Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Easter has passed. Okay, it passed a while ago, but here's the thing – I still have Cadbury Crème Eggs. I do. I love them. I know I said this last year, but those Cadbury eggs are something I take a Quantum of Solace from every year. They're delicious and the day after Easter they go on sale and I buy them. It's a wonderful moment for me every year, a moment I truly adore. Much of life may be hard, but those Crème Eggs are soft and gooey and delicious.
Sunday, March 30:
8:00 – 9:00PM
Nature – “Cuba: Wild Island of the Caribbean”. This was originally aired in 2005, before Castro stepped down, or announced he was going to step down anyway, so I wonder if things have changed. Maybe there'll be an update here about how while the place is still wild it has changed with the departure of Fidel. Who knows. It could happen.
9:00 – 10:30PM
"The Complete Jane Austen". Holy macaroni! They're going to show pretty much every Jane Austen work they can get their hands on (plus they made a ton of new versions). That's actually why they call it "The Complete Jane Austen," they're going to show all of it. Up this week, part one of "Sense and Sensibility."
10:30 – 11:00PM
PBS Previews – "Carrier". PBS isn't going to show you Carrier, they're just going to show you a preview of it (it airs at the end of April and beginning of May). They're going to tantalize you. They're going to intrigue you. They're going to tell you about some of the people on the USS Nimitz.
Monday, March 31:
8:00 – 9:00PM
Antiques Roadshow – "Spokane (Hour One)". Wow. I am amazed. This week the Roadshow is in Spokane. Spokane! Washington! Spokane, Washington! Say it with me one time: Spokane, Washington! Spokane, the town that can! Spokane, the town with a plan! Spokane, where a man can be a man! Spokane, where they have lots of old stuff for the Roadshow.
9:00 – 10:00PM
American Experience – "Minik, The Lost Eskimo". Back in 1897, Robert Peary returned to New York from an expedition to Greenland. With him he brought back five Eskimos. Within a few years all but Minik had passed away. Minik was seven when he was brought to New York and it took 16 years for someone to adopt him. People can be adopted at the age of 23?
10:00 – 11:00PM
Retirement Revolution – "Hazards and Vicissitudes". Over the past several decades retirement has changed. There are, as this episode will explain, new hazards and vicissitudes. Paula Zahn will delve into these hazards. She will explore the vicissitudes. She will tell the stories of real people.
Tuesday, April 1:
8:00 – 9:00PM
Nova – “Voyage to the Mystery Moon”. Titan — it's not just the name of an American Gladiator. Titan is also the name of one of Saturn's moons. Oh yes, it is. It also, some scientists believe, holds a multitude of secrets. One of those may just be the origin of life. That's right, the origin of life. Watch and find out.
9:00 – 10:00PM
Frontline – "Bad Voodoo's War". There is a group of people in the National Guard that refer to themselves as "The Bad Voodoo Platoon." I'm not saying they are a platoon, just that they refer to themselves as one. However, that's neither here nor there. This film follows them and their work in Iraq during last summer's surge.
10:00 – 11:00PM
Independent Lens – "Compañeras". Most mariachis are men. It's just the way it is. I'm not saying it's good, I'm just saying it is. Well, this film looks at the world of female mariachis. It examines them, their work, and their attitude. I'm sure it'll even go into how they cope with being in such a small minority.
Wednesday, April 2:
8:00 – 9:00PM
Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures – "Return to the Amazon (Part One)". Did you know that the Amazon has one-fifth of the world's river water? It does. 25 years ago, Jean-Michel took a little visit there with his father. Well, now he's going back. He's going to explore it. He's going to see how it's changed. He's going to rock its world.
9:00 – 11:00PM
Caring for your Parents. There are two things you should know. First, the population in this country is aging. Second, people get weird when they get old. They do. It's not a bad thing, it's just a thing. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, they need help. How can we do that? How can you do that? What can you do to help your parents?
Thursday, April 3:
8:00 – 9:00PM
The This Old House Hour – Episode TBA. It’s This Old House and Ask This Old House. It’s like maintenance… for your home. Wait, no, that’s exactly what it is. That doesn’t mean it’s not awesome though. Seriously, The This Old House Hour is one of the finest home improvement hours on PBS. No joke.
9:00 – 10:00PM
Antiques Roadshow – "Spokane (Hour One)". Wow. I am amazed. This week the Roadshow is in Spokane. Spokane! Washington! Spokane, Washington! Say it with me one time: Spokane, Washington! Spokane, the town that can! Spokane, the town with a plan! Spokane, where a man can be a man! Spokane, where they have lots of old stuff for the Roadshow.
10:00 – 11:00PM
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? – "When the Bough Breaks / Becoming American". African-American infant mortality rates in this country are double that of white Americans. Recent Mexican immigrants tend to be a very healthy minority. However, The longer the immigrants are here the worse their health becomes. Why is that? What exactly are we doing wrong?
Friday, April 4:
8:00 – 8:30PM
Washington Week with Gwen Ifill and National Journal #4740. Another whole week has gone by and good old Gwen Ifill and National Journal are here to fill us in. For the record, I like to pretend the National Journal is a sidekick, like Robin to Batman, Starsky to Hutch, or chocolate sauce to chocolate ice cream.
8:30 – 9:00PM
NOW on PBS #413. It’s the Emmy award-winning weekly newsmagazine. It looks at issues facing our democracy. The show is hosted by David Brancaccio. And, even better, they still send me e-mails (I think that makes me cool and them nice). Thanks, Now, you guys are awesome!
9:00 – 10:00PM
Bill Moyers Journal #1152. It’s Bill Moyers. It’s his 1,152nd journal (not really, but I’m not going to explain to you the way in which TV shows are numbered at this point in time, maybe later if you’re nice). He’s a good journalist so I assume this will be good journalism (at least the odds are it will).
10:00PM – 11:00PM
The Morgan Lacrosse Story – Morgan Sate University, an historically African-American institution, was the first historically African-American school with a lacrosse team. How did it come about? Why did it come about? Who were the people that helped make the dream a reality? Only this show will tell you, because I certainly won't be the one to spoil it.
Saturday, April 5:
9:00 – 10:00PM
Austin City Limits – “Ryan Adams/Tift Merritt”. They're both a little bit country. They're both a little bit rock and roll. They're also a little bit awesome and jumping on the stage on Austin City Limits. Sure, they've done it before. But this will be just like last time… mostly because it's a repeat.
So, what do you take a Quantum of Solace from? When life looks black, when the world looks bleak, what is it that makes you happy? Where do you get that little bit of joy that keeps you going? Is it James Bond? Is it the Muppets? Is it family? Is it a Cadbury Crème Egg? For me… well, I don't want to spoil it. It's a discussion for another week.
