Science and environmental programming for earth day and beyond in April
Spring Programming Guide
WTCI will celebrate Earth Day 2008 with a slate of new programs about global warming, environmental change and green technology, airing in April. Highlights are a new two-part episode of JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU: OCEAN ADVENTURES that explores the Amazon River and the rapidly disappearing rainforest that surrounds it and the Edward Norton-hosted NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S STRANGE DAYS ON PLANET EARTH.
Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, travels the Amazon River basin with his children Fabien and Celine in JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU: OCEAN ADVENTURES “Return to the Amazon.” His discoveries are both inspiring and shocking. Edward Norton hosts NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S STRANGE DAYS ON PLANET EARTH, which examines how over-fishing is affecting life far beyond the shoreline and other environmental mysteries. Other highlights include the investigation of green technology by Tom and Ray Magliozzi, of NPR’s “Car Talk,” in NOVA “Car of the Future,” and NATURE “What Females Want and What Males Will Do,” which takes a look at the animal dating game.
PBS KIDS is celebrating the earth with “PBS KIDS Share the Earth Day,” a special programming event on Tuesday, April 22 on WTCI.
On the PBS KIDS preschool block, Miss Lori and Hooper teach children how to recycle their trash at home, and new stories from Dot’s Story Factory show how kids at home can celebrate the planet. Earth Day-themed episodes from CURIOUS GEORGE, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG and IT’S A BIG BIG WORLD will air alongside themed music videos from the award-winning kids’ rock band Milkshake.
PBS KIDS GO!, for elementary school kids, celebrates Earth Day with themed programming from ARTHUR, MAYA & MIGUEL and CYBERCHASE. Throughout the early afternoon programming block, PBS KIDS GO! presents creative ideas for kids to take care of the environment by recycling, cleaning up their neighborhoods and more.
Broadcast Premieres
JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU: OCEAN ADVENTURES “Return to the Amazon”
Wednesdays, April 2-9, 2008, 8:00-9:00 p.m
In a time of accelerating environmental change, Jean-Michel Cousteau returns to the Amazon and heads down the river whose waters circulate through all oceans. Two-part program. http://www.pbs.org/oceanadventures
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S STRANGE DAYS ON PLANET EARTH
Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 9:00-11:00 p.m.
Edward Norton hosts this two-part special. “Most Dangerous Catch”: Over-fishing is affecting life far beyond the shoreline, including Earth’s own life support systems. “Dirty Secrets”: Striped bass are succumbing to flesh-eating bacteria in the Chesapeake Bay. Majestic seabirds are starving in Hawai’i. Coral reefs are weakening under a growing assault of invisible contaminants. How are these mysteries related? http://www.pbs.org/strangedays
NATURE
Sundays, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
For 26 years, NATURE has been the benchmark of natural history programs on television, capturing the splendors of the natural world, from the African plains to the Antarctic ice. http://www.pbs.org/nature
“What Females Want and Males Will Do”
Sundays, April 6-13, 2008, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Wildlife experts use cutting-edge technology and risky field study to discover what makes winners and losers in the animal dating game. Two-part miniseries.
“The Gorilla King”
Sunday, April 20, 2008, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Titus, king of the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, is one of only 700 of his kind alive today. Ian Redmond documents Titus’ extraordinary life, from his early days to his rise to power as a silverback.
NOVA
Tuesdays, continuing series, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
PBS’ premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA programs demystify science and technology and highlight the people involved in scientific pursuits. http://www.pbs.org/nova
“Cracking the Maya Code”
Tuesday, April 8, 2008, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
This is a definitive look back at how a handful of pioneers deciphered the intricate system of hieroglyphs developed by the Maya.
“Car of the Future”
Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Tom and Ray Magliozzi of NPR’s “Car Talk” take viewers on a roller-coaster ride into the world of cars as NOVA takes a look at the latest and greatest in the automotive industry.
INDEPENDENT LENS “King Corn”
Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 11:00 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Recent college grads plant a single acre of corn and follow it on its journey to America’s tables. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens
Encore presentations
JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH “The State of the Ocean’s Animals”
Tuesday, April14, 2008, 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Matt Damon hosts this episode, which takes a hard look at why nearly half the world’s marine animals may face extinction over the next 25 years. Case studies focus on how global warming, sea-level rise, over-fishing and habitat destruction are beginning to empty the world’s oceans. http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth
NOVA “Voyage to the Mystery Moon”
Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
NOVA follows a heart-pounding voyage of discovery, from the laboratory to the control room to the surface of Titan, Saturn’s moon.
NOVA “Marathon Challenge”
Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Both a human story and an intriguing scientific exploration of the way our bodies respond to intense exercise demands, this episode follows 13 novices as they take the first steps toward running in the 2007 Boston Marathon.
FRONTLINE “Hot Politics”
Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
FRONTLINE and the Center for Investigative Reporting go behind the scenes to explore how bi-partisan political and economic forces prevented the U.S. government from confronting what may be one of the most serious problems facing humanity today — global warming.
NATURE “Supersize Crocs”
Sunday, April 27, 2008, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Tall tales of giant man-eating crocodiles inhabit a world between fact and fiction. The truth is that some crocodile species, such as Nile crocs and American crocs, have been known to exceed 20 feet; the Asian-Pacific saltwater croc has been recorded to 23 feet.
NOVA “Sinking the Supership”
Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
In April 1945, the Yamato, the pride of Japan’s fleet, sailed to a solo confrontation with the 1,500-strong United States Navy.
PBS KIDS Episodes for Tuesday, April 22:
CURIOUS GEORGE “The Times of Sand”
9:00 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.
A hard hat, a shovel, a wheelbarrow and a ladder — George learns that all four items are necessary when digging a gigantic hole. But why are George and the Man With the Yellow (Hard) Hat digging in their own yard?
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG “Doggie Garden/Captain Birdwell’s Treasure”
9:30 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.
It’s “Keep Birdwell Beautiful” month, and the kids are doing their part by planting a flower garden. Seeing this, the dogs decide to create a doggie flower garden of their own. But when Cleo hears that almost anything grows in Birdwell Island soil, she decides she’d much rather grow a garden full of dog toys!
IT’S A BIG BIG WORLD #122 “World Tree Day/World Tree Cuisine”
6:30 a.m.
“World Tree Day” -- It’s World Tree Day, and Snook has made badges to give to all of the residents who do something nice for the tree.
“World Tree Cuisine” -- It’s time to celebrate the World Tree’s birthday, and Madge and Snook are planning a surprise party for the tree’s residents.
PBS KIDS GO! Episodes for Tuesday, April 22
ARTHUR #1004 “Feeling Flush”
7:30 a.m.
When Elwood City experiences a drought, Francine bets Arthur that her family can use less water than his.
CYBERCHASE #504 “EcoHaven Ooze”
3:00 p.m.
When Hacker discovers that the liquid ooze that feeds the animals of EcoHaven also gives him a super energy boost, he decides to drain the pond and take the ooze home.
MAYA & MIGUEL #163 “Every Day Is Earth Day”
3:30 p.m.
For a school Earth Day project, the kids decide to clean up an old lot and plant a community garden. But as the deadline approaches, a rainstorm hits, turning the patch of dirt into a muddy mess. How will Maya get her friends out of the muck this time?
