Can you believe in a world where humankind has lost its position as the dominant species, and apes rule over human savages?

Or would you rather rule over butterflies and tigers? But will you think humans have the wisdom to do that, after you see Wednesday's show on the State of the Planet?

Watch the shows and let me know what you think!
Email me, the MediaWiz of Whyville!

Friday, July 27

"Behind the Planet Of the Apes - Part 1 & 2" (American Movie Classics, 11 p.m.-1 a.m. ET, 8-10 p.m. PT, Part 1 repeats Monday, July 30, 6-7 p.m. ET, 3-4 p.m. PT and Part 2 repeats Tuesday, July 31, 6-7 p.m. ET, 3-4 p.m. PT) Survey the many film and TV shows based on French electrical engineer Pierre Boulle's original novel, Planet of the Apes. The newest version opens in theatres today (July 27th). Read the original book version, creepier and more interesting if you like simians, now out in paperback. It's about monkeys, chimps to be exact, not big humanoids as depicted in the movies. And also log onto www.kirjasto.sci.fi/boulle.html where you will learn how brilliantly Boulle utilized his science and military experiences when writing many novels (including "Bridge Over The River Kwai").

Saturday, July 28

"CNN Science & Tech Week: Solar Car Race" (CNN 1:30-2 p.m. ET, 10:30-11 a.m. ET) Check out the results of the world's longest solar car race, using nothing but the sun's energy, which covered 2300 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles along historic Route 66. A University of Michigan team won on June 25th. (Nothing about this story is welcome news for the world's traditional auto and oil companies.) There's a way-cool website about this race and the technology involved at www.formulasun.org.

"Amelia Earhart: Final Flight" (Odyssey Channel, 9-11 p.m. E/P) This is a biographical movie starring Diane Keaton in the role of the pioneer aviatrix (isn't that a neat word!). This week, folks in the California area near Burbank's airport where she lived celebrated what would have been her 101st birthday, and re-started a research effort to find out how and why she vanished over the Pacific while on the 1937 round-the world flight dramatized in this movie. For more info log on to www. ameliaearhart.com.

Sunday, July 29

"Science Times: Flight Of The Butterfly" (National Geographic Channel, 4-5 p.m. ET 1-2 p.m. PT) Each fall, monarch butterflies migrate in masses from the U.S. and Canada to winter resting grounds in Mexico -- quite a sight to see en route. But their natural destination is being ruined by human development. This documentary news program looks as that problem and also how urban sprawl makes life tough for humans in N.Y. and L.A. It even happened way back in the ancient times when sprawl ruined the Mayan city of Caracol. Folks never learn.

Monday, July 30

"Pets Or Predators" (A&E Network, 10-11 p.m. E/P) Through legal loopholes these days it's almost as easy to buy a tiger as it is a puppy in the U.S. As a result, there are an estimated 15,000 lions, tigers, and cougars being kept in urban backyards and rural compounds. This documentary visits people in 5 states to learn their motives. (Mostly it's an ego trip. What do you think of this kind of human behavior towards animals?)

Tuesday, July 31

"Dying To Be Thin" (PBS 9-10 p.m. E/P) If you found Vanilla's article on eating disorders interesting, watch this show to examine the national increase in debilitating and sometimes life-threatening eating disorders, particularly anorexia and bulimia. If you don't get to see the show on this occasion, you can view it via streaming video at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/thin. The site also offers chat with experts on the disease, a place for sufferers to share their stories, advice on nutritional needs plus resources such as related websites.

Wednesday, August 1

"State of the Planet" (Discovery Channel, 8-11 p.m. E/P) This broadcast couldn't be more timely. It includes all 3 parts of British science reporter David Attenborough's environmental miniseries asking "Is There A Crisis?", "Why Is There A Crisis?", and concluding with a survey of places where nature has overcome incredible odds and still survives. This week delegates from almost every country in the world gathered in Germany and everybody voted yes on a plan to protect Earth's endangered environment -- everybody but the U.S. delegation. You're not too young to e-mail your Congressperson your opinion about this matter. (How to do this is explained at www.house.gov/writerep.)

Thursday, August 2