Monday Montage

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

Discover the history of an iconic London landmark and examine the restoration work that’s currently being done inside it. Tune in for BIG BEN: SAVING THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS CLOCK – Tuesday night at 7 on the Explorer Channel.

Did you hear Alan Cumming (Mystery) has returned his OBE? The actor was awarded the honor in 2009 by the late Queen Elizabeth II but he has since had misgivings about receiving it.

See how over five administrations, the miscalculations and missteps of American presidents have culminated in Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Relive Putin’s clashes with American presidents as FRONTLINE presents PUTIN AND THE PRESIDENTS – Tuesday at 10pm on PBS NC.

Monday Montage

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

Join the beloved British home cook and some special friends as they prepare the a grand yule feast with all the trimmings. You’re invited to MARY BERRY’S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS – tonight at 9 on PBS NC.

Congrats to Bill Nighy (Page Eight), Lesley Manville (Magpie Murders), Emma Thompson (Fortunes Of War), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Miniaturist), Olivia Colman (Broadchurch), Sarah Polley (Ramona) and the many other actors, writers and directors with PBS connections who were just nominated for a Golden Globe!

John Cinnamon and Ann Craig-Cinnamon take viewers on a travel adventure from Moscow to Beijing on the world’s longest train ride. Climb aboard for JOURNEY ON THE TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY – Tuesday at 9pm on the Explorer Channel.

Sounds Familiar

“The purpose of intelligence is to find the truth, not to confirm what we already believe. We’re meant to look for what’s there, not for what we want to be there.” – MI5 Officer Johnny Worricker (Bill Nighy), PAGE EIGHT on MASTERPIECE

Tony! Tony! Tony!

Nominations for the American Theatre Wing’s 2015 Tony Awards® were announced earlier this week. As a former drama major, I like to check out the nominees and see if I recognize their previous work. Not surprisingly, several had close ties to public television. Here’s a rundown.

Kristin Chenoweth and Chita Rivera (both nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical) have been seen in shows like Great Performances, so name recognition aside these talented actresses should certainly be known to UNC-TV viewers.

Among the nominees for Best Play is Wolf Hall Parts One and Two. Yes, that Wolf Hall. Both the Masterpiece series and the play are based on Hilary Mantel’s historical novel. Of course, anyone who’s watching the program knows what a great story it is.