Surf through the cable channels and it's clear that sitcoms, infomercials, self-help gurus and cop shows rule the airwaves. But we're still watching -- most of us for almost seven hours a day. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, how our visual culture shapes our world. Also, Robert Hughes on what's peculiar about American art.

SEGMENT 1

George Trow tells Steve Paulson that American popular culture has deteriorated into second rate trash. He makes his case in a book called "Within Context of No Context." Also, television critic John Leonard tells Judith Strasser that TV has nothing to do with the deterioration of public morals. He watches a lot of it and thinks it's great! Leonard reviews for New York Magazine and CBS Sunday Morning and is the author of "Smoke and Mirrors: Violence, Television, and Other American Cultures."

SEGMENT 2:

Stefan Kanfer talks with Jim Fleming about the limitations of computer animation and what makes the classics of Disney's celluloid animation real art. Fanfer's book is "The Art and Commerce of Animation in America from Betty Boop to Toy Story."

SEGMENT 3:

Art critic Robert Hughes talks with Steve Paulson about the history and distinctive characteristics of American art. Hughes writes for Time Magazine and is the author of several books including "The Shock of the New" and "The Fatal Shore." He has a new series airing on PBS. Its companion book is "American Visions: The Epic History of Art in America."

Distribution dates:

• week of 06/01/97 - hour 3
• week of 07/05/98 - hour 3