Protest music documented in ‘Get Up’
After spending two nights with Bob Dylan, PBS dedicates two hours to the history of protest music with the documentary “Get Up, Stand Up: The Story of Pop and Protest” (9 p.m., KSPS). Hosted and narrated by Chuck D. of the rap group Public Enemy, “Get Up” is certainly expansive in scope and exhaustively inclusive.
This massive survey course in relevant musicianship begins with the union-organizing ballads of Joe Hill and concludes with the recent worldwide Live 8 fund-raising concert.
As expected, “Get Up” spends a great deal of time with the politically charged music of the civil rights and Vietnam eras, but viewers will find their memories jogged by the volume of political music from the first decade of the MTV generation.
The clip-rich enumeration of protest movements and music allows little time for reflection or dissenting voices. Several politically charged performers express their qualms about Bono’s cozy collaboration with world leaders such as Vladimir Putin. Rap is praised here for its honest discussion of gangs, drugs, violence and police brutality.
One commentator calls it “CNN for black people.” But nobody discusses the genre’s frequently degrading depiction of women, and only passing mention is made of hip-hop’s more recent celebration of “bling” and conspicuous materialism. Does it raise anyone’s consciousness when music changes the channel from CNN to QVC?
“Get Up” has a timeliness that cuts in two directions. It remains to be seen if an ongoing war will inspire a popular new musical protest scene. At the same time, “Get Up” airs at a cultural moment when people of every political persuasion have grown weary of rich celebrities posing as messiahs. Is Bono an entertainer or the “savior” of Africa? Perhaps he should remember the outrage that ensued when John Lennon quipped that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus.
Nominated for an Academy Award, the documentary “The Children of Leningradsky” (7:30 p.m., Cinemax) chronicles the lives of Russia’s thrown-away children. Thousands of boys and girls, abandoned by their drug-addicted and alcoholic parents, huddle for warmth, panhandle and prostitute themselves in Moscow’s opulent Leningradsky train station.
The film’s beautiful cinematography stands in stark contrast to its grim subject matter. While devastating in its sadness, the film offers a tribute to the strength and resilience of youth who find time to laugh, sing and even play.
Season premieres
Wallace needs help on of “Veronica Mars” (9 p.m., UPN).
A bug bite might explain the death of a human fly on “CSI: NY” (10 p.m., CBS).
Other highlights
Somebody hears the long “goodbye” on “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” (8 p.m., NBC).
The top four compete on “So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m., Fox).
Scheduled on “Real Sports” (9 p.m., HBO): Kurt Busch.
Locke comes upon a familiar face on “Lost” (9 p.m., ABC).
Lynda Carter guest-stars as a con artist on “Law & Order” (10 p.m., NBC).
Calls for a quarantine on “Invasion” (10 p.m., ABC).
Cult choice
The 1977 compilation “The Godfather Saga” (9 p.m., Spike) rearranges the action of the 1972 crime drama and its 1974 sequel and follows the saga of the Corleone crime family in chronological order.
Series notes
Judy uses love to her advantage on “Still Standing” (8 p.m., CBS) … Tyra Banks hosts “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., UPN) … Jimmy Eat World performs on a two-hour episode of “One Tree Hill” (8 p.m., WB).
A dating dud on “Yes, Dear” (8:30 p.m., CBS).
Campus arson on “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS) … Unsettled business with the Uzbeks on “E-Ring” (9 p.m., NBC).
Families need help on “Nanny 911” (9 p.m., Fox).