www.whyville.net Nov 14, 2002 Weekly Issue



MediaWiz
Staff Writer

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FRONT PAGE
CREATIVE WRITING
SCIENCE
HOT TOPICS
POLITICS
HEALTH
PANDEMIC

Watch the shows and tell me what you and your parents think. Email me, the MediaWiz of Whyville!

This week, I've decided to pass on laying out the menu's index. Write me ASAP if you think that's a bad idea, kk? And now... the Media Menu!

Thursday, November 14

"Trains" (Discovery Channel, 8-9 pm E/P) This technology documentary explains cutting-edge railroad equipment around the world. How do the French keep their high-speed trains on the rails at speeds of 350 miles per hour? Why has the U.S. Acela Express between Boston and Washington taken over as the most popular way to travel between those cities? How do newly-planned maglev trains levitate above the track -traveling frictionless?

"Frontline: A Dangerous Business" (PBS, 9-10 pm E/P) This is a documentary is a little scary. It's about safety practices and technology -- and the lack of them -- in some workplaces. Each year, six thousand Americans lose their lives on the job and tens of thousands are injured or exposed to deadly poisons and carcinogens in the workplace. But if you die on the job due to an employer's willful disregard for U.S. Government safety regulations, the maximum penalty they face is six months in prison.

Friday, November 15

"Pumping Iron" (Cinemax, 8-9 pm E, 5-7 pm PT) This 1977 documentary about bodybuilding has been credited with stimulating national and international interest in this art or sport or fitness training (call it what you want -- some people even consider it a form of preventive medicine). The film follows a group of bodybuilders preparing and competing for the titles of Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia. We see a lot of activity where Arnold Schwartzenegger is the central figure -- then young and not yet famous or interested in being Governor of California.

Saturday, November 16

"Next@CNN" (CNN, 1-1:30 pm ET 10-10:30 am PT) Astronomy is this weekend's main subject of this science and technology news program -- specifically how to get the best view of the the Leonid meteor shower which will be at its peak November 19. There's really cool website about this astronomical spectacle at http://aio.arc.nasa.gov/~leonid/

Sunday, November 17

"America Undercover: Journeys With George" (HBO, 9-10:30 ET, noon-1:30 pm PT) This documentary was filmed on in airplanes and limos with George W. Bush during the 18 months when he was campaigning for President against Al Gore. While it's a revealing look at Bush "off stage'', it's also about how big-time political reporters get won over by candidates when travelling together. Film-maker Alexandra Pelosi kept her head clear while with these other reporters and the candidate, perhaps aided by her genes. She grew up in a household of liberal Democrats. Her mother is the current Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Inside Saudi Arabia With Christiane Amanpour" (CNN, 6-6:30 pm ET, 3-3:30 pm PT) This is a news special about political conditions inside the nation with the largest oil reserves. Ironically, even though this wealth is widely shared amongst the native population, it's still not easy for a household to sustain itself financially unless both man and wife work. But the law there mostly excludes women from working. (It flatly forbids women from driving a car!)

"Wings Over Afghanistan" (Discovery Channel 8-9 pm E/P) This documentary describes the new technology and tactics used by the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan -- including the so-called "satellite phone spies", people who called down air strikes on places right next to where they were talking from. Some of this material is way beyond what's depicted in videogames.

Monday, November 18

"The Mental Health Dilemma" (A&E Network, 10-11 pm E/P) This medical science and public health documentary in A&E's "Investigative Reports" series describes what happened in the State of New York in the late 70's when the courts ordered the closing of mental institutions across the state, cutting down from 90,00 beds to 6,000. Nowadays, untreated patients mostly end up in the criminal justice system. It's tough to watch what happens to them, so families with little kids may want to tune out. But this is an important issue to know about if you're considering a career in medicine or the law.

Tuesday, November 19

"Benjamin Franklin'' (PBS, 9-11 pm E/P) This biographical documentary mini-series follows Franklin from his humble beginnings to international fame as a scientist, revolutionary and America's first diplomat. Tonight's episodes are entitled "Let The Experiment Be Made" and "The Making of a Revolutionary" . The concluding episode, entitled "The Chess Master", about his political efforts to end slavery in the U.S, airs Wednesday November 20 from 9-10:30 pm E/P. The actor, Charles Easton, who portrays Franklin in the historical reenactments included in these programs, gives a good idea of what America's first international "star personality" was like in person. Tough, cool, smart. An informative website about his inventions, businesses (he was the richest man in America during his lifetime) and writings is at http://www.ushistory.org/franklin.

Wednesday, November 20

"The Hospital" (Turner Classic Movies Channel, 10 pm - midnight ET, 7-9 pm PT) Playwright Paddy Chayevsky's Oscar-winning script for this movie was written long before the current collection of hospital dramas got on TV, but I think you will find it more informative, funny and frightening about what's going on in real hospitals today. It's movie-rated PG because it pulls no punches about the conflicts that go on behind the scenes (informative and memorable, if you're thinking about becoming a doctor). Available on video.

Thursday, November 21

"Understanding the Paranormal" (The Learning Channel, 10-11 pm E/P) This documentary explores stories of ghosts, spirit-possessions and psychics which some cultures such as ours dismiss as mostly bogus but others embrace as fact. It also questions what attracts humans to such unexplained phenomena. (If your parents have told you not to read or watch the Harry Potter stories, let them know you are thinking about watching this documentary in case they want you not to. I don't want to get you -- or me -- in trouble with them.)

 

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