Be more Tuned In

Garden Expo is this weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:24:00 +0000

Garden Expo
Feb. 12, 13 and 14, 2010
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 information about advance ticket locations and 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.

Enjoy a video look back at last year's event below:

Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte is this week...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:16:00 +0000

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, WPT will tape the final round of the 2010 Bolz Young Artists Competition for the broadcast of Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte. WPT will broadcast Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16. The program will encore at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The competition features four finalists performing with Maestro John DeMain and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. To attend the live competition at Overture Hall in Madison, click here to register online. Admission is free. Audience members must be seated by 6:45 p.m.

Wisconsin Public Radio listeners may hear the competition during a live radio broadcast of the competition at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12.

In Wisconsin began airing a series of profiles of the four young artists competing for the prize last week. Watch the first installment -- a profile of pianist Joel Weng -- below. Tune into In Wisconsin in coming weeks to meet the other three competitors.

Broadcasts of Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte are made possible, in part, by principal gifts from the John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation, the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation and James F. Crow. Additional gifts are provided by Diane Ballweg, the Wisconsin Education Association Council and the Friends of Wisconsin Public Television.

Gwen Ifill visits the Daily Show...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Gwen Ifill, PBS NewsHour correspondent and moderator of Washington Week, visited Jon Stewart on The Daily Show Thursday night to talk about PBS seating arrangements, President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech and the changes to NewsHour.

Watch the interview below:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Gwen Ifill

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

WPT Behind the Scenes -- David Brancaccio, host of NOW on PBS

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:46:00 +0000

While we await NOW on PBS's return to WPT on Dec. 20, enjoy a WPT-exclusive interview with host and reporter David Brancaccio below.

An award-winning journalist, Brancaccio has a long history in public media. After working on public radio's Marketplace, he joined NOW on PBS in 2003, where he has been host and reporter since Bill Moyers left the show.

We caught up with Brancaccio when he visited Madison for the Society of Environmental Journalists annual conference and he talked with us about his impressions of today's journalism, why public media journalism matters and the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Summit.

Jim Lehrer answers questions about NewsHour changes...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:05:00 +0000

As the NewsHour With Jim Lehrer prepares to make changes to its name (PBS NewsHour) and its online and broadcast content, show producers provided a Q&A with the venerated journalist about the new look and content of television's most respected news program.

How does the new PBS NewsHour fit into what you and Robert MacNeil originally envisioned?
The goal of "MacNeil Lehrer journalism" has always been to give our audience the news beyond the headlines -- more in-depth reporting, thought-provoking analysis, engaging newsmaker interviews and more international news.

We plan to continue that mission, only expand it. Originally, the program was created to supplement the evening network news programs. Now, each week night we will be a key on air and online destination for a deeper dive into the most important news of the day presented in a thoughtful and objective way. Our goal is to be THE source for the best journalism available anywhere, anytime -- on line, on air, morning, noon or night.

So, why change? And why change now?
The explosive growth of cable news, the internet and a 24-hour news cycle has led to huge changes in the media industry. Newspapers are going out of business, blogs and talks shows proliferate. Serious news is on the decline. Our change is a coordinated response from The NewsHour and PBS to lead the way in providing Americans with the serious news and information they need. We have both an opportunity and an obligation to respond.

The new program title reflects our expanded mission -- to be the hub of public affairs programming on PBS. In addition to our own reporting, the PBS NewsHour will showcase the best reporting in public television both online and on air.

What will viewers see that's different?
Our correspondents will be more prominent. Each night one of them will co-anchor the program with me. They will also report more, especially from the field.

Plus, we will introduce a new member of the team who will deliver the daily news headlines on the PBS NewsHour broadcast AND provide online news updates throughout the day. This correspondent is just one example of our attempt to create a seamless connection between the web site and the broadcast.

By taking greater advantage of the Online NewsHour web site, we will be more responsive and more versatile. You know, we're fortunate to have a really talented team of journalists. They have a wealth of knowledge and skills. Our expanded operation means viewers will be able to see more of what they have to offer.

What are your thoughts on new media and technology?
The NewsHour has been available via podcast and on Facebook and Twitter for some time now. But in the end, technology is just a tool to deliver stories. I don't care if you get your news on TV or on a pink iPod, it's the information and the story that matters and it's important that information comes from a source you can trust.

How does The PBS NewsHour fit into the current media environment?
Ironically, by adamantly adhering to our principles, we've become more distinct. Now more than ever, The PBS NewsHour is needed as a trusted, independent source of news and civil discourse.

What do you hope to offer new PBS NewsHour viewers? Web site visitors?
In addition to the work of our own talented team of journalists, The PBS NewsHour will feature reporting from PBS' many award winning public affairs programs like Frontline and NOVA, as well as reporters from local PBS stations around the country. The PBS NewsHour is also collaborating with other trusted media partners: NPR, Climate Central, Global Post, and Time Magazine just to name a few.

The Online NewsHour will have many new features. I mentioned the video news summary. We're also going to offer viewers more insight into our editorial thinking. Our daily news blog will include discussion of how we plan to cover the top stories that night on the broadcast. And when our correspondents are out in the field, they'll post video dispatches online, again, to constantly update viewers on the stories they are following, as they happen.

What are you doing outside of The PBS NewsHour?
I love to write, it's what got me into the news business. But my writing is not limited to news. I also enjoy fiction and make it a habit to write every morning. My 20th novel is due to be published this coming April.

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

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:21:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:26:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:11:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:55:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:45:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:40:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:27:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:23:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:11:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:25:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:49:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:52:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:39:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:05:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:05:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:24:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:53:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:54:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:55:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (Erik) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:39:00 +0000

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.