Inside PBS Blog

Insights into PBS programming and personalities

Ask Faces of America host Henry Louis Gates Jr.

America has been called the land of opportunity, the land of immigrants, and the great melting pot. Whatever you call it, it is home to rich family histories that weave national origins, religions, and cultures together. This week, PBS stations will begin airing a special series called “Faces of America” that delves into just a dozen of those rich histories. (check local listings)more

February 8, 2010 | Read Comments (12) | Add a New Comment

Ask Digital Nation correspondent Douglas Rushkoff

Best-selling author Doug Rushkoff is no stranger to FRONTLINE, having written and co-directed two past FRONTLINE documentaries: The Merchants of Cool and The Persuaders. This week, he explores what it means to be human in a digital world in FRONTLINE’s open source documentary project Digital Nation. (check local listings)more

February 1, 2010 | Read Comments (20) | Add a New Comment

The Hot Sheet: February 7-13

PBS shows take you to faraway places and let you meet the unknown, but this week, we celebrate all things Americana. Explore the complex and unique genealogy of 12 renowned Americans, journey through the history and future of a great city and rock out with a band that is an American musical tradition.

America has been called the melting pot - a place where origins can represent individuality. Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces Americans who have defined a nation – Malcolm Gladwell, Yo-Yo Ma, Stephen Colbert and others who have become deeply rooted in American culture in part thanks to their unique backgrounds. The 4-part documentary begins Wednesday, February 10^th at 8pm (check local listings). Watch a preview and leave your questions for Gates, Jr. on the Inside PBS blog.
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January 29, 2010 | Add a New Comment

The Hot Sheet: January 31 - February 6

At some point, everything is new, unchartered, and unfamiliar. As time passes, the new becomes the norm and something else comes along. This week on PBS, we explore new frontiers: a vast wilderness, the truly Wild West, and a virtual realm that has become real.

The Balkan Peninsula may be best known as a battleground, but the Croatian and Montenegrin wilderness is pristine and alive with wildlife and awe-inspiring landscape. Travel to the Wild Balkans with NATURE on Sunday, January 31^st at 8pm (check local listings) and meet a great crested grebe chick, one of the 260 species of birds that live in the area, as she learns to swim with a little help from Mom.

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January 29, 2010 | Read Comments (3) | Add a New Comment

Martha Answers Your Questions

Martha, the talkative canine star of PBS KIDS “Martha Speaks,” couldn’t wait to converse with you, her fans. The alphabet-soup loving pup asked for your questions last week and you were eager to oblige. She has a lot of explaining to do – about her travels, her favorite words and her love of food. Read what Martha’s got to say below:

Do you have plans to learn any other languages? We would like to learn Spanish. Happy New Year Martha! Kelly and Corrine (Mom and Daughter)more

January 28, 2010 | Read Comments (1) | Add a New Comment

Ask Tavis Smiley

While people were buzzing about late-night television’s musical chairs, PBS’ Tavis Smiley was planning his own primetime event. This week, PBS will broadcast the first of four hour-long, primetime specials with Tavis Smiley. (check local listings)

Beginning on Wednesday, January 27th, Tavis takes us on the road with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It’s a pivotal time as Secretary Clinton rounds out her first year as the country’s chief diplomat and explores the challenges that lie ahead. You can watch a preview of the show and the upcoming specials online.more

January 25, 2010 | Read Comments (12) | Add a New Comment

The Hot Sheet: January 24-30

Sometimes, things are not as they seem at first glance. Upon closer inspection, we discover incredible wonders within seemingly ordinary things. This week on PBS, we focus on the hidden gem: America’s national treasures, forgotten objects, and tiny wonders that travel thousands of miles to find sanctuary.

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January 21, 2010 | Read Comments (2) | Add a New Comment

Cranford Co-Creator Susie Conklin Answers Your Questions

Return to Cranford reunited Cranford fans with Miss Matty and her circle of nosy friends. The new Masterpiece series brings new characters, halted rairoad construction and one very busy bovine. Last week, we asked fans to leave questions for series co-creator Susie Conklin and the questions and comments about the sleepy English town came pouring in. Read Susie’s responses below (with a few bonus answers thrown in for fun).more

January 21, 2010 | Add a New Comment

Ask Martha

Martha is one smart pup, and talkative too! The outspoken star of PBS KIDS’ “Martha Speaks” teaches kids ages 4-7 new vocabulary. Based on the eponymous children’s books by Susan Meddaugh, the series features 10 year-old Helen, Martha’s quiet companion, who discovers that her dog, Martha, can speak English after gobbling up a bowl of alphabet soup.

Last year, Susan Meddaugh answered your questions on the Inside PBS blog about the book series and the new show. Now Martha herself wants a chance to speak up. Ask Martha about her favorite words, being bilingual (English and dog!) and her visit to the White House (coming to PBS KIDS on February 15^th). Check back next week for her answers. Woof!more

January 15, 2010 | Read Comments (14) | Add a New Comment

The Hot Sheet: January 17-23

A bus zooming by; wind chimes on a tree in the backyard; baby’s first gurgle; coughing from the office next door. Noises big and small fill our lives. Some are meaningful, while others happen without much notice. This week, PBS presents 3 shows focused on the significance of sound. A masterful musician dazzles an intimate audience, a new series showcases global tunes, and the art of making sound gets mixed up with the law.
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January 15, 2010 | Read Comments (1) | Add a New Comment

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