Kaiama Glover as seen in "History Detectives"

What's old is new: There's just something about a good mystery that gets the blood flowing.

Everyone loves a "whodunnit," and some of the biggest mysteries don't come from a novelist's imagination, but from our own past. Since 2003, PBS's "History Detectives" has been diving headfirst into some of these real-life puzzlers, and after a lengthy hiatus, a new season is finally in the works.

The upcoming 11th season, due to air in 2014, will be bringing a textbook-sized number of changes to the venerable series' format. Perhaps most obviously, a new historian has joined the investigative ranks. Kaiama Glover, a professor who teaches the literature of the French-speaking Caribbean at Barnard College, has come on board the revamped show, joining the returning Wes Cowan and Tukufu Zuberi.

Even the show's name has been given a makeover. Now called "History Detectives Special Investigation," the new name reflects the new focus of the show. With only one story per episode (before there were typically three), each will delve into an iconic mystery found in America's past.

It all sounds like a rollicking good time with the three detectives using the most high-tech tools available as they crisscross the nation uncovering clues and searching for answers. And while trying to determine just why the SS Sultana sank at the end of the Civil War may not be quite as flashy as the latest bestselling murder mystery, the fact that these are real-life mysteries gives the show a captivating edge.

Excellence awarded: In an age of on-demand videos thanks to the magic of the Internet, when anyone with a cell phone can make a video and put it online for millions to see, there's still something to be said for a slick, professionally produced music video.

Music videos have a long and storied history, and once a year the TV network that helped bring them to the masses before the Internet age celebrates with a lavish awards ceremony. On Sunday, Aug. 25, the MTV Video Music Awards are taking to the airwaves in celebration of the past year's gems, and much like the Oscars or the Grammys, the stars will be coming out for a night of glamor.

In a performance that's sure to delight music fans, singer-songwriter Lady Gaga will be taking to the stage at Brooklyn's Barclays Center to perform -- for the first time -- the new single from her upcoming album "ARTPOP." The singer of "Paparazzi" and "Poker Face" has often been controversial with her antics, but her performances on stage have always been electrifying.

The list of nominees reads like a who's who of current popular culture. Ahead of the pack, with six nominations each, are Justin Timberlake and the rapper/producer duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Both have nominations in the coveted video of the year category (For "Mirrors" and "Thrift Shop," respectively), and are joined in that category by Bruno Mars ("Locked Out of Heaven"), Taylor Swift ("I Knew You Were Trouble") and Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell for their song "Blurred Lines."

Although traditionally targeted at a young adult audience, the MTV Video Music Awards have something for anyone with an interest in popular music.

Lightning strikes twice: Hallmark's successes just keep rolling in.

Not content with being known as the go-to destination for family-friendly original movies, the Hallmark Channel launched its first prime-time scripted series earlier this summer, and is now ready to do it again.

"When Calls the Heart," due to premiere in January 2014 following a special two-hour movie "sneak peek" on Oct. 5, follows in the footsteps of "Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove," which premiered with fantastic ratings last month.

As always, Hallmark has signed on some all-star talent for the project, which is based on the book series "Canadian West" by Janette Oke.

Heading up the cast is three-time Emmy winner Jean Smart ("Frasier," "24") as a headstrong coal miner's widow. She's joined by Maggie Grace ("Lost," "Californication"), Stephen Amell ("Arrow," "Private Practice"), Lori Loughlin ("90210," "Summerland") and Daniel Sharman ("Teen Wolf").

In "When Calls the Heart," high society teacher Elizabeth Thatcher (newcomer Poppy Drayton) lands a teaching job in a remote prairie town, where she struggles to live on her own in the wild frontier. Upon finding her late aunt's (Grace) diary, however, Thatcher discovers that she's following in her aunt's footsteps and begins using the diary as her guide.

It's a heartfelt tale, and if "Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove" is any indication, Hallmark will turn it into an audience-pleaser. "Cedar Cove's" debut was the top-rated ad-supported cable movie the week it premiered and was the most talked about prime-time show on social media that night.

With one hit under its belt, Hallmark is lining up the cards for another one. Watch for the special two-hour pilot this October.