All articles tagged with #pbs
Mychal Threets, longtime host of Reading Rainbow, publicly addressed his mental health struggles after a five‑day psychiatric hold, apologizing for worrying fans and thanking medical professionals and supporters as he explained he’s not OK yet but hopeful to get there and plans to continue seeking help.
Mychal Threets, the Bay Area librarian hosting PBS's Reading Rainbow reboot, said on Threads that he will check into a hospital for treatment, assuring followers that he is safe; he has publicly discussed his ongoing mental health struggles, and fans responded with concern and support as he prioritizes care.
Astronaut Michael Foale discusses the 1997 Mir crisis in PBS’s Once Upon a Time in Space, recounting how a manual docking of a Progress cargo ship tore Spektr and flooded the station with decompression. Foale, along with cosmonauts Vasily Tsibliev and Alexander Lazutkin, helped halt the leak and stabilize Mir during a life-threatening moment with limited oxygen. He notes Tsibliev bore the blame for the collision, a burden Foale says was unfair, highlighting the intense teamwork and international cooperation behind spaceflight.
Sylvia Bugg, PBS’s Chief Programming Executive and General Manager for General Audience Programming, died unexpectedly at 55. A veteran public-media executive who also served at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Discovery Communications, Bugg led PBS’ editorial strategy across genres, oversaw development and acquisitions, and guided initiatives like the America @ 250 slate. During the Covid-19 lockdown, she spearheaded a scheduling revamp to emphasize educational and cultural programs. PBS CEO Paula Kerger expressed shock and highlighted her contributions to public media and commitment to diverse voices.
Sylvia Bugg, PBS’s chief programming executive and general manager for general audience programming, died unexpectedly at 55. PBS CEO Paula Kerger praised her decades of public-media leadership, noting she shaped landmark documentaries, guided the America @250 slate, and held senior roles at PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; she was recently associated with Emmy nominations. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Ken Burns urges a nuanced, intimate way to mark America’s 250th—favoring origin stories, shared moments, and a long view of history over partisan spectacle. He emphasizes complex causes behind the Revolution, notes PBS will stream The American Revolution for free through July 12 ahead of Independence Day specials, and highlights the series’ strong streaming reception as evidence that history can inspire unity amid polarization.
Joe Mantegna again withdraws from co-hosting the 2026 National Memorial Day Concert, with Mary McCormack stepping in to host alongside Gary Sinise; the PBS event honoring service members also features a star lineup and various musical performances, and will air live on PBS on May 24 with streaming and on-demand options.
PBS is reshuffling its 2026 lineup: one show canceled, three endings, and several renewals, with fan favorites like Miss Scarlet, All Creatures Great and Small, Call the Midwife, and Grantchester on PBS or PBS Masterpiece; Sunday nights currently feature Call the Midwife, The Forsytes, and The Count of Monte Cristo, though more changes are expected.
A Washington federal judge blocked parts of Trump’s 2025 executive order to defund NPR and PBS, ruling the move unconstitutional retaliation that violated the First Amendment press freedoms; the injunction prevents the funding cuts while NPR and PBS pursue their lawsuit.
A three-part PBS documentary revisits Henry David Thoreau beyond Walden, featuring narration by George Clooney and Jeff Goldblum voicing Thoreau, with appearances by Meryl Streep, Ted Danson and others. Guided by Don Henley and Ken Burns, it expands Thoreau’s story to his abolitionism, teaching, and influence on civil rights, while weaving in contemporary environmental commentary. Filmed around Walden Pond over seven years, the film uses Thoreau’s words alongside present-day interviews to draw connections to today. It premieres March 30 on PBS.
In All Creatures Great and Small’s season 6 finale, Our Hearts Are Full, the war is over but emotional battles linger: Tristan returns scarred by combat and PTSD memories, Siegfried and Mrs. Hall confront their growing connection, and the Aldersons’ farm storyline wraps with a new hire and a baby calf bringing relief. The town gathers for a Green onslaught of celebration, a church moment deepens the relationships, and a hilltop fire signaling unity lights up the countryside as Tristan finally dons his medal and the community finds healing and hope.
PBS and PBS Masterpiece are reshaping their 2026 lineup by canceling two shows, ending two more this year, and renewing several Masterpiece dramas, including fan favorites like All Creatures Great and Small, Miss Scarlet, Call the Midwife, and Grantchester; many titles originate in the UK and originally aired on BBC/ITV before PBS.
Facing a $1.1 billion federal funding cut, PBS ends its weekend News Weekend newscasts and launches two 30-minute, topic-focused programs—Horizons (science/tech) and Compass Points (foreign affairs)—taped midweek to save costs; the weekday NewsHour remains, a West Coast bureau closure accompanies the changes, and PBS signals no immediate return to weekend news pending future funding.
Ken Burns' new six-part series 'American Revolution' offers a detailed and visually stunning reexamination of the Revolutionary War, emphasizing personal stories from diverse perspectives and innovative filming techniques to deepen understanding of America's founding struggles.
Ken Burns' new six-part documentary 'The American Revolution' premieres on PBS, offering a detailed, unvarnished look at the violent and complex origins of the United States, emphasizing the sophistication of the revolutionaries and challenging simplified narratives, with a focus on emotional storytelling and historical accuracy.