DISCOVERY TO COVER THE ANDES FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
It is the site of half the world’s earthquakes and harbors the richest and most diverse cross-section of creatures and ecosystems on the planet. It is the Andes, and the Discovery Channel will air a three-part series on this mountain system that stretches 4,700 miles across South America and rises to more than 23,000 feet.
The three one-hour episodes will run consecutively beginning at 7 p.m. Jan. 12, with “The Untamed Mountains,” followed by “Along the Mighty Peaks” at 8 p.m. and “Life in the Sky” at 9 p.m.
Included will be places seldom visited by humans: descending into the mouths of active volcanoes; diving to the depths of the Andes Trench, where frigid waters from the Antarctic are carried north to the Galapagos; and climbing more than two miles above sea level to algae-rich salt plains populated by rare and beautiful flamingoes.
– In other documentary programming this month, WTTW-Ch. 11 will air the five-part “A Science Odyssey” beginning at 8 p.m. Jan. 11. This series will chronicle 20th Century scientific adventure with host Charles Osgood covering 100 years of discovery with historical footage, interviews and animation.
The first episode, “Matters of Life and Death,” investigates breakthroughs in surgery, vaccines, drugs and medical technology. Parts 2 through 5 will air at 8 p.m. Jan. 12 through 15.
– “Game Brain,” the official PlayStation strategy guide, is a new 90-minute videotape released just in time after the holidays to help players dissect some games from start to finish, including tricks to survive. It covers the games Armored Core, Blasto, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Fighting Force, Final Fantasy VII, NFL GameDay ’98, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, Tomb Raider 2 and Treasures of the Deep.
– HBO has renewed the comedy series “Arli$$” for a third season of 13 episodes. The new season, with the “ethically challenged” sports superagent Arliss Michaels, starts this summer.
– WBEZ-FM 91.5 will air its ninth year of the “Chicago Matters” series in April and May. The annual eight-week public information show, in collaboration with WTTW-Ch. 11, the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Reporter, will present two months of programming that explores the ever-changing region, its connections and conflicts, and the people and events that bring individuals together and tear them apart. This year’s working title is “Greater Chicago Matters: A Sense of Community.”
– With the clocks in Nagano, Japan, set 14 hours ahead of New York, CBS Sports will be able to broadcast the 1998 Olympic Winter Games–Feb. 6 through Feb. 22–live during prime time and late night hours. Broadcasts begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 with live coverage of the Opening Ceremony.
– The cable stations Starz! and Encore and their affiliates will celebrate Black History Month with special programs throughout February. They will showcase movies of great black actors, in a double-feature format, every night in prime time Feb. 16-20.
Movies include “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” and “Talkin’ Dirty After Dark” (Martin Lawrence), “The Associate” (Whoopi Goldberg), “The Nutty Professor” (Eddie Murphy), “Crooklyn” (Alfre Woodard), “Uptown Saturday Night” (Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, Harry Belafonte) and “Celtic Pride” (Damon Wayans).
– The American press and military frequently have differing views on what should be fair game for reporters. Over the past 50 years the two sides have engaged in many heated disputes.
At 9 p.m. Jan. 9, on A&E Mike Wallace will review this relationship with the documentary “Uneasy Partners: The Press and the Military.” Those interviewed include Walter Cronkite, Morley Safer, Dan Rather, Andy Rooney, Gen. George Crist and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf.
