NOTE: Times listed are both EST/Pacific. Individual television ratings:
All rated [G] or [PG] unless noted. [NR] = Not Rated or news-related program.
Today, from 12am this morning to 12am tonight. Listings change to tomorrow at 12am EST Note: daily listings are posted in javascript. If you can't see javascript, try new glasses
Programs @ 8pm,9pm,10pm,11pm each repeat at least once starting at 12am
Schedules usually available after the 1st & 15th
Monday, December 1, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - More Doomsday Tech.
The second deadly hour examines more threats--both natural and
manmade--that may endanger civilization. From the far reaches of space
to tiny viruses, doomsday sources are many. But so are technologies
used to keep doomsday at bay. Asteroids of significant size have hit
our planet before and likely will again. Asteroid hunters demonstrate
the Near Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) program and methods being
developed to destroy earth-aimed asteroids. Then, it's onto
bioterrorism's sinister technologies--how highly virulent agents like
smallpox and plague can be weaponized. Next, an ex-hacker turned
cyber-security expert shows how vulnerable the nation's computers are
to cyberterror. Finally, we visit the controversial world of
biotechnology. Could genetically engineered crops backfire? Does a
brave new world of genetically selected beings loom in our
not-so-distant future?
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Salt
It's the only rock we eat, and we need it to live. History has shown
that those who have salt rule the world--and today, this versatile
substance has 14,000 known uses. Travel to a salt mine 1,800 feet
below Lake Erie where workers blast salt from a massive deposit
spanning four states, to an evaporation facility near San Francisco
where machines harvest salt from the briny ocean. Visit a Florida
restaurant that offers 40 different varieties of salt...and journey to
New York to explore salt's surprising number one application: de-icing
snowy winter roads. See how a high-tech desalination plant removes
salt from ocean water, producing 25 million gallons of drinkable water
every day. And if it's speed you're after, look no further than a
natural drag strip in Utah made of pure salt.
9-10pm -- Cities of the Underworld - Barbarians' Lair
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was plunged into chaos for
centuries, with vicious carnage and rampant disease regularly raging
through the streets. However, below the streets was another world
designed to keep the people alive and the enemy guessing. Join host
Don Wildman as he uncovers immense quarries of a secret society,
Templar torture chambers and the tunnels of medieval "ghost knights."
10-11pm -- Ancient Discoveries - Impossible Army Machines
The amazing successes and stunning failures of ancient military
engineers have directly affected the weapons and tactics we use today.
In fact, an ancient Greek weapon is still used on modern aircraft
carriers. How did the Chinese develop a catapult with a firing rate of
10 rounds per second? Did the living horse battlefield torpedoes of
the middle ages battlefield actually work? And, how did the great
Carthaginian general Hannibal cross the highest mountain range in
Europe using equipment still used by today's Special Forces,
dissolving solid rocks in his path using an ancient chemical version
of dynamite?
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - '80's Tech.
Remember "brick" cell phones, Pac-Man, Rubik's Cube, Sony Walkman, and
the first music CDs? Remember all the new and exciting gadgets of the
1980s? Join us as we investigate the transition from Industrial to
Information Age--a digital decade dedicated to ergonomics and
entertainment. The microchip ushered in an era that revolutionized the
way we work, play, and communicate. And we tour Silicon
Valley--birthplace of some of the greatest inventions from an amazing
time of change, including the modern personal computer. Steve "Woz"
Wozniak tells us about the evolution of Apple computers, and we talk
to Sony--makers of the Walkman, Betamax, and the first CD players. A
visit to the Computer History Museum shows fun technological
"artifacts", primitive by today's standards. At Intel, makers of the
first microchips, we learn why technology moves at such a fast pace.
We also take a ride in a DeLorean DMC-12 sports car--few things moved
faster.
8-9pm -- The Universe - Parallel Universes
Some of the world's leading physicists believe they have found
startling new evidence showing the existence of universes other than
our own. One possibility is that the universe is so vast that an exact
replica of our Solar System, our planet and ourselves exists many
times over. These Doppelganger Universes exist within our own
Universe; in what scientist now call "The Multiverse." Today,
trailblazing experiments by state of the art particle colliders are
looking for evidence of higher dimensions and Parallel Universes. If
proof is found, it will change our lives, our minds, our planet, our
science and our universe.
9-10pm -- The Universe - Sex in Space
As man moves to colonize the cosmos, the realities of sexual
relationships and reproduction need to be addressed. Probe the
physiological, psychological and cultural challenges of sex in space.
From the sex act through birth, look at how the extreme environments
of space exploration might effect copulation, conception and
developing human tissues, as well as how issues around sex might
impact the emotional lives of astronauts. Get to the bottom of the
rumors to find out if space sex has already happened, and look at how
the burgeoning space tourism business may soon lead to a boom in space
sex.
10-11pm -- Extreme Trains - Ice Cold Express
Union Pacific's refrigeration train is the coolest train in the world.
On its cross-country trip from Wallula, Washington, to Schenectady,
New York, it employs the most high-tech mobile refrigeration
technology in the world to keep its produce intact and fresh. Even the
railcars themselves are stored inside a cooled facility so as not to
break the cold chain for this delicate cargo. Also in this episode:
how trains and trucks battled for business in the 1950s.
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - The Manhattan Project.
At 5:30 a.m., July 16, 1945, scientists and dignitaries awaited the
detonation of the first atomic bomb in a desolate area of the New
Mexico desert aptly known as "Jornada del Muerto" (Journey of Death).
Dubbed the Manhattan Project, the top-secret undertaking was tackled
with unprecedented speed and expense--almost $30-billion in today's
money. Los Alamos scientists and engineers relate their trials,
triumphs, and dark doubts about building the ultimate weapon of war in
the interest of peace.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Mountain Roads.
Join our journey along monumental feats of engineering that preserved
America's natural wonders while paving the way towards her future.
Travel the Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, site of a dark
chapter in US history. Today, crews use the latest technology to keep
I-80 open during the worst winter storms. Enjoy the view while
traveling to the summit of Pike's Peak in Colorado, inspiration for
America the Beautiful. The "Going-to-the-Sun-Road" slices through
Montana's majestic Glacier National Park, crossing the Continental
Divide and allowing motorists unsurpassed views of mountain scenery.
Outside Denver, the Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel, carved through
mountain rock, united eastern and western Colorado. And the Blue Ridge
Parkway, which took 52 years to complete, snakes through large, scenic
swatches.
9-10pm -- MonsterQuest - Giant Bear Attack
Are big bears are getting more assertive and aggressive? In
pre-historic times, giant bears weighed up to a ton and stalked early
man. Listen as witnesses describe horrific bear attacks and take a
look at unusual bear remains. The team journeys from Alaska to New
Jersey to learn about bear activity and if hybridization or the next
step in bear evolution could produce another crop of giant bears?
10-11pm -- UFO Hunters - The Real Roswell
New evidence suggests there was more than one UFO crash near Roswell.
On July 8, 1947 at 5:26 EDT, an Associated Press news wire announced
that soldiers from Roswell Army Air Field in New Mexico recovered a
"flying disk" from a nearby rancher's property. The tiny town of
Roswell has never been the same. Now, 61 years later, new theories,
new witnesses and new evidence have emerged. The most shocking lead is
that there may have been a second crash, and if it can be found, it
may finally reveal what really happened at Roswell.
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Thursday, December 4, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Commercial Fishing.
Battered and fried or simply raw--seafood is a popular dish, no matter
how you serve it. Americans consume more than 5-billion pounds yearly,
an order that takes more than a fishing rod to fill and worries
conservationists. We follow the fish, the fishermen, and the science
trying to preserve fisheries for future generations--from ancient
ships on the Nile to a modern technologically sophisticated factory
trawler on the Bering Sea to the University of New Hampshire's
open-ocean aquaculture research project. And we witness a wide variety
of fishing methods--from gillnetting and longlining to lobster
trapping. Hop aboard and sail through time and around the globe as we
explore the harsh conditions of life at sea and experience firsthand
one of history's deadliest jobs. Brace yourself and feel the ice-cold,
salt spray on your face as we explore commercial fishing!
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Freight Trains.
They are the life blood of the American Economy, transporting 1.8
billion tons of freight each year, carrying everything from crops, to
consumer electronics, cars to chemicals, not to mention coal and just
about any other item that you can think of. This program will take you
to what is considered the greatest freight transportation system in
the world, the Union Pacific's Bailey yard--a pit stop for much of the
nation's freight on its journey across the continent. We'll also
explore the history of freight transportation from its humble
beginnings as tramways in mines to complex system of rails that
stretches to every corner of the nation.
9-10pm -- Gangland - All Hell Breaks Loose
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Cities of the Underworld - Barbarians' Lair
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was plunged into chaos for
centuries, with vicious carnage and rampant disease regularly raging
through the streets. However, below the streets was another world
designed to keep the people alive and the enemy guessing. Join host
Don Wildman as he uncovers immense quarries of a secret society,
Templar torture chambers and the tunnels of medieval "ghost knights."
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Friday, December 5, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Insulation.
It keeps us warm. It keeps us cool. It protects us and makes our world
more comfortable. As simple as a pane of glass, or as complex as the
fuselage of a space station, it's all around us, but is almost always
out of sight. We explore where insulation technology has been, where
it is today, and where it's going. We'll visit the manufacturing
facilities of two of the most recognizable insulating materials:
fiberglass and foam; and explore how insulation has evolved.
Historical highlights include how the ancient Romans and Greeks
insulated their homes, as well as the natives of tropical and arctic
climates. New technologies covered include insulated concrete forms
and gas-filled panels. Whether at home or in the office, on a space
station, or beneath the sea, insulation is essential for making our
world habitable. We'll show that how we use insulation, and how we
develop it, will be a major factor in how we conserve our supply of
energy in the coming years.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Bulls-Eye
From LAPD's sharp shooters to Army snipers, discover what it means to
be armed and accurate. Learn how ancient ballista and trebuchet could
repeatedly strike their targets. Find out how the Phoenix Lander will
navigate to its target some 422 million miles away. See a nine ball
expert hit several bulls-eyes, sometimes with the same shot to run the
table. Finally, watch as Cirque de Soleil's daring artists are both
projectile and target as they perform their breathtaking feats.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Mongol Nation
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Shadow Force - Ghost Ship
Liberia has no navy or ability to patrol its waters. President Bush is
visiting in two weeks and a ship has been acting strangely just off
the coast near the U.S. embassy and the city of Monrovia. The Liberian
government and the embassy want it gone. In this episode, the team is
asked to investigate the ship and then take it down. As they start to
run surveillance, the vessel moves several times and then disappears.
The team expands its operations, and after a few misses, finally
locate the ship's hiding spot. Armed with a sound weapon and some
deception tactics, they get the command to take it down.
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Saturday, December 6, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Salt
It's the only rock we eat, and we need it to live. History has shown
that those who have salt rule the world--and today, this versatile
substance has 14,000 known uses. Travel to a salt mine 1,800 feet
below Lake Erie where workers blast salt from a massive deposit
spanning four states, to an evaporation facility near San Francisco
where machines harvest salt from the briny ocean. Visit a Florida
restaurant that offers 40 different varieties of salt...and journey to
New York to explore salt's surprising number one application: de-icing
snowy winter roads. See how a high-tech desalination plant removes
salt from ocean water, producing 25 million gallons of drinkable water
every day. And if it's speed you're after, look no further than a
natural drag strip in Utah made of pure salt.
8-10pm -- Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid -
Movie. One of the greatest Westerns ever made. Paul Newman (Butch) and
Robert Redford (Sundance) play train-robbing members of the legendary
"Hole in the Wall Gang." After being hunted by a determined posse led
by a mysterious tracker, Butch and Sundance make their way to Bolivia,
where they knock off a few banks before the Bolivian Army takes up the
chase. The chemistry between Newman, playing the cheerful Butch, and
Redford, playing the serious Sundance, makes for unforgettable movie
magic. After the movie became a huge hit, Newman set up his Hole in
the Wall Gang Camp for ill kids, and Redford established his Sundance
Institute to support budding new movie talent. Co-stars Katharine
Ross. (1969)
10-12am -- Mountain Men -
Join us as we trek across America's vast wilderness with the fur
trappers who helped open up the unknown and savage land, and risked
everything for a life of adventure, money, and wanderlust. Although
their era (1807-1840) lasted little more than a generation, their
impact was enormous as they blazed across the west. Highlights of this
2-hour special include an interview with author Robert Utley and
narration by Pernell Roberts.
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Sunday, December 7, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Extreme Trains - Ice Cold Express
Union Pacific's refrigeration train is the coolest train in the world.
On its cross-country trip from Wallula, Washington, to Schenectady,
New York, it employs the most high-tech mobile refrigeration
technology in the world to keep its produce intact and fresh. Even the
railcars themselves are stored inside a cooled facility so as not to
break the cold chain for this delicate cargo. Also in this episode:
how trains and trucks battled for business in the 1950s.
8-10pm -- 70's Fever -
If the 1960s represented peace, love, and the "We Generation", then
the 1970s came to represent the pleasure seeking excesses of the "Me
Generation." The 1970s were a decade when cocaine was king, a
President fell in disgrace, homegrown terrorist groups prowled the
streets and all-night parties raged in Studio 54--all while
neighborhoods burned and the Son of Sam hunted. And yet it was a time
of renewed liberties, and huge technological leaps when two kids named
Steve built a machine in their Silicon Valley garage that changed the
world. Using rare footage and a period soundtrack, this special
deconstructs the 1970s, from Watergate to Studio 54. It evokes
nostalgia and challenges it, exploring the dark side of the decade's
cult leaders, sexual liberation and disco scene.
10-11pm -- History Rocks - The '70s, Part 1
Take a whirlwind look at the 1970s through the music, footage and
personalities from the time. Unforgettable news stories are paired
with blockbuster songs from the same era. The thrills of a music video
are combined with the power of a documentary to create an engaging
visual experience of a truly transformative decade in American
history. Music featured in this first part include songs by Blue
Oyster Cult, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Styx, Elton John and The Allman
Brothers.
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Monday, December 8, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - BBQ Tech.
An old-fashioned style of cooking, barbecue has evolved into a modern
food craze and spawned a multi-billion dollar industry. We digest
famous barbecue cook-offs and visit long-established barbecue
restaurants like Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City, where the huge grills
and taste thrills of true barbecue are more popular than ever. At
home, three out of four US households own a grill. After WWII's end,
the phenomenon of backyard barbecuing swept the nation, thanks to
inexpensive and mass-produced grills, including the kettle-shaped
Weber. Our tour of Weber's modern factories shows how they keep pace
with demand by manufacturing more choices than ever, including
portable mini-grills. We also examine the variety of fuels available
for the savory selection of spicy sauces and rubs. Join us as we
devour the mouthwatering flavors of BBQ in this episode.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Car Wash
From the birth of flight to the history of toilet paper, Modern
Marvels deals with the great engineering wonders of our world and
examines not only how they were built, but also the key personalities
involved in their construction. Join us for a fun, fascinating, and
sometimes frightening look at the technology that surrounds us.
9-10pm -- Cities of the Underworld - Land of Manson
He was the mastermind of the most notorious murders in U.S. history.
He terrified the world and plunged the city of Los Angeles into a
state of paranoia and fear. He's Charles Manson, and the deserts
around Los Angeles were his home--where he hoped the underground would
be his haven. But Manson and his followers weren't the only dangers
lurking beneath the streets of LA. We'll take you below the most
congested avenues of this classic American city, into the tunnels
where corrupt cops secretly ran the city, and where the largest subway
system in the world lies in waste. From earthquakes to UFOs, Los
Angeles--population 9 million plus--has to be ready for anything. With
military bunkers protecting our shores and subterranean
disaster-relief war rooms surveying the next big quake, LA's
underground holds the key to its survival.
10-11pm -- Ancient Discoveries - Ancient Death Machines
Military innovation is consistently at the cutting edge of
technological advances. Almost all technology on the planet today owes
its origins to inventions driven by one purpose--war. From apocalyptic
skyscraper siege machines to ancient landmines and flamethrowers which
had the potential to extinguish hundreds of lives in minutes, most of
today's lethal weapons owe their origins to the inventors of the
ancient world.
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - The Telephone.
From Alexander Graham Bell's crude creation, to today's high-speed
wireless networks, we'll look into the past, present and future of the
telephone. We'll visit the AT&T archives to see how the very first
telephone boxes wired together with telegraph cables have evolved into
vast wireless networks. Enter into the inner workings of Los Angeles
County's 911 emergency dispatch center, as well as explore
advancements made by Lucent/Bell Labs in phone-embedded GPS
technology. With telephone privacy issues making headlines, witness a
demonstration of how easy it can be for someone to illegally tap your
phone. We'll also look at a technology developed by NASA-Ames that
might one day allow people to converse by merely thinking what they
want to say.
8-9pm -- The Universe - Light Speed
According to the laws of physics we can never travel faster than the
speed of light...or can we? Light speed allows us to see things
instantly here on Earth, and shows us the entire history of the
universe going back nearly 14 billion years. Learn all about light
speed, the ultimate constant in the universe and discover ways
scientists envision breaking the "light barrier" which may be the only
way the star travel of our imaginations ever comes to reality.
9-10pm -- The Universe - Alien Faces
They soar through the heavens, fly through the oceans and glide along
land. But these are not creatures found on a wildlife safari. These
are life forms from another planet. Armed with scientific fact and a
little imagination, experts come together to take you on an
unprecedented journey to the edges of our imagination. Scientists,
astrobiologists and astronomers create five lines of extraterrestrial
evolution, and explain how creatures on the surface of Earth offer a
helping hand to understanding life in The Universe.
10-11pm -- Extreme Trains - Steam Train
The Union Pacific's historic 844 steam locomotive is the longest
running steam train in America. Built in 1944, it has never been
retired and still runs on UP's mainlines today. The 844 is so popular
that when it goes out on the tracks a huge traffic jam forms on the
roads along side as people "chase the train." Host Matt Bown rides the
844 on its annual outing that takes 750 rail fans from Denver to the
biggest rodeo in the world in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This episode also
looks at the gold rush of the 1850s.
______________________________ ______________________
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - James Bond Gadgets.
His movies are legend, his women beautiful, and his toys the best in
the world. Whether James Bond is foiling villains in space-age flying
machines or eavesdropping on his enemies with ultra-sophisticated spy
gear, British Secret Agent 007 is always guaranteed to have the most
outrageous and wonderfully creative gadgets ever to grace the silver
screen. Bond had it all. But as we see in this exclusive look at his
gadgets, it takes a lot to save the world!
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - The Lumberyard.
At the center of the American Dream is the home--and at the center of
its creation or renovation is the lumberyard. We'll explore the
options lumberyards provide for builders and renovators--from natural
to engineered woods. We'll show how plywood and pressed woods are
made, trace exotic woods to jungle and desert, visit a special
lumberyard that deals in recycled and antique woods, and go on an
underwater expedition as divers locate ancient logs buried in the
Great Lakes and New Zealand. We'll see how 50,000-year-old ancient
Kauri wood is "mined" from a bog and is now all the rage among those
who live in mansions and travel on yachts. From the lowly 2-by-4 used
to build a tract home, to a reclaimed set of historic planks used to
make a million-dollar bar in a 5-star hotel, this eye-opening program
hits the nail right on the head.
9-10pm -- MonsterQuest - Chupacabra
In 1995, a beast dubbed "El Chupacabra," spanish for "The Goatsucker,"
was first sighted and accused of killing and draining the blood of
hundreds of farm animals in Puerto Rico. Eyewitnesses describe it as a
two-legged reptile-like beast with sharp claws and sharper fangs. But
another rash of sightings, and killings, in Texas last year produced
eyewitness descriptions of a creature that looked very different. This
episode will go on the hunt for the Texas chupacabra. And for first
time on television, DNA tests will be performed on evidence from both
the Puerto Rico and Texas sightings in effort to scientifically prove
just what these mystery beasts could be.
10-11pm -- UFO Hunters - Arizona Lights
On April 21st, 2008, one of the most talked-about incidents in modern
UFO history opened a new chapter--the Phoenix Lights. At approximately
8PM, several residents reported seeing a formation of four lights that
reminded them of the group of floating lights that appeared above
Phoenix, Arizona on March 13, 1997. But few realize there was another
event reported state-wide during that original evening--a huge
triangular object observed by witnesses from the Nevada-Arizona border
to as far south as Tucson. James Fox, the filmmaker behind the seminal
UFO documentary, Out of the Blue, joins the team as they travel to
Phoenix to re-open one of the most reported incidents in UFO
history... and to find out if the lights have returned.
______________________________ ______________________
Thursday, December 11, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - More Bond Gadgets.
He's everyone's favorite spy, the man with a woman in every port and a
gadget in every pocket! No villain is too strong, no situation too
tough for His Majesty's Secret Agent, thanks to his wits, cunning, and
the best toys on the silver screen. History Channel cameras travel
from the Arizona desert to the British countryside to find the best
Bond gadgets--including amazing footage from inside the cockpit of the
world's smallest jet and rare home movies taken on the underwater set
of Thunderball.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Icebreakers.
They are the toughest ships in the water, plowing headlong into one of
nature's hardest obstacles. Modern icebreakers can smash through
10-foot thick ice sheets without stopping, allowing scientists and
commercial shipping access to some of Earth's most inhospitable spots.
Join our blustery journey as we patrol the Great Lakes on the USCG
Cutter Mackinaw and traverse the infamous Northwest Passage on the
maiden voyage of the USCG Healy, the newest Polar Class Icebreaker in
the US Fleet.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Die, Snitch, Die
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Cities of the Underworld - Land of Manson
He was the mastermind of the most notorious murders in U.S. history.
He terrified the world and plunged the city of Los Angeles into a
state of paranoia and fear. He's Charles Manson, and the deserts
around Los Angeles were his home--where he hoped the underground would
be his haven. But Manson and his followers weren't the only dangers
lurking beneath the streets of LA. We'll take you below the most
congested avenues of this classic American city, into the tunnels
where corrupt cops secretly ran the city, and where the largest subway
system in the world lies in waste. From earthquakes to UFOs, Los
Angeles--population 9 million plus--has to be ready for anything. With
military bunkers protecting our shores and subterranean
disaster-relief war rooms surveying the next big quake, LA's
underground holds the key to its survival.
______________________________ ______________________
Friday, December 12, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Private Jets, Part 2.
Viewers learn what it takes to buy a previously-owned jet, and we
travel to Dallas to visit the Associated Air Center, a company that
creates very high-end, lavish jet interiors. We also review the latest
in kit jets, and look into the new must-have of the super
rich--personal jets the size of commercial airliners.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Acid
It is the most widely produced chemical in the world and possibly the
most dangerous. Take a look at the many uses of acid. See how the
military harnesses acid to make the explosive "Comp B-4." Visit a
sulfuric acid plant to see how acid can take the stain out of
stainless steel and learn how it can be mixed to dissolve precious
metal. At the Heinz vinegar plant discover why acid's sour taste is
sweet. Finally, learn how acid loving bacteria in Yellowstone National
Park may hold the key to a biological industrial revolution and meet a
mad scientist who will demonstrate how acid can hollow out a penny and
turn a hot dog to sludge!
9-10pm -- Gangland - Blood in the Streets
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Shadow Force - Dark Zone
The team joins forces with a small conservancy unit in Kenya near the
border of Ethiopia. Tribal wars are getting deadlier as weapons flood
the region and the expansive desert dries up the last of the
resources. In this region that time forgot, being able to intervene in
a timely manner is critical. The team set up GPS panic buttons and
provide the tactics needed to stop the tribal wars before they spin
out of control.
______________________________ ______________________
Saturday, December 13, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Car Wash
From the birth of flight to the history of toilet paper, Modern
Marvels deals with the great engineering wonders of our world and
examines not only how they were built, but also the key personalities
involved in their construction. Join us for a fun, fascinating, and
sometimes frightening look at the technology that surrounds us.
8-10pm -- 70's Fever -
If the 1960s represented peace, love, and the "We Generation", then
the 1970s came to represent the pleasure seeking excesses of the "Me
Generation." The 1970s were a decade when cocaine was king, a
President fell in disgrace, homegrown terrorist groups prowled the
streets and all-night parties raged in Studio 54--all while
neighborhoods burned and the Son of Sam hunted. And yet it was a time
of renewed liberties, and huge technological leaps when two kids named
Steve built a machine in their Silicon Valley garage that changed the
world. Using rare footage and a period soundtrack, this special
deconstructs the 1970s, from Watergate to Studio 54. It evokes
nostalgia and challenges it, exploring the dark side of the decade's
cult leaders, sexual liberation and disco scene.
10-12am -- Hippies -
The Hippie movement was the most controversial and influential of
modern times. Free love, the peace movement, drugs, Eastern religions
and communes are explored. Meet the figures whose words and actions
inspired it and destroyed it. See how the vibrations from that era are
still resonating today in almost every aspect of American life, from
the clothes we wear, to the Personal Computer and the Internet.
Finally, historic footage, stills and period graphics are interwoven
with expert commentary and eyewitness testimony.
______________________________ ______________________
Sunday, December 14, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Gangland: Aryan Brotherhood -
The Aryan Brotherhood has the distinction of being the deadliest gang
in American history. They kill for hire or for free. They kill people
who steal their drugs or those that owe them money. Maintaining the
culture of terror that has solidified their power is their primary
goal. Drugs, gambling, liquor and inmate prostitution earns them
millions. From their beginnings in San Quentin Prison in 1964 to
current trials of sixteen members in Los Angeles, discover the
ultra-violent world that has largely gone unnoticed by the general
public for the last forty years.
8-10pm -- Hillbilly: The Real Story -
The two-hour special, hosted by celebrity Billy Ray Cyrus, brings
these mythic people to life through stories that span 300 years.
Outcast immigrants, war heroes, isolated backwoodsmen, hard working
miners, fast moving moon shiners, religious warriors, musicians and
statesmen make up the rugged cast of characters.
10-12am -- Extreme Marksmen -
Discover people who perform seemingly impossible shooting feats with
all kinds of firearms. Watch world-class shooters perform amazing
shots as well as reenact shots made famous in history. Stories will
include the toughest shot in Old West shooting exhibitions (the mirror
shot) as well as modern-day Army snipers who hit targets a mile away.
Super high-speed cameras will capture a bullet in the air and travel
with its trajectory to the target and animation will dissect the
technology of the gun, the ammunition, and the technique.
______________________________ ______________________
Monday, December 15, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Deep Sea Salvage
Driven by the need for deep sea rescue and salvage capabilities, the
US Navy Diving and Salvage Programs have gathered together a highly
skilled team of divers, scientists and engineers, who have been
involved in some of the most exciting and dangerous salvage operations
ever undertaken. Ride aboard the USS Salvor, which is equipped with
underwater remote operated robots and see how they were put to use
following the crash of TWA Flight 800. We'll examine the bomb locating
mini-sub Alvin and learn about "Saturation Diving" which allows divers
to stay below for days at a time.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Ice Cream
From the gelato of Italy, to the French Pot process of the 1800s, to
the numerous assortments of frozen delights being served up today,
learn the history of this delicious dessert. Visit factories at
Dreyer's, TCBY and the Joy Cone Company where ice cream, frozen
yogurt, and the cone, roll off the assembly line. Get the scoop on how
Ben & Jerry's come up with their crazy ideas and watch as one of their
madcap inventors creates a new flavor, just for us.
9-10pm -- Cities of the Underworld - Gladiators: Blood Sport
The gladiators of ancient Rome were the ultimate fighting machines.
They waged bloody battles to the death for the entertainment of the
masses--and to earn their freedom. From the depths of the vicious and
magnificent Flavian amphitheater, to the buried brothel where they
lived their last days, these are the secret lives of Rome's famed
slave warriors. Peel back the layers to uncover the origin of these
fierce fighters, as host Don Wildman heads into ancient crypts,
subterranean chambers used for pagan worship, and to the school that
taught the gladiators how survive... and how to kill.
10-11pm -- Ancient Discoveries - Lost Science of the Bible
Might the stories of the Bible have their basis in ancient scientific
fact? How big was the giant Goliath, and what was the tech of the
sling that brought him down? We'll demonstrate that the tower of Babel
could have been as tall as two miles in height. Create fire from water
as Elijah may have done. And in a never before attempted
investigation, watch as archeologists fully levitate a replica of the
Ark of the Covenant.
______________________________ ______________________
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Sub Zero.
Come in from the cold while we explore some of Earth's most frigid
places and examine how man copes with sub-zero climates. With the
advance of technology, our boundaries have expanded--from the North
and South Poles, to the depths beneath the Arctic and Antarctic sea
ice, to the Moon, Mars, and outward to Saturn. Enter these forbidding
territories, guided by a special breed of experts as we inspect the
new US South Pole Station, try on the latest Polartec fashions with
anti-microbial fibers, ride on the newest snowmobiles and Sno-Cats,
sail through glacial waters on ice-breaking ships, and fly on an
LC-130 transport plane. And we'll see what NASA has on the planning
board for deep-space exploration, including a beach-ball robot
explorer, and learn from scientists studying fish in the waters off
Antarctica to understand glycoproteins, which may keep frozen tissue
healthy longer for transplantation.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Cold Cuts
They're the meat in our sandwiches and slices of American pop culture.
Take a look behind the deli counter to reveal the secret ingredients
in boloney. Watch a master sausage maker craft salami, and pile it on
at Carnegie Deli with their famous mile-high pastrami sandwich. We'll
construct exotic cold cuts made of pig head parts and livers, make the
cut with the best meat slicers, past and present and see how to make
turkey out of tofu. And don't forget that olive loaf for the holidays.
Served cold and cut with precision. Pureed, pounded, and poured, it's
time for a taste of cold cuts.
9-10pm -- The Universe - Deadly Comets and Meteors
At this very moment, celestial forces prowl the Universe and threaten
man's very existence. They're asteroids and comets--and they've left
their imprint on planet Earth, literally. Initially, they helped build
planets through violent collisions. During this fiery bombardment
period, they may have even seeded Earth with water and the building
blocks for life. Since the turbulent formation of the solar system,
these space rocks have continued to impact earth. Some have been so
violent that they've led to mass extinctions events, including one
that wiped out the dinosaur. What's more, radical new theories suggest
that asteroid and comet dust harbor deadly viruses that may have
triggered some of our worst pandemics. The possibility of future
cosmic collisions remains a legitimate threat. Yet, despite their
dangers, asteroids and comets may hold vital natural resources, which
could actually preserve mankind.
10-11pm -- Extreme Trains - Overnight Traveler
The Amtrak Empire Builder runs from Chicago to Seattle and is the
busiest passenger train in America. The route passes through America's
longest tunnel, where host Matt Bown finds out how the railroad keeps
passengers from choking to death and how to keep the tracks from
flooding. In the Cascade Mountains, Matt finds out what it takes to
the keep the rails clear of snow drifts over a dozen feet high! This
episode covers how James J. Hill built the Great Northern Railroad;
and the Wellington avalanche disaster. It features some of America's
most beautiful scenery in the Montana's Glacier National Park, where
the final scenes of Hitchcock's movie North By Northwest were filmed.
______________________________ ______________________
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Secrets of Oil
Rubber, Plastic, Nylon, Aerosols, Resins, Solvents, and
Lubricants--none can exist without oil. If we stopped driving our cars
tomorrow, America would still need five million barrels of oil a day.
Visit Vulcan Materials, where oil tanks are emptied into massive
double-barrel mixers to make asphalt and then continue to the Rolls
Royce Aerospace Facility where complex jet fuels are blended. Travel
back to the 1870's to see how an unemployed whale oil salesman turned
a greasy oil-drilling by-product into a household staple: Vaseline.
Finally discover how cutting-edge recycling techniques can breathe new
life into used motor oil, and where a number of renewable fuels and
technologies take aim at oil sovereignty.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - The Turkey
It's the centerpiece on your Thanksgiving dinner table--and one of the
most famous birds in North America. From the moment a baby turkey
pecks through its shell to the factory that transforms turkey waste
into crude oil, see a world few have ever seen. Tour the Butterball
factory in North Carolina, where millions of domesticated turkeys are
processed, take a trip to a wild turkey hunt in the Montana
wilderness, and stop at America's most famous turkey-themed
restaurant, The Strongbow Inn, for a plate of turkey testicles and
turkey eggs. From pets to presidential pardons, it's an up-close look
at the feisty fowl that's the reluctant star of our holiday dinners.
9-10pm -- MonsterQuest - Mutant Canines
Something strange is killing Fido. In 2006, a number of pets were
killed in Maine and Minnesota by a beast locals describe as a
mutant--one of these creatures was hit by a car. The body of this
strange looking creature will be DNA tested to see what it really is.
Two expeditions will be launched to trap other dog killers still at
large. One-part history, one-part science and one part monster,
discover the truth behind legendary monsters.
10-11pm -- UFO Hunters - Invasion Illinois
Analysis of video taken of an alleged UFO over Illinois suggests the
object could have been as large as 1500 feet across. The video,
featured on UFO HUNTERS, captured three bright lights in a triangular
pattern. It was part of a mass sighting of over fifty reports near
Tinley Park, Illinois in 2004. Upon investigating, the team discovered
that similar objects were reported all over the world in the days
surrounding this event--from Australia to Canada. Sightings of
triangular-shaped UFOs have been on the rise in recent decades, but
was the Tinley Park mass sighting a solid object, or as some believe,
a hoax involving weather balloons and flares? Analysis of the video
suggests it could have been a solid object larger than any known
craft.
______________________________ ______________________
Thursday, December 18, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Bulletproof.
How do you stop a speeding bullet? From body armor to armored cars and
trucks, we review the history of the race between the bullet and a
successful way to stop it. It's not exactly easy to design material
that can catch gunfire traveling up to 3,000 feet per second. We'll
look at little-known advances like bulletproof layering hidden in
walls, futuristic smart materials that "remember" how to stop a
bullet, and a system that deploys a shield within milliseconds when it
detects an oncoming round.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Fast Food Tech
Can fast food get any faster? Fast food joints in the US pull in $150
billion dollars in annual sales. Their mantra is "fast, consistent,
and inexpensive." Learn how they grow it, process it, freeze it, ship
it, track it, fry it, flip it and pack it. Watch as hundreds of
burgers, fries and shakes fly across counters and drive-thru windows
at Carl's Jr., Jack in the Box, Wendy's and McDonald's. Visit a
potato-processing plant for the scoop on how fries are made and learn
how Taco Bell's founder developed the fast-food hard shell taco. Find
out what the future holds for fast food technology.
9-10pm -- Gangland: Aryan Brotherhood -
The Aryan Brotherhood has the distinction of being the deadliest gang
in American history. They kill for hire or for free. They kill people
who steal their drugs or those that owe them money. Maintaining the
culture of terror that has solidified their power is their primary
goal. Drugs, gambling, liquor and inmate prostitution earns them
millions. From their beginnings in San Quentin Prison in 1964 to
current trials of sixteen members in Los Angeles, discover the
ultra-violent world that has largely gone unnoticed by the general
public for the last forty years.
10-11pm -- Cities of the Underworld - Gladiators: Blood Sport
The gladiators of ancient Rome were the ultimate fighting machines.
They waged bloody battles to the death for the entertainment of the
masses--and to earn their freedom. From the depths of the vicious and
magnificent Flavian amphitheater, to the buried brothel where they
lived their last days, these are the secret lives of Rome's famed
slave warriors. Peel back the layers to uncover the origin of these
fierce fighters, as host Don Wildman heads into ancient crypts,
subterranean chambers used for pagan worship, and to the school that
taught the gladiators how survive... and how to kill.
______________________________ ______________________
Friday, December 19, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Dredging.
They dig, scoop, suck, and spew an ocean of silt and sediment.
Dredgers are the mechanical beasts that fuel the world's economic
engine by clearing and deepening ports for mega-container ships. The
roots of dredging go back as far as the Egyptians, who used their
hands to open channels on the Nile to keep crops watered. The Romans,
who used harbor dredging to keep a tight fist on Europe, pioneered the
"spoon and bag" dredge to speed up the process. Steam power brought
about the first large-scale dredges and helped create the Panama
Canal. We'll go aboard two of the largest US dredgers and see how they
keep waters moving. And in Holland, we meet the biggest players on the
dredging world and witness the launching of the largest dredge ever
built. From there, we head to Dubai in the Middle East, where 90
square miles of new islands was dredged from the sea and will now
create a pleasure world for the rich and powerful.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Obsolete Tech
Rummage around in your garage and you'll likely find a typewriter,
VCR, analog TV, LP's, film cameras and brick-sized mobile phones.
These products served us well for years--but each is now considered
obsolete. We'll examine how these oldies-but-goodies worked and find
out how more advanced tech superseded them. At the Houston Chronicle,
we'll learn how the "dead tree" edition of a major American newspaper
can compete with its online edition. A car aficionado from Ford will
compare what's under the hoods of a classic 1968 Mustang and a spiffy
2009 model. Then, witness a vinyl resurgence at Rainbo Records in Van
Nuys, California. ION Audio shows us that what's old can be new again
by converting our favorite photos, VHS videos, records and tapes to
more modern formats. And a TV expert from Best Buy, a gadget collector
and a futurist forecast what might fall by the wayside next. Don't
blink--because tech is evolving as we speak.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Blood In, Blood Out
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Shadow Force - Gorilla War
Poachers are killing the rare Gorillas of Congo, and they are paying
Rwanda's genocidal maniacs to protect them while they practice their
deadly trade. For the park rangers protecting the Gorillas, it's all
out war and they are heavily outnumbered. The team brings in special
communications equipment that allows the rangers to track the Gorilla
populations and call for help when they run into rebels. In Congo,
this kind of equipment gives the edge to anyone who has it, and the
team soon finds out that it is being targeted by "other" agencies.
It's a race against the clock to get the equipment into the hands of
the park rangers and show them how to tactically hide it during combat
operations, and keep it away from others who may be trying to steal
it.
______________________________ ______________________
Saturday, December 20, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Christmas Tech
Christmas is observed by nearly one-third of the world's
population...and probably more if you count the non-Christians who
incorporate some of the more secular traditions into their winter
season. Every year, revelers go all out with trees, ornaments, lights,
window displays and Christmas treats. Technological advancements have
made them cheaper, easier and safer. We'll visit Rockefeller Center
for a look at their yearly tree preparations and then take a walk to
Macy's, Herald Square, where we'll find out what it takes to design,
assemble and install their annual holiday windows. How is the 3,300
pound UNICEF crystal snowflake hoisted above Fifth Avenue every year?
Then it's off to Yule Tree Farms, one of Oregon's largest Christmas
tree farms and we'll visit a bakery in Texas that bakes and ships
about 33,000 fruitcakes per day during the holiday season. So plug in
the tree, grab some eggnog, sit back and enjoy!
8-10pm -- Banned from The Bible -
In a 2-hour special, we scrutinize ancient writings that didn't "make
the cut" in the battle to create a Christian Bible in the new
religion's first few centuries. Biblical archaeologists and scholars
examine why they were left out and if others might yet be found.
Beginning with the little-known Life of Adam and Eve, we also peruse
the Book of Jubilees, the Book of Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas, the
Protevangelium of James, the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Nicodemus,
and the Apocalypse of Peter.
10-12am -- Beyond The Da Vinci Code -
Is it the greatest story ever told--or the greatest story ever sold? A
best-selling novel sparks a debate that could change Christianity
forever. Were Jesus and Mary Magdalene married and co-leaders of their
movement? Was Mary Magdalene, herself, the Holy Grail--the vessel said
to hold Jesus's blood--and mother of his descendants? Did the early
Church know this "truth" and deliberately mislead followers? Is there
a secret, ancient society, the Priory of Sion, which still protects
this bloodline? Have some of the most illustrious names in art and
science been members? These are some of the questions that Dan Brown's
best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code raises. We examine both sides of
the story--the conventional view of Christianity and the "alternate
history" proposed by Brown--so that viewers can decide.
______________________________ ______________________
Sunday, December 21, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
6-8pm -- 70's Fever -
If the 1960s represented peace, love, and the "We Generation", then
the 1970s came to represent the pleasure seeking excesses of the "Me
Generation." The 1970s were a decade when cocaine was king, a
President fell in disgrace, homegrown terrorist groups prowled the
streets and all-night parties raged in Studio 54--all while
neighborhoods burned and the Son of Sam hunted. And yet it was a time
of renewed liberties, and huge technological leaps when two kids named
Steve built a machine in their Silicon Valley garage that changed the
world. Using rare footage and a period soundtrack, this special
deconstructs the 1970s, from Watergate to Studio 54. It evokes
nostalgia and challenges it, exploring the dark side of the decade's
cult leaders, sexual liberation and disco scene.
8-10pm -- Modern Marvels - Walt Disney World.
Journey underground and backstage at the technological marvel that is
Walt Disney World. Enter a make-believe world spanning some 27,000
acres, brought to life by cutting-edge technology. What was once
Florida swampland now boasts the world's largest theme park. The ride
technology ranges from space-age centrifuges to enhanced motion
vehicles powered by 3,000 PSI of hydraulic pressure. And hundreds of
audio animatronics brought to life through the power of pneumatics,
hydraulics, and electrical systems. Walt Disney World is made up of
four separate theme parks, each with its own innovations: the 107-acre
Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
The four parks are all part of a megaplex of a resort. Twice the size
of Manhattan, it was the final vision and crowning achievement of a
man who spent more than 40 years pushing the limits of technology to
create entertainment magic: Walt Disney.
10-11pm -- Ancient Discoveries - Lost Science of the Bible
Might the stories of the Bible have their basis in ancient scientific
fact? How big was the giant Goliath, and what was the tech of the
sling that brought him down? We'll demonstrate that the tower of Babel
could have been as tall as two miles in height. Create fire from water
as Elijah may have done. And in a never before attempted
investigation, watch as archeologists fully levitate a replica of the
Ark of the Covenant.
______________________________ ______________________
Monday, December 22, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Batman Tech -
Since his debut in DC Comics in 1939, Batman has dazzled readers with
an amazing array of bat gadgets. Viewers will go deep inside the
Batcave to examine these incredible tools--many of them inspired by
amazing real-life military developments. Discover just how close they
come to real-life technology.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Super Human
Do normal humans actually possess the ability to have super powers? In
Utah, see how a man can strap on an exoskeleton and lift hundreds of
pounds with virtually no effort. In England, visit "Mr. Cyborg," a man
with the ability to control machines with merely a thought. In
California, see a man glide through the sky like Superman, then it's
off to Atlanta, Georgia to see how engineers have found a way to help
people glide through the water like Aquaman. Learn how scientists at
the University of Texas are building artificial muscles that are 400
times stronger than our own, and in Las Vegas, strap on velocity
motion stilts for a little bionic high jumping and high speed running.
9-10pm -- Cities of the Underworld - Jesus' Underground
Ethiopia is home to some of the oldest settlements in the world. This
cradle of mankind is a country born from legend and shrouded in
mystery. An ancient home to both Jews and Muslims, Ethiopia is also
the world's second oldest Christian nation. But if you were a
Christian during ancient times, and if you wanted to stay alive, the
only place to practice your faith was underground. From underground
engineering marvels to remote, cliff-hanging caves, Ethiopia's
isolated churches allowed Christianity to evolve in ways found nowhere
else in the world. From tombs of vanished emperors and subterranean
cathedrals where orthodox priests have been worshipping for thousands
of years, to the buried Palace of the Queen of Sheba and the possible
resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, clues to Ethiopia's lost
legends and tribes are littered right here...in the African
underground.
10-11pm -- Ancient Discoveries - Ancient Computer?
Journey back in time for an eye-opening look at the amazing ancient
roots of technologies we like to think of as modern. New research
suggests that many of the inventions of the last 200 years may, in
fact, have already been known to the ancients. In this hour, we
explore the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient machine that was
discovered deep in the Aegean Sea. Could it perhaps have been an
ancient computer? Could Archimedes have had a hand in its creation?
______________________________ ______________________
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Toys.
All aboard the nostalgia express as we take a trip through the past to
enjoy toys of our youth--the ones we can't forget and those that some
of use never gave up! This is the real toy story! We take a look at
five categories of boys' toys and see what relationship they have had
on the development of young minds; talk with collectors of antique and
specialty toys; and visit companies that make electric trains,
Matchbox Cars, GI Joe action figures, and LEGO Bricks, among others.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Measure It
How do you weigh a whale? We go to Shamu's Tank at Sea World to find
out. How does your speedometer work? Off to GM's test track for the
answer. We'll look at the five most common areas of measurement in our
everyday lives: distance, time, speed, weight, and temperature. We
visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to
find out where common measurements come from and how standards for
those measurements are set. Next, we'll go inside Stanley Tools where
we'll see how they guarantee every measuring tape gives the right
distance every time. And while we're measuring time, we'll learn why a
$5 kid's watch is more accurate than a $10,000 luxury brand.
9-10pm -- The Universe - Living in Space
When mankind eventually leaves the cradle of Earth and ventures forth
into the uncharted territories of the cosmos, where, and what form,
will our new homes take? Will they be cities under glass, entrenched
in distant alien soils? Will they be gleaming metropolises hanging in
orbit above our heads, or in the lonely void of space? Will they be
hollowed out asteroids, strip-mined for the valuables they horde? How
will we grow food? What will the new era of spacesuits be like? The
rovers that carry us around? Will robonauts, advanced robotic
machines, perform the most dangerous tasks for us? How will we live...
in space?
10-11pm -- Extreme Trains - Circus Train
Hop aboard the longest privately owned train in the world, Ringling
Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's circus train. PT Barnum's circus train
started in the 1870s; and the US military used circus loading
techniques in World War I. Host Matt Bown and the circus must race
against the clock to dismantle tons of equipment and get it on the
rails. As they travel from Baltimore to the Washington, DC corridor in
the dead of night, Matt discovers the less glamorous side to the
greatest show on earth.
______________________________ ______________________
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Bible Tech.
Arguably the most influential book ever written, the Bible provides a
glimpse into the origins of ancient technology and its use to
withstand the elements, build great structures, wage war, and conserve
precious water. We examine the technological plausibility of biblical
structures and machines--including the Tower of Babylon, the Temple of
Jerusalem, ancient bronze and iron forging, and shipbuilding skills
that might have been employed to build Noah's Ark.
8-9pm -- MonsterQuest - Sasquatch Attack II
Something has been attacking a remote cabin in Northern Ontario,
Canada--it may have left behind a blood trail. DNA analysis suggests
that the creature is a non-human primate. A follow up test will
confirm or deny this, and the results could change history. Meanwhile,
a new expedition, outfitted with the most advanced surveillance and
detection equipment, will set up camp at the cabin and wait for the
creature's imminent return. Scientists will be brought in to tell
viewers what the evidence reveals.
9-10pm -- MonsterQuest - Giant Killer Snakes
Head deep into the Venezuela wilderness where there have been
sightings of huge man-eating snakes--anaconda. For the first time ever
an industrial acoustic sonar camera will be used to search for these
monsters. The investigation will also search the Everglades of Florida
where pet pythons have escaped and are multiplying and growing to huge
sizes, preying on all kinds of animals, even swallowing a full grown
alligator in one case. Could a human become their next victim?
10-11pm -- MonsterQuest - Monster Spiders
Join an expedition into the wilderness of South America on the hunt
for a monster-sized predatory spider. In the forests of Venezuela
there are reports of spiders big enough to hunt and eat a small dog,
and villagers build their huts in such a way as to keep giant spiders
out. In 2006 an American soldier in Iraq was photographed with what
appeared to be a three foot long arachnid. Watch as experts
investigate the validity of these and other strange sightings, and
examine man's fear of spiders.
______________________________ ______________________
Thursday, December 25, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Christmas Tech
Christmas is observed by nearly one-third of the world's
population...and probably more if you count the non-Christians who
incorporate some of the more secular traditions into their winter
season. Every year, revelers go all out with trees, ornaments, lights,
window displays and Christmas treats. Technological advancements have
made them cheaper, easier and safer. We'll visit Rockefeller Center
for a look at their yearly tree preparations and then take a walk to
Macy's, Herald Square, where we'll find out what it takes to design,
assemble and install their annual holiday windows. How is the 3,300
pound UNICEF crystal snowflake hoisted above Fifth Avenue every year?
Then it's off to Yule Tree Farms, one of Oregon's largest Christmas
tree farms and we'll visit a bakery in Texas that bakes and ships
about 33,000 fruitcakes per day during the holiday season. So plug in
the tree, grab some eggnog, sit back and enjoy!
8-10pm -- God vs. Satan -
What will the battle of Armageddon look like? Will it take place at a
battlefield in Meggido, Israel, as stated in the Bible? Take a tour of
the final days on earth as envisioned by believers of the three
Abrahamic religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Examine the
final chapter of the ultimate battle between good and evil from
accounts in the Talmud, the book of Revelation and the Koran. Discover
how these religions differ, where they agree and what might occur
during this epic war.
10-12am -- Banned from The Bible -
In a 2-hour special, we scrutinize ancient writings that didn't "make
the cut" in the battle to create a Christian Bible in the new
religion's first few centuries. Biblical archaeologists and scholars
examine why they were left out and if others might yet be found.
Beginning with the little-known Life of Adam and Eve, we also peruse
the Book of Jubilees, the Book of Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas, the
Protevangelium of James, the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Nicodemus,
and the Apocalypse of Peter.
______________________________ ______________________
Friday, December 26, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - B-2 Bomber.
In any battle, the key to victory is the ability to strike the enemy
without them knowing what hit them. Within the US arsenal one such
weapon can go into harm's way, deliver 40,000 pounds of either
conventional or nuclear bombs, and slip away unobserved--the B-2
Stealth Bomber. With its origins in single-wing experimentation in
Germany in the 1930s, the B-2 was developed under a cloak of secrecy.
But when that cloak was lifted, the world was awed by what stood
before them. Able to fly over 6,000 miles without refueling, it can
reach whatever target the US military wants to attack and deliver its
awesome array of laser-guided weapons with pinpoint accuracy. Using
state-of-the-art technology, including over 130 onboard computers, and
shrouded by a mantle of stealth, it's undetectable by any radar.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Night
From the birth of flight to the history of toilet paper, Modern
Marvels deals with the great engineering wonders of our world and
examines not only how they were built, but also the key personalities
involved in their construction. Join us for a fun, fascinating, and
sometimes frightening look at the technology that surrounds us.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Paid in Blood
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Shadow Force - Last Chance
Rebel units descend from the jungles of Congo and terrorize the
hundreds of thousands of refugees who are stuck in desperate camps.
Small units from the Congolese Army are stretched to breaking point
trying to stop the death squad attacks, but too many people are dying.
The team joins forces with a unit positioned to protect one of the
larger refugee camps. They go on live patrols and bring in equipment
and tactics that give the protection units the edge. In this war-torn
environment, they are the only thing that saves the camps from a
massacre.
______________________________ ______________________
Sunday, December 28, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
8-9pm -- Gangland - To Torture or to Kill?
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Gangster City
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-12am -- Rumrunners, Moonshiners... -
Heroes who fight tax collectors and moral crusaders, or just common
criminals? Like it or not, America was built by rumrunners,
moonshiners, and bootleggers--even founding father John Hancock was a
smuggler. In the 1920s, Prohibition turned fishermen into rumrunners
and two-bit gangsters into millionaires, and moonshine haulers in
their souped-up cars helped create NASCAR. Rare archival footage and
photos help weave the compelling tale of our nation's love-hate
relationship with illegal alcohol.
______________________________ ______________________
Monday, December 29, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Night
(repeated from Friday)
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Diamond Mines.
Half a mile below the earth's surface, men mine for rough diamonds--a
pure carbon substance. Brilliant when cut and polished, they are
marketed as the most precious gem in the world. From the earliest
mines of the 4th century BC to today's technological wonders in South
Africa, we explore the history and technology of the diamond mine.
9-10pm -- Seven Deadly Sins - Lust
Christianity says lust is a sin but the Greek and Roman empires
celebrated it. The history of the sin of lust reveals surprising
twists--including Gnostic Christian orgies, Puritan anti-fornication
laws, and exorcists who battled the demon of lust called Asmodeus.
Today scientists believe the sin of lust maybe more genetics than
choice... but can they prove it?
10-11pm -- The History of Sex - Ancient Civilizations.
In this hour, we study sex in the ancient world--from Mesopotamians,
who viewed adultery as a crime of theft, to Romans, who believed that
squatting and sneezing after sex was a reliable method birth control.
We also look at revealing Egyptian and Greek practices--from the
origins of dildos, to intimate relations between Egyptian gods and
goddesses, to the use of crocodile dung as a contraceptive.
______________________________ ______________________
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Cold Cuts
They're the meat in our sandwiches and slices of American pop culture.
Take a look behind the deli counter to reveal the secret ingredients
in boloney. Watch a master sausage maker craft salami, and pile it on
at Carnegie Deli with their famous mile-high pastrami sandwich. We'll
construct exotic cold cuts made of pig head parts and livers, make the
cut with the best meat slicers, past and present and see how to make
turkey out of tofu. And don't forget that olive loaf for the holidays.
Served cold and cut with precision. Pureed, pounded, and poured, it's
time for a taste of cold cuts.
8-9pm -- Seven Deadly Sins - Lust
Christianity says lust is a sin but the Greek and Roman empires
celebrated it. The history of the sin of lust reveals surprising
twists--including Gnostic Christian orgies, Puritan anti-fornication
laws, and exorcists who battled the demon of lust called Asmodeus.
Today scientists believe the sin of lust maybe more genetics than
choice... but can they prove it?
9-10pm -- Seven Deadly Sins - Envy
The medieval philosopher St. Thomas Aquinas said that those guilty of
the sin of envy take "pleasure at another's misfortune." Italian
writer Dante characterized the envious as "sinners [who] have their
eyes sewn shut because they enjoyed watching others brought low." The
sin of envy has led to murder, revolution and even the fall of
empires. Yet in today's image-saturated world, has the sin of envy
gone from vice to virtue?
10-11pm -- Extreme Trains - Transcontinental
In this episode, host Matt Bown rides the busiest freight line
anywhere, Union Pacific's Omaha to Sacramento -- on a route that
crosses the world's longest rail causeway, through the world's largest
rail yard and over the fearsome Donner Pass, where Matt and the train
crews must free the tracks from huge blocks of ice. The episode also
covers the building of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s.
______________________________ ______________________
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
______________________________ ______________________
8-9pm -- Seven Deadly Sins - Envy
The medieval philosopher St. Thomas Aquinas said that those guilty of
the sin of envy take "pleasure at another's misfortune." Italian
writer Dante characterized the envious as "sinners [who] have their
eyes sewn shut because they enjoyed watching others brought low." The
sin of envy has led to murder, revolution and even the fall of
empires. Yet in today's image-saturated world, has the sin of envy
gone from vice to virtue?
9-10pm -- Seven Deadly Sins - Gluttony
The sin of gluttony isn't mentioned in the Bible, but as early as the
4th century those of Christian faith believed that eating to much
could send you to Hell. During the Dark Ages theologians believed
there were seven ways to commit the sin of gluttony, from "eating too
much" to "eating too daintily." Italian writer Dante said those who
committed the sin of gluttony would be punished in hell by being
force-fed toads and vermin. This sin is thought to be the cause of
obesity and alcoholism--and crusaders fought against the sin with
everything from religious fasts to Prohibition.
10-11pm -- UFO Hunters - Lost UFO Files
What secrets lay buried in the never-before-seen files of a famous UFO
investigator? In the early 1950s, James McDonald, a senior physicist
at the University of Arizona, changed the entire course of UFO
research. For nearly 20 years he examined UFO reports in great
detail--interviewing over 500 witnesses, uncovering important
government documents, and testifying before Congress in 1968. He
challenged skeptics, performed scientific analysis, and led the charge
for UFOs to be properly studied. After his tragic death in 1971, his
investigations and files were sent to the University archives, where
they lay dormant...until now. The team brings these lost UFO files
back into the public eye for the first time on television, and looks
at evidence long thought lost to history.
Fun fact:
The fax number for GMAC Commercial Mortgage spells out as (215) EAT-DIRT
GUIDE TO MEDITATION & YOGA Feel the stress melt away with the ancient arts of yoga and meditation to bring your emotional well-being into balance and keep your body fit! No classes to join, no monthly fees. "I am left with a sense of peace and relaxation that I did not think was possible in my busy life..." (Miriam W) For more information go to: www.horsetalker.org
Don't Be A Sucker (1947)
Click Watch Full Movie to see entire 1947 video, narrated by Lloyd Nolan
The History Channel's real-life Pirates Of The Caribbean website including a Mail Call clip of their favorite weapons: click on the pirate ship there to see video
Do you have written goals? In a survey of Harvard MBA grads in 1979: 84% had not set goals for themselves, 13% made goals but hadn't written them down, and 3% had written goals. By 1987, the 13% were earning twice as much as the 84% and the 3% were making ten times the earnings of the other 97%
Victory At Sea Special DVD Collection
*************************************************
Considered by many the greatest War Documentary ever made. Over 13,000 hours of footage gathered from the US, British, German
and Japanese navies during World War II were perused in the making of these compelling documentaries
*************************************************
World's Greatest War Documentary
Features:
* Digitally Remastered for DVD
* 1st Time Available in DVD Format
* Hours & Hours of Documentaries
Narrated by Leonard Graves and set to a score by Richard Rodgers, this program offered a remarkable look at the realities of naval
warfare and the extraordinary challenges faced by the Allies.
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Limited Time offer Order Now
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Nostradamus predicts final war will be between
Christians & Muslims (seen on A&E/History Channel)
R. Lee Ermey (Mail Call) has decided to play something other than a tough drill sgt. (Full Metal Jacket). His latest movie is a prequel to Texas Chainsaw Massacre called "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning" as the head of a very strange & lethal family of mutants
For info on UFOs, check out the interview on MonsterVision's Mars Attacks page
Official HistoryChannel.com Homepage
Or find out what happened when with our exclusive History of the World Timeline!
GO TO: HistoryChannel.com/worldtimeline
Episodes of the quirky Northern Exposure are on Hallmark Channel. And episodes of the even quirkier "Twin Peaks" are sometimes on Bravo. Monstervision review & host segments of the Twin Peaks movie "Firewalk With Me."
Fun fact:
According to Ripley's Believe It Or Not, the 800-mile long Aruwimi River, which flows through the Aruwimi Forest in the Congo, was unwittingly named by famous explorer David Livingstone. He asked a native what the name of the river was. The native replied "Aruwimi," which means, "What is he saying?"
In 1942, Adolf Hitler inherited 9,000 acres of grazing land in Colorado from German relatives. The PT Boat of WW2 was based on a blueprint from Andrew Higgins, a bootlegger who had used the speedboat design for rumrunning during Prohibition. And Arlington National Cemetery has four Tomb Of The Unknown Soldiers (WW1, WW2, Korea & Vietnam) but only 3 bodies: identification processes have become so good that all remains returned from Vietnam are eventually identified!
In 1963, ventriloquist Paul Winchell was awarded a patent for the first successful artificial heart. The plastic heart was first tested on a calf, which lived 94 days.
“The soul without imagination is what an observatory would be without a telescope”
Meet The History Channel's Featured Historians! Go to: Historychannel.com/historians
"I've come up with a set of rules that describe our reactions to technologies:
1. Anything that is in the world when you're born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works.
2. Anything that's invented between when you're fifteen and thirty-five is new and exciting and revolutionary and you can probably get a career in it.
3. Anything invented after you're thirty-five is against the natural order of things." Douglas Adams (1952-2001, Hitchhhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
NOTE: Times listed are both EST/Pacific. Individual television ratings:
According to Ripley's Believe It Or Not, the 800-mile long Aruwimi River, which flows through the Aruwimi Forest in the Congo, was unwittingly named by famous explorer David Livingstone. He asked a native what the name of the river was. The native replied "Aruwimi," which means, "What is he saying?"
Watch Mail Call every week if you know what's good for you, 
Official 