NOTE: We are listing both EST/Pacific Time and individual television ratings.
All rated [G] or [PG] unless noted. [NR] = Not Rated or news-related program.
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Meet The History Channel's Featured Historians! Go to: Historychannel.com/historians
January 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Breakfast Tech.
It slices and squeezes, sorts and sizes, mixes and cooks. Every
morning we count on it to keep our orange juice fresh, our eggs whole,
our cereals flaked, and our McGriddle syrupy--this is Breakfast Tech.
Aboard the aircraft carrier USS Stennis, we'll see how technology
makes it possible for chefs to prepare a fresh and nutritious
breakfast for five thousand hungry sailors. We will take you to the
Tyson Foods factory where thousands of pork bellies are dissected into
savory, smoked slices of bacon and at the Sunkist Orange Juice
Factory, we'll watch a million oranges get squeezed to a pulp. For
those on the go, it's a tour of a McDonald's factory to see the
McGriddle pancake being made. If you eat breakfast and you're not
afraid to see where it came from, join us on this tasty journey.
8-9pm -- The Universe - Cosmic Holes
Today, we know black holes exist, and now scientists are trying to
confirm that other holes lurk in hyperspace. Our infinite cosmos could
contain a variety of "holes" such as black, white, "mini" and
wormholes. White holes are the reverse of black holes; instead of
matter being sucked into it, matter is ejected out. Wormholes are
gateways in the fabric of space and time. They are included in
Einstein's field equations as possibilities for their existence.
Neither white holes nor wormholes have ever been found. Learn about
new discoveries including, colliding binary black holes, intermediate
black holes and manufacturing mini black holes.
9-10pm -- The Universe - Mysteries of the Moon
For thousands of years, mankind has found comfort in its presence.
It's been a lantern for nighttime travelers, a timekeeper for farmers,
and a location finder for sailors at sea. For some cultures, it's even
been a god. It's the only cosmic body ever visited by human beings.
From afar, the Moon's luminance has captivated us since the beginning
of time. And a closer look at the beacon in the dark sky reveals an
ever-present source of myth, intrigue, controversy and unsolved
mysteries. The field of science may cast an empirical light on some
things about the Universe, but lunar experts are the first to admit
they don't have all the answers when it comes to our Moon. This
episode explores the theories behind Lunar Transient Phenomena that
have left scientists stumped for centuries; takes to the Canadian
waters to see how the Moon effects our planet through tides; and dusts
off some age-old myths and weighs arguments that without our Moon,
humanity may not even exist.
10-11pm -- The Universe - The Milky Way
We used to think that Earth was at the center of the universe, but now
we know we're not even at the center of our own galaxy. Countless
wonders exist between where earth is situated and the massive black
hole at the galactic center of our solar system. Within the Milky Way
can be found the debris of old, dying stars fueling the birth of new
stars and at the galactic center hypervelocity stars get catapulted
clear beyond the Milky Way's outer rim at unimaginable speeds. Come
along for a guided tour of 100,000 light-year-wide family of stars and
stellar phenomena we call The Milky Way.
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Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Guns of the Civil War.
It was a war in which brother fought brother and battlefields became
slaughterhouses. During the Civil War, the country was in the midst of
an industrial revolution and developed the most destructive killing
machines the world had ever seen. Join us for a test fire of Civil War
guns--the first truly modern weapons.
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 -- Lost Worlds - Secret U.S. Bunkers
As the Cold War reached its boiling point the US began to make plans
to protect the country and the president. Elaborate defense
preparations were made in the event of nuclear war. Highly secret
bunkers were constructed and a covert shadow government program was
born. Now these newly opened bunkers are brought into view... in some
of the most unexpected places imaginable.
10-11pm -- MonsterQuest - Russia's Killer Apemen
In 2006, The New York Times revealed a sinister plan by Soviet
dictator Josef Stalin to create monsters by crossing humans with apes.
Travel to Russia to find out if this was true and if so how far did he
get? Take a look at the many efforts, both by man and Mother Nature,
to combine the strength of apes with the intelligence of man. This
real Frankenstein story involves everything from head transplants in
the U.S. to cases of ape on human attacks. One-part history, one-part
science and one part monster, discover the truth behind legendary
monsters.
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Thursday, January 3, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Heavy Metals.
They are elements that occupy a select portion of the periodic table
and are so essential to America's economic and military might that
they are stored in the National Defense Stockpile in case of all-out
war. We plan a riveting visit. Some of the vital heavy metals that we
survey include copper, uranium, lead, zinc, and nickel. We also take a
look at superalloys--consisting of steel combined with chromium,
cobalt, and dozens of other heavy metals--that resist corrosion and
perform increasingly elaborate functions. From Earth to space, from
cosmetics to vitamins, in a million different ways, heavy metals are
here to stay!
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 - Gangster City
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Gangland - 07 - Stone to the Bone
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
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Friday, January 4, 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 - Engineering Disasters 20
In March of 2005, the BP Refinery in Texas City, Texas, suffered a
series of explosions that decimated a large portion of the facility
and killed 15 workers. Examine the series of events that led to one of
the worst industrial accidents in the United States. Then we'll
document the unusual circumstances that caused American Airlines
flight 587 to fall from the sky. What happened in Times Beach,
Missouri, when a local waste hauler oiled down dusty roads with oil
that was laced with dioxin? Next we'll look at what went wrong with
NASA's Skylab in 1974 and finally we'll examine the fire that
destroyed the gas company, Praxair, in June of 2005. Interviews with
survivors help complete the picture.
9-10pm -- Shockwave - 06 - Shockwave
Nothing makes for more exciting television than seeing history
captured as it happened, whether by home video, cell phones,
surveillance systems, or the occasional lucky news cameraman. This new
groundbreaking series taking the best raw footage of catastrophic,
headline-making events from all over the world and using the latest in
graphics technology to dissect the video, revealing astonishing 3-D
views and explanations for what really happened. From the catastrophic
bridge collapse in Minneapolis to the explosion aboard the USS
Forrestal, we take an in-depth look at the stories behind the
headlines and introduce you to the people who conquered tragedy with
their incredible human spirit.
10-11pm -- Secrets of the Kama Sutra -
A visit to the fabled temples of India that celebrate the Kama Sutra,
ancient Hindu texts that deal with all facets of sexual experience
including exotic lovemaking and formulas for aphrodisiacs.
____________________________________________________
Saturday, January 5, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Hooked
The fishing show for guys who want to know more about the boats, nets,
harpoons, hooks, fish finder, winches, and all the rest.
8-10pm -- Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History -
Kneeling before a flaming cross, Klansmen and women take part in their
sacred bonding, showing how secrecy and ritual aid the hooded order in
a campaign for white supremacy. From its birth in 1866's
Reconstruction South to a 1996 rally, this chronicle of hate talks to
Julian Bond, Morris Dees Jr., the Grand Dragon, and Imperial Wizard.
10-12am -- Reel To Real - Dirty Harry
Movie. A San Francisco cop with little regard for rules (but who
always gets results) tries to track down a serial killer who snipes at
random victims. Clint Eastwood stars in the first, and perhaps the
best, of the Dirty Harry crime series. Harry Guardino and Reni Santoni
co-star. (1971)
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Sunday, January 6, 2008
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7-8pm -- Shockwave - 06 - Shockwave
Nothing makes for more exciting television than seeing history
captured as it happened, whether by home video, cell phones,
surveillance systems, or the occasional lucky news cameraman. This new
groundbreaking series taking the best raw footage of catastrophic,
headline-making events from all over the world and using the latest in
graphics technology to dissect the video, revealing astonishing 3-D
views and explanations for what really happened. From the catastrophic
bridge collapse in Minneapolis to the explosion aboard the USS
Forrestal, we take an in-depth look at the stories behind the
headlines and introduce you to the people who conquered tragedy with
their incredible human spirit.
8-10pm -- Crime Wave: 18 Months of Mayhem -
John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly, Baby Face Nelson, and Bonnie and
Clyde are some of the most notorious criminals of the last century.
Technological advances like the Tommy Gun, V-8 engines with electric
starters, and bulletproof vests often gave the robbers the advantage
over the police. A spree of robberies, killings and kidnappings during
an 18-month period from 1933 to 1934 shook the nation to its core. The
government responded with a war on crime that began with America's
first national police force and the rise of the FBI. HD location
photography, archival footage and evocative recreations are used to
transport the viewer back to this era and to capture the hectic pace
of this crime wave.
10-12am -- Fort Knox: Secrets Revealed -
The U.S. Bullion Depository, better known as Fort Knox, is home of the
United States Army and one of the world's most top secret fortresses.
Hidden deep inside the vault is an estimated $73 billion dollars in
gold. Almost all information about it is classified. Through
interviews with eyewitnesses, rare photos and rarely seen films, we
will construct a picture of what the building might look like. Hear
testimony of those journalists and congressmen who were among the
select few invited inside in 1974. Discover the history and secrets
behind the Army's tank warfare and the classified military
technologies it will use to fight the wars of the future.
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Monday, January 7, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Weapons of Mass Destruction
From the unimaginable power of nuclear bombs to microscopic anthrax
spores, we reveal who possesses these nightmare weapons and explore
the danger posed by terrorists with deadly technologies. Using the
latest computer technology we see an on-screen representation of the
radioactive plume that would result from a mock dirty bomb attack in
Seattle. We will learn how bio-agents are discovered and understand
the technology currently used to identify and prevent suicide
bombings. Weapons of mass destruction have made the world a dangerous
place but we will find out how technology can assist us as we strive
for lasting solutions.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Milk
Got milk? Billions of pounds of milk are consumed worldwide on a daily
basis. Milk is the basis for its own food group, and has been around
since the dawn of mammals. Visit a farm with a milking parlor that
looks more like a cow merry-go-round. Learn what pasteurization is
really all about, and even milk a yak. Find out what those active
cultures in yogurt are and discover if milk truly makes the body good.
Wait until you discover just how many types of cows there truly are.
9-10pm -- Gangland - 08 - Hate Nation
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Shockwave - 05 - Shockwave
Pilot Ben Moore manages to survive a nose first helicopter crash while
trying to lift a 3,400 pound air conditioning cooling tower off a
building. Next three young men attempt to drive through a flooded wash
during a torrential rain storm. Considered the worst crash in
Pro-Stock racing history, watch as driver Bruce Allen loses control of
his racer and drives directly into Kenny Koretsky's lane. Then
Hurricane Iniki, the most powerful storm to ever hit the Hawaiian
Islands, pummels the island of Kauai with 200 mile an hour winds.
Finally, as the U.S.S. Kittyhawk takes part in war games off the coast
of Japan, one fighter comes in to low and clips the ship's stern--the
plane explodes and the pilot parachutes directly into the fire.
____________________________________________________
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Truck Stops
Catering to more than twenty million truckers, truck stops are bigger
and better than ever. These mega-pit stops are essential to the trucks
and truckers that haul eight billion tons of freight annually. Tour
the world's largest truck stop that offers fuel, food, parking,
private showers, a movie theater, a dentist office, and a barbershop.
Look at how 18-wheelers can power up their rigs with a high tech
parking lot hookup called IdleAire; complete with heat, air
conditioning, a telephone line, a computer with high speed internet,
and of course satellite TV. We'll also see how 30,000 gallon
underground diesel storage tanks are manufactured. And we'll weigh and
inspect a truck while it's barely slowing down. In an interview with
Willie Nelson, we'll explore one of the most unique truck stops in the
United States and the revolutionary fuel it sells: biodiesel.
8-9pm -- The Universe - Alien Planets
Have planet hunters finally found proof of other Earthlike worlds?
Astronomers have now discovered over two hundred alien worlds, beyond
our solar system, that were unknown just a decade ago. Discover
planets that rage with fiery hurricanes and bizarre planets covered by
water so dense that it forms a kind of hot ice. Among these weird
worlds, Earth actually seems like the oddball with the right
conditions for life.
9-10pm -- The Universe - Alien Moons
Travel from the inner solar system to the Kuiper Belt and explore the
moons surrounding the planets of the solar system. Many of these moons
that were once unknown are now on the cutting edge of astronomical
study. Some burst with volcanic fury another spews icy geysers and
others offer the possibility of alien life. Are these strange worlds
simply hostile environments unfit for humans or do other possibilities
exist? Cutting-edge computer graphics are used to bring the universe
down to earth and to imagine what kind of life forms might evolve in
alien atmospheres.
10-11pm -- Mega Disasters - Gamma Ray Burst
Scientists at the University of Kansas believe gamma ray bursts were
responsible for a great mass extinction on Earth 450 million years
ago. The gamma rays strip away the ozone layer and generate chemical
smog, producing a widespread chill that grips the Earth. It would
cause food chains to collapse resulting in a prolonged worldwide
famine. Also, an expected electromagnetic pulse will zap all of our
electronics. Scientists predict the Earth will be able to support only
5 to 10 percent of its current population; that means close to 6
billion people will die--most by starvation. How will our modern
cities hold up in the face of a previous global catastrophe?
____________________________________________________
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Racetrack Tech.
A look at the "science of safety" as applied to Indy or NASCAR racing.
From tires to roll-cages to hood flaps, we examine the incredible
technology that's helping prevent crashes and enabling drivers to
survive the inevitable ones. See how today's innovative minds
digitally reconstruct crashes and design new technology that keeps
pushing the limits of racing. The drivers may grab the glory, but they
wouldn't dare get behind the wheel if it weren't for the guys in white
lab coats. (1-hour version)
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Aluminum
This useful metal was once considered more valuable than gold. Watch
as aluminum is stretched, pounded, melted and turned into foam. Did
you know that aluminum is made out of a powder? Visit the widest
rolling mill in the world where skins for the largest jets are made,
then it's off to NASA to observe how aluminum is used to make
reflective mirrors for telescopes. Discover the process of making
aluminum foil and learn why aluminum baseball bats are better than
wood.
9-10pm -- Lost Worlds - Kama Sutra
One thousand years ago in the northern region of central India, the
Hindu Kings built their capital city, Khajuraho. Eighty-five stunning
temples were built, twenty of which remain today. Famed above all for
the delicate sensuality and eroticism of their sculptures, these frank
representations of sexuality are considered an expression of India's
world renowned Kama Sutra.
10-11pm -- MonsterQuest - Unidentified Flying Creatures
For decades, cameras have been capturing images of a flying,
torpedo-like creature so fast it cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Some think it is a military weapon; others believe it may be a
creature from another dimension known as "Rods." Super high-speed
photography, physics and even a wind tunnel experiment will be used to
shed light on what these images are. One-part history, one-part
science and one part monster, discover the truth behind legendary
monsters.
____________________________________________________
Thursday, January 10, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - More Military Movers
Soldiers, machines, and supplies are only effective if they arrive at
the battlefield in time. Explore the history and the technology behind
the machines that do the heavy moving in times of war. The V-22 Osprey
is designed to combine the best qualities of a helicopter with the
best qualities of a fixed-wing aircraft. For all of its ingenuity and
promise, the Osprey has had a tumultuous development period. These
controversies will be examined as Osprey advocates explain how the
aircraft's shortcomings have been worked out. Take a look at the
Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter--a versatile, twin engine, tandem
rotor, heavy lift copter that is a major military workhorse. Also
spotlighted are LMSRs, which are some of the largest non-combatant
ships in the military. Reaching nearly a thousand feet in length, they
are capable of carrying an entire U.S. Army task force.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Vacuums
Vacuums aren't just for cleaning floors. There are giant vacuums that
clean up after disasters like Hurricane Katrina and underwater vacuums
that save coral reefs by suctioning up invasive algae. In the 19th
century pneumatic vacuum tubes delivered mail speedily via miles of
tubes. Visit the Hoover Vacuum Museum, see how the household sweeper
was invented and learn about some unusual applications. Finally, a
trip to world's largest vacuum chamber at NASA's Plum Brook Research
Center reveals how NASA tests vehicles and equipment before their
journey into the final frontier.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Basic Training
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
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?
____________________________________________________
Friday, January 11, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Harvesting.
Cutting, digging, picking, stripping, shaking, and raking--whatever
the crop, there's a custom machine to harvest it. It all began with
handpicking and today it's often one man and one machine harvesting
hundreds of acres in a single day. The farmer may even get a little
help from satellites. Far above the earth, high-resolution photography
is giving the grower more opportunities to cut costs and maximize the
harvest. From the debut of the sickle in ancient Egypt to McCormick's
famous Reaper to the field of ergonomics that assists human
harvesters, we'll dig into the past and future of the harvest.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Engines.
Story of the development of engines and motors, with particular
emphasis on the ones that have profoundly changed society. Beginning
with the steam engine, we see how it was created, how it works, and
how it led to the Industrial Revolution. We review the electric motor,
internal combustion engine, jet engine, and rocket engine, and
conclude with a look at futuristic engine technologies, including
hydrogen-powered cars and microtechnology engines so small that they
fit on the tip of a finger.
9-10pm -- Shockwave - 01 - Shockwave
Nothing makes for more exciting television than seeing history
captured as it happened, whether by home video, cell phones,
surveillance systems, or the occasional lucky news cameraman. Witness
the best raw footage of catastrophic, headline-making events from all
over the world. Watch as a firefighter takes the full force of a
massive explosion, and then be a spectator as China Airline Flight 120
erupts into a fireball on the runway in Okinawa, Japan. Sift through
the debris of a Kansas tornado, then behold a rescue chopper crash
into Mt. Hood just as a hiker is about to be lifted to safety. See
race veteran Joe McCannon slam into a wall. Finally examine a missile
misfire on the USS Forrestal and watch as the missile hits the fighter
planes on the flight deck!
10-11pm -- Modern Marvels - High Tech Sex.
Join us for a walk on the wild side of the history of sexual
enhancement and contraception--from Cleopatra's box of buzzing bees to
17th-century condoms to Internet sex and 21st-century holographic
pornography! In an explicit exploration of the aphrodisiacs, drugs,
contraceptives, toys, and cyber-tech innovations that have ushered in
a brave new world of modern sexuality, we talk to sexologists and
historians for ribald romp behind the bedroom's closed doors.
____________________________________________________
Saturday, January 12, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Milk
Got milk? Billions of pounds of milk are consumed worldwide on a daily
basis. Milk is the basis for its own food group, and has been around
since the dawn of mammals. Visit a farm with a milking parlor that
looks more like a cow merry-go-round. Learn what pasteurization is
really all about, and even milk a yak. Find out what those active
cultures in yogurt are and discover if milk truly makes the body good.
Wait until you discover just how many types of cows there truly are.
8-10pm -- Crime Wave: 18 Months of Mayhem -
John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly, Baby Face Nelson, and Bonnie and
Clyde are some of the most notorious criminals of the last century.
Technological advances like the Tommy Gun, V-8 engines with electric
starters, and bulletproof vests often gave the robbers the advantage
over the police. A spree of robberies, killings and kidnappings during
an 18-month period from 1933 to 1934 shook the nation to its core. The
government responded with a war on crime that began with America's
first national police force and the rise of the FBI. HD location
photography, archival footage and evocative recreations are used to
transport the viewer back to this era and to capture the hectic pace
of this crime wave.
10-11pm -- Hooked: Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way - Marijuana.
In a series investigating the history of drug use, we begin our trip
tracing the rise of marijuana and synthetic amphetamines. Marijuana,
from the Indian hemp plant, has been used worldwide as a source of
rope, cloth, and paper; its medicinal qualities were first documented
4,000 years ago in China. But it's best known as the drug of choice of
the 1960s. During WWII, US troops were given an estimated 200 million
amphetamines to fight drowsiness and battle fatigue, and they're still
used to fight depression.
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Sunday, January 13, 2008
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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.
10-11pm -- MonsterQuest - Swamp Beast
Are the vast swamps of Louisiana and Florida hiding a beast? The
locals believe so and call it, "The Swamp Creature." It is said to be
7-feet tall with red hair and a rotten egg smell. The beast even has a
nickname--The Skunk Ape. For the first time, bloodhounds will be used
to track the elusive creature, and sexual ape pheromone chips will be
used to guide the bloodhounds to their prey. Scientists will be
brought in to tell viewers what the evidence reveals. One-part
history, one-part science and one part monster, discover the truth
behind legendary monsters.
____________________________________________________
Monday, January 14, 2008
____________________________________________________
7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - The Supermarket.
Our basic need and desire for food has made the supermarket one of the
great success stories of modern retailing. Making customers' visits to
the market as efficient as possible has led to many technological
advancements such as bar coding and a scale that recognizes the type
of produce placed on it. We'll explore the psychology of the
supermarket including store layout, lighting, music and aromas that
trigger the appetite. With a growing percentage of the public
interested in eating healthier foods, organic grocers are carving out
an increasingly large niche. These are just a few of the items worth
checking out in this appetizing hour.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Carbon
Carbon is the chemical basis of all known life and yet this simple
element is also the foundation of modern technology. Carbon burns
hotter, cuts deeper, insulates more thoroughly and absorbs more fully
than any other material. See why carbon is the key both in heavy-duty
industries, as well as in tools like the graphite pencil, the charcoal
water filter, and the diamond saw blade. Watch how carbon fiber, a
material stronger than steel and lighter than fiberglass, is made into
the fuselage of a new Boeing 787. Discover why "activated charcoal" is
the material of choice for absorbing everything from toxic heavy
metals in your drinking water to funky odors in your shoes.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Gangster City
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Shockwave - 06 - Shockwave
Nothing makes for more exciting television than seeing history
captured as it happened, whether by home video, cell phones,
surveillance systems, or the occasional lucky news cameraman. This new
groundbreaking series taking the best raw footage of catastrophic,
headline-making events from all over the world and using the latest in
graphics technology to dissect the video, revealing astonishing 3-D
views and explanations for what really happened. From the catastrophic
bridge collapse in Minneapolis to the explosion aboard the USS
Forrestal, we take an in-depth look at the stories behind the
headlines and introduce you to the people who conquered tragedy with
their incredible human spirit.
____________________________________________________
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
____________________________________________________
7-8pm -- 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.
8-9pm -- The Universe - Jupiter: The Giant Planet
Jupiter poses many questions about our solar system. It is a powerful
planet of gas whose flowing colors and spots are beautiful, but
contain violent storms and jet streams. A mini solar system of over
sixty moons rotate around Jupiter--a half billion miles from earth.
Could one of these moons contain life under its icy crust?
9-10pm -- The Universe - Dark Matter
Scientists have no idea what it is, but Dark Matter and Dark Energy
make up 96% of the Universe. Dark Matter is everywhere. It passes
through everything we know on earth at billions of particles every
second, yet no one has ever gotten a direct detection of this
mysterious dark substance. An even more bewildering force is Dark
Energy, which is rapidly pushing apart our Universe. Discovered only
ten years ago, scientists are struggling to comprehend its unusual
characteristics and answer the ultimate question; what is the fate of
our Universe? Using cutting-edge computer graphics watch as the
universe is brought down to earth.
10-11pm -- Mega Disasters - Glacier Meltdown
As temperatures rise, a global meltdown has begun. From the Andes to
the Himalayas to the Alps, glaciers are vanishing. In Antarctica and
Greenland, vast ice sheets are turning into liquid. The melting ice,
running off land, is raising sea levels. As sea levels rise, oceans
throughout the world are also becoming hotter. Warmer seas fuel more
intense hurricanes. Already, major catastrophes brought on by the
process of melting ice, rising seas and intensifying storms have
occurred in coastal communities around the world: the South Pacific,
Bangladesh and--closer to home--New Orleans. Scientists predict that
the worst is yet to come. The rising oceans may swallow some lands
forever. By the turn of the century, the map of the world may need to
be redrawn and a Category 4 hurricane could drown much of Washington,
DC in 15 feet of water.
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Wednesday, January 16, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels
Fertilizer--without it two thirds of the world would starve. It makes
our lawns grow greener and our crops grow taller. Take a tour of the
places where the essential nutrients that feed the soil are harnessed.
Dig deep in a phosphate mine, sniff around a sewage treatment plant
and get dirty in a trough teeming with seven million worms. Finally,
learn about a war that was fought over the control of bat poop!
8-9pm -- Lost Worlds - Stalin's Supercity
Josef Stalin is considered one of the most powerful and murderous
dictators ever. He was the supreme ruler of the Soviet Union for a
quarter of a century and his regime of terror caused the death and
suffering of tens of millions. Follow a team of historical detectives
who use evidence from recent excavations, scientific studies and
historical documents to piece together clues to see what the Soviet
Union looked like during Stalin's rule. Computer graphics allow the
viewers to fly over, enter the streets, walk through the halls and
peer into this lost world.
9-10pm -- Cities of the Underworld - 11 - Dracula's Underground
Rich in legends and folklore visit the city of Bucharest, Romania and
learn about its most famous citizen, Vlad the Impaler, more commonly
known as Dracula. Travel underground to separate the myth from reality
as secret prisons, caves and dungeons are revealed. Only through the
bleak subterranean stretches can one come face-to-face with the
Impaler and the truth about this infamous Romanian ruler. Join host
Don Wildman as he braves eerie tombs and clandestine tunnels to
discover the "Son of the Devil."
10-11pm -- MonsterQuest - The Real Hobbit
Travel to the interior of Sumatra, in Indonesia, in a search for what
locals call the Orang Pendak, translated as: Man of the Woods. In 2004
skeletal remains were found on the neighboring island of Flores and
named "the Real Hobbit." Could Orang Pendak, with its human face, be a
surviving ancestor to the Flores Man? An expedition is launched deep
within the rainforest. The natives claim to see the creature often,
and they even find footprints of an unknown upright walking beast.
Will camera traps reveal its identity? One-part history, one-part
science and one part monster, discover the truth behind legendary
monsters.
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Thursday, January 17, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - World's Strongest 2
What does it take to rate as "the world's strongest"? Watch as
life-saving boron carbide body armor, strong enough to stop 9mm
machine gun bullets at point-blank range, is put to the test. Visit
the world of Monster Trucks and watch BigFoot in car-crushing action.
For a demonstration of lifting might, head dockside with a
super-strong mobile crane capable of hoisting a 600-ton mega-yacht and
toting it through a boat yard without a scratch. The Super-Shredder is
a metal recycling monster that can gobble up 6 junked cars a minute.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - World's Sharpest
It's time to slice and dice! Take a cutting-edge look at the most
amazing blades in the world, from the legendary sword of the Samurai
warrior with an edge sharp enough to sever a man's arm in a single
swipe, to industrial shredder blades capable of gobbling anything from
a sofa to a fridge, to the precision slicing power of lasers and
plasma.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Basic Training
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Ancient Discoveries - Ships.
Lurking beneath Lake Nemi's blue waters lay the titans of Roman naval
engineering--the Nemi Ships. Titanic luxury liners of the ancient
world, they held inventions lost for thousands of years. But why were
they built? Were they Caligula's notorious floating pleasure
palaces--rife with excess and debauchery? Flagships of a giant sea
force? It took Mussolini's obsession with all things Roman to finally
prise the two wrecks from the depths of Lake Nemi near Rome. Using an
ancient Roman waterway, he drained the lake and rescued the ships, an
accomplishment captured on film that we access to illustrate this
astounding story. Sophisticated ancient technology discovered in the
boats transformed the understanding of Roman engineering overnight.
Yet by 1944, the adventure had turned sour and the retreating German
army torched the boats. We reveal the mysteries of the Nemi Ships and
the ancient technology that made them possible.
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Friday, January 18, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Welding
It was a science first conjured amid the fiery ovens of ancient
blacksmiths; today more than 50% of all U.S. products require some
form of welding. Whether via electricity, flammable gases, sonic
waves, or sometimes just raw explosive power, welding creates powerful
bonds between metal unmatched by any other joining process. From high
atop emerging 60-story towers on the Las Vegas strip to oil platforms
hundreds of feet below the ocean, discover how welders forge the
backbone of civilization. Learn about exciting new applications: how
sound waves create bulletproof welds for contemporary body armor; the
technologies behind robotic welding systems; and the knee-rattling
impact of an explosion weld, the most powerful method of all.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Corn
Why is corn the largest agricultural crop in the world? Corn has fed
the masses from ancient times to this day. Corn is not only a
vegetable and a cereal grain; it is a commodity as well. Visit
Lakeside Foods in Reedsburg, Wisconsin and see how tons of corn are
harvested and canned within hours. Then it's off to VeraSun Energy in
Charles City, Iowa, to discover how corn is converted into fuel. Take
a look to our past and you will understand that without corn we
probably wouldn't be here.
9-10pm -- Shockwave - 03
A television news helicopter loses control over Brooklyn, New York,
breaks into pieces and crash lands onto a rooftop. Everything is
caught on tape. Watch as an Iowa cameraman and his brother find
themselves rescuing their neighbors as a twister rips apart 40 homes.
Next, disaster strikes as a Navy bomb is fired from a fighter...and
hits another Navy plane. Then, as his family watches, a farmer
bulldozes a 50-foot-tall silo down on top of himself. Witness one of
the most spectacular accidents in the history of drag racing as a car
hits the rail at 280 miles an hour, explodes into a fireball and
disintegrates. And a fireworks factory explodes in Devon, England as
the entire tiny town takes cover.
10-12am -- Reel To Real - Dirty Harry
Movie. A San Francisco cop with little regard for rules (but who
always gets results) tries to track down a serial killer who snipes at
random victims. Clint Eastwood stars in the first, and perhaps the
best, of the Dirty Harry crime series. Harry Guardino and Reni Santoni
co-star. (1971)
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Saturday, January 19, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Carbon
Carbon is the chemical basis of all known life and yet this simple
element is also the foundation of modern technology. Carbon burns
hotter, cuts deeper, insulates more thoroughly and absorbs more fully
than any other material. See why carbon is the key both in heavy-duty
industries, as well as in tools like the graphite pencil, the charcoal
water filter, and the diamond saw blade. Watch how carbon fiber, a
material stronger than steel and lighter than fiberglass, is made into
the fuselage of a new Boeing 787. Discover why "activated charcoal" is
the material of choice for absorbing everything from toxic heavy
metals in your drinking water to funky odors in your shoes.
8-9pm -- MonsterQuest - Unidentified Flying Creatures
For decades, cameras have been capturing images of a flying,
torpedo-like creature so fast it cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Some think it is a military weapon; others believe it may be a
creature from another dimension known as "Rods." Super high-speed
photography, physics and even a wind tunnel experiment will be used to
shed light on what these images are. One-part history, one-part
science and one part monster, discover the truth behind legendary
monsters.
9-10pm -- MonsterQuest - The Real Hobbit
Travel to the interior of Sumatra, in Indonesia, in a search for what
locals call the Orang Pendak, translated as: Man of the Woods. In 2004
skeletal remains were found on the neighboring island of Flores and
named "the Real Hobbit." Could Orang Pendak, with its human face, be a
surviving ancestor to the Flores Man? An expedition is launched deep
within the rainforest. The natives claim to see the creature often,
and they even find footprints of an unknown upright walking beast.
Will camera traps reveal its identity? One-part history, one-part
science and one part monster, discover the truth behind legendary
monsters.
10-11pm -- MonsterQuest - Giganto: The Real King Kong
An exploration of the Giganto (King Kong) legend using modern science,
technology, and historic eyewitness accounts. Gigantopithecus (the
Latin term for "Giant Ape") is believed to have existed 9 to 5-million
years ago and supposedly was around 10-feet tall. Some fossil evidence
shows that it may have lived in China or India. Scientists of varying
fields will attempt to genetically connect Giganto to modern-day
creatures from around the world. Could Bigfoot be a relative? Forensic
testing, extensive scientific research, 3-D animation, and body
reconstruction will help determine the true mystery behind this
prehistoric ape.
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Sunday, January 20, 2008
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7-8pm -- Gangland - Blood In, Blood Out
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
8-10pm -- Lost Book of Nostradamus -
In 1994, Italian journalist Enza Massa was at the Italian National
Library in Rome when she stumbled upon an unusual find. It was a
manuscript dating to 1629, titled: Nostradamus Vatinicia Code. Michel
de Notredame, the author's name, was on the inside in indelible ink.
The book contains cryptic and bizarre images along with over eighty
watercolor paintings by the master visionary himself. Follow the
investigative trail of how the manuscript was found in the archives
and exactly how it got there. New insight is given into the life of
Nostradamus and his relationship with Pope Urban VIII, who knew about
this manuscript and in whose possession it was for many years.
10-12am -- Last Days on Earth -
Could the human race become suddenly extinct? We count down seven
ways in which the world as we know it could meet an abrupt and
untimely end, from a mammoth asteroid strike to the eruption of a
super volcano. What would happen as computers literally become
trillions of times smarter than we are--would they program our mass
murder? Scientists, experts, and witnesses describe these and other
vividly pictured disaster scenarios, from super bugs created in secret
labs to black holes that could suck earth into oblivion. Using
state-of-the-art computer-generated graphics and interviews with the
world's top scientists, we will leave viewers pondering humanity's
place in the universe and will reveal the most terrifying truth of
all--that our greatest enemy is ourselves.
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Monday, January 21, 2008
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7-8pm -- MonsterQuest - Bigfoot
Bigfoot has been sighted in Washington State more than any other place
on earth. Join an all-female expedition as they try to lure a Bigfoot
within range of their cameras. The 1967 Patterson footage will be
reexamined using digital microscopes that could reveal details that
might prove if the beast is real or a hoax. One-part history, one-part
science and one part monsters, discover the truth behind legendary
monsters.
8-9pm -- Decoding The Past - Doomsday 2012: The End of Days
There are prophecies and oracles from around the world that all seem
to point to December 21, 2012 as doomsday. The ancient Mayan Calendar,
the medieval predictions of Merlin, the Book of Revelation and the
Chinese oracle of the I Ching all point to this specific date as the
end of civilization. A new technology called "The Web-Bot Project"
makes massive scans of the internet as a means of forecasting the
future... and has turned up the same dreaded date: 2012. Skeptics
point to a long history of "Failed Doomsdays", but many oracles of
doom throughout history have a disturbingly accurate track record. As
the year 2012 ticks ever closer we'll speculate if there are any
reasons to believe these doomsayers.
9-11pm -- Life After People -
Explore the tantalizing question of whether all the remnants of
mankind will eventually disappear from our planet. What would happen
to the earth if humans ceased to exist? Would ocean life flourish, the
buffalo return to the Great Plains and our skyscrapers yield to the
wear and tear of time. Visit the ghostly villages surrounding
Chernobyl, which were abandoned by humans after the nuclear disaster
in 1986 and then travel to the remote islands off the coast of Maine
to search for traces of abandoned towns that have vanished from view
in only a few decades. Learn from experts in the fields of
engineering, botany, ecology, biology, geology, climatology and
archeology as they provide answers for many thought provoking
questions.
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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7-8pm -- 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.
8-9pm -- Siberian Apocalypse -
At 7:15AM on June 30, 1908, a giant fireball, as bright the Sun,
explodes in the Siberian sky with a force a thousand times greater
than the Hiroshima bomb. It decimates 1,000 square miles of
forest--over half the size of Rhode Island, and was the biggest cosmic
disaster in the history of civilization. What caused the apocalyptic
fire in the sky? Over a hundred theories surround what is called the
Tunguska event, varying from asteroids and comets to black holes and
alien spaceships. Most scientists agree the Tunguska event will happen
again, and next time, the human toll could be unimaginable. Now, NASA
and other organizations race against time to stop the next planet
killer before it ignites Armageddon.
9-10pm -- The Universe - End of the Earth: Deep Space Threats to Our Planet
Asteroids, comets, gamma ray bursts and the sun all combine to make
the Earth a dangerous place to live. NASA's top brass and other
scientists are arming themselves with the latest technology to
pre-empt an apocalyptic attack. Watch and investigate bizarre, and
terrifying apocalyptic scenarios and the ways that scientists are
racing against the clock to develop technology to defend our planet.
10-11pm -- Mega Disasters - Hawaii Apocalypse
Hawaii, 1868. The volcano, Mauna Loa, in its most spectacular
eruption, spewed out enough lava to cover 40 percent of the Big
Island. A similar eruption occurred in 1950. Now that the island has
become developed, the potential for damage and loss from a major
eruption is astronomical. Small villages have been replaced by large
tourist resorts and luxury homes. Using state-of-the-art computer
animation, take a look at how an event similar to 1868 would impact
Hawaii. Watch buildings crumble during large earthquakes, see homes
and resorts destroyed by speeding lava, and what's left of the island
drown under tsunamis and mudflows. Thousands of people could be dead
and the economy of this island paradise would be destroyed for years
to come.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - The Butcher.
In a carnivorous world, a butcher is a necessary link in the food
chain, carving a carcass of unsavory flesh into mouthwatering cuts. We
trace the grisly trade's evolution--from yesteryear's
butcher-on-every-corner to today's industrial butcher working on a
"disassembly" line. We tour the infamous remains of the Chicago
Stockyards, where Upton Sinclair, Clarence Birdseye, and refrigeration
changed butchering forever; witness high-speed butchering; and travel
to a non-stop sausage factory. And if you're still squeamish, a USDA
inspector offers the lowdown on HACCP--the country's new system of
checks and balances on everything from quality grading to E. coli,
Salmonella, and Mad Cow Disease. Finally, we visit the last bastion of
old-school butchering--the rural custom butcher, who slaughters,
eviscerates, skins, and cuts to his customer's wishes.
8-10pm -- Life After People -
Explore the tantalizing question of whether all the remnants of
mankind will eventually disappear from our planet. What would happen
to the earth if humans ceased to exist? Would ocean life flourish, the
buffalo return to the Great Plains and our skyscrapers yield to the
wear and tear of time. Visit the ghostly villages surrounding
Chernobyl, which were abandoned by humans after the nuclear disaster
in 1986 and then travel to the remote islands off the coast of Maine
to search for traces of abandoned towns that have vanished from view
in only a few decades. Learn from experts in the fields of
engineering, botany, ecology, biology, geology, climatology and
archeology as they provide answers for many thought provoking
questions.
10-11pm -- MonsterQuest - American Werewolf
The werewolf is a centuries-old legend based on myth, not a real
animal. However, local eyewitnesses in Wisconsin and Michigan report
seeing a dogman--a tall hairy man-beast. Professional hunters and
trackers armed with tranquilizer guns will be deployed in an area of
recent sightings to find this creature. For the first time polygraphs
and hypnosis will be used on eyewitnesses with astonishing results.
One-part history, one-part science and one part monster, discover the
truth behind legendary monsters.
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Dams
They block the force of a river, produce enough electricity to power
cities, move water over hundreds of miles and irrigate fertile
valleys. Dams prevent floods and produce "green" energy. We'll visit a
hydroelectric dam, the most technologically advanced type of dam, and
a dam in Brazil that is five times the size of the Hoover Dam. At the
Utah State University Water Research Laboratory Hydraulics Lab in
Logan, Utah, we watch a model of a dam crumble beneath tons of water
and discuss how future dam failures can be averted. We will learn how
dams adversely affect river systems and as a result, there are many
proponents of dam removal.
8-9pm -- Decoding The Past - Mayan Doomsday Prophecy
The world is coming to an end on December 21, 2012! The ancient Maya
made this stunning prediction more than 2,000 years ago. We'll peel
back the layers of mystery and examine in detail how the Maya
calculated the exact date of doomsday. Journey back to the ancient
city of Chichen Itza, the hub of Maya civilization deep in the heart
of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, to uncover the truth about this
prophecy. The Maya were legendary astronomers and timekeepers--their
calendar is more accurate than our own. By tracking the stars and
planets they assigned great meaning to astronomical phenomena and made
extraordinary predictions based on them--many of which have come true.
Could their doomsday prophecy be one of them? In insightful interviews
archaeologists, astrologers, and historians speculate on the meaning
of the 2012 prophecy. Their answers are as intriguing as the
questions.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Blood Oath
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Gangland - Blood In, Blood Out
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
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Friday, January 25, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Saws
Sink your teeth into the razor sharp world of saws. Cut across the
centuries to discover how the Egyptians arduously sawed stone as
compared to modern saws that slice through limestone like butter. Saws
have been used as instruments of torture and tools for surgery. They
are imperative for construction, salvage, demolition, and they even
make music. Whether they have teeth of steel, carbide or diamond, you
will be on the cutting edge of successful sawing.
8-9pm -- A Global Warning? -
Follow the world's climate experts as they investigate the most
dramatic climatic events in history. It is a story of unimaginable
extremes, extinctions of entire species and remarkable survivals in
the face of total devastation. Learn the secrets locked away inside
300 year-old corals. Is it possible that the Arctic was once a
tropical haven with crocodiles and waters hot enough to swim in?
Scientists are racing to understand the weather of our past in the
hope of preventing climate catastrophe in the future. Packed with
breathtaking locations, dynamic special effects and exciting accounts,
watch as a vision of the earth's violent past and uncertain future is
revealed.
9-10pm -- Shockwave - 07
Nothing makes for more exciting television than seeing history
captured as it happened, whether by home video, cell phones,
surveillance systems, or the occasional lucky news cameraman. This new
groundbreaking series taking the best raw footage of catastrophic,
headline-making events from all over the world and using the latest in
graphics technology to dissect the video, revealing astonishing 3-D
views and explanations for what really happened. From the catastrophic
bridge collapse in Minneapolis to the explosion aboard the USS
Forrestal, we take an in-depth look at the stories behind the
headlines and introduce you to the people who conquered tragedy with
their incredible human spirit.
10-12am -- Hell: The Devil's Domain -
Our in-depth history of Hades begins with the story of a negative
near-death experience, in which a man thinks he went to Hell after
being declared clinically dead and before resuscitation. Following
Lucifer's trail from cave paintings in France circa 6,000 BC to
current portrayals in popular culture, our 2-hour exploration shows
how Hell and the Devil remain powerful forces--at a church in Texas,
where souls are delivered from Satan's grip; in talks with a survivor
of the 1980s recovered memory craze, who "recalled" attending Witches'
Sabbaths that practiced cannibalism; and at the modern Church of
Satan. We review literary landmarks that expanded our ideas of the
Underworld, from Dante's Inferno and Milton's Paradise Lost to Mark
Twain's anti-hero, and trace development of Christian, Moslem, Jewish,
and Buddhist conceptions of the afterlife.
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Saturday, January 26, 2008
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7-8pm -- Ancient Discoveries - 15 - Machines of The East
While the ancient Greeks had amazing engineers like Heron and
Ctesibius, the Islamic world had Al-Jazari--a prolific writer and a
talented craftsman. Working in what is now modern Turkey, he produced
books which featured fifty mechanical devices in six different
categories; including water clocks, hand washing devices, machines for
raising water and geared mechanisms. In 1976 The Science Museum in
London, reconstructed one of Al-Jazari's water clocks. It would take
the shape of an elephant with an intricate clock mechanism which would
chime automatically. For the first time watch as some of Al-Jarazi's
most important inventions are recreated and see how sophisticated the
inventors of the ancient Islamic world had become.
8-10pm -- Nostradamus: 500 Years Later -
The life story of Nostradamus unfolds in medieval Europe at the time
of the Great Plague and the Inquisition. He lived in an age of
superstition and magic and believed that he could foretell the future.
For this he was labeled both a prophet and a heretic, and his cryptic
journals continue to inspire controversy just as they did in the 16th
century. In this two-hour examination of his life, we visit his
birthplace in France and trace his career as doctor, astrologer,
father, and seer.
10-12am -- Countdown to Armageddon -
Asteroids on a collision course with Earth, super volcanoes, global
warming, killer viruses--all are potential catastrophes that threaten
to wipe out life on our planet. Are these simply natural disasters
that have been occurring since time immemorial? Or are these threats
terrifying prophesies from the Bible that are at last coming true? Are
our fears overblown? Or are the infamous Four Horsemen of the
Apocalypse riding among us in a countdown to Armageddon?
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Sunday, January 27, 2008
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7-8pm -- Mega Disasters - Oil Apocalypse
The oil that our world runs on won't last forever. The gap between
supply and demand is ever increasing. Will alternative energy save us
or is it already too late? What would happen to the world as we know
it when our oil dependent industries come to a grinding halt? A
worldwide depression is a certainty but a power struggle for the basic
necessities of life would be complete chaos.
8-10pm -- Crude -
Go on a sweeping adventure into the mystery of the history of oil.
Where does it come from? When will it run out? Where is it driving us?
This amazing fluid that powers our lives has made a 160 million year
journey to reach our gas tanks and plastic bags. Learn about Earth's
extraordinary Carbon Cycle, and the role of oil in current concerns
regarding the environment. The Oil Age we now take for granted began
less than a century and a half ago, and it could be over in our
lifetime.
10-12am -- How the Earth Was Made -
From a once seething, hellish mass of molten rock to the world that
inhabits life today, take a rollercoaster ride through the entire
history of Planet Earth. Its 4.5 billion year epic, a story of
unimaginable timescales, earth-shattering forces, incredible life
forms, radical climates and mass extinctions. Discover how the
continents were formed, canyons were carved, and why the world's
animals live where they do.
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Monday, January 28, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Axes, Swords and Knives.
Blade implements have been a part of civilized man's arsenal since the
Paleolithic Age, when sharp tools were chipped off of flint or
obsidian. But with the discovery of metallurgy, people were able to
forge stronger, more versatile blade implements. We visit an
axe-throwing contest in Wisconsin for an introduction to the least
subtle of the blade tools. Then we visit a swordsmith and an
experienced swordfighter who work in traditional methods from ancient
sources, and review the history of knives.
8-9pm -- Cities of the Underworld - 08 - New York
The underworld of New York City is a living, breathing complex of
engineering, history and secrets that could only exist in America's
largest city. From a classified World War II site where death awaited
unfortunate trespassers to the original rivers and aqueducts that led
to this great city's ascent, New York City may just have more stories
below ground than it does above. Join host Eric Geller as he braves
this massive urban labyrinth where the past, present and future
collide.
9-10pm -- Cities of the Underworld - Underground Apocalypse
For billions of people across the globe, Jerusalem is considered
ground zero for Armageddon. And while most of the world's population
considers it a holy land, it's also one of the bloodiest cities the
world has ever known. From a hidden occult city built by the Knights
Templar to the hiding place for the Dead Sea Scrolls, the evidence of
the apocalypse is buried all over the holy city. Host Don Wildman has
special access to a sacred stone said to keep the world from ultimate
chaos, and finds evidence of John the Baptist's apocalyptic sermons...
he's heading into a vast underground that ignited the violent visions
of the end of the world.
10-11pm -- Ancient Discoveries - Mega-Structures of the Deep
Our modern day landscapes are littered with the remains of ancient
superstructures. Now, cutting edge archaeology is beginning to reveal
that this century's most exciting discoveries actually lie at the
bottom of the ocean.
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Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Traps
Gotcha! Traps are a device designed to capture and kill, but they
don't always harm their prey. Often necessary to the survival of a
species, watch as Black Bears are trapped by the West Virginia
Division of Natural Resources biologists for a population study. Feral
cats left stranded in New Orleans after Katrina are trapped, neutered,
and released. Head underwater to see how giant screw traps count
salmon on the Columbia River. Man traps? See high tech versions,
straight out of action movies.
8-9pm -- The Universe - Alien Moons
Travel from the inner solar system to the Kuiper Belt and explore the
moons surrounding the planets of the solar system. Many of these moons
that were once unknown are now on the cutting edge of astronomical
study. Some burst with volcanic fury another spews icy geysers and
others offer the possibility of alien life. Are these strange worlds
simply hostile environments unfit for humans or do other possibilities
exist? Cutting-edge computer graphics are used to bring the universe
down to earth and to imagine what kind of life forms might evolve in
alien atmospheres.
9-10pm -- The Universe - Astrobiology
Does life exist on other planets? Astrobiology is a visionary new
science that searches for life in space by combining the disciplines
of astronomy, biology and geology. How did life evolve on Earth? What
will life look like on other planets? These and other pertinent
questions will be answered by a diverse group of scientists. Viewers
will visit the Pilbara region of West Australia where the oldest
evidence of life on Earth has been discovered. Travel to the moons of
Jupiter and Saturn to test a theory that life could exist in the
clouds of Venus. Finally, watch as experiments are done to see if life
exists on exoplanets, earth-like planets beyond our solar system.
10-11pm -- Mega Disasters - Methane Explosion
A controversial scientific theory states that gigantic eruptions of
methane gas from deep in the ocean have occurred regularly throughout
history. Although a global-scale methane eruption today is highly
unlikely, there may be stagnant, oxygen-poor basins in the ocean where
methane might accumulate. Even a small explosion could cause a
catastrophe. Imagine what would happen if such an event occurred in
the mid-Pacific. Tsunamis would be generated in continuous waves,
striking Hawaii and the entire West Coast. Coastal areas would be
flooded for miles inland. Methane/water clouds would auto-ignite and
the massive fires could cause widespread destruction. Consequences
could be global. Whatever humanity survives would be thrown into a
Dark Age.
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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7-8pm -- Modern Marvels - Bedroom Tech
We spend one-third of our lives in the bedroom. Explore the
technologies that help to ensure we wake up on the right side of the
bed. Check out ancient Chinese fire clocks, today's flying alarm
clock, big city napping pods, snore stoppers and sunrise simulators.
We'll explore sleeping disorders and delve into the creepy world of
those blood-sucking midnight snackers, the bed bugs. Electric blankets
step aside as Hugh Hefner's fantasy bedroom in the Playboy Mansion is
revealed!
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Silver Mines.
It was called the "mother lode", a deposit of silver so massive that
it would produce $300-million in its first 25 years of operation,
establish Nevada as a state, and bankroll the Union Army in the Civil
War. Named after an early investor, we'll see how the Comstock Lode,
discovered near Virginia City, proved to be a scientific laboratory
from which vast improvements in mining technology and safety were
pioneered, including innovations in drilling, ventilation, drainage,
and ore processing.
9-10pm -- MonsterQuest - America's Loch Ness Monster
Does a giant prehistoric creature lurk in Lake Champlain? Locals call
it Champ. Generations of eyewitnesses rumor to have seen the creature,
a dinosaur like animal, 15-25 feet long most resembling the extinct
plesiosaur. Examine the mystery surrounding Lake Champlain as
specially designed cameras search for the monster. Existing
photographic evidence will also be put to the test.
10-11pm -- UFO Files - The Pacific Bermuda Triangle.
While the Bermuda Triangle is a well-known area of strange phenomenon
in the Atlantic, there is another, more treacherous triangle in the
Pacific off the coast of Japan known as the "Dragon's Triangle". This
dangerous ocean triangle has reportedly claimed hundreds if not
thousands of ships, airplanes, and submarines since the first written
reports in the 13th century. Could these lost vessels be the result of
bad oceanic conditions or possibly something more mysterious? We'll
get to the bottom of this unsolved world mystery. Interviews include
Dr. Joann Stock, Caltech; Joseph Nagy, UCLA; Takuji Wasda, University
of Tokyo; and Japanese UFO experts Junichiro Nirasawa and Junichi
Yaoi.
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Thursday, January 31, 2008
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7-8pm -- 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.
8-9pm -- Modern Marvels - Gangster Guns.
During the 1920s and '30s in big cities and small towns alike, they
earned a fierce reputation in a blaze of bullets. They were the best
friends of criminals such as John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby
Face Nelson, Al Capone, and Bonnie and Clyde. Handle their Colt 45s
and 38s, Tommy guns, Whippets, and Browning automatic rifles as we
uncover the stories of gangster guns.
9-10pm -- Gangland - Root of All Evil
A gritty, true-life series exposing the world of history's most
notorious and dangerous gangs.
10-11pm -- Cities of the Underworld - Underground Apocalypse
For billions of people across the globe, Jerusalem is considered
ground zero for Armageddon. And while most of the world's population
considers it a holy land, it's also one of the bloodiest cities the
world has ever known. From a hidden occult city built by the Knights
Templar to the hiding place for the Dead Sea Scrolls, the evidence of
the apocalypse is buried all over the holy city. Host Don Wildman has
special access to a sacred stone said to keep the world from ultimate
chaos, and finds evidence of John the Baptist's apocalyptic sermons...
he's heading into a vast underground that ignited the violent visions
of the end of the world.
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
Vigilante Tech, on Saturday January 5, 09:00 AM
Biggest Machines in the West, on Tuesday January 8, 11am & 5pm
Deadwood Tech, on Tuesday January 8, 12pm & 6pm
Native American Tech, on Wednesday January 9, 12pm & 6pm
Disaster Tech, on Saturday January 12, 9:00 AM
Gold Rush Tech, on Saturday January 19, 9:00 AM
Gadgets, on Saturday January 26, 9:00 AM
Mail Call (rated TVPG-L, cc) in 2007, all 30-minute unless noted:
Sunday December 30, 9:00 AM:
Army Air Ambulance/1st Special Service Force/Johnson Rifle/MiG-15 vs. F-86/P-59: #46
At Fort Irwin, R. Lee Ermey checks out the Army's state-of-the-art air ambulance--the Blackhawk helicopter; then, he learns why the helicopter became so important to Korean War MASH units that it was dubbed "The Angel of Mercy". Then, he reviews the history of America's First Special Service Force, created in WWII and nicknamed "The Devil's Brigade" by the German Army; sees which Cold War superjet is tougher--the MiG-15 or F-86 Sabre; and checks out the first US operational jet--the P-59. Sorry, no other episodes are scheduled at this time, according to the History Channel website
Nostradamus predicts a war between Christians and Muslims (aired previously 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
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?"
“The soul without imagination is what an observatory would be without a telescope”
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?"
NOTE: We are listing both EST/Pacific Time and individual television ratings.
Watch Mail Call every week if you know what's good for you, 
Official 