40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 @ 6:00PM

Throughout its 40-year history on public television, Great Performances has provided viewers nationwide with an unparalleled showcase of the best in all genres of the performing arts.

In celebration of this extraordinary legacy on the occasion of the series’ 40th anniversary on PBS, a stellar roster of diverse alumni gather to share their personal stories of what Great Performances has meant to them, with reminiscences and performances by Julie Andrews, Audra McDonald, Don Henley, David Hyde Pierce, Josh Groban, Itzhak Perlman, Peter Martins, Patti Austin and Take 6, Met Opera star Elīna Garanča and Michael Bublé. The evening, taped at Lincoln Center last November, will be televised on Great Performances,

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WITH GWEN IFILL

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 @ 9:00pm & 11:00pm

TONIGHT-POST-SHUTDOWN WASHINGTON: POLITICAL DIVIDES & DYSFUNCTION

Today President Barack Obama signed a law ending the 16-day government shutdown and extending the U.S. debt limit into 2014, but the budget battle continues. The temporary measures will fund the government through January 15, 2014 and extend the U.S. Treasury’s borrowing authority until February 7. A bipartisan committee of lawmakers is now tasked with leading negotiations to resolve the budgetary issues that fiercely divide Republicans and Democrats and reaching a long-term budget deal to avoid another round of confrontations next year.

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KOMATSU

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 @ 11:00PM

Explore the science, innovation and sheer genius it takes to transform the most basic ingredients into powerhouse machines.

SAVING OTTER 501

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 @ 6:00PM & 11:00PM

On a typical late summer day a baby sea otter washes up on the beach in Monterey, California — hungry, lost, injured. It’s a tragic event, but not surprising. California sea otters are struggling. For decades marine biologist Karl Mayer and his small staff have worked unceasingly — one otter at a time — to bring this “keystone” species back from the brink of extinction so it can play its important role in the local marine environment. But the effort has stalled, and no one knows why. This is the story of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s 501st attempt to save an orphan otter. From her discovery as a stranded newborn pup crying on the beach through her rehabilitation in secret roof tanks atop the Aquarium, NATURE follows as Otter 501 learns how to dive, hunt, eat, and fend for herself in the wild, where survival is a long shot at best.

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SUNDAY. OCTOBER 13 @ 9:00PM

SEASON FINALE

Celia reacts badly to John’s revelation that Caroline is gay. When she and Alan have dinner with Caroline and Kate, she’s very rude to Kate. Alan feels crushed after this, and tells Gillian that it’s over between him and Celia. Back in Harrogate, a livid Caroline gives Celia a dressing down. Celia duly apologizes to Kate and begs her not to leave Caroline. The next day Celia is shocked to learn that Alan’s had a heart attack. She stays by his bedside, telling him that their wedding plans are back on now she’s made things right with Caroline. Against the odds, Alan regains consciousness.

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THE PARADISE

SUNDAY. OCTOBER 13 @ 7:00PM & 12:00AM

When Denise finds an abandoned baby boy in ladieswear, Moray finds a fresh marketing opportunity, Lady Katherine finds a new suitor, and Clara finds a vulnerability that she’d long since buried. Denise’s newest idea for The Paradise bumps up against the formidable Miss Audrey and requires a cunning, but risky, path to Moray’s ear.

With Joanna Vanderham (What Maisie Knew) as Denise and Emun Elliott (Game of Thrones) as Moray, Sarah Lancashire (Upstairs Downstairs), Elaine Cassidy (A Room with a View), and Patrick Malahide (Game of Thrones) star in Episode 2 of Bill Gallagher’s (Lark Rise to Candleford) stirring drama based on Émile Zola’s beloved classic novel, Au Bonheur des Dames.

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WITH GWEN IFILL

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 @9:00PM

THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, SHORT-TERM DEBT DEAL, YELLEN TO THE FED AND SCOTUS TAKES ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE..AGAIN

Finally signs of progress in the negotiations to end the government shutdown and raise the nation’s debt limit. At the White House this week President Obama has been meeting with lawmakers from both parties in hopes of reaching a compromise deal. On Thursday House Speaker John Boehner offered a short-term debt limit increase but only if President Obama agrees to new negotiations on budget matters and spending cuts. There was no mention of dismantling healthcare reform under this Republican proposal, but the partial government shutdown would continue. Revelations that the shutdown included withholding death benefits to families of fallen troops highlighted the outrage from Americans.

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THE HOLLOW CROWN: HENRY V

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 @ 6:00PM

HENRY V has settled onto the throne and has the makings of a fine King. The French AMBASSADOR brings a challenge from the FRENCH DAUPHIN. Inspired by his courtiers, including EXETER and YORK, HENRY swears that he will, with all force, answer this challenge. The Chorus tells of England’s preparations for war and HENRY’s army sails for France. After EXETER’s diplomacy is rebuffed by the FRENCH KING, HENRY lays a heavy siege and captures Harfleur. The French now take HENRY’s claims seriously and challenge the English army to battle at Agincourt.

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THE MAN WHO SAVED THE WORLD

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 @ 11:00PM

Fifty years ago, in October 1962, the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war. On October 22, 1962, after reviewing photographic evidence, President John F. Kennedy informed the world that the Soviet Union was building secret missile bases in Cuba, just 90 miles off the shores of Florida. For the next 13 days, the world held its breath as the Soviet Union and the United States confronted each other about missiles stationed in Cuba. While politicians sought a resolution to the standoff, no one was aware of the events taking place inside the Soviet submarine B-59 in the waters off the coast of Florida.

The Man Who Saved the World, tells the unsung story of Soviet naval officer Vasili Arkhipov, the Brigade Chief of Staff on submarine B-59, who refused to fire a nuclear missile and saved the world from World War III and nuclear disaster.

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FLYING HIGH

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 @ 6:00PM & 11:00PM

A behind-the-scenes look at how EARTHFLIGHTwas made, including the extraordinary relationships between people and birds. Microlights, paragliders, drones, and camera-carrying birds and much more helped along the way.

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