If you took my advice in one of my last columns, then you've just finished watching The War, Ken Burns' latest documentary about World War II. If you missed his seven-part extravaganza, don't worry, it will be shown many times over the coming months. It's absolutely worth your time, all 840 minutes of it.

If you did watch it, I hope it was enough to convince you that PBS isn't just about Sesame Street and Antiques Roadshow anymore. Public TV has a ton of great shows to offer, especially when the major networks are rolling out absurdly lame sitcoms about cavemen, or remakes of '70s-era shows like The Bionic Woman.

Actually, PBS has had a number of terrific programs for a long time -- NOVA, FRONTLINE, and the like. But for some reason, those shows have acquired an undeserved stuffy reputation. But forget about those programs for a moment. PBS has a slew of new shows that will make you think twice about public broadcasting and realize this ain't your mama's PBS.

The first is Wired Science. It's a weekly science show that is a collaboration between PBS and the oft-unconventional Wired magazine. While a "science" show might sound a little dry, Wired Science is just the opposite. They tackle the newest and coolest science and technology topics with slick, well produced reporting. Topics in Episode One include a new internet threat called "botnet attacks," robotic doctors, and new computer technology to help Asperger's Syndrome patients by reading their facial expressions. Wired Science premieres Wednesday October 3rd at 8 pm.

The next show is a real gem for true film lovers. Independent Lens is a showcase for some of the best indie films being made today. Each episode of this weekly show features a different documentary or drama by some of the most talented up-and-coming directors on the scene. These are terrific flicks that are usually only seen at small film festivals around the country. A new season of Independent Lens hosted by Hustle & Flow star Terrence Howard starts October 16th at 10 pm. A few films to keep an eye out for: Wordplay, a fascinating look at New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will

Shortz; Red White Black & Blue, a documentary about one of the bloodiest but least known battles of World War II; and An Unreasonable Man, an unsparing look at consumer advocate and presidential "spoiler" Ralph Nader.

The third show is Art:21 - Art in the 21st Century. Don't be fooled by the topic: there are no tours of art galleries accompanied by elevator music here. Art:21 exposes some of the most creative and inspiring art work on the planet -- from urban "collages" made out of street signs to massive and intricate wooden sculptures, cutting edge photography, and interactive exhibits. Each episode profiles four artists and focuses on a single theme, such as "romance" or "ecology." You don't just see the art, you get to watch the artists work and witness how they take an idea on paper and turn it into reality. The new season of Art 21 premieres October 28th at 10 pm.

Ethan Morris: "Not always right, but never in doubt." Go ahead and write me.