Frontline “The Meth Epidemic”
Tuesday, May 15, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Investigate the ongoing meth problem in America and its devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.
Nature “Cracking the Koala Code”
Wednesday, May 16, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Learn what’s necessary to support a healthy population of koalas by cracking the koala code.
NOVA “The Great Inca Rebellion”
Wednesday, May 16, 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Uncover the untold final chapter of the 16th-century Spanish conquest of the mighty Inca Empire.
Bones of Turkana
Wednesday, May 16, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Follow Richard Leakey, his family and colleagues as they work to unravel the mysteries of human evolution.
World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements
Thursday, May 17, 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Teacher John Hunter's World Peace Game is a hands-on political simulation exercise for students.
Independent Lens “Precious Knowledge”
Thursday, May 17, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Watch as student leaders in Tucson High School’s Mexican American Studies Program fight to save their classes.
Great Performances at the Met “The Enchanted Island”
Friday, May 18, 9:00 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Relish this new work that combines great singers, glorious Baroque music and a story drawn from Shakespeare.
Austin City Limit “The Decemberists/Gillian Welch”
Saturday, May 19, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
The Decemberists and Gillian Welch showcase the best in contemporary songwriting.
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. “Michelle Rodriguez, Adrian Grenier and Linda Chavez”
Sunday, May 20, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
See how the American experience has been shaped by people who were in the New World long before the Mayflower.
Masterpiece/Mystery! “Sherlock, Series II” “The Reichenbach Fall”
Sunday, May 20, 9:00-10:30 p.m.
Watch as Moriarty poses the “final problem” and a tabloid reporter reveals the “shocking truth” about Sherlock.
America in Primetime “The Crusader”
Sunday, May 20, 10:30-11:30 p.m.
Delve into the increasingly grey area between right and wrong as television heroes confront internal demons while seeking their own forms of justice.
Antiques Roadshow “Minneapolis” (Hour Three)
Monday, May 21, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
An 1863 Ulysses S. Grant letter; a circa 1950 Charles Shulz Li’l Folks original cartoon; and two paintings — one by Victor Higgins, the other by Spencer — purchased together for $5, but valued considerably higher.
Burt Bacharach & Hal David: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
In Performance at the White House
Monday, May 21, 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Enjoy a tribute to the songwriting team who penned such classics as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and “Walk on By.”
In Performance at the White House “The Motown Sound”
Monday, May 21, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
An all-star tribute to the legendary record label features stars from Motown's golden age.
Civilization: The West and the Rest with Niall Ferguson
Tuesdays, May 22-29, 2012, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Examine the West’s rise to global dominance based on Niall Ferguson’s six principles of prosperity.
Frontline “Cell Tower Deaths”
Tuesday, May 22, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Learn about the hidden cost of better and faster cell phone service.
Nature “Salmon: Running the Gauntlet”
Wednesday, May 23, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Examine a wildly creative, hopelessly complex and stunningly expensive approach to managing salmon.
NOVA “Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor”
Wednesday, May 23, 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Join an exclusive dive beneath the waters of Pearl Harbor to trace new clues to the sinking of the USS Arizona.
NOVA “Missing in MiG Alley”
Wednesday, May 23, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Follow the poignant, sometimes harrowing efforts of family members to learn the fate of pilots missing after dogfights over Korea.
Every Day is a Holiday
Thursday, May 24, 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Chinese-American filmmaker Theresa Loong creates an intimate portrait of her father, a man fifty years her senior. In this documentary, we explore the bonds of the father-daughter relationship and place themes of growing older, immigration and racism in the context of “living history.” Paul Loong (American Legion member, retired Veterans Affairs doctor, practicing Catholic) talks of his experiences as a POW in Japan and his subsequent quest to become an American. We discover why, despite much suffering, “Every Day Is a Holiday.”
Independent Lens “Left by the Ship”
Thursday, May 24, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
With four Amerasian children, delve into the consequences of the U.S. military presence in the Philippines.
Goat Rodeo Live: Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile
Friday, May 25, 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Marvel at the artistry of four string virtuosos: Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile.
PBS Arts from the Blue Ridge Mountains: Give Me the Banjo
Friday, May 25, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Join narrator Steve Martin to explore the roots of American music through its quintessential musical instrument.
Austin City Limit “Avett Brothers/Heartless Bastards”
Saturday, May 26, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Rising roots rock kings the Avett Brothers perform songs from their latest album; Heartless Bastards follow.
2012 National Geographic Bee
Sunday, May 27, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
State Geographic Bee Winners from across the country compete for the National Title.
The National Memorial Day Concert (2012)
Sunday, May 27, 8:00-9:30 p.m.
Join Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna in honoring the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, their families and all those who have given their lives for our country.
Independent Lens “Hell and Back Again”
Monday, May 28, 10:00-11:30 p.m.
Witness the overlapping stories of a Marine at war and of the same Marine in recovery at home.
Frontline “Fast Times at West Philly High”
Tuesday, May 29, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Explore the viability of hybrid cars and the prospects of effective innovation in public education.
Nature “Black Mamba”
Wednesday, May 30, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
See how a team of herpetologists tries to change public perception of a misunderstood snake, the black mamba.
NOVA “Venom: Nature’s Killer”
Wednesday, May 30, 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Find out how nature’s deadliest cocktails could be medicine’s brightest new hope.
Inside Nature’s Giants “Monster Python”
Wednesday, May 30, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Venture into the Florida Everglades, where giant pythons are threatening native species with extinction.
Tea & Justice: NYPD's 1st Asian Women Officers
Thursday, May 31, 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Chronicles the experiences of the first Asian women to join the New York Police Department.