Wednesday Trivia Question

What was the title of Rick Steves’ first book?

According to his website, “Rick Steves is a popular public television host, a best-selling guidebook author, and an outspoken activist who encourages Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel.” PBS NC viewers know him best as the host of dozens of travel specials and, of course, the long-running RICK STEVES EUROPE. He is certainly America’s leading authority on European travel, earning that title over years of traveling, writing, guiding and instructing.

In 1980, Rick Steves self-published his first book. The first edition of 2,000 copies was obviously a hit since he’s updated and added to the guide over the years. In 2020, he celebrated the book’s 40th anniversary by noting on his blog, “The book has more than quadrupled in size, as it’s evolved as much as everything else in the last four decades. This is the book you read before your trip to learn from my experience rather than your own to enjoy maximum travel fun per mile, minute, and dollar.”

So what’s the book? What’s the title of Rick Steves’ first book, self-published in 1980?

Where Do I Know That Actor?

Based on Frank Tallis’ Liebermann novels, VIENNA BLOOD is a crime drama set in Austria during the early 1900s. The series follows a young psychiatrist and student of Sigmund Freud as he assist the police in cases. But before the new season of VIENNA BLOOD premieres next year, we’re repeating the first series Mondays on the Explorer Channel. As such, it seemed a good time to look into the players of this unique psychological thriller. So let’s meet them…

Matthew Beard stars as Dr. Max Liebermann. If his name sounds familiar, it may be because he just played the dual roles of James Taylor and Fraser in Magpie Murders.

Charlene McKenna plays Max’s sister, Leah. About 15 years back, she appeared as the Marchioness in The Old Curiosity Shop.

Conleth Hill portrays Max’s father, Mendel. Another familiar name perhaps since he just played author Alan Conway in Magpie Murders. A few years back, he was Sergeant Upton in Arthur & George on Masterpiece Mystery.

Monday Montage

What’s happening, what’s on and what’s interesting this week …

Join the first expedition to explore inside the USS Arizona since the date that will live in infamy. Don’t miss PEARL HARBOR – INTO THE ARIZONA – Thursday night at 8 on the Explorer Channel.

Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey) is going to star in Edward Albee’s classic play Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? early next year at the Royal Theatre Bath.

Grab a front-row seat to Mariah Carey’s historic first show in Japan, featuring standout versions of her greatest hits. Thrill to MARIAH CAREY – LIVE AT THE TOKYO DOME – Friday at 9pm on PBS NC.

Pop Cultured

I just read of the untimely passing of singer and actress Irene Cara. I’ll grant she’s been out of the spotlight for a while but she was a hit in the 1980s with songs like Fame, Out Here On My Own and Flashdance… What A Feeling. She also acted on stage and screen, most notably playing talented student Coco in the 1980 film Fame.

But the reason I mention Ms. Cara is her very cool link to public broadcasting. As I often note, PBS reaches deep into the American pop culture consciousness and it’s interesting and often surprising what connections people have to our programs. If you’re Gen X, cast your mind back to the 1970s series THE ELECTRIC COMPANY. It was aimed at elementary school children and designed to teach them grammar and reading skills in an entertaining way. The program featured the talents of Rita Moreno, Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Morgan Freeman and many others. One of those others was a young Irene Cara as part of the in-show kids band The Short Circus. She was only on the show for the first season but that was 130 episodes of playing Short Circus member Iris, which is pretty cool.

Sadly, Irene Cara passed away Friday in her Florida home at the age of 63. But she’ll always be part of the PBS family.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

An old sign but a never-ending message. Thank you! If you’re a viewer, a donor, a volunteer, a sustainer … if you’ve ever done anything that supported your North Carolina statewide public television network under whatever name we’ve gone by … we cannot thank you enough. We honestly depend on your kindness in all of its various forms. So, in a week where people give thanks for all sorts, thank you from PBS North Carolina.

Flashback: November 1991

Yes, I know an eagle is not a turkey but the bird theme continues this Thanksgiving week with the cover to our November 1991 program guide. LAND OF THE EAGLE was a four-night NATURE presentation exploring the history of our continent through the lives of those who lived it.

Sounds Familiar

“You are about to hear the loudest, angriest bird you have ever heard. Yaaaaaaaaaah!!!!” – Big Bird (Caroll Spinney), losing his cool when no one will pay attention to him, SESAME STREET

Wednesday Trivia Question

What kind of parrot was the dead parrot in the classic MONTY PYTHON sketch?

Admittedly a parrot is not a turkey but in keeping with tradition I thought a bird-themed trivia question for Thanksgiving Eve might be worth a shot so here goes.

Obviously the groundbreaking sketch comedy series MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS had many classic sketches. Spam, Silly Walks, the Lumberjack Song, the Cheese Shop, the Spanish Inquisition are just a few of the most popular. A true Python fan such as myself might go deeper with references to Anne Elk, Michael Ellis, Mr. Neutron, Bicycle Repairman and Dennis Moore. Regardless of what makes you laugh, the Pythons no doubt gave you plenty of opportunity.

The Dead Parrot sketch is one of the most classic bits to have ever appeared on the show. Written by John Cleese and Graham Chapman, the sketch portrays a conflict between a disgruntled customer and a shopkeeper over a deceased parrot. It was performed in the series’ eighth episode, which aired December 1969, by Cleese and Michael Palin and has since been repeated in various forms for film, live shows and even other television programs.

In the original sketch as broadcast on the 1969 episode (titled “Full Frontal Nudity” if you’re keeping track), the parrot is ascribed many attributes. It has, Palin’s shopkeeper insists, beautiful plumage. The species “prefers kipping on its back” and apparently it has a propensity to pine for the fjords.

Sweet Memories

As Thanksgiving approaches and you prepare your holiday meal, don’t forget the dessert! And while it may not be as traditional as pumpkin pie or pecan pie, cookies might be a delicious crowd-pleasing choice. Cookie Monster sure agrees! In fact, join him as he remembers the first time he ate a cookie…

Monday Montage

What’s happening, what’s on and what’s interesting this week …

Relive the groundbreaking ascent of Indigenous artist Buffy Sainte-Marie as she rises to prominence in New York’s folk music scene and blazes a path as an Oscar-winning singer-songwriter, social activist, educator, and artist. Tune in as AMERICAN MASTERS profiles BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE – Tuesday night at 9 on PBS NC.

Jodie Comer (Remember Me) will make her Broadway debut in in April. The play, Prima Facie, will run for ten weeks at the Golden Theatre.

Commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of King Tut’s tomb by exploring the mysteries of his life and burial. Don’t miss TUTANKHAMUN: ALLIES & ENEMIES – Wednesday at 8pm on PBS NC.