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Friday, November 30

"Discover Magazine: Size and Scale" (Discovery Network, 9-10am E/P) This documentary, recommending for taping, is about the intriguing idea of "What's the right size for a thing to be?" For instance, there are suspicions that dinosaurs were too big, Peoria, IL is about the right size for a city, smaller skyscrapers are better and different sized wings are better for different kinds of flying.

"National Geographic Today"(National Geographic Channel, 7-8pm E/P) This science newsmagazine covers 2 topics today. (1) Could your identity really be gauged by a simple electronic scan of your face or hands? How does this new science of 'biometrics" work? What does it mean for our personal privacy and even certain rights we have under the U.S. Constitution (See related program, Thursday December 6 on the Constitution.) (2) Are you as interested in getting close up and personal with polar bears as are the tourists in Canada who annually flock to freezing Hudson Bay to visit packs of the world's largest carnivore?

"Ten Plagues of Egypt" (The Learning Channel, 10-11pm E/P) We think we have problems? This documentary takes a scientific look at some of the ten natural disasters that struck ancient Egypt when, according to the Bible, its Pharaoh needed convincing to free his Hebrew slaves. The first to occur was total pollution of the water supply. Then came a horde of frogs , followed by gnats, then flies. The fifth was cattle disease, then giant zits on everybody (boils, that is), followed by hail, locust, three days of total darkness and finally the destruction of all of Egypt's first-born children. ("Prince Of Egypt", an animated movie partly covering this topic, airs on NBC Sunday December 2.)

Saturday, December 1

"Dances With Wolves" (Bravo Network, 8-11pm ET, 5-8pm PT) This is Part I of a very long and very good movie about the effect of Native American culture on European-Americans who lived among them in the 1800's. Based on Michael Blake's novel of the same name (he wrote the script, too) it won the Best Picture Oscar. A "special edition" is available on video that expands the story to 237 minutes -- all interesting.. (Part II airs December 2, 8-10pm ET, 5-7pm PT)

"Modern Marvels: Glass" (The History Channel, 5-6pm E/P) This documentary examines a solid substance that aids vision, sheathes buildings, enables electronic communications and shipping of dangerous liquids -- and even is used in artistic expression.

Sunday, December 2

"Prince Of Egypt" (NBC, 7-9pm E/P) This animated feature film based on the Biblical story of Moses, contains lots of spectacular sequences related to the documentary recommended on Friday, November 30. Here's an interesting website on the topic: http://newadvent.org/cathen/12143a.htm

"Against All Odds: AMC's Tribute to Hollywood's Disabled" (American Movie Classics Channel, 10-10:30 pm E/P) This documentary, commemorating International Disabled Person's Day, chronicles the efforts disabled actors are making to be recognized for their talents. In roles unconnected with their disabilities, actors in "The West Wing", "CSI" and "Walker, Texas Range" are interviewed.

Monday, December 3

"Snowball Earth" (Discovery Channel, 9-10 pm E/P) In this documentary scientists explore the idea that the earth has frozen over completely 3 or more times before the final warming 500 million years age. Each time almost all life was wiped out except a few organisms that clung to the warmth of hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean. This "snowball theory" could hold the key to the evolution of life on our particular planet.

"Supermass Black Holes" (Discovery Channel, 10-11 pm E/P) This documentary describes recent scientific research into supermass black holes in space -- concentrations of powerful gravitational forces -- several million times heavier than the sun -- that are able to suck up clouds of gas and stars. But, according to theorists going all the way back to Einstein, and bolstered by research published this year (2001) these giant black holes are the seeds from which all galaxies have grown.

Tuesday, December 4

"Into The Shadows: The CIA In Hollywood" (American Movie Classics, 10-11pm ET, 7-8pm PT) This documentary, on a subject much in the news because of the current war situation, explores the long-standing relationship between the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and the film industry. Beginning with an effort to combat communist propaganda in the 1950's, the tone of American films -- specifically the depiction of CIA agents -- has been affected. And Hollywood's technical skills have been used to enhance the work of CIA agents overseas. The program will be followed by a newly produced 30 minute documentary about how Hollywood is cooperating with the U.S. Defense Department in the war on terrorism.

Wednesday, December 5

"The Pentagon" (History Channel 10-11 pm E/P) This is a technology documentary about the structure in Washington that terrorists tried to destroy on September 11th. Filmed prior to that attack, it describes the planning and very rapid construction of what, at the time, was the world's largest building -- and it still has three times the floor space of the Empire State Building.

Thursday, December 6