Posted on December 2nd, 2011

PBS Arts From New York at 6 p.m. Sunday presents superstar tenor Andrea Bocelli as he takes on one of the biggest stages of his career for a concert in New York City’s famed Central Park with the New York Philharmonic.

Created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes, Masterpiece Classic “Downton Abbey”at 8:30 p.m. Sunday depicts the lives of the noble Crawley family and the staff who serve them, set at their Edwardian country house in 1912.

My Music: 60s Pop, Rock & Soul at 8:30 p.m. Monday includes pop sounds from Frat Rock to Surf Pop, the British Beats to the Breakthrough Bands, Motown, Soul and Pop classics — with many artists and groups appearing for the first time on the “My Music” stage.

Victor Borge: Comedy in Music! At 10:30 p.m. Monday features Borge’s recently re-discovered funniest and most memorable skits – a truly unparalleled collection not to be missed.

3 Steps To Incredible Health! with Joel Fuhrman, MD at 7 p.m. Tuesday is a sixty-minute pledge program that directly addresses the crisis of obesity and chronic disease plaguing America.

Paul Simon: Live at Webster Hall at 9 p.m. Tuesday features the culmination of a sold out two-month US tour as Paul Simon and his eight-piece band filled the stage at the historic New York City club in June 2011.

Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, documentary film series Prohibition at 7 p.m. Wednesday tells the story of the rise, rule, and fall of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the era it encompassed.

Aretha Franklin Presents: Soul Rewind at 9 p.m. Wednesday presents a comprehensive collection of rare performances by legendary R&B performers of the classic 1960s-70s soul era, offers an abundance of long-lost archival material that has been recovered from film vaults across the United States, England, Germany and France.

Internationally renowned for alluring stage productions and songs of heartwarming inspiration, Celtic Woman: Believe at 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 p.m. Friday reveals a new chapter of musical enchantment by the group of expert singers.

Independent Lens at 9 p.m. Thursday presents “Troop 1500”, the story of a unique Girl Scout troop unites daughters with mothers who have been convicted of serious crimes.

Buddy Holly: Listen To Me at 10 p.m. Thursday presents an intimate, fun, and unforgettable celebration of Buddy Holly’s music and legacy at the Music Box in Los Angeles.

Great Performances at 8 p.m. Friday presents “Jackie Evancho: Dream With Me In Concert”, the solo concert debut of the 10-year-old girl with the extraordinary soprano voice.

In Younger Next Year: The New Science of Aging at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Author Dr. Henry Lodge focusess on the philosophy, science and advice espoused in the Younger Next Year books, as well as new research on the brain.

Folk legend John Sebastian reflects and remembers the very best of The Folk Years at 7 p.m. Saturday with archival footage and new performances by folk legends.

Posted on November 25th, 2011

Nature at 7 p.m. Sunday presents “American Eagle”, an intimate portrait of America’s most recognizable aerial predator as photographed by three-time Emmy-winning cinematographer Neil Rettig.

A reserved curator responsible for the safe and secret storage of priceless paintings in London’s National Gallery soon finds it difficult to keep his low profile, as well as his secret, from the local villagers in ”Framed” on Masterpiece Contemporary at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Britain’s Royal Weddings at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday tells the intimate stories of Britain’s royal weddings, from the Queen Mother through to Princess Margaret, told from the point of view of people who were there.

Secrets of the Dead: Slave Ship Mutiny at 7 p.m. Tuesday tracks the efforts of archaeologists, historians and slave descendents to discover the full story of what happened when the Meermin set sail from Madagascar en route to South Africa.

Frontline at 8 p.m. Tuesday investigates the crash of Continental 3407 in Buffalo, NY, and discovers a dramatically changed airline industry, where regional carriers now account for half of the nation’s daily departures.

Long Distance Warrior at 9 p.m. Tuesday is a compelling film that presents a gripping case study of the kind of vision, determination, and calculated risk-taking it takes to spark real progress. It shows us how we got to the present by taking us back to the past, so we can follow the path of a man who saw the future, and then made it happen. It is, in essence, a classic American success story.

On Unforgettable: The Korean War at 10 p.m. Tuesday, veterans recount their memories of America in the late 1940s and early 1950s, when young men from all over the country were being shipped off to defend South Korea against the advancing Red Army in the north.

Nature at 7 p.m. Wednesday follows an in-depth investigation into the great divide between dogs and cats and just what draws us to these two polarizing pets on “Why We Love Cats and Dogs?”

Fly along with the monarchs butterflies, visiting the spectacular locations they call home and meeting the dangers they encounter along the way as Nova at 8 p.m. Wednesday explores their inspiring struggle for survival in “The Incredible Journey of Butterflies”.

Through A Dog’s Eyes at 9 p.m. Wednesday tells the story of dog trainer Jennifer Arnold, the service dogs she trains and the families whose lives they have changed.

Indie rock supergroup Monsters of Folk. performs songs from its self-titled debut album on Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 10:30 p.m. Friday.

Jim Lehrer joins Evan Smith to talk about his career and his new book: Tension City: Inside the Presidential Debates, from Kennedy-Nixon to Obama-McCain on Overheard with Evan Smith at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The newest episodes of The Daytripper air back-to-back starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday with trips to Fort Worth, Huntsville, Goliad, Bastrop and Spicewood.

PBS Arts From New York at 8 p.m. Friday presents superstar tenor Andrea Bocelli as he takes on one of the biggest stages of his career for a concert in New York City’s famed Central Park with the New York Philharmonic.

Get ideas for plants that make it through both drought and hard freezes on Central Texas Gardener at noon Saturday. On tour, visit a down-sized garden that packs a big punch.

My Music: 60s Pop, Rock & Soul at 7 p.m. Saturday includes pop sounds from Frat Rock to Surf Pop, the British Beats to the Breakthrough Bands, Motown, Soul and Pop classics — with many artists and groups appearing for the first time on the “My Music” stage.

Posted on November 18th, 2011

America In Primetime at 7 pm Sunday presents “The Crusader”, which delves into the increasingly grey area between right and wrong as television heroes confront internal demons while seeking their own forms of justice.

Gaining unprecedented access to the notoriously private film legend, Emmy Award-winner Robert Weide delves into Woody Allen’s life and creative process, from his childhood and early career through to his most recent film on a two part American Masters on Sunday and Monday at 8 pm.

Entertainers Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Garry Shandling, Lily Tomlin, Denis Leary, Joan Rivers, Lewis Black, Richard Belzer and Margaret Cho honor the life and achievements of late comedian George Carlin on George Carlin: The Mark Twain Prize at 9:30 pm Monday.

Secrets of the Dead: Deadliest Battle at 7 pm Tuesday tells the true story of the battle that turned World War II and established the Soviet Union as a world superpower for the looming Cold War.

Nova at 8 pm Wednesday presents Brian Greene’s “The Fabric of the Cosmos.” In the final episode, Greene takes a tour of cutting-edge theories suggesting that our universe may not be the only universe, but may be just one of an infinite number of worlds that make up the multiverse.

Three entrepreneurs offer a glimpse of why Austin is being hailed as the best place in the country to launch a business on Capital of Innovation at 9 pm Wednesday.

The third and final episode of Nova “The Elegant Universe” at 9:30 pm Wednesday shows how in 1995 Edward Witten of Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study, aided by others, revolutionized string theory by successfully uniting the five different versions into a single theory that is cryptically named “M-theory,” a development that required a total of 11 dimensions.

Austin City Limits at 10:30 pm Wednesday and Friday presents highlights from the annual Americana Music Awards ceremony taped at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and includes performances by Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman and Robert Plant.

Author and activist Michael Pollan discusses his career on Overheard with Evan Smith at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Every summer the Austin Lyric Opera organizes “Opera Odyssey”, an opera camp with kids ages 8 to 12. Arts in Context at 7:30 Thursday follows their journey through the creative process which resulted in the original production “The Quarantine.”

Chet Garner heads to Goliad, Texas to visit the location of the famous Goliad Massacre, take a canoe ride, and eat some award winning soup and delicious Tex Mex on this week’s episode of “The Daytripper” at 8:30 pm Thursday.

Independent Lens at 9 pm Thursday presents “Reel Injun”, a documentary that traces the evolution of cinema’s depiction of Native people from the silent film era to today.

PBS Arts from Los Angeles: Il Postino From L.A. Opera at 8 pm Friday features acclaimed Mexican composer Daniel Catan’s opera adaptation of the popular 1994 film Il Postino.

Indie rock supergroup Monsters of Folk. performs songs from its self-titled debut album on Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Posted on November 11th, 2011

America in Primetime at 7 pm Sunday presents “The Misfit”, a celebration of the unique characters who defied comic stereotypes and societal expectations to reflect America’s diverse personalities.

Two ex-lovers meet for lunch at their favorite haunt from years before. Will sparks reignite? Will some other explosion ensue? Emma Thompson (Sense and Sensibility) and Alan Rickman (Harry Potter) star in “The Song of Lunch” on Masterpiece Contemporary at 8 pm Sunday.

Rape of Europa at 9 pm Monday tells the epic and miraculous tale of how Europe’s art treasures survived the systematic theft and deliberate damage perpetrated by the Third Reich during World War II.

Secrets of the Dead: Churchill’s Deadliest Decision at 7 pm Tuesday reveals the darkest side of Britain’s Finest Hour, where Winston Churchill had to make a choice between trusting the promises of the new French government that they would never hand over their ships to Hitler or by destroying them himself.

Nazi Hunt: Elusive Justice at 8 pm Tuesday explores the 65-year effort to identify, prosecute and punish the 20th century’s most notorious murderers of the Nazi regime.

Nature at 7 pm Wednesday presents “My Life As A Turkey”, the story of writer and naturalist Joe Hutto’s rare opportunity to raise wild turkeys from chicks deep in the wilds of Florida.

Nova at 8 pm Wednesday presents “The Fabric of the Cosmos“, where physicist and acclaimed author Brian Greene will take you on a mind-bending reality check and journey to the frontiers of physics to see how scientists are piecing together the most complete picture yet of space, time and the universe. On this week’s episode, Greene brings quantum mechanics to life in a nightclub like no other, where objects pop in and out of existence and things over here can affect others over there, instantaneously without anything crossing the space between them.

On Nova at 9 pm Wednesday, physicist Brian Greene springs the surreal world of string theory to life on the screen on “The Elegant Universe“. In this week’s episode, Greene describes the serendipitous steps that led from a forgotten 200-year-old mathematical formula to the first glimmerings of strings – quivering strands of energy whose different vibrations give rise to quarks, electrons, photons and all other elementary particles.

Songwriting legend Randy Newman takes the stage with a selection of his greatest tunes on Austin City Limits at 10 pm Wednesday and 9:30 pm Friday.

Andy Borowitz, writer and satirist who’s been described as “one of the funniest people in America,” talks about humor on Overheard with Evan Smith at 7 pm Thursday.

Arts in Context at 7:30 pm Thursday explores the remote Texas city of Marfa and looks at what made the Trans-Pecos town nestled near Big Bend National Park the desert destination it is today.

Chet Garner travels to Spicewood, Texas to sip some coffee, swim in Krause Springs, go ziplining through the trees, and eat some delicious BBQ on this week’s episode of The Daytripper at 8:30 pm Thursday.

Independent Lens at 9 pm Thursday presents “We Still Live Here”, which tells the story of the return of the Wampanoag language, the first time a language with no Native speakers has been revived in this country.

PBS Arts From Cleveland: Women Who Rock is a performance documentary that chronicles and celebrates female musicians from early groundbreakers to contemporary powerhouses. The film features the stories of trailblazers like Bessie Smith and Mahalia Jackson, as well as contemporary stars Darlene Love, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Bonnie Raitt, Cyndi Lauper and more.

Author Sharon Lovejoy makes a solar oven out of a pizza box, along with lots of fun garden projects for children and gardeners of all ages on Central Texas Gardener at noon Saturday. On tour, visit the next generation of gardeners at Casis Elementary.

ACL Presents at 7 pm Saturday highlights the annual Americana Music Awards ceremony taped at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and includes performances by Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman and Robert Plant.

Posted on November 4th, 2011

America in Primetime at 7 pm Sunday presents “Man Of The House”, which showcases the evolution of the man of the house on television from the king of his castle in classic family sitcoms to a more intricate, conflicted figure in modern shows.

Masterpiece Contemporary at 8 pm Sunday presents “Page Eight”, the thrilling story of an aging spy who stumbles on an international scandal that could bring down the British government. But will it bring down his own career first?

Blitz: London’s Longest Night at 9 pm Monday follows the events of one night in the Blitz of 1940 when London was subjected to the most ferocious and terrifying attack of the war.

Secrets of the Dead: Japanese SuperSub at 7 pm Tuesday investigates the startling story of Japan’s successful creation of a technological masterpiece – an aircraft carrier submarine.

Women, War & Peace at 9 pm Tuesday presents “War Redefined”, a film that challenges the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain through incisive interviews with leading thinkers, secretaries of state and seasoned survivors of war and peace-making. Geena Davis narrates.

Austin City Limits at 10 pm Wednesday and Friday showcases the best in modern country with Miranda Lambert and Jeff Bridges. The multiple award-winning Lambert performs her greatest hits, followed by actor Bridges in his music television debut.

Evan Smith interviews Bill Keller of The New York Times on Overheard at 7 pm Thursday.

Arts In Context at 7:30 pm Thursday welcomes Austin’s own dynamic composer Graham Reynolds for a two part concert special. We begin with original compositions written by Graham, performed as a triple concerto, followed by an extraordinary performance of Duke Ellington classics with new arrangements.

Chet Garner heads to Smithville, Texas on a road bike from Bastrop State Park to Buescher State Park, eats some BBQ, visit a famous paper doll artists, and travels to an Automotive History Museum on this week’s episode of “The Daytripper” at 8:30 pm Thursday.

POV at 9 pm Thursday presents “Where Soldiers Come From”, a film that follows the four-year journey of childhood friends who join the National Guard after graduating from high school. As it chronicles the young men’s transformation from restless teenagers to soldiers looking for roadside bombs to 23-year-old combat veterans trying to start their lives again, the film offers an intimate look at the young Americans who fight our wars, the families and towns they come from — and the way one faraway conflict changes everything.

PBS Arts From Chicago: American Masters Bill T. Jones at 8 pm Friday presents the blood-sweat-and-tears process of mounting a full-evening dance event inspired by the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, choreographed by the recipient of a prestigious MacArthur “genius” grant and winner of two Tony Awards.

Go nuts with tips for selecting and planting pecan trees on Central Texas Gardener at noon Saturday. On tour, visit a garden that integrates fruit, vegetables, and native plants.

Songwriting legend Randy Newman takes the stage with a selection of his greatest tunes on Austin City Limits at 7 pm Saturday.

Posted on October 28th, 2011

Masterpiece Mystery! at 8 p.m. Sunday presents part three of “Case
Histories”, a brand new, three-part detective series set in
contemporary Edinburgh. Adapted from Kate Atkinson’s best-selling
novels, the program revolves around private investigator Jackson
Brodie, a tough former soldier and policeman who is haunted by a past
family tragedy and struggles to balance his personal and professional
life while coming to the rescue of the bereaved, the lost and the
dysfunctional.

Will Ferrell’s friends, contemporaries and co-stars salute him, from
Christina Applegate, Jack Black and Zach Galifianakis, to Conan
O’Brien, Maya Rudolph and Molly Shannon on Mark Twain Prize at 8 p.m.
Monday. Followed immediately by last year’s Mark Twain Prize
celebration of Tina Fey at 9:30 p.m.

History Detectives at 7 p.m. Tuesday investigates a Civil War
soldier’s letter, fabric from an aircraft that could be linked to
Charles Lindbergh and Igor Sikorsky, and a 1950s comic book Negro
Romance.

If you ask Colombia’s city-dwellers and governing political class,
they’ll tell you the country’s 40-year-old civil war is over. But
Women, War & Peace at 9 p.m. Tuesday presents “The War We Are Living”
reveals the “other” Colombia, in rural areas far away from the
capitol, where the war is all too real — and now the battle is over
gold.

Accompany physicist and acclaimed author Brian Greene on a
mind-bending reality check and journey to the frontiers of physics to
see how scientists are piecing together the most complete picture yet
of space, time and the universe on Nova The Fabric of the Cosmos “What
Is Space?” at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

In the aftermath of the death of probably the most inspirational computer designers and innovators of the 21st century, Steve Jobs: One Last Thing at 9 p.m. Wednesday takes an in-depth look at the life and work of Apple boss, Steve Jobs to examine how and why he revolutionized our world.

Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Friday presents
great American music with the Steve Miller Band and the Preservation
Hall Jazz Band.

Evan Smith talks with author and political analyst Juan Williams on Overheard at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Emerging artists take the spotlight as part of AMOA’s exhibition”New
Art In Austin: 15 to Watch.” Arts In Context at 7:30 p.m. Thursday
features the artist in this exhibit that are stretching the boundaries
of contemporary art.

Chet heads to Huntsville to explore the history of Texas Founder Sam
Houston, visit the Texas Prison Museum, and go SCUBA diving in the
piney woods on The Daytripper at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Independent Lens “Deaf Jam” at 9 p.m. Thursday features a group of New
York City deaf teens as they discover American Sign Language poetry –
eventually stepping into the world of the youth poetry slams with
their hearing peers.

PBS ARTS from the Blue Ridge Mountains at 8 p.m. Friday traces the
history of the banjo from its arrival in the United States from Africa
in the early 1600s to the 21st century, and explores the roots of
American music — the minstrel show, ragtime and early jazz, blues,
old-time, folk, bluegrass and country.

Get ideas for plants that make it through both drought and hard freezes on Central Texas Gardener at noon Saturday. On tour, visit a down-sized garden that packs a big punch.

Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday showcases the best in modern
country with Miranda Lambert and Jeff Bridges. The multiple
award-winning Lambert performs her greatest hits, followed by actor
Bridges in his music television debut.

Posted on October 21st, 2011

Masterpiece Mystery! at 8 p.m. Sunday presents part two of “Case Histories”, a brand new, three-part detective series set in contemporary Edinburgh. Adapted from Kate Atkinson’s best-selling novels, the program revolves around private investigator Jackson Brodie, a tough former soldier and policeman who is haunted by a past family tragedy and struggles to balance his personal and professional life while coming to the rescue of the bereaved, the lost and the dysfunctional.

Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers recalls the beginnings of the cultural revolution of the 1960’s when music emerged as a unifying force midst the hopeful, idealistic and sometimes turbulent, movements of social change on “Carry It On: A Musical Legacy” at 9 p.m. Monday.

History Detectives at 7 p.m. Tuesday investigates a Civil War soldier’s letter, fabric from an aircraft that could be linked to Charles Lindbergh and Igor Sikorsky, and a 1950s comic book Negro Romance.

Women, War & Peace at 9 p.m. Tuesday presents “Peace Unveiled”, the  story of three women in Afghanistan who are risking their lives to make sure that women have a seat at the negotiating table. Tilda Swinton narrates.

East Austin Stories Presents at 10 and 10:30 p.m. Tuesday features short documentaries filmed in the Spring of 2010 by students within the Department of Radio, Television, and Film at the University of Texas at Austin.

Nature at 7 p.m. Wednesday presents “Invasion of the Giant Pythons”, an investigation of how Florida’s Everglades National Park became a haven for the predatory reptiles.

Nova at 8 p.m. Wednesday attempts to unravel more mysteries from Otzi the Iceman, the famous mummified corpse pulled from a glacier in the Italian Alps nearly two decades ago on “Iceman Murder Mystery”.

Secrets of the Dead at 9 p.m. Wednesday paints a new picture of the violent relations between the Aztecs and the Conquistadors and rewrites much of what we thought we knew about the Aztec civilization on “Aztec Massacre”.

The Decemberists and Gillian Welch showcase the best in contemporary songwriting on Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9:30 p.m.
Friday.

Evan Smith interviews Andrew Card at 7 p.m. Thursday on Overheard with Evan Smith.

Discover the personal history and unique art of Dia de los Muertos through the stories of San Antonio artists who capture this rich cultural heritage on Arts in Context at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Chet heads to “cowtown” to visit the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, take a horseback ride, visit their art museums, and attend the Stockyards Rodeo on The Daytripper at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Independent Lens at 9 p.m. Thursday presents “Lives Worth Living”, the story of Fred Fay’s struggle to survive after a spinal cord injury and the small group of dedicated activists who formed the Disability Rights Movement to drive the nation towards equal rights.

PBS Arts from Miami presents spotlights one of America’s finest regional ballet companies, Edward Villella’s Miami City Ballet, and showcases several of their critically acclaimed performances at 8 p.m. Friday.

Garden designer Patrick Kirwin creates a new look in lawns with drought-hardy diversity on Central Texas Gardener at noon Saturday. On tour, visit East Side Patch, where discovery replaced lawn.

Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday presents great American music with the Steve Miller Band and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Posted on October 14th, 2011

Crow experts from around the world sing their praises and present us with captivating new footage of crows as we have never seen them before on Nature at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Masterpiece Mystery! at 8 p.m. Sunday presents part one of “Case Histories,” a brand new, three-part detective series set in contemporary Edinburgh. Adapted from Kate Atkinson’s best-selling novels, the program revolves around private investigator Jackson Brodie, a tough former soldier and policeman who is haunted by a past family tragedy and struggles to balance his personal and professional life while coming to the rescue of the bereaved, the lost and the dysfunctional.

Wes Cowan investigates a raid on the federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Eduardo Pagan wonders why U.S. troops were in Siberia during World War I and Elyse Luray sizes up a Ronald McDonald costume on History Detectives at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Women, War & Peace at 9 p.m. Tuesday presents “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” is the story of the Liberian women who took on the warlords and regime of dictator Charles Taylor in the midst of a brutal civil war, and won a once unimaginable peace for their shattered country in 2003.

Filmmakers and scientists set out to document the lives of the packs of wolves and other wildlife thriving in the “dead zone” that still surrounds the remains of Chernobyl on Nature at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Nova “Finding Life Beyond Earth” at 8 p.m. Wednesday immerses audiences in the sights and sounds of alien worlds, while top astrobiologists explain how these places are changing how we think about the potential for life in our solar system.

Georgian jam band Widespread Panic celebrates its 25th anniversary with songs spanning across their career on Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

The Jazz genre is experiencing a revival in Austin and In Context Presents: Jazz in Austin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday goes behind-the-scenes to explore local talent. Performances include the stalwart of the Austin jazz scene–pianist James Polk, vocalist Pam Hart, Continental Graffiti and more in this one hour special from KLRU-TV, Austin PBS.

Join Chet Garner as he travels to Lockhart, Texas to conquer all four of the local Que joints in the BBQ capitol of Texas on The Daytripper at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Independent Lens at 9 p.m. Thursday presents “Donor Unknown”, the story of a women who goes in search of her sperm donor father. Following is “All About Me”, an exploration of family secrets, the power of genetic relationships and the impact of discovering your dad is, in fact, a sperm donor.

PBS Arts From Seattle at 8 p.m. Friday celebrates rock band Pearl Jam’s 20-year history with “American Masters: Pearl Jam.” As told by award-winning director and music journalist Cameron Crowe, the film is a definitive portrait of the groundbreaking band carved from never-before-seen archival footage and many hours of recently shot interviews and live performances. Followed Pearl Jam’s performance on Austin City Limits at 10:30 p.m.

The Decemberists and Gillian Welch showcase the best in contemporary songwriting on Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday

Posted on October 7th, 2011

Through DNA analysis and other research, Nature at 7 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday chronicles the evolution of dogs and how they infiltrated human society on part two of “Dogs That Changed The World”.

On Masterpiece Mystery! at 8 p.m. Sunday, Kevin Whately returns as Inspector Lewis for the fourth season of the detective series “Inspector Lewis”.

“The War of 1812″ at 8 p.m. Monday explores this significant event from divergent points of view. Leading historians, battle re-enactors and historic images help bring this defining conflict to life.

Las Misiones the Missions of Texas at 10 p.m. Monday is a visual celebration of the structures as historic monuments, religious symbols, and important centers of community and fellowship.

On History Detectives at 7 p.m. Tuesday, a one-of-a-kind photograph poses a jarring question: Is the African American wearing a Confederate uniform slave or free? And, did Hollywood treat the Native Americans listed in this payment ledger fairly?

Women, War & Peace at 9 p.m. Tuesday presents “I Came to Testify”, the moving story of how a group of 16 women who had been imprisoned and raped by Serb-led forces in the Bosnian town of Foca broke history’s great silence and stepped forward to take the witness stand in an international court of law.

Nova at 8 p.m. Wednesday investigates new discoveries in genetics that are illuminating the origin of dogs and revealing implications for the evolution of human culture on “Dogs Decoded”.

Ferrets: The Pursuit of Excellence at 9 p.m. Wednesday documents Ohio’s annual Ferret Buckeye Bash, the largest and most popular ferret show in the country.

R&B grooves the ACL stage with Raphael Saadiq and Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears on Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Overheard with Evan Smith at 7 p.m. Thursday features John Heilemann, a sharp observer of U.S .politics who always seems to have a piece of inside knowledge and a surprising new scoop.

Austin’s spoken word performers take center stage as part of KLRU’s focus on the arts on Arts In Context Spoken 4 All at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Live from Lincoln Center joins Jazz at Lincoln Center for Wynton Marsalis’ 50th birthday celebration at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Join Chet Garner as he travels to Canyon Lake, Texas to explore the Natural Bridge Caverns, ride through the Wildlife Ranch, and take a dip in the lake on The Daytripper at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Independent Lens at 9 p.m. Thursday presents “Wham! Bam! Islam!”: When a Kuwaiti psychologist launches a comic series with 99 superheroes based on the 99 virtues of Allah, he runs up against suspicion from Muslims and the harsh realities of the global marketplace.

PBS Arts from Minnesota presents a new production of the beloved Gilbert and Sullivan classic from the Guthrie Theater at 8 p.m. Friday. Infused with fresh musical arrangements of Sullivan’s memorable melodies — ranging from big band swing to classic pop — H. M.S. Pinafore is pure joy and sensational entertainment for everyone!

Georgian jam band Widespread Panic celebrates its 25th anniversary with songs spanning across their career on Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Posted on September 30th, 2011

Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, the three-part documentary series Prohibition at 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday tells the story of the rise, rule, and fall of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the era it encompassed.

Part one of Prohibition on Sunday at 7 and 9 p.m, A Nation of Drunkards, depicts the rise of the temperance campaign following the end of the Civil War, which proves to be both celebratory for prohibitionists as well as dissatisfying in regards to enforcing the 18th Amendment.

Part two of Prohibition on Monday at 7 and 9 p.m. tells the story of the rise, rule, and fall of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the era it encompassed. Part two of the series, A Nation of Scofflaws, examines the problems of enforcing Prohibition laws in 1920, as millions of law-abiding Americans become lawbreakers overnight.

Part three of Prohibition on Tuesday at 7 and 9 p.m., tells the story of the rise, rule, and fall of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the era it encompassed. Part three of the series, A Nation of Hypocrites, examines the diminishing support for Prohibition in the mid-1920s as the playfulness of sneaking around for a drink gives way to disenchantment with its glaring unintended consequences.

Through DNA analysis and other research, Nature at 7 p.m. Wednesday chronicles the evolution of dogs and how they infiltrated human society on part one of “Dogs That Changed The World”.

Nova at 8 p.m. Wednesday attempts to answer the question: How did medieval builders reach such spectacular heights? Nova’s team of scientists reveals the hidden formulas, drawn from the pages of the Bible itself, that drove medieval builders ever upward on “Building The Great Cathedrals”.

Nova at 9 p.m. Wednesday presents “Quest for Solomon’s Mines”, an investigation of the illuminated legend King Solomon that reveals the source of the great wealth that powered the first mighty Biblical kingdoms.

Contemporary folk rock takes the stage with Mumford & Sons and Flogging Molly on Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Friday.

Joe Klein, who covers national and international politics in his award-winning “In the Area” column for TIME, talks to Evan Smith on Overheard at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Bion Tsang and Anton Nel perform selections from their CD collaboration Brahms Cello Sonatas and Four Hungarian Dances on Arts In Context at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

From landscape photography to performance theater Western Perspective at 8 p.m. Thursday takes a journey to the creative side of West Texas.

Join Chet Garner as he travels to Brenham, Texas to experience the home of Blue Bell Ice Cream, a 100 dollar hamburger, and a bike ride around Lake Sommerville on The Daytripper at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

R&B grooves the ACL stage with Raphael Saadiq and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears on Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday.