10 Streets That Changed America
Tuesday, 8 p.m., PBS
The evolution of Broadway from a Native American trail to Manhattan main artery is only one of the fascinating stories in “10 Streets That Changed America.” Host Geoffrey Baer takes viewers from Times Square to the Boston Post Road and Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway to give a colorful history of how our modern urban landscape took shape. And then he takes a road trip, to New Orleans, Detroit and Mount Rushmore, that shows how the West and South were urbanized. Baer, 61, spoke to The Post from Michigan where he is filming another show in the “10 That Changed America” series.
How did New York end up having three of the 10 streets mentioned on your show?
Our producer Dan Protess put out the word to academic advisors for suggestions about great streets. We got 50 to 100 suggestions. Then we had to ask, “What makes a good TV show?” We wanted geographic diversity, good stories and good characters. Those New York stories rose to the top.
When electrical lighting was installed on Broadway in 1880, how did the street change?
Prior to that, women would not go out in the city unescorted. It was just not considered proper. It also allowed them to extend the day. If you were on the street in the afternoon and it got dark you didn’t have to go home. The lighting also gave Broadway its nickname, the Great White Way.
Former New York Governor Francis Lovelace created the first postal system between Boston and New York. It operated on the Boston Post Road. What impact did that have?
The only way to communicate in that era was by going somewhere. With the Boston Post Road, you’re forging a route through territory which was thought impassable. It took weeks to get a message from Boston to New York. With the Dutch threatening the colonies, it was critical that they let each other know they needed aid.
Eastern Parkway has had its ups and downs. What was it about its design that made it attractive to the people who gentrified the homes and buildings alongside it?
The bones were there. There’s a context for this. It’s a phenomenon that we’re seeing across the country. In the 1950s and ’60s, American cities were really suffering, with highways leading people out to the suburbs. There’s such an energy in the culture now for people to move back into cities. We’re communal animals. We don’t like being isolated in suburban areas. We like being able to walk to things.
How did you become interested in urban design?
I’m a volunteer tour guide for Chicago Architecture Foundation. I was not an on-camera person at all. I was giving one of my boat tours and after one of them, this guy who was the newly appointed chairman of the board at WTTW public TV said to me, “You ought to make it into a TV show.” We started doing one locally in Chicago.
And here’s what else to watch this week:
Hot Wheels: 50th Anniversary Special
Thursday, 8 p.m., History
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the one-dollar toy that became a worldwide sensation, a team from Mattel builds a full-sized version of a Hot Wheels car from the ground up.
Running With Bear Grylls
Sunday, 7 p.m., NBC
Roger Federer treks through the Swiss Alps with Bear. They use tennis rackets as snowshoes to cross a frozen lake. After a snack of fish eyeballs, the pair get creative with a tennis ball to ascend a steep cliff and find their way home. Along the way, Roger discusses his brilliant career and family life.
Sugar Rush
Friday, Netflix
Series premiere. Talented bakers are challenged by pastry chefs Candace Nelson of Sprinkles cupcakes and Adriano Zumbo to create sweet treats that look beautiful and taste delicious — all against the clock. Hunter March is the host.
Sharp Objects
Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO
Series premiere. Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) is a reporter who receives an unusual assignment: report on the death of two teenagers in Wind Gap, Mo., her dreaded hometown. Camille is haunted by her sister, who died young, and her mom (Patricia Clarkson), a spooky figure who takes a medicinal interest in her children. While interviewing the townspeople, Camille meets a Kansas City detective (Chris Messina) who is investigating the crimes. Gradually, the scars of Camille’s past and the leads on the double murders fuse into one nasty emergency.
Pose
Sunday, 9 p.m., FX
With his boyfriend Costas (Johnny Sibilly) on the decline at St. Vincent’s, Pray Tell (Billy Porter) performs for the hospital’s AIDS ward. Highlights include his duet with Blanca Evangelista (M.J. Rodriguez) on the song “Home.” Meanwhile, Patty (Kate Mara) and Stan (Evan Peters) go to counseling following her confirmation that he had an affair with a transsexual hooker.
Tale
Wednesday, 3:01 a.m., Hulu
Season finale. Last week Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) lovingly watched as Offred (Elisabeth Moss) nursed her baby girl. Had she gone soft? This week, some of the show’s most shocking scenes await Serena, Offred and Commander Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) — as well as Emily (Alexis Bledel) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd).
Salvation
Monday, 9 p.m., CBS
Loyalties are tested when Grace (Jennifer Finnigan) is asked to lie under oath. Also, Darius (Santiago Cabrera) tasks Liam (Charlie Rowe) with a dangerous mission, and a shocking act of violence plunges the nation into chaos. Co-starring Ian Anthony Dale.