TV Smarts

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

* Today--”Great News!--The Alfred I. du Pont/Columbia University Awards” (KCET 10-11 p.m.) Honors the year’s best work in broadcast journalism.

* Friday--”Reel Models: First Women of Film” (AMC 4-5 p.m.) Documentary on contributions to American filmmaking by pioneer directors Alice Guy-Blache, Lois Weber, Frances Marion and Dorothy Arzner. Also, “Hawaii” (TCM 5-8:30 p.m.) The 1966 adaptation of James Michener’s novel keeps close to the facts on the islands’ history. Cast includes Julie Andrews, Gene Hackman and Max Von Sydow. Also, “Hillary’s Political Journey” (TLC 10-11 p.m.) Traces the political evolution of Hillary Rodham Clinton from governor’s wife to president’s wife to U.S. senator.

* Saturday--”U.S. Presidential Inauguration” (KABC 7-10 a.m., KCBS 8-10:30 a.m., KCET 8-11 a.m., CNN 8 a.m.-2 p.m., KNBC 8:30-10 a.m.) Live coverage of the inauguration of George W. Bush, followed by special news coverage. Also, “Inside the Presidency” (HIST 8-9 p.m.) Describes the complex relationship between President Eisenhower and Vice President Nixon during the 1950s.

* Sunday--”Hispanic America: 2000 Year in Review” (KNBC noon-1 p.m.) Surveys the accomplishments of Latinos last year. Also, “History on Book TV: First Families--An Inside View of Private Life in the White House” (C-SPAN2 5-6 p.m.) Taped at the Richard M. Nixon Library in Yorba Linda. Author Carl Anthony reveals the characteristics of past presidential families, especially the role of first ladies. “Copland’s America” (KCET 10-11 p.m.) Documentary and performance footage will be broadcast to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Aaron Copland.

* Monday--”The Book of Pooh” (DISN 7-8 p.m.) Special evening broadcast of two new half-hour animated stories based on the classic A.A. Milne children’s books. A new series of original Pooh stories will air weekdays at 12:30 p.m. Teachers can find related material at https://www.playhousedisney.com. Also, “History vs. Hollywood” (HIST 9-10 p.m.) Initial episode of a new series that compares historians’ and eyewitness’ versions of events with movie versions, starting with a look at “M.A.S.H.,” based on a novel about the Korean War. Tuesday’s episode examines “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” Wednesday is “Patton” and the series concludes Thursday with “The French Connection.” Narrated by Burt Reynolds. More details at https://www.historychannel.com.

* Tuesday--”Mystery of the First Americans” (KCET 8-9 p.m.) This “Nova” science documentary examines evidence on the earliest North Americans.

* Wednesday--”La Boheme” (OVTN 6:30-9 p.m.) Performance of Puccini’s opera set in the 1950s, when artists and writers were as romantic and beset with problems as 100 years previously. Also, “Subtle as Serpent” (ANML 8-9 p.m.) Airing on the Chinese New Year, which begins the Year of the Snake, this documentary looks at these feared and mythologized creatures.

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Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, dean of the School of Education, College of St. Rose, Albany, N.Y. Columns available at https://www.calendarlive.com/go/tvsmarts.