WASHINGTON, February 19, 2013 —Tonight, PBS tackles the most controversial topic in the country: guns in America. Gun control has always been a contentious issue, but the senseless slaughter that occurred in Newtown, Ct. has renewed the debate.
Experts and laymen alike assumed the legacy of Newtown would be a new definition of guns in our society. Since January, 2319 bills have been introduced in state legislatures, both for and against tighter gun control. As it stands now, the only legacy of Newtown is to emphasize the lack of common ground between the two sides of the gun debate.
In response to this national debate, PBS is airing a series of programs that explores the origins of our love affair with guns, mental illness, and school security. The discussion continues tonight with a historical perspective of guns in America. Following Guns in America, Frontline examines the life of Adam Lanza, and the troubled history that led up to his killing rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
PBS continues its coverage tomorrow night with an exploration of the science of violence and the brain. Nova: Mind of a Rampage Killer airs at 9 p.m., followed by The Path to Violence at 10 p.m. Both shows focus on the mental health aspect of gun violence and what has and has not been done to address it.
For millions of Americans like me who are uncomfortable with either side of the gun control debate, this series of shows is a welcome addition to the ongoing discussion. Where I live, the first day of deer season is still a valid excuse for missing school. The relative isolation of country living makes owning a gun for protection a no-brainer, at least for me.
On the other hand, my daughter went to school with several of the Virginia Tech shooting victims. As I wrestle with the issue, I welcome any additional information in this ongoing national debate. This is why PBS will have my full attention with their thought-provoking series of programs about guns in America.
Tonight’s viewing:
All times are EST:
8 p.m.
ABC: The Taste: (New) As the contestants are tasked with creating the perfect sandwich, tensions rise among the judges; chefs Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone serve as guest judges.
CBS: NCIS: (New) On leave from NCIS while still grieving the loss of his wife and his kids’ mother, Director Vance discovers unexpected personal information that causes him to question everything.
FOX: Raising Hope: (New) Luke Perry kicks off a night of comedy as the Ghost of Arbor Day Past, Present and Future on an All-New Raising Hope.
NBC: Betty White’s Off Their Rockers: (New) Howie Mandel gets in on all-new pranks with Betty.
CW: Hart of Dixie: (New) Wade (Wilson Bethel) is excited to compete in the Battle of The Bands competition so he can use the prize money to open up his own bar, but Zoe’s (Rachel Bilson) suggestion that George (Scott Porter) play in the band ultimately backfires.
8:30 p.m.
NBC: Betty White’s Off Their Rockers: (Repeat) Seniors pull pranks involving pouring out a late spouse’s ashes and issuing tickets for nonsensical violations.
FOX: New Girl: (Repeat) Jess and Nick examine their friendship. Elsewhere, Schmidt hopes to impress an attractive Republican by pretending to be one of Mitt Romney’s sons.
9 p.m.
ABC: The Bachelor: Sean Tells All: (New) Sean talks about the women he has sent home and controversial bachelorette, Tierra; preview of the rest of Sean’s journey.
CBS: NCIS: Los Angeles: (New) An NCIS: LA investigation leads the team to question a lone survivor of a former terrorist organization, while Kensi and Deeks follow the trail into the woods.
FOX: New Girl: (New) Schmidt discovers a primo parking spot, which the roommates then fight over. Meanwhile, Winston searches for a condom after receiving an unexpected invitation from Daisy.
NBC: Go On: (New) Terrell gets a temp job at K-BAL, Ryan, Simone and Mr. K go on a meditation retreat. Ned Beatty guest stars.
CW: Cult: (New) Investigative journalist Jeff Sefton has learned to live with his younger brother Nate’s (guest star James Pizzinato “Alcatraz”) relentless string of obsessions, especially his latest rant that a hit TV show called “Cult” intends to harm him. When his brother mysteriously disappears, Jeff enlists Skye Yarrow, a young research assistant working on “Cult,” to help with his investigation into the dark underworld of the TV show and its rabid fans.
PBS: After Newtown: Guns in America: (New) A history of guns in America, beginning with the first European settlements in the New World. Also: the political battles that have erupted over gun-control initiatives; the competing visions of national identity that guns and gun control represent. See the trailer for this presentation below:
9:30 p.m.
FOX: The Mindy Project: (New) Mindy is offered the chance to deliver a medical report on the local TV news, and gets advice for appearing on camera from an unlikely source. Meanwhile, Beverly returns to the office as an administrative assistant, but is flummoxed by modern technology and youth culture.
NBC: The New Normal: (New) Bryan and David realize that their puppy has been preparing them to be parents, but get a bit of a scare with a veterinary visit.
10 p.m.
ABC: Body of Proof: (New) Months after Peter’s death, Megan returns to work and is surprised when a man from her past is assigned to her case; a serial killer targeting young war veterans takes Lacey hostage.
CBS: Vegas: (New) Dixon chases a stolen car to find out if he knows the guy behind the wheel. Jack tells Mia her father is dead. Jack and Savino decide they both have an interest in keeping their mouths shut.
NBC: Smash: (New) Eileen makes a bold move to reinvent Bombshell, while Ivy auditions for a lead role that could make her the star she’s always dreamed of being.
PBS: Frontline: (New) Raising Adam Lanza: Examining the life of Adam Lanza, the alleged shooter in the mass killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Also: a look at the gun-control debate in Newtown.
Basic cable:
New episodes of:
Dual Survival Untamed at 8 p.m. on DSC
Dual Survival at 9 p.m. on DSC
Top Gear at 9 p.m. on History Channel
Income Property at 9 p.m. on HGTV
Dance Moms at 9 p.m. on LIFE
Doomsday Preppers at 9 p.m. on NGC
Strip the City at 9 p.m. on SCI
Face Off at 9 p.m. on Syfy
Storage Wars Texas at 9 and 9:30 p.m. on A&E
Wild Appalachia at 10 p.m. on Animal Planet
Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan at 10 p.m. on BBC
Real Husbands of Hollywood at 10 p.m. on BET
The Millionaire Matchmaker at 10 p.m. on BRAVO
Yukon Men: On the Brink at 10 p.m. on DSC
For movie lovers:
8 p.m.
Marked for Death on AMC
The Benchwarmers on ENC
Talk Radio on FLIX
Easy A on FMC
This Means War on HBO
Batman on IFC
The Living Daylights on REELZ
The Racket on TCM
9 p.m.
Battleship on HBO
The Descendants on MOMAX
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance on STARZ
Later tonight:
The Fugitive at 10 p.m. on AMC
Virtuosity at 10 p.m. on CINEMAX
Citizen Ruth on FLIX
Trainspotting at 10 p.m. on SHO
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