TV smarts

Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are some weekend home-viewing tips:

* Today: “America’s Teenagers: Growing Up on Television--A Museum of Television & Radio Special” (KABC 8-9:30 p.m.) This historical documentary shows how teenagers have been portrayed on American TV over the last 50 years. Rated TV-PG-D (objectionable dialogue) due to the inclusion of excerpts of shows that have dealt with sex, dating, parents and high school, it surveys both comedic and dramatic representations of young people’s lives. Melissa Joan Hart hosts. For further information on this show, or TV history, call the museum (310) 786-1000.

Also recommended, “1968: The Year That Shaped a Generation” (KCET 10-11 p.m.) This historical documentary describes a particularly important year in the struggle between youth and their elders, liberality and conservatism. Program Rated TV14-V (for depictions of violence).

* Friday. “Bridge To The Sun” (TCM 3-4:30 p.m.) This movie presents an unusual account of WWII from the viewpoint of a young American woman from the South who lived in Japan at the time. Based on the autobiographical book by Gwen Terasaki, who married a Japanese diplomat and moved to Tokyo after Pearl Harbor, it stars Carroll Baker. Available on video.

* Saturday. “Disney’s Young Musician’s Symphony Orchestra” (DIS, 7-8 p.m.) This is the 1998 edition of an annual concert featuring musicians 9-12 years of age who have been recruited from all over the U.S., many from Los Angeles. Taped at the Ravinia Festival near Chicago, this concert features the Soul Children chorus and 19-year-old violinist Vanessa-Mae. William Eddins and Jung-Ho Pak conduct, Bernadette Peters hosts.

* Sunday. “To Have And Have Not” (KCET, 9-11 p.m.) This is a movie based on the Hemingway novel, directed by Howard Hawks, with dialogue by William Faulkner. Set in the Caribbean where during WWII French colonials sympathetic to Germany posed a problem for U.S. security, it stars Humphrey Bogart and (19-year-old) Lauren Bacall.

Also Recommended, “Buffalo Girls” (Part I - KCBS 9-11 p.m. plus Part II - KCBS 9-11 p.m. on Tuesday) This is a movie based on a Larry McMurtry’s novel that is rich in details about the life of women in the American West. Centering on the career of rodeo-show star Calamity Jane, it stars Anjelica Huston and Melanie Griffith. Available on video.

--Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, associate dean, College of Education, Cal State Northridge. For references to books, videos and Web sites recommended in the past month’s TV Smarts log on www.calendarlive.com/HOME/CALENDARLIVE/TVENT/TVSMARTS