PBS’ ‘America’ comes up a bit short
Do PBS viewers need a British journalist to tell them about the American entrepreneurial spirit?
Based on a book by London Times editor Harold Evans, the four-part documentary series “They Made America” (9 p.m., KSPS) celebrates the ingenuity and can-do attitude behind the development of cable news, hip-hop franchising, steamship transportation, retail merchandising and gun manufacturing.
It’s curious to me that this series about making “things” should begin with rave biographies of Ted Turner (CNN) and Russell Simmons (hip-hop themed entertainment and fashion), men whose products are more conceptual than material.
The discussion of Ted Turner offers an entertaining wealth of vintage footage but covers little new ground. We learn that he turned his father’s media company into a string of stations and then used satellite technology to beam his modest Atlanta-based network to cable operators all over the country.
We’re told that the idea of CNN was questioned and ridiculed by the prevailing news establishment, and shown the network’s less-than-professional presence at the 1980 Republican convention, where their closet-sized booth was located directly over the marching bands. Whenever the band began to play, CNN had to cut to a commercial.
Like many biographies of Turner, “Made” concentrates on his maverick spirit, exemplified by his decision to compete in the America’s Cup sailing race. When the critics doubted his news network idea, he retorted, “If you’ve got an innovative idea and the majority does not pooh-pooh your idea, then you must not have a very good idea.”
The discussion of CNN ends at 1991, when its exclusive coverage of the Gulf War made the 24-hour news cycle a vital part of media and politics. Turner believes that his invention brought “democracy” to news.
“For the first time in the history of the world,” says Turner, “every world leader and everybody in the world had access to the same information at the same time.”
This being a PBS documentary and not, say, “Biography” or “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” I expected a little more analysis.
CNN helped launch the political careers of Ross Perot and Pat Buchanan, men who won millions of votes in the primaries and elections of 1992 and 1996. How can you discuss CNN without mentioning that fact?
And the same CNN that brought 24-hour news also spawned “Crossfire” and the proliferation of shows featuring screaming talking heads. If the last election demonstrated anything, it’s that such programs have little to do with news and everything to do with keeping their viewers angry and agitated.
“Apprentice” star Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth joins host Dr. Reef Karim on the series “House of Clues” (11 p.m., Court TV). “Clues” shows viewers how experts and analysts create a personality profile of a subject just from examining the contents of his or her home.
Apparently, that annoying “Lord of the Dance” show did more than inspire a thousand comedy bits and parodies. According to “Life of Luxury” (10 p.m., ABC), it earned creator Michael Flatley a cool $700 million. Flatley shows off his gorgeous flat, as well as his villa on the French Riviera, to host George Hamilton.
Other highlights
Parallel wives on “Trading Spouses” (8 p.m., Fox).
The 2001 epic “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (8 p.m., WB) concludes.
“Crossing Jordan” stars appear on a crossover episode of “Las Vegas” (9 p.m., NBC).
The Colts and Vikings meet on “Monday Night Football” (6 p.m., ABC).
A tidal wave threatens South Beach on “CSI: Miami” (9:30 p.m., CBS).
A young woman pretends to be a lottery winner on “$25 Million Dollar Hoax” (10 p.m., NBC).
Cult choice
A young woman (Lynn Redgrave) faces a romantic dilemma in 1960s London in the 1966 drama “Georgy Girl” (5 p.m., Turner Classic Movies), co-starring James Mason, Alan Bates and Charlotte Rampling,
Series notes
Cholesterol woes on “Still Standing” (8 p.m., CBS) … Joe Rogan hosts “Fear Factor” (8 p.m., NBC) … Arnaz needs a roof over his head on “One on One” (8 p.m., UPN).
Competitive gift giving on “Listen Up” (8:30 p.m., CBS) … A troublesome talent on “Half & Half” (8:30 p.m., UPN).
A party disaster on “Two and a Half Men” (9 p.m., CBS) … Competitive mutilation and humiliation on “The Swan” (9 p.m., Fox) … A surprise visit on “Girlfriends” (9 p.m., UPN) … Old friends on “Second Time Around” (9:30 p.m., UPN).