Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

As you know, we rebranded ourselves in early 2021 and now go by the name of PBS North Carolina. We were UNC-TV for a good while and that will always be part of our history, part of our evolution into the broadcast entity we currently are and the one we will become. But the name is changed and the old one doesn’t quite cut it anymore as far as premiums and giveaways go. So we recently had a bit of a clear out at the station to get rid of some of the old swag with the UNC-TV brand on it. I snagged this wooden cutting board (at least I assume it’s a wooden cutting board – seriously, what else could it be?). I’m sure it’s functional but I’ll just keep it as a memento of public television past.

Monday Montage

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

FRONTLINE investigates the Taliban’s crackdown on women in Afghanistan. Experience AFGHANISTAN UNCOVER – Tuesday night at 10 on PBS NC.

Seems like he’s going from Cornwall to the tennis court. Aidan Turner (Poldark) is now set to play a tennis coach in a new Amazon Prime series.

Filmmaker Rita Davern examines an ugly reality at the heart of a Minnesotan family legend. Unravel a complicated legacy on STORIES I DIDN’T KNOW – Thursday at 9pm on the Explorer Channel.

Sounds Familiar

“I garontee!” – Cajun chef Justin Wilson, JUSTIN WILSON’S LOUISIANA COOKIN’

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

Nothing fancy this week. Just a quick shot from the bookcase in my office. As you might guess, a person who works in public broadcasting might be interested in some of the programs broadcast on our airwaves. That’s true. And since many of the shows have books tie-ins, I’ve amassed a few over the years. How many have I read? None of them. Who has time to read?! I’m saving that luxury for retirement.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

I’ve mentioned before that many of the neat little souvenirs I come present here are created to promote public television programs. They might be given away at a PBS conference as swag or sent out to station personnel in hopes of persuading them pick their series to broadcast. Whether it works or not, it’s always interesting to see what they come up with and how they tie it into their particular show. These two oven mitts were obviously produced to publicize cooking series, which seems like a pretty apt idea. And I do know that PBS NC has aired both programs in the past. Sometimes it’s a good thing just to get your name out there.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

According to the program synopsis, “CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL’S MILK STREET TELEVISION wants to change how Americans cook by bringing home a fresher, bolder, simpler way of preparing food.” Now in its fourth season, this cooking series is presented by American Public Television and WGBH. It also gives out pretty neat swag.

This fancy milk bottle brandishing the show’s name is a perfect example. It was probably given out as a freebie at a PBS convention or some of public broadcasting get together. Regardless of where it came from, it now occupies a space on my office bookshelf.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

Try as I might I could not get a decent picture of this. It’s a Cookie Monster apron! Seriously, how cool is that? I saw it in our Kids & Ed department some months back and just knew I had to get a picture. Some may opt for a more standard culinary covering with a cute slogan like a “Kiss the Cook” or “License to Grill” but I prefer one with the Muppet who is the epitome of om nom nom!

Monday Montage

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

Learn the history of a former public housing community in Atlanta through stories from residents. Ken Burns presents EAST LAKE MEADOWS: A PUBLIC HOUSING STORY – Tuesday night at 8 on UNC-TV.

John Cleese (Fawlty Towers) talks about his career with Monty Python, his new play and his late pal Terry Jones.

Sounds Familiar

“Why is Penny’s gravy always grey?” “D’you know, I was wondering that.” “It tastes all right.” “Yes, oddly enough it does. It’s just not aesthetically pleasing, grey gravy.” – Lionel Hardcasle (Geoffrey Palmer) and Jean Pargetter (Judi Dench), discussing the culinary prowess of Jean’s sister-in-law, AS TIME GOES BY

Monday Montage

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

Join Chef Marcus Samuelsson on an inspiring journey across America to explore and celebrate the wide-ranging diversity of immigrant traditions and cuisine woven into our food and culture. Don’t miss the return of NO PASSPORT REQUIRED – tonight at 9 on UNC-TV.

Prime Minister Sir David Attenborough? Unlikely but the broadcaster and natural historian topped the list of a recent poll regarding what celebrity UK residents would most like to see at the helm. Stephen Fry, Helen Mirren and Mary Berry also made the list.