PBS Archives - Page 10 of 17 - StayTuned Magazine

“American Masters: Mel Brooks — Make A Noise”: Review

May 15, 2013 StayTuned Staff

American Masters: Mel Brooks — Make a Noise Monday, May 20 PBS, 9pm ET (PBS programming varies regionally) Of all the anecdotes Mel Brooks shares in his American Masters special, it’s one that takes place back before he ever walked onto a film set that is perhaps the most telling. During his Borscht Belt days, Brooks entertained the Catskills resort crowds by playing drums. Why did he pick the drums, out of any other instrument? Because drums made the most noise. Throughout his many decades in show business, Brooks has been that lovable ham, with a need to entertain that […]

Noted actors explore The Bard in “Shakespeare Uncovered” on PBS

January 25, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

“We have such a disadvantage with Shakespeare,” says actor and one host of the new PBS series Shakespeare Uncovered Jeremy Irons, “because everybody teaches it badly at school, and so you leave school — like the French leave school, and they never want to hear about Proust again. The Americans and the English, if they are lucky, they get taught a bit of Shakespeare. They probably see a bad production, and they think, ‘Right. Fine. School is over. Shakespeare, thank you very much. That’s the end of you for my life.’ And so we — I mean, as an actor, […]

Week of special PBS programming to focus on Newtown tragedy

January 14, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

Updated Feb. 18, 2013, 11:24am CT At the Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter Press Tour today, PBS announced that in response to the tragic shootings in Newtown, Conn., last month, it will be airing a week of special programming under the banner “After Newtown” that will “continue the public conversation on gun laws, mental illness and school security.” The “After Newtown” programming will air on PBS stations Feb. 18-22 (check local listings) and will range from original documentaries to installments of established PBS programs. In explaining this PBS coverage, network president and CEO Paula Kerger said, “PBS is not the […]

“Pioneers of Television” returns for Season 3 on PBS

January 14, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

PBS’ Pioneers of Television is back for its third season this month (now narrated by one of today’s busiest personalities in that business, Ryan Seacrest), with four new episodes devoted to some of the most memorable moments and people in popular TV genres. This season will memorably feature a reunion of the cast of the 1983 miniseries The Thorn Birds for the season finale episode about the miniseries genre. Episodes kick off with “Funny Ladies,” which begins with the first standup comediennes to appear on television, including Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller (whose final interview was for this episode). It […]

“Downton Abbey Revisited” special to tide American audiences over until Season 3

November 7, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

As U.S. audiences await the Season 3 premiere of the internationally acclaimed British drama Downton Abbey — which hits American shores Jan. 6, 2013, as part of Masterpiece Classic on PBS — they can get a taste of what’s ahead, and take a look back at Seasons 1 and 2, in the premiere special Downton Abbey Revisited. Premiering Nov. 25 from 8-9:30pm ET on PBS (check local listings), Downton Abbey Revisited is hosted by Angela Lansbury (whom the PBS release describes as an “unabashed Downton Abbey fan). It will also feature popular series actors Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh […]

Cuban Missile Crisis 50th anniversary TV specials

October 18, 2012 Ryan Berenz

Cuban Missile Crisis 50th anniversary TV specials shed new light on the events of October 1962 that put the U.S. and Soviet Union on the brink of nuclear war. Commander in Chief: Inside the Oval Office “Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis” Re-airs Sunday, Oct. 21, at 12pm ET/PT on Military Channel (from Military Channel press release): COMMANDER IN CHIEF: INSIDE THE OVAL OFFICE is a gripping television mini-series that reveals the untold stories behind the critical military decisions in different presidencies. Produced by Stephen David Entertainment, known for its acclaimed History Channel specials THE MEN WHO BUILT AMERICA and […]

If Mitt Romney fires Big Bird, he has other TV options

October 5, 2012 Tom Comi

If Mitt Romney fires Big Bird, the lovable Sesame Street character has other TV options. (Photo via Mashable) Presidential candidate Mitt Romney ruffled feathers during this week’s debate when he said he will cut funding to PBS if elected, leaving many Sesame Street fans across the country wondering what would happen to the beloved characters they grew up with – especially Big Bird, whom Romney mentioned by name. Regardless of whether it’s Romney or President Obama residing in the White House next year, we think this controversy has raised our feathery friend’s star power exponentially. In fact, we would be […]

U.K. hit “Call the Midwife” ready to deliver for PBS in the States

September 30, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

Its first season has already been a smash hit in the United Kingdom — even out-rating the vaunted Downton Abbey — and the drama is already filming its second season, and working on a Christmas special (which will, of course, also go up against a Downton special). Now, expectant Americans will finally get to see what all the excitement is about as Call the Midwife makes its U.S. debut on PBS Sept. 30 at 8pm ET (check local listings). And like all the little miracles the midwives in the series deliver, the show has been worth the wait. Rather than a mere placeholder […]

Elmo gets new format as “Sesame Street” begins Season 43

September 20, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

The beloved and influential children’s series Sesame Street begins its 43rd season Monday, Sept. 24, on PBS (check local listings for the exact time and channel in your area). While much of what has made the show so impactful and important will remain — the fun and educational elements — one change is taking place of note regarding one of its most famous characters. The little red furry monster Elmo is having his “Elmo’s World” segment replaced after 13 years. But don’t fret, Elmo fans. Elmo is simply being given a new series of 11-minute skits, called “Elmo the Musical,” […]

“Death and the Civil War” is haunting, heartbreaking and important history

September 13, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

Adapted from the best-selling book This Republic of Suffering by historian and Harvard president Drew Gilpin Faust, the two-hour American Experience film Death and the Civil War, from director Ric Burns, looks at the incredible change the United States underwent due to the massive “work of death” it found itself undertaking during the Civil War. The film shows how the startling death toll of the conflict — which took everyone by surprise and still ranks as America’s deadliest war — changed everything about our nation’s concept of and relationship with military deaths, and what our government owes to those who give […]