Monday Montage

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

Explore how the royal family has shaped their image with photography, from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana to Prince Harry. Take a look through LUCY WORSLEY’S ROYAL PHOTO ALBUM – Tuesday night at 7 on the Explorer Channel.

Laura Linney (Tales Of The City) talks to IndieWire about the actors’ strike and her new film, The Miracle Club.

Discover the fascinating story of an iconic American garment as AMERICAN EXPERIENCE presents RIVETED: THE HISTORY OF JEANS – Wednesday at 10pm on the North Carolina Channel.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

I have no earthly idea what this is. No clue. No context. It’s old. It may have been a show we aired. It may have just been some guys performing a magic act at a bar mitzvah. I honestly have no way of knowing.

Why’s it even here? Well, about six years back, I inherited a box of archive material that included loads of photographs, publicity stills, booklets, memos, slides and related miscellanea. Accumulated from various sources and amassed for a retrospective on our station, these archives have yielded many Friday offerings in this blog over the years.

Yet there are a few things that – oy, I just have no idea. Someone thought them important enough to include them among press releases for Bill Moyers shows and behind the scenes snaps of a nascent WUNC-TV. This photo is just such a puzzler.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

This may seem to be an odd sight for a television station but it’s one I spied recently in a small room which doubles as the offices for our on-air fund drives. If memory serves, these inflatable emoji balls (I swear – if there’s another name, it escapes me) were used for the set of some of our more recent drives. Perhaps they are now merely waiting for their next on screen appearance.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

Our scene shop turns out sets and props for productions here at UNC-TV. They do some pretty fabulous work. I noticed the items below as I walked by recently – some very large crayons.

No idea for what show or event these were designed but you have to admit they’re pretty eye-catching. No sign, however, of any humongous coloring books nearby.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

As you may have gathered, I’m a big fan of Wishbone – the little dog with the big imagination. It was a cool show with a great premise (bring classic books to a young audience) and an ultra-cute canine star. So you can understand my surprise to stumble upon this promotional Wishbone stand-up in a co-worker’s cubicle.

The display probably dates back to the early days of the show (mid-90s) but I’ve no idea as to its actual origins. I could ask but I don’t want to tip my hand if the cardboard doggie happens to go walkies.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

Who is this I spy in the UNC-TV lobby? It’s none other than PBS Kids star Arthur – or at least a reasonable facsimile.

One of the many cool things about working for a public broadcasting station like UNC-TV is that you never know what fun toys you might see placed about in various forms and scenes around the building. The bespectacled aardvark above was part of a Trolley display (along with Curious George) that graced our lobby and welcomed visitors for a few weeks.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

Some weeks back, UNC-TV took part in a citizen science program called “Candid Critters“ by installing a camera trap behind our facilities. The program, which is sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of Natural History, is designed to take photos of wildlife in the Tar Heel State.

Here are a few shots of some of the intriguing fauna found in UNC-TV’s backyard…

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

I spotted this familiar face in our scenic design shop. It’s X the Owl from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood!

Although I’m not exactly sure where or when the character will be on display, it’s safe to say that X will greet many a young viewer at station events in the future.

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

Spotted this in another office … some blocks that spell out a familiar initialism …

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

A few weeks back, UNC-TV held a holiday food drive for the IFC Food Pantry in Carrboro. It’s the season of giving and UNC-TV employees gave generously. Here’s a shot of the donations taken by food drive organizer and UNC-TV lighting guru Steve Price.

Cookie Monster surveys the haul – a prodigious offering but a light snack for him, I’m guessing.