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
Public TV Is Tops With Mr. Peabody
The 2009 Peabody Awards for excellence in electronic media were announced on April 1 and PBS programs received seven, more than any other media outlet.
Among the recipients was the long-running Friday night series Washington Week with Gwen Ifill. It was cited as "the political talk show that sets the standard for the genre."
More winners after the jump!
Independent Lens took two awards for its documentaries. One was for "King Corn," about a pair of college students planted an acre of the crop and took it to market, and the other was for "Mapping Stem Cell Research - Terra Incognita," which explored scientific, ethical and emotional issues surrounding the controversial research.
Other documentary winners included Depression: Out of the Shadows and its look at clinical depression through the eyes of its sufferers. P.O.V. was recognized for "Campaign," which dove into Japanese politics as it followed a man plucked from obscurity by the ruling party to run for a critical seat on a suburban city council. And Nova got the nod for "Ape Genius," about the secret mental lives of our closest cousins.
Finally, the Metropolitan Opera was honored for its series of HD broadcasts to theaters across the nation, all of which also later aired on public TV as part of Great Performances at the Met.
The awards will be handed out at a ceremony on May 18, hosted by Brian Williams of NBC News.
*****
I want to take a moment to recognize the passing of an American broadcast icon: CBS announced that it will cancel the soap-opera Guiding Light, effective September 18, 2009. The dramatic series got its start on radio back in 1937, and moved to television in 1952. While a number of public TV shows can boast decades of longevity, none can approach the 72-year life span of Guiding Light. Producer Procter & Gamble hopes to find another outlet for the show.
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