Posted on January 7, 2015 at 8:00 am
New York’s public television station WNET, ran this terrific “Open Mind” interview with my dad, Newton Minow, about his experiences at the FCC during the Kennedy Administration and the early days of PBS.
Posted on January 6, 2015 at 8:00 am
Sacred Journeys With Bruce Feiler
200 million people go on a pilgrimage each year. They set out from the ordinary, and seek the extraordinary.
Sacred Journeys takes viewers on some of the most celebrated, challenging and spectacular religious pilgrimages on earth. In this landmark six-part series, we travel with American pilgrims looking to transform their lives as they visit places deeply meaningful to their faith. And our cameras gain privileged access to places rarely seen by viewers before.
A pilgrimage at its core is a gesture of action. Pilgrims feel a deeper connection to their faith. They feel closer to God. In a world in which more and more things are digital and ephemeral, a sacred journey gives the pilgrim the chance to experience something real.
Pilgrimage today is more alive than ever before. But you can’t experience its wonders unless you go.
Posted on January 5, 2015 at 3:56 pm
One of the most exciting new televisions shows of the season is “Empire,” premiering on January 7, 2015 on Fox. It is part “King Lear,” part “Godfather,” part “Lion in Winter,” part soap opera, and set in the world of hip-hop music. Terrence Howard plays a drug dealer turned music mogul named Lucious Lyon who has learned he has ALS, with a life expectancy of just a couple of years. He must decide which of his three sons will inherit his business. One son has the business expertise. One has the musical talent. But he is gay, which makes Lyon uncomfortable. The youngest may be the most capable but he is immature and arrogant.
Lyon’s wife, Cookie, took the fall for their drug dealing and has been serving a prison sentence. As the series starts, she is released, furious and determined to make up for the years — and money — she lost. Henson and Howard had sizzling chemistry in “Hustle and Flow,” and it will be a treat to see them setting off against each other. With Lee Daniels (“Precious,” “The Butler”) and Danny Strong (“Game Change”) writing the series, there is sure to be plenty of flinty dialogue to help with the sparks. And, like “Glee” and “Nashville,” each week will have musical numbers (produced by Timbaland) that will be available on iTunes.
Posted on January 4, 2015 at 10:19 am
You will never see a better movie than the documentary “Life Itself,” the story of an extraordinary life. Roger used to say, “‘Rocky'” is not about boxing. It is about Rocky.” And this movie is not about movies or movie criticism. It is about Roger. And it is also about his wife, Chaz, one of the most touching and beautiful love stories ever put on film.
Watch it tonight on CNN. You can also take CNN’s “How Ebert are you?” quiz.
Posted on January 3, 2015 at 8:00 am
This looks like a lot of fun! Coming this spring on the Disney Channel, starring Laura Marano and Leigh-Allyn Baker, it’s “Bad Hair Day.”
