It's never easy on Day One of what TV critics call "press tour" to know exactly what we're going to need for nearly three weeks of close encounters with stars, producers and network suits, but PBS, which kicked things off yesterday with a breakfast in which an astrophysicist talked -- pretty interestingly -- about the origins of the universe, does have a more practical streak.

Shortly before its session with conservative firebrand Tucker Carlson -- I don't know exactly what firebrand means, but doesn't it sound good with Tucker? -- the "don't-call-us-a-network" network offered a presentation on a "Nature" show on bears ("The Good, the Bad and the Grizzly"). Skipped most of it to check e-mail, talk to my editors and fuel myself with coffee for the Tucker grilling, but returned toward the end of the session to find a handout on "What to do (and not do) if you encounter a grizzly bear."

OK, that might not come up anytime soon here at the Century Plaza, just a six-block walk from Beverly Hills, but substitute Major Star or Network Executive in Angry Overdrive (or "Survivor" producer Mark Burnett) for "grizzly" and some of the suggestions seem quite usable, including:

"If you encounter a grizzly, do not run.

"Avoid direct eye contact.

"Don't scream or yell. Speak in a soft monotone and wave your arms gently to let the animal know you are human.

"Try to walk away slowly, if the bear is not approaching.

"If the bear charges, stand your ground (you cannot outrun it).

"If you have pepper spray, prepare to use it.

"If the grizzly charges to within 25 feet of where you're standing, use the spray.

"If the animal makes contact, curl up into a ball on your side, or lie flat on your stomach.

"Try not to panic; remain as quiet as possible until the attack ends.

"Be sure the bear has left the area before getting up to seek help."