Through emotional testimony and archival footage, “Struggles in Steel: A Story of African-American Steelworkers” will tell the story of the 100-year struggle of these workers. The documentary, which airs at 11 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2 on WTTW-Ch. 11, documents a fight on two fronts: against steel companies and the unions–culminating in a victory just before the industry’s collapse.
The show will contribute to the ongoing debate over the need for affirmative action, and the interrelated issues of race, labor and civil rights.
– Frank Sinatra has been named the winner of the 25th award of merit in this year’s American Music Awards, which will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26., on ABC. In addition to this award, 20 others will comprise the special, which acknowledges the record-buying public’s favorites in pop/rock, soul/rhythm, soundtrack, adult contemporary, etc. Drew Carey will host.
– CNBC for the first time will air a movie in prime time: “Barbarians at the Gate,” at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. But the station will do more than run the film–starring James Garner– the true story of former R.J.R. Nabisco CEO F. Ross Johnson’s bid for a leveraged buyout of the successful company.
Geraldo Rivera will be on hand as host to make this a three-hour presentation including interviews and analysis of the “deal of the century,” including a look at the key players and their lives, then and now. The authors of the book on which the movie was based, Bryan Burrough and John Helyar, will join in the discussion.
– Nickelodeon’s “Figure It Out” is holding contestant auditions at its new store in Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Kids should arrive at 11 a.m. with a parent or guardian. Auditions are first come, first served. A pre-screening process will be followed by selected children being videotaped demonstrating their special talents.
– Need some insight into your teen’s life outside the home? At 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, CBS will explore how students, and their parents, survive sophomore year of high school in “True of False: Teenagers Mean Trouble.” This is the fifth in a series of CBS News Class of 2000 specials.
– “The Love Letter” is the next Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation. It will air at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, on CBS, and stars Jennifer Jason Leigh (“Dolores Claiborne,” “Short Cuts”) and Campbell Scott (“Big Night,” “Singles”) as two young people whose love for one another transcends the barrier of time. How’s that?
Current-day Scott discovers a love letter in an antique desk and, responding to the letter with vintage ink, pen, stamps and a Civil War-era post office, magically opens communication with Lizzie Whitcomb (Leigh), a woman who lives 134 years in the past.
This is the 195th Hallmark presentation.
– “Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?” will be released by Winstar Home Entertainment on Feb. 24. The 90-minute video, retailing for $19.98, will look at the comic best known for his shrill scream and outrageous humor. Kinison died in a car accident in 1992.
