The Italian Americans is a PBS documentary series about the Italian experience in America. The series, written and produced by John Maggio and narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci, explores the evolution of Italian Americans from the late nineteenth century to today, from “outsiders” once viewed with suspicion and mistrust to some of the most prominent leaders of business, politics and the arts today.
Pianist-singer Michael Feinstein leads a tour through American musical history, from the jazz days of the 1920s through the music of World War II and on into the 1950s and '60s, with the advent of rock 'n' roll. In his quest to celebrate some of America's finest composers, he touches on the works of George and Ira Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. The passionate preservationist shares personal stories of his efforts to save America's musical heritage, as well as anecdotes about composers and lyricists he's worked with over the years.
The history of the rise, rule and fall of the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the entire era it encompassed (1920-33). After nearly a century of activism, Prohibition was intended to improve the lives of all citizens by protecting individuals, families and society at large from the devastating effects of alcohol abuse; but paradoxically it made millions of people rethink their definition of morality.
Adele Gereth has taken young Fleda Vetch under her wing. Adele is intensely houseproud, and sees a potential future mistress of the house in Fleda, and an inheritor of her life's work.
A six-year project from conception to completion, Vietnam: A Television History carefully analyzes the costs and consequences of a controversial but intriguing war. From the first hour through the last, the series provides a detailed visual and oral account of the war that changed a generation and continues to color American thinking on many military and foreign policy issues.
Commanding shoguns and samurai warriors, exotic geisha and exquisite artisans—all were part of the Japanese “renaissance”; a period between the 16th and 19th Centuries when Japan went from chaos and violence to a land of ritual refinement and peace. But stability came at a price: for nearly 250 years, Japan was a land closed to the Western world, ruled by the Shogun under his absolute power and control. Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire brings to life the unknown story of a mysterious empire, its relationship with the West, and the forging of a nation that would emerge as one of the most important countries in the world.
An exciting three-part series about one of the great adventures in the history of science: the long and continuing quest to understand what the world is made of. Three hour-long episodes tell the story of seven of history’s most important scientists as they seek to identify, understand and organize the basic building blocks of matter.
This Emmy award-winning arts and culture series examines the lives, works and creative processes of arts and culture innovators making an impact in Southern California and beyond.
Originally intended as a chronicle of the daily life of the Louds — an upper-middle-class family in Santa Barbara, California — the groundbreaking program documented the break-up of the family via the separation and subsequent divorce of parents Bill and Pat Loud.
The Story of Queen Victoria, narrated by Miriam Margolyes, uses Queen Victoria's diaries, journals, letters and archive treasures to reveal a highly complex individual and give an exciting fresh perspective on her remarkable achievements and dramatic life.
A new half-hour program showcases some of the nation’s leading cultural creators -- musicians, playwrights, comedians, costume designers, among many others -- who show us how they turn their visions of the world into art.
The 30 episode bilingual series for families and children is curated to promote appreciation of Spanish language and Latin culture. The stories revolve around Señorita Fernández's Funky Fonda, a place where Perro Pepe and the neighborhood children congregate. Each episode introduces Spanish via context and immersion rather than direct translation.
A weekly Emmy-nominated television program dedicated to educating, entertaining and connecting the community to the engaging stories and people behind their food by profiling local food treasures and highlighting the passionate and hardworking individuals responsible for the burgeoning “Good Food Movement.”