was witness log on to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/lostprince/synopsis. The website and the program present John as a charming and attractive boy, with an eccentric view of the world and uninhibited in a way that is alien to his parents. But ailing grandfather, King Edward VII, loves him for his frankness. It is clear also that his nanny, Lalla, is reluctant to reveal the seriousness of his medical condition. Then, at Edward VII's funeral, attended by all the heads of state of Europe, including the sinister Kaiser Wilhelm, Johnnie succumbs to a serious epileptic fit. Queen Mary, Johnnie's mother, summons doctors to examine him and their diagnosis confirms her and Lalla's worst fears. Lalla volunteers to look after Johnnie to prevent him being sent to an institution. The two of them are to be sent to Sandringham, where Johnnie is to be prevented from encountering anybody but the closest members of his family.. Then one day, to the acute embarrassment of King George V and Queen Mary, he speaks his mind at a tea party held for Prime Minister Asquith and his Foreign Secretary, Lloyd George.Johnnie is summoned to London to be re-examined by the doctors. During his stay he is taken by his brother George up to the minstrel's gallery looking down on the banqueting hall of Buckingham Palace, to observe a grand state occasion. The assembled dignitaries are chattering feverishly about the poise with which the Queen has dealt with the intrusion of a suffragette, who has confronted the Queen to demand her support for women's emancipation. During the banquet Asquith and Lloyd George are called back to Downing Street to receive the news that is to prove to be the catalyst for the start of the First World War.