Coming attractions on TPT

National programming airing now or coming soon

"DragonflyTV" - MTV-style science-education series targeting middle-school kids. Sixth season began in April.

"Life (Part 2)" - weekly series aimed at Americans age 50 and older. Premiered in June.

"Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold" - how Capt. Birdseye invented frozen food and other stories about the uses of cold. The two-hour documentary is scheduled to air this year, probably on PBS' "Nova."

"Good Ol' Charles Schulz"--first in-depth biography of the "Peanuts" creator, targeted to air this October under the "American Masters" imprimatur.

"Depression" (working title) -- two-hour special aimed at helping viewers understand a devastating and misunderstood disease. Target date is April of next year.

"Exploring Time" - two-hour special about the nature of time, due next year. TPT's partners include Britain's Granada International and Japan's NHK.

National programming in development

"DragonflyTV - Nano" - new series of "DragonflyTV" episodes devoted to nanoscience and nanotechnology. Targeted for broadcast in early 2009.

"Make TV" - weekly series produced in partnership with Make magazine, a hot do-it-yourself technology publication. Targeted for broadcast in 2009.

"Aging Ain't for Sissies" (working title) -- one-hour prime-time special for PBS.

"Alzheimer's Science Update" - follow-up to the award-winning documentary "The Forgetting," hosted by David Hyde-Pierce. Targeted for July 2008.

"Dolley Madison" - from the producers of "Liberty! The American Revolution" and "Alexander Hamilton" -- a biography of the celebrated wife of the fourth U.S. president, James Madison. Targeted for broadcast in 2009.

"Telescope: The Quest to See Infinity" (working title) - targeted for telecast in 2009, the 400th anniversary of the invention of the telescope.

"The Science of Smell" - an hour-long documentary about how the sense of smell works and how it affects our lives.

"U.S. Army Chorus" - special celebrating the chorus' 50th anniversary in 2009.

Local programming coming soon on the Minnesota Channel (17)

"East Africa: New Faces, New Experiences" - in partnership with New Americans Community Services (8:30 p.m. Sat).

"Greatest Generation Showcase 2: The War" - in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society" (6 p.m. next Sun.).

"Everyday Heroes: Richard Copeland" - in partnership with Amicus (8 p.m. Sept. 8).

"Music in Plymouth: Celebrating 35 Years" - in partnership with Plymouth Civic League (8 p.m. Sept. 9).

"Everyday Heroes: John Turnipseed" - in partnership with the Metropolitan Economic Development Agency (8 p.m. Sept. 15).

"When I Think of Home" - in partnership with the Family Place (6 p.m. Sept. 23).

"Parenting: Ready, Set, Go! Bedtime" - in partnership with Greater Twin Cities United Way (6 p.m. Sept. 30).

"Parenting: Ready, Set, Go! Early Literacy" -- in partnership with Greater Twin Cities United Way (6:30 p.m. Sept. 30).

"Welcome Home, Minnesota" - special honoring returning Iraq War veterans from Minnesota (7 p.m. Sat.)

"Honor Most Proud" - remembrances of Hispanics, American Indians and women who served in World War II (8 p.m. Sept. 22).

NOEL HOLSTON