A Dream Called Public Television

Steve. I agree. We get stood by the idea of excellence. It is a vision of a new way to travel to places my habits the strain and just a way to understand ourselves and all that is around us. This is washing windows. This is the story of the dream called Public Television. The author It all begins in 1953 when k u h t Houston becomes the first

noncommercial station to go on the air its fortune is it's assigned to channel 8 noncommercial stations to follow and often find themselves on the new ultra high frequency channels most home sets not equipped to receive the UHF signals and for the very few do. Reception is difficult so harsh beginning for such an ambitious stream but slowly stations begin going on the air. Not surprisingly the stations are soon known as educational and the programming reflects it. Hello there and welcome to you. So I had to write a program where you can learn some drama. Welcome to the Japanese brass band and I will try to keep you in Japanese. Best ending to whatever you can in weeks. How do you do ladies and gentlemen. I would like to talk to you about opera. Now please don't do what you just wanted to do. Turn the knob and

switch to another station. This is a painting called Madame the light by the American artist Cleve Gray. It's a very very abstract. And. Very modern that on the other hand like a child taking its first on the shore and awkward steps Educational Television has a few lessons of its own today drops and there's another place where we might make a mistake. Now let's start putting our little weights on and see what we have is a hundred gram weight. Well here's another one that's 200 grams. Oh now look at what's happened. The cabin such a car is so tough. And we can't do that what I back everybody to me this is educational TV's first production for children before you is the untrained production staff not the program's weekly budget is a hundred and fifty dollars. I'm quoting salaries and from Daniel the time I

got here my friend show's producer Fred Rogers. Really. Then as the years pass the programs get better. The audience grows it was and so does the number of stations. This is educational television. It is nine years old quite young and the Adult Education was on television itself is but new come to being this afternoon there were 67 stations in the country tonight. This becomes the sixty eight in time there will be over 200 such stations. It will in short be the development of a new television network serving all the peoples of the 50 states that are this land as the stations grow more and more types of programs a tried and educational television assume to have its first star. And there were today I had a chance to talk with an expert whose job it is to work with this remarkable media and I asked exactly what you

videotape what no videotape Yeah it's thrown like this it looks like it looks like chocolate and it's awfully slippery. It is you know exactly what is the thing that you're doing now. What what are you doing here. Well no I'm editing the paper for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and as you're putting the tapes together yeah I'm always that duck out there. Well now we have an example here here's a lovely passage and it has some hoops in it and then it has some shallows and we got would attach a section to the cello section when they're supposed to be an oboe section here but I don't find it so I'll just attack. You got told you how slippery you hold it will you Mr. Blitzer. There is there anything unusual about that tape work that you use when it's just a nice sticky tape and then you want to cut the ends off a little bit and prime makes this even this possible

you know. I mean you can as long as it'll stick together that's the main thing I use you know those are true. There they are. Flamboyant then Don Orthodox quickly becomes the house. And a TV staple for years to come and little wonder. Not even the artistry of French cuisine can stifle her kitchen answered. In 1963 the national distributor of programmes adopts the name National Educational Television and begins producing five hours of programming a week its first major dramatic presentation comes a year later when a young Jon Voight sties and Christopher fries sneak with prisoners. Meanwhile here we are really you know our lives expecting purpose to keep our date. Get Called waiting. Watch the overworld common goal. Question of the day. Day.

Any playhouses launched two years later with Martin Sheen in Tennessee Williams 10 blocks on the Camino whatever you want when you know Wells Fargo is a friend of the state. You know I was going you're no I was very peculiar. Now one of the other and where is the punctuation punctuation want to see done with that punctuation is on the next page. Dustin Hoffman journey of the fifth I found economist Harriet period the semicolons the question marks where you just have to put all the punctuation on the last play. It's also in 1966 that coverage of current events becomes an earnest priority in three and a half years.

And he joined a little present over 100 documentaries including mills of the gods this early documentary on Vietnam spells out many of the dilemmas the frustrations the world would pose for years to come here I am. This is the way we can think of the ideology of the right. Rape as an ideology depends of course for social justice. We want to be basically left alone. We're here we're committed and we're going to say we're not going to be defeated when I mean given up in 1967 noncommercial television will change forever. It is the year the Konig commission publishes its study on the potential of educational broadcasting. A new name is encouraged and so is the new mission the new Public Television will hint of a new and broader scope television that entertains as well as informs

President Johnson signs into law the Public Broadcasting Act committing government support. And Richman that you know the purpose of this new national organizations are forward one ear and another begin the dream goes on. It's a time of technological advances also color is introduced in the Lyndon Johnson State of the Union address. Public Television begins abandoning its post office delivery system of shipping programs from city to city. For the first time stations across the country joined together to carry the same broadcast into their communities. Six months later Public Television participates in another. Historic telecast. This one with global significance. Our world is two years in the making. Produced by a multitude of nations and seen on five continents. By satellite.

There was witness live events taking place all across the planet. Franco Zeffirelli directing Romeo and Juliet and Julie. Bernstein and I'm Cliburn in rehearsal at Lincoln Center. The Beatles in London quoting another of their seat and the suits. Let. The Beatles sing a lot of good. These are rescuers that

agonizing time. Much of the unrest is chronicled on the Pioneer television magazine program the public broadcasting laboratory experimental in nature. PBL is an eclectic assortment of current issues in performing our. First program includes a performance of day of absence a satirical play a black minstrel in reverse or a sleepy southern Hamlet awakens one morning to find all of its blacks mysteriously missing. Your sister just called hysterical she said the vice mayor would be going to bed with her last night. But when she woke up this morning he was gone. Been missing all day and listen all I could make was the hole in brother in law worked their house there's no sir. Besides him investigations reveal that it doesn't the most prominent citizens all missing without come out to city council members the chairman of the Junior Chamber of Commerce our city college ol southern half back to chair

lady of the daughters of the Confederate rebellion. Miss Cotton said Festival of the year and numerous other miscellaneous nobody dangerous evidence points to the conclusion that they have been infiltrate filtrate and passes all along. Passing a law only written it was I'll go wow you know I was. Passive. Think. PBL is the first regular series to be simultaneously carried by public stations across the country and times on even and often a controversy of PBL will run two years. In 1968 public television paints the screen black when black Journal begins as a positive response to the racial riots of the previous summer. The new children's program Mr. Rogers neighborhood will find itself trying to comfort a nation reeling from Robert Kennedy's

assassination. You know where you hear that was right. It's it's you know what does this nation me. I've been terribly concerned about the graphic display of violence. Which in the midst of media has been showing recently and I plead for your protection. And support of your young children. There is just so much that a very young child can take. I don't know and I don't get

it. Documentary North Vietnam brings a storm of protest. News. That British filmmaker the one resents the work seen from the enemy's point of view. Members of Congress who see the program will denounce it is propaganda. Other programs will cause a flurry of protests and pressures who invited us raises uncomfortable questions about US involvement in third world countries. The Bay of Pigs obviously was a CIA operation so there's no doubt that there's been direct involvement by intelligence and military organizations in internal political affairs of such certain countries in Latin America and elsewhere. This is to me at this asterisk course as we move into the 70s. The banks and the poor. Accuses the banking industry of perpetuating the slum conditions and the

human destruction case histories are abundant as typified by a woman who cosigned an automobile alone for a brother who then fell behind in his payments. The woman Mrs Elizabeth Riley whose home was the collateral reduced the debt of fifteen hundred dollars to one hundred fifty seven dollars and sixty nine cents. But our house was still put up for auction. But they still put my half step. They say I have. A can of this bill. I wish that they would do something bad happened to anyone they have. Awful thing. To do just. Call a man a man like this. It is a time of unrest. It's also one of creativity and ideas for children. A different kind of revolution is about to take place at a

place called Sesame Street. It seemed like an idea whose time had come. Everyone knew that television commercials kept children to their set. The idea of Sesame Street was to teach numbers letters and concepts with that same visit. Five test programs were produced in 1969. Reaction is good except for the street itself somewhat like the wonder of fantasy and delight so. Apparent elsewhere. The answer is an awkward but willing 8 foot canary known as Big Bird. Quickly he becomes a part of every child's vocabulary. And most adults. Sesame Street is a huge success by anyone's standards. Sesame Street is followed by the electric company. Again the premise is simple and successful. Children love comic books.

What better way to teach reading skills than with an electronic version of the revered comics. The Electric Company Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers neighborhood are only the beginning. In the years to come they're followed by series after series. Each meeting the special needs each demonstrate in public television's commitment to the children of America. The beat Meanwhile the adults are busy being delighted by the British. The Forsyte Saga begins America's love affair with Inger. I said to Young prophets everywhere you look nothing but for science. Pro Bowl side. Masterpiece Theater will make good use of your site's popularity when it premieres in 1971. Introducing America to kings and queens made for him but he was beauties and well-bred detective.

Masterpiece Theater serves as the port of entry for the finest of British drama. And introduces the mini series for the first time. Here the king. Comes to visit on. Upstairs Downstairs and the fake Emperor of India and the Dominions beyond the seas. In person and that's for you readers only I wasn't busy but you could actually use a 5 0 0 call for the next night. You know that you did not hear. The British become so popular that soon questions are raised as to the whereabouts of American gramma. The answer is not long in coming. Anderson built right with William Shatner. Richard bass I wouldn't doubt the release of Mr. words and therefore personally responsible A man may give to officials over many things not to say I'm

not what we call he is immortal soul and therefore the question still is why did you want me wired. As I have said as I say the last time it was to me a military situation but this was not a military situation those helpless young men were not the enemy and I don't want to said this was no longer a question of malt and saw no question of over the course of human beings Chandler sought out the one firing the phone for most of the men they saw that what was your conscience then. Banning things program drama or comedy. The winner of the gender thing built with the. Hollywood television theatre. Is public television's. First major dramatic series except. For the night is through. Listen Bill cryo. When. We I mean.

When I do the dream. The end of the violence the bringing. Up later on public television view is it treated as a bizarre and risque steam bath. I knew it as Bill Bixby and Valerie pariahs said they find themselves two lost souls in an unexpected afterward. Right but I have it pictured an entirely different way of being dad. I thought Don meant that you have to spend every day of your life in a different holiday. And now let's look and I know about you but I'm not accepting this. Me well I just don't like the whole way it was done. I am dead just like that. Like your schmuck or something. Well what can you do. Oh there's something that's what I would do or boy if you know the agony that I went through changed my whole life from then you know what I was so roped off to be picked off and I haven't even started to enjoy the good stuff yet. I think I feel I just had my first orgasm just now when

I was watching the Dick Cavett Show. There were some steam bath is ahead of its time but sex becomes a subject to be treated like honestly and openly. And Dick Cavett goes. Host of the deep blue how do you get safe and glad. You get it from someone who's got it. You get it by playing around messing around making out or as they say in television. You can get BT from a toilet seat unless of course that's where you've been playing around. By the way we're going to be speaking pretty openly here so if there are any children watching ask any of your parents who might be easily offended to leave the room by. In 1971 the Great American Dream Machine rumor is out of its hangar and blast the you know waves with an outrageous delightful look at America. It's called a Sesame Street for adults. Not intellectual laughter really it's a social commentary disguised as entertainment.

Or as what's the worst thing the as. Is there sex after death. No I have this. Ok I am and I've been taking pictures of every little room every corner you could possibly see possibly feel is looking at you in a sense. So when I get out of the service I want to come home and I want to decorate my will. It would seem to have a day. People always ask me big daddy what do you get all those strange ideas and I tell him when he watched television one night I was watching Dr Frankenstein and I get this wow idea for a car called the Druid princes. See that car there that's why he left. It is this Is it the whirlpool trash masher the machine that turns 20 pounds of trash 20 pounds of trash.

I don't believe America is. Like that no they don't. Want You know and she says she's going to be one of the greatest person who ever wanted me. That's. Right. And that's the truth Ralph Nader. Has a dark side to America's dreams. Great controversy will occur over a 10 minute excerpt was if the FBI I wouldn't break through to gain credibility of

doing. What we are involved in bombing one of them produced by a radical journalist Paul Jacobs. The segments accusations and conclusions will be attacked as unsubstantiated. It's removed from the dream machine and run as a special followed by panel discussion as an institution. Public Television is still young and fragile and has weathered storms of controversy but the tempest is yet to come. In August of 1971 the national public affairs and a public television was established in Washington. Its purpose is to provide comprehensive coverage of major Washington events. Sander Vanocur and Robert big Neil I named co-anchors the president of the United States is not the police. It is for him.

The last straw and he directs his aides to cut off all funds for public broadcasting his chief television advisor clay Whitehead informs him that such direct action is not possible but other options do exist. In December the administration leaks to the press the salaries of McNeill and of Anoka. The uproar begins. It's followed by an attack on all public affairs programming. I have a transcript of the Cavett Show. When this to Buchanan who is in the White House and write speeches for the president and the pig. Now this is what he said. If you look at public television you find Sander Vanocur Robin MacNeil the first of whom Sander Vanocur the Tories Kennedy sycophant in my judgment and Robin MacNeil whose administration you have Elizabeth Drew Show on witches and she personally is is deathly not proud ministration I would say anti ministration portion we can read you is unbalanced against us. You have black Journal which is unbalanced against us.

You have no more your take on balanced against the administration and then for a fig leaf they throw in with Buckley's program the remarkable thing about it is that every cat makes it has been knocked off. The goal should be to create an environment in which the corporation works directly with all the stations and stakes of all time to preserve their independence and their autonomy. Now there's delight had I have I have a very very conviction that even though you dress up your statement with sweet would still have an animosity towards this corporation and towards public broadcasting you praise it by one breath and then by the next breath you suffocated. The Nixon administration to try to dismantle public television with no small irony. We public television right now toss aside its regular programming and plan important role

everywhere revealing the incredible story of Watergate and particularly the reference to the president night estate. I'd like to say this. It is my honest belief. That while the president was involved that he did not realize or appreciate at any time the implications of his involvement. And I think that when the facts come out. I hope the president is forgiven. When you found out all these crimes and conspiracies coverups with me and meeting Wow all right didn't you walk into the president's office and tell him the truth. It wasn't a question. Telling the truth it was a question of not involving at all. Let's be clear. I did not cover up anything to do with water. I had no personal motivation to cover up anything because I had no personal involvement. And I knew the president had no involvement. But Butterfield are you aware of the installation of any listening devices in the Oval Office of the president.

I was aware of listening devices yesterday from the beginning the White House represented something permanent something larger than the interest of the man who worked there for a season. The authors of this government perceive this distinction and acted to preserve it. They knew a man to be by nature fallible themselves included and prone to abuse great office. They valued personal liberty about power and that the safeguards against man whose appetite for power might exceed their moral wisdom. They also left this example of character. You think about these things in this city in the aftermath of the White House and those known as Watergate and wonder why it took so great an affront to decency to make us realize how hard won rights can be lost simply by taking them for granted. So you come back. Leaving behind the folk stories and myths and wide eyed innocence believing that

what is best about this country doesn't need exaggeration. It needs vigilance though America is wrestling with its recent past public television is keeping many you know most of the achievements of other ages. Civilization as you know it kind of clock charts a course through centuries of artistic achievement. Jake you bring up ski. Race is our cultural evolution on the ascent of man. We all have come. From the future for the world. That's the nature of the human imagination. Yet. Every man. Every civilization. Has gone forward. Because of it and gauge meant we wanted a second self to do. The personal commitment of a man doing good.

The intellectual commitment. And emotional commitment to working together. As one. Has made. The Ascent of Man. In the performing arts see a day in America. Phrases it's good for me and for the first time the nation enjoys the vitality and brilliance of its regional theaters. Here Richard Neeland is Oscar Wilde and feasting with Panthers. Are you sure you're all right. Yes thank you. Sure you're all right Mr. Weil. Yes thank you. But if this is the way Queen Victoria treats her convicts she doesn't deserve to have them here to America is a

part of Great performance. So is. America. Premieres in 1975 is quickly acknowledged for its artistic achievements. Not surprisingly dance activity and interest so increases across the country. Great performances also always music. And a part of public television so radio symphonic performances by the seventies Public Television has become America's concert hall the one place where he's gathered all the world's great performers conductors music and orchestras. There's a privilege afforded no previous generation. When Nova premieres in 1974 is America's only weekly

series devoted to science. Life of the 21st century. These darkling visual effects are produced with a laser beam of pure light which began a new era. The planets red spot is as large as who or what is it. And Jupiter is Mole cratered Calisto. I see you getting me utterly frozen your old one and erupting volcanic IO. They've given us a new understanding of the solar system. And now Saturn Mt. St. Helens shocked the world like turning that was a big Northwest because I don't know what was right explicit permission to film inside the disaster area. I just can't describe his pitch black it's pitch black as hell on earth and why he threw her out. This is the actual recording of a camera man facing death.

Through modern technology we can now expand. Or shrink time. Helping science to extend the limits of human vision. But it is the incredible machine which creates a science landmark for all of television. This National Geographic special draws the largest audience ever for public television. Millions of viewers are captivated by this odyssey through humor a fantastic and truly incredible illustration of the miracle. We are. Closely at lips and I marvel at the versatility. Look Closer still at the keep of the time magnified 16 eyes and marvel at the sight of. These bizarre scenes show variations in temperature from one part of the body to

another. They're made not by visible light but by heat on a machine so sensitive it can record heat left behind by a hand. Or a moving finger on a war. It would have been tough muscle the heart is a marvel of mechanical performance beating 70 times a minute 2000 gallons a day. One way valves prevent blood flow from backing up merely the size of a fist and weighing less than a pound. The body is a dynamo. Pumps 55 million gallons and I like. I'm no longer regarded as the Temple of the soul or the seat of intelligence the heart and its cord or is much less inspired.

Oh and reverence for the beauty and efficiency of nature's design. America is 200 years old. And all of public television read is for the celebration. For its most prized gift to the nation. Public television presents the Adams Chronicles America's history through the public and private lives. One of our most remarkable first families they told me you would not be influenced by a man's connections but by his qualities. How long did you say you studied the law. I did most of my hearing young John Adams decides upon a career and in doing so will change the course to find a new copy in these colonies but my own. I borrowed a copy from the Harvard College library. I was a student there studying what. Theology. And why did you abandon that were the

pursuit. I had developed certain doubts about God you know. About my fitness for the pulpit. When you settled on the law. No sir I taught school for a while. Yes I found I lacked the patience to instruct the young. And what makes you think you are now fit for the law. Practiced law in these colonies. Then use the oratory of a preacher patients of a country schoolmaster. Lawyer here is not like a lawyer in England. The Adams Chronicles is acclaimed as a bicentennial. If you will. The most important of all television contributions to America's birthday party. The series is also public television's most ambitious dramatic presentation but not the only one. Visions begins its first season as the only television series showcasing original plays since the 50s. Golden Age.

Meanwhile Ed Flanders is reaching back as Harry S. Truman is giving America some plain speaking for his spirits. Now when Castro came to power if I had been in this office to call them direct on that phone to have an I wouldn't bother with any protocol at a call them direct not-A said Pradelle as Harry Truman up in Washington and I'd like you to come up here and have a little talk with you to come aboard. And and I said now but they seem to me like you've got a pretty good revolution going on down there now you're going to need some help. And there's only two places in this world you're going to get at one on the right here and the other one. Well we both know where that is. You tell me what you want not to do it to get it. Well he did thank me and we did talk for a little while and then when he got up to leave I said but now I've told you what we'll do for you. There's nothing you can do for me. Would you get a shave and a haircut and take a bath. 1976 is also an election year. And public television pioneer has a new way to report the news.

The MacNeil Lehrer Report starts as an experiment an opportunity to give the news the time it needs instead of hopping from headline to headline. Each night Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer cover one story and one story only it works. As the dials begin turning to know the meaning behind the headlines they've heard the MacNeil-Lehrer Report soon becomes the anchor for a whole array of public affairs programs the economy Capitol Hill Special Events congressional hearings and documentaries all receive regular attention on public television. It is a commitment on much. In American broadcasting. By the end of the birthday celebration two hundred and sixty five stations are on the air and no longer playing catch up with technological change public television is now making those changes. Work begins on America's first satellite system for over the air broadcast for the hearing impaired a closed captioning

process is developed as a result. The whole world of communications is suddenly available to people previously excluded. But addressing. Special needs. Has by now become expected of public television. Many lack mass audience appeal. Yet the need is no less rigorous. Minorities women the handicapped and the aging find a source for information. Expression. Where others are turned away. Public Television embraces the opportunity. In 1977 America enjoys I Claudius as being Richard. Can I say except that I have said bye to it will age with all my wits while thousands have died with all or abandoned text. Evidently quality of wits is more important than quantity while in England the British are getting their first look at American public

television. With the American short story. The first public television production shown by the BBC. In New York. The curtain opens on the first. Full length broadcast performance from the famed Metropolitan Opera House. Rocco Scotto And Jonathan I don't think in a lot of ways. From opera public television goes to the Opry for the first ever live national telecast of the Grand Ole Opry. Scores of new viewers enjoy the foot stomp and sound of country music. Judge such a success

by performers and viewers. Live from the Grand Ole Opry becomes an annual event. Public television continues making musical history when Vladimir Horowitz makes a rare appearance in recital in the White House. Playing not only for the president but the entire nation. You're. You're. You're. You're. The Washington Post writes. A 20th century invention called television again proved that it can be put to

grand purposes. The genius sat down to play the piano for a nation. The Triumph was everybody. To be. Good. In 1979 television project of unprecedented scope and ambition begins with a new production of Julius Caesar. For six years audiences will see the complete dramatic works of William Shakespeare the Shakespeare plays used in England the first time that performed versions of all the plays are to be preserved. At home. Public television takes a leap forward with the production of The Scarlet Letter. So writes One reviewer. You're make woman speak give your. VOICE. Come.

On join. Us. This is already the. Very very you know where you are. The old. One center of. The World The Scarlet Letter is public television's first dramatic production of an American literary classic its own followed by more American dramatizations three John Cheever stories from great performances James Earl Jones fares are all ropes. Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi. Herman Melville's bottle be the Scrivener of the science fiction late if it. Is a prodigious time. But while many applaud and others are raising eyebrows as he hears past. Public Television is shedding light into dock places California right terrifying a look at the America at sea party

might be right. Plan a documentary of David Duke a prime mover of the modern day crew Klux Klan. You may remember this. That's it. That's right. OK. Amazing day. What happened. Amazing. I was young. For Jacobson the nucular game an examination of the long range and deadly effects of low level radiation in the government's 25 years attempt to keep the public unaware of its dangers. Paul Jacobs This will be his last report.

He's dying of cancer. Leave good track good. During the course of his investigation in order to have energy journalese we have to make a bargain with the devil. We can't have energy without that bargain and the bargain for them is a simple one. Price is a very high price. The danger in the threat of nuclear catastrophe is always there and they think it's worth it. But I've on documentaries none will evoke more attention to it than they were a special death of the princes and it has stirred up an international hornet's nest. The government of Saudi Arabia is furious and some of that country's friends in the Carter administration in Congress in the oil industry and in other influential places are putting a lot of pressure on PBS to drop the program. What's that all about.

It's the story of 200 million people the who had a predicament how much I'm not asked. How much of your present is within me taking to survive as an item. One has to become a schizophrenia one has to learn to live in two worlds of one like a princess. She could be any other girl in any other country. You know if you can tell that story it will convey more about the end of World where you're going to stop. Where did you make the way you think her execution was a deliberate political let. You see I feel I meant anyone who actually you know. Had the true story. And it doesn't. But she acted. Don't take that away.

Just can't you see you've just been taken on a journey through the private. Is that. What you think a good joining me. A 19 year old was stuck in front of a pile of sand and shot. The world and its event. Whirl around often more could human than not. We long to understand. The way speck in the immensity of space.

We also occupied only an instant in the expanse of Ages our universe is some 15 were. How. Come the local history of the universe into a single year. If the U. Other planetary systems may have appeared just don't. Everything humans have ever done occurred in the right spec at the lower right. The. 15 billion years later is our present time.

The last seconds of this system we've emerged so recently that the familiar events of our recorded history occupy only the last second minute of the summer of thirty first. In the vast ocean. All of this. We are north of just a week and so the great ocean is of space and time from which we have emerged. We.