W.Va. on TV

Several West Virginia towns that figure in the history of the 20th Century coal boom appear in a new documentary airing on BBC America, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports.

“The American Future: A History by Simon Schama is a four part documentary that was filmed during the presidential election of 2008," the article said. "Areas such as the Town of Bramwell, Green Valley near the City of Princeton and the Town of Pocahontas, Va. were filmed along with the community of Thurmond and the New River Gorge when Schama and his crew visited the region."

The installment featuring West Virginia, "Part 3: American Fervor," airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. "Schama explores how faith has shaped American political life," a blurb on the channel's Web site said. "For the first time in a generation it’s the Democrats who are claiming to be the party of God. In the recent Presidential election it was Barack Obama, and not John McCain, who spoke of his faith."

The Food Network, meanwhile, continues to air the episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives that profiles Cabell-Wayne's Hillbilly Hot Dogs and includes a cameo by U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-3rd.