Sunday, May 11
10-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: US and World History

Middle and High School

"American At A Crossroads: Stand Up - Muslim-American Comics Come Of Age"

This broadcast explores the emergence of Muslim- and Arab-American comedians in the wake of 9/11, demonstrating how they use humor to take on stereotypes about Middle Easterners and terrorism. The film showcases five performers, their comedy and the way it is shaped by the everyday tribulations of their lives. Some of the comics are Arab, some are Muslim and some are both. All are Americans. This is the story of how each of these men and women felt the aftershock of 9/11. At a time when people of Middle Eastern background were advised to lie low, they all chose to stand up . . . and crack jokes. TV-PG

Further details and at http://www.pbs.org/weta/crossroads

Monday, May 12
9-10:30 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: FDR - The Center of the World/Fear Itself"

"F.D.R." -- Radio broadcasts beamed his voice into living rooms around the country; his picture hung on the wall. His wife was the most admired woman in the country. "FDR" goes beyond the familiar words and images to offer an incisive, often startling portrait of one of the most extraordinary personalities ever elected to the presidency. One of the nation's most popular presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt served three terms-longer than anyone before or since - and led the country through two great crises of the 20th century: the Great Depression and World War II. The two-part documentary includes archival film, home movies and audio clips; newly filmed footage of significant landmarks in FDR's life; an album of family photographs; and interviews with family members, friends and witnesses to history. Produced, directed and written by David Grubin. Part One, "The Center of the World" explores Roosevelt's family background and education, looking for clues to the coddled rich child's ascent to political success. It follows him from his very first run for political office as New York state senator through his years in Washington as assistant secretary of the Navy, as he pursues the highest office in the land. This segment also tells the story of FDR's courtship of his distant cousin, Eleanor Roosevelt, and their troubled marriage, including FDR's affair with Eleanor's social secretary, Lucy Mercer. The affair, which nearly ended the marriage, encouraged Eleanor to embrace a life of her own and become politically active. The second segment, "Fear Itself," begins with Roosevelt's bout with polio at age 39 and follows his relentless struggle to rehabilitate his body and his seemingly moribund political career, and to teach himself to appear to walk. The section also paints a portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt as she makes a life of her own, developing her own political skills while keeping her husband's name before the public through her involvement in reform causes. A remarkable sequence of events leads FDR back from despair to win his party's nomination as president of the United States. Catapulted into the White House, a man who could not walk begins to lead a country crippled by the Great Depression. TV-PG

Full details and at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/

Tuesday, May 13
9-10 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science and World History

Middle and High School

"Hypercane"

Sixty-five million years ago, life on earth changed forever when a massive asteroid crashed into the Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. In the wake of the impact, 75% of all life on earth vanished; but could a single asteroid have been the lone killer? Theories about what happened after the impact have come from all corners of the scientific community; ideas ranging from global warming to lethal worldwide firestorms have been put forth - but no single idea has proven to be the smoking gun. Then, in 1995, a new theory added a twist to the debate. This theory claimed one cause of the most famous extinction known may have been the most powerful mega storm ever seen: a super hurricane known as a Hypercane. The Hypercane was only ten miles wide but reached 20 miles into the stratosphere. The storm had potential wind speeds of up to nearly 700 miles per hour: forces never known on planet earth. But are Hypercanes real? Could this storm have been responsible for the biggest mass extinction in our planet's history? In this documentary 3-D computer animations l reveal what this storm may have looked like and how it could have brought down nearly all life on the planet.

Wednesday, May 14
8-9 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science and US History

Middle and High School

"Modern Marvels: Mad Electricity"

Nikola Tesla's genius electrified the world, but his bizarre vision of the future brought him failure and branded him as a mad scientist. However, when you switch on a light - thank Tesla. This documentary travels to Niagara Falls, where in 1893, Tesla installed his new system of Alternating Electrical Current known as AC - the same power we use today. Uncover the forgotten ruins of Tesla's dream experiment -- a huge tower on Long Island Sound he hoped would wirelessly power the world. Watch as 16 million volts of electricity is shot from one of his most powerful creations, the "Tesla Coil." Radar, death rays, invisibility devices, earthquake machines: Tesla claimed to have created them all. See his 100-year-old remote controlled boat and his cutting edge bladeless turbine. Discover how Tesla created energy efficient light bulbs and foresaw the need for alternative energies like geothermal and solar.

Thursday, May 15
10-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: US History and Geography

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Sandwiched You Will Like"

It's America between two slices of bread! It's a slightly off-kilter celebration of some great sandwiches at some interesting places. Even when much of America seems "all the same," this documentary shows where you can still find some distinctive, delicious differences in several cities. It traveled from Maine (lobster rolls) to New Orleans (po'boys and muffalettas) to San Jose (banh mi), talking to sandwich makers, sandwich eaters and sandwich lovers. TV-G

Friday, May 16
8-9 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: World History and Science

Middle and High School

"Secrets Of The Dead: Sinking Atlantis"

Five thousand years ago, the Minoans, Europe's first great civilization, flourished on the island of Crete. They were the first Europeans to use writing, and their technologically advanced and rich artistic culture became the setting for famous Greek myths about Theseus, Icarus and the Minotaur. Yet in their heyday, the Minoans were wiped from the pages of history. The cause of their downfall has remained one of the foremost mysteries of the ancient world . . . until now. "Sinking Atlantis" explores - and discounts - all the usual theories about the disappearance of the Minoans - from a massive volcano that buried them in ash to Greek invaders who conquered and killed them. This documentary digs deep into the soil and the history, following archaeologists who find startling evidence of a massive tsunami that struck the island and destroyed all the major Minoan cities. Was this the origin of the myth of Atlantis? Drawing from the archaeological records, new revelations about Minoan language and religion and new geological discoveries. TV-PG

Further details at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets

Saturday, May 17
3 hours 6 minutes

Rental DVD or VHS (not airing on TV)

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"Separate But Equal"

Today, May 17, is the anniversary of the historic U.S. Supreme Court's' handing down the decision ending racial segregation in American schools. This movie, available for rental as home-viewing or school viewing but not airing today in tv, closely follows the true story of the NAACP lawsuit known as Brown vs. Board of Education. This was courtroom struggle would destroy the legal validity for racial segregation in general and prove to be the start and the first major victory of the civil rights movement. Sidney Poitier stars as NAACP attorney Thurgood Marshall. TV-PG; (A play based on the life of Marshall has opened on Broadway - info at http://www.telecharge.com/BehindTheCurtain.aspx?prodid=6256)

Further details at http://imdb.com/title/tt0102879/usercomments