"Between The Lines: Inside The White House" (A&E Channel 10-11 p.m. E/P) This initial episode in a 4-part series featuring celebrities reading letters written by historical figures explores the events, motivation, and often the humor behind letters written from and to the White House. Martin Sheen reads letters by John Kennedy, Hillary Clinton reads letters from Eleanor Roosevelt, Candice Bergen reads as Betty Ford, Priscilla Presley is "The King", and Jimmy Carter entertains with a favorite letter addressed to him as President. Some of the people reading these letters for viewers are John Goodman, Sarah Kozer, Morgan Fairchild, Mario Lopez, Hal Holbrook, Dixie Carter, Donny Osmond and Denise Simpson.

Saturday, January 17

"Crittercam" (National Geographic Channel, 8-8:30 p.m. ET 5-5:30 p.m. PT) This is a??documentary series about new technology for researching animal behavior. Biologists are now installing video cameras on the creatures being studied -- to see what the creature sees as it goes about its business. Dr. Mike Heithaus, host of the series and a research fellow for National Geographic's Remote Imaging Program has helped other scientists with 100 successful Crittercam deployments on creatures such as tiger, nurse and hammerhead sharks, leatherback, green and loggerhead sea turtles, humpback, bowhead, pilot and false killer whales, as well as Hawaiian monk seals and gray seals. This initial episode is set in southeast Alaska where, humpback whales have developed an ingenious method of capturing prey. Watch their amazing feats of coordination and choreography with the help of Crittercam. The initial episode will be followed by??one set in Kenya where??lions are killing valuable cattle belonging to local herdsmen. Why are they suddenly doing this? Dr. Laurence Frank hopes Crittercam will help find the answer. But can it survive the deployment on a 300-pound hunting lion? Lots more info on this technology at http://aol.nationalgeographic.com/channel/crittercam/index.html.

Sunday, January 18

"Gold Star Racing" (Discovery Channel, 4-5 p.m. E/P) This is the first episode of a documentary series which combines technology and family togetherness.?? In Rochester, NY, the Faucis family, including Kaitlin, 10, and Mikie, 8 ??spend almost all their weekends pursuing their passion -- racing go karts. This particular form of racing brings kids as the racers and parents as pit crews working together to win competitions. If you miss this initial episode, you can catch up with the family's activities by tuning in to episode 2 which airs Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. TV rated TV-PG.

Monday, January 19

"American Experience: Citizen King" (PBS, 9-11 p.m. E/P) In celebration of Martin Luther King Day PBS is airing a critically acclaimed new documentary about him which explores the last five years in his life, from his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 to his assassination in 1968. It draws upon the personal recollections and eyewitness accounts of friends, civil rights movement associates, journalists, law enforcement officers, and historians to illuminate this little-known chapter in King s life. (The program repeats Sunday Jan 25 at noon in some time zones or at 2 p.m. in others. Check local listings. There is also a website:??www.pbs.org/amex/mlk.

"Barbarians" (History Channel, 9-11 p.m. E/P) This is the initial episode of a documentary miniseries about Vikings, Goths, Mongols. and Huns. From the 9th Century BC through the 14th Century AD, Europe, Asia and Africa were besieged by various barbarian hordes. This series will focus on four groups :, examining not only their conquests but also their cultures, leaders, enemies, and role in shaping world history. Teacher's guides available at: http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/classroom.html. The second episode, about Mongols and Huns airs January 20th at 9 p.m..

Tuesday, January 20

"2004 State of the Union Address" (selected networks, 9-10 p.m. ET 6-7 p.m. PT -- check ??local listings) U.S. President Bush will deliver his annual State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. The Constitution requires that the President report to Congress from "time to time" on this topic. Following his address, selected networks will carry the remarks of a spokesperson for the Democratic Party.

Wednesday, January 21

"60 Minutes II" (CBS, 8-9 p.m. E/P) The main story in this news magazine follows biologists as they??trace a virus that they suspect is??deadlier than SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).
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"The Incredible Human Body" (PBS, 8-9 p.m. E/P) This is a National Geographic Special documentary. Thanks to the latest scientific advancements and the use of revolutionary imaging systems, the understanding of human anatomy has changed dramatically from decades past. This new special explores the human body from the inside out, utilizing the latest 4-D imaging systems for excursions inside the bodies of real people -- right down to their stem cells. Available on video and in a book, "The Incredible human Body". Parental discretion advised.

Thursday, January 22

"Animals of the Chinese Zodiac" (Animal Planet, 9-10 p.m. E/P) This documentary asks the question, "Did the ancient Chinese astrologers get it right?" It contrasts the zodiac predictions of each of the animals signs against the twelve living, breathing animals themselves.

Friday, January 23

"Gold Star Racing: Episode 2" (Discovery Channel, 8-9 p.m. E/P) If you didn't get enough of a rush earlier this week watching 8-year olds racing go-kart at 70 mph, while Moms and Dads handle pit stops by turning wrenches and changing tires -- here's some more excitement. It's interesting to see who is more competitive and technologically savvy??about this activity, kids or parents. TV rated TV-PG.
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