Best Bets

Amelia Earhart


American Experience


Monday, Mar 22 at 9 p.m.


Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and the first to cross the North American continent alone. Her exploits as an aviator, her beauty and intelligence, her independence and charm made her a national heroine. Seemingly invincible, Earhart tirelessly traveled and lectured, a champion of aviation and equal opportunity for women. But her cheering public didn't know the cost of her courage. The record-breaking flights, the aerial exhibitions and races, the interviews to support her favorite causes, the endless speeches and promotional commitments, together with household responsibilities, health problems and financial worries, combined to push Earhart to the point of exhaustion. In 1937, she set out to accomplish yet another first: to circle the earth along the equator on an east-west flight. Friends warned that her preparations were hurried, even careless. When her plane disappeared without a trace, the “First Lady of the Air” was instantly transformed into an American legend.

For more information visit the Amelia Earhart Web site.

American Masters


I.M. Pei: Building China Modern


Wednesday, Mar 31 at 10 p.m.


Noted architect I.M. Pei, who left his native China in the 1930s, was invited to design a modern museum to house the antiquities of Suzhou, where he grew up. This film follows his seven-and-a-half-year personal and architectural journey from west to east, a literal coming home — a realization of Pei’s lifelong dream, but also his biggest challenge and a work that he defines as “my biography.” The program includes commentary from local residents, design specialists, Suzhou officials and a stellar array of architects, designers and scholars commenting on Pei’s life and work.

For more information visit the I.M. Pei China Modern Web page.

American public declares PBS most trustworthy institution in the country



For the seventh consecutive year, the American public has declared PBS the most trustworthy institution in the country. This annual national survey was conducted by the non-partisan, international research company GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media in 2009.
The report captures the results of an opinion survey that included 1,000 participants across the country and measured how American adults ages 25 to 75 rated PBS in comparison with other public institutions, including television broadcast and cable networks.

Learn more about the PBS line-up of public affairs programming:
Bill Moyers Journal | Fridays at 9 p.m.
PBS NewsHour | Monday-Friday at 6 p.m.
Frontline | Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
Charlie Rose | Monday-Friday at 1 p.m.
Nightly Business Report | Monday-Friday at 5:30 p.m.

André Rieu Live in Dresden


Wedding at the Opera


Sunday, Mar 21 at 3 p.m.


Recorded at Dresden’s Semper Opera House in 2008, this musical confection from André Rieu is both a concert and a real wedding party in one of the world’s most beautiful opera houses. The charming bride and groom, part of the famous “Vienna Debutantes,” are joined by 40 pairs of dancers from the Elmayer Dance School in Vienna, as well as sopranos Mirusia Louwerse and Carmen Monarcha, the Platinum Tenors, baritone Morschi Franz and the Johann Strauss Orchestra and Choir.

Find out about special gifts for Friends of Eight.

Antiques Roadshow


Mondays at 8 p.m.


Specialists from the country's leading auction houses and independent dealers from across the nation travel throughout the United States offering free appraisals of antiques and collectibles. Antiques Roadshow cameras watch as owners recount tales of family heirlooms, yard sale bargains and long-neglected items salvaged from attics and basements, while experts reveal the fascinating truths about these finds.

To learn more, visit the Antiques Roadshow Web site.

Apollo Wives


Wednesday, Mar 31 at 8 p.m.


The names of the Apollo astronauts are well-known, their actions and achievements are well-documented, but what of the women they spent their lives with – the wives forced to stand in the shadow of the moon? This fascinating documentary looks in detail at precisely what it meant to be an Apollo wife, what was required of them by their husbands, by NASA and by the media. In painfully honest interviews, the wives open up about the difficulties of presenting to the world a perfect image of the American Dream; the relentless media intrusion in their lives; the difficulties they had to experience bringing up their children alone and often in great poverty while their husbands were away; and the methods they employed to cope with the very real possibility that the men they loved may not return alive.
For the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Moon Landing, ten of them came together in Scottsdale, Arizona for a remarkable meeting of the minds. Together they reminisce about events long ago, reveal their own personal stories and how the ‘space age’ brought them together, and tore them apart.


Arizona Stories


Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.


Arizona Stories captures the legends and history of Arizona as never before. March features include:

Navajo Code Talkers, Yuma Territorial Prison, Kartchner Caverns, Glen Canyon Dam, Phoenix Madison Square Garden.

For more history and legends, visit the Arizona Stories Web site.

Ask a College Expert


An Eight/KAET Production


Wednesday, Mar 3 at 7:30 p.m.


For students about to embark on a college education, the process can seem overwhelming. The new Eight production, Ask a College Expert, will provide information about a variety of concerns, including selecting a college and a major, how to apply, and options for financial aid.
Viewers can call 1-888-329-7088 between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3 to ask an expert specific questions. Guests include:
Carey Burnand,
Instructional Leader, Counseling Department,
Alhambra High School;
Frederick Corey,
Dean, University College,
Arizona State University;
Craig Fennell,
Director, Student Financial Assistance,
Arizona State University

The entire program will also be available online at http://www.azpbs.org/college

British Comedies


Saturdays from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.


Saturday line-up of British comedies:
8 p.m. - Keeping Up Appearances
8:30 p.m. - As Time Goes By
9 p.m. - Last of the Summer Wine
The longest-running Britcom of all time.
9:30 p.m. - Waiting for God

To learn more about British Comedies and other BBC programs, visit the BBC Web site.

Celtic Thunder:


It's Entertainment


Monday, Mar 8 at 7 p.m.


Celtic Thunder, a group of five Celtic male vocalists, undertakes a musical review that spans six decades and will delight and enthrall audiences, whether through the nostalgia of classics such as “Standing on the Corner” or the band’s unique take on contemporary numbers such as Michael Bublé’s “Home” or U2’s “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

Celtic Woman


Songs from the Heart


Sunday, Mar 7 at Noon


This special was recorded in Enniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland, at the historic Powerscourt House and Gardens, the 13th-century castle and surrounding 47-acre estate. The breathtaking gardens, based on those at the Palace of Versailles, were an ideal location for the five women who compose Celtic Woman: vocalists Lisa Kelly, Chloe Agnew, Lynn Hilary and Alex Sharpe and violinist Mairead Nesbitt. The program ranges from Celtic pieces to Irish classics and original compositions.

Change Your Brain, Change Your Body


Sunday, Mar 21 at 5 p.m.


Dr. Daniel Amen explains his 10 simple steps that will improve the health of your brain, and your overall health.

Find out about special gifts for Friends of Eight.

Charlie Rose


Monday-Friday at 1 p.m.


Acclaimed interviewer and broadcast journalist Charlie Rose, engages America's best thinkers, writers, politicians, athletes, entertainers, business leaders, scientists and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and roundtable discussions five times a week.
Charlie Rose Web site.

Chet Atkins


Certified Guitar Player


Friday, Mar 19 at 10 p.m.


On May 15, 1987, a group of A-list musicians, including Mark Knopfler, the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, gathered to celebrate the enormous influence of guitarist Chet Atkins on their lives and careers. Their performances, along with those of Atkins, were taped at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, just blocks away from Music Row, the two streets Atkins made famous with his virtuoso guitar playing and visionary producing.

Craft Beer:


The New Wine


Monday, Mar 8 at 8:30 p.m.


Aging techniques, recommended food pairings, closely guarded formulas – these qualities are no longer reserved for the finest wines. They are now commonly used in reference to beer. The growing craft (or micro) breweries have revolutionalized the industry.
The trend is especially evident in Arizona. In this latest edition of Craft Beer, The New Wine, Eight travels to cities around the state to showcase brewers in Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Oak Creek, Sedona and Prescott.
Eight takes viewers behind the scenes for a look at the intricate brewing process and to hear from members of the Arizona Craft Brewing Guild as they discuss the growth and impact of craft brewers are having on the economy and beer industry in our state.

Find out about tickets to Eight's 2nd Annual Craft Beer Festival on May 1 at Lath House in downtown Phoenix.

Curious George


Monday - Friday at 9 a.m. and Sundays 8 a.m.


Since 1941, children have delighted in the (mis-)adventures of Curious George in the best-selling book series. Now, Curious George swings on to television.

The series is designed to inspire preschool-aged kids (three to five) to explore science, math and engineering in the world around them in a fun and entertaining way.

Play games, watch video and find activities at the Curious George Web site.

Dinosaur Train


Monday-Friday at 10:30 a.m., Sundays at 9:30 a.m.


Meet Buddy, a preschool age Tyrannosaurus Rex and star of Dinosaur Train. The new animated children’s series, from the Jim Henson Company, encourages basic scientific thinking and skills with lessons about natural science, natural history and paleontology.

Visit the interactive Dinosaur Train Web site.

Ed Slott’s Stay Rich for Life


Sunday, Mar 21 at 10 p.m.


The tax advisor and personal finance author offers his step-by-step solution to create, manage and keep family wealth for anyone who wants to retire on their own terms despite America’s fiscal crisis.

Ed Sullivan’s Rock and Roll Classics:


The Sixties


Tuesday, Mar 16 at 7 p.m.


From the late 1940s ’til the early 1970s, millions of viewers of all ages saw great musical acts each Sunday night on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” This installment in the MY MUSIC series presents classic song performances from 1963-1968. From the Beatles’ American television debut to the Doors’ infamous one-time-only appearance to the Rolling Stones, Sly and the Family Stone, the Mamas and the Papas and more, the special focuses exclusively on full-length music performances — no plate spinners or dancing elephants — that evoke the spirit of that decade’s youth movement.

Find out about special gifts for Friends of Eight.

Eight Cooks


P is for Pie


Saturday, Mar 6 at noon


When we sent out the call for pie recipes, they arrived from all over the state for fruit pies, cheese pies, custard pies, pumpkin pies, pot pies, all kinds of pies. A few of the viewers who shared their recipes will join host Barbara Fenzl in Eight’s new studio kitchen to prepare their favorites. The Eight Cooks: P is for Pie Cookbook, with more than 100 recipes, will be available during the broadcast.

Find out about Eight Cooks cookbooks.

Faces of America


Know Thyself


Wednesday, Mar 3 at 8 p.m.


Episode four takes up the ancestor search where the historical record leaves off and links the guests’ distinctive family histories to the broader history of “the family of man.” Combining the documented stories of some of the guests’ last known ancestors with DNA evidence, the series travels backward through time to reveal both distant relatives and surprising shared ancestral connections. Elizabeth Alexander learns that she is a direct descendant of Charlemagne and that her paternal roots are not only European, but Jewish. Meryl Streep and Mike Nichols discover that they are distant cousins, as do Yo-Yo Ma and Eva Longoria. Interwoven with these stories and others is the journey of the host, Henry Louis Gates, as he, his father and brother undertake a historic project to have their entire genomes mapped, thereby learning everything they possibly can about their own family. This episode offers a compelling and thought-provoking meditation on the importance of ancestry, the meaning of family and the role of both in creating identity.

For more information visit the Faces of America Web site.

Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman


Monday-Friday at 5 p.m.


Part game show, part reality TV, and part spoof, Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman features real kids, real challenges, real science, and an unreal animated host - a dog named Ruff Ruffman. The series mixes live-action with animation, and breaks the mold with its educational and comical take on America's newest television genre. Targeting six- to ten-year-olds, the series is spontaneous, unscripted, and full of surprises.

Find out more. Visit the Fetch! Web site.

Frontline


The Suicide Tourist


Tuesday, Mar 2 at 9 p.m.


Do we have the right to end our lives if life itself becomes unbearable, or when we enter the late-stages of painful, terminal illness? The questions, debated for centuries, have only grown more pressing in recent years as medical technology has allowed us to live longer lives, and several U.S. states have legalized physician-assisted suicide. With unique access to Dignitas, the Swiss non-profit that has helped more than a thousand people die since 1998, Academy Award-winning filmmaker John Zaritsky offers a revealing look at a couple facing the most difficult decision of their lives — and lets us see for ourselves as one Chicago native makes the trip to Switzerland for what will become the last day of his life.

For more information visit the Frontline Web site.

Great Performances


Dance in America: NY Export: Opus Jazz


Wednesday, Mar 24 at 8 p.m.


A “ballet in sneakers” choreographed by the legendary Jerome Robbins in 1958, NY Export: Opus Jazz was a breakout success in its day, complete with a world tour and a broadcast on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Set to an evocative jazz score by Robert Prince with original abstract urban sets designed by Ben Shahn, the five movements blend ballet, jazz and ballroom with Latin, African and American rhythms to create a style that remains expressive, sensual and contemporary. Yet Opus Jazz has been infrequently performed by ballet companies since its debut and never adapted for film. Co-conceived and produced by New York City Ballet principal dancers Ellen Bar and Sean Suozzi, this new film production takes the overlooked Robbins’ masterpiece off the stage and places it into the landscapes that inspired it, filmed on locations all over the five boroughs of New York City. The 16 emblematic characters are city kids drawn together by their youth, their energy and their hunger for life, but this Opus Jazz takes them out of the 50s and into today; although fashions and skylines change, the experience of being young in New York belongs to every generation. Completing the program will be background material on the original Robbins production, as well as interviews with the cast and creators on the process of recreating the work for a new era.

For more information visit the Opus Jazz Web site.

Great Performances at the Met


Les Contes d’Hoffmann


Wednesday, Mar 24 at 9 p.m.


Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher (Lincoln Center Theater’s South Pacific) directs this new production, returning after the triumph of his Met Barber of Seville. Jacques Offenbach’s fictionalized take on the life and loves of the German Romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann is a fascinating psychological journey. Met music director James Levine conducts Joseph Calleja in the tour-de-force title role. Anna Netrebko is the tragic Antonia and Alan Held sings the demonic four villains. Recorded on December 19, 2009.

HORIZON


Monday-Friday at 7 p.m.


HORIZON, KAET's award-winning public affairs program, explores issues in-depth using a combination of pre-taped reports and in-studio discussion. Viewers rely on HORIZON for balanced coverage of politics, the economy, the environment, education, health care and other issues that impact the lives of Arizona residents. Each Friday, journalists from across the state discuss the week's top stories.

Get the mug with your donation of $60.

For updated descriptions of HORIZON programs, visit the HORIZON Web site.

HORIZONTE


Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.


HORIZONTE, Eight/KAET's weekly prime-time public affairs program, provides a forum for Hispanic perspectives and helps educate all audiences about issues of particular interest to our Latino community. This Eight production is hosted by Jose Cardenas, senior vice president and general counsel of Arizona State University." HORIZONTE is a reflection of a growing influence that Hispanics are having on the state," Cardenas said.

For updated descriptions of HORIZONTE programs, visit the HORIZONTE Web site.

Independent Lens


The Eyes of Me


Tuesday, Mar 2 at 10 p.m.


This is an up-close look at four teens who have lost their sight. The film follows their struggles to fit in, prepare for college and live independently. It’s an extraordinary peek into the world of blind teenagers, where crossing an intersection, cooking a meal or navigating unfamiliar areas can be a challenge that sighted viewers never consider. By Keith Maitland.

For more information visit The Eyes of Me Web site.

Independent Lens


Lost Souls (Animals Perdidas)


Tuesday, Mar 23 at 10 p.m.


In 1999, filmmaker Monika Navarro’s uncles were deported from the United States to Mexico, forced to leave the only country they knew and, as servicemen, had pledged to protect. Set against the backdrop of increased attention to the U.S.-Mexican border, “Lost Souls” explores national identity, the lives of immigrants and what happens after deportees are sent to a homeland they no longer consider home. By Monika Navarro.

For more information visit the Lost Souls Web site.

Independent Lens


Whatever It Takes


Tuesday, Mar 30 at 10 p.m.


This film chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the first year of the Bronx Center for Science & Mathematics, an innovative public high school in New York City’s South Bronx. This deeply emotional, character-driven documentary focuses on the school’s dynamic rookie principal and a spunky ninth-grade girl with big dreams but even bigger obstacles. The personal stories of the school’s students and staff call to mind larger themes of school reform and the need for educators, parents and policy makers to prioritize the transformation of the public school system so that all children can receive a quality education. Grittily realistic, yet ultimately triumphant, “Whatever It Takes” paints a compelling picture of cutting-edge ideas and dedicated individuals, united in their vision to restore hope to a broken community. By Christopher Wong.

For more information visit the Whatever It Takes Web site.

Jillian Michaels


Master Your Metabolism


Saturday, Mar 6 at 4 p.m.


The trainer from The Biggest Loser series offers her easy-to-use information and inspiration including smart strategies for eating out, quick and easy recipes, key shopping lists and more

Find out about special gifts for Friends of Eight.

Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra


Thursday, Mar 11 at 7 p.m.


Eighteen-time Grammy winner and popular polka impresario Jimmy Sturr and his top-rated orchestra perform a variety of rollicking polka favorites in this lively new HD special, taped at the most recent Polkapalooza Festival in Canada. The reigning “King of Polka Music” has garnered more consecutive Grammy nominations than anyone in Grammy history.

John Gray:


Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice


Tuesday, Mar 9 at 7 p.m.


John Gray, Ph.D., the bestselling relationship author of all time, returns with an illuminating new special based on his upcoming 17th book, Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice. Explaining how men and women can make small lifestyle shifts, Gray introduces natural “super-oxytocin producers” – super-foods, super-exercise and super-sleep – that boost love and romance while supporting physical well-being.


Last of the Summer Wine


Saturdays at 9 p.m.


The longest-running Britcom of all time, the series depicts the twilight years of a trio of oddly philosophizing, whimsical old duffers in Yorkshire who return to a carefree second childhood. They get up to all sorts of mischief and are determined to fulfill ambitions for which younger men would have already considered themselves too old.
Eight/KAET-TV is the first television station in the country to air the series from the very first episode.

Martha Speaks


Monday-Friday at 11:30 a.m.


What would happen if your dog suddenly was able to talk?
Would your pet be anything like Martha, the charming canine with an appetite for life who made her PBS KIDS debut last fall?
Martha Speaks is the new animated series from the WGBH creators of Curious George and Arthur.
The series stars Martha, a beloved family dog, who accidentally is fed alphabet soup that gives her the power of human speech and the chance to speak her mind to anyone who will listen.

Learn more. Visit the Martha Speaks Web site.

Masterpiece Classic


Sharpe’s Challenge


Sunday, Mar 28 at 9 p.m.


In 1817, soldier-adventurer Richard Sharpe comes out of retirement to quash a rebellion in British India and rescue his old friend Patrick Harper. Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings) returns as the swashbuckling hero of this long-running series, based on the best-selling novels of Bernard Cornwell, with Daragh O’Malley as Harper. The duo’s exploits put them at the center of a blood-thirsty insurgency, led by a psychopathic former English officer. “Top Chef” Padma Lakshmi guest stars as Madhuvanthi, a beautiful schemer who is out to seduce Sharpe.

For more information visit the Masterpiece Classic Web site.

Maya & Miguel


Monday-Friday at 3 p.m.


Irrepressible twins Maya and Miguel Santos, their loving family and their bilingual pet parrot, Paco, unveil their vibrant and uproariously funny world. Their daily escapades will keep kids laughing from the bottom of their hearts.

To learn more about Maya & Miguel, visit the PBS Kids Go! Web site.

My Music


My Generation - The 60s


Friday, Mar 5 at 10 p.m.


The latest production in the My Music series focuses on the years 1965-1969 and includes essential 60s folk rock, R&B and pop hits from the decade of change, peace, love and protest music.

Nature


Clever Monkeys


Sunday, Mar 28 at 8 p.m.


Love, language, guilt, envy, generosity, secrets, lies and sophisticated society are not unique to humans. We share those complex traits with our relatives — the monkeys. Following along as the babies of two different species are reared, viewers learn how and what monkeys teach their young. Monkeys around the world rely on that knowledge to adapt to the remarkable variety of environments they now call home. Who are the cleverest monkeys? And how much of human experience do they really share?

For more information visit the Clever Monkeys Web site.

Nightly Business Report


Monday - Friday at 5:30 p.m.


Nightly Business Report is America's number-one daily business news program. The program, the most-watched and longest-running daily evening business news program on broadcast television, is seen by more than one million viewers every weeknight. Anchored by Tom Hudson in Miami and Susie Gharib in New York, NBR combines fast-breaking business and economic news, extensive financial market coverage and mutual fund reports, exclusive CEO interviews, and commentaries by such noted economists as Charles Schultze, Barbara Hackman Franklin and Adam Smith.

For additional information about this program, visit the Nightly Business Report Web site

Nova


The Pluto Files


Tuesday, Mar 2 at 8 p.m.


Since its discovery in 1930, Pluto has held a warm place in the public imagination. So, when the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium stopped calling Pluto a planet, director Neil deGrasse Tyson found himself at the center of a firestorm – a firestorm led by angry Pluto-loving elementary school students. But what is it about this cold, distant rock that captures so many hearts? NOVA joins Tyson on a quest to find out. From the scientists trying to classify Pluto to die-hard “Pluto-philes,” Tyson meets a fascinating cast of characters with just one thing in common: strong opinions about Pluto. Based on Tyson’s book The Pluto Files, this is a light-hearted look at the solar system’s best-loved non-planet.

For more information visit the Pluto Files Web site.

Nova


Cracking the Maya Code


Tuesday, Mar 23 at 8 p.m.


This is a definitive look back at how a handful of pioneers deciphered the intricate system of hieroglyphs developed by the Maya. One of the greatest detective stories in all of archaeology, it has never been told in depth on television before. With glorious footage of Mayan temples and art, this documentary was many years in the making and culminates in the fascinating account of this once magnificent ancient civilization’s ingenious method of communication.

For more information visit the Cracking the Maya Code Web site.

Nova


Rat Attack


Tuesday, Mar 30 at 8 p.m.


Every 48 years, the inhabitants of the remote Indian state of Mizoram suffer a horrendous ordeal known locally as mautam. An indigenous species of bamboo, blanketing 30 percent of Mizoram’s 8,100 square miles, blooms once every half-century, spurring an explosion in the rat population that feeds off the bamboo’s fruit. The rats run amok, destroying crops and precipitating a crippling famine throughout Mizoram. NOVA follows this gripping tale of nature’s capacity to engender human suffering and investigates the botanical mystery of why the bamboo flowers with clockwork precision every half-century.

For more information visit the Rat Attack Web site.

NOW on PBS


Fridays at 7:30 p.m.


Each week, the program includes an original documentary segment, a conversation with an individual of insight and influence, and an essay or commentary from a diverse group of individuals. NOW draws on the journalistic resources of National Public Radio and taps its brightest talents every week.

NOW continues online at PBS.org

Pat Boone:


Love Songs in the Sands of Time


Saturday, Mar 6 at 7:30 p.m.


Instantly recognizable for his silky, smooth singing voice, charming good looks and iconic white bucks, Pat Boone had 38 top 40 hits, starred in movies, became a best-selling author and, from 1957 to 1961, hosted a weekly network television musical variety show called “The Pat Boone-Chevy Showroom.” Boone stars in his first PBS special, featuring memorable performances from that popular hit show. Featured artists include Mel Torme, the Mills Brothers, Frankie Avalon, Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis, Count Basie, and Nat “King” Cole.

Find out about specials gifts for Friends of Eight.

PBS KIDS GO!


Monday - Friday 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.


With a fun, quirky, cause-and-effect setting full of surprises, PBS KIDS GO! empowers today's "big" kids to discover themselves, define the diverse world around them, explore new relationships and embrace a love of learning. This new lineup is specifically designed for Arizona kids who grew up with Eight Kids programs for preschoolers but are now interested in more sophisticated, multimedia content.

2:30 p.m. Cyberchase
3 p.m. Maya & Miguel
3:30 p.m. Arthur
4 p.m. Wordgirl
4:30 p.m. Electric Company
5 p.m. Fetch

To learn more, visit the PBS Kids Go! Web site

PBS NewsHour


Monday - Friday at 6 p.m.


The NewsHour provides in-depth analysis of current events with a news summary, live studio interviews, discussions, and both foreign and domestic on-site reports. The NewsHour is seen by approximately three million people every weeknight and remains one of the most distinguished sources of news in television.

To learn more, visit the NewsHour Web site.

Red Green


Hindsight is 20/20


Saturday, Mar 13 at 9 p.m.


Photos, clips from the Red Green Show’s 25-year history, and interviews with the show’s cast of characters offer a fitting celebration of the Canadian comedy.

Renovate with Eight


Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.


Eight/KAET invites home improvement enthusiasts to two full hours of advice from the experts every Saturday afternoon.

Beginning at 4 p.m., the hosts of Hometime tackle everything from landscaping, painting and kitchen facelifts to managing new construction and major additions to older homes.

From 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., The This Old House Hour team takes center stage. They along with guest experts will answer viewer letters on home improvement topics and, along the way, make house calls to solve homeowners' problems.

At 5:30 p.m., American Woodshop challenges woodworkers of all skill levels.

Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Special


Friday, Mar 12 at 10 p.m.


This celebration of Rounder Records’ 40 years in the music industry features Grammy® winning Rounder artists Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck and Irma Thomas along with musical host Minnie Driver and special guests Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas and jazz/R&B pianist Henry Butler. The special, filmed in October 2009 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, includes selected performances from Steve Martin’s show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, from Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s 2008 CMT “Crossroads” special and from Madeleine Peyroux’s 2009 concert in Los Angeles.

Sesame Street


Monday - Friday at 8 a.m.


For 40 years, Sesame Street has sought to meet the critical needs of children while preparing them for school and for life. In addition to literacy, numeracy and science, Sesame Street, the world's largest informal educator of children, tackles an issue facing many families today: children's health.

Sid the Science Kid


Monday-Friday at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday at 8:30 a.m.


Sid the Science Kid is an engaging and entertaining new animated preschool series promoting exploration and science readiness in a kid-friendly way - no lab coats or test tubes here. Sid explores the science of everyday realities that preschoolers face with the help of his friends and family.

Find out more. Visit Sid the Science Kid Web site.

Tavis Smiley


Sundays at 12:30 p.m.


Tavis Smiley hosts this late-night television talk show - a hybrid of news, issues and entertainment, featuring interviews with newsmakers, politicians, celebrities and everyday people.

To learn more, visit the Tavis Smiley Web site.

The Lobotomist


American Experience


Monday, Mar 22 at 10 p.m.


The lobotomy was hailed by The New York Times as a “surgery of the soul” and “history making,” a groundbreaking medical procedure that promised hope to the most distressed families and desolate mentally ill patients. Championed by a young and ambitious neurologist named Walter J. Freeman, what began as an operation of last resort was soon being performed at some 50 state asylums, often with devastating results. Only a decade after his rise to fame, Freeman was decried as a moral monster and the lobotomy as one of the most barbaric mistakes of modern medicine. Through interviews with medical historians, psychiatrists who worked with Freeman and the desperate families who sought his help, this program tells the gripping tale of medical intervention gone awry. Campbell Scott narrates.

For more information visit the Lobotomist Web site.

The Priests in Concert at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral


Tuesday, Mar 16 at 9 p.m.


The Priests, three clergymen who became a worldwide singing phenomenon, perform a special concert at the historic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool, England, before an audience of more than 2,000 people. Their inspirational classics include “Amazing Grace,” “Danny Boy,” “Bring Him Home,” “The Rose” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

The Tavis Smiley Report:


MLK: A Call to Action


Wednesday, Mar 31 at 9 p.m.


The second of Tavis Smiley special reports delves into one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s greatest speeches, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” which Dr. King delivered on April 4, 1967, at Riverside Church in New York City. The speech, delivered exactly one year before the date of his assassination, is considered pivotal but often under-appreciated. King challenged the morality of the Vietnam conflict and urged a national discussion about the role of America in the world. Smiley examines the context of Dr. King’s words on liberty, responsibility and freedom against the backdrop of the fight for civil rights and an increasingly unpopular war, and examines the implications of his words today, particularly in light of President Obama’s decision to increase U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

For more information visit the Tavis Smiley Report Web site.

Trail of Hope


The Story of the Mormon Trail


Wednesday, Mar 10 at 7 p.m.


Multiple Emmy Award-winner Hal Holbrook hosts Trail Of Hope: The Story of the Mormon Trail, a documentary that tells the story of a group of Americans who triumph over adversity and find religious freedom. Trail Of Hope unfolds through Holbrook’s poignant narration and through firsthand accounts of the pioneers gleaned from the diaries and journals they kept during their westward exodus. The documentary features period photographs, sketches and artwork and re-creations of selected events that establish this American experience as one of the heroic events of the 19th century. Filmed in England, New York, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah, Trail Of Hope visits many of the Mormon Trail locations.

Find out about special gifts for Friends of Eight.

Victor Borge


100 Years of Music & Laughter


Sunday, Mar 21 at 7 p.m.


The funniest and most memorable skits plus rare archival footage from the Borge family vault make this a program you'll long remember. Rita Rudner hosts this collection of one-liners, falls, double-takes, his mastery of piano variations and his outrageous stage antics.

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Victory in the Pacific


American Experience


Monday, Mar 29 at 9 p.m.


“Take no prisoners. Fight to the bitter end.” Those were everyday words to combat troops on both sides at the end of World War II in the Pacific. And they led to an unprecedented orgy of slaughter. This provocative, thorough examination of the final months of the war looks at the escalation of bloodletting from both Japanese and American vantage points. As the film shows, most of Emperor Hirohito’s inner circle was determined to continue the war even after losses in the Philippines in February 1945 cut off Japan’s supply lines. And though he was warned that the country, brought to its knees by the conflict, might erupt in a Communist revolution, Hirohito believed that one last decisive battle could reverse Japan’s fortunes. The Americans, for their part, were startled by the intensity and determination of the Japanese defenders in the South Pacific. From the U.S. capture of the Mariana Islands through the firebombing of Tokyo and the dropping of the atomic bomb, this program chronicles the dreadful and unprecedented loss of life, and the decisions made by leaders on both sides that finally ended the war.

For more information visit the Victory in the Pacific Web site.

Washington Week


with Gwen Ifill


Fridays at 8 p.m.


Washington Week is the longest-running news and public affairs program on public television. Now in its 40th year, Washington Week brings together America's best journalists each Friday evening, providing insight and perspective on the week's top stories. Ifill, moderator and managing editor of Washington Week since 1999, has bolstered the show's journalistic roots and its commitment to hearing from the reporters who actually cover the news.

Follow the stories online. Visit the Washington Week Web site.

When Irish Eyes are Smiling:


An Irish Parade of Stars


Wednesday, Mar 17 at 7 p.m.


This nostalgic journey back to the 1950s and 1960s presents long-unseen footage of beloved performers singing some of the greatest songs from and inspired by Ireland. Hosted by Patty Duke and written by Malachy McCourt, the program features performances by the late Frank Patterson, the ultimate Irish tenor and a star around the world.

Find out about special gifts for Friends of Eight.