Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are home viewing suggestions for December 6-12, 2004.

The topic for this week's Media Hour is advertising aimed at kids. We'll be holding an extra-long Media Hour this time around.

In the first hour, we'll talk about how big businesses target huge amounts of their advertising budgets toward convincing YOU and your younger siblings to want their products. Watch the second story on CBS 60 Minutes this Wednesday, and then come to the Media Hour on Saturday to talk about it. Do you think this is scummy, or totally cool? Does it give you a sense of power, or do you think they're just crazy? Remember to ask yourself WHY....

In the second hour (give or take), we'll talk about the Media Hour and Media Menu. Have you watched a show from the menu and have an opinion on it? Share! Never seen a show but want to know what it's all about? How about that Media Hour -- want to know what it takes to get your comments on the screen or your Whyvillian down onto the stage? Come to the second hour of the double Media Hour next week to find out!

Folks who have seen the shows and really read the related websites will be able to help us really focus on the discussion, exploring what everyone thinks and reminding us to think about what was in the shows and on the websites. Come to the Media Hour prepared and you will be invited down on stage at the beginning of the hour, and you'll earn clams, too!

What's the Media Hour? Watch the show(s)-of-the-week, jot down some ideas, then come and talk about them with me and other citizens (including other City Workers, if they're available). We get together at the Greek Theater (next to City Hall), every Saturday morning at 9 a.m., Whyville Time. (Whyville Time is now the same as Pacific Standard Time.) 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 makes everyone's chat bubbles overlap a little less than other rooms.

Monday, December 13

"The First Amendment Project: Fox vs Franken" (Social Studies, High School, Sundance Channel, 8:30-9 pm E/P)
This is a documentary about comedian Al Franken who "appropriated" Fox News's phrase "Fair and Balanced" on his satiric book about TV news. The network took him to court. What happens when corporations trademark common phrases and how does the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protect the right to parody? This program has been co-produced by Sundance Channel and Court TV Channel as part of "The First Amendment Project," a series of documentary films by independent filmmakers examining freedom of speech and expression in contemporary America. For more information about the First Amendment Project log on to http://www.sundancechannel.com/firstamendment/.

Tuesday, December 14

"NOVA: Deep Sea Invasion" (Natural Science/Environment, Middle and High School, PBS, 8-9 pm E/P)
This is a documentary about the work of French biologist Alexandre Meinesz who was diving in the Mediterranean when he spotted a strange blanket of bright green plants on the seabed. He was alarmed to find that the toxic algae were decimating marine life in the Mediterranean. Nicknamed the "killer algae," these organisms have since taken over thousands of acres of seabed and no one knows how to stop them. Log on to http://www.pbs.org/nova/algae and take a look at 10 successful invaders and see if you can match them to the damage they've caused in their new environments.

"Frontline: Dangerous Prescriptions" (Science/Health, High School, PBS, 9-10 pm E/P)
This documentary about medications covers their increasing role in modern healthcare the importance of FDA approval to consumers. For many consumers, the phrase "FDA approved" signifies that a drug or product is completely safe and without risk. This program examines the role drug companies play in the approval and monitoring of prescription drugs and questions whether the FDA's current system is adequate for protecting the public safety. Log on for a look inside the FDA, its recent record and the debate over whether our nation's drug safety system is broken. For more info, log on to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/prescription.

Wednesday, December 15

"CBS 60 Minutes" (Science and Social Science, Middle and High School, CBS, 8-9 pm E/P)
The main story in this news magazine is about the easy availability of radioactive materials for sale in the former Soviet Republics. The second story explains how corporate marketers target kids between eight and 13. Kevin Bacon is profiled in the final story.

"Spy On The Wild" (Technology and Natural Science, Middle and High School, Animal Planet Channel, 8-10 pm E/P)
This is documentary about the technology used to "eavesdrop" on animals in the wild and reveal their world in a completely new light. From falcon-mounted cams to bumblebee transmitters, see how spy technology is uncovering an animal world you've never seen. More info about this technology at http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/spyonthewild/spyonthewild.html.

"This Is A Game, Ladies" (Social Science/Health Science, Middle and High School, PBS, 9-11 pm E/P)
The producers of this documentary traveled with Rutgers University's women's basketball team and their legendary coach, C. Vivian Stringer for two years. One of the most successful basketball coaches of all time, Stringer is a survivor, a visionary, a mother and a widow. The game she teaches her players is the game of life. This film is not just about basketball, but about growth, about coming of age, about girls becoming women. Info about the life of a scholarship athlete: Think you have what it takes? Take this online quiz and find out: http://www.pbs.org/thisisagame.

Thursday, December 16

"Within A Play" (English/Language Arts, High School, Sundance Channel, 5-6:30 pm E/P)
This is a documentary about an American Shakespeare Theater Company that took a very modern production of "Hamlet" on tour in Taiwan. Stage director Robert Anderson, artistic director Wayne Pyle, and the rest of the cast and crew offer their own personal impressions on camera as they travel and perform around the country. Impossibly short rehearsals, non-stop travel, exhaustion, volatile group dynamics, political unrest, cultural differences, half-finished theaters, wild dogs and monkey bites are only a few of the many challenges they encounter on the road. Rated TV-14 for adult language.

Friday, December 17

"NOW With Bill Moyers" (Social Studies, High School, PBS, 9-10pm E/P, check local listings)
The main story in this news magazine is "The Republican Media Machine". It's the final appearance of Moyers as anchor. The program looks inside the Republican Party media machine that the conservative New York Times columnist David Brooks called a "dazzlingly efficient ideology delivery system" and examines how conservatives have exploited the demise of the government mandated "fairness doctrine". The airwaves can now be used successfully by various political groups. Beginning next year, the program's anchor will be veteran journalist and current co-host David Brancaccio. Further information about this program log on to http://www.pbs.org/now.

Saturday, December 18

"Flying On Empty" (Science and Technology, Middle and High School, National Geographic Channel, 10-11 pm ET, 7-8 pm PT)
This documentary about how airplanes work is airing at a time rather late for east coast viewers but it's at least work knowing about because it's an optimistic story about some of the problems of air travel. In this case, a trip that started as a routine trip across the Atlantic, ended in a landing that made aviation history. A commercial jetliner carrying almost 300 passengers lost power in both engines, forcing the pilot to glide more than 70 miles.

Sunday, December 19

"America's Top Young Scientist Of the Year" (Science, Middle School, Discovery Channel, 11 a.m.-noon E/P)
This program presents a competition to choose "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year". Students from 40 U.S. middle schools come together in Washington, D.C., to compete for the honor. On this occasion, they'll learn more basics of physics as they compete for top honors and college scholarships. The Discovery Channel's team of "Myth Busters", Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, host the event. In celebration of 100 years of physics honoring Albert Einstein's historic discoveries, these young scientists are judged throughout a rigorous two-day competition. Each team completes challenges that reflect aspects of the evolution of physics, including gravity and acceleration, relative motion, molecular motion, and photoelectric effects. Radar guns, laser beams, and a giant skateboard ramp are also a part of this year's competition.