PBS Archives - Page 13 of 17 - StayTuned Magazine

“Secrets of the Manor House” looks at real-life homes that inspired “Downton Abbey”

January 11, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

Fans of Downton Abbey will be able to get a glimpse inside the real world of the Edwardian homes and English society that inspired the acclaimed drama when the documentary Secrets of the Manor House airs Jan. 22 at 8pm ET on PBS (check local listings). Shot on location at some of Britain’s finest estates and country houses, and featuring interviews with contemporary masters and servants, the special reveals that life in the manor house was a world unchanged for nearly a thousand years, until the 20th century entered its second decade, when mounting financial, political and social pressures altered […]

PBS separates the man from the myth in “Billy the Kid” special

January 10, 2012 Tom Comi

Many people are familiar with the legend of Billy the Kid, but those who want to know how an Irish immigrant named Henry McCarty became one of America’s most storied killers ever should definitely tune into PBS tonight. Premiering at 9pm ET as part of the the network’s popular “American Experience” series, Billy the Kid goes behind the folklore and examines the developments in McCarty’s life that transformed him from a likable teenager into to a cold-blooded murderer. Born in New York without a father, he and his mother Catherine moved to New Mexico after the Civil War. According to those […]

Joanne Froggatt talks Season 2 of PBS’ “Downton Abbey”

January 6, 2012 StayTuned Staff

PBS’ Masterpiece has been hitting it out of the park frequently the last few years, but its grand slam of late has to be the Emmy-winning Edwardian drama Downton Abbey. Detailing the lives and loves of the Crawley family and its servants, the series returns for Season 2 this Sunday, Jan. 8. For Joanne Froggatt, who plays head housemaid Anna, the new season was even more rewarding than the first go-round. “It was so much fun. Obviously with the first season being such a success everywhere, it’s just fantastic to go back to something when you know it’s gone down […]

TCA Winter Press Tour Moments: Day 2

January 6, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

My favorite moments from the Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter 2012 Press Tour, Day 2, which featured the concluding presentations for PBS: 1. Tony Bennett — The legendary singer closed PBS’ press tour sessions with a fabulous and energetic half-hour performance that showed the 85-year-old artist has lost none of his amazing voice and performance style. He regaled us with a selection of standards, including, of course, his signature classic, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Bennett has a Jan. 27 Great Performances special on PBS called Tony Bennett: Duets II, which goes behind the scenes of the recording […]

TCA Winter Press Tour: Benedict Cumberbatch talks “Sherlock”; doesn’t talk “Star Trek”

January 5, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

On Day 2 of PBS’ presentations at the Television Critics Association (TCA) 2012 Winter Press Tour, Masterpiece presented the good news that America would be seeing Sherlock, Series II, Sundays May 6-20. Reprising their roles as Holmes and Watson are Benedict Cumberbatch (on fire lately with War Horse and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit), with Lara Pulver (pictured left) introduced as the mysterious Irene Adler — who becomes an intriguing mental match for Holmes, and possible emotional interest, as well. The preview we saw looked awesome, and should satisfy fans of the first season (don’t worry; […]

TCA Winter Press Tour 2012, Day 1: PBS

January 5, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

Day 1 of the 2012 Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter Press Tour marked the first time that I personally have covered the PBS portion of the tour, and like the network itself, the day was an eclectic mix of entertainment and information, featuring everything from a cabaret performance by Michael Feinstein to cupcakes with The Cat in the Hat to a concert by The B-52’s. During the morning executive session, Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, announced a few upcoming specials and series. Of note (or possible concern, depending upon your outlook, given the slippery slope that such series […]

PBS to preview first 10 minutes of “Downton Abbey, Season 2” on Facebook

December 20, 2011 Jeff Pfeiffer

The gifts will keep coming on the day after Christmas for fans of classic TV dramas as PBS plans to make available a sneak peek of the first 10 minutes of the highly anticipated Season 2 of the acclaimed, Emmy-winning Downton Abbey. The preview will begin on the PBS Facebook page on Monday, Dec. 26 — about two weeks before the broadcast premiere on Sunday, Jan. 8. “The viewers’ response to Downton has been so positive that we want to reward fans’ loyalty and enthusiasm with an early look,” says John F. Wilson, senior vice president & chief TV programming […]

Country music takes center stage on PBS special “In Performance at the White House”

November 23, 2011 Tom Comi

There are many perks to being the President of the United States, but perhaps none is cooler than being able to sit front row at concerts without having to leave your home. The Obamas will be front and center tonight when country music’s brightest stars gather at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for a special premiering Nov. 23 on PBS at 8pm ET. Airing as part of the In Performance at the White House series, the timing of this family event couldn’t be more perfect as it falls on Thanksgiving eve. Taking place in the East Room and hosted by President Obama […]

PBS’s “The Fabric of the Cosmos” explores the universe’s big picture

October 24, 2011 StayTuned Staff

The first of four episodes of Brian Greene’s new PBS series, The Fabric of the Cosmos With Brian Greene, premieres next week, but you can watch it today. Through available free PBS apps, viewers can start to take in this new series that shows how today’s scientists are mapping out the most complete picture of space, time and our universe. Exploring some of the most exciting theories proposed by science, The Fabric of the Cosmos peels back layers of understanding to show that underneath the world that we perceive and experience lies an incredibly strange and wonder-filled one than we […]

Latest Ken Burns documentary explores the Prohibition era

October 1, 2011 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Jeff Pfeiffer Follow @ChannelGuideJP There is a scene near the end of the 1987 film The Untouchables when Kevin Costner’s T-man character Eliot Ness — whom we have just seen, along with his team of agents, help bring gangster Al Capone to justice — is asked by a reporter what he would do if the talks of ending Prohibition become reality. Thinking for a moment, Ness then says with a hint of a smile and a bit of relief, “I think I’ll have a drink.” That sentiment was likely shared by many citizens by the time America’s 13-year “Noble […]