FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2010
CONTACT:
Meg Fullwood
Public Relations Manager
214-740-9377
mfullwood@kera.org
THE NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW PROGRAMS AND A NEW SCHEDULE FOR KERA-TV
DALLAS/FORT WORTH – New programs and old favorites greet viewers in the New Year on KERA-TV. Tune in for frolicsome fun with new comedies, delightful documentaries and beguiling biopics about the well-known and the unknown among us.
New from the BBC, The Kumars at No. 49 offers a new take on reality TV when a British family sets up a studio in their living room and interviews celebrities. The Old Guys follows the adventures of two golden agers embracing the “joie de vivre.” Comedian Stephen Fry offers insight into American culture as he tours the U.S. from the comfort of a London cab.
The three-part series The Human Spark investigates the origins of human species and the traits that separate us from the animals and Nature looks at unique characteristics of our four-legged friends, now at a new day and time.
Dr. Charles Kelman saw the world differently as a pioneering ophthalmologist whose technique for removing cataracts improved the lives of millions. Learn about his story in the documentary Through My Eyes: The Charlie Kelman Story. The lives of Elvis Presley, Sam Cook and Jimi Hendrix are explored this month and the final season of Bill Moyers Journal airs April 30, 2010.
ON KERA-TV
America’s Test Kitchen
Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.
Now in its 10th season, Christopher Kimball, editor of Cooks Illustrated, introduces viewers to practical recipes and cooking solutions. Test cooks examine equipment and test supermarket ingredients so you don’t have to.
Globe Trekker
Sundays at 6:00 p.m.
Coming to viewers at a new time, Globe Trekker explores the best American hikes, Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, Ecuador and the Galapogos Islands.
The Kumars at No. 42
Sundays at 11:30 p.m.
This new program from the BBC follows the adventures of the Kumar family who turn the front room of their house into a television studio and invite celebrities, including Jerry Hall, Donnie Osmond and Stephen Fry, over to be interviewed.
Antiques Roadshow
Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
The 14th season of Antiques Roadshow visits Raleigh, North Carolina, where appraisers value a 1920 Arts & Crafts desk and lamp, a rare circa 1960 Gibson Double 12 Electric Guitar and a set of four Chinese carved jade objects that garner the highest appraisal in Roadshow history. Mark L. Walberg hosts.
The Human Spark – Becoming Us
Wednesday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Alan Alda hosts this three-part series in search for the origin and nature of human abilities. In the first episode, Alda witnesses ancient artwork and learns about the social development of the Neanderthals.
Through My Eyes: The Charlie Kelman Story
Wednesday, January 6 at 10:00 p.m.
This independent documentary produced by public television station WLIW21 examines the life of Dr. Charles D. Kelman, a musician and ophthalmologist advanced the ground-breaking surgery to correct cataracts.
Jimi Hendrix: The American Landing
Thursday, January 7 at 10:00 p.m.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of his groundbreaking performance at the Monterey Pop Festival, the documentary follows Hendrix’ rise from obscurity in New York to his triumphant U.S. return after achieving stardom in Europe. The film includes footage of his landmark performance of Wild Thing where he lit his guitar on fire.
Bill Moyers Journal
Fridays at 8:00 p.m.
In this final season of Bill Moyers Journal, the veteran journalist reflects on the new challenges facing journalism and the issues facing democracy. Bill Moyers last show will be April 30, 2010.
Elvis: Return to Tupelo
Saturday, January 9 at 8:00 p.m.
The documentary traces Elvis’ life story from his birth during the Depression, his move to Memphis, struggles to launch a music career and triumphant 1956 homecoming concert.
Elvis Lives! The 25th Anniversary Concert
Saturday, January 9 at 9:00 p.m.
Revisit the 2002 concert commemorating the 25th anniversary of Elivis’ death featuring Elvis Presley (on video) and his former band mates performing on stage before a sell-out crowd at The Pyramid Arena in Memphis.
MOVIE 13: An American in Paris
Sunday, January 10 at 1:00 p.m.
This 1951 film stars Gene Kelly stars as an American expatriate in Paris trying to build his reputation as a painter. A society woman becomes his patron but is interested in more than his art. Meanwhile Jerry falls in love with a French girl.
Paris: City of Dreams
Sunday, January 10 at 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 14 at 8:00 p.m.
From restaurants to Rodin, this three-part series about the French capital features art historian Sandrine Voillet who tells the story of how Paris rose up from the blood-stained streets of the French Revolution to become the world's first great modern city.
Paris: Blood and Chocolate
Sunday, January 10 at 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 21 at 8:00 p.m.
In the second part of the Paris series, art historian Sandrine Voillet looks at the cultural richness of Paris and introduces viewers to the current trend-setters.
Paris: Bohemian Rhapsody
Sunday, January 10 at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 28 at 8:00 p.m.
The series concludes with a look at how Paris embraced technology (the Lumiere Bros, Louis Renault and the Metro), counter-culture (Picasso, Josephine Baker and Serge Gainsbourg) and immigration to preserve its reputation as a center for cultural richness and innovation.
Masterpiece Classic – Return to Cranford
Sunday, January 10 at 8:00 p.m.
This new two-part series about life in the Cheshire market town of Cranford stars Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Francesca Annis and Julia McKenzie. Laura Linney hosts.
American Masters – Sam Cooke
Monday, January 11 at 8:00 p.m.
Sam Cooke is credited with putting the spirit of the black church into pop music and creating a new American sound.
Freedom Songs: The Music of the Civil Rights Movement
Monday, January 11 at 9:00 p.m.
Explore the role of music as a catalyst for change during the Civil Rights Movement with commentators Louis Gossett Jr., Gladys Knight, Pete Seeger and the Blind Boys of Alabama.
The Long Walk to Freedom
Monday, January 11 at 10:00 p.m.
Twelve people from different racial and economic backgrounds discuss their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and the “long walk” they undertook in protesting the inequality, segregation and discrimination of the 1960s.
NOVA – Building Pharoah’s Ship
Tuesday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m.
NOVA follows a team of archeologists and boat builders as they reconstruct a vessel depicted on the wall of an ancient Egyptian temple.
Timewatch – The Secret of Hadrian’s Wall
Tuesday, January 12 at 8:00 p.m.
BBC's flagship history show looks at Hadrian’s Wall, the spectacular stone barrier measuring 74 miles long, up to 15 feet high and 10 feet thick. For 300 years Hadrian's Wall stood as the Roman Empire's most imposing frontier, one of the unsung wonders of the ancient world and a magical time capsule.
INDEPENDENT LENS: Young at Heart
Tuesday, January 12 at 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 16 at 8:00 p.m.
This surprising and delightful documentary follows the inspiring members of the Young at Heart Chorus, a group of New England senior citizens who charm audiences worldwide with their renditions of songs ranging from the Clash to Coldplay.
The Human Spark
Wednesday, January 13 at 7:00 p.m.
In the second episode of the series, host Alan Alda joins researchers in the study of chimpanzees, humans’ closest living relative, to discover what we share with them and how we have evolved and gone our separate ways.
Bob Hope: Hollywood’s Brightest Star
Wednesday, January 13 at 8:00 p.m.
A loving tribute to one of America’s favorite entertainers, Bob Hope’s career spanned from Vaudeville to Broadway, radio, television and film.
Great Performances – Passing Strange
Wednesday, January 13 at 9:00 p.m.
Passing Strange is the musical story of a young African-American man who leaves his middle-class, church-ruled American life behind in search of artistic and personal identity in 1970s Europe. Filmmaker Spike Lee produced the program for television at the end of its Broadway run in July 2008.
The Texas Debates: Race for Governor
Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 17 at 10:30 p.m.
The Texas gubernatorial campaign season gets underway when KERA broadcasts The Texas Debates: Race for Governor with the Republican primary candidates to millions on television and radio stations throughout the state.
Austin City Limits – Allen Toussaint
Thursday, January 14 at 10:00 p.m.
New Orleans rhythm and blues great Allen Toussaint takes the ACL stage to perform selections from his new recording The Bright Mississippi.
Masterpiece – Little Dorrit, Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Sunday, January 17 at 1:00 p.m. – Part 1
Sunday, January 17 at 3:00 p.m. – Part 2
Sunday, January 17 at 4:30 p.m. – Part 3
Sunday, January 24 at 1:00 p.m. – Part 4
Sunday, January 24 at 2:30 p.m. – Part 5
Charles Dicken’s story of William Dorrit, confined to debtor’s prison in London, and his daughter who grew up behind the prison walls. Possible redemption arrives in the form of Arthur Clennam who unravels the threads of a mystery. Winner of 7 Emmy Awards.
Masterpiece Classic – Return to Cranford
Sunday, January 17 at 8:00 p.m.
Cranford continues to adjust to social change in part two of this series about small town British life during the Victorian era based on the writing of Elizabeth Gaskell.
Stephen Fry’s America – The New World
Monday, January 18 at 9:00 p.m.
In this six-part series from the BBC, the British comedian travels the 50 U.S. states in a London cab. In part one, he visits the states that make up New England, visits the nation’s capital and heads south to visit the Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.
NOVA – The Vanishing Sphinx
Tuesday, January 19 at 7:00 p.m.
An international team of archeologists, architects and engineers race against time to save the Sphinx from erosion.
Timewatch – The First Blitz
Tuesday, January 19 at 8:00 p.m.
The second episode of this six-part series investigates the German Zepplin airship that dropped bombs on the British town of Norfolk in 1915. Timewatch tells the story of the first blitz of the campaign which raged two and a half years and claimed the lives of 1,500 people. The psychological effect was as powerful as the Blitz of WWII.
FRONTLINE: The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan
Tuesday, January 19 at 9:00 p.m.
In the midst of war and poverty, an ancient tradition has reemerged in Afghanistan; young boys are enticed from the streets with promises of a new life and forced to become sexual slaves. FRONTLINE investigates this illegal practice and documents how those responsible for protecting the children are sometimes complicit in the practice.
INDEPENDENT LENS: Copyright Criminals
Tuesday, January 19 at 10:00 p.m.
A look at the legalities surrounding digital music sampling in hip-hop music and the ongoing debate over copyright, creativity and the use of technology.
The Human Spark – Brain Matters
Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m.
In the conclusion of the series, we peer into host Alan Alda’s head using high-tech imaging to explore the circuitry that allows humans to use language and the gene that appears to have given us the brain mechanisms needed for speech.
Great Performances at the Met: The Audition
Wednesday, January 20 at 8:00 p.m.
The documentary takes a behind-the-scenes look at the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions, where hopefuls compete for a cash prize, the chance to sing on the Met stage and the opportunity to launch a major operatic career.
Wallace Stegner
Wednesday, January 20 at 10:00 p.m.
A look at the life and legacy of conservationist and award-winning author Wallace Stegner, credited with being the first person to refer to the National Parks as “America’s best idea.”
Soundstage: Tim McGraw
Thursday, January 21 at 10:00 p.m.
Urban country star Tim McGraw kicks off a new season of Soundstage.
MOVIE 13: The Eye of the Needle
Saturday, January 23 at 8:00 p.m.
Donald Sutherland delivers a menacing performance as “The Needle,” a German spy with information that will uncover the target of Operation Overlord. He becomes involved with the vunerable wife of a crippled man on an isolated island while he waits to be picked up.
Nature – American Eagle
Sunday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m.
On the brink of extinction in the 1960s, the bald eagle soared back overcoming dangers posed by the pesticide DDT and other human intrusions. From the wilderness of Alaska to the Upper Mississippi, Nature takes viewers behind the scenes to learn about the eagle’s struggle for survival.
Masterpiece Classic – Emma, Part 1
Sunday, January 24 at 8:00 p.m.
Emma offers viewers a lavish adaption of Jane Austen’s popular novel starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller. Laura Linney hosts.
The Old Guys
Sunday, January 24 at 11:00 p.m.
Monday, January 25 at 10:00 p.m.
The BBC sitcom follows Tom and Roy who live together and believe life still offers joy and adventure, if they can just give it a kick. Tom is a baby boomer who has lived a simple life. Roy is a pensioner who believes he’s one of the country’s leading intellectuals. Both lust after the sexy neighbor.
Wyatt Earp: American Experience
Monday, January 25 at 8:00 p.m.
This American Experience documentary explores the complexities of the Western lawman whose life embraced politics, justice and economic opportunity on the American frontier.
Stephen Fry’s America – The Deep South
Monday, January 25 at 9:00 p.m.
Stephen Fry investigates some of the distinctive characteristics of the south; from coal mining to bluegrass music and college football.
Timewatch – Crowning a Queen
Tuesday, January 26 at 8:00 p.m.
A fascinating look at the meticulous planning behind the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, who proclaimed herself Queen following the death of her father, George VI, in February 1952.
FRONTLINE: Inside the Meltdown – The Fall of Lehman
Tuesday, January 26 at 9:00 p.m.
FRONTLINE investigates the largest bankruptcy in history and how Lehman Brothers ignored the warning signs.
Soundtracks: Music without Borders
Tuesday, January 26 at 10:00 p.m.
This new magazine show explores the intersection of music with life, politics and culture around the world. The pilot examines a diverse musical menu of Russian pop, afro-beat, fado and symphonic, hosted by Marco Werman. Produced by The Talbot Players, the media company behind www.Salon.com.
The Tavis Smiley Report – Hillary Clinton
Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Tavis Smiley investigates America’s defining moments with the people who shaped history. In the first episode of the four-part series, Smiley talks with Hillary Clinton about her first year as Secretary of State.
The National Parks: America’s Best Idea – The Scripture of Nature, 1851-1890
Wednesday, January 27 at 8:00 p.m.
Ken Burns’ beautiful six-part series explores the history and inspiration of the National Parks. The first episode investigates Yosemite Valley and those who would exploit the land for commercial gain and those who want to keep it pristine and preserve it for future generations.
INDEPENDENT LENS - February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four
Wednesday, January 27 at 10:00 p.m.
February One investigates one of the pivotal events of the Civil Rights Movement. Four students with a modest idea protested discrimination at a Woolworth’s lunch counter. The event prompted the killing of a 14-year old boy and sparked mass protests throughout the South.
Soundstage – The Fray
Thursday, January 28 at 10:00 p.m.
Soundstage presents an emotion-packed performance by The Fray.
B Organic with Michele Beschen
Saturday, January 30 at 8:00 a.m.
Host Michele Beschen leads this “back to basics” educational television program that embraces nature, simplicity and an eco-friendly approach to doing it yourself at home, work and at play.
Cook’s Country from America’s Test Kitchen II
Saturday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m.
Now in its ninth season, Cook's Country from America's Test Kitchen uncovers the best of American home cooking from a renovated farmhouse with a full working test kitchen.
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Saturday, January 30 at 3:00 p.m.
Wade fishing, Eisenhower State Park and big city biologists are among the items featured in this episode of Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Masterpiece Theatre - Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Four
Saturday, January 30 at 8:00 p.m.
A young woman receives an expensive gift from a mysterious suitor and calls on Sherlock Holmes for advice about how to answer the message. Holmes and his comrade Dr. Watson track down the secret of the Sign of Four.
Masterpiece Classic – Emma, Part 2 and 3
Sunday, January 31 at 8:00 p.m. – Part 2
Sunday, January 31 at 9:00 p.m. – Part 3
Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller star in a lavish new adaptation of Jane Austen’s popular novel. Laura Linney hosts.
