The Mark Twain Prize - Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is considered one of America’s top social and comedic voices. Over his 16-year run as host and executive producer of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Stewart redefined political satire in American culture. Stewart is this year’s recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Watch the ceremony and and comedy on Tuesday, June 21 at 9pm.
Birthdays
6/24 - Carolyn Donaldson
6/26 - Adam Simpson
6/30 - Chris Divyak and Mike Taranto
WPSU Radio Highlights
In Case You Missed It . . .
State College Borough Water Authority Might End Fluoridation
A common, but increasingly controversial practice in drinking water systems is under debate in Centre County. The State College Borough Water Authority is considering whether or not to continue fluoridating its water. Jeff Kern is the chairperson for the Authority. He said fluoride is much more accessible to consumers now than when it was first added to water. WPSU’s Logan Groeneveld-Meijer reported the story.
Democracy Works: Democracy's Summer Blockbusters
Democracy Works is taking its annual summer hiatus starting next week, but that does not mean the wheels of democracy will stop turning while we're away. In fact, this summer could prove to be quite the opposite. In this episode, we discuss what's going on in the Supreme Court and the impact of the rulings that are expected to come out by the end of June. We'll also be watching the January 6 committee hearings, which began June 9. We consider what the goals of the hearings are and how our fractured media landscape will impact how the committee's work is received by the public. Finally, they share some recommendations for books and series that have nothing to do with politics and tease a new series that we'll be launching this summer while Democracy Works is on break. Listen here.
WPSU Television Highlights
Broadchurch (WPSU Series Premiere) - Thursdays at 9:30 pm starting June 16
When a young boy is murdered, the small town of Broadchurch in Dorset suddenly becomes the focus of a major event in the full glare of the media spotlight. DI Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Coleman) lead the investigation.
Great Performances at the Met “Rigoletto” - Friday, June 17 at 9:00 pm
Enjoy baritone Quinn Kelsey in the title role of Verdi's timeless tragedy reset in 1920s Europe by Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher. Daniele Rustioni conducts with soprano Rosa Feola as Gilda and tenor Piotr Beczala as the Duke of Mantua.
Frank Ferrante’s Groucho - Saturday, June 18 at 6:30 pm
A laughter-filled, theatrical portrait of "America's most gifted funnyman". Written and performed by actor Frank Ferrante, this filmed play with music celebrates the style and spirit of comedian Groucho Marx (1890-1977), whose irreverent humor continues to influence artists today.
Hotel Portofino (Series Premiere) - Sundays at 8:00 pm starting June 19
Set in the breathtakingly beautiful resort town of Portofino, this series is about personal awakening at a time of global upheaval in the traumatic aftermath of World War I.
Endeavour on Masterpiece (Season 8 Premiere) - Sundays at 9:00 pm starting June 19
An explosive murder at an Oxford college has potentially far-reaching political ramifications. Meanwhile, Endeavour is tasked with guarding the life of a beloved football team's star striker.
Jon Stewart: The Mark Twain Prize - Tuesday, June 21 at 9:00 pm
Celebrate the comedic talents of Jon Stewart, this year's recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. A star-studded lineup pays tribute to the comedian, producer, author and social activist from the Kennedy Center stage in Washington, DC.
Hiding in Plain Sight - Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28 at 9:00 pm
This two-part series takes a look at the experiences of young people living with mental health conditions with a focus on the importance of awareness and compassion. The series will shine a light on what life looks like for these young people as well as for the parents, teachers, friends and healthcare providers in their lives.
The Water of Life - Thursday, June 30 at 8:00 pm
A documentary that focuses on the craftsmen, chemists, and renegades at the heart of the whiskey revolution that turned the stagnant scotch whiskey industry of the 1980s into the titan it is today.
Industry News
Insiders: Meta Could Drop News Deals
News organizations are bracing themselves for significant drops in revenue as Meta is reportedly debating whether or not to renew their agreements. The New York Times, the Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal have reportedly received annual payments ranging slightly in excess of $10 million to more than $20 million since 2019.
FCC Deadlocked As Sohn's Confirmation Remains Stalled
President Joe Biden's administration continues to back his nomination of Gigi Sohn to the Federal Communications Commission, but lacks the votes to confirm her to the post as time before federal lawmakers' summer recess runs out. The commission remains deadlocked on controversial issues without a fifth member to break tie votes between the two Democratic and two Republican commissioners. Full story here.
Governmental Relations
State News – Budget Deliberations To Begin
WPSU Board members and staff presented our case for funding to 10 elected state lawmakers in our footprint. We are asking for support of Governor Wolf’s proposed allocation of $1.5 million in his budget for the 7 PA PBS TV stations (to be split equally or $214,285.) Continued outreach in the form of emails from Pennsylvania PBS and WPSU are being drafted to reinforce funding request.
Federal News - Appropriations Committees To Consider CPB Funding As Part Of Total Budget.
Homeland Security Subcommittee: includes a request for funding for public broadcasting’s public safety infrastructure.
June 16, 2022: subcommittee markup
June 24, 2022: full committee markup
Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor-HHS-Education) Subcommittee: includes requests for funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), Public Broadcasting Interconnection and Ready To Learn.
June 23, 2022: subcommittee markup
June 30, 2022: full committee markup
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) are reaching out to stations represented by Members of Congress serving on public broadcasting-related appropriations subcommittees to ask that you weigh in with them on the importance of this funding as they go into the markup process.
APTS will keep stations posted as the appropriations process moves forward and as we learn more about what is included in the funding bills.
Hello There, Symfonisk!
COPENHAGEN — Have you thought about Malm, Kivik or Trotten? Swedish retailer Ikea is known for the distinctive names of its flat-pack home products. The company’s Norway branch wants to use the brand’s experience to help parents browsing the baby-naming department. Ikea Norway has built “a name bank” with more than 800 listings available on its website. The names are drawn from ones Ikea has given to its furniture instead of product numbers since 1948 “After all these years, (Ikea) has built up a large ‘catalog’ to pick from,” Ikea Norway said in a statement. Ikea names its products after Swedish towns, lakes and other geographical features, but also uses names that have traditionally gone to people. [6/8/22 - AP]
A Politician Walks Into a Bar . . .
"I don't approve of political jokes; I have seen too many of them get elected.” - Jon Stewart
Resources and Tips
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