"Planet Work: Finding Solutions in the Worldwide Work World" is the new installment in the acclaimed PBS Livelyhood series, presented by KQED San Francisco. Livelyhood begins a third season on PBS with two one-hour specials that explore how the global economy is transforming the way we work. "Planet Work" premieres Friday, August 31 at 9:00pm and Friday September 7 at 9:00pm (check local listings).

With his characteristic wit, host and humorist Will Durst goes on a global search for solutions to the growing problems of a smaller world. Durst seeks out people who are taking whatever steps they can to tackle the tough challenges of worldwide work—the income gap, digital divide, poor working conditions and the homogenization of cultures.

"As the world of work spins faster, sometimes the only way to look at it is one piece at a time. We found some bright spots on the globe—and people who can illuminate the changes we're all going through," says Executive Producer Patrice O'Neill.

In both episodes of Livelyhood "Planet Work" viewers will meet "sages in strange places" who reveal things about the global economy that are often left off the business pages. They include a Venetian gondolier, a Brazilian teenager who is banking on a lucrative future at McDonald's, an Afghani techie living in the dot bombed hotel and Bangalore-based telemarketers who study "Friends" and "Ally McBeal" so they can become more sales friendly to Americans.