Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Explore the phenomenon behind To Kill a Mockingbird and the mysterious life of its Pulitzer Prize-winning author, including why she never published again. The documentary, “Harper Lee: Hey Boo”, airs on AMERICAN MASTERS on Monday, April 2 at 9 p.m. on KTWU-HD, Digital Channel 11.1. The program reveals the context and history of the novel’s Deep South setting, and the social changes it inspired after publication. The popular film version, starring Gregory Peck (pictured) as Atticus Finch, leaves an enduring image for the novel’s message. Tom Brokaw, Rosanne Cash, Anna Quindlen, Scott Turow, Oprah Winfrey and others reflect on the novel’s power, influence, popularity, and the ways it has shaped their lives.

This 10-part series, with renowned cultural critic and Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., journeys deep into the ancestry of a group of remarkable individuals and provides new understanding of personal identity and American history. Premiering on Sunday, March 25, at 7 p.m. on KTWU-HD, Digital Channel 11.1, the series features Kevin Bacon, Tyra Banks, Cory Booker, Angela Buchdal, Geoffrey Canada, Margaret Cho, Harry Connick Jr., Robert Downey Jr., Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Samuel L. Jackson, John Legend, John Lewis, Branford Marsalis, Condoleezza Rice, Michelle Rodriguez, Kyra Sedgwick, Wanda Sykes, Ruth Simmons, Martha Stewart, Barbara Walters (pictured) and Rick Warren.

Hosted by Matthew Morrison (“Glee”), OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II — OUT OF MY DREAMS, airing Sunday, March 18th at 7 p.m. on KTWU-HD, Digital Channel 11.1, is a celebration of the most acclaimed lyricist and librettist of the 20th century. His legendary works include Show Boat (1927), Oklahoma! (1943), Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951) and The Sound of Music (1959). Brimming with movie clips from his greatest musicals, this new PBS special features interviews with Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, Shirley Jones, Mitzi Gaynor, Hammerstein family members and others.

Celtic Thunder continues to explore their Irish and Celtic roots in VOYAGE, airing on KTWU-HD, Digital Channel 11.1, on Saturday, St Patrick’s Day, March 17th at 7 p.m. The guys take a journey through the varying styles of Celtic and Irish music, from old and traditional standards to more contemporary, modern Irish songs. It is also the first Celtic Thunder show where all of the artists play different instruments.

UNDER THE STREETLAMP, America’s hottest new vocal group, performs an electrifying evening of classic hits from the American radio songbook in this special recorded at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana. UNDER THE STREETLAMP premieres on KTWU-HD, Digital Channel 11.1, on Thursday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Exuding the irresistible rapport of a modern-day Rat Pack, the quartet — recent leading cast members of the Tony® Award-winning musical Jersey Boys — deliver an evening of unforgettable entertainment.

For viewers that missed the KTWU premiere of PHANTOM, the special program can be seen in encore broadcasts at 6:30 p.m. March 6 on Channel 11.3, 7:30 pm. March 9 on Channel 11.1 and 1 p.m. March 10 on Channel 11.1 This lavish production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is staged in the sumptuous Victorian splendor of London’s Royal Albert Hall. This performance marked the 25th anniversary year of The Phantom of the Opera, a show that has been seen in 145 cities in 27 countries, played to more than 130 million people and won more than 50 major theatre awards. In the tradition of the great PBS presentation of LES MISERABLES, the singing stars of past and present productions take to the stage in celebration of the musical hit that just recently played its 10,000th Broadway performance.

It all comes down to the championship for 2012 between Topeka High and Wichita East on QUEST, Sunday, May 13, at 11 a.m. on KTWU-HD, Digital Channel 11.1. The innovative, high-tech local series featuring Kansas high school students facing off in an academic competition is set in a game show environment. Since the start of the year, teams from across the state have competed by answering questions on topics such as art, literature, history, math and science. Hosted by Laura Lorson of Kansas Public Radio (pictured).

QUEST 2012 is presented on KTWU by Kansas National Education Association, Learning Quest, and Security Benefit.

Andrew and Danielle Mayoras are ruling the bookshelves with their new book Trial and Heirs: Famous Fortune Fights and are about to take over TV as well with a PBS special, Trial and Heirs: Protect Your Family Fortune, that airs Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 11 a.m.

Using real celebrity stories to illustrate and discuss the often uncomfortable topic of estate planning, Danielle and Andy are motivating families to evaluate and plan for their future.  Examples are pulled from public records and now celebrities and their heirs are reaching out to the dynamic duo so their stories can really be heard! Tune in and find out what you can learn from the financial mistakes the stars make and which celebrities are asking Andy and Danielle for help!

Multiple Emmy® winner (including Best Miniseries!) Downton Abbey 2 continues the story of aristocrats and servants in the tumultuous World War I era. The international hit is written by Julian Fellowes and stars Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern (pictured, as Lady Cora), Hugh Bonneville, plus a drawing room full of new actors, portraying the loves, feuds, and sacrifices of a glittering culture thrown into crisis.

The new season of DOWNTON ABBEY airs on MASTERPIECE CLASSIC on Sundays at 8 p.m. on KTWU-HD, Digital Channel 11.1. Episodes also repeat on KTWU ENHANCE, Digital Channel 11.3 (check our program listings here online for times).

Michael Palin begins a 2000-mile journey across a region of might, majesty and mystery, encountering new extremes of wealth, poverty, intense heat and freezing cold, and bringing his legendary Monty Python wit with him. HIMALAYA premieres on Wednesday, January 11, 8 p.m. on KTWU-HD, Digital Channel 11.1.