TV tips

NEA Today, Sep 1997

Affluenza PBS, September, check local listings for time. This one-hour special explores the epidemic of stress, overwork, shopping, and debt. It also includes the high school play, Barbie Get Real, a feisty commentary on kids and consumerism.

The All New

Captain Kangaroo

Syndicated, premiering September, check local listings for date and time. John McDonough-the new Captain Kangaroo-joins veteran characters Mr. Green Jeans, Grandfather Clock, and Mr. Moose for new adventures.

Disney's Recess ABC, Saturday mornings, check local listings for date and time. This new series stars a group of fourth graders -PJ., Vince, Spinelli, Mikey, Gretchen, and Gus-as they navigate the ups and downs of elementary school life.

Mowgli: The New Adventures of The Jungle Book Fox, Saturday mornings, 8:30-9 a.m. ET This new, liveaction series picks up where the classic Rudyard Kipling tale left off, following the life of a young boy raised by jungle animals.

National Geographic Explorer

PBS, September, check local listings for dates and times. This awardwinning series returns as host Boyd Matsen leads viewers into Africa, Asia, and Latin America and catches National Geographic writers and photographers at work.

Ghostwriter Mysteries CBS, Saturdays, 8-8:30 a.m. ET Based on the popular Ghostwriter series, this spinoff program introduces a new cast and adds social issues to its mystery-solving agenda.

Newton's Apple

PBS, September, check local listings for date and time. As this awardwinning show reaches its 15th season, join a new cast of hosts as they lead kids through the world of science.

Perfect Body

NBC. Sentember, check local listings for date and time. Gymnast Cathy Rigby (below, left) provided technical advice and choreography for this movie about a 15-year-old whose obsession with physical perfection jeopardizes her Olympic dream and nearly kills her.

By the Book

Tumer Classic Movies Channel, September 22-October 3, Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m. ET and Tuesday-Friday, 12 p.m. ET Reading and watching movies now go hand-in-hand with this new program for middle and high school students. The first installment of this commercial-free series, Novels to Film, offers enrolled schools the opportunity to tape and use classic movies-along with free curriculum materials-in their classrooms. Films include Little Women and Ivanhoe (photo above). To enroll-it's free!-teachers must fax requests to Turner Learning, 770/739-7085.

Storytime

PBS, check local listings for date and time. This Emmy award-winning children's series returns for its third season with guests-Jason Alexander and Malcolm-Jamal Warner, to name a few-who introduce young readers to new and classic books.