Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'pbs'

When Women Fight On The Front Lines

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Though women in the military are supposed to work in support positions, some of them are actually fighting in combat. The PBS documentary Lioness, airing Thursday, explores the lives of women on the front lines. Co-director Meg McLagan and Army Sgt. Ranie Ruthig discuss the film.

Bill Moyers' View Of Contemporary America

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:04:00 EST

With three decades' worth of experience in broadcast journalism, PBS's Bill Moyers has witnessed his share of groundbreaking moments.

America's First Drug-Treatment Prison Revisited

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The Narcotic Farm was one of America's most ambitious drug-treatment institutions. It was located in Lexington, Ky., and housed addicts from the famous, like writer William S. Burroughs, to the forgotten. Documentarian JP Olsen and drug policy expert Nancy Campbell collaborated on a new book and a PBS documentary titled The Narcotic Farm: The Rise and Fall of America's First Prison for Drug Addicts. They talk about the institution.

Stories Of 'Appalachia' Unearthed In PBS Series

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:02:00 EDT

A new PBS series traces the history of the people, wildlife and geology of the Appalachian mountains. The creators of Appalachia: A History of Mountains and People discuss the rich stories that have emerged from one of Earth's oldest mountain ranges.

Warner Brothers Marks 85 Years In Pictures

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:45:00 EDT

In 1923, four brothers formed a motion picture studio that still thrives today: Warner Bros. Film reviewer Richard Schickel has written a book and produced a documentary for PBS, You Must Remember This, to celebrate 85 years of Warner Bros. movie history. Schickel walks through the famous WB back lot with Renee Montagne. Many of the studio's most famous movies were shot on that lot.

PBS Launches An ABCs Offensive With New Shows

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:22:00 EDT

Television is no longer considered the enemy of education. In the past couple of years, PBS has made a big push to develop shows that help kids prepare to read — but are the kids watching?

A Family's Truth Traced Back to the Slave Trade

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

In the new PBS documentary, "Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North," producer Katrina Browne follows her family's journey as they learn their ancestors were among the nation's biggest slave traders. Browne and her co-producer Juanita Brown talk about the film and how it changed a New England family's perception of their past.

Jimmy Smits on Patriotism, Politics and Hollywood

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Acclaimed actor Jimmy Smits will host the 28th annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth on PBS this July 4th. But before his primetime duties, the actor stops by NPR to discuss his television career and why he's proud to be an American. Smits also discusses the possibility of his own run for public office.

Cooking Chicken Just Right with Chris Kimball

Mon, 26 May 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Americans eat more chicken than any other kind of meat — on average 87 pounds a year per person. But they often do a terrible job of preparing it. Chris Kimball, host of America's Test Kitchen on PBS, shares some recipes — and secrets to tender, juicy chicken.

Letters: NewsHour and James Frey

Thu, 22 May 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Love PBS's NewsHour? Hate author James Frey? Want cheap gas? Senior Producer Steve Proffitt reads some of the letters we've received about recent stories.

PBS Series Examines Life Aboard an Aircraft Carrier

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EDT

A new documentary series Carrier, which premiers Sunday on PBS, looks at the people on board who keep an aircraft carrier running, like the cooks, the navigators and those in charge of arming and de-arming the jets. The show's producer and a the ship's master chief talk about the series.

Why So Green, Mr. Edward Norton...

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The actor credits his father for his interest in the environment. He discusses his award-winning series Strange Days on Planet Earth, which airs Wednesday on PBS.

PBS Series Takes a Long Look at 'Bush's War'

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:38:00 EDT

"Bush's War," a two-part special from the PBS series Frontline, investigates the lead-up to -- and the justification for -- the U.S. war in Iraq. Journalist and Frontline producer Michael Kirk joins Fresh Air to discuss the program.

Mr. Rogers Still Asking Kids to Be His Neighbor

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:00:00 EST

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the first nationwide broadcast of the PBS classic, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Fred Rogers died in 2003 but the show continues to air.

PBS to Air Adaptations of Jane Austen Novels

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:00:00 EST

Andrew Davies is the go-to screenwriter for adapting classic literature for television and the movies. He adapts Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility as PBS prepares to air The Complete Jane Austen.

American Indian Beauty Pageant Hits the Big Screen

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST

Miss Navajo is a documentary about a pageant that honors not only beauty, but also knowledge of the language and culture of the Navajo Nation. The film is set to air within the PBS series Independent Lens. Billy Luther, who directed the film, and his mother Sarah Luther, who formerly held the Miss Navajo title, discuss what the pageant means within American Indian cultures.

Latino Group Holds Applause for 'The War'

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Filmmaker Ken Burns' new documentary The War recently debuted its first episode on PBS. Before its release, Burns was criticized by Latinos who said the film failed to acknowledge Latino contributions to the war. In response, Burns agreed to add new material. Still, some Latinos remain unimpressed. Angelo Falcon, of the National Institute for Latino Policy, and Lionel Sosa, a PBS board member, explain the lingering discontent.

For Ken Burns, a 'War' Not as Advertised

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:01:00 EDT

When Ken Burns set his sights on World War II, he found a far different conflict than the "good war" we've come to know. His new documentary, debuting on PBS this Sunday, tells the stories of young soldiers who are now dying off by the thousands.

Les Paul Still 'Chasing Sound' at 92

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:40:00 EDT

Earlier this summer, guitarist Les Paul celebrated his 92nd birthday. At an age when other musicians may be content to relax and collect an occasional royalty check, Paul still works. In a new PBS documentary, Les Paul: Chasing Sound, he tells his remarkable life story.

'Borinqueneers' Depicts Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EDT

The 65th Infantry Regiment was the Army's only all-Hispanic unit. Their story is explained in the PBS documentary The Borinqueneers. The film's producer, Noemi Figueroa Soulet, and Raoul Reyes Cantaneira, a member of the regiment who fought in Korea, spoke with Scott Simon.

Idaho Legislature Stars in PBS Documentary

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:00:00 EDT

Documentarian Frederick Wiseman has been making films for four decades. His latest project, State Legislature, chronicles the inner workings of democracy by following the day-to-day activities of the Idaho Legislature. The documentary begins airing on PBS Wednesday night.

More and More, PBS Rocks Its Way to the Bank

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:00:00 EDT

Anyone who watches public television is familiar with its pledge drives. And PBS has always used music specials to bring in the bucks. But more and more these days, PBS is going after pledges with big rock 'n roll shows. This month, some public TV stations around the country are featuring concerts by Bruce Springsteen and Donovan.

Political Pressures on PBS, from Left and Right

Fri, 18 May 2007 16:02:00 EDT

On May 10, Ken Burns and PBS announced that Burns would re-cut parts of his World War II documentary to include the involvement and contributions of Latinos and Native Americans. The agreement came after Hispanic activist groups threatened to pressure Burns' and PBS' funders.

Filmmaker Dodges Criticism, Refuses to Alter 'War'

Tue, 01 May 2007 17:05:00 EDT

Ken Burns has drawn criticism in the past for omissions to his PBS series on baseball and jazz. Now the documentary filmmaker is drawing fire for leaving Hispanics and Native Americans out of his 14-hour World War II story.

Sister Aimee, Christian Radio Pioneer

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:01:00 EDT

Aimee Semple McPherson was one of the first preachers to wed Christian fundamentalism with Hollywood-style theatrics and tabloid-worthy controversy. The charismatic Sister Aimee's story is told in a new book and PBS documentary.