Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Speaking of time (as we have been speaking about time lately), I think it's crucially important to note that PBS is playing with time this week. They're putting their entire schedule on pause so that they can air their brand-spanking new National Parks documentary, you know, the one that they've been promo-ing for months on end. It's a big week for the network and it's going to have not only a lot of green, but a lot of recycling too.
Sunday, September 27:
8:00 – 10:00PM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890).” In part one of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get to see how it all began. In case you're wondering, it was with Yosemite. People started to hear about it in 1851 and by 1864 Congress protected it and handed it to the state of California. Yellowstone quickly followed and we were on our way.
10:00PM – 12:00AM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890).” In part one of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get to see how it all began. In case you're wondering, it was with Yosemite. People started to hear about it in 1851 and by 1864 Congress protected it and handed it to the state of California. Yellowstone quickly followed and we were on our way.
Monday, September 28:
8:00 – 10:30PM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “The Last Refuge (1890-1915).” In part two of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get to see all about Teddy Roosevelt pushing for the National Parks (where else would he get all those big sticks that he was going to need). The parks also suffer defeat as that bastion of do-gooding, San Francisco, builds a dam at Yosemite and breaks John Muir's heart.
10:30PM – 1:00AM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “The Last Refuge (1890-1915).” In part two of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get to see all about Teddy Roosevelt pushing for the National Parks (where else would he get all those big sticks that he was going to need). The parks also suffer defeat as that bastion of do-gooding, San Francisco, builds a dam at Yosemite and breaks John Muir's heart.
Tuesday, September 29:
8:00 – 10:00PM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919).” In part three of this massive Ken Burns documentary we see what happens without John Muir. Don't worry though, it's not all bad as a new federal agency, the National Park Service, is established and a fight takes place to save the Grand Canyon.
10:00PM – 12:00AM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919).” In part three of this massive Ken Burns documentary we see what happens without John Muir. Don't worry though, it's not all bad as a new federal agency, the National Park Service, is established and a fight takes place to save the Grand Canyon.
Wednesday, September 30:
8:00 – 10:00PM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “Going Home (1920-1933).” In part four of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get to hear all about how Margaret and Edward Gehrke went traveling from park to park to park, "collecting" them. And, we'll also learn about John D. Rockefeller Jr. quietly buying land in the Teton Mountain Range in order to stop folks from destroying it. His plan, as his family already had a fortune, was to donate it to the government.
10:00PM – 12:00AM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “Going Home (1920-1933).” In part four of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get to hear all about how Margaret and Edward Gehrke went traveling from park to park to park, "collecting" them. And, we'll also learn about John D. Rockefeller Jr. quietly buying land in the Teton Mountain Range in order to stop folks from destroying it. His plan, as his family already had a fortune, was to donate it to the government.
Thursday, October 1:
8:00 – 10:00PM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “Great Nature (1933-1945).” In part five of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get to see how the parks provided jobs to those who needed them during the Great Depression. It was done through the Civilian Conservation Corps and not only helped the people but the parks. It was a win-win situation.
10:00PM – 12:00AM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “Great Nature (1933-1945).” In part five of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get to see how the parks provided jobs to those who needed them during the Great Depression. It was done through the Civilian Conservation Corps and not only helped the people but the parks. It was a win-win situation.
Friday, October 2:
8:00 – 10:00PM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “The Morning of Creation (1946-1980).” In part six of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get brought up to the present day, or at the very least 1995. I know, it says "1980" above, but according to the description I have, there is mention of wolves being re-established in Yellowstone in 1995, which, if I understand time, occurred after 1980.
10:00PM – 12:00AM
The National Parks: America's Best Idea – “The Morning of Creation (1946-1980).” In part six of this massive Ken Burns documentary we get brought up to the present day, or at the very least 1995. I know, it says "1980" above, but according to the description I have, there is mention of wolves being re-established in Yellowstone in 1995, which, if I understand time, occurred after 1980.
Saturday, October 3:
Today and tomorrow PBS stations all over the country are going to air the series again, and perhaps again and again, and again…
And there it is — you have now seen, or had the opportunity to see the entirety of the documentary. Usually Ken Burns documentaries are time well spent, but as I haven't seen this one yet I can't say for certain that this one has lived up to the lofty standards he's set. I have no reasons to imagine that it hasn't, but without watching it I'm not sticking my neck out there.
