MAY/JUNE 2022
A WORD FROM OUR INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER, NANCY WORLIE
I believe that conversation and sharing of perspectives is a hallmark of what public media uniquely offers and is vital to building community. One example of KPBS’ work in bringing different groups together for greater understanding is the “GI Film Festival San Diego.” The annual festival allows KPBS the opportunity to elevate the voices and experiences of service members, veterans and their families. And through our post-screening discussions, we are able to provide a meaningful platform for military, veterans and civilians to engage with and talk to one another. It is one of my favorite events each year and I invite you join me in attending. Learn more in the pages of this newsletter.
Speaking of bringing people together, I am also thrilled to announce we are getting closer to opening the doors of our renovated and reimagined building. We recently unveiled the new name of the building—The KPBS Conrad Prebys Media Complex at Copley Center. We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from the late Conrad Prebys as well as all the supporters who have made this project possible.
As always, I am grateful to have you as part of KPBS and thank you for supporting our mission.
“The Great American Recipe”
Amateur Cooks Share Their Best Dishes on “The Great American Recipe”
In the last few years, cooking and creating recipes has become more fun and accessible than ever. The new series “The Great American Recipe” celebrates talented amateur cooks and gives them the opportunity to share their beloved homemade meals with the entire country.
Cooks from around the U.S. rely on their tried-and-true signature dishes to take them to the top of this friendly (and delicious) competition. Featured on the show are celebrity chefs Leah Cohen (chef and owner of NYC’s Pig & Khao restaurant), Graham Elliot (three-time James Beard-award nominee) and Tiffany Derry (seen on “Top Chef” and “Hungry Investors”).
Premieres Friday, June 24 at 9 p.m. on KPBS 2 and Saturday, June 25 at 6 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch this program live or stream anytime with the PBS Video app.
Celebrating Filipino Creativity in San Diego
“Boondocks” means something far or hidden, but is derived from a Filipino word for mountain: bundok. “Out of the Boondocks,” created, produced and hosted by Rio Villa and Jay Jay Maniquis, is a docuseries that brings light to the Asian-American experience through the lens of San Diego’s Filipino artists and innovators.
This six-part series will showcase the Filipino artistry in San Diego through murals, filmmaking, poetry and more. Meet leaders of the Filipino community inspiring younger artists to bring ancestral practices to modern-day San Diego through culture and community.
Airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. beginning May 5 on KPBS-TV. Watch this program live or stream anytime with the PBS Video app.
Craving Drama? “MASTERPIECE” Has You Covered!
Brace yourselves, fans of thriller, drama and crime stories: “MASTERPIECE” has three exciting premieres to enjoy on Sunday nights!
“Ridley Road”
First up: The series premiere of “Ridley Road.” Inspired by true events that took place in the 1960s, the series focuses on Vivien Epstein, a highly spirited and opinionated young Jewish woman. Vivien’s love, Jack, is a member of the 1962 Group, a coalition of Jewish men set up to resist the resurgence of fascism. When Jack is caught between life and death, Vivien finds herself going undercover with the fascists—not only for him, but for the sake of her country.
“Ridley Road” premieres Sunday, May 1 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
“Hotel Portofino”
Catch the premiere of “Hotel Portofino” set against the historical backdrop of the 1920s Italian Riviera. It’s a story of personal awakening at a time of global upheaval and the liberating influence of Italy’s enchanting culture, climate and cuisine.
When the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, Bella Ainsworth, moves her family to Italy to set up a classic British hotel in the beautiful town of Portofino, the stage is set for a classic whodunit full of dramatic highs and lows. With a charming but dangerous aristocratic husband and the hotel’s most influential but hard-to-please guest, we quickly learn everyone has baggage and most are looking for a fresh start—a chance to leave their troubles behind them—a series of events will have far-reaching consequences for the whole family.
“Hotel Portofino” premieres Sunday, June 19 at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
“Endeavour”
Next, check out the eighth season of the critically acclaimed detective drama “Endeavour.” Shaun Evans reprises his role as DS Endeavour Morse, alongside Roger Allam as DCI Fred Thursday, for a new set of compelling cases written and created by Russell Lewis.
The series opens in 1971, when a death threat to Oxford Wanderers’ star striker Jack Swift places Endeavour and his team at the heart of the glitz and glamour of 1970s football, exposing the true cost of success and celebrity, and with it, a deep-rooted division that is soon reflected much closer to home.
“Endeavour” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. beginning June 19 on KPBS-TV.
See You on the Red Carpet!
Since 2015, more than 213 films have been screened at the “GI Film Festival San Diego.” It has been an honor to present these compelling films, create engaging conversations and help bridge the civilian-veteran divide.
Please join us May 17–21 at the Museum of Photographic Arts for film screenings and discussions. Also available are video-on-demand rental options, so you can enjoy these films at home at your convenience.
Learn more about this year’s films, schedule, ticket packages and video rentals at GIFilmFestivalSD.org.
“American Experience” Delivers New Perspectives this Spring
“American Experience” has brought to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. The documentary series returns with two new episodes about California history this spring.
“Flood in the Desert” tells the dramatic story of the March 1928 collapse of the St. Francis Dam and its aftermath—the second deadliest disaster in California history. The flood killed more than 400 people, destroyed millions of dollars of property and washed away the reputation of one of the most celebrated men in Southern California.
“Plague at the Golden Gate” is a fascinating medical mystery and examination of the tense relationship between the medical community, city power brokers and San Francisco’s Chinese-American community in the wake of the 1900 bubonic plaque outbreak.
“Flood in the Desert” airs Tuesday, May 3 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
“Plague at the Golden Gate” airs Tuesday, May 24 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Li-Shin Yu, director of “Plague at the Golden Gate”
National Memorial Day Concert
On the eve of Memorial Day 2022, KPBS is proud to continue a longstanding American tradition: the National Memorial Day Concert.
Over three decades, this multi-award-winning television event, presenting uplifting musical performances, documentary footage and dramatic readings, has become an American tradition and is one of PBS’ highest-rated programs. On the broadcast, celebrities share real-life stories spanning the broad history of our nation’s military conflicts, award-winning musicians perform songs in tribute to our country’s true heroes and the finest performers from the United States military choirs and ensembles are featured.
Airs Sunday, May 29 at 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Celebrate Music Icon Lionel Richie
Join KPBS as Lionel Richie receives the 2022 “Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song!” Bestowed in recognition of the legendary songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin, the Gershwin Prize recognizes a living musical artist’s lifetime achievement.
Pop and R&B superstar Richie will be feted at an all-star musical tribute in Washington, D.C. A songwriter of the first order, Richie is known for his megahits such as “Endless Love,” “Lady,” “Truly” and “Hello.” He also co-wrote one of the most important pop songs in history, “We Are the World,” for USA for Africa. His song catalog also includes his early work with the Commodores, penning smashes such as “Three Times a Lady” and “Easy.”
Don’t miss this special television concert honoring Lionel Richie.
Airs Tuesday, May 17 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
Lionel Richie
KPBS has a New Home with a New Name!
In November of 2020, KPBS broke ground on an ambitious new project to create a state-of-the-art headquarters at our home on the San Diego State University campus. In recognition of a generous gift by The Conrad Prebys Foundation, KPBS’ new home is officially named “The KPBS Conrad Prebys Media Complex at Copley Center.”
KPBS continues to serve the community with educational content, news and entertainment. This building is home to our dedicated staff and is a place for us to connect with our members. Construction is still underway, but we look forward to welcoming the community once it is completed later this year. Thank you to everyone who has supported this project, and thank you to The Conrad Prebys Foundation.
“Hiding In Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness”
Mental illness is a global health crisis—but those who suffer often do so in silence. This is especially true for our nation’s youth. Ken Burns presents “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness,” a film by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers. A two-part documentary explores how young people address their mental health needs and the impact of related stigma on today’s youth. The program shares the experiences of youth living with mental health conditions and focuses on the importance of awareness and compassion. The film shines a clear and stark light on the related struggles faced by youth and their parents, teachers and friends.
Premieres Monday, June 27- June 28 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch this program live or stream anytime with the PBS Video app.
Jon Stewart: “Mark Twain Prize for American Humor”
Jon Stewart has been named the 23rd recipient of the “Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.” This year’s ceremony, the first since 2019, will be held at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C. Widely considered to be the nation’s highest recognition for humorists, the prize honors an artist each year who has unquestionably shaped the world of comedy.
With the help of an all-star cast, the Center will celebrate Jon’s career and indelible impact on American comedy. Artists set to pay tribute include Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee and Dave Chappelle, Stewart’s former Comedy Central colleague and the 2019 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize. Previous recipients of the Prize include Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Billy Crystal (2007), Tina Fey (2010), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Jay Leno (2014) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (2018).
Airs Tuesday, June 21 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch this program live or stream anytime with the PBS Video app.
“Anything Goes”
This spring, “Broadway’s Best” returns with the West End revival of Cole Porter’s classic musical “Anything Goes,” featuring Tony Award winners Sutton Foster and Robert Lindsay. Telling the tale of romance aboard the SS American featuring timeless hits including “I Get A Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top” and “Anything Goes.”
“Merry Wives”
Next up, “Merry Wives,” a New York story about tricks of the heart, featuring the most beloved comedic characters, this farce tells the story of the charlatan Falstaff and the wily wives who outwit him in a celebration of Black joy, laughter and vitality.
“Keeping Company with Sondheim”
Finally, “Keeping Company with Sondheim,” a documentary spotlighting the Broadway revival and legacy of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical “Company,” featuring new interviews with Sondheim, Tony and Grammy winner Katrina Lenk, two-time Tony and two-time Grammy winner Patti LuPone and more.
“Planet California”
“Planet California”
Famous for its sun, surf and Hollywood stars, the real treasures of the Golden State are its most precious resources: water and wildlife. Each stop along the California coast reveals the magic of an extraordinary ecosystem bound together by rivers of life on land, air and sea.
“Planet California” combines science, images and storytelling to explore the future of California’s wildlife and iconic places like Yosemite, Death Valley and the miles of uninhabited Baja coastline.
In this two-part documentary, we travel across the mountains, deserts and Pacific Ocean examining the catastrophic wildfires, devastating droughts, extreme weather and ocean warming threatening this wellspring of biodiversity and the implications to wildlife worldwide.
“Planet California” airs Wednesdays, June 22 & June 29 at 10 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
“Live at the Belly Up”
San Diego has long been known as a hotbed of great musical talent. What’s more, San Diego is home to one of the best music venues on the West Coast. Since 1974, the Belly Up has featured great local bands on its stage, including Thievery Corporation, Ziggy Marley, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and more.
Many of the world’s greatest bands have performed live at the legendary Belly Up over the past three decades. Some of these bands were “new and unknown” at the time but soon became superstars—The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mumford and Sons, No Doubt, The Black Eyed Peas and many more. Five acts will be featured this season: Dawes, Jake Shimabukuro, John Hiatt & The Jerry Douglas Band, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and The Wood Brothers.
Season 8 airs Fridays, May 6-June 3 and again from June 10-July 8 at 11 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Rebroadcast the following Monday at 10 p.m. on KPBS 2.
Jake Shimabukuro
Sponsor Message
The Baja California Peninsula you’ve never seen. Now see it all in one place.
Discover Baja’s wild side in The Nat’s newest exhibition. “Expedition Baja” invites visitors to explore the rugged and beautiful Baja California Peninsula and join researchers on their quest to conserve its wild beauty. Featuring museum specimens, immersive imagery and stories about conservation work happening there, “Expedition Baja” brings to life one of the most incredible regions in the world.
Opening Memorial Day weekend in a brand-new gallery on the museum’s top floor, this new, bilingual exhibition follows scientists through mountains, islands, palm oases, deserts and dunes as they discover new species, work to conserve native plants and animals and explore remote habitats.
“Expedition Baja” will be presented in English and Spanish, and will be accompanied by programs such as Nat Talks and live lessons for youth. Museum guests can pair their visit with a film, “Ocean Oasis,” that showcases the biodiversity of the peninsula (included with paid admission). Learn more at sdnat.org.
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