Longer Listen

A deeper dive into stories and topics we think you'll find interesting. Longer Listen is part of the Illinois Public Media newsroom. 

Bruce (middle) discussing protocol with Rob James-Collier (Tomas, left) and Kevin Doyle (Mr. Mosley, right).
Courtesy of Masterpiece

Downton Abbey Historical Adviser On Season Six, Filming And More

Downton Abbey season six, the final season, premiered in the U.S. yesterday to great acclaim. It wouldn’t look the way it does or be so historically accurate, however, if it weren’t for Alastair Bruce. The cast and crew of Downton Abbey, Masterpiece’s smash hit about the Crawley family and their servants call Bruce, the show’s historical advisor, “The Oracle” because he knows everything about the customs and protocols of the time period. 

Portrait of Amanda Vinicky
WUIS

Year-End: No Year Quite Like 2015 In Illinois

A new governor.  A long-time House speaker.  Court-ordered state spending.  It all adds up to a year unlike any other in the state of Illinois' history.  Illinois Public Media's Brian Moline talks about 2015 in state politics with Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky.

A screen grab from the Star Wars movie.
Walt Disney Studios

‘Star Wars’ Awakens A New Generation

University of Illinois students and Roger Ebert Fellows Ashish Valentine, Riane Lenzner-White and Shalayne Pulia reviewed the opening-night screening of The Force Awakens and convened in the studios of Chicago Public Radio to discuss what the Star Wars phenomenon meant (or didn’t mean) to them, going into the film.

Courtesy of Masterpiece

Downton Abbey Historical Adviser Alastair Bruce On Filming, Manners Special

The cast and crew of Downton Abbey, Masterpiece’s smash hit about the Crawley family and their servants call Historical Advisor Alistair Bruce “The Oracle” because he knows everything about the customs and protocols of the time period. Bruce is in town to share some of that knowledge and secrets about filming the show at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts tonight.

Still picture from "The Bathrooms are Coming", the 1969 American-Standard Musical.
Steve Young

Night Of ‘Corporate Musicals’ Coming To Champaign

Veteran David Letterman late night writer Steve Young has compiled dozens of recordings from trade shows and conventions, songs from companies ranging from car manufacturers to beer breweries to General Electric.  "The Lost World of Industrial Musicals" comes to the Art Theater Co-op in Champaign Friday night.

Former Illini basketball coach Lou Henson at his home in Champaign.
Jeff Bossert/Illinois Public Media

Coach Henson Discusses Health, U of I Honors ... And Playing Bridge

It's been another year of health-related setbacks for Lou Henson, the winningest coach in Illini basketball history. About 12 years after battling cancer and encephalitis, he's been diagnosed with pre-leukemia, having to undergo stints of chemotherapy. 

He spoke with Jeff Bossert about how he's feeling, his strict physical routine, and the unveiling of Lou Henson Court.