Be more Tuned In

Give us that banjo!

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Erik

Watch PBS Arts from the Blue Ridge Mountains — Give Me That Banjo at 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 on Wisconsin Public Television.

Everyone has their own thoughts and understanding of the banjo. Some folks write it off as that quirky instrument that shows up in country music. Others celebrate its role as the heart of Bluegrass. Still others equate it with the traditional folk music. In fact, the banjo has been used in almost all forms of American music.

This installment of the PBS Arts Festival invites you to follow the path of this influential instrument through the past century. Along the way, narrator Steve Martin — an amazingly talented banjoist in his own right — introduces us to performances from Pete Seeger, Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs and 30-Minute Music Hour alumni the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Watch a preview performance by legendary blues innovator Taj Mahal below and tune in to WPT to catch the full film.

Watch Give Me the Banjo: Taj Mahal Performs Slow Drag on PBS. See more from PBS.

Posted in Show Previews | Tagged 30-Minute Music Hour, Bela Fleck, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Concerts, Documentary, Earl Scruggs, Film, PBS, PBS Arts Festival, Pete Seeger, Program, public television, Steve Martin, Taj Mahal, Wisconsin Public Television, WPT

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Save some space in your night for WPT

Posted on November 2, 2011 by David

Watch Nova “The Fabric of the Cosmos” Wednesdays at 9 p.m. in November.

Host and Physicist Brian Greene

Tonight, sandwiched right in the middle of three fantastic hours on WPT is an Nova “The Fabric of the Cosmos,” the first of a four-part series that will take you on a mind-bending journey through space and time. Tonight’s episode focuses on the space that makes up our universe. I know what you’re thinking. Space? Could we really spend an hour’s worth of television talking about the vast emptiness around us? Well, short answer is Yes! It turns out the space around us is teeming with activity like black holes and alternate realities, and although scientists don’t have it all figured out quite yet, what they have learned recently is pretty cool. During the episode you’ll have a chance to hear from host and renowned physicist Brian Greene in a live webcast. The video below is currently looping a preview of the program and will switch to the live webcast at 9 tonight.

And what about the other two hours of fantastic TV tonight? At 7, discover the places animals call home in Nature “The Animal House.” And at 10, Steve Jobs – One Last Thing offers an unflinching look at the innovator and features Jobs discussing his philosophy of life.

worldsciencefestival on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Posted in Show Previews | Tagged Apple, Nature, NOVA, PBS, Steve Jobs, Wisconsin Public Television

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Happy Halloween from Director’s Cut

Posted on October 28, 2011 by David

Watch Director’s Cut Halloween Special 10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 on Wisconsin Public Television.

Charles Monroe-Kane, host of Director's Cut

On Halloween two years ago I arrived home from work too late to wrap myself in my mummy costume. So, I instead wrapped myself in a blanket, enjoyed some popcorn and had one of my more memorable Halloweens. On WPT that night was a special episode of Director’s Cut (the show about Wisconsin’s independent filmmakers) featuring the hilarious mockumentary Zombeatles. I’m one who appreciates the humor of zombies, so imagining John, Paul, George and Ringo as members of the undead performing hits like “All You Need is Brains” was more than enough entertainment for me on Halloween night.

Well this year, Director’s Cut is sticking with the sick and twisted humor theme by showing…get ready for it… Ed Gein: The Musical. Yes, Wisconsin’s most notorious killer, the inspiration for The Silence of the Lambs‘ Buffalo Bill has now inspired a musical. I haven’t seen it yet (sorry, no spoiler alert). Instead I’m going to wait to watch it when WPT airs it on the spookiest night of the year. I’ll just leave you with this link to Ed Gein: The Musical on our schedule where you can see a short preview.

Posted in Show Previews | Tagged Director's Cut Home

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Invading the Everglades

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Marcus

Watch Nature “Invasion of the Giant Pythons” at 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 26 on Wisconsin Public Television.

For decades, Nature has been documenting some of the most amazing places and animals the world has to offer. This week, travel to Florida’s Everglades National Park and dive into a rather large (and growing) problem. The subject in question? Burmese pythons. After being accidentally and intentionally released in Florida, the snakes quickly adapted to the environment and have become one of the top predators.

In an already fragile ecosystem, a snake that can reach twenty-six feet in length is not helping the situation. The pythons prey on every animal they come across and will even swallow an alligator whole. With many indigenous and endangered species being threatened, scientists have stepped in to see just how much damage these pythons have been doing in the Everglades.

Posted in Show Previews | Tagged Documentary, Everglades, Nature, PBS, Program, public television, Pythons, Snakes, Wildlife, Wisconsin Public Television, WPT

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Three new previews will get you ready for Pearl Jam Twenty

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Erik

I’ve been talking about Great Performances: Pearl Jam Twenty since we first heard that it would be part of the PBS schedule last spring. The documentary from director Cameron Crowe profiles one of America’s great rock bands with rare interviews and unseen archival footage from the normally private band. Well, the time has come for us all to share in the history of the Seattle rockers as Pearl Jam Twenty premieres at 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21.

PBS is helping us all prepare for the film with the release of three exclusive previews. Watch them all below.