Media Menu, October 30, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, October 30, 2010,
noon – 3 p.m. ET, 9 a.m.– noon PT
Comedy Channel and C-SPAN
U.S. History and Government
Middle and High School

" The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear ”

This is a broadcast of demonstrations planned for October 30, 2010, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to be led by Jon Stewart and an in-character Stephen Colbert. Billed as "a rally for the people who've been too busy to go to rallies", the stated purpose is to provide a venue for attendees to be heard above what Stewart describes as the more vocal and extreme 15–20 percent of Americans who "control the conversation" of United States politics such as the Tea Party movement and the anti-war movement that opposed the presidential administration of George W. Bush. Several news reports have expressed the opinion that the rallies are a satirical response to Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor rally and the "Reclaim the Dream" counter-rally.

Log on http://www.rallytorestoresanity.com and http://www.keepfearalive.com

Saturday, October 30, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
History Channel
World and U.S. History
Middle and High School

"Afraid of the Dark”

Go back to a time before the invention of artificial light and experience a world petrified in the pitch of darkness...when fear ruled the night. Throughout the ages, real and imagined terror existed in the absence of light, and nighttime was anything but relaxing. Our predecessors cowered in caves to keep from being eaten alive. During the Middle Ages, brutal bandits went on the prowl and roadside ditches became death traps. Also in years past, the devil, werewolves and vampires were staunchly believed to stalk the night. With no artificial light, the black night sky of Galileo's gaze could illuminate every star without a telescope. This documentary explores all the reasons why the dark was so feared throughout the eras. It takes you around the globe to places where real night still exits, and examines our modern-day fear factor when the lights go out during blackouts. TV-PG

Log on http://library.thinkquest.org/C006027/html-ver/mis-al.html

Sunday, October 31, 2010 ,
7-8 p.m. E/P
CBS
Economics and Government
Middle and High School

"60 Minutes”

The first story in this newsmagazine is a report from Newton, Iowa, where the closing of an appliance factory is causing a negative effect on the community’s economy. Then, David Stockman, Ronald Reagan’s budget director who once preached tax cuts, is interviewed advocating the idea of putting a one-time surtax on the rich. Reporter Lesley Stahl reports and finds just such a proposal on the ballot in the state of Washington. Then, horseracing – If Zenyatta , a six year-old mare, wins the Breeder’s Cup Classic next week to cap an undefeated career of 20 straight victories, some say she might just be the greatest thoroughbred race horse in history.

Log on http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml
tag=hdr;snav



Sunday, October 31, 2010 ,
8-9 p.m. ET, 5-6 p.m. PT
CNN
Economics and U.S. History
Middle and High School

" Almighty Debt: A Black in America Special”

From job fairs to seminars on credit counseling, many churches and religious institutions are not only caring for their congregation's spiritual life, but also taking an active role in its financial life, too. In this documentary reporter Soledad O'Brien explores how one church is helping its 7,000 parishioners survive the worst financial crisis for African-Americans since the Great Depression.

Log on http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/10/19/inam.conversation.faith.economy and http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/in.america/black.in.america/

Monday, November 1, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science and U.S. History
Middle and High School

" 9/11: Science and Conspiracy ”

According to a 2006 poll, 33 percent of Americans believe the U.S. government either carried out the attacks of 9/11 or made no effort to stop them. In this documentary viewers will hear from supporters of the "9/11 Truth Movement," who believe that our government's official account of the attacks is inconsistent with reality. Now, The National Geographic Channel has conducted a forensic investigation to test some of the most common conspiracy theories. Using high-tech forensic experiments, CGI re-creations, eyewitness footage and in-depth analysis by experts and "truthers," this program examines the alleged conspiracies and available evidence, taking a “ fly-on-the-wall” position as the theorists observe the scientific results and react to the conclusions.

Log on

Tuesday, November 2, 2010,
7-8 p.m. ET, 4-5 p.m. PT
CNBC Channel
Economics and U.S. History
Middle and High School

" Decision 2010: Your Money, Your Vote"

In addition to the election coverage available on the major networks and cable channels there will be this specially focused live coverage combining economic as well as political ramifications airing on CNBC.

Log on http://www.cnbc.com/id/15837856

Tuesday, November 2, 2010,
9-10 .pm. E/P
PBS
U.S. History and Government
Middle and High School

" FRONTLINE: Obama’s Deal” "

This documentary is an in-depth examination of the Obama administration's efforts to secure passage of health-care reform legislation, detailing the political battles it's faced and the compromises it's made. Barack Obama promised change. Then, he took on one of Washington’s toughest issues: health care. During his first year in office, he found himself making one deal after another with Capitol Hill’s powerful insiders — lobbyists and influential members of Congress. He angered his political base, watched his popularity sink and nearly failed to pass the bill. The program follows the story of the president’s historic victory and offers the first in-depth look at how the Obama administration operates. It provides a sobering view inside Obama’s deals and reveals the realities of American politics, the power of special interest groups and the role of money in policy making.

Log on

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 ,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
World History
Middle and High School

" SECRETS OF THE DEAD: The Silver Pharaoh "

The royal tomb of Pharaoh Psusennes I is one of the most spectacular of all the ancient Egyptian treasures — even more remarkable than that of Tutankhamen. So why hasn’t the world heard about it? What mysteries does it contain? And what does it reveal about ancient Egypt? The tomb was discovered filled with lavish jewels and treasure almost by accident in 1939 by the French archaeologist Pierre Montet while he was excavating in northern Egypt. The royal burial chamber came as a complete surprise – no Egyptologist had anticipated a tomb of such grandeur in this area. Unfortunately, the tomb was found on the eve of World War II in Europe and attracted little attention. One of the most startling discoveries inside the tomb was the sarcophagus in which the body was held: It was made of silver with exquisite detail and craftsmanship. No other silver sarcophagus has ever been found and it is now recognized by many Egyptologists as one of the most exquisite artifacts of ancient Egypt ever to be found. The elaborate tribute within the tomb suggested it was the burial site of someone very important but as archaeologists, using the hieroglyphs inside the tomb, pieced together the identity of the pharaoh, they were left to wonder who Psuesennes I was and why he received such grand treatment. This documentary investigation reveals political intrigue, a lost city and a leader who united a country in turmoil and became the Silver Pharaoh.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/featured/the-silver-pharaoh-about-this-episode/669/

Thursday, November 4, 2010,
6-7 p.m. EP, 3-4 p.m. PT
CNBC Channel
U.S. History
Middle and High School

"Biography in CNBC: The Rockefellers”

John D. Rockefeller came from humble beginnings, but that changed in the 1880s when he took a risk in the oil business and became the founder of Standard Oil Corporation. That risk lead to the multi-billion-dollar fortune that allowed generations of Rockefellers to make a huge difference in America as philanthropists, realtors and politicians. This documentary shows how he built his empire and details the risk involved.

Log on http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1385561561&play=1

Thursday, November 4, 2010,
10-11 p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. History
Middle and High School

"Way Of The Warrior”

As part of PBS’ Native American Heritage Month programming, this documentary examines the visceral nature of war and the bravery of Native-American veterans who served in the United States military during the wars of the 20th century, and explores the paradox of these veterans who chose to fight for a country that considered them outside the American mainstream. Their stories are told against the backdrop of positive and negative themes familiar to Native Americans - the warrior ethic, prejudice, forced assimilation, poverty, cultural pride, redemptive acts and healing - through the prism of what it means to be "ogichidaa," or one who protects and follows the ways of the warrior. TV-PG.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wayofthewarrior/

Friday, November 5, 2010,
9:30 – 11:30 p. m. E/P
PBS
Arts
Middle and High School

"CIRCUS: First of May/ One Ring Family”

In this documentary miniseries viewers hit the road for a trip with the legendary Big Apple Circus. From the big top to the “back lot” — where the real heart of the circus beats — the episodes explore a distinctive world with its own rules. In “First of May” go behind the scenes and meet the fascinating, wildly diverse Big Apple Circus family — the clowns and the wire-walkers, the front office staff and the rough-and-tumble ring crew — as they gear up for their annual 350-performance tour. In “One Ring Family” feel the tension mount as rivalries and romances blossom and the circus’ first dress rehearsal approaches. The show is nowhere near ready — and the fate of more than a few performers hangs in the balance. TV-PG

Log on http://www.pbs.org/opb/circus

Saturday, November 6, 2010,
8-11 p.m. ET, 5-8 p.m. PT
TCM – Turner Classic Movie Channel
Literature and World History
Middle and High School

"Mutiny On The Bounty”

This is a movie version of the classic tale of the villainous British Navy Captain Bligh who drives his crew to revolt during a South Seas expedition. The movie is loosely based on a trilogy of novels – which are based on historical events - “Mutiny on the Bounty" , “Men Against the Sea” , and "Pitcairn's Island” by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall - available in one volume as “The Bounty Trilogy” . The novels show the tragic collision of two implacable personalities--William Bligh and Fletcher Christian. Both men were unquestionably capable, courageous, and born leaders. Mr. Bligh ruled by intimidation; Mr. Christian by persuasion. Arguably, it's a parable of two ages, two incompatible social attitudes--the stifling aristocracy of the 18th century, and the burgeoning democracy of the 19th--smashing head-on aboard a cramped vessel in the middle of the Pacific. Cast: Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, and Richard Harris. TV-PG

Log on http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=12737 and http://www.infoplease.com/spot/pitcairn.html