“Mr. Selfridge” Returns!

By Annmarie Dean


It’s almost time! “Time for what,” you might be asking. Time for the second season of “Masterpiece Classic: Mr. Selfridge.” This show is one of my absolute favorites! The plot is so good, the characters are brilliant and the costumes are beautiful. The show centers around one of the finest department stores in the world: Selfridges & Co. American retail tycoon, Harry Gordon Selfridge and his family find themselves in London in 1909. Jeremy Piven stars as the flamboyant entrepreneur and showman seeking to provide London's shoppers with the ultimate merchandise and the ultimate thrill. 


Warning: season one spoilers ahead!
 

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Sure to Please

By Wendy Swearingen

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
Monday, March 10 at 8 p.m.

No, it’s not a show about Canadians getting inked. But the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is a show like no other. One viewer described it as “Disney on ice. With no ice. And lots of drummers.” But it’s so much more than that. It is the world’s largest annual indoor show, and last year was one of WNED-TV’s most-viewed shows. It’s not hard to understand why. World-class performers from five countries, stunning pyrotechnics, thrilling acrobatics, singers, dancers, comedians, and of course tons of sternum rattling bands and drum and bugle corps performances serve to launch this spectacle above an ordinary musical production and into the entertainment stratosphere.

“Father Brown:” Just another drama about a priest solving mysteries. Have you been watching?

Yes, you read that right. One of BBC’s most exciting new programs features the talented Mark Williams playing the titular character (you may recognize him from his role as Arthur Weasley in the “Harry Potter” series).

Downton Abbey Recap: Did He or Didn't He?

By Misty Harris

Spoiler alert! If you have not seen the entire season or season finale do not read!

It's that time of the year us Downton lovers hate. The season finale. I'm bummed. It went so fast! I'm ready for the new season (Has production started yet? Hurry up already!).

If there's anything that stood out the most was the storyline between Mr. Bates and Anna. The season hit us with a ton of bricks when Anna endured the horrible attack. The aftermath lasted all season and we were left with the burning question of did Bates retaliate or was it indeed an accident that killed Mr. Green? I think it's safe to say we are all "Team Bates" and this issue has been discarded of hopefully not to return in the next season.

A Trip to the Theater

By Annmarie Dean 

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in a love affair with the theater. Every time I make a trip to the theater, I am always in awe of the plotlines, the talent on stage and the entire experience itself. WNED-TV gives viewers an inside look at this indescribable magic with two programs focusing on the Shaw Festival in picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Making a Difference

WNED | WBFO Buffalo-Toronto is launching a new multimedia initiative that recognizes area citizens who are

contributing to the betterment of Western New York.

"Making a Difference" will spotlight individuals who are going above and beyond to make Western New York a better place to live and encouraging others to follow their lead.

Black History Month on ThinkBright & WNED-TV

February is Black History Month. Join WNED-TV and ThinkBright & Well in celebrating with the following programming! Here's a list of documentaries currently scheduled on ThinkBright. Please visit our new WNED-TV website to find dates and times for programming listed under WNED-TV.

Challenging the Status Quo

By Annmarie Dean

I’ve always been interested in inspirational women. When I was eight-years-old, I made a pilgrimage to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, N.Y. Standing next to a life size bronze statue of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, other planners of the first women’s rights convention and a few of the men who supported the cause, is something I will never forget. Women who challenge social norms and emerge as triumphant icons should always be celebrated. Throughout the month of February, WNED-TV will be airing “Extraordinary Women.” The series profiles women who seemed to have it all glamour, power, wealth, and adoration. Coco Chanel, Wallis Simpson, Martha Gellhorn, Agatha Christie...they were worshipped, loved, and sometimes even feared by millions the world over. With archive, interviews, and dramatic re-enactment, learn about the price these women paid for their achievements.

A Look Back at the State of the Union Address

Photo Credit: WBFO 

Before President Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight, let’s take a look back on the fascinating facts about the iconic speech.

Check out the WNED | WBFO 2013 Digital Annual Report!

By Steve Karosik

This year, we decided to make our annual report something truly engaging for the general public, our stakeholders and staff. Going digital meant that we could include video, audio and links to make the experience of reading and navigating the report more fun and accessible.

Aside from the traditional financial information, you’ll find updates about our recent and upcoming television and radio productions, photos from community events, member testimonial videos, and even a warm welcome from our President and CEO and Chairman of the Board.

You can view the 2013 WNED | WBFO Annual Report on your computer, tablet, or even your smartphone. Feel free to share with family and friends!

Return to Downton...Did We Ever Leave?

By Misty Harris

It's the most wonderful time of the year! You know what I'm speaking of. The period of the year we all have been waiting for...The new season of Downton Abbey! So let the countdown begin. We are little more than a month away from the new season. If you're like me, you've seen enough of the previews to know season four is going to be major!

So let's re-cap. (Warning if you have not watched the previous season(s) this blog is not for you... turn back now).

Top 10 Fun Facts about Barbra Streisand

By Steve Karosik

We’re all excited for Barbra Streisand’s new concert special “Back To Brooklyn” which airs on WNED-TV on Friday, Nov. 29 at 9 p.m. In honor of that, here are some fun facts that you may not know about the singer.

‘Latino Americans’ Debuts Tonight on WNED-TV

 

Produced by WETA Washington and narrated by Benjamin Bratt, this unique and enlightening new series “Latino Americans” is getting great early reviews the nation’s biggest publications; The Los Angeles Times calls it ‘a stirring history lesson’ and ‘a fascinating take on a diverse population’.

Get Your Fill on the Royal Family

By Kaitlyn Affuso

You can never hear too much about the Royal Family, especially now when it’s all about William and Kate’s new little prince, George Alexander Louis of Cambridge. WNED-TV knows this all too well, and has scheduled in two programs for the remainder of the July month regarding William and Kate and the Windsors.

An Actor in Repertory Theatre

By Ric Reid, Shaw Festival ensemble member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An actor in “rep” is a busy one. We rehearse two shows, often simultaneously, along with additional understudy responsibilities. The rehearsal period is, consequently, a longer duration of time but usually contains the same amount of rehearsal hours as would be allotted in the usual single show rehearsal period. However, there is a great advantage to this rep schedule. Although the hours of rehearsal are the same, the time to question, argue, invent, and have “pennies drop” is spread over a length of time which allows a much greater gestation period. This is a wonderful thing. The disadvantage is that we lose track of day and night, days of the week, and family. Only last week my six year old – sorry eight year old, Kevin – pardon Kalan – said that he wanted proof of paternity.

The Comforting Words of Mister Rogers

By Kaitlyn Affuso

Mister Rogers is one of many shows that children engage in, making the lessons taught and the details in the programming crucial. There will always be the worry that a certain character from a cartoon has an impact on a conflicting factor in today’s society. However, Mr. Rogers is one that is hard to really find a flaw in.

To remind readers of Fred Rogers’ great advice pertaining to love, friendship and life itself, five quotes from Rogers have been chosen and posted below.

Childhood’s beloved characters pave a road of understanding

By Kaitlyn Affuso

Sure, Sesame Street is a top-choice show for toddlers, entertaining them with fun, vivid characters, ranging in personalities, bright-colored adventures and interactive games that are teaching them, whether they realize it or not. But how about reflecting back as an adult? Adults may be surprised by what Big Bird and friends have to say to their audience. ­­­­­

The Season in Review

By Misty Harris

Now that summer is here our favorite PBS shows are taking a well deserved break.  What did you think of the season? Any new shows appealed to you? What are you hooked on? I enjoyed the second season of Call the Midwife. I think the cast is adorable and it’s great to see a group of women work as a team instead of the common -placed cat fighting, backstabbing, revenge themed story line that is typical of the prime-time TV line-up.  The newbie Mr. Selfridge has my vote for best new series. I’m a fan of Jeremy Piven and I think he brought some spunk to the character. I’m excited to see what the next season has in store! What about the local productions?

To Market, To Market

By Misty Harris

I don't have a green thumb (I think I already mentioned that). However, I have managed to keep two plants in my house alive for the past year! I even tried my hand at repotting one. The process was pretty intense. I spent at least 15 minutes in the gardening section of one of my favorite stores trying to decide which new pot was coming home with me. Afterwards I placed the pot next to the plant (her name is Linda) and there it stayed for about a month. Linda is now in her new home and continues to grow and love the sun she points towards in my kitchen.

LGBT Pride Month Programming

By Steve Karosik

In observation of June being declared LGBT Pride Month, WNED-TV and ThinkBright & Well / WORLD TV are airing several programs for anyone seeking education and insight regarding gay rights and the cultural change that’s happening in our country and throughout the world. Here are a few highlights: