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Inside PBS Blog

Insights into PBS programming and personalities

Ask Paula Zahn

Journalist and news anchor Paula Zahn has covered her share of current events, Olympic Games, and interviewed a host of world leaders.  She is also an accomplished cellist and has performed at Carnegie Hall.  Zahn’s latest projects include On the Case with Paula Zahn on Investigative Discovery and host of PBS’ Retirement Revolution.  The series offers personal stories of those finding themselves retiring in challenging economic times.   more

September 21, 2009 | Read Comments (7) | Add a New Comment

Lisa Henson Answers Your Questions

PBS KIDS welcomed the new series Dinosaur Train to its weekly line up last week to teach pre-school kids about the natural world.  Executive Producer Lisa Henson joined us on the Inside PBS blog to take your questions about Buddy and his adopted Pteranodon family. Read her answers below.more

September 18, 2009 | Read Comments (2) | Add a New Comment

The Hot Sheet: September 20-27

First words, first day of school, losing a loved one – changes come and go and life progresses.  PBS presents two shows and an online feature this week that focus on life changes, from the genes that make us uniquely human to preparing for retirement in the current financial climate.

  • Are you ready to retire?  Join host Paula Zhan as she talks to everyday people struggling with reorganizing their finances to make the most of their retirement.  Retirement Revolution airs at the end of September (check local listings) or watch online.  The show covers topics like coping with Alzheimers, finding new careers and succeeding in challenging times.

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September 18, 2009 | Read Comments (1) | Add a New Comment

Ask Ruff Ruffman

Ruff Ruffman is the star and producer of Fetch! and yes, he is a dog. A very charismatic one. From his doghouse, Ruffman produces an entertaining kids show that is part reality TV, part game show, and all-around educational. The show combines animation and live-action to feature six- to ten-year olds as they fulfill assignments that test their drive and smarts.

Talking dogs are always a hit around here so we are honored to welcome Ruffman as our featured guest this week. He will be answering your questions about his show, being a TV star, and hanging out with smart tweenagers. more

September 13, 2009 | Read Comments (33) | Add a New Comment

Join Us at PublicMediaCamp

You’ve heard of conferences – but have you heard of unconferences? In the web tech world, these spontaneous unstructured events are becoming more and more popular with developers looking to share information and expertise.

With all the exciting new things happening at PBS, we’ve teamed up with NPR, and the American University Center for Social Media to host our own unconference, called PublicMediaCamp, in Washington, DC on October 17th and 18th, 2009. 

PublicMediaCamp is free to attend, sessions will be created and planned live during the event itself, and the entire event will be supported by sponsors.more

September 11, 2009 | Add a New Comment

The Hot Sheet: September 13-20

Celebrate history, heritage and heroes through documentary, comedy, and short form film or share your own story by simply picking up a video camera. This week, PBS celebrates the art of film with three features that highlight the ever-changing genre.

  • WGBH Lab, NOVA, and PBS Engage invite you to share your story inspired by the upcoming NOVA series focused on Darwin and evolution in an open call (beginning Monday, September 14th) for short videos.  The NOVA’s Becoming Human airs in November, but start filming your personal stories now.  Upload your video and watch, rank and comment on others.  You may even get a chance to have your film broadcast on air.

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September 11, 2009 | Add a New Comment

Inspector Lewis’ Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox Answer Your Questions

It's September and Inspector Robbie Lewis and his Shakespeare-quoting partner Detective Sergeant Hathaway have returned to Masterpiece Mystery! for another series of murder and intrigue. To celebrate their return, we invited actors Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox, who play Lewis and Hathaway, respectively, to answer some of your questions.

Masterpiece Mystery’s Tina Vaz gathered your questions and caught up with the actors during filming for the next season of Inspector Lewis. You can read an excerpt from the interview below and read the full interview later this month online at Masterpiece Mystery!

Tina Vaz: Kevin Whately, twenty-two years after you began Inspector Morse, you’re now in the role of the elder. What’s it like to come full circle?more

September 10, 2009 | Read Comments (3) | Add a New Comment

Ask Lisa Henson

The Jim Henson Company’s Dinosaur Train pulls in to the PBS KIDS lineup this week to teach preschoolers about natural science, dinosaurs and their similarities to the animals of today. Following the success of Sid the Science Kid, Lisa Henson joined forces with Craig Bartlett (of Hey Arnold! fame) to produce the animated show that follows a curious Tyrannosaurus Rex named Buddy and his adopted Pteranodon family as they learn about the vast natural world that they live in. Watch Lisa and Craig talk about the series at SXSW.

Executive Producer Lisa Henson is our guest this week, taking questions about the new series. Henson has had an extensive career, developing films for Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures, the Weinstein Company, and of course the Jim Henson Company. Her work includes Lethal Weapon, Batman “Muppets’ Wizard of Oz,” and the highly anticipated film Fraggle Rock.more

September 4, 2009 | Read Comments (33) | Add a New Comment

The Hot Sheet: September 6-13

This week on PBS is brought to you by the letter “E.. From economics to environment to education, these topics are large and looming, but this week’s shows focus on individual stories that illustrate how the big picture ideas affect us all.

• Visit seven classrooms in seven countries as Wide Angle presents the third installment of the award winning documentary Time for School on Wednesday, September 9 at 10pm (check local listings). The twelve-year project shares personal stories of children across the globe struggling to better themselves through education – but simply showing up to class is often the biggest challenge. Watch a preview: more

September 4, 2009 | Read Comments (2) | Add a New Comment

PBS Parents Answers Your Questions

No matter if it is senior year or the beginning of pre-school, children can have a tough time readjusting to the academic year. To ease the transition, PBS Parents has provided a wealth of resources and has also graciously agreed to answer your questions about heading back to school.

“My 8 year old is starting at a new school this year after a move across town this summer. How can I encourage her to make new friends while she longs for the familiarity of the old ones?” Sharon

Hi Sharon. Starting a new school can produce a lot of anxiety in kids (and parents, too). Making new friends is a large part of that anxiety.more

September 3, 2009 | Add a New Comment