Wednesday Trivia Question

Who is best known as the Lord of the Dance?

It’s funny how some things come about, seem to permeate the airwaves, and then go away again, nothing but a memory. Such as is was with the Irish music and dance phenomenon that sprung from RIVERDANCE.

Originally created as an intermission show at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, RIVERDANCE was turned into a full-length show. The creator soon parted ways with the production and created LORD OF THE DANCE. Other shows followed (FEET OF FLAMES, CELTIC TIGER LIVE) and the RIVERDANCE fad continued. I counted ten shows over the years with the RIVERDANCE name. I mean, it seemed like there was a new pledge special with frenzied Irish feet every spring fundraiser in the late 90s.

For creating and instigating this Celtic dance-a-palooza, the man in question earned the nickname Lord of the Dance. Well, perhaps he gave it to himself but it stuck.

So who is it? What Irish-American dancer is best known as the Lord of the Dance?

Flashback: 3 August 1983

What were we airing on the UNC Center for Public Television? take a look and see…

THIS OLD HOUSE was up to its renovating goodness at 7:30. Hosted by Dame Margot Fonteyn, THE MAGIC OF DANCE was up next. This week: the rise of the male superstar featuring Fred Astaire, Rudolf Nureyev and Sammy Davis, Jr. At 9pm, a profile Princess Di was on tap, followed by a unique look at monarchy in the 20th century. Britcoms ended the day (we signed off a midnight back then) so the day could end with laughter thanks to MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS and DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE.

Flashback: 20 July 1983

If you’re a longtime viewer of PBS North Carolina in its many and various incarnations, you may have been watching our airwaves back in 1981. If so, here’s what you would have seen on that particular Monday…

The evening began at 6pm with DOCTOR WHO, followed by WILDLIFE ADVENTURE. THE MACNEIL/LEHRER REPORT was at 7 with a repeat of NORTH CAROLINA PEOPLE after.

The night’s main fare were shows and series that have long been forgotten by anyone but the most savvy of PBS viewer. WAR AND PEACE was at 8pm. This was a 19-part adaptation of Tolstoy’s masterpiece and was originally broadcast on PBS stations in 1973! DANCE OF TWO COUNTIES: CHINA AND AMERICA was at 9 with HOT STUFF: THE RESTAURANTS OF NEW ORLEANS at 10.

Rod Serling’s classic TWILIGHT ZONE aired at 11pm with a special called THE URBAN LEAGUE’S NATIONAL CONFERENCE at 11:30.

And that’s what we aired 42 years ago today!

Flashback: June 1981

Way back in 1981, here’s what the cover of Centerpiece looked like…

Wednesday Trivia Question

What PBS arts show was narrated by Elaine Stritch?

This is delving into some obscure territory but sometimes trivia gets tough. See if you know this one.

PBS has a long history of programming devoted to the arts. From GREAT PERFORMANCES to ALIVE FROM OFF CENTER, viewers have been treated to Broadway’s Best and to avant-garde’s most unorthodox.

One of the arguably lesser known series was broadcast in the early aughts. I know that we aired some episodes on public broadcasting in North Carolina but cannot confirm how many. Moreover, it’s difficult to even ascertain how many seasons were produced (I get conflicting information online). But the show in question was produced by WNET/Thirteen in New York and ran for several seasons (PBS picked it up for national distribution with series two). The premise was to document both the famous and the unusual aspects and projects of classical and modern art. A quick look at episode titles and program descriptions shows pieces on puppetry, sculpture, bonsai, yodeling, photography, theatre, dance, polka, micro-cinema, grass-roots radio and so much more.

Flashback: 25 August 1982

What was on the schedule 40 years ago? If you’re a longtime viewer (or simply old enough to remember a pre-digital age) you well know that there was only one channel, as opposed to today’s multi-channel, multi-platform, multi-screen landscape. So the then University Of North Carolina Center For Public Television with its eight-station statewide network had the single broadcast signal that was beamed out to transmitters and translators across the Tar Heel State. Were you watching? If so, here’s what you viewed.

Monday Montage

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

Discover a legendary choreographer whose dances center on the Black American experience with grace, strength and beauty. Tune in as AMERICAN MASTERS presents AILEY – Tuesday night at 9 on PBS NC.

Great news for fans of the books by James Herriot: The second series has just premiered but ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL has already been renewed for two more seasons!

She graced the screen for more than 60 years in a host of unforgettable roles. Join some of her friends and co-stars as they celebrate the life and career of BETTY WHITE: FIRST LADY OF TELEVISION – Friday at 10pm on PBS NC.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

If you’re a longtime viewer of UNC-TV, you may remember a show called YUSUF & FRIENDS. It was locally produced and according to our own website, “YUSUF & FRIENDS is a 12-part program series that celebrates jazz music, musician, bands and dance. The program is hosted by Yusuf Salim, a musician, composer and owner of the Sallam Cultural Center that offered music workshops to train and further the careers of North Carolina jazz musicians.” You can even view episodes through UNC-TV Passport. I don’t recall the show myself but I’ve seen the name here and there. Unfortunately, I can’t find an airdate in our database.

Here’s a publicity still taken during the program’s recording. The back of the photo has this to say: Elisha Pinson performs during the taping of a program for UNC-TV’s new jazz series, YUSUF & FRIENDS.