There’s something for everyone this fall on PBS. And while WTTW-Ch. 11 still is the place to see the quality original programs viewers have come to expect from public television, be sure to check out what Chicago area’s other two PBS stations-WYCC-Ch. 20 and WYIN-Ch. 56 -have to offer.
“The West”: Though settled long ago, the West remains America’s frontier, the resting place of our nation’s myths and legends, polished over time into a Hollywood fairytale. But the documentary (airing, in eight parts, at 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and Sept. 22-24 ), the latest production from acclaimed “Civil War” creator Ken Burns, balances history between pride and shame, and reveals how we came to claim that part of the world as our own.
Burns acted as creative consultant and executive producer for “The West,” but directing credits go to Stephen Ives, Burns’ long-time colleague.
“The West” begins in the 1500s and explores the events that have shaped America through the early part of this century, from the arrival of the Europeans and their conquest of the Native peoples and lands to the transformation of the West into a landscape conquered at last.
“The American Experience”: Sixth in a series of presidential profiles, “TR, The Story of Theodore Roosevelt” studies Roosevelt’s childhood, its effect on his rise to power and Roosevelt’s effect on history.
“The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century”: This special, airing Nov. 10-13, points out that many of today’s headlines strikingly reflect the same kinds of issues that existed at the beginning of World War I. Actors including Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Louis Gossett, Jr., Jeremy Irons, Martin Landau and Helen Mirren bring history to life in the most comprehensive study of the war in the last 30 years.
“Running Mate”: In this election year, on Oct. 1, PBS’ Democracy Project offers a look at how the office of the vice president has changed, both in terms of popular opinion of the post, as well as the duties attached to the office. “Running Mate” features interviews with Bob Dole, Al Gore, Dan Quayle, Walter Mondale, Gerald Ford and Geraldine Ferraro.
“With God on Our Side: The Rise of the Religious Right in America”: (Fridays, Sept. 27-Oct. 18 and Nov. 1-8) examines, in six one-hour documentaries, the lives and conservative politics of prominent Christian Coalition members and the effects of their movement in America.
“Genesis: A Living Conversation with Bill Moyers”: This is an examination of contemporary issues within the context of the first book of the Bible. Mandy Patinkin and Alfre Woodard lend their dramatic talents as storytellers.
“In the Wild”: A spin-off of the “Nature” series, “Wild” returns for its second season with “The Elephants of India with Goldie Hawn,” Oct. 9 and explores the plight of the Asian elephant whose population-once in the millions-has dwindled to fewer than 50,000 animals.
“The New Explorers with Bill Kurtis”: “Manatees: Red Alert” begins the series’ seventh season on Oct. 30. Despite recent successes in increasing the manatee population, the aquatic mammals have started dying-inexplicably-off the coast of southwest Florida. “Mystery of the Ancient Ones” (Nov. 13) tries to unravel the intrigue surrounding the disappearance of the Anasazi people, once thought to have succumbed to disease or the environment. Husband and wife anthropologists Dr. Jonathan Haas of the Field Museum of Chicago and Dr. Winifred Creamer of Northern Illinois University have uncovered evidence that dispels both those theories.
“Nova”: “Einstein Revealed” begins the series’ 23rd season Oct. 1 with a two-hour examination of the personal side of one of the greatest minds of all time. Other “Nova” programs this fall will introduce you to “Three Men and a Balloon” (Oct. 15) as adventurers attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a hot-air balloon and “The Secrets of Making Money” (Oct. 22), featuring the likeness of Ben Franklin on the newly redesigned $100 bill. “Odyssey of Life: A Nova Special” (Nov. 24-26) examines, in microscopic detail, our relationships to every other living thing as Swedish microphotographer Lennart Nilsson shares how he captures on film what the naked eye can’t see.
“Nature”: This program’s 15th season on PBS begins with search for “Sperm Whales: The Real Moby Dick” Oct. 13; looks at “The Crater Lions” in Tanzania Oct. 20; takes you to West Africa to see the “Fangs in the Forest” Nov. 11; revels in “The Joy of Pigs” Nov. 17; and returns to Kenya for “Echo of the Elephants II” Dec. 8.
“Eyewitness”: Martin Sheen returns to narrate this series at 7 p.m. Mondays, in its sophomore season. Some show topics, in a word: “Volcano” (Oct. 14); Ape (Oct. 21); “Seashore” (Nov. 4); “Tree” (Nov. 11); and “Desert” (Nov. 18).
“Mobil Masterpiece Theatre”: The 26th season begins with “Moll Flanders” (Oct. 13-14), an adaptation of Daniel Defoe’s 18th Century novel, and continues the season with “Broken Glass” (Oct. 20), the film adaptation of Arthur Miller’s play set in 1938 Brooklyn during the days following the Kristallnacht in Germany. Mandy Patinkin stars with Elizabeth McGovern. And Jemma Redgrave returns in “Bramwell II” (Sundays, beginning Oct. 27).
“The Americas’ Family Kitchen with Vertamae Grosvenor”: As summer turns to fall and gardens begin to wither towards autumn’s harvest, join Grosvenor for an exploration of Creole cooking (beginning Oct. 4) as a rich cultural cuisine blending European, African and Native American ingredients and techniques.
“Baking with Julia”: Following in her own footsteps with “In Julia’s Kitchen with Master Chefs,” Child returns the kitchen welcoming pastry chefs and bakers from around the country, including Gale Gand, chef at Brasserie Tin in Northfield.
“Jacques Pepin’s Cooking with Claudine”: Master-chef Pepin takes to the kitchen (beginning Oct. 19) with his 28-year-old daughter.
“Debbi Fields’ Great American Desserts”: This latest show from America’s cookie queen debuts Oct. 1.
“A Grand Day Out” and “A Close Shave”: Think Hollywood types are plastic? Academy Award-winning director Nick Park would disagree. The stars of his films, Wallace and Grommit, are wax and clay, thank you very much. They’re also up to more animated antics in a weekend adventure to the moon, and an entrepreneurial effort that turns out to be more than they bargained for.
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of “Westminster Abbey” (Nov. 4) with author Alan Bennett; join National Geographic “Inside the White House” (Nov. 27); and attend “Carnegie Hall Opening Night” (Oct. 21) as “Great Performances” begins its 24th season on PBS.
WYCC-CH. 20
A public television station operated by the City Colleges of Chicago, WYCC-Ch. 20 strives to be educational as well as entertaining. Through the Center for Open Learning of Harold Washington College, WYCC and the City Colleges create “telecourses” whereby students can watch television in lieu of attending lectures, and are required to come into the classroom only for exams. It’s the answer to college education for over 8,400 students annually.
In addition, this year WYCC is proud to present its own array of locally produced programming:
“Educate!”: (7 p.m., Fridays) isn’t just about earning a college degree. The show takes a long, hard look at education on all levels: literacy, bilingual education, funding a college degree, affirmative action and technology in education to name a few.
“Reading Between the Lines”: A TV program about books might seem incongruous, books, but “Reading,” seen exclusively on WYCC (10:30 p.m. Sundays, 6 p.m. Saturdays) will feature authors including Neil Simon and Stephen J. Cannell in the weeks to come, as well as an opportunity for viewers to purchase autographed copies of books featured on the show. A portion of the profits goes to the station.
“First from Chicago”: (7:30 p.m. Fridays, 6 p.m. Sundays) is a who’s who of the Windy City, showcasing people and places that make Chicago Chicago.
“Living Drama”: (Oct. 31) presents excerpts from the four winning plays of The 10th Annual Young Playwrights Festival.
“The Pathfinders”: Follows a group of at-risk, inner-city kids (Oct. 15 and 17), through a program entitled “Ventures in Science,” and shows you what they’ve learned about learning, each other and themselves.
“Reel Time”: Spend some time with Columbia College’s Michael Niederman this fall (7 p.m. Saturdays, 6:30 p.m. Sundays) as he introduces some of Columbia’s up and coming filmmaking students and their work.
“Absolute Artistry”: If you’ve ever stood in a gallery looking at a painting or a sculpture and wondered what inspired the artist, here’s your chance to find out. Hosted by Irma Blanco, “Absolute Artistry” (7 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Sundays) takes viewers to the streets with an independent filmmaker and on board a rocker’s tour bus to see how their lives contribute to their art.
WYIN-CH. 56
While they have the option to air PBS programming eight days after it airs on WTTW, WYIN-Ch. 56, the PBS station for Northwest Indiana, offers its own blend of first-run series, college sports and time-tested favorites.
“Crime Story”: Produced in Great Britain and exclusive to WYIN, this show (9 p.m., Wednesdays) offers viewers a chance to test their crime-solving skills.
“In The Prime”: (7 p.m., Fridays) features the stories of Baby Boomers who are at the top of their game and hitting their strides.
Of course, if you’re a fan of college basketball (and in Indiana, it’s required), WYIN is the place to catch the Big 10’s Purdue and Indiana in action.
If you’re unable to watch “The West” the first time around on Channel 11, you can find it on WYIN in October and fans of “I’ll Fly Away” can catch the drama one last time (its syndication rights are expiring) as it airs at 9 p.m. Sundays.
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For information on enrolling in WYCC telecourses, call the Center for Open Learning at Harold Washington College, 312-553-5970.
