Smithsonian ‘Journey’ Explores World of Wonder

Dan Rather gives new meaning to the phrase “dropping anchor.” He’s lowered 3,000 feet in an underwater capsule to take an anchorly peek at the ocean floor. “What happens if you have a puncture in this submersible?” he asks the scientist next to him. The answer is not pretty. Dan would be turned into Spam.

The Deep-Sea Dan segment is one of five featurettes that make up “Smithsonian Fantastic Journey,” a fairly fascinating hour co-produced by CBS News and the Smithsonian Institution and airing tonight. It’s part of a joint venture with CBS to celebrate the institution’s 150th anniversary.

In addition, CBS began airing occasional “Smithsonian Minutes” on Saturday. The commercial-sized tidbits are similar to the “Bicentennial Minutes” aired in 1976. Each one offers a fun fact about the Smithsonian as delivered by a celebrity like Whoopi Goldberg or Kermit the Frog.

Kermit also turns up as correspondent on one segment of “Fantastic Journey.” This one is a shameless but enjoyable plug for the Smithsonian’s forthcoming two-year traveling exhibit.

“Fantastic Journey” is not about museum objects, however, but about things in motion. Rather’s underwater excursion is the last sequence on the show.

Another “Smithsonian Fantastic Journey” special will air in August. This one is sponsored, an announcer says, by “Smithsonian corporate partners.” The institution runs on both federal and private funding. Do you suppose one of our crackpot politicians will soon propose that the whole thing be taken over by the private sector--and maybe become just another giant theme park?

We can only hope not. As “Fantastic Journey” makes clear, this great storehouse of national treasures is a national treasure itself.

* “Smithsonian Fantastic Journey” airs at 8 tonight on CBS (Channel 2).