This Weekend's Programming 1/1/11

SATURDAY, January 1, 2010 – NEW YEAR’S DAY


SANJAY GUPTA, MD – Airs Saturday 7:30AM – 8:00AM
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta interviews actor and advocate Michael J. Fox who speaks candidly – and sometimes humorously - about his experience with Parkinson’s disease, his foundation’s funding of a landmark study to identify biomarkers of the disease’s progression, and the need for more participation in clinical trials to more rapidly test and develop drugs that can slow or stop the progression of the disease.

FAVORITES IN FOCUS – AIRS SATURDAY 2:00PM – 3:00PM
Showcasing pieces from each of the “In Focus” series’ during the year, “Favorites in Focus” brings us the stories behind the headlines, on topics ranging from the economy to military issues to giving back. Hosted by Tom Foreman, this compelling hour of television is full of the quality storytelling the award-winning “In Focus” photojournalist team is known for.

ALMIGHTY DEBT: A BLACK IN AMERICA SPECIAL – AIRS SATURDAY 3:00PM – 5:00PM
Every leading indicator – unemployment, income, wealth, educational attainment, homeownership and foreclosures – demonstrates that the African-American financial foundation is crumbling at rates that are comparatively worse than other segments of the U.S. population. Reported by anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien, and told through experiences of members of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens (FBCLG) in New Jersey, the first 90-minutes of this special explores how an institution central to African-American communities for generations is helping its 7,000 parishioners survive the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Following the documentary, a dynamic town hall discussion moderated by O’Brien will feature founder and senior pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes, clinical social worker and public relations executive Terrie Williams, syndicated columnist Michelle Singletary, FBCLG senior pastor Rev. Dr. DeForest Soaries, pollster Cornell Belcher and others.

TOXIC TOWNS, USA – A DR. SANJAY GUPTA SPECIAL – AIRS SATURDAY 5:00PM – 6:00PM
Chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports a year-long investigation into one town’s struggle for survival amidst 14 chemical plants. More than 8 in 10 residents of tiny Mossville, Louisiana, report serious health problems such as cancers and kidney disease and claim the toxic chemicals in the air, soil and water are making them sick. Gupta challenges manufacturers, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to explain how residents can live safely in the shadow of chemical plants that spew tons of cancer-causing agents into the atmosphere every year.

LOSING LENNON – COUNTDOWN TO MURDER – AIRS SATURDAY 6:00PM – 7:00PM
CNN anchor John Roberts traces the final three months of the life of the remarkable artist and musician John Lennon, founding member of music supergroup, The Beatles. Roberts traces a detailed timeline of the events leading up to Lennon’s assassination by Mark David Chapman outside of Lennon’s apartment building, the Dakota, in New York City on December 8, 2010. The documentary includes new interviews with John Lennon’s oldest son Julian Lennon, record producer/friend Jack Douglas, exclusive audio interviews of Chapman and his wife, as well as the medical team that tried to save Lennon.

IN AMERICA: GARY & TONY HAVE A BABY – AIRS SATURDAY 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Gary Spino and Tony Brown have fought for gay rights all of their lives, but these days one of the most radical things a gay person can do is form a traditional family -- and that’s precisely what they want. Soledad O’Brien follows Gary and Tony on their struggle to have a baby that has a biological and legal connection to both of them. They spend a small fortune hiring an egg donor and a surrogate, and face a string of court battles. But all the medical miracles and legal maneuvering can’t guarantee the approval of the people around them… or even a baby.

HER NAME WAS STEVEN – AIRS SATURDAY 8:00PM – 10:00PM
Steven Stanton had a loving wife, beloved child, and an influential job as the City Manager of Largo, Florida. Then, the local newspaper revealed his decision live life as a woman. That revelation led to a raucous press conference followed by a televised City Council vote to remove Stanton as City Manager. Suddenly, Steven Stanton was thrust into a glaring national spotlight, while at the same time beginning a long, emotional and physical journey to become Susan Stanton. This two-hour film follows Stanton’s two-year transition through self-discovery, setbacks, challenges and self-acceptance.

TALIBAN – AIRS SATURDAY AT 10:00PM – 11:00PM
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper interviews Norwegian journalist, author and film maker Paul Refsdal about his unprecedented journey behind enemy lines in Afghanistan. No Western journalist has ever spent as much time with the Taliban, with as unrestricted access, as Refsdal. Refsdal’s film and Cooper’s incisive interview form this documentary of a band of unrelenting and unrepentant Taliban fighters at war, preparing weapons, coordinating attacks, praying, and interacting with their families. It’s a journey that ended in Refsdal’s own kidnapping and harrowing escape.

ATLANTA CHILD MURDERS – AIRS SATURDAY 11:00PM – 1:00AM
Almost thirty years after the murders of more than 25 black children, teens and young adults, CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien investigates the nearly two-year siege of fear that gripped the city of Atlanta. Although Wayne Williams continues to profess his innocence from behind bars, with his arrest and conviction, he was described as both a “monster” – and the nation’s first Black serial killer. In his first television interview in 10 years, O’Brien has exclusive access to Williams and examines new evidence to offer viewers a new look at the persistent doubts, and decide for themselves who was responsible for all those lost young lives.


SUNDAY, January 2, 2010

LOSING LENNON – COUNTDOWN TO MURDER – AIRS SUNDAY 1:00AM – 2:00AM AND 5:00AM – 6:00AM
CNN anchor John Roberts traces the final three months of the life of the remarkable artist and musician John Lennon, founding member of music supergroup, The Beatles. Roberts traces a detailed timeline of the events leading up to Lennon’s assassination by Mark David Chapman outside of Lennon’s apartment building, the Dakota, in New York City on December 8, 2010. The documentary includes new interviews with John Lennon’s oldest son Julian Lennon, record producer/friend Jack Douglas, exclusive audio interviews of Chapman and his wife, as well as the medical team that tried to save Lennon.

TALIBAN – AIRS SUNDAY AT 2:00AM – 3:00AM
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper interviews Norwegian journalist, author and film maker Paul Refsdal about his unprecedented journey behind enemy lines in Afghanistan. No Western journalist has ever spent as much time with the Taliban, with as unrestricted access, as Refsdal. Refsdal’s film and Cooper’s incisive interview form this documentary of a band of unrelenting and unrepentant Taliban fighters at war, preparing weapons, coordinating attacks, praying, and interacting with their families. It’s a journey that ended in Refsdal’s own kidnapping and harrowing escape.

ATLANTA CHILD MURDERS – AIRS SUNDAY 3:00AM – 5:00AM
Almost thirty years after the murders of more than 25 black children, teens and young adults, CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien investigates the nearly two-year siege of fear that gripped the city of Atlanta. Although Wayne Williams continues to profess his innocence from behind bars, with his arrest and conviction, he was described as both a “monster” – and the nation’s first Black serial killer. In his first television interview in 10 years, O’Brien has exclusive access to Williams and examines new evidence to offer viewers a new look at the persistent doubts, and decide for themselves who was responsible for all those lost young lives.

SANJAY GUPTA, MD – Airs Sunday 7:30AM – 8:00AM
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta interviews actor and advocate Michael J. Fox who speaks candidly – and sometimes humorously - about his experience with Parkinson’s disease, his foundation’s funding of a landmark study to identify biomarkers of the disease’s progression, and the need for more participation in clinical trials to more rapidly test and develop drugs that can slow or stop the progression of the disease.

STATE OF THE UNION WITH CANDY CROWLEY – Airs Sunday 9:00AM – 10:00AM, NOON – 1:00PM
Topic: GOP politics, the government reform committee
Guest: Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA

Guest anchor: Ed Henry

HOW TO LEAD – A SPECIAL EDITION OF FAREED ZAKARIA GPS – Airs Sunday 10:00AM – 11:00AM and 1:00PM – 2:00PM
In these times of crisis, America needs leaders who are not just good, but great. CNN’s Fareed Zakaria interviews titans in business, government, and academia for insights on power, persuasion, command, and decision making. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, corporate turnaround king Lou Gerstner, Yale University president and economist Rick Levin, and former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman talk to Zakaria about how to lead, and what qualities it takes to do it right.

RELIABLE SOURCES – Airs 11:00AM – NOON
Topic: New book, today’s media culture, press coverage of President Obama
Guest: Dick Cavett, Former Talk Show Host, "The Dick Cavett Show"

Host: Howard Kurtz

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