Remote patrol weekend

The seventh installment of "Livelyhood," the Peabody-worthy PBS series devoted to the changing American workscape, will debut at 6 p.m. Saturday on Channel 19. Tape it, watch it, show it at church: It's that good a show. Comedian Will Durst, a remarkably mild-mannered giant of a man, is our host. Durst earned notoriety earlier this year when, as a phone-a-friend on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," he gave the wrong answer and cost his friend $218,000. That's more money than the working stiffs we meet on "Livelyhood" probably make combined. This edition focuses on the night shift and the people who deprive themselves of sleep in search of an extra paycheck, a chance to move up the career ladder, or just to breathe the cold, damp air of freedom. These aren't folks who complain about slow commutes or long lines at the store. Heck, one of them - an emergency-room nurse - says she'd stay up all night even if she didn't have a night job. We get up at 2:28 a.m. with CNN anchor Carol Lin; drop in on a 24-hour kindergarten in Las Vegas; watch Internet gurus play video games and billiards at 4 a.m. - on company time, no less. There are great insights here, like the nighttime radio host who says he's glad he doesn't have to take calls from angry daytime listeners. But don't think this is all just earnest rah-rah for labor. There's a light touch to "Livelyhood" that's evident in the details. Listen for a particularly inspired use of the "Mod Squad" theme. >>>