|
|
These listings cover television programs up to Friday, March 12.
Greetings, TV viewers!
The discussion topic for Media Hour in the Greek Theatre this Wednesday at 6:30
p.m. Whyville Time is based on several of this week's suggested viewing. Pretending to be what you are not, or having to behave in a way that is not the 'real' you is a theme of programs on Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. Think about what identity you might like to have -- other than the one you have now -- and join the discussion Wednesday on "What I would be if I had the
choice." I urge you to watch some of the shows this week to see how being 'someone else' is not always what we may long for it to be.
For the Media Hour, watch the show(s)-of-the-week, jot down some ideas, then talk about them with me and other citizens (including other City Workers, if they're available) at the Greek Theater, over in City Hall. You'll find that the Theater makes discussions pretty easy, since City Workers are able to direct people's movement and behavior, when we need to, and it keeps everyone's chat bubbles from overlapping too much. We meet for MediaHour on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Whyville Time (that's the same as Eastern Daylight Time).
Friday, March 5
"Dateline NBC" (NBC, 8-9 p.m. E/P) The main story in this newsmagazine is
about lies in the press. When Jayson Blair's fabrications and plagiarism at the
New York Times were discovered last May, the scandal shook journalism to its
very foundation. In an exclusive interview, Katie Couric interviews Jayson
Blair, the man responsible for one of the most embarrassing chapters in the
history of the New York Times.
Saturday, March 6
"Darien, Connecticut Meets Darien, Panama" (National Geographic Channel, 8-9
p.m. E/P) This is a "survivor" type of program -- with a twist. The
participants are supposed to be together at the end. And it???s really about
geography, not just vacation scenery. In this episode, a real family, consisting
of Peter Thoren, his wife Lisa, and their three children (Laura, 16; Lindsay,
14; and son Tally, 13) is transplanted from Darien, Connecticut, a suburb of New
York City, to the Darien Gap, a part of the rainforest in eastern Panama. There,
the Thorens live with Lincon Flaco, his wife Marianna, and their family,
participating in the daily customs and rituals of the indigenous Wounan tribe.
The Thorens must adapt to a one-room hut built on stilts (It???s a part of the
world jaguars are still a menace). Lisa???s sister, Didi, a strict vegetarian and
self-described "non-conformist," unexpectedly shows up and the differences among
the Thorens themselves are highlighted. The Thorens show Didi what they???ve
learned and ultimately prove that they can survive in the "other" Darien.
"80 Days That Changed The World" (CNN, 8-9 p.m. E/P) This program is very
much worth taping. It summarizes 80 really important historical events over the
last century in a way that makes them dramatic and easy to remember for any time
you have to take a test in the future. The stories have been taken from the
archives of Time Magazine, which was founded 80 years ago. If you can???t catch
the show, you should log onto the accompanying website --
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/80.days/.
Sunday, March 7
"Ultimate Explorer: Return Of The Mummy" (MSNBC Channel, 8-9 p.m. E/P)
Reporter Lisa Ling travels through Egypt, guided by Egypt???s leading antiquities
scholar Dr. Zahi Hawass , to examine the devastating consequences of tomb
raiding throughout the ages The program also traces her route from the U.S. to
Egypt ???with an unusual travel companion ??? a mummy that archaeologists believe is
the long-lost remains of Pharaoh Ramses I, founder of the 19th Dynasty. Stolen
from an Egyptian tomb in the mid-1800s, Ramses I ended up in a Niagara Falls
museum before being purchased by Emory University???s Michael C. Carlos Museum for
$2 million. Now, this Georgia institution is returning Ramses I to his original
resting place, marking the first time that a museum has voluntarily repatriated
a significant Egyptian treasure. Several other countries are contributing to
better understanding between Egypt and the West. Recently an excellent new
website has been developed by a joint Egyptian-Canadian team --
http://www.eternalegypt.org. Log on
and search on the term "mummies".
Monday, March 8
"Judas" (ABC, 9-11 p.m. E/P) This movie version of the Bible story of
Judas, one of the most complex characters in the Gospels, was produced by
Paulist Productions, a company managed by members the Roman Catholic Church. The
movie begins at the foot of a cross, where 8-year-old Judas witnesses Romans
crucifying his father, an event that changed the young boy's life forever. Many
years later we find Judas, at age 30, working as a wine seller and living with
his widowed mother. Then he is arrested as a political "agitator" He is against
fellow Jews who collaborate with the "Roman occupation bloodsuckers." After
witnessing Jesus' confrontation with the moneychangers and vendors, Judas
becomes convinced that this is the man who will lead his people to victory.
Judas becomes increasingly troubled by Jesus' declaration that his kingdom is
"not of this world." but still believes that Jesus is ready to wage war against
the Romans. Finally Judas understands that Jesus is not heeding his advice about
fighting and becomes a traitor. He leads Roman officers to Jesus -- causing the
death of the man he once called friend.
"Now Who???s The Boss?" (The Learning Channel, 10-11 p.m. E/P) This is a
program about people with high status forced to learn about what life is like
for people with a lower status. Jonathan Tisch is the CEO of the luxury Loews
Hotels chain and as a member of one of New York City's wealthiest and most
influential families. His father and his uncle are among Forbes Magazine's 100
richest people in America. But can he provide the service required of him when
he becomes a worker at his own Loews Miami Beach Hotel? For the position of
bellman to line cook, from room service to pool concierge; from front desk to
housekeeping, he must be retrained by his own employees, who make their living
at these jobs. Highly detailed work rules describe with surprising precision
exactly what each employee is supposed to do in every situation, at every moment
of the day. Managers observe Jon's on-the-job performance, critiquing each
physical misstep and verbal slip. He makes many, many mistakes -- certainly more
than Jon thought he was in for when he arrived in Miami. These experiences
provide a real transformation for him. When his experience is nearly over, he
tells a group of cheering housekeepers (after he has failed to clean even one
room properly), "I tell you, after doing your job yesterday I have so much
respect for what you do."
"Jane Goodall's Return To Gombe" (Animal Planet Channel 8-9 p.m. E/P)
Dr. Jane Goodall's annual return to the chimpanzee research station she made
famous takes a new twist as a violent power struggle is brewing among the
chimps. Goodall's groundbreaking research continues as she follows the chimps
though a crisis involving the overthrow of a group leader. Details at
http://media.animal.discovery.com/fansites/janegoodall/janegoodall.html.
Tuesday, March 9
"NOVA: Flying Casanovas" (PBS 8-9 p.m. E/P -- be sure to check local station
schedule) This is a natural science program about bower birds and their
unique courting behavior. Thel male of this species, native to Australia and New
Guinea, build elaborate structures on the forest floor from twigs, leaves and
moss. They then decorate their "bachelor pads" with colorful feathers, pebbles,
berries and shells ??? all in the hopes of attracting a mate. TV-PG
Wednesday, March 10
"The Other Me" (Disney Channel, 8-10 p.m. E/P) This is a movie about a
slacker student named Will who needs a good grade in science, or he has to go to
a military camp for the summer. He attempts to get the grade by using a mail
order kit for his project. By accident some chemicals that cause cloning have
leaked into the mail package. So, when stirring the chemicals in the kit with a
comb, he accidentally creates a clone of himself. He discovers that the clone is
a lot smarter than he is, so he sends the clone to school -- to rack up the good
grades he needs. Everyone likes the clone better than Will. In the movie you
watch Will getting to know his "best self". This story may make you wonder what
a smarter, more innocent version of yourself would be like. Families could have
some great discussion after viewing this movie -- in terms of self-discovery and
self-improvement.
Thursday, March 11
"Zulu" (AMC Channel, 5-8 p.m. E/P) In this is an epic movie about a
battle at the British outpost of Rorke's Drift in South Africa in 1879 you will
learn a lot about Africa that will surprise you Although the Zulu warriors in
that fight outnumbered Britain's soldiers by 40 to one, the British repeatedly
held off multiple waves of attack, and devised all sorts of tactics to avoid
almost certain massacre. This is not a typical Hollywood movie It was filmed on
location in South Africa and does not simplify or sugar-coat what happened on
both sides during the battle. Available on video.
Friday, March 12
"Crittercam" (National Geographic Channel, 8- 9 p.m. E/P) Here are two
new episodes of the unique nature and technology series that provides you a ride
on the backs of Earth's most interesting creatures. Each show reveals unexpected
aspects of the lives of marine and land animals. This time it???s leopard seals
and penguins. A website which explains how cameras have been attached to these
animals without causing them to either shake off the device or behave any other
way, but naturally it's at
http://aol.nationalgeographic.com/channel/crittercam/.
|
