Inside PBS Blog

Insights into PBS programming and personalities

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

“Silence of the Bees” Expert Dr. Diana Cox-Foster Answers Your Questions

An episode of NATURE called “Silence of the Bees” has kept viewers buzzing about honeybees since it first aired. To learn more, we sent Dr. Diana Cox-Foster, a biochemistry researcher at Penn State University, your questions about the mysterious and sudden decline of honeybees. Dr. Cox-Foster has researched the strange phenomenon striking the country’s hives and here are her responses.

Is there any evidence that genetically modified plants are to blame for the bee decline? Audreymore

September 1, 2009 | Read Comments (5) | Add a New Comment

Ask Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox

Miss Marple has packed up her knitting needles and gone back to St. Mary Mead, but Masterpiece Mystery! continues.

On August 30, the duo of Inspector Robbie Lewis and Detective Sergeant Hathaway came back to Masterpiece with Season II of more murder and mayhem. (check local listings) Fans of the series will also be delighted that actors Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox will reprise their roles as Lewis and Hathaway, respectively.

What better way to celebrate their return to PBS than by inviting the actors to be our blog guests? That’s right; Whately and Fox will answer your questions about the new “Inspector Lewis” series here this week. Just leave them below and I’ll choose five for them to answer.

You can also get ready for the new series by watching previously aired episodes online.

Related Postsmore

August 31, 2009 | Read Comments (38) | Add a New Comment

The Hot Sheet: August 30 – September 6

Sometimes, adaptation is required for survival. This week on PBS, explore three ways that adaptation has changed life as we know it. Delve in to the mystery of human beginnings, discover plants that have impacted human history and meet two female matadors that have changed the face of Spain’s most beloved sport.more

August 28, 2009 | Add a New Comment

Where Are They Now?: David Tennant

Dr. Who? Yes, Dr. Who.

David Tennant is the latest in a long line of distinguished actors to have played the famous humanoid from the planet of Gallifrey. Tennant’s run as the beloved doctor has ended, but he’ll be appearing on PBS again in a whole new role.

Tennant will host the Fall 2009 season of Masterpiece Contemporary. In an interview from the Television Critics Association’s Press Tour, Tennant discusses his career that spans from a Harry Potter movie to the many theater productions he has performed in.more

August 26, 2009 | Read Comments (3) | Add a New Comment

Ask PBS Parents

PBS Parents is a valuable source of education and caregiver information. A trusted asset to the PBS family of websites, it includes information on child development, early childhood education, media literacy and more.

This month, to help parents prepare their kids (and themselves) for the upcoming school year, PBS Parents has created School Rules! This special section includes a Q&A with Devra Renner and Aviva Pflock from Parentopia.com, tips for starting the new school year off right, and strategies for working side by side with teachers to help maximize children's learning. The site has a lot more information about children and school in its complete Going to School guide. more

August 24, 2009 | Read Comments (3) | Add a New Comment

The Hot Sheet: Aug. 23 - 30

Take a trip with PBS this week as some of your favorite programs go abroad. Explore the mysterious underbelly of Oxford, England and one of the world’s oldest libraries or to Paris between World Wars to hear the tunes of early jazz musicians that fled racism and segregation in America. Feeling brave? Meet sharks face to face in the cool waters of Africa.more

August 21, 2009 | Read Comments (4) | Add a New Comment

PBS Video Answers Your Questions

The PBS online video portal features on-demand streaming of shows like “Tavis Smiley,” “Masterpiece,” “The NewsHour,” and “The Ascent of Money.” New shows and features are added all the time to make your viewing experience better. Last week, we asked you to submit your questions about the video portal and what you can expect to see in the future. Eric Freeland, Senior Manager, Digital Video Content answered your questions (in video form, of course).more

August 20, 2009 | Read Comments (5) | Add a New Comment

Ask “Silence of the Bees” Expert Dr. Diana Cox-Foster

Where have all the honeybees gone? An episode of NATURE called “Silence of the Bees” takes us all over the world to ask scientists that very question. Since the winter of 2006, millions of bees have vanished, leaving behind empty hives and a damaged ecosystem.

Dr. Diana Cox-Foster, Professor of Entomology and insect biochemistry researcher, studies the causes of the sudden decline of honeybees. Dr. Cox-Foster teaches at Pennsylvania State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and is featured in “Silence of the Bees.”

After watching the show, many of us had more questions about the bees’ mysterious condition, so we asked Dr. Cox-Foster to be our guest. This week she is answering your questions about honeybees and their impact on the environment. Leave your queries for her below and check back next week for her responses.more

August 17, 2009 | Read Comments (20) | Add a New Comment

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