Newsroom Notes: Summer brings new appreciation for public TV

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Who knew that public television is such a great source for interesting programming? Actually, there are probably a lot of people who have known that for a long time, but I am not one of them. |ret||ret||tab|

I should note up front that I am one of those (probably few) people who don't have cable or a satellite dish. Basically, unless I rent it, "what's on" is limited to the schedules of the few channels I pick up. Those channels include Ozarks Public Television. |ret||ret||tab|

During the regular TV season, I am an avid follower of dramas on network channels "ER," "NYPD Blue," "The Practice" and any of the "Law & Order" shows are among my favorites.|ret||ret||tab|

But come summer, I find that those shows are either reruns or tasteless (read: reality) programs that I can't stand to watch. |ret||ret||tab|

Lately, though, I've discovered that public television is just what I need and it may be that come fall, some of my regular programs will have to compete with public television for my viewing time. |ret||ret||tab|

It's not that I've never watched public television before because I have. I think it's more of an issue that I've never appreciated it before.|ret||ret||tab|

Recently I watched "The Six Wives of King Henry VIII." I was absolutely fascinated by this presentation of history, so much so that I made a point to tune in for the second half on a different night. |ret||ret||tab|

I found this program extremely interesting, and so much more engaging and informative than what I learned in my school days about Henry and his penchant for marrying. |ret||ret||tab|

Then, teachers wanted us to memorize dates, which I suppose is important for something somewhere, but what really caught my attention with the program was the way that we got to know these women, and Henry, as people, and not just names in a book.|ret||ret||tab|

The wife most people remember is Anne Boleyn, who was beheaded for infidelity. (At least, that's the official reason.) I never knew that his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, was beheaded for "treason" because Henry discovered that there had been other men in her past. |ret||ret||tab|

The wife who most interested me was Henry's fourth wife, Anne of Cleaves, who, according to the program, Henry divorced. He then made her his "sister" so that she was, in effect, still part of the royal family. I have to hand it to Anne of Cleaves. She was smart enough to not fight Henry on the divorce issue (and her head stayed atop her neck!) and she accepted his offer of "sisterhood."|ret||ret||tab|

The costuming was grand, and while the program was done mainly as a narrative, it still clicked. The station mentioned an accompanying book and noted that the series can be purchased. I'm seriously considering it. |ret||ret||tab|

There's another gem that I've grown extremely fond of on public television. My kids have been watching the animated "Liberty's Kids," for a while it's one of the few cartoons available to us in the early morning hours. This is a truly terrific show that, I think, draws younger viewers into history. |ret||ret||tab|

Set during the Revolutionary War, this show is centered on Benjamin Franklin, three youngsters Sarah, James and Henri and Moses, a free black man. All are working to further the cause of America during revolutionary times. In each episode, different figures from history are brought to life. |ret||ret||tab|

In a recent episode, Whoopi Goldberg provided the voice for a woman who impersonated a man in order to fight for America's cause. |ret||ret||tab|

The fact that many well-known Hollywood names are involved with this program is another thing that makes it interesting. Walter Cronkite lends his voice to Franklin, and other guest voices include Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. Each episode includes a "Now and Then" segment comparing life today with life in revolutionary times and a word game that reinforces key elements of the war. |ret||ret||tab|

The thing is, because this is presented as a cartoon, it's not boring for kids and unlike some of the cartoons on other channels that focus on super powers or other fictitious things, "Liberty's Kids" is actually teaching them something.|ret||ret||tab|

My boys, who are 5 1/2 and 7, love the show. My oldest son is completely fascinated by George Washington whom he sometimes calls "Washington, D.C." Recently, he said he wanted to go visit "Washington D.C." and talk to him about being president. |ret||ret||tab|

He was extremely disappointed to learn that George Washington is dead. Then he wanted to know about Lincoln. After being reminded that he, too, is dead, Brandon asked, "Are all the money guys dead?" I deduced that he meant all of the presidents whose images grace American currency, and it turns out I was right. Score one for Mom!|ret||ret||tab|

This program brings history alive for children, much in the same way that the King Henry show did for us grown-ups. And that's important. The more time that passes, the greater the span between us and the history that's brought us here. Any way we can keep history alive deserves kudos, so my hat's off to the folks over at Ozarks Public Television. Thanks for helping to keep history alive. |ret||ret||tab|

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