Hello, Whyville!

In this week's shows, explore the frontiers of the Arctic, of history, of modern science, and of music! Check out the theremin, that got its creator kidnapped by Russian spies! And don't miss the two shows on genetic engineering this week -- one about bugs and grapes and the other about pigs and growing human organs!

Watch the shows and let me know what you think!
Email me, the MediaWiz of Whyville!

Friday, August 17

"Jumping Ship" (Disney Channel, 7-8:30 p.m. E/T) The young cast in this adventure movie finds itself stranded on a desert island after a storm wrecks their fishing boat. OK, so you've seen such a story before -- but this one zeroes in on the problems the kids have trying to living without modern conveniences. A bummer for them. You, watching at home, will count your modern technological blessings.

"On The Inside: Air Safety Training" (Discovery Channel, 8-9 p.m. E/P) This documentary shows how air transportation crews -- pilots, airport security, flight attendant and maintenance personnel are trained to avert tragedies. It also describes some major air disasters of the past and how they were studied to shape subsequent air safety standards.

Saturday, August 18

"Science & Technology Week" (CNN, 1:30-2 P.M. ET, 10:30-11 a.m. PT) The main feature in this week's show is an aspect of the genetic engineering controversy which isn't attracting much attention -- but maybe it should -- growing grapes that are resistant to destructive insects. What do you think?

"The Yearling" (Turner Classic Movies, 6-8:15 p.m. ET, 3-5:15 p.m. PT) This Oscar-winning movie based on Marjorie Kinnan Rawling's novel raises a tough question that's been bothering a lot of people these days: whether people are more important than animals. The boy in the movie lives on the frontier (Florida, before there were even roads there) and has a pet deer which is always destroying the family's food crops. What would you do about this? Watch the movie before you jump to conclusions. Available on video.

Sunday, August 19

"Glory And Honor" (Hallmark Channel, 6-8 p.m. E/P) This movie is based on the life of Matthew Henson, an African-American member of the first expedition to the North Pole (this was in 1909, so it was mostly on foot!), who began the journey as the valet of the leader, Robert Peary, and ultimately became the expedition's most valuable member. For further info, log on to www.unmuseum.org/henson.htm. Available on video.

"Incredible Cons and Scams" (Travel Channel, 10-11 p.m.) There's an art and science to stealing. In this documentary about bad guys -- including children who can unzip bags and steal wallets without their victims' feeling a thing -- preying on air and train travelers. The purpose of the program is to show how you and your family can protect yourself against this sort of thing.

Monday, August 20

"Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey" (Sundance Channel, 2:30-4 p.m.) Have you ever thought about how in space movies there's always some sort of eerie music accompanying the pictures -- but space is supposed to be silent! Well, in this historical documentary you'll learn about Leon Theremin, who built an absolutely unique electronic musical instrument that you play by moving your hands around it without actually touching it. Beginning in the 1920's, people decided that its sound was what space and other mysterious places sounded like -- and this may have been why he was kidnapped by Russian spies. Available on tape and DVD. The website at www.thereminworld.com will give you a taste of his music, and more about his bizzare-but-true story.

Tuesday, August 21

"Gold!" (History Channel, 9-10 p.m. E/P) This is the beginning show of a 3-part documentary series about an element (symbol Au, atomic weight 196.96) that has caused a lot of trouble for people who mined it, shipped it or tried to amass large amounts of it. Entitled "The Gold Wars", this episode relates how Spain stole gold during the conquest of the Americas, and English and French pirates intercepted it on its way to Europe. Later, U.S. General Custer's expeditions in the West led to gold discoveries that impacted the Native American there. Later, the British occupation of South Africa caused wars on that continent. Airing Wednesday through Friday, August 22, 23, and 24 in this time slot, there are episodes entitled "Gold Fever" (about prospecting and mining techniques from Gold Rush days to nowadays), "The Stuff Of Dreams" (about the millennia-long quest for a technique to turn ordinary metal into gold, and to locate various "lost" cities said to be built of gold), and finally "Cold Hard Cash" (about its uses as currency beginning in 600 B.C.). Lots more stuff about this dangerous metal at www.historychannel.com/gold.

"Body Parts" (The Learning Channel, 10-11 p.m. E/P) Dive right into the controversy about using human body tissue (such as stem cells) to build new organs to replace defective ones. Learn about reports on xenotransplantation, making it possible for specially-designed pigs to produce organs for human use.

Wednesday, August 22

"In Search of the Magic Of Stonehenge" (History Channel, 5-5:30 p.m. E/P) There's no use in trying to postpone the inevitable. You're either already aware of the "magic" of those mysterious circles of big rocks in England, or you're going to hear such theories soon enough from somebody or another. In this documentary it's going to be none other than Leonard Nimoy (wearing regular clothes rather than his "Mr. Spock" uniform from "Star Trek") explaining the various theories about Stonehenge's use for astronomical observations and as a source of a mysterious magnetic force field. The show will probably get you to reading a book about Stonehenge. There are many -- and most of them contradict one another -- providing quite an exercise in critical thinking.

Thursday, August 23