In light of the recent events in Moore, Oklahoma, WETA will feature special programming on May 29.
Wednesday at 9:00pm,NOVA: Deadliest Tornadoes examines the destructive 2011 tornado season which killed more than 550 people. Experts explain why the storms in 2011 were so destructive and how people can be better prepared. Are the storms getting worse? Why were there so many casualties? Are our warning systems effective? NOVA investigates.
Then at 10:00pm, NOVA takes a look at the EF5 tornado that struck Oklahoma on May 20, 2013. NOVA: Oklahoma’s Deadliest Tornadoes features incredible first-hand accounts from those who survived the storm and examines the area’s history of destructive storms. This new episode explores the difficulty of predicting these disasters despite the advanced technology currently used by scientists. Also, learn how to better protect yourself and your home from disasters like the recent Oklahoma tornado.
In the mood for a little history this week? Television host, Peter Sagal travels the country on his Harley Davidson in hopes of finding out as much as possible about the United States Constitution and how it functions in American society. From New York to Texas, Sagal uncovers everyday Constitution issues that are frequently topics of debates throughout the United States such as same-sex marriage, firearm regulations, and freedom of speech. Tune in Tuesdays at 9:00pm for the four part series,Constitution USA with Peter Sagal beginning tonight, May 7.Watch the trailer!
In part 1 of this 4 part series, Sagal hits the road to investigate the conflict between the law of the land and state law. Known for being one of the most radical features of the Constitution, Sagal takes an in-depth look at federalism and how it has changed the United States of America. Through a series of interviews with people around the country, we meet a Montana native who feels that he is being robbed of his constitutional rights due to firearms regulations. Next, we travel to Oakland where a man who legally owns a medical marijuana dispensary according to California law is also subject to the death penalty according to federal law. We also turn things around and check out the good that the central government does for this country by building dams, providing clean water and the development of interstate highways. Airs May 7 at 9:00pm.
In a changing day and age, Americans are taking more time to stop and think about one of the greatest contributions to this country, the Bill of Rights. In this one hour episode, Peter Sagal investigates the Bill of Rights and how it affects the United Sates today. In a country where people are extremely passionate about their rights and freedoms, new technology has people raising their hands. Has the evolution of cameras and internet challenged our basic right to privacy? And what other challenges will Americans face? Airs May 14 at 9:00pm.
It took a while but in 1868, equality became a constitutional right. In part three of this series, Sagal takes a look at the rights of the people when it comes be treated equal and how far we really have come. From equal protection to personal liberty, the Fourteenth Amendment deeply impacted the relationship between the states and the federal government. Sagal is on the road again where in Tyler, Texas, he meets a group of siblings who fought a law prohibiting children of illegal aliens from attending public school. Also, we meet two women in Berkley, California who bring their case all the way to the United States Supreme Court after they challenge the state of California for the right to marry one another. Airs May 21 at 9:00pm.
Can you believe there have only been 27 amendments in 225 years? Some might argue this is not enough but others would be happy to dispute the fact that these 27 are all the Constitution needs to be superior. Take a step back in time as Sagal uncovers the failure of the Equal Rights Amendment and how court decisions became the factor when it came to issues such as sexual discrimination. Did you know that after Iceland’s economy collapsed, a new constitution was created through the collaboration of leaders who became inspired by the United States Constitution? But why has our Constitution really lasted for as long as it has? Airs May 28 at 9:00pm.
Whether in our own backyard or across the plains of Africa, four-legged creatures have learned to co-exist with humans or migrate to safer pastures. In the new episodes of PBS’ Naturethis month, we will explore The Private Life of Deeron Wednesday the 8th and The Great Zebra Exodus on Wednesday the 15th.
The Washington, D.C. area is home to many Whitetailed deer, which enjoy eating our gardens, hopping into oncoming traffic, and slipping into the woods of our local parks. In the past century, the deer population has increased from less than a million to almost 30 million as of today. In an effort to document this ever increasing species, footage was acquired in unique ways throughout the country. In one segment, residents of Cayuga Heights, NY were given video equipment to document populations in their area, while in another segment; small cameras were strapped to the backs to wild deer. The footage acquired provides unprecedented insight into the lives of our furry neighbors. Watch the trailer!
Nature: The Private Life of Deer airs Wednesday, May 8 at 8:00pm on WETA TV26 & HD. Also Airs Thursday, May 9 at 2:00pm.
Traveling with family can be complicated, especially when it seems like everyone’s moving in a different direction. But can you imagine voyaging with 20,000 of your closest kin? Follow the story of one zebra family, a stallion, his three mares and their offspring, traveling with the herd in Southern Africa’s biggest animal migration. Taking place every year across the Kalahari’s Makgadikgadi Pans, this trek to grass and water tests the social bonds that hold zebra families together. Watch the trailer!
Nature: The Great Zebra Exodus airs Wednesday, May 15 at 8:00pm on WETA TV26 & HD. Also Airs Thursday, May 16 at 2:00pm.
Pizza is an Italian tradition and an American staple. Everywhere you go in the United States, there’s pizza. Better yet, every one you meet has their own opinion of the best pizza pie known to man. Alongside many other honors, the Washington, DC area has a wide variety of pizza and a rich pizza history to boot. WETA TV26, the DC area PBS station, has a brand new local show to share: Pizza in Washington. It’s not just about pizza, it’s about this American staple in the Nation’s Capital.
Explore thirteen DC, Maryland, and Virginia favorite pizza spots with this new program. From pizza trucks like DC Slices, to the history of pizza in DC with Ledo’s, and the first Chicago deep-dish in DC at Armand’s Pizzeria, this half-hour documentary style show is sure to spark your interest and your hunger.
This Earth Day, join WETA Kids and America’s favorite monkey for a new one hour Curious George special: Curious George Swings into Spring. From spring fever to spring cleaning, from a canoe ride to a hot air balloon journey, George and his friends get WETA Kids ready to explore the outdoors this Earth Day. Tune into WETA Kids Monday, April 22 for the premiere and throughout the week to swing into spring with George again, and again!
You know it must be springtime if a curious monkey named George is dancing on the balcony at sunrise! The Man with the Yellow Hat is sure that George has spring fever, so he takes George to the park to experience all the wonders of spring. George is so excited about spring that he wants Hundley the dog to have spring fever, too, but Hundley and the Doorman are busy trying to win the Mayor’s spring cleaning prize. When a broken water pipe floods the building, Hundley has to stay with George in the country, and George tries to make sure Hundley enjoys spring, too. Even blooming flowers, baby animals and a canoe ride can’t make Hundley love spring. What’s worse – Hundley gets lost in the country! Searching for his lost friend, George accidentally launches a hot air balloon rally and, piloting a balloon, sails over the countryside. Luckily George manages to grab Hundley from a hilltop along the way. Together they balloon triumphantly to the city. The Man with the Yellow Hat and the Doorman stage a daring rooftop rescue. Not only are George and Hundley saved, but they manage to win the coveted Spring Building Prize! Finally, to George’s delight, Hundley now has spring fever, too!
WETA’s Start with a Bookoffers adults engaging ideas for getting kids into books and reading. The free resources from Start with a Book build on topics that children already like — dinosaurs, building, animals, sports, superheroes and music — so that parents, camp counselors, and others can have fun and interact meaningfully with children while helping to strengthen their reading skills.
In conjunction with the WETA Kids special episode Curious George Swings into Spring, WETA’s Start with a Book has three resource topics that relate to the show:
In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul airs on WETA tonight at 8:00pm! This show honors the soul-infused music from the mid-to late-1960s that came from Memphis, Tennessee and renowned labels such as Stax-Volt Records, which featured artists like Al Green, Ben Harper, Alabama Shakes, Mavis Stables, and more. This exciting evening in the White
House’s East Room pays tribute to Memphis. Though Memphis was a segregated city in the 1960s, blacks and whites came together to make soulful music with a mix of gospel and rhythmic grooves, which is known today as “Memphis Soul.”
In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul is the tenth In Performance at the White House program during President Barack Obama’s administration. This edition features a wide array of classic songs performed by impressive artists: “I’ll Take You There” performed by Mavis Staples, “Soul Man” performed by Sam Moore and Joshua Ledet, “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” performed by Justin Timberlake and Steve Cropper, “Knock on Wood” performed by Eddie Floyd, “Born Under a Bad Sign” performed by Alabama Shakes, Steve Cropper, and Booker T, “You Don’t Miss Your Water” performed by William Bell, “I Can’t Stand the Rain” performed by Queen Latifah, “I’m In I’m Out And I’m Gone” performed by Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper, “Try A Little Tenderness” performed by Cyndi Lauper and Charlie Musselwhite, and “In the Midnight Hour” performed by the full cast.
In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul airs on WETA Tuesday, April 16 at 8:00pm, Wednesday at 4:00pm, Thursdays at 1:00pm, and Friday at 9:00pm. Don’t miss out on these fantastic, soulful performances!
Join WETA for Central Park Five, the latest production by Ken Burns, co-directed with his daughter Sarah Burns. In 1989, five black and Hispanic teenagers were wrongly convicted of raping a white woman jogging through Central Park at night. In 2002, after the five had served their sentences, a man named Mathias Reyes, who was already serving life in prison for an unrelated crime, confessed to the attack. The courts cleared the five’s records, yet the damage was already done, with injured reputations and years of their lives lost. This new documentary highlights the media frenzy and injustice against the accused by presenting a different side to the case that rocked New York City with its racial and social implications.
We’re taking summer vacation a little early with a trip to the ocean deep, the red hills, and the hot sun of Australia! We invite you to join us on this educational and breathtaking journey to the land where the formation of Earth itself began in the four part mini-series from NOVA: Australia: First 4 Billion Years. Scientists share some of the earliest life that inhabited the planet from giant kangaroos to deadly reptiles, and prehistoric crustaceans. See you Wednesdays at 9:00pm on WETA!
Australia is most recognized for its unusual creatures and outback terrain but it is also home to some of the oldest remains of early life known to Earth. Awakening, part one, starts in Western Australia where scientists take a look at how the planet was transformed. NOVA and host Richard Smith take us on a journey through the Land Down Under where we get acquainted with a bacterial slime that inhabited the continent and could be one of the earliest life forms known to the planet.
In this episode of Australia’s First 4 Billion Years, host Richard Smith uncovers how creatures traveled from the ocean floor to dry land. Ancient fossils unveil how these prehistoric animals took over a once lifeless land and brought it alive. Armor-plated fish and invading arthropods were just a few of the unusual ocean dwellers that journeyed to the shorelines in order to help change the face of the Earth. But not all creatures can live peacefully together. Watch NOVA: Australia’s First 4 Billion Years: Life Explodes airs April 17 at 9:00pm & April 18 at 3:00pm.
Over 250 million years ago, Australia was a host for some of the largest and most perilous creatures to roam the planet. In episode three, Monsters, Richard Smith brings viewers up-close and personal with some of these prehistoric creatures in order to reveal why they were considered the monsters of their time. Kronosaurus was an aquatic creature that received its name from the greek god Kronos and had a skull twice as long as the Tyrannosaurus Rex, making it a top predator. Scientists also reveal that these ancient reptiles were in fact not alone; mammals such as the duckbilled platypus shared the land as well.
In the final episode of this series, NOVA and host Richard Smith uncover the true ancestors of Australia. Smith reveals the last 65 million years that formed the Land Down Under into the lone but wildlife filled continent it is today. Before humans and the formation of the Great Barrier Reef, strange creatures such as giant kangaroos, massive koalas and oversized wombats once roamed the land. With their dominant size, these large marsupials truly exemplify the origin of Australia. Watch NOVA: Australia’s First 4 Billion Years: Strange Creatures May 1 at 9:00pm & May 2 at 3:00pm.
Read this article for highlights in this week's WETA UK schedule! WETA UK is the Washington, DC area's 24-hour a day, 7-days a week all British public broadcast channel. In this blog post, find more information on new episodes, new series, and reminders of WETA UK favorites.
Mondayat 8:00pm, Foyle’s War begins the new two part mystery Eagle Day with a bang, as a German bomb raid destroys a Hastings house. When man is found dead in the rubble with a knife in his chest, Foyle is called in to investigate the peculiar circumstances.
Tuesday at 8:00pm, join us for the WETA UK Premiere of Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, a drama about the adventures of a housewife-turned-investigator. In season 3, Hetty's strong sense of justice, kind disposition and skill at blending into her surroundings bring her into contact with people from all walks of life. No measure is too extreme when she’s on a case- from to posing as an Australian to prevent a crisis or working in the hospital after she’s had an operation.
Wednesdayat 8:00pm, take on the Inspector Morse case, Deadly Slumber. In part one of the two part mystery, Chief Inspector Morse and Sgt. investigate the apparent suicide of a business man who ran a medical clinic with his wife.
Thursday at 9:00pm, Agatha Christie’s Poirot ponders, How Does Your Garden Grow? Poirot becomes the center of attention at the Chelsea Flower Show, when a new rose on display is named after him. But after Miss Barrowby gives him a packet of seeds and dies the very same evening, Poirot investigates the shocking poisoning. Could the culprit really be the young Russian nurse?
Friday at 8:00pm, in the new British comedy, Ladies of Letters, starring Patricia Routledge and Prunella Scales, distance makes the heart grow fonder. Follow the friendship between two elderly ladies, who share a sometimes rocky relationship through letters and e-mail.
Saturday beginning at 8:00pm, continue watching the WETA UK Event: The Complete Vera with episodes 3 and 4. Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope is an experienced and brilliant murder investigator in North East England. Kind-hearted but an inherent loner, Vera freely admits she can become obsessed with work. Driven by her own demons, the detective faces the world with sarcastic wit, guile, and courage.
Sunday at 11:00pm, have you seen Red Dwarf? This sitcom follows the last human being alive, stranded in space with his friends on the ship, the Red Dwarf. Watch two back-to-back episodes every Sunday from 11:00pm – 12:00pm!
Spring is upon us in the Washington, D.C. area! As the weather warms up, we shelve our soups and casseroles for lighter, cooler options. This April on WETA, we're sharing the best of the best spring and summer foods with you: hot dogs, sandwiches, and ice cream. In addition to these favorite foods, WETA is proud to announce the premiere of our brand new local documentary, Pizza in Washington on May 7 at 8:00pm! Read on for more information about these delicious shows and watch the very first preview of Pizza in Washington!
It’s time to fire up the grills as warmer weather moves into the Washington, D.C. area and that means a run to the store for the all American classic; the hot dog. A Hot Dog Program explores the life of these sausages, from the way they’re made to their mass consumption in hot dog eating contests. Can’t decide which condiment is your favorite? Check out some popular pairings like mustard and sauerkraut or chili and cheese. Tune in for all things hot dog to kick off this year’s season of barbequing!
A Hot Dog Program airs Monday, April 8 at 9:00pm on WETA TV26 & HD.
One food most people can agree on is the sandwich; with so many variations, there’s always something for everyone. But would you try The Elvis? Peanut butter, banana and bacon? Or what about the St. Louis style sandwich made with pig ears and snouts? Check out the classic and some of the more unusual ingredients that find their way between two pieces of bread across the US, in Sandwiches That You Will Like.
Sandwiches That You Will Like airs Monday, April 15 at 9:00pm on WETA TV26 & HD.
changed rapidly in the past few decades and POV’s Food, Inc. investigates how mass production of livestock and genetically modified crops are putting independent farmers out of business. As power is transferred into the hands of powerful corporations, is this new style of farming healthy or sustainable? Find out in the documentary that has helped create a rood revolution.
POV: Food, Inc. airs Sunday, April 21 at 12:30am on WETA TV26 & HD.
cure is uncomplicated ice cream. But it’s not as simple as that- many years of hard work have gone into perfecting this comfort food. The Ice Cream Show takes viewers on a trip across the country in their hunt for the best scoops and we’ll meet manufactures and scientists who spend their lives dedicated to the frozen treat. Join us for this Ode to the Ice Cream, and be sure to have a pint of your favorite to enjoy during the show!
Ice Cream Show airs Monday, April 22 at 9:00pm on WETA TV26 & HD.
Next month WETA will premiere our local production Pizza in Washington, a brand new documentary about some favorite pizza places in the Washington, D.C. area. Filled with mouthwatering shots of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and dough this program takes a look inside the pizzerias of our area. Check out the tease below for your first look at Pizza in Washington and be sure to join us for the premiere on May 7th at 8:00pm.
WETA's Pizza in Washington premieres Tuesday, May 7 at 8:00pm on WETA TV26 & HD.
destructive and how people can be better prepared. Are the storms getting worse? Why were there so many casualties? Are our warning systems effective? NOVA investigates.
gardens, hopping into oncoming traffic, and slipping into the woods of our local parks. In the past century, the deer population has increased from less than a million to almost 30 million as of today. In an effort to document this ever increasing species, footage was acquired in unique ways throughout the country. In one segment, residents of Cayuga Heights, NY were given video equipment to document populations in their area, while in another segment; small cameras were strapped to the backs to wild deer. The footage acquired provides unprecedented insight into the lives of our furry neighbors. 
a different direction. But can you imagine voyaging with 20,000 of your closest kin? Follow the story of one zebra family, a stallion, his three mares and their offspring, traveling with the herd in Southern Africa’s biggest animal migration. Taking place every year across the Kalahari’s Makgadikgadi Pans, this trek to grass and water tests the social bonds that hold zebra families together. 
local show to share: Pizza in Washington. It’s not just about pizza, it’s about this American staple in the Nation’s Capital.
This Earth Day, join WETA Kids and America’s favorite monkey for a new one hour Curious George special: 
House’s East Room pays tribute to Memphis. Though Memphis was a segregated city in the 1960s, blacks and whites came together to make soulful music with a mix of gospel and rhythmic grooves, which is known today as “Memphis Soul.” 
daughter Sarah Burns. In 1989, five black and Hispanic teenagers were wrongly convicted of raping a white woman jogging through Central Park at night. In 2002, after the five had served their sentences, a man named Mathias Reyes, who was already serving life in prison for an unrelated crime, confessed to the attack. The courts cleared the five’s records, yet the damage was already done, with injured reputations and years of their lives lost. This new documentary highlights the media frenzy and injustice against the accused by presenting a different side to the case that rocked New York City with its racial and social implications. 
to some of the oldest remains of early life known to Earth. Awakening, part one, starts in Western Australia where scientists take a look at how the planet was transformed. NOVA and host Richard Smith take us on a journey through the Land Down Under where we get acquainted with a bacterial slime that inhabited the continent and could be one of the earliest life forms known to the planet.
traveled from the ocean floor to dry land. Ancient fossils unveil how these prehistoric animals took over a once lifeless land and brought it alive. Armor-plated fish and invading arthropods were just a few of the unusual ocean dwellers that journeyed to the shorelines in order to help change the face of the Earth. But not all creatures can live peacefully together. Watch 
creatures to roam the planet. In episode three, Monsters, Richard Smith brings viewers up-close and personal with some of these prehistoric creatures in order to reveal why they were considered the monsters of their time. Kronosaurus was an aquatic creature that received its name from the greek god Kronos and had a skull twice as long as the Tyrannosaurus Rex, making it a top predator. Scientists also reveal that these ancient reptiles were in fact not alone; mammals such as the duckbilled platypus shared the land as well. 
Australia. Smith reveals the last 65 million years that formed the Land Down Under into the lone but wildlife filled continent it is today. Before humans and the formation of the Great Barrier Reef, strange creatures such as giant kangaroos, massive koalas and oversized wombats once roamed the land. With their dominant size, these large marsupials truly exemplify the origin of Australia. Watch 
changed rapidly in the past few decades and POV’s Food, Inc. investigates how mass production of livestock and genetically modified crops are putting independent farmers out of business. As power is transferred into the hands of powerful corporations, is this new style of farming healthy or sustainable? Find out in the documentary that has helped create a rood revolution. 
cure is uncomplicated ice cream. But it’s not as simple as that- many years of hard work have gone into perfecting this comfort food. The Ice Cream Show takes viewers on a trip across the country in their hunt for the best scoops and we’ll meet manufactures and scientists who spend their lives dedicated to the frozen treat. Join us for this Ode to the Ice Cream, and be sure to have a pint of your favorite to enjoy during the show!
Next month WETA will premiere our local production Pizza in Washington, a brand new documentary about some favorite pizza places in the Washington, D.C. area. Filled with mouthwatering shots of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and dough this program takes a look inside the pizzerias of our area. Check out the tease below for your first look at Pizza in Washington and be sure to join us for the premiere on May 7th at 8:00pm.