PBS brings diverse programming to 31st season

Entering its 31st year, PBS continues to stress its "commitment to explore the diversity of the American people."

Of course, the public television network and its 349 member stations also offer diversity in its range of broadcast fare. "If PBS doesn't do it, who will?" is more than a mere slogan.

With competition from cable a given, PBS argues that, instead of having a narrow concentration, it brings a wide assortment of quality educational and entertaining programming, whether through new specials or returning signature series like the classic "Masterpiece Theatre," which features actor Albert Finney.

This season's documentary features include:

Courtesy of PBS A simulation of infant earth, as explored on the PBS documentary "Life Beyond Earth."

"Frontline": The season debut is "John Paul II: The Millennial Pope," a 2-hour biography of Karol Wojtyla, elected to the papacy in 1978, including the shaping influences of his Polish youth, his relationship with Jews, his role in the fall of communism, his attitudes about modern culture. Sept. 28.

"American Photography: A Century of Images": The three-hour series focuses on the photographic image as recorder of public events, family historian, vehicle of artistic expression and tool for influencing opinion. Oct. 13.

"Wonders of the African World With Henry Louis Gates Jr.": The Harvard University professor challenges the Western view of a primitive "dark continent." In six parts, Gates relates the story of proud lands and great civilizations before the arrival of white colonialists. Oct. 25-27.

"Hitchcock, Selznick & the End of Hollywood": An "American Masters" special. Nov. 1.

"Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony": Ken Burns and co-producer Paul Barnes bring the story of this alliance that gave birth to the women's rights movement in the 19th Century and led to the right of women to vote in 1920 . Actress Julie Harris and singer Ronnie Gilbert of the Weavers are voices of Anthony and Stanton. Nov. 7-8.

"New York: A Documentary Film": A sweeping 10-hour portrait of the city from "The American Experience" series, spanning four centuries; another two hours comes in the spring. Directed by Ric Burns and produced by Burns and Lisa Ades, it shows how the interplay of commerce and diversity shaped this world city's character. David Ogden Stiers narrates. Nov. 14-18.

Specials examine natural and scientific phenomena include:

"Nova": The science series opens the season with "Fall of the Leaning Tower (of Pisa)." Oct. 5.

"Nature": The series begins with a two-part special on "Antarctica: The End of the Earth." Oct. 24, 31.

"Intimate Strangers: Unseen Life on Earth": A four-part Tuesday night series on "dazzlingly beautiful microbes" that support Earth's natural environment. Nov 9-30.

"Life Beyond Earth": A two-hour special, on humanity's search for extraterrestrial life. Nov. 10.

Artistic and dramatic presentations include:

"Great Performances": The season opens with "Long Day's Journey Into Night," filmmaker David Wellington's adaptation of the Eugene O'Neill autobiographical classic. Sept. 19.

"Carnegie Hall Opening Night," with the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Lorin Maazel, Oct. 6.

"Crazy for You," the 1992 Broadway musical, Oct. 20.

"My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies," hosted by Julie Andrews, Dec. 1.

"Andrea Bocelli: Sacred Songs," Dec. 3.

American Ballet Theatre's production of "Le Corsaire," Dec. 20.

"Live From Lincoln Center": The annual New York Philharmonic Opening Night Gala features cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Kurt Mazur conducts, Beverly Sills hosts. Sept. 23.

"Perlman at the Penthouse," brings violinist Itzhak Perlman performing with special guest artists. Dec. 15.

"Fooling With Words With Bill Moyers": The veteran journalist attends the nation's largest poetry festival in Waterloo, N.J., drawing 12,000 people. The two-hour program shows the diversity and vitality of contemporary poetry. Sept. 26.

"The Kennedy Center Presents 'The Americanos Concert'": Gloria Estefan joins leading Latin musical artists in a 90-minute gala presenting Latino music from salsa to samba. Marc Anthony, Sheila E. and Jose Feliciano are also featured. Sept. 29.

"Mystery!": The series features "Second Sight," a psychological thriller and original teleplay from Paula Milne ("The Politician's Wife") Sept. 30, Oct. 7.

"Mobil Masterpiece Theatre": The season opens with "A Rather English Marriage," starring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay as two widowers in a tale of class, friendship and old age. Oct. 3.

"Aristocrats" follows with three 90-minute programs based on Stella Tilyard's bestseller about the Lennox sisters, four highborn women in 18th century Britain. Oct. 10-24.

"Shooting the Past" involving an old London mansion and a new American millionaire. Nov. 21, 28.

"The Metropolitan Opera Presents 'Le Nozze di Figaro'": This features Bryn Terfel as Figaro, Cecilia Bartoli as Susanna; James Levine conducts. Dec. 29.

"Millennium Day Broadcast": PBS and 45 international broadcast partners cover the global millennial bash. Dec. 31, 1999-Jan. 1, 2000.

09-15-99