TV That's Good for You



Even in the poor economy, PBS is still making (or broadcasting) some good programs, a lot of "American Masters" and "American Experience" programs are coming up, "NOVA" is still good, and "Great Performances" seems to be offering a wider variety of topics the last few years. "Nature" has become more relevent and more genres are included in what used to be called "Masterpiece Theater".

Just this month, I've watched some good shows; "Make 'Em Laugh" - a program on the growth of comedy in the US in the last century; and "The Story of India" - a really competent overview of the entire history of a very complicated region with parallels to what is happening in India today. Another two hour special, "Cinema's Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood" is an informative documentary of the flight of some of the 1920s and 30s best movie-makers from Germany.

So far, none are added to TV.com...I wish some staff would make the rounds and punch 'em in (apparently CBS has signed some agreements for internet re-broadcast with PBS). As it is now, it can be tedious to submit them and wait. But then again, lots of good PBS series have never been added here ("Liberty! The Story of the American Revolution", "Vietnam: A Television History", "Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery", etc. etc.). On the other hand, we do have the internet broadcasts of "Novel Adventures".