Monday Montage

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

Ric Burns presents a landmark two-part documentary chronicling the life and work of the great 14th century Florentine poet, Dante Alighieri. Explore the inner world and legacy of his incomparable literary creation on DANTE: INFERNO TO PARADISE – beginning tonight at 9 on PBS NC.

Alan Cumming (Masterpiece Mystery) talks to the New Yorker about aging, cabaret and Shakespeare.

Go behind the scenes of an annual bluegrass and roots music festival that attracts thousands to the North Carolina foothills. See how a garden fundraiser evolved into a four-day festival on MY NAME IS MERLE – Thursday at 10pm on PBS NC.

Sounds Familiar

Sophie Straw: You’re Clive, aren’t ya?

Clive Richardson: Yes, um, you’ve seen me on the stage.

Bill Gardiner: Did you catch his Coriolanus?

Sophie Straw: No, I had the vaccine.

• Sophie Straw (Gemma Arterton), auditioning for her big break with co-star Clive Richardson (Tom Bateman) and writer Bill Gardiner (Matthew Beard), FUNNY WOMAN

Where Do I Know That Actor?

As regular viewers know, January brings new drama to Sunday nights. This year, we’ve been treated to new seasons of MISS SCARLET & THE DUKE and ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL. But at 10pm, there’s FUNNY WOMAN, a new program starring Gemma Arterton.

Based on the novel Funny Girl by Nick Hornby and set in the Swinging Sixties, FUNNY WOMAN chronicles a woman’s struggle to find her voice in the male-dominated world of comedy. The series aired on Britain’s Sky Max early last year and runs on PBS through February 11.

But who’s who? Where have you spied the familiar faces among the cast? That’s what we’re here to find out…

Gemma Arterton stars as Blackpool beauty queen Barbara Parker who heads to London to take the entertainment industry by storm. About 15 years back, Arterton starred as Tess Durbeyfield in Tess Of The D’urbervilles on Masterpiece. But that’s about it until now.

Monday Montage

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

His is some of the most recognizable art in America – popular, praised and mysterious – but who was he and how did a struggling illustrator create such a bounty of notable work? Tune in as AMERICAN MASTERS profiles artist Edward Hopper on HOPPER: AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY – Tuesday night at 9 on PBS NC.

Bill Nye the Science Guy talked about the implications of artificial intelligence at the recent CNBC Technology Executive Council Summit on AI because – science!

David Crabtree brings together eight North Carolinians to discuss an array of challenging subjects, from gun rights and religion to free speech and the teaching of American history. Join them for THE NC LISTENING PROJECT, a new six-part series – beginning Thursday at 10pm on PBS NC.

Monday Montage

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

Relive the cooking competition that took PBS by storm as ten contestants share heartfelt stories and signature dishes to win the national search for the GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE – beginning tonight at 9 on PBS NC.

Hugh Laurie (Jeeves And Wooster) leads the voice cast of the animated feature The Amazing Maurice, based on the Pied Piper tale. Himesh Patel (EastEnders) and Gemma Arterton (Tess Of The D’Urbervilles) also appear.

Discover the enduring friendship between television personality Dick Cavett and his mentor iconic comedian Groucho Marx. Tune in as AMERICAN MASTERS presents GROUCHO & CAVETT – Tuesday night at 8 on PBS NC.

Anya Taylor-Joy (The Miniaturist) took in a performance of The Nutcracker while in Alabama for the holidays.

Monday Montage

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

Meet Carrie Morey, a biscuit entrepreneur, gracefully balancing the creative drive of a modern businesswoman with the affection and attention required of a wife and mother of three girls. See HOW SHE ROLLS – a new series beginning Thursday night at 8 on the Explorer Channel.

Jenna Coleman (Victoria) is set to lead upcoming TV drama The War Rooms, the untold story of the women that worked in Winston Churchill’s secret Whitehall bunker during World War II.

GREAT PERFORMANCES celebrates and spotlights the performing arts in a year when COVID-19 closures created unprecedented hardships. Don’t miss THE ARTS INTERRUPTED – Friday night at 9 on PBS NC.