Wednesday Trivia Question

What long-running PBS series was heavily influenced by the BBC series HORIZON?

The series HORIZON has been running on BBC Two since 1964. Its link to the PBS series in question is that producer Michael Ambrosino saw HORIZON while in the UK and created a PBS series in the mid-70s with the British program in mind. Moreover, many of the PBS program’s original episodes were co-productions with the HORIZON team or BBC episodes with the narration re-voiced in American English. The PBS series has won multiple Peabody and Emmy awards.

So what is it? What long-running PBS series was heavily influenced by the BBC series HORIZON?

Wednesday Trivia Question

What drama series series made the jump from NBC to PBS in the 1990s?

Television shows can sometimes jump networks. This usually happens when one network feels the program no longer fits or has the ratings to continue and the producers get another network to pick it up. For the most part, it’s a commercial network happening. The sitcom SCRUBS moved from NBC to ABC, MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 transitioned from Comedy Central to the Sci Fi Channel and SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH jumped from ABC to the WB. And that’s just a few examples. In the current broadcasting landscape, a series may often get dropped by a traditional network and get picked up by a streaming service.

Monday Montage

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

He transformed our understanding of tornados and his technological advancements helped Americans prepare for and respond to dangerous weather phenomena. Meet pioneering meteorologist Ted Fujita as AMERICAN EXPERIENCE presents MR. TORNADO – Tuesday night at 9 on PBS NC.

Congratulations to Judy Woodruff (PBS Newshour). The veteran news anchor has won a Peabody Award for Journalistic Integrity.

Discover how the prolific creator of All In The Family effected social change through his groundbreaking sitcoms and activism. Tune in as AMERICAN MASTERS profiles NORMAN LEAR – Friday at 9pm on PBS NC.

You Can’t Spell Peabodys Without PBS

The finalists for the 79th Peabody Awards were announced Wednesday and PBS led the pack with 11 nominations. The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors selected 60 nominees they believe represent the most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and digital media during 2019. The PBS shows that earned nominations were FRONTLINE, POV, INDEPENDENT LENS and the children’s program MOLLY OF DENALI.

The awards ceremony was scheduled for June 19 in Los Angeles but has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Peabody Awards were founded in 1940 and are based at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.

RIP Jim Lehrer (1934-2020)

More sad news this week. Jim Lehrer, co-founder of the PBS NEWSHOUR, has passed away at the age of 85. According to reports, he died peacefully in his sleep at his Washington home.

The veteran journalist spent more than 30 years as anchor of the NEWSHOUR in its various incarnations. Lehrer stepped down as full-time anchor of PBS’ flagship news program in 2011.

Along the way, Jim Lehrer moderated multiple presidential debates, authored a host of books and received many accolades for his work, including an Emmy, a Peabody and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.

Condolences and tributes to the Jim Lehrer continue to appear on social media and across the web. Read more about the impressive life and career of a journalism giant at the PBS NEWSHOUR site’s post: REMEMBERING JIM LEHRER.

Good Work, Mr. Peabody!

Earlier this month, winners of the 78th Annual Peabody Awards were announced. Unsurprisingly, PBS programs were winners in several categories. The Peabody Awards honor the most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and digital media. Congratulations to all the deserving Peabody recipients!

Here are the PBS Peabody winners…

 

Documentary Winners

AMERICAN MASTERS “Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart”  (Co-produced by ITVS)

FRONTLINE “The Facebook Dilemma”

INDEPENDENT LENS “Dolores”

INDEPENDENT LENS “The Judge” (Co-produced by ITVS)

THE JAZZ AMBASSADORS

POV “Minding the Gap” (Co-produced by ITVS)

POV “The Apology”

 

News Winners

FRONTLINE “Separated: Children at the Border”

PBS NewsHour “The Plastic Problem”

 

Radio/Podcast Finalist

PBS NewsHour “Kept Out”

Wednesday Trivia Question

What kind of tree is seen in the logo and open of NATURE?

Up Front

I received this email from the folks at FRONTLINE and wanted to pass it along in full. (You can sign up to receive messages like this from PBS’ premier documentary series at the FRONTLINE website.) The program has won numerous Emmy and Peabody Awards and continues to be a model for investigative journalism but this new accolade just seems particularly noteworthy.

Dear FRONTLINE Community,

I’m writing to share some good news with you. 

Today, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards announced that FRONTLINE has received its highest honor, the Gold Baton — an award that hasn’t been given in a decade. In a recognition of our work across multiple platforms, the duPonts’ citation praised us for a year of varied reporting and for being a “a standard-bearer and innovator.”

And The Award Goes To…

It’s no secret that public broadcasting has some pretty high quality programming. And, quite often, the shows that you see on UNC-TV earn not only critical praise but actual bona fide awards from serious award sources! So if you’ll indulge me – here are a few recent accolades tossed in the direction of public television.

The James Beard Media Awards are given annually by the James Beard Foundation and are the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America. The 2018 James Beard Media Awards were announced on Friday, April 27, and PBS and member station programs were awarded three Broadcast Media Awards in the following categories:.

Special (on TV or Web) – Lidia Celebrates America: Homegrown Heroes

Television Segment – PBS NewsHour

Outstanding Personality/Host – Pati Jinich, Pati’s Mexican Table

Wednesday Trivia Question

What writer was the first subject of American Masters?