It looks like there’s only one major premiere this week and it’s a biggie; Almost Human finally comes to TV this Sunday at 8:00 PM on FOX.  

I’ve been recommending so many mainstream network shows lately I thought it would be a nice change of pace to suggest something a little different, so here are my picks for the week:

American Experience: JFK (Monday & Tuesday PBS check listings) November 22 is the fiftieth anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and American Experience on PBS is marking the occasion with a two part look at the life, work and mythology of this American icon.  I doubt anything new will be said; we have had fifty years to obsess over the minutia of the Warren Commission Report and whether or not there was a conspiracy, we have told and retold the story of the Cuban Missile Crisis and Mr. Kennedy’s affairs, and how he inspired America to win the race to the moon, and on and on.  That being said, I think it is an important story to tell again and again because the only way to overcome trauma such as this is to tell the story until it has no power over us, and until we fully understand how this pivotal event changed our nation; I doubt anyone can tell it better than American Experience.  If you are a student of history, a fan of Mr. Kennedy, or interested in the body politic then this is a must see program.  Both parts one and two will be running several times on local PBS affiliate KQED so check (here) your listings.

Killing Kennedy (8:00 PM Friday NGC)  Based on the best-selling book of the same name by Fox News juggernaut Bill O’Reilly this two hour TV event features Rob Lowe as the president and Will Rothhaar as Lee Harvey Oswald.  The film actually premiered Sunday November 10, 2013 on the National Geographic Channel but somehow I completely missed it!  I’ve read O’Reilly’s book a couple times and have been listening to the Audible version read by the author as I drift off to sleep, it’s slow going getting through it in fifteen minute segments, but it is always fun to hear an author read his (or her) own words; bottom line, it is an entertaining and informative read and the film mimics the style of the book in that it tells the stories of both Kennedy and Oswald in parallel until they converge in Dallas. If you missed this made for TV movie on the first go don’t make the same mistake twice and tune in this Friday at 8:00 PM.

The 80’s: The Decade That Made Us (NGC check listings) Narrated by Rob Lowe this series takes a look at a decade near and dear to the hearts of many Americans; the Reagan 80’s.  I previously watched this series in its entirety and think it is quite valuable as a reminder of the REALITY of how things ACTUALLY went down in this often mythologized period from our recent history; watch this program because it provides context to many of the crazy things that are happening in our government today.  The 80’s: The Decade That Made Us communicates no particular political agenda but rather reports the story of the era in an entertaining fashion, describing the good, the bad and the amazing events that lead us to where we are today.

And finally, anyone, anywhere have an explanation as to why Bob’s Burgers keeps getting renewed?  Well I guess because people watch it so I answered my own question.  So then I guess I want to know; anyone, anywhere have an explanation as to why anyone watches Bob’s Burgers?

If you are interested in further reading on the American Experience: JFK click the image below and you will be transported by the magic of the internet to PBS’s excellent website.  While you’re there, take a look around at some of the other shows, you won’t regret it.

– John Morton

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