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TV offers a tribute to veterans on their day

By WALT BELCHER wbelcher

@tampatrib.com

Published: November 11, 2009

This being Veterans Day, our thoughts turn to those serving in the military, past and present. And there are TV programs today that honor them.

One of the most interesting and touching is "The Way We Get By," at 9 p.m. on WEDU, Channel 3.

This POV documentary follows three senior citizens in Bangor, Maine, who have found a mission in their twilight years. As "troop greeters" they carry on a tradition that dates to the first Gulf War. They volunteer to meet veterans leaving for or returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

MTV is an unexpected place for a Veterans Day program. But "Return to Duty," at 9 tonight, follows 23-year-old Iraq war veteran Ryan Conklin, who was on "The Real World: Brooklyn" last year, as he returns to Iraq.

Vintage movie networks AMC and TCM have military-themed movies today including "Patton," "Battle of the Bulge," "Kelly's Heroes" and the "Rambo" films.

"American Veterans: A Musical Tribute," at noon today on WUSF, Channel 16, features the Air Force Orchestra and Singing Sergeants in a salute to all five branches of the military.

"Hallowed Grounds," at 10:30 tonight on WEDU, is a tour of U.S. military cemeteries overseas from World Wars I and II. Included are stories about some of the soldiers buried there.

"Change the World: American Heroes," at 8 tonight on HGTV, is about volunteer efforts in Philadelphia and St. Louis to make over two historical houses that are used as shelters for struggling veterans.

"EASTWICK" BURNED: ABC has canceled "Eastwick," which is based on John Updike's 1984 novel "The Witches of Eastwick."

Airing at 10 p.m. Wednesdays, the steamy drama could not scare up an audience. ABC plans to show the 13 episodes that were ordered. Come January, "Lost" might slip into the slot.

"Eastwick" stars Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price and Sara Rue as three women who get powers from a mysterious stranger (Paul Gross).

TV LOVE: Nielsen Media Research reports that television viewing reached an all-time high during the 2008-09 TV season.

Americans spent four hours and 49 minutes a day on average in front of the TV. That's four minutes more than last year and up 20 percent from 10 years ago.

The average household watched eight hours and 21 minutes a day, also an all-time high since Nielsen started measuring ratings in the 1950s. Nielsen says this is the result of more television sets in the home, having more channels to watch and more DVRs in use.

The economy might have something to do with it, too, as TV is cheap entertainment.

CMA AWARDS: Teen singing sensation Taylor Swift will open tonight's "CMA Awards" on ABC. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley are hosts.

Other performers include Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews, Reba McEntire, Sugarland, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw and "a surprise guest" who is making a comeback. Garth Brooks?

Swift is nominated for album of the year, music video and best female artist and may get entertainer of the year.

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