Beecham House Sunday, June 14 at 10pm
Gurinder Chadha’s ambitious new six-part drama series Beecham House premieres on June 14th on MASTERPIECE. The series is set on the cusp of the 19th century in Delhi before the British ruled in that region. The drama depicts the fortunes of the residents of an imposing mansion surrounded by acres of exotic woods and pristine lawns. Tom Bateman (Vanity Fair, Jekyll and Hyde, Murder on the Orient Express) takes the role of enigmatic, soulful John Beecham, a handsome former soldier who has purchased the magnificent mansion, Beecham House, to begin a new life with his family. The ensemble cast includes Lesley Nicol (Downton Abbey), Gregory Fitoussi (Mr. Selfridge, Spiral), Adil Ray (Citizen Khan, Ackley Bridge), Pallavi Sharda (Lion), Dakota Blue Richards (Endeavour), Leo Suter (Clique, Victoria), Bessie Carter (Howard’s End), Viveik Kalra (Blinded By The Light) and Marc Warren (Safe, Hustle).
From The GM's Desk
Happy June! Centre County has moved to the “green phase” of the Governor’s plans but it doesn’t really change how we are operating our essential broadcast and production operations. We have more clearly defined our COVID-19 work protocols for those who are working in the building and continue to encourage everyone to work from home, where possible. We continue to provide increased educational support to all families and educators in our coverage area and provide essential radio reporting across our region. We have supported numerous virtual events for clients with production and streaming services and are producing Conversations Live programs through a reduced in-studio presence and Zoom connections. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up in any way to make these happen. We couldn’t do it without you!
All my best,
Birthdays
Cheraine Stanford - 6/4
Matt Chirdon - 6/5
Chris Murrell - 6/9
Mark Stitzer - 6/12
WPSU Radio Highlights
In Case You Missed It . . .
Take Note: Penn State Professor Daryl Cameron on Choosing Empathy WPSU Cheraine Stanford talks with Daryl Cameron, assistant professor of psychology and a research associate in the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State. He looks at the reasons behind people’s empathic emotions and behaviors toward others, including their responses to significant crises like the coronavirus pandemic.
BookMark: "Big Summer" By Jennifer Weiner
“Big Summer” is the big summer novel you’ve been waiting for. Okay, I get it, you’re not on the beach, you’re still working from home, but if you want a great novel to sink into—a novel with a central mystery and a relatable protagonist, this one is for you. The book is reviewed by Kate Walker, a curriculum specialist at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology.
Democracy Works: The People Vs. The Experts — And Those Caught In The Middle Jenna Spinelle and Symbiotic Podcast host Cole Hons talks with Taylor Scott, associate director of the Research-to-Policy Collaboration, and Democracy Works host Michael Berkman. They discuss how organizations like the Research-to-Policy Collaboration seek to promote engagement between researchers and legislators and what both groups can do to make the relationship stronger. We also talk about why expertise is important in a democracy and what happens when it is undermined.
WPSU Television Highlights
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: 50 Years and Circlin’ Back - Monday, June 1 at 8:00 pm
Celebrate the groundbreaking band’s musical milestones and hits along with special guests Vince Gill, Jackson Brown, Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, and more.
Iconic Women of Country - Monday, June 1 at 9:30 pm
Join Kathy Mattea, Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna Judd and more as they pay tribute to the legends who inspired them. From Dolly to Tammy to Patsy to Loretta, this is an intimate look at iconic female artists and their timeless music.
Midsomer Murders - “Murder of Innocence” - Thursday, June 4 at 8:00 pm
When a barrister is killed in Midsomer, suspicion falls on a convicted murderer with a solid alibi.
American Experience: Stonewall Uprising - Friday, June 5 at 9:00 pm
Explores the violent protests and street demonstrations that launched a worldwide movement in 1969.
The Bee Gees One for All Tour - Live in Australia 1989 - Saturday, June 6 at 8:00 pm
Enjoy the tight harmonies of Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb as they perform their greatest hits.
Linda Ronstadt: Live in Hollywood -Saturday, June 6 at 10:00 pm
Celebrate the superstar in and electrifying 1980 concert filmed at the height of her career featuring powerful renditions of her biggest hits, including “Blue Bayou,” “It’s So Easy” and “You’re No Good."
Grantchester Season 5 on Masterpiece (Season Premiere) - Sunday, June 14 at 9:00 pm
It’s 1957, and Will Davenport has settled into his role as vicar of Grantchester, but his faith will be thoroughly tested as he and Detective Inspector Geordie Keating are reminded of the darkness lurking in their little corner of Cambridgeshire.
Beecham House on Masterpiece (Series Premiere) - Sunday, June 14 at 10:00 pm
Former East India Company soldier John Beecham arrives in Delhi determined to reunite his family and hide the identity of his infant son. But what will these secrets cost John and those he loves?
Industry News
After PBS Drops Film, PBS Socal Reviews Documentary Produced In Association With A Chinese State TV Network
PBS SoCal has launched an internal review of a documentary it co-produced after PBS said the film failed to meet its editorial standards. Voices from the Frontline: China’s War on Poverty was co-produced by the Los Angeles station and a foundation led by Robert Lawrence Kuhn in association with the China Global Television Network. Kuhn is an author, a former investment banker and the film’s host and writer. CGTN is operated by CCTV, a network owned by China Media Group, which is overseen by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China. The online conservative publication The Daily Caller first reported on alleged ethical conflicts with the film May 14, calling the documentary “pro-Beijing.” Fox News noted and linked to the Daily Caller’s story. PBS notified PBS SoCal May 20 that it was removing the film from PBS.org, Passport and the PBS Video App, according to PBS SoCal CEO Andrew Russell. The network said the film did not meet its editorial standards, Russell said. The Los Angeles station notified two other stations that had already aired the film of PBS’ decision. Full story here.
AFA Campaigns For PBS To Cancel Series Exploring LGBTQ+ Life
The American Family Association is campaigning for PBS to cancel its signature content initiative celebrating Pride Month, a series of digital shorts and a TV special exploring LGBTQ+ communities in the South. Prideland, hosted by Dyllón Burnside from FX’s Pose, launches Tuesday on a new YouTube channel, PBS Voices. In the first of six weekly digital episodes, Burnside tells of his experience coming of age as a queer man in Pensacola, Fla. The documentary special created for PBS will debut June 12. AFA is calling on its supporters to sign a petition urging PBS to cancel the series and cut all ties to Burnside. PBS describes Prideland as a series that reflects its mission to reflect diverse communities in its programming. “We believe it is important to represent the wide array of Americans who watch PBS every day — this includes the LGBTQ+ community, which is composed of more than 14 million Americans,” said Eleanor Hawkins, PBS director of corporate communications.
Iowa Public Radio Loses University Funding
Iowa Public Radio will take a budget hit of about 10% as its university licensee ends financial support. The board of regents of Iowa’s three state universities decided to eliminate funding, which amounted to $875,000 in fiscal year 2020. Financial pressures from the pandemic prompted the cuts as the universities face nearly $200 million in lost revenue and added expenses by the end of the fiscal year in June, Josh Lehman, senior communications director for the board of regents, told Current Magazine in an email. Lehman pointed out that IPR’s strategic plan from FY12–16 included a gradual decline in university support. The reductions were delayed, then resumed in FY20.
Governmental Relations
State News:
The PA House and Senate moved quickly to send a temporary $25.8 billion budget to the governor’s desk last Thursday, which he signed Friday. The budget, which includes no spending or tax raises compared to last year, will only fund most state departments for five months (limited exceptions include education and food program funding), after which a new, balanced budget must be passed. The 7 PA Public TV stations were flat funded at previous year’s funding at $750K through DCED. Lobbying efforts continue on our behalf through our lobbying group in Harrisburg.
WPSU is also planning on submitting several funding proposals to the PA Dept. of Education (PDE) revolving around our “Summer Learning at Home” (LAH) initiatives . To date, WPSU has been designated to receive nearly $143,000 from PDE for the LAH program.
Federal News:
Recent reports still indicate that the Appropriations Committees in both the House and Senate are planning to begin marking up their Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 funding bills in June and July.
America's Public Television Stations (APTS) have been continuing to advocate for our FY 2021 funding requests, including a $50 million increase to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's two-year advance funding.
APTS has asked Members of Congress Appropriations Committee to support both the regular FY 2021 funding requests, as well as our request for an additional $175 million in emergency funding to address the losses in state and local funding and increased station costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn.
San Diego police responding to a burglar alarm at a Wells Fargo bank in Chollas View, California, around 3:30 a.m. on May 27, found a broken window by the bank's drive-thru. Alarm company personnel told officers surveillance cameras showed a man inside the bank's break room, using the microwave. Police gained entry to the bank and arrested the unnamed man, who told KGTV he had gone into the bank only to warm up his Hot Pockets. Asked if the Hot Pockets were worth the arrest, the man said, "Hell yeah it was worth it." [KGTV, 5/27/2020]
Quotables
“I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.” - Michael Scott, Dunder-Mifflin
Resources and Tips
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