Preview ’93 : In the Public Domain : PBS STATIONS SALUTE J.F.K. AND EXPLAIN SEX IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

A documentary series on sex in the animal kingdom, an examination of the Depression era, several specials commemorating the 30th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a new host of “Masterpiece Theatre” and the return of favorite series highlight public broadcasting’s fall season.

Following is a look at PBS’ highlights and the dates they’re scheduled for Southern California stations.

NEW SERIES

“Armada”: Three-part look at the ill-fated Spanish Armada. Thursday at 10 p.m. KCET.

“The Secret of Life”: Series unravels the mysteries of DNA. Sept. 26-29 at 7 p.m. KVCR; 9 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“Julia Child: Cooking With Master Chefs”: The legendary Child visits American master chefs in their home kitchens. Oct. 2 at noon KCET; Oct. 7 at 8:30 p.m. KVCR; Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. KPBS.

“Death: The Trip of a Lifetime”: Playwright Greg Palmer hosts a four-part examination of how various cultures confront the Grim Reaper. Oct. 4-5 at at 8 p.m. KVCR; 9 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“The Look”: Examination of the interdependency among the fashion, media, finance and consumer industries. Oct. 11 at 9:30 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“The Stuff of Dreams”: Three-part look at the current developments in materials, science and technology. Oct. 19 at 9 p.m. KVCR; 10 p.m. KCET.

“The Great Depression”: Joe Morton narrates a look at the era between the two world wars. Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. KVCR; 9 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“The Nature of Sex”: Six-part “PG”-rated series explores sex in the animal kingdom. Nov. 22-24 (tentative).

SPECIALS

“Sa-i-Gu”: Special “P.O.V.” looks at the 1992 Los Angeles riots through the eyes of Korean-American women. Sunday at 9 p.m. KCET; Monday at 10:30 p.m. KPBS.

“Your Toxic Trash”: Ed Begley Jr. hosts an environmental special. Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. KCET; 9 p.m. KPBS.

“Sting: Summoner’s Travels”: “In the Spotlight” features the popular British singer. Wednesday at 7 p.m. KVCR; 9 p.m. KCET; and 9:30 p.m. KPBS.

“The Juliet Letters”: Musical collaboration between singer Elvis Costello and the Brodsky String Quartet. Wednesday at 8 p.m. KVCR; 10 p.m. KCET.

“Great Performances: The Maestros of Philadelphia”: A look at three music directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra--Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy and Ricardo Muti. Sept. 22 at 9 p.m. KVCR; 10 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“The Vertical Environment”: Lynn Redgrave hosts an exploration of the world of raptors--eagles, hawks and falcons. Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“Porgy & Bess”: Director Trevor Nunn brings the famed Gershwin opera to the small screen. Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. KVCR; 8 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“Billy Joel: River of Dreams”: “In the Spotlight” profiles the popular singer. Oct 13 at 10 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“The Absolute Monarch”: Portrait of the Sultan of Brunei. Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. KPBS; (tentative) Nov. 5 at 9 p.m. KCET.

“National Geographic Special: The Power of Water”: Investigation of fresh-water issues. Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. KVCR; tent. 8 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“J.F.K.: In His Own Words”: Commemorating the 30th anniversary of President Kennedy’s death, this special features his own voice on tape. Nov. 15. (tentative).

“The Kennedy Years: In Words and Music”: Photojournalist Jacques Lowe’s pictures of J.F.K. are combined with his words and music from the era. Nov. 17 (tentative).

RETURNING SERIES

“In Performance at the White House: The Newport Jazz Festival”: Musical-variety series returns with an evening of jazz hosted by President and Mrs. Clinton. Sunday at 8 p.m. KCET; 10 p.m. KVCR; Oct. 8 at 12:30 a.m. KPBS.

“The Metropolitan Opera Presents: Falstaff”: James Levine conducts Giuseppe Verdi’s comic masterpiece. Monday at 8 p.m. KCET and KVCR and KPBS.

“Live From Lincoln Center: Philharmonic Opening Night: Masur and Perlman”: The New York Phiharmonic’s 151st season-opener. Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. KVCR; 8 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“Bill Moyers’ Journal”: The series returns with a conversation with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno. Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. KVCR; 9 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“Masterpiece Theatre”: Journalist Russell Baker is the new host. The season opens with “Selected Exits” starring Anthony Hopkins. Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. KVCR; 9 p.m. KCET and KPBS; Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. KOCE. Also: Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie return in “Jeeves and Wooster, III” Oct. 10 and Oct. 13, KOCE and KVCR. Helen Mirren and Judy Davis star in “Where Angels Fear to Tread” Nov. 7 and Nov. 10 on KOCE and KVCR and Sean Bean stars as “Sharpe” Nov. 14 and Nov. 17 on KOCE and KVCR.

“Nature”: Wildlife documentary series returns with “In the Company of Wolves With Timothy Dalton” Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. KCET; Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. KPBS.

“Life & Times”: KCET’s current affairs series returns for its third season. Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

“Nova”: Scientific series kicks off its 20th season. Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. KVCR; 8 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“Mystery!”: Season No. 14 opens with “The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries” Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. KCET and KPBS; Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. KOCE; 9 p.m. KVCR.

“Frontline”: The acclaimed series examines the corporate culture of General Motors in “Heartbeat of America” Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. KVCR; 9 p.m. KCET and 10 p.m. KPBS, and “Lee Harvey Oswald” Nov. 16.

“Scientific American Frontiers”: Alan Alda hosts the fourth season of the monthly magazine-style science series. Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. KCET and KPBS.

“American Experience”: Documentary series kicks off with “Amelia Earhart” Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. KVCR; 9 p.m. KCET and KPBS. Also on tap at KCET, KPBS and KVCR: “The Hurricane of ‘38” Nov. 24 at 8 p.m.; “Eisenhower” Nov. 10 at 9 p.m.; “The Hunt for Pancho Villa” Nov. 27 at 9 p.m.

“American Playhouse”: New season features “The Quarrel” and the holiday story “Hallelujah” with James Earl Jones. TBA.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Beginning Wednesday and continuing through Oct. 15, local PBS stations will devote hours of programming on Southern California’s Latino heritage. Highlights include KCET’s Saturday evening “Movie City Showcase.”