Public Knowledge

Entering its 31st year, PBS continues to “explore the diversity of the American people.” Of course, the public television network and its chain of 349 member stations--including Los Angeles’ KCET, KOCE in Orange County and KVCR in San Bernardino--also offers diversity in its range of broadcast fare. True to that promise, PBS is back this season with a wide assortment of quality educational and entertaining programming, and signature series like the classic ?Masterpiece Theatre,? which opens its season with ?A Rather English Marriage,? starring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay as two widowers in a tale of class, friendship and old age. Oct. 3.

Documentaries

“Frontline”: The season debut is “John Paul II: The Millennial Pope,” a 2 1/2-hour biography of Karol Wojtyla, elected to the papacy in 1978, including the shaping influences of his Polish youth, his relationship with Jews, his role in the fall of communism, his attitudes about modern culture. Sept. 28. Examination of the impact of standardized tests on racial diversity, Oct. 5; investigation with Bill Moyers of how campaign cash is corrupting the judicial system, November.

“American Photography: A Century of Images”: The three-hour series focuses on the photographic image as recorder of public events, family historian, vehicle of artistic expression and tool for influencing opinion. Oct. 13.

“Wonders of the African World With Henry Louis Gates Jr.”: The Harvard University professor challenges the Western view of a primitive “dark continent.” in this six part series . Oct. 25-27.

“Hitchcock, Selznick & the End of Hollywood”: An “American Masters” special. Nov. 1.

“Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony”: Ken Burns and and Paul Barnes bring the story of this alliance that gave birth to the women’s rights movement in the 19th century and led to the right of women to vote in 1920, after they had already died. Actress Julie Harris and singer Ronnie Gilbert of the Weavers are voices of Anthony and Stanton. Nov. 7-8.

“New York: A Documentary Film”: A sweeping 10-hour portrait of the city from “The American Experience” series, directed by Ric Burns and produced by Burns and Lisa Ades. David Ogden Stiers narrates. Nov. 14-18.

Science & Nature

“Nova”: The science series opens the season with “Fall of the Leaning Tower [of Pisa].” Oct. 5.

“Nature”: The series begins with a two-part special on “Antarctica: The End of the Earth.” Oct. 24, 31.

“Intimate Strangers: Unseen Life on Earth”: A four-part series on “dazzlingly beautiful microbes” that support Earth’s natural environment. Nov 9-30.

“Life Beyond Earth”: A two-hour special on humanity’s search for extraterrestrial life. Nov. 10.

Arts and Drama

“Great Performances”: The season opens with “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” filmmaker David Wellington’s adaptation of the Eugene O”Neill autobiographical classic. Sept. 19. “Carnegie Hall Opening Night,” with the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Lorin Maazel, Oct. 6; “Crazy for You,” the 1992 Broadway musical, Oct. 20.

“Live From Lincoln Center”: The annual New York Philharmonic Opening Night Gala features cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Kurt Mazur conducts, Beverly Sills hosts. Sept. 23. “Perlman at the Penthouse,” brings violinist Itzhak Perlman performing with special guest artists. Dec. 15.

“Fooling With Words With Bill Moyers”: The veteran journalist attends the nation’s largest poetry festival in Waterloo, N.J. Sept. 26.

“The Kennedy Center Presents ‘The Americanos Concert’ ”: Gloria Estefan joins leading Latin musical artists in a 90-minute gala presenting Latino music from salsa to samba. Sept. 29.

“Mystery!”: The series features “Second Sight,” a psychological thriller and original teleplay from Paula Milne (“The Politician’s Wife”) Sept. 30, Oct. 7.

“Mobil Masterpiece Theatre”: “Aristocrats” follows “A Rather English Marriage,” with a series based on Stella Tilyard’s bestseller about the Lennox sisters, four highborn women in 18th century Britain. Oct. 10-24. “Shooting the Past” involving an old London mansion and a new American millionaire. Nov. 21, 28.

“The Metropolitan Opera Presents ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ ”: This features Bryn Terfel as Figaro, Cecilia Bartoli as Susanna; James Levine conducts. Dec. 29.

“Millennium Day Broadcast”: PBS and 45 international broadcast partners cover the global millennial bash. Dec. 31, 1999-Jan. 1, 2000.