Impromp2, The Community Blog

The Wildest

Louis Prima In Person, premieres on WPBT2 11 at 6pm

Turkey a la (Mr.) Bean

From Tellyspotting, one of our favorite British Comedy sites:

I’m guessing everyone’s in the Thanksgiving holiday mode, hopefully, by this time. As you prepare for Thanksgiving, there is no shortage of turkey recipes floating around the internet from the traditional roast turkey to a deep fried cajun turkey to some ‘I just can’t imagine trying this‘ concoction called turducken, which is a de-boned chicken stuffed into a de-boned duck, which is then stuffed into a de-boned turkey. May go the cajun-fried this year, myself. Anyone else?

Thankfully, no matter what your turkey recipe of choice is, Mr. Bean has the answer as to how NOT to cook a turkey, or any kind of meat, for that matter.

Celebrate Stephen Sondheim's 80th Birthday!

Join many famous and talented Broadway performers as they pay tribute to Stephen Sondheim and celebrate his 80^th birthday.  The two hour concert, Great Performances: Sondheim! The Birthday Concert will air on WPBT2 on Wednesday, November 24 at 9:00 p.m.

Hosted by David Hyde Pierce, who provides sardonic narration throughout the evening, the cast, a veritable Who’s Who of Broadway’s finest performers, includes (in alphabetical order): Laura Benanti, Matt Cavanaugh, Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jenn Colella, Jason Danieley, Joanna Gleason, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Blaine Hoven, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, John McMartin, Donna Murphy, Laura Osnes, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Maria Riccetto, Bobby Steggert, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton, Chip Zien, and from the current production of “West Side Story,” Karen Olivo, who gets the evening off to a spirited start leading the dancers in “America.”

The concert includes songs and orchestral pieces from Sondheim musical theater favorites such as Company,Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Into the Woods, and Sunday in the Park with George.

Watch the full episode. See more Great Performances.

 

An American Presidency Through the Lens of a Camera

For 50 years, presidential photographers have covered it all: upheaval, tragedy, joy — often developing friendships with the presidents they serve. Acting as both visual historians and key links between the public and the presidents, for these photographers no day is the same — whether they are aboard Air Force One, backstage at the State of the Union or in the heart of the West Wing.

 

As the 44th president’s chief photographer, Pete Souza is never far behind President Obama. Now, in the new National Geographic Special, “The President’s Photographer: 50 Years in the Oval Office,” airing on WPBT2 on Wednesday, November 24 at 8:00 p.m, viewers get to follow Souza, and those who came before him, for a behind-the-scenes look at the everyday grit of the American presidency. It’s a chance to see what it’s like to cover the most powerful man in the world, for history.

 

 

Lennon Exposed

If one were asked to describe the life of John Lennon, they might say he led a life of fame, fortune, drama and untimely death.  This week, WPBT2 goes beyond the headlines to reveal a different John Lennon as we air two extraordinary specials on the life of this music legend. 

On Sunday, November 21, WPBT2 will air Masterpiece Contemporary: Lennon Naked at 9:00 p.m. Christopher Eccleston ("Doctor Who") channels John Lennon in this acclaimed recreation of Lennon’s last turbulent years with the Beatles, co-starring Naoko Mori ("Torchwood") as Yoko Ono, the woman blamed for breaking up the band, and Christopher Fairbank (MASTERPIECE "Tess of the D’Urbervilles") as Freddie Lennon, John’s absentee father.

On Monday, November 22, WPBT2 will air American Masters: LENNONYC at 9:00p.m.  The program looks at the period of John Lennon's life following the breakup of the Beatles in 1971. It was during this time that he and his wife, Yoko Ono, moved to New York and settled down. He took on the role of house husband and wrote some of his most important songs of his career. Some say this was the happiest and most prolific time of his life until he was brutally gunned down in 1980.

Thirty years after his death WPBT2 offers two telling accounts of the last years of John Lennon’s life with never before seen interviews from those closest to Lennon as well as never before released studio recordings, concert film and many unheard Lennon/Ono compositions.  

 

Digital Media Grants - Time is running out

Deadline is Dec 1 for Knight News Challenge media innovation contest ====================================================================

If you have an innovative media technology idea, you might be able to get funding from the Knight News Challenge contest.

Run by the Knight Foundation, the grant competition awards up to $5 million annually for innovative projects that use digital technology to transform the way communities send, receive and make use of news and information.

More info can be found here: http://newschallenge.org. The site includes application information, as well as details about past winners.

This year's application deadline is December 1. The News Challenge is looking for applications in four categories: mobile, authenticity, sustainability and community.  All projects must make use of digital technology to distribute news in the public interest.

The contest is open to anyone in the world.

A simple description of the project is all you need to apply. Submit a brief pitch to http://newschallenge.org. If the reviewers like it, you'll be asked to submit a full proposal later.

If you have questions you can a) reference the FAQ: http://www.newschallenge.org/frequently-asked-questions, or; b) check the archived chat transcript here: http://www.newschallenge.org/1026-live (another live chat will be held before the end of the contest period, time/date TBD)

You can follow Knight Foundation at http://twitter.com/knightfdn. The News Challenge Twitter hashtag is #knc

Tina Fey Honored with Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

 On Sunday, November 14, 2010, WPBT2 will air a special honoring Tina Fey with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.  A lineup of top entertainers including Fred Armisen, Steve Carell, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Hudson, Jane Krakowski, Steve Martin, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, and Betty White will salute Tina Fey in the Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center. The evening will pay tribute to the humor and accomplishments of the popular writer, producer, actress and comedienne.

Tina Fey is executive producer, head writer and star of NBC's three-time (2007, 2008, 2009) Emmy Award-winning comedy series 30 Rock, a workplace comedy where the workplace exists behind the scenes of a live variety show. Prior to creating 30 Rock, Fey completed nine seasons as head writer, cast member and co-anchor of the Weekend Update segment on NBC's Saturday Night Live.

Fey has earned an Emmy, two Golden Globes, three SAG Awards and a People's Choice Award for her performance as Liz Lemon on 30 Rock.  She has also earned an Emmy Award and two Writers Guild Award for her writing on Saturday Night Live and won an Emmy this year for Guest Appearance by an Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Sarah Palin on the 2008-2009 season of SNL.

 

 

Discover New Music at the Miami Music Festival!

Have you ever caught yourself searching endlessly for new music to add to your library?  Do you want to discover new artists and tunes? Well, Miami has a treat for you.  The Miami Music Festival will be in town from Thursday, November 11 through Sunday, November 14.  The event will showcase all genres of music from hip-hop to jazz and will feature acts from all around the world including emerging local artists.

There will be a special showcase on Saturday, November 13 at Flavour in Coconut Grove from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.  This showcase will be hosted by Jessy Schuster, host of Pulse, a WPBT2’s original production.  New artists such as Mosiah, Honorebel, Mixed Culture, Jahfe and Fully Loaded Band will perform.

All access tickets to the festival are only $25 and can be purchased in advance.  For locations, times and ticket information, visit miamimusicfestival.org.  Isn’t it time you discovered that new tune you have been searching for?