Former Vice President Al Gore will lead Current TV’s election night coverage on Tuesday, November 6th beginning at 8PM et. As he did for the first and third presidential debates earlier this month, Gore will lead a roundtable and will be joined by other Current anchors including former Michigan governor and host of “The War Room” Jennifer Granholm, former New York Continue reading
Earlier tonight, on Current TV’s “Politically Direct 2012: 2012 Iowa Caucus,” former Vice President and Current TV co-founder Al Gore and former Michigan Governor and host of the upcoming week-nightly program “The War Room with Jennifer Granholm,” (premiering in January) Jennifer Granholm joined “The Young Turks with Cenk Uygur” host Cenk Uygur, for commentary and analysis as the as-yet too-close-to-call Iowa caucus results rolled in.
Although the verdict is still out on the GOP frontrunner, Gore and Uygur ultimately agreed that the big winner of the night was President Obama, with Gore adding that “the contest on the Republican side has really dismayed a lot of Americans.”
During Current TV’s “Politically Direct 2012″ Iowa coverage, Cenk Uygur, Al Gore, Jennifer Granholm and members of “The Young Turks” talk about why Ron Paul has been so successful — especially among young voters — despite his controversial newsletters. “People like somebody who’s got a spine, ” Granholm says. “They want to see somebody willing to say ‘I disagree with you.’” But Gore still calls out Paul for his lax response to questions about racist statements in his newsletters. He says, “I just think that we’re kidding ourselves.”
Since it launched in 2008, Vanguard has become a trademark investigative documentary series on cable and has been nominated for five Emmys, and received prestigious awards for journalism including the Livingston Award, the Prism Award, the DuPont Award and the 2010 Peabody Award and the 2010 Television Academy Honor.
And in this case, on Monday, November 28 at 9 pm ET/PT, Current TV’s award-winning investigative series “Vanguard” will present “The War on Weed.” In this episode, Christof Putzel takes a look at how America’s biggest cities are taking very different approaches to weed. It’s high times in LA (and California) where laws have been dramatically relaxed in recent years. In contrast, New York is seeing more and more of its citizens arrested for low-level pot offenses, disproportionately affecting minorities. It is a big business in Denver where local government supports the economic benefits of the plant and in Seattle, while marijuana is illegal; local officials have made enforcing the law the lowest priority for the police.
Current TV’s Peabody and Livingston Award-winning documentary news series, “Vanguard,” returns for its sixth season starting Monday, October 31 at 9:00 pm ET.
Each Monday night, Current’s signature series delves into some of the hot button issues of the day. This season’s seven hour-long, thought-provoking installments will explore global and domestic topics including Islamophobia on both sides of the Atlantic in the wake of the tenth anniversary of 9/11; the flooding of guns across the Mexican border, which is fueling mass murders carried out by the drug cartels; the rise in the number of Americans traveling abroad in search of affordable medical procedures; the increasing disparity between economic classes in America; the marked difference in marijuana laws in New York and California; and an inside look at modern blood sport and the world of mixed martial arts.
Over the past five seasons, “Vanguard’s” fearless correspondents Adam Yamaguchi, Christof Putzel and Mariana van Zeller have traveled to the corners of the globe to cover subjects ranging from the 2010 Sports Emmy-nominated segment, Soccer’s Lost Boys, which told the story human trafficking of African boys; to the role of Big Tobacco in targeting the young generation in the Third World; to embedding themselves with undercover agents as they work to dismantle drug cartel operations. Their passion and dedication to understanding the world around them and sharing it with viewers has led to multiple awards, accolades and critical acclaim.
Commenting on this new season, Current TV’s EVP of programming, Shelley Lewis, said: “Vanguard is a powerful storytelling tool that puts a vivid, human face on the issues our audience hears about, but almost never sees. Adam, Christof and Marianna are deeply committed to finding and telling the truth of each story wherever it may take them. With our correspondents embedded with their subjects for as long as it takes to get the story, viewers will experience a first-hand point of view behind the headlines unlike anything they’ll see elsewhere.”
Season Six Episodes Include:
“’Arming the Mexican Cartels’”
Premiering Monday, October 31 at 9PM ET
Christof Putzel examines how American guns are flooding across the Mexican border helping to fuel that country’s deadly cartel wars which continue to spiral out of control.
“Islamophobia”
Premiering Monday, November 7 at 9PM ET
From New York to London, Adam Yamaguchi looks at the rising tide of Islamophobia on both sides of the Atlantic. Ten years after 9/11, the fear of future attacks paired with the growing number of Muslims across Europe and America has given birth to an aggressive new network of anti-Muslim alarmists.
“Under the Knife Abroad”
Premiering Monday, November 14 at 9PM ET
During these tough economic times, there is one industry that continues to flourish: medical tourism. Adam Yamaguchi travels to India, Mexico and Barbados, where more and more Americans are being forced to seek medical care, often times for life or death procedures, because they can’t afford the medical procedures here at home. Is healthcare America’s next industry to be outsourced to foreign lands?
“The War on Weed”
Premiering Monday, November 28 at 9PM ET
Los Angeles vs. New York: Christof Putzel takes a look at how America’s two biggest cities are taking a very different approach to weed. It’s high times in LA (and California) where laws have been dramatically relaxed in recent years. In contrast, New York is seeing more and more of its citizens arrested for low-level pot offenses, disproportionately affecting minorities.
Additional episodes airing in December include“Two Americas” and “Mixed Martial Arts America.”
Will you watch Vanguard season six on Current TV? Let me know in the comments section.
Also, remember to follow me on Twitter for more Vanguard scoop.
Current TV is used to bring us great documentaries, and next tuesday is not the exception, when they premiere Project Shiphunt on August 30, 9PM ET.
“Project Shiphunt” is a Current TV, Sony Electronics and Intel Corporation collaboration which enabled a group of young explorers in Michigan to discover shipwrecks in the deep waters of Lake Huron using Sony VAIO laptop computers powered by second-generation Intel Core processors (see attached release for more info). It is a follow up to last year’s incredibly popular “Rocket Project” which challenged eight high school students to launch a Rocket into Earth’s stratosphere using Sony VAIO laptop computers.
July 12, 1915… Disaster on Shipwreck ally.
The most dangerous waters.
That´s the base for the mission on Proect Shiphunt, and sets the tone for what seems to be a very interesting journey for these five students chosen to find the truth of these Shipwrecks, one hundred years later, and using laptops.
We are talking Michigan, a place known for automobiles and industry, but Saginaw 2011 is the place where Arthur Hill High School is, and where they pick the students to join Project Shiphunt.
To summarize, if you are interested in the history part of Shipwrecks, you should check this show, if you are interested in technology, you should check this show, and if you are interested in education, you should check this show.
What good tv is about.
What do you think? Will you watch Project Shiphunt on Current TV premiering Tuesday August 30 9PM ET? Let me know in the comments section.
Also, remember to follow me on Twitter for more Project Shiphunt scoop.
Some networks have prepared special episodes for Memorial Day. Here my updates
BRAVO – PLATINUM HIT
Monday, May 30 at 10pm ET/PT
“Platinum Hit” follows 12 up-and-coming musicians as they battle through a series of innovative songwriting challenges testing their creativity, patience and drive. From dance track to love ballad, every episode will feature a different theme that will require the contestants to write and perform lyrics from multiple genres. Their intimate life stories and personal drama will unfold within the show and in their lyrics as they compete and live together. In the end, only one will be crowned the ultimate hitmaker and walk away with a $100,000 cash prize, publishing deal with Sony, BMI Songwriters The Writing Camp and a recording deal with RCA/Jive. Two of the most accomplished songwriters share their experience and expertise as Jewel hosts the series as well as gives her feedback as a judge alongside Kara DioGuardi who is the head judge each week. Keith Naftaly, SVP of A&R for RCA/Jive Label Group at Sony Music Entertainment, will be featured throughout the series to help judge the competition and some of the most influential musicians will serve as guest judges including: Leona Lewis, Natasha Bedingfield, Donna Summer, Jermaine Dupri, Taio Cruz and Ryan Tedder.
MILLION DOLLAR DECORATORS
Tuesday, May 31 at 10pm ET/PT
“Million Dollar Decorators,” Bravo’s latest docu-series, explores the work and personal lives of Los Angeles-based interior decorators Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Kathryn Ireland, Jeffrey Alan Marks, Mary McDonald and Nathan Turner as fans get an all-access pass inside some of the most stunning homes in the world. From creating the perfect party for a photo shoot with premiere design magazine, ELLE DECOR, to decorating the Osbourne’s new Hollywood apartment, the cast navigates the high-pressured design industry for their wealthy, famous, and extremely demanding clients.
CURRENT TV
4TH AND FOREVER
Thursday, May 26th at 9pm ET
“4th and Forever” chronicles the 2010 football season of Long Beach Polytechnic High School, touted by Sports Illustrated as the “Sports School of the Century.” The nine episode series (hour long premiere, followed by eight half hour installments) documents the trials and tribulations of the promising team helmed by Head Football Coach Raul Lara, whose nearly 20 years of coaching experience at Long Beach Poly includes 100 wins in nine seasons as Poly’s Head Coach. Poly’s historic program also boasts the largest roster of high school players who have gone on to the NFL and an alumni list that reads like a who’s who of sports and entertainment. Graduates include Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver DeSean Jackson and offensive lineman Winston Justice; the Arizona Cardinals’ linebacker Pago Togafau, Washington Redskins’ safety Omar Stoutmire and the Houston Texans’ linebacker Darnell Bing. The school has also been the home to the San Diego Padres’ Hall of Fame baseball star Tony Gwynn; the Philadelphia Phillies’ Chase Utley; the Seattle Mariners’ Milton Bradley and former professional tennis player Billie Jean King. More recent graduates include Samantha Larson, who at 18, became the youngest non-Nepalese woman to summit Mount Everest. Other notable attendees include actor John Wayne, actress Cameron Diaz and rapper Snoop Dogg. Shot on location in Long Beach, California and throughout Southern California, the series will explore how the team is a point of pride for a community that struggles with poverty, drugs, and gangs and will document the personal relationships the players have with their “families” on and off the field. For Coach Lara, whose full-time job is working the graveyard shift as a Deputy Probation Officer, the football program provides its players a way out; everyone is pushing ahead for that “golden ticket” – a college scholarship and a better life.
DIY NETWORK
MEMORIAL DAY MARATHON
Monday, May 30 from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET
It’s the holiday that means summer is here, so why not improve your outdoors! DIY Network will air their best outdoor programs all day long to inspire viewers to improve their outdoor living space, including Yard Crashers, Indoors Out, 10 Best Outdoor Projects: Fire, 10 Best Outdoor Projects: Water, Turf War, House Crashers, and Desperate Landscapes.
Prime time line-up includes:
HOUSE CRASHERS
8:00 p.m. ET
A young couple has done the best they can to create their dream kitchen, but the end result doesn’t quite live up to their vision. Lucky for them, they’re about to get crashed. This kitchen is getting kicked up with new high ceilings, a gigantic cupboard with a sliding barn door, new cabinets and countertops, bamboo floors and all new appliances. And the final touch? The outdoor porch beside the kitchen will be used to create a new dining area with a custom bamboo slat wall treatment that’s lit from behind.
HOUSE CRASHERS
8:30 p.m. ET
A small, outdated kitchen goes through one serious remodel when the whole space is gutted and walls come down. In three days, old white cabinets, ugly white tile and dated appliances are torn out, making way for a brand-new indoor/outdoor kitchen. Josh and his crew are bringing in all new appliances, custom cabinets, a rich travertine floor and backsplash, new countertops and giant folding glass doors that lead to a raised deck with an outdoor kitchen. Plus, the team recycles old framing from the demolition to create a fired art piece for the new deck.
10 BEST OUTDOOR PROJECTS: WATER
9:00 p.m. ET
Looking to give your outdoor space a bit of a splash? Check out DIY Network’s 10 Best Outdoor Projects: Water. We’re rounding up the latest and greatest backyard projects that have anything to do with water. From waterfalls to the waterfront, quick fixes on pool decks to million dollar masterpieces, there’s something for every water lover to enjoy-including swim up bars. Our experts show you the tricks of the trade on DIY Network’s 10 Best Outdoor Projects: Water.
10 BEST OUTDOOR PROJECTS: FIRE
9:30 p.m. ET
Looking for some ideas to add a little spark to your outdoor space? Check out DIY Network’s 10 Best Outdoor Projects: Fire. We’re counting down 10 of the hottest ways to transform any backyard. From fancy fire pits and grills to outdoor kitchens complete with a pizza oven, there is something for everyone. Tune in to see how our experts turn up the heat on DIY Network’s 10 Best Outdoor Projects: Fire.
TURF WAR
10:00 p.m. ET
As they kick off this competition, Team One’s ready to transform their weed-filled backyard into an Asian-inspired composite terrace. First, the team molds together recycled glass to create a beautiful countertop for an outdoor kitchen. Next, the team hoists a large basalt boulder into the yard to give the space height and beauty. The crew also constructs a raised planter box out of wood and concrete, and an overhang structure comes together using tongue-and-groove panels. Then over in Team Two’s yard, a dilapidated deck is repurposed into a decorative arbor, and colorful concrete is added to the design. The team also forms a precast fire pit with a sheet of water running behind it. Then, three sheets of plexiglass make for a tranquil water feature and three metal troughs are welded into separate fire features.
BACKYARD BLOWOUT
11:00 p.m. ET
On DIYs new one-hour special Backyard Blowout, we help homeowners Jason Cruze and his wife Allison turn their simple wooden patio into an amazing backyard – all in one week – for his birthday. Host Jay Baker and his crew converge on their backyard and create an outdoor living space anyone would be proud to have – with a few special amenities. The yard, which is really a simple sitting area, is completely transformed with a stone fire pit, hand-hewn pergola, pizza oven, flat screen TV, dining area, and whiskey barrel wet bar.
The upcoming season of Current TV’s award-winning documentary series “Vanguard,” is premiering on June 20, and new episodes seem interesting, including ‘Gateway to Heroin,’ ‘Sex, Lies & Cigarettes’ and ‘Sushi to the Slaughter.’ As I said, the new season of “Vanguard” premieres on Monday, June 20 at 9pm ET immediately following the series debut of “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.”
But I have here also some video sneak peeks and spoilers of what´s to come.
In this sneak peek from Vanguard’s season five premiere episode, “Gateway to Heroin,” correspondent Mariana van Zeller investigates the link between heroin and prescription drugs, learning that many addicts consider heroin a cheaper and more potent alternative to OxyContin.
“Gateway to Heroin” premieres Monday, June 20 at 9/8c on Current TV.
The season finale of Current TV’s “Bar Karma” is this Friday, April 29 at 10PM ET. In “A Man Walks Out of a Bar”, Doug returns to the luxury of his former life and is offered a deal with an unusual news organization. Dayna tries to bring him back by revealing the truth about her past and why he was brought to Bar Karma in the first place.
“Bar Karma,” the first series to give viewers control of the show content before it hits air, was created by game creator Will Wright (The Sims/Sim City) and Worldwide Biggies CEO Albie Hecht. Set at a mystical watering hole at the edge of the universe, “Bar Karma” stars William Sanderson (“True Blood,” “Lost,” “Deadwood”) as James, the 20,000 year-old bartender, Matthew Humphreys (“Obsessed,” “Big Love,” “The Forgotten”) as bar owner Doug Jones, and Cassie Howarth (“Deranged High,” “Deathclock”) as the lone waitress, Dayna. The series answers the age-old question: “What would happen if you could change your fate?” Set in a time traveling bar owned and operated by members of the mysterious organization Karma, Inc., each weekly episode follows a new bar patron as they enter at happy hour and must make a life-changing…and possibly world-saving …decision.
Additionally, Current TV’s “Bar Karma” is on the hunt for a viewer with great creative ideas who will be offered a six month stint at the cable network. The “Be a TV Programmer Challenge” recently launched and will run through April 29th. The premise for the contest revolves around the use of the same Storymaker application utilized in the creation of “Bar Karma,” but instead of pitching Current TV execs about content for the series, viewers will be pitching themselves for the programming position. Entrants can log onto www.Current.com/BeATVProgrammer and describe their first day on the job at Current TV. Entries must include between five and fifteen scenes, one of which much feature the potential winner at work and another which explains why that entry should be chosen winner of the challenge.
What do you think about Bar Karma? Let me know in the comments section.
Also, remember to follow me on Twitter for more Bar Karma scoop.
I am getting more and more invested in Current TV, especially ever since I had the chance to talk to Sam Branson in an exclusive interview where he told me what he felt when buried under a snow avalanche.
Well, now, next month Current TV launches a new Original Docu Series called 4th and Forever (May 26 PM ET) that chronicles the 2010 football season of Long Beach Polytechnic High School, touted by Sports Illustrated as the “Sports School of the Century.” Similar to a real-life “Friday Night Lights” and “The Blind Side,” the series documents the trials and tribulations of a high school program that has sent more players on to the NFL than any other in the country with notable alum that include: Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver DeSean Jackson and offensive lineman Winston Justice; Washington Redskin’s safety Omar Stoutmire and the Houston Texan’s linebacker Darnell Bing, to name a few. Other notable Poly attendees include former professional tennis player Billie Jean King, actor John Wayne, actress Cameron Diaz and rapper Snoop Dogg.
Shot on location in Long Beach, California and throughout Southern California, the series will explore how the team is a point of pride for a community that struggles with poverty, drugs, and gangs and will document the personal relationships the players have with their “families” on and off the field. For Coach Lara, whose full-time job is working the graveyard shift as a Deputy Probation Officer, the football program provides its players a way out; everyone is pushing ahead for that “golden ticket” – a college scholarship and a better life.
After decades of success, Poly had a down year in 2009. They had their worst season in 15 years and lost to local rival Lakewood for the first time in over 25 years. The community is frustrated with the current coaches and, after years of being pegged as “the team to beat,” the aura of invincibility is gone. The players are worried that their hopes for a college scholarship have dimmed. The clock is ticking and the question is: Can the team pull it together for one more season of greatness? And, can the players avoid the temptations of the street, succeed in the classroom, and emerge victorious on the field?
What do you think? Will you watch Current TV´s 4th and Forever? Let me know in the comments section.
Also, remember to follow me on Twitter for more Current TV scoop.
Current TV today announced plans for a weekend long look at the power of nature with the new original special “Man Versus Earth” and “Dangerous Planet” airing as part of “Earth Fights Back” Weekend.
As society grapples with recent devastating natural events and their political, moral and economic implications, Current TV is unveiling a different perspective on the unpredictable and often powerful forces of nature by observing Earth Day with an informative, thought-provoking look at our beautiful — and sometimes volatile – planet via the Network’s Earth Fights Back weekend. Current TV will kick things off with the premiere of an original one-hour special “Man Versus Earth,” featuring host and explorer Sam Branson, son of Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson, on Earth Day, Friday, April 22 at 9:00 PM, ET/PT. In what has been touted as one of the snowiest years in decades, this special takes Sam to the front lines of man’s struggle with the elements, in this case, snow – where we see Sam immersed in the ins-and-outs of avalanche control as well as getting a first hand experience of what it feels like to be buried alive in snow.
In addition, Current TV will present the US television debut of the one-hour documentary series, “Dangerous Planet,” beginning on Earth Day, Friday April 22nd at 7:00 PM, ET/PT. The 13-episode series, which looks at the most extreme weather on earth – including volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis to hurricanes — will be marathoned throughout Earth Fights Back weekend along with encore presentations of “Man Versus Earth.”
“Civilization seems to be experiencing the power of nature’s impact more and more, and it seems we keep seeing examples of the tragic destruction our environment can sometimes unleash. We’ve also seen dramatic shifts in weather patterns: for example, this winter tested our patience and our public service resources with the snowiest weather in 50 years. As our world becomes more developed, the impact of natural disasters seems to escalate, and it’s raising lots of questions that we hope this programming will answer,” said James Dubern, Current TV’s Senior Vice President of Programming. “By providing an inside look at the Earth’s forces in a fact-based, scientific way, we aim to shine a light on the many untold stories of man’s battle against the elements in a both provocative and entertaining way.”
In “Man Versus Earth,” Sam Branson hosts and actively explores the snowiest regions in the U.S. Sam is no stranger to environmental issues having previously endured sub-zero temperatures while raising awareness of the effects of global warming in the Arctic.
In this one-hour special, Sam fights side by side with the weather warriors on the frontline of the battle between man and the elements. We follow Sam as he meets the experts, scientists and on-the-ground workers whose job it is to protect us against the very real threat of extreme snowfall. Along the way, Sam meets the men who fire army tanks at mountain-sides to set off avalanches, learns how to rescue a body trapped inside an avalanche and is caught unaware when a team of snowmobilers take him on an emotional tour to the location in the Rockies where they have lost several friends to avalanches. In a chilling, adrenaline-soaked climax, Sam is buried alive by a group of snow scientists in order to road test the latest in avalanche survival equipment, the AvaLung – but after an hour of surviving in his snow coffin, is it much more than he bargained for? “Man Versus. Earth” was produced for Current TV by Zig Zag Productions in Association with Current Sponge.
“Dangerous Planet” is a docu-series that shows what happens when natural forces come into conflict with humans, with sometimes devastating results. Using a mixture of rare archive footage and dramatic 3D animated reconstructions, each episode of this fascinating series focuses on one type of natural disaster, giving examples of some of the largest or most devastating in recent years – from volcanoes, earthquakes, cyclones, typhoons and avalanches, to those that we humans may have more of a hand in, such as forest fires and landslides.
The disasters featured have occurred over 100 years and across all areas of the globe. The levels of devastation are phenomenal – one of the worst avalanches of all time, occurred in December 1916, when 10,000 people were killed in the Italian-Austrian Alps. Much more recently, on Boxing Day 2005, a giant tsunami caused by a massive undersea earthquake hit South East Asia – devastating the landscape, and killing an estimated 229, 866 people.
However – this series is not solely about the numbers that have been killed. Some of these phenomena are just simply remarkable, such as in 1896 a giant waterspout (a tornado over water) was sighted offshore from Massachusetts, the most perfect that any sailor had seen. Although powerful, because of its location, did not pose a threat.
In many situations, it is the landscape that bears the full force of the blow, changing it forever. The largest eruption in North American history occurred in 1912, when Mount Kaimai transformed an Alaskan valley into a 50 mile square moonscape which has since been used for astronauts for training. As the area was so desolate, no one was killed, however, the landscape serves as a powerful reminder of the force of these natural disasters, proving that we are now and always have been at the mercy of the elements. The series is Executive Produced by Philip Nugu.
The 13 episodes will air throughout the weekend on Current TV.
Will you watch Man Versus Earth and Dangerous Planet marathon for Earth Fights Back on Current TV? Let me know.
Also, remember to follow me on twitter for more Earth Day TV programming.