Actively Radical TV — Sydney community television's progressive current affairs producers tackle the hard issues from the activist's point of view. CTS Sydney (UHF 31), every Thursday, 10pm and Saturday, 7pm. Ph 9565 5522.
Access News — Melbourne community TV, Channel 31, has excellent coverage of industrial, environmental and community actions throughout Victoria. Access News broadcasts every Monday at 8pm. Ph 9633 6976.
Movie Matinee: Blueberry Hill (Belgium, 1989) — Students in their final year of high school revolt against their sadistic principal. SBS, Thursday, December 10, 12.30pm.
De Gaulle and France — The episode of this series we've been waiting for: the May-June uprising in 1968. SBS, Saturday, December 12, 7.30pm.
An Independent Man — Arthur Daly goes political! In this new comedy series, George Cole (Arthur from Minder) plays Freddie Patterson, a shonky businessperson and punter, who is persuaded to run in the local council elections for the Conservative Party. He enters the race with less than honest intentions, but discovers he has more scruples than the Tories or the Labour Party and decides to sit as an independent. ABC-TV, Saturday, December 12, 9.30pm.
From Jesus to Christ — The First Christians — How a revolutionary fought for the liberation of the people of ancient Palestine from the Roman occupiers and local collaborators. His memory was later coopted to serve the same oppressors. Two thousand years later, the revolutionary has become the institutionalised deity. SBS, Sundays, 8.30pm, December 13 to January 3.
John Wayne: The Unquiet American — The sad truth about the most popular movie actor in history. Wayne was all-Americanism personified: little wonder he supported the Hollywood black list, opposed the civil rights movement and toured US universities speaking in favour of the Vietnam War. ABC-TV, Tuesday, December 22, 8.30pm.
In Search of Santa — Putting some seriousness into the silly season, this program traces the origin, history, myths and truths of the world's most popular home invader. SBS, Wednesday, December 23, 8pm.
Humpback Whale — From the Arctic to the Antarctic, amazing underwater footage reveals the successful hunting and spectacular social behaviour of the world's largest predator. ABC-TV, Saturday, December 26, 6pm.
Weapons: a Battle for Humanity — This documentary looks at the devastating new weapons, including anti-personnel mines and laser guns, which continue to kill thousands of people throughout the world. SBS, Monday, December 28, 12.20am.
Decisive Weapons — In the 1960s and early 1970s, the Bell "Huey" helicopter seemed hugely threatening, neutralising the advantage of jungle cover for guerilla fighters. However, the US military's overconfidence in this weapon led Washington deeper and deeper into liberated Vietnamese territory. Slowly but surely, what seemed to promise victory became a symbol for defeat. SBS, Monday, December 28, 7pm.
The Invisible People — South America's biggest oil fields have been discovered in the headwaters of the Amazon in Ecuador, with a devastating impact on the lives of the indigenous people and the environment. This is the story of Australian activist Doug Ferguson's 10 years in the rainforest with the Amazon Indians. SBS, Wednesday, December 30, 8pm.