What's On!

Hello everyone! Next week, I plan to kick off a MediaWiz Show-of-the-Week Club -- join up and you'll be looking at an official way to get clams from me and the Times Editor! The short version is, I'll highlight a show during the week for everybody to watch, and then once a week we'll get together and talk about everything from the show to the state of television to whatever else seems interesting. If you come and really take part in the meetings, you'll get a few clams a week extra... sound like a deal?

To sum up: tune to the show, show up to the chat, chat up your thoughts, and know you get clams!

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

I've once 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 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.)

"A Day In The Lives: Conquistador"(History Channel, 3-4 pm E/P) This is a documentary about lifestyles in historical times -- in this case it's a Spanish foot soldier describing in his own words the last day of fighting during the 1521 conquest of the Aztec empire in Mexico.

Friday, November 22

"NOW With Bill Moyers" (9-10 pm E/P) A portion of this special documentary is a co-production with the New York Times, where it is reported that advertising agencies are increasingly playing critical roles in the early stages of drug development, including organizing and carrying out clinical trials. Reporter Melody Peterson looks at how some doctors and researchers worry that the pharmaceutical and advertising industry's drive to create "blockbuster" drugs might mean science will be sacrificed to promotion.

Saturday, November 23

"Next@CNN" (CNN, 1-1:30 pm ET, 10-10:30 am PT) This edition of CNN's technology newsmagazine, direct from the giant Comdex annual exhibition in Las Vegas, provides a quick update on recently developed electronic gizmos which you might not otherwise hear about -- except by word of mouth -- because manufacturers have cut back on advertising.

"Bridges: Reaching Out" (Discovery Channel, 9-10 pm E/P) This documentary explains bridge-building technology from the Brooklyn Bridge to Japan's two-and-a-half-mile suspension bridge that has enough bundled wire to circle the globe seven times and includes interviews with people who design, build and maintain them.

Sunday, November 24

"CBS News Sunday Morning" (CBS, 9-10:30 am E/P) This edition of CBS' brainy and sometimes weird cultural news show is devoted to food. Reports include how to make deep-fried Twinkies, a visit to The Barbecue Church in Huntsville, Texas, an interview with food stylist Victoria Granoff who makes food look great for the camera and an essay by Calvin Trillin on why the Immigration Act of 1965 broadened the scope of food in America.

"60 MINUTES" (CBS, 7-8 pm E/P) This newsmagazine contains reports about ethics. If you don't know what the word means, here's a start: The first story is entitled "Retaliation Will Not Be Tolerated", a reference to FBI head Robert Mueller's order forbidding retaliation against whistle-blowers. An agent who recently appeared on 60 MINUTES to expose wrongdoing within the Bureau has been harassed. Another, "Jackpot Justice", is about rural Mississippi, where people's incomes tend to be low and the jury awards high, personal injury lawyers have found a favorite place to file lawsuits against big corporations.

Monday, November 25

"Body Rebuilders" (The Learning Channel, 10-11 pm E/P) This is a documentary about reconstructive surgeons. These architects of the medical world now have technology to do what was once thought impossible -- rebuild human bodies. The program describes how victims of auto accidents (including Princes Di's driver, who survived the crash that took her life) have had hands, feet, and faces rebuilt. Viewers will also meet 22-year old Louise Ashby of Los Angeles who barely survived an auto crash and, after 13 surgeries costing over a million dollars, has over 200 pieces of metal in her head. She's now the co-chair of a charity that tries to help children with deformities.

Tuesday, November 26

"America's Castles" (A&E Network, 4-5 pm E/P) This documentary contains strange and exotic history and geography lessons. You'll visit 2 sites in California: Winchester House, commissioned by the wife of the inventor of the famous cavalry rifle, whose constant building on her 160-room Victorian mansion helped her chase away the ghosts of those slain by the weapon. (see also http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/story.html) And Scotty's Castle, an opulent castle built in Death Valley by a swindler named Walter Scott. (see also http://www.nps.gov/deva/scottys1.htm.)

"Home For the Holidays: The History Of Thanksgiving" (History Channel, 8-9 pm E/P, repeating Wednesday, November 27 from 5-6 pm E/P) This documentary traces the history of this week's holiday observance in America all the way back to the Pilgrim's landing at Plymouth Rock, through Abraham Lincoln's 1863 declaration naming it a national holiday, to the advent of the Macy's parade and the clustering of football games on the occasion. (Maybe they should have called the show "The Various Uses of Thanksgiving".) American kids may want to compare this show to a description of Canadian Thanksgiving Day -- which was celebrated in October -- available online at http://www.craigmarlatt.com/craig/canada/symbols_facts&lists/thanksgiving.html.

Wednesday, November 27

"Great Fire Of Rome: Secrets Of The Dead" (PBS, 8-9 pm E/P) This documentary, bearer of a somewhat hyped-up title, is about a mysterious event one summer almost 2000 years ago when Rome went up in flames (well, 2/3rds of it, after a week-long conflagration), leaving a million people homeless. Was it accident or arson? Was it Emperor Nero, who was suspected of having the place torched so he could rebuild it more to his liking? Was it the early Christian community, determined to punish the Romans for worshipping pagan gods? Analysis of burnt remnants of the fire excavated by Italian archaeologist Clementina Panella has enabled the retracing of the fire's path and impact on Rome's buildings and streets. And careful assessment of ancient Roman documents written by Nero's enemies and enemies of the Christians provide further clues to what happened. See also http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets.

Thursday, November 28 -- Thanksgiving (U.S.)

"Run Before You Can Fly: A Portrait of Cirque du Soliel" (Bravo 4-5 pm E/P) This documentary is an insider's perspective (from the creators and performers) about the success and artistic influence of Canada's world-renowned performance troupe. Wonderful stuff. And if you want to see more, tune in also from 7-8 pm E/P for "Cirque du Soliel's Nouvelle Experience" to see an hour of special filmed excerpts from their zaniest, most enchanting performances. (A Thanksgiving feast for the mind and the eye!)