TV Worth Blogging
by David Thiel, Program Director for WILL-TV
An insider's view of public television programming and the issues that help determine what and how you watch
Romance and Intrigue Ignite "Chess"
Romance ignites during the tension of an international chess tournament during the Cold War in the musical Chess. A collaboration between Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of the Swedish pop group ABBA and lyricist Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita), Chess in Concert comes to WILL-TV on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 pm.
Idina Menzel (Wicked), Adam Pascal (Rent) and pop star Josh Groban star in the tale of a triangle between rival American and Russian chess champions and the woman they both love. This concert performance includes such songs as “One Night in Bangkok,” “Anthem” and “I Know Him So Well.”
The Lights Go Out for Analog TV
The age of analog television in the U.S. comes to an official end on Friday, June 12, as outdated transmitters go dark across the country in accord with a federal mandate.
Originally scheduled for February 17, the analog TV shut-off was pushed back four months by the Obama administration in hopes of ensuring that no viewers would be unprepared for the switch to digital broadcasting. Most of the stations serving the Champaign/Decatur/Springfield market dropped their analog service back on February 17, with only WCIA, WSEC and WILL remaining. WILL-TV ceased its own analog signal on March 31.
Stories of Gay Pride in Illinois
On Friday, June 5 at 9:00 pm, WILL-TV will present Out and Proud in Chicago, a history of the Windy City's gay community. Narrated by actress Jane Lynch (whose credits include the films "Role Models" and "Talladega Nights"), the documentary takes viewers through more than a century of trials and triumphs.
Our premiere broadcast will feature live, in-studio appearances by the show's producers Daniel Andries and Alexandra Silets, who will provide behind-the-scenes background.
Beginning in the 19th century, Out and Proud in Chicago tells the story of Jane Addams and her partner Mary Rozet Smith. Addams was one of the co-founders of Chicago's famous Hull House, which provided social and economic opportunities to European immigrant working poor.
Among the many others featured within the documentary are artists and activists, painters and publishers. They fought for gay rights, built awareness of AIDS, and eventually saw their hometown, in the words of co-producer Andries, become "one of the most LGBT-friendly places in the world."
I hope that you'll tune in for this special history. It's the sort of program that could only air on public television. I hope that you'll find our broadcast worthy of your support.
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