PREVIEW ’91 : PBS’ Series Range From Columbus to Opera to Baldness

As always, PBS promises diversity: The life and times of the explorer who discovered America, an examination of childhood, a monthly magazine focusing on popular culture and the return of several favorite series all highlight public broadcasting’s fall season.

Here is a look at PBS series and their air dates on Southern California PBS stations:

“Technopolitics”--This weekly series helps viewers understand the issues of modern technology and how the issues affect everyday life; hosted by journalist Tim White, Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. on KCET. Already premiered.

“California’s Gold with Huell Howser”--The KCET series about California’s natural wonders and history goes weekly, Sundays at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 on KCET.

“Q.E.D.”--The award-winning BBC science series examines all aspects of life, Mondays-Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9. on KCET, weeknights at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30 on KPBS.

“Edge”--NPR and CBS News correspondent Robert Krulwich hosts a monthly magazine series that will explore American pop culture, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. on KVCR; 9 p.m. on KCET and KPBS.

“Columbus and the Age of Discovery”--Documentary series exploring the life of Christopher Columbus, his era and his legacy. The series was shot in Argentina, the Bahamas, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Germany, Egypt, England, Portugal, Turkey, the United States and Venezuela, Oct. 6-9 at 7 p.m. on KVCR; 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS; Oct. 14-15, 22-22 at 9 p.m. on KOCE.

“Childhood”--A seven - part series charts the journey from infancy to adolescence using documentary sequences, historic stills, anthropological films and on-screen commentary, Mondays at 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS, 9 p.m. on KVCR. Oct. 14.

New on:

“Live from Lincoln Center”: “New York City Opera--Le Nozze di Figaro.” Scott Bergeson conducts Mozart’s opera; Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS; at 9 p.m. on KVCR, Sept. 30 at 9 p.m. on KOCE.

“Nature”--The series kicks off the season with “From the Warning of the Heart--The Elder Brothers’ Warning,” which chronicles how leaders of an ancient civilization have emerged to give the world a final warning; Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS; Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. on KVCR; Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. on KOCE.

“American Playhouse”--The Emmy-winning program goes from a weekly to monthly series and premieres the Oscar-nominated 1990 AIDS drama, “Longtime Companion,” starring Bruce Davison and Campbell Scott, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m. on KCET and KPBS. Also scheduled: Blair Brown, Brenda Fricker and Teresa Wright star in the drama “Lethal Innocence,” Nov. 13; Whit Stillman’s admired 1990 comedy “Metropolitan,” Dec. 4.

‘The American Experience”--David McCullough hosts the fourth season of the series, which looks at the popular culture, politics and history of America. The series kicks off with the four-hour, two-part “The Life and Times of L.B.J.,” Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. on KVCR, 9 p.m. on KCET and KPBS.

“Nova”--The science series kicks off its 19th season with an examination of baldness, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. on KVCR, 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. on KOCE.

“Great Performances”--The showcase of music, drama and dance premieres with “Everybody Dance Now,” a behind-the-scenes look at how music videos are made, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. on KVCR, 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS.

“Mystery!”--The mystery anthology series hosted by Diana Rigg opens its new season with “Devices and Desires,” a six-part adaptation of P.D. James’ thriller, starring Roy Marsden and Susannah York, Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. on KCET and KPBS, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. on KOCE, and 10 p.m. on KVCR.

“The Infinite Voyage: Antarctica”--The quarterly series kicks off it fifth season with an exploration of Antarctica and the vast Southern Ocean, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS, Oct. 4 at 9:30 p.m. on KVCR.

“Masterpiece Theatre”--The Emmy-winning series begins its 21st season with John Le Carre’s “A Murder of Quality,” starring Denholm Elliott and Glenda Jackson, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. on KVCR, 9 p.m. on KCET and KPBS, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. on KOCE. Also on tap: “Sleepers,” Oct. 27, and “Parnell and the Englishwoman,” Dec. 29.

“The Metropolitan Opera Presents”--The fall season premieres with Rossini’s “Semiramide” performed by Marilyn Horne and Samuel Ramey; James Levine conducts; Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. on KVCR, 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS.

“Scientific American Frontiers”--MIT Professor Woodie Flowers journeys all over the world to uncover stories on technology, medicine biology, geology and chemistry, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. on KVCR.