Documentary Archives

Posted at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25

DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH
8 p.m. Monday, Sundance
Tune in or out? out of four.

The main thing we learn about author and provocateur Harlan Ellison in Erik Nelson's overstuffed documentary is something we already knew: Ellison is a mad genius.

Posted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28

This CGI still shows a Chicago “L” train collapsing 100 years after people have disappeared from the planet. History Channel photos

LIFE AFTER PEOPLE
9 p.m. Tuesday, History Channel
Tune in or out? out of four.

Exploring what happens on our planet after we’re gone, this series debuted last week with “The Bodies Left Behind.” A new episode, called “Outbreak,” debuts Tuesday and couldn’t be more timely—what with swine flu scare making headlines. In it, a deadly virus spreads across the planet and man’s former pets roam free. Even the Sears Tower and the “L” tracks, no longer being maintained, tumble as nature takes over Chicago, Houston (look below for photos) and other cities. It’s a fascinating series, but not too scary, since man will be nowhere in sight. History rebroadcasts “The Bodies Left Behind” at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Posted at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 26

During his recently ended stint on “Dancing with the Stars,” Steve-O said that doing the show and dancing was the most fun he’s had sober.

"I made it through so far without getting loaded, so I feel like a complete champion," he said, not really joking.

The former “Jackass” star recounts his drug and alcohol addiction in the MTV doc “Steve-O: Demise and Rise,” which debuts at 9 p.m. May 3. Here’s a sneak peek.

Posted at 5 p.m. Friday, April 24

WAKING THE BABY MAMMOTH
8 p.m. Sunday, National Geographic Channel
Tune in or out? out of four.

Discovered in 2007 by a Siberian reindeer herder, Lyuba is the most perfectly preserved woolly mammoth ever found. This fascinating documentary follows the forensic investigation of the 40,000-year-old Lyuba, who was 1-month-old when she died. She offers clues about life during the Ice Age.

Posted at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 15

Nadya Suleman is photographed outside her California home on March 10. AP photo

Nadya Suleman has to support her 14 kids somehow. The Octo-Mom has confirmed to Life & Style magazine that she will be doing a TV show with her kids.

Just don’t call it a reality show, Suleman says. (Is that because she’s not in touch with reality? I’m just saying.)

"What I'm doing with this TV show is basically creating documentaries about the lives of my children," Suleman told Life & Style. “It's going to be an ongoing thing, and it will follow them from now until they are 18.”

The European production company Eyeworks will produce the series of docs to air in Britain, Suleman said, “then we'll see if the U.S. is interested."

Suleman supported her six oldest children by using food stamps, disability payments, student loans and her mom's retirement checks. The last of the octuplets, born Jan. 26, went home from the hospital Monday night.

Posted at 6:50 p.m. Friday, March 27

MAKING OF ME: JOHN BARROWMAN
6 and 9 p.m. Sunday, BBC America
Tune in or out? out of four.

The star of the “Torchwood,” who grew up in the Chicago area, returns to the Windy City as part of his search to uncover the origins of his homosexuality. He believes people are born gay, and he consults scientists using state-of-the-art research to prove it. Barrowman also judges the talent show “Any Dream Will Do,” in which 50 actors compete to play the lead in a new production of the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (4 and 7 p.m. BBC America).

Jill Scott and Desmond Dube star in "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." HBO photo

THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY
7 p.m Sunday, HBO
Tune in or out? out of four.

For a show involving crime fighting—and airing on HBO—this seven-episode series offers little darkness, instead remaining stubbornly positive as it moves at its own rambling tempo. In a word, it’s precious, like its lead character, Precious Ramotswe (singer Jill Scott), who begins sleuthing in her beloved Botswana. Scott shines, as does Anika Noni Rose as her fussy secretary. “No. 1” may be too sunny to keep HBO’s “Sopranos” fans happy, but Precious’ unrushed story is a refreshing, delightful change of pace.

LITTLE DORRIT
8 p.m. Sunday, WTTW
Tune in or out? out of four.

With times being so tough, you may not want to spend five Sundays watching this timely tale of chronic debt and financial ruin. This absorbing adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic offers a wonderful romance and riveting whodunit. Seamstress Amy Dorrit (Claire Foy) has lived her whole life in a debtors prison when she is summoned to work for cranky Mrs. Clennam (Judy Parfitt), whose estranged son, Arthur (Matthew Macfadyen), suspects may have caused the Dorrit clan’s troubles.

Posted at 8:40 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2009

The singers on “American Idol” and dancers of "So You Think You Can Dance" have nothing on the kids attending Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts.

Five of those students—Mia, Jasmine, Tyler, Malik and Shaakira—are the subjects of MTV’s new docu-series “Taking the Stage.” Former student Nick Lachey co-created and exec produces the 10-episode series, premiering at 9 p.m. March 19.

“I spent my formative years at SPCA, so I know first-hand what a fantastic yet often intense environment it can be,” Lachey said in a press release.

Other famous SPCA alums include Sarah Jessica Parker, Carmen Electra, Todd Luiso (“High Fidelity”) and Rocky Carroll (“NCIS”).

Think of the show as a reality version of the movie and TV series “Fame.” Each episode will feature songs and dance routines written and choreographed by the cast of students.

For more information on the five featured cast members go to MTV’s Web site.

Posted at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28

Are you related to Lisa Kudrow? Or maybe Sarah Jessica Parker or Susan Sarandon?

Probably not. But the three actresses are among the first stars to look into their roots in NBC’s new genealogical documentary series “Who Do You Think You Are?”

Executive producer Kudrow will be the first to dig into her past on the show, a joint venture between her Is or Isn't Entertainment and Britain’s Wall to Wall Productions, who produced the hit British original.

"The most striking thing about the show is the realization of how connected we all are," Kudrow said in a press release.

The British original, now in its sixth season, has uncovered some surprising historic connections as the stars discovered family ties ranging from royalty to Holocaust victims. The show has delved into the origins of “Docto Who” star David Tennant, actor Stephen Fry, talk show hosts Jerry Springer and Graham Norton and food writer Nigella Lawson, among others.

The six-episode U.S. version will premiere at 7 p.m. April 20.

Posted at 1:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24

Sundance Channel has been celebrating the Sundance Film Festival this month by giving movies from past festivals their U.S. television premieres during "31 Days of Sundance.” Two upcomings screenings caught my eye. They are listed below. Go to Sundance Channel’s Web site to see the entire “31 Days of Sundance” schedule.

Julianne Moore as Barbara Daly Baekeland. IFC/Sundance photo

SAVAGE GRACE
9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Sundance

This juicy, fact-based drama stars Oscar nominee Julianne Moore as Barbara Daly Baekeland, a would-be actress who vaulted into the upper class when she married plastics magnate Brooks Baekeland (Stephan Dillane). Spanning 40 years, Savage Grace captures a world of wealth, decadence and simmering discontent as it chronicles the Baekelands' disintegrating marriage and Barbara's intense relationship with their only child, Tony (Eddie Redmayne). Directed by Tom Kalin, this film appeared at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

Joe Strummer. Photo by Sho Kikuchi

JOE STRUMMER: THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN
9 p.m Wednesday, Jan. 28, Sundance

Director Julien Temple, one of the first documentarians of England's punk scene, draws on his shared cultural history and close friendship with the late Clash co-founder Joe Strummer for this acclaimed documentary. Loaded with rare archival footage and interviews with family, friends and admirers, the film celebrates the complicated man behind the legend. It appeared at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

Posted at 6 p.m. Monday, June 9

"The Incredible Hulk," opening Friday, is the latest movie adaptation of a Marvel comic book.

Comic books may now be the biggest source material for Hollywood films, according to the latest “Starz Inside” special.

It may be right, considering that this summer alone movie-goers will see “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “The Dark Knight,” “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” and “Wanted,” among others.

Cable network Starz examines the phenomena in “Comic Books Unbound” airing at 9 p.m. Tuesday. The special traces the evolution of comic book adaptations for TV and the big screen.

Many of you will know that the comics-to-screens began with the cheesy “Superman” serials and “Batman” TV show. But through interviews with such comic book luminaries as Marvel Comic’s former president Stan Lee and “Hellblazer” artist Paul Pope, “Unbound” explores the ups and downs of the “comic book revolution.”

There actually was a time when no one in Hollywood would green light a super hero movie. Shocking, isn’t it?

Lee talks about how Marvel Comics, which now can boast that it’s the leader in big-screen comic book adaptations, began its flirtation with Hollywood miserably with embarrassingly bad attempts at “Fantastic Four” and “Captain America.”

Hollywood is digging into comic books and graphic novels beyond superhero characters, according to the special.

“The joke among us cartoonist is that we’re the research and development wing in Hollywood,” says artist Paul Pope.

With movie adaptations of the upcoming Angelina Jolie film “Wanted,” as well as “Sin City,” “300,” “American Splendor” and “Road to Perdition,” I’d have to agree.

Click here for a preview.

Posted at 2:15 p.m. Friday, June 6

I love “Meerkat Manor”—and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

I take a lot of crap from my RedEye workmates about my excitement over the show that tells the story of the cute meerkats of the Kalahari Desert. Just look at them; who doesn’t fall in love with those faces?

The Animal Planet hit begins its fourth season at 8 p.m. Friday and is now called “Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation.” That’s because Season 4 follows the struggles of the Whiskers clan of meerkats as they fight to survive in the Kalahari Desert after the death of their leader, Flower, last season.

Flower’s daughter, Rocket Dog (above), is the new dominant female of the Whiskers, gaining control after a power struggle with her sister, Maybelline (right). When she lost the fight, Maybelline deserted the Whiskers to form her own mob, the Aztecs.

It’s like a classic story of sibling rivalry—filmed close-up and even underground in the meerkat burrows. (As viewers learned in last week’s special, “The Science of Meerkat Manor,” Cambridge University researchers have been studying the meerkats for 14 years, which makes filming easier because the meerkats are used to having humans around.)

“Meerkat” presents wonderful, epic storytelling—funny and tragic, suspenseful and exciting.

The dramatic, operatic storylines, obviously, comes from the narration, which this season is delivered by actress Stockard Channing. The writers create a sort of faux-human vibe to what goes down in the desert—creating romantic storylines of courtship, for example, when I’m sure all the meerkats instinctually are thinking is “must … reproduce.”

And despite the sometimes overwritten bits, it works for me.

This season both Flower’s offspring—Rocket Dog and Maybelline—will have to deal not only with each other and other rival clans, but with their father, Zaphod, who continues to prevent them from mating. They’ll also deal with the harsh realities of the desert—predators, not enough food, drought and disease.

Producers of the show told the L.A. Times that this season, unlike the last when Flower died, will not be as heavy. The tone is lighter and funnier, exec producer Mick Kaczorowski told the Times.

But more sad news broke on Thursday that one of the meerkats was struck by a vehicle and died. The death will not be shown in the current season because it happened after filming wrapped. It will come up next season, producers say.

“The news is devastating. Suddenly the prospect of watching Season 4 is a lot sadder,” New Manor Fan wrote on the “Meerkat” chat board at Animal Planet’s Web site.

I still plan to tune in. “Meerkat Manor”—with all its comedy and tragedy—is the best reality show on TV.

I’m not going to let slip which meerkat died here. But if you really want to know, click here. Remember, you are responsible for your decision.

Posted at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 15

Lester Holt takes a break while hunting for crystal skulls among Mayan ruins.

I thought the “Crystal Skull” of the new Indy movie, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” was the creation of Hollywood writers.

Turns out it’s the creation of the ancient Maya, who believed that 13 legendary crystal skulls, when united, hold the power to save the Earth on Dec. 21, 2012.

At least that’s what newsman Lester Holt suggests in Sci Fi Channel’s “Mystery of the Crystal Skulls,” which airs at 8 p.m. Sunday. In it, Holt investigates whether a crystal skull that 1920s explorer F.A. Mitchell Hedges may or may not have found (questions swirl still) in Maya ruins in Belize may or may not have special powers. Some folks even swear the skulls were made by aliens!

Of course, Holt delivers no answers and solves none of the mystery here, but we do get to watch him sweat his way up a hill and complaining about the ocean currents while deep-sea diving.

Holt does mention that the legend of 13 skulls is similar to a “Battlestar Galactica” story line in which there are 13 human tribes. “BSG” also airs on Sci Fi. Coincidence?

Now there’s a mystery.

Sci Fi is making this weekend an “Indiana Jones” event, airing all three Indy movies twice before “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” opens in theaters on May 22. Here’s the schedule:

Posted at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28

Lucy Parker’s disappointed reaction to news that her plastic surgeon will give her only A-cup breast implants sums up how she is a typical yet very special teen: Girlfriend wants bigger boobs!

Lucy has all the makings of a normal 18-year-old girl—at times insecure, self-absorbed and overly dramatic. She's also funny, bright and thoughtful.

And she’s one of the bravest girls you will see on TV. Having been born a boy named Richard, Lucy has known since she was 8 years old "that my body was all wrong.”

“Teen Transsexual,” airing at 9 p.m. Dec. 30 as part of BBC America's body image series, follows Richard’s long, daunting journey to become Lucy—suicidal feelings, psychological and hormone therapy, medical consultations, electrolysis and surgery.

As Lucy herself says, it’s not a choice. “Do I want to live happy,” she asks. “Or do I want to die?”

The film is graphic at times. We see actual breast implantation and gender reassignment surgeries performed. It’s also sad, touching and ultimately uplifting to hear Lucy tell about her years-long struggle in video diaries and to hear her family members tell their sides of her story.

One downside to the otherwise powerful doc is that it ends without informing viewers whether Lucy gets her full gender reassignment.

It does end with a confidant Lucy, having reached the C-cup size she wanted after months of adjustments, happily trying on new clothes to fit her more womanly figure.

PHOTO: Lucy Parker and her C cups.

Posted at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30

Real-life former New York crime boss Frank Lucas says he’s proud to be played by Denzel Washington in the upcoming film "American Gangster."

That's just one of the many frightening revelations from the latest episode of BET's true-crime series that, coincidentally, has the same title: "American Gangster." Lucas, who's now 75 and out of prison, discusses his career as a heroin smuggler and drug kingpin in 1960s and ’70s Harlem in the 9 p.m. Wednesday show.

"I wanted to be rich," Lucas says. "And so help me God, I made it."

Lucas claims to have made up to $1 million a day selling heroin at the time. He created a pipeline for the drug, smuggling it from Southeast Asia in the coffins of dead U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War. Lucas claims to have paid off U.S. officials to transport the drugs and says he once smuggled heroin on a plane carrying Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

He appears proud to have figured out the whole operation, which included bypassing the mafia, who ruled drug sales in the U.S. at the time.

It's chilling to listen to the man tell his tales, especially considering that his actions led to the devastation of families in Harlem and elsewhere. Lucas shows little remorse in the interview.

"If you ain’t used to shooting the drug, you can’t shoot it," he says. "That they died—it ain't my fault." The episode tells the story of Lucas’ life, from his childhood growing up in the South to the present day, through archival footage and interviews with people involved with his case. Richie Roberts, the former detective who brought Lucas down, also appears.

"He was tough, brutal and unforgiving," says Roberts, who is played by Russell Crowe in the film.

According to the doc, Lucas was convicted on federal and state drug charges in 1975, but didn't serve his full term of 70 years in prison. He was given a commuted sentence after helping law enforcement officials bring more than 100 other criminals to justice. He was released from jail in 1981. In 1984, Lucas was convicted of drug trafficking and spent another 7 years in jail.

In the BET interview, Lucas claims he gave prosecutors the names of only dirty cops, but no one else. "I didn't testify against nobody in my life," he says.

One major problem I have with the BET doc is that, at times, it shows a bit too much admiration for Lucas.

"Frank is very charming, humble," Washington says. "He'll have you working for him by the end of the day. He's a force of nature."

Considering all the harm Lucas has caused over the years, such approval rubs me the wrong way.

It's not until the end of the show that Lucas, who says he is proud for living a life that "they now make movies about," finally apologizes for the drug deaths he may have caused. Still, you can hear the old criminal mastermind in his apology.

"I ain't happy that I did it," he says of his drug dealing, "but in the meantime I'm not crying about it."