WPT photographer James Gill talks to WISC-TV about Vietnam veteran portraits...

In the video report below from WISC-TV in Madison, WPT photographer James Gill describes his Vietnam veteran portrait exhibit to Susan Siman. The Back in the World exhibit is now open at the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison until Jan. 3. Then, it will travel to La Crosse, Superior, Oshkosh and LZ Lambeau. Visit LZLambeau.org for full details and touring dates.

Big Bird Answers Fan Queries For Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary...

This week, Sesame Street begins its 40th season on public television. The celebrated children's program airs at 8 a.m. weekdays on WPT.

In recognition of this milestone anniversary, Caroll Spinney -- the puppeteer of Big Bird -- answered questions from The New York Times Arts Beat blog readers about the life of a five-year-old yellow bird during the past four decades.

Read the insightful answers to a selection of heartwarming answers at NYTimes.com.

Behind the Scenes at WPT with UW Hockey Coach Mike Eaves...

We head behind-the-scenes at the Kohl Center to talk to University of Wisconsin Hockey Coach Mike Eaves as the Badger Hockey season approaches.

The Badgers first game of the season airs at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 on The Wisconsin Channel. It will repeat at 6 p.m. the following day.

In this video, Coach Eaves talks about his outlook on the 2009-2010 Badger Hockey season, why an experienced team is a benefit in college hockey and what Badger Hockey fans mean to the players and coaches.

Watch Badger Hockey all season long on Wisconsin Public Television and The Wisconsin Channel. For a full schedule, visit wpt.org/sports.

For more information about UW Badgers Hockey, visit uwbadgers.com.

Behind the Scenes at WPT with composer Tim Janis...

Tim Janis is an internationally acclaimed composer who has appeared in a number of public television specials and has worked with world-renowned artists, including Paul McCartney and Billy Joel.

He visited WPT's Madison studios this week, inviting 14 high school choirs from around the state to participate in his Celebrate America project. Each choir joined Janis and his ensemble in songs written or arranged by Janis. The work will appear in a WPT special in 2010. In this interview Janis talks about his work, the origins of the Celebrate America project and how public television fostered his own talent.

Watch National Parks: Wisconsin on-air and online...

If you have been enjoying Ken Burns' National Parks: America's Best Idea, take the opportunity to learn about Wisconsin's four National Park System areas -- the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the North Country National Scenic Trail.

National Parks: Wisconsin airs at 7 p.m. tonight (Friday, Oct. 2). Or, take the opportunity to watch it online now in the video box below:

Ken Burns takes on Colbert...

If you are watching WPT this week, it is hard to miss Ken Burns' The National Parks: America's Best Idea. And, that's a good thing, because the program's rich historical information and lush high-definition video takes viewers across the United States and through the amazing vistas of the National Park System.

Last week, Ken Burns sparred with humorous TV personality Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report to talk about the nation's great places and the importance of their protection.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Ken Burns
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Protests

And, if you missed the documentary's first installment Sunday night, PBS has made it available for free viewing online for a limited time. Watch it by clicking this link.

In Memory of Mary Travers...

Mary Travers, vocalist from the groundbreaking folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, passed away Sept. 16 of complications from cancer.

In addition to her worldwide musical career and her work for numerous social causes, Travers often lent her voice in support of public television during the past decades.

Her singing partners -- Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey -- share their memories in touching statements on marytravers.com.

The video clip below captures beloved performances of "Puff the Magic Dragon" from their 1988 Holiday concert on PBS.

Quilt Expo is this week!

The fifth-annual Quilt Expo is coming this week -- Sept. 10-12 in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Quilters and quilt enthusiasts from all over the country will come together to peruse the artistry and diverse techniques of fellow quilters, and to learn and draw inspiration from quilting experts.

WPT and Nancy Zieman Productions^TM present this premier quilting event, which offers a 10-category juried and judged quilt contest, lectures and workshops with leading educators, appearances by Nancy Zieman from Sewing With Nancy^© and a 75,000-square-foot vendor mall brimming with quilting supplies, notions and innovative equipment. Throughout the event, stage presentations provide practical advice, tips and techniques.

For complete Quilt Expo details, and information on tickets and registration for lectures, workshops and evening events, visit wiquiltexpo.com or phone 866-297-6545.

All new WPT.ORG...

The all-new WPT home page has been launched. At the newly designed wpt.org, visitors will find robust video offerings from local and national shows, television schedules for all three of WPT's broadcast services, program highlights, links to exciting Web features -- blogs, podcasts, video extras and more -- and notifications of important WPT events.

Let us know what you think about the new site by leaving a comment below or emailing comments@wpt.org.

Ghost Players Come to The Wisconsin Channel...

For the past decade a group of ballplayers have brought good will and reverie to baseball fans from around the world. These athletes -- known best as the "Ghost Players" from Field of Dreams -- have made the film's famous phrase, "If you build it, they will come," come true from the baseball diamond built in a corn field in Dyersville, Iowa.

In addition to entertaining thousands of fans visiting that movie set/baseball field, the Ghost Players have toured around the world, spreading the good will of America's favorite past time. Now, a very special Ghost Players documentary comes to The Wisconsin Channel, a digital channel from WPT that is available over-the-air on WPT-2 and on many cable providers. Ghost Players will air at 6 p.m. Sunday, August 9; 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 11; noon, Wednesday August 12 and 6 a.m. Thursday, August 13.

Enjoy a preview clip from the documentary film below and tune in to watch the full program from independent producer Joe Scherman on The Wisconsin Channel.

Behind the scenes at Antiques Roadshow's Madison Visit...

The crew from Antiques Roadshow visited Madison on Saturday, July 12 and were met with a treasure-trove of antiques, collectibles, furniture and memorabilia from viewers throughout the state and region.

A new slide show takes viewers behind the scenes to experience the excitement of an Antiques Roadshow production day. Visit this Web site to see the day in photos.

The three programs that will result from the show's visit to Madison will air as part of the new season in the first part of 2010. Keep reading Be more Tuned In to be the first to know about the specific air dates.

Neil deGrasse Tyson talks Nova ScienceNOW on the Colbert Report...

The new season of Nova ScienceNOW premieres at 9 p.m. tonight on WPT. In anticipation of the new season, host and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson visited Comedy Central's The Colbert Report to talk science with Stephen Colbert.

Enjoy some laughs in the video below...

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Neil deGrasse Tyson
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Jeff Goldblum

Free previews of Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Manitowoc-Two Rivers... And ice cream, too!

Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Manitowoc-Two Rivers premieres at 8 p.m. Monday, July 6 on WPT. But viewers can get an advance look at the history documentary during two free public screenings in the Manitowoc and Two Rivers area.

On Wednesday, July 1. At 2 p.m., an ice cream social and community screening will be held at the J.E. Hamilton Community House in Two Rivers. At 7 p.m., a community screening will be offered at the Capitol Civic Centre in Manitowoc.

The program follows the evolution of two cities whose culture, commerce and recreation have been shaped by neighboring Lake Michigan.

The Wisconsin Hometown Stories series is produced by WPT through a partnership with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Get Daily Program Updates Via Twitter

You can now follow WPT on Twitter at twitter.com/wispublictv to receive daily program updates and last-minute schedule changes.

Each day, WPT will provide you with a program highlight for that evening, updated information about WPT events and helpful links that will take you around the Web for more information about your favorite WPT programs.

It's Auction time...

It's Auction time again on WPT! The frenzy of the live televised WPT Auction picks up at 7 tonight with Sports Night and will offer bidding and buying excitement as well as good deals on merchandise from local individuals and businesses through Sunday.

Articles up for bid each weeknight at 7 and Saturday and Sunday beginning at noon include art, jewelry, vacations, things for home and businesses, gardening tools and equipment, sports tickets and equipment, and items for families and children.

For the full schedule of nightly Auction themes and to view and bid on Major and Showcase items, visit wpt.org/auction. There are also great deals to be had on that Web site with the Deals of the day.

Now in its 34th year, the WPT Auction is one of the largest community fundraising events in the state. Proceeds support WPT's programming and outreach events. If you'd like to volunteer for this year's Auction -- either on- or off-camera -- there are still opportunities available.

Visit wpt.org/volunteer for more information. The video below shows some of the roles you can take on!

A summer preview from PBS...

It is going to be an exciting summer on WPT! The video below from PBS previews just a few of the new programs coming this season from History Detectives, Nature, American Experience and Masterpiece Mystery!

Visit wpt.org/schedule to see what's on tap for the next two weeks. Or, pledge your support to WPT and start receiving Airwaves in the mail. In the member magazine you will find all of the program information you need to satisfy your summer public television viewing.

WPT "White Deer" Video Finds Internet Fame...

The segment below from WPT's In Wisconsin, about a herd of rare white deer in Northern Wisconsin, has been viewed online more than 1.5 million times, becoming an Internet hit.

The segment, which features stunning footage of a white deer herd in Boulder Junction and interviews with Mercer wildlife photographer Jeff Richter and Manitowish naturalist John Bates, originally aired on In Wisconsin in March.

Soon after, a visitor to In Wisconsin's Web site shared the link on StumbleUpon, an Internet community that allows users to suggest Web sites to other Internet users who have similar interests. From there, the video's link spread via email, was shared on other environmental-and outdoor-themed Web forums and was the top ranked video on the PBS homepage, pbs.org.


You can also watch full episodes of In Wisconsin by visiting wpt.org/inwisconsin.

WPT Behind the Scenes -- UW Band Director Michael Leckrone

In anticipation of this years University of Wisconsin Varsity Band Spring Concert on WPT, we headed to the Kohl Center in Madison to talk with Director of Bands Michael Leckrone. He discussed the work that goes into creating each year's Spring Concert, how the tradition of his "flying" entrances began and why this annual show means so much to the band members and its die-hard fans.

Watch the University of Wisconsin Varsity Band Spring Concert: 35th Anniversary Special on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2, and again at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3.

Participate in the Quilt Expo Quilt Contests...

Quilters are invited to enter quilts in this year's 10-category juried and judged contest. The contest awards first-, second- and third-place cash prizes in each of the 10 categories.

The first-place winner in each category receives $500, second-place $300 and third-place $200, plus a Best of Show winner is awarded $1,500. From the entries, a special Viewers' Choice winner is selected by Quilt Expo attendees and receives $500. The 2008 award-winning quilts may be viewed at the Quilt Expo Web site.

The Kids' Quilt Challenge for youth age 15 and under is sponsored by Nancy Zieman Productions and awards gift certificates to the top three quilts -- a $200 certificate for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place.

Both quilt contest entry forms are available for download at the Quilt Expo Web site. For more information, call 800-253-1158.

The 2009 Quilt Expo is presented by WPT and Nancy Zieman Productions 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 through Saturday, Sept. 12 in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. The event includes the quilt contest exhibits, additional special quilt exhibits, Sit & Sew, and hands-on workshops taught by leading quilting educators, stage presentations with innovative tips and techniques, a vendor mall with national and local businesses, two special evening events, appearances by Nancy Zieman of public television's Sewing With Nancy and prize drawings.

Last chance to apply for Antiques Roadshow Wisconsin tickets...

The ticket application period for Antiques Roadshow's visit to Madison closes next Monday, April 20. Apply now for your chance to attend!

Antiques Roadshow producers want WPT viewers to dig out their hidden treasures as the favorite show brings its lights, cameras and appraisers to The Alliant Energy Center in Madison Saturday, July 11.

Roadshow fans can apply to be part of a random drawing for a limited number of free tickets. Complete ticketing rules are available online at pbs.org/antiques or by dialing toll-free 1-888-762-3749. Ticket recipients will be selected at random from all eligible entries.

For more information about the other cities that join Madison for Antiques Roadshow's 2009 tour and to sign up for the show's e-newsletter that will provide up-to-the-minute updates on the show's Wisconsin event, visit the show's official Web site.

WPT Stations End Analog Broadcasts April 5...

WPT will end analog broadcasts on the six transmitters around Wisconsin on this Sunday, April 5. After that date, WPT will transmit only digital signals, which are already on the air. Many TV stations in Wisconsin ended analog broadcasts on Feb. 17.

WPT will continue to offer viewer support Digital TV phone lines to answer questions about Digital TV, over-the-air reception, the federal converter box coupon program and other topics. Toll-free calls can be made to 800-422-9707.

If you or any of your friends, family and neighbors are having trouble setting up converter boxes, adjusting antennas or otherwise preparing for the switch, please call or visit wpt.org/digitaltv. WPT is here to help.

WPT wins prestigious Cronkite Award...

For the fourth biennial election cycle in a row, WPT has been awarded the University of Southern California Annenberg Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism.

The 2009 award recognizes the expansive body of work WPT produced during the 2008 election season. Election news, information, candidate statements and more were offered to viewers via WPT's weekly news and public affairs programs, campaign and election specials, on-air debates and Web sites. WPT previously won the prestigious national award in 2007, 2005 and 2003.

In bestowing the award, judges called WPT's campaign stories "as good as political coverage can get."

The award is presented every two years by the Norman Lear Center at USC's Annenberg School of Communication.

Learn more about this award by clicking here.

Catch Up on Public TV Shows Online...

Miss an episode of one of your favorite WPT programs? Trying to recall something you saw on Frontline last week? PBS is now offering a large number of their quality programs online for free in one convenient place.

Visitors to pbs.org/video will find a portal to more than two dozen PBS programs that have episodes and past program content available for viewing online.

These choices include episodes of American Experience, NOVA, NOW on PBS and Nature. There are also classic segments from Julia Child's cooking programs and archival collections from The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer.

Garden Expo Starts Friday!

It's Time to Think Green!
Feb. 13, 14 and 15, 2009
Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison

Make plans now to attend this year's event! All proceeds support WPT programming.

• Hundreds of exhibitor booths selling seeds, plants, books, tools, lawn equipment and other exciting merchandise for gardens and yards of all sizes.
• More than 100 free educational seminars and demonstrations on topics including lawns, gardens, landscape design and more.
• A 1,200-square-foot central-garden display sponsored by the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association.
• A chance to meet Master Gardener Shelley Ryan, producer and host of WPT's The Wisconsin Gardener.
• UW-Extension horticulture experts will be available to offer insight, plant identification and tips to gardeners and amateur landscapers of all levels.
• Nonprofit groups specializing in mulching various plant species, rain gardens, rock gardens, conservation efforts and more will have booths to share their information.
• An exciting Garden Expo raffle for prizes including landscape packages, equipment, decorations, tools and more. The nominal raffle ticket price supports WPT programming.
  

Tickets for Garden Expo cost $6 in advance and $7 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Two-day passes are available for $10 both in advance and at the door.

To find a list of advance ticket vendors around the state, information about all of Garden Expo's educational offerings, hands-on workshop registration and details on the Garden Expo raffle and available prizes, please visit wpt.org/gardenexpo.

PBS invades The Daily Show...

In the past two days, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart has had a distinctive PBS feel to it. Perhaps that is due to its two guests -- Washington Week moderator Gwen Ifill and astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who hosts Nova ScienceNow.

Watch both of their interviews below.

Gwen Ifill

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Gwen Ifill

Daily Show Full Episodes
Daily Show Tickets

More Funny Videos
Comedians on Tour

Neil DeGrasse Tyson

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Daily Show Full Episodes
Daily Show Tickets

More Funny Videos
Comedians on Tour

WPT NewsHour Alert...

Frederica Freyberg, anchor of WPT's Here and Now, appeared on Tuesday's edition of the NewsHour With Jim Lehrer.

Freyberg talked about Wisconsin's budget issues as part of a reporter discussion on how the recession is affecting states around the country. NewsHour correspondent Jeffrey Brown leads the reporter roundup with Freyberg and reporters from Florida, New York and California.

Watch the discussion from pbs.org/newshour below.



Here and Now airs at 7:30 p.m. Fridays on WPT. The NewsHour airs at 6 p.m. weeknights.

Laugh along with WPT...

Tonight's the night to laugh on WPT. The first episode of Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America premieres at 8 p.m. tonight, with two more two-hour installments at the same time each of the next two Wednesdays.

Can't wait to chuckle? Take a moment to enjoy the two PBS promos below (including the comedic talents of Jim Lehrer) for a quick guffaw, then tune in to the Billy Crystal-hosted program tonight!

Antiques Roadshow is Coming to Wisconsin!

Antiques Roadshow producers want WPT viewers to dig out their hidden treasures as the favorite show brings its lights, cameras and appraisers to The Alliant Energy Center in Madison Saturday, July 11.

Admission to the event is free, but tickets are required, limited and must be obtained in advance. Complete ticketing rules are available online at pbs.org/antiques or by dialing toll-free 1-888-762-3749. Ticket recipients will be selected at random from all eligible entries.

For more information about the other cities that join Madison for Antiques Roadshow's 2009 tour and to sign up for the show's e-newsletter that will provide up-to-the-minute updates on the show's Wisconsin event, visit the show's official Web site.

Watch the show's season premiere from Palm Springs, Calif. at 7 p.m. tonight on WPT.

WPT Behind the Scenes -- A Conversation With Rick Bayless

This past weekend, Chef Rick Bayless visited the WPT studios for a very special membership drive event. Be more Tuned In caught up with Chef Bayless after the show to ask him about the next season of Mexico: One Plate at a Time, his love of Mexican cuisine and what it is that keeps drawing him back to the United State's southern neighbor time and again.



Watch Mexico: One Plate at a Time's sixth season on WPT at 11 a.m. Saturdays. Keep an eye on wpt.org for schedule information on the seventh season which is in production now. For more information about Rick Bayless, visit rickbayless.com.

Special thanks to Metcalfe's Sentry for their support of Chef Bayless' Madison visit.

WPT Behind the Scenes -- Kohl Center "Ice Man" Art Schultz

In celebration of University of Wisconsin Badger Hockey on WPT, we went behind the scenes at the Kohl Center in Madison to learn what is involved in taking care of the ice all season long from ice supervisor and Zamboni driver Art Schultz a.k.a The Ice Man.



The next Badger Hockey broadcasts on WPT include this weekend's series against the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves. Friday's game will be broadcast at 10:30 p.m. and Saturday night's broadcast is at 11. Visit wpt.org/sports for the full season broadcast schedule.

Special thanks to The Zambonis for permission to use music from "Music About Hockey: The Zambonis' Greatest Hits." Visit thezambonis.com for more information.