Apparently, the Medici were first among the finer Italian families to perfect the subtle art of offering deals people could not refuse. "The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance" happily works the double entendre in its title through all its nuances and ramifications. In its less sinister interpretations, "The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance" gives ample testimony to the family's lavish patronage and promotion of the arts and sciences, dragging Europe kicking and screaming out of "the dark ages." The Medici revolutionized banking, commerce, diplomacy, and empire building. It was in that empire-building thing that the term "godfathers" took-on its more sinister connotations. In just four hours of spectacular footage shot on 16mm film, the PBS filmmakers quicken Paul Strathern's best-selling book, creating a suspense thriller out of reliable historical data. In its promotional materials, PBS mastered understatement, suggesting "Travel back in time to see the real human stories behind the European Renaissance and the family that bankrolled it." Had it been HBO, the same thought would have read something like, "Witness the sinister intrigues, the stone-cold violence, and the intensely sexual illicit relationships that drove the first Italian crime family to prominence." Even that description would fall a little short of the super salaciousness built into the story of how "the Medici family would rise to rule Europe"¦ Using charm, patronage, skill, duplicity and ruthlessness, they would amass unparalleled wealth and unprecedented power."

Secrets of Playboy is a documentary television series that explores the history and influence of the iconic men's magazine. The series features interviews with former Playboy models and employees, cultural critics, and scholars who provide insights into the magazine's impact on American culture and society.

The Lady and the Dale is a documentary television series that tells the story of Elizabeth Carmichael and her invention, the Dale. The series is directed by Nick Cammilleri and Zackary Drucker and premiered on HBO in January 2021. It consists of four episodes and uses a mix of archival footage, interviews, and animated reenactments to tell the story.

"Who Killed Garrett Phillips?" is a two-part documentary released in 2019 by Liz Garbus. The documentary examines the murder of 12-year-old Garrett Phillips in his home in Potsdam, a small town in upstate New York, in 2011. The documentary follows the police investigation that led to the arrest of Oral "Nick" Hillary, an ex-boyfriend of Garrett's mother and a Jamaican man in the mostly white community.

Empires: Martin Luther part of the PBS series Great Religions Take a fascinating look back into the history surrounding popular religions and you will find much written about Martin Luther and Frederick the Wise. Frederick was thought to be all powerful in terms of religious leaders of his era and he perceived Martin Luther as being a useful kind of weapon to be used against the papacy as well as the church. Luther was revered for his teachings and strong held beliefs. Among Martin Luther's serious flaws were the fact he was a violent man who tended to inflame nobles, commoners, and kings with his diatribes against Old Faith ideals and some New Faith members as well as Jews. It became well established however that once he captured their ear he could find supporters who only pleaded to him that he tone down his rhetoric and his rage. Luther studied the bible extensively and learned much then passed on what he had learned to all that would listen. Much has been written about Martin Luther and some inaccuracies are always to be expected. This well narrated program shows him as a man of faith but somewhat flawed in character.

The Japanese refuse to quit their commercial whaling attempts and this creates a conflict among those who realize that whales simply will vanish from the planet soon if killing them is not stopped, once and for all. This makes for entertaining documentary style television and the Sea Shepherd Conservatory Society takes us along as we witness cruelty on the part of professional whalers. Paul Watson, the founder of the Conservation got help from the Discovery Channel to put together this reality documentary style show. We witness the tactics used as they attempt to dissuade commercial whalers from killing these magnificent creatures of the sea. And they mean business! With ramming, throwing stink bombs, and even boarding Japanese whaling vessels in mind, they keep up the good fight and try to teach their philosophy as well. The Japanese claim they are whaling for research purposed but it's obvious they have commercial gain in mind. Whales are intelligent creatures and they have been given names, making it more personal to see them killed. Each episode follows some specific whales and we witness what happens on the high seas is not always a pleasant experience.