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Friday, August 10

"Train Wrecks" (History Channel, 10-11 p.m.) Safety engineering of trains is a pretty recent advance -- in the early days of railway technology, dozens of trains used to crash every day in this country, killing as many as 5,000+ people a year.

Saturday, August 11

"Animal Farm" (The Hallmark Channel, 9-11 p.m. E/P, Rated TV-PG) This recent movie version of George Orwell's classic sci-fi novel uses mechanized creatures that really look and act like pigs and horses. Everybody will realize it??s not about animals or farms at all, but about a tricky schoolyard-style bully and his followers. You'll also recognize some famous voices, such as Patrick Stewart of "Star Trek" fame, Kelsey Grammar of "Frasier", and Julie Louis-Dreyfuss of "Seinfeld". Read the book, too; it's strangely contemporary, and you may recognize more characters in the story behaving exactly like people you know.

"Women Docs" (Lifetime Channel, 10-11 p.m. E/P) To film this documentary series about the life and work of women who are doctors, camera crews followed tonight's subjects -- a neonatologist and a heart surgeon -- for 4 months.

Sunday, August 12

"CNNdotCOM" (CNN, 4:30-5 p.m. ET, 11:30-2 p.m. PT) In this edition of CNN's weekly technology news show, the main topic is something most Whyvillians will find strange: once upon a time there weren't computers in folk's homes. The report notes that, on this exact date 20 years ago, IBM began selling its first personal computer. OK, there were a few computers around before then, such as Apples, Kaypros, Commodores. But they were something for places where mom or dad worked. IBM launched its machine through mass marketers like Sears & Roebuck , like it was something for your home like a TV or clock radio. For further tales about cyber-life before you were born, log on to www.computerhistory.org.

"Conversation With Koko" (PBS, 8-9 p.m. E/P) Remember the famous gorilla taught to communicate with humans via computer and sign language? What do you think of this sort of scientific experimentation? For more information, log on to www.pbs.org/nature/koko or www.gorilla.org.

"Air Jaws" (Discovery Channel, 9-10 p.m. E/P) A group of Great White Sharks living off the South African coast have a strange way of hunting. They launch themselves some 15 feet into the air, like dolphins or killer whales, in the process of capture their prey. Absolutely spectacular to watch; terrible for the seals they're pursuing. This broadcast is part of Discovery Channel's annual "Shark Week" miniseries. Tuesday, August 13 through Thursday, August 16 from 9-10 p.m. E/P, additional documentaries about these sleek, deadly animals will be aired. There's also lots of shark info featured at www.discovery.com this month.

Monday, August 13

"IR: Perfecting Baby: Controlling DNA" (A&E, 10-11 p.m. E/P) This issue of A&E's Investigative Reports series raises the question of whether we will use new technologies to make healthier babies or create a master race. Now that we are learning so much about the human genome, we face the problem of not making mistakes with that knowledge. This is about face parts for real. Is it ok to use science to customize a baby, like picking features for an SUV?

"NASCAR: Life After Dale - Part I, the State Of Seat Belt Investigation" (ESPN Network, 6-7 p.m. ET, 3-4 p.m. PT) Something for Whyvillians to think about while visiting the Smart Cars Arena. This documentary is the first of 6 airing this week in this timeslot, reporting on the safety isues raised by the death of driver Dale Earnhardt at the Daytona 500 race this year. Part II, entitled "Safety Changes Since February 18" airs Tuesday. The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday shows are about the business and emotional aspects of car racing.

"Dateline NBC: Three Mile Island" (NBC, 10-11p.m. E/P) This is a documentary about an accident so unthinkable that engineers and scientists had assured us it couldn't happen. You see this in their behavior in this hour-by-hour recounting of a nuclear reactor meltdown -- not in Russia, but in Pennsylvania -- that almost turned a swath of North America into a radioactive wasteland in 1979. Newly released audiotapes reveal that they did, however, manage to keep folks living near the disaster quite ignorant of the danger threatening to befall them.

Tuesday, August 14

"The New Explorers: Environmental SWAT Team" (A&E Network, 7-8 a.m. E/P) Here's another show that may be so interesting that you want to set your VCR or even get up early to watch it. It's about a "rapid assessment team" that flies into places like Bolivia to help local scientists evaluate the condition -- and prospects for environmental rescue -- of endangered forests. Something like Indiana Jones saves-the-world, but for real.

Wednesday, August 15

"On the Edge: Braving Alaska" (National Geographic Channel, 9-10 p.m. E/P) With all the arguments going on about whether to allow oil drilling in the Alaskan wilderness, you'd think that we'd have more documentaries like this to help us make our minds based on what the place is really like. This report tells about 4 families that live in the undeveloped interior of that state, having forsaken all sorts of creature comforts to live a rugged life that doesn't interfere with nature.

"Understanding Asteroids" (The Learning Channel, 10-11 p.m. E/P) So many asteroids have crashed to the earth, that scientists haven??t been able to study them all. This documentary goes after asteroids that landed in remote jungles in Mexico and Belize, and attempts to explore where they may have come from. It's also about the space mission to study an asteroid named Near that's still in space and maybe could be mined for minerals.

Thursday, August 16

"Little Man Tate" (Bravo Channel, 8-10 p.m. ET, 5-7 p.m. PT, Rated PG) This is a movie about a kid who is super-smart -- and six years old. His parents and teachers can't provide the support and stimulation he needs. Jodie Foster, herself a super smart person, directed this excellent movie and also acts in the role of the boy's mother. If you can't find this channel on your TV, you can get the movie in a video store.