PBS presents the second of three Scientific American Frontiers specials, hosted by Emmy-winning actor Alan Alda. In this episode, “Prime Time Primates,’' Alda explores the world of monkeys, visiting the Yerkes Primate Center in Atlanta and a Caribbean island where the only inhabitants are monkeys. He looks at how chimpanzees cope with aggression, count, and learn motor skills and manners similar to human toddlers. Air time: 8 p.m. (EST).
February 12.
In the spirit of St. Valentine’s Day, the Arts & Entertainment Network airs the tragic story of two of history’s great lovers in Biography: Nicholas and Alexandra. Witnesses to the Russian Revolution and relatives of the royal family reconstruct the story of the last Czar, his wife, and their five children, who were executed by a Bolshevik firing squad in 1918. Newly released documents and treasures of the family’s personal archives are shown for the first time since the fall of Communism. Air time: 8 p.m. (EST).
February 19-22.
PBS offers a four-part NOVA miniseries, Mysteries of the Senses, hosted by best-selling author Diane Ackerman. Three one-hour episodes and a concluding two-hour episode examine the five senses, exploring how science and culture affect our sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Special educational supplements to the series, including an activity guide and a 50-minute videotape that excerpts 10 minutes from each episode, are available at public libraries or can be purchased from PBS by calling (800) 344-3337. Air time: 8 p.m. (EST).
February 20.
The Learning Channel hosts a 13-hour “Celebrate America’’ President’s Day marathon. Highlights include profiles of American presidents and first ladies, stories about the Gold Rush, tours of Smithsonian Museums, and an overview of the history of the Statue of Liberty. The numerous segments vary in length from a half-hour to an hour. Beginning air time: 12 p.m. (EST).
February 27-March 3.
The Discovery Channel presents “The Promised Land: Sweet Home Chicago,’' as part of its Assignment Discovery series. This five-part documentary, to be aired in one-hour episodes over five nights, focuses on the migration of millions of African Americans from the rural South to the industrial North. The voices and music of those who actually made the trek from the Mississippi Delta region to Chicago tell the story. Air time: 9 a.m. (EST).
