CETconnect.org

Here are the top five most watched videos from last week on CETconnect.org:
1) FOCUS: the Bodies Exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center (Lifelong Learning)
2) Therapy Pets (History & Science)
3) The New SCPA (School for Creative and Performing Arts) Groundbreaking Ceremony: A Focus Special Report (http://www.cetconnect.org/focus/scpa.asp)
4) Growing Green and Healthy Schools (Teachers & Students)
5) Fifth Third Business Beat - February 29, 2008 (Current Affairs)
-Amanda

Here are the top five videos last week on CETconnect.org:
1) FOCUS: the Bodies Exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center (Lifelong Learning)
2) Paul Loeb: Civic Engagement (College Audience) (Lifelong Learning)
3) Growing Green and Healthy Schools (Teachers & Students)
4) Vocal Arts Ensemble presents The Unicorn (Arts & Culture)
5) Therapy Pets (History & Science)
-Amanda

Yesterday, we learned of the death of William F. Buckley, Jr. As founder of The National Review magazine, Buckley inspired modern American conservatism. And he was the host of Firing Line, the long-running public affairs program. For 28 of the program’s 33 year-run, Firing Line’s home was right here on CET.

Whether you agreed with his politics or not, you have to agree that he was the consummate intellectual, filling the airwaves with eloquent and stimulating debates rather than the megaphone shouting matches that passes for contemporary public discourse.

In July, 2004, Buckley stepped down from his position as editor of TNR. At the time, he spoke with NewsHour correspondent Terrence Smith — an interview that you can read and view here.

- Brian

Here are the top five videos last week on CETconnect.org:
1) FOCUS: the Bodies Exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center (Lifelong Learning)
2) The Shy Creatures (Arts & Culture)
3) Fifth Third Business Beat February 15, 2008 (Current Affairs)
4) The New SCPA (School for Creative and Performing Arts) Groundbreaking Ceremony: A Focus Special Report (http://www.cetconnect.org/focus/scpa.asp)
5) Fifth Third Business Beat February 8, 2008 (Current Affairs)
-Amanda

NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer invited comments about the February 17 New York Times commentary.  More than 5,000 viewers responded.  You can post your comment by visiting the NewsHour site.  We’d also love to hear your thoughts.  Even if you post with the Newshour, consider sharing your comments with us here. 

-Susan 

Also, here is PBS President Paula Kerger’s reply to the Times.

To the Editor: It is dispiriting to read the inaccurate, shopworn attacks on public broadcasting by Charles McGrath (“Is PBS Still Necessary?” Feb. 17, 2008). The article reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of what PBS does, and the broad audience it serves.  

For the grand sum of $1 per tax payer per year, plus voluntary contributions from people who find great value in public television, PBS delivers news, information and entertainment to about 2 million viewers each evening, an audience that is double or triple that of most cable networks.  

For the quality of programming, consider the awards others have bestowed on PBS, which led all broadcast and cable networks for children’s programming for the tenth consecutive year, won 9 Primetime Emmys (six for MASTERPIECE THEATRE) and 10 News & Documentary Emmys, equaling or topping all broadcast and cable networks for the seventh time in seven years, and receiving twice as many awards as the closest competitor.

 On one point I will agree with Mr. McGrath: public broadcasting deserves increased funding commensurate with the hearts we touch, the minds we open and the lives we impact.   

PAULA A. KERGER

President and Chief Executive Officer

Public Broadcasting Service

More than 800 readers have commented about Sunday’s New York Times commentary Is PBS Still Necessary? by Charles McGrath, former editor of the Times Book Review. Here’s a link to the comments. Most of the readers seemed to reply “yes” to McGrath’s question. I’ve read quite a few, including three from Greater Cincinnati.   What do you think? Post your comment to this blog or visit the New York Times site to leave a comment. (I’m not sure the Times is still accepting comments.)

-Susan

Here are the top five videos last week on CETconnect.org:
1) FOCUS: the Bodies Exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center (Lifelong Learning)
2) Fifth Third Business Beat February 8, 2008 (Current Affairs)
3) The Shy Creatures (Arts & Culture)
4) FOCUS Special Report: Agenda 360 (Lifelong Learning)
5) Amy’s Table - Learn About Peppers (http://www.cetconnect.org/amystable/programs.asp?sn=107)
-Amanda

Is anyone keeping up with America’s Ballroom Challenge? You can catch it on CET Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Unfortunately I have not been able to, but don’t feel too bad for me – I’m out there living it.

Somehow I was able to talk my boyfriend and a few other couples into taking ballroom dance lessons with me. We’re in the fifth week of 10, and man, can I waltz! My handsome partner and I are no Fred and Ginger, he claims he’s a two-left-footed lug, and I couldn’t find a beat to save my life. But still we have a good time. I hear they’ve been teaching ballroom dancing the same way for years. My dad took ballroom lessons when he was in middle school, so did CET President & CEO Susan Howarth. Everyone gets in a big oval and foxtrots (slow, slow quick-quick) around the room, clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on whether you’re the leader or follower (something I still don’t have down quite yet).One advantage America’s Ballroom Challenge has on me and my friends is the outfits. I thought after we learned the rumba I’d finally have a reason to go out and buy one of those nice red fringy numbers. Sadly, at this point I don’t think I’d do the fringe justice.

Anyone else out there into ballroom dancing or watching? Got any tips for perfecting my technique? Know of a good place to find fringy dance wear? 

Here are the top five videos last week on CETconnect.org:
1) CCM’s Miss Lonelyhearts (Arts & Culture)
2) The Shy Creatures (Arts & Culture)
3) Fifth Third Business Beat February 1, 2008 (Current Affairs)
4) Publisher’s Beat - David Neyer (Current Affairs)
5) The New SCPA (School for Creative and Performing Arts) Groundbreaking Ceremony: A Focus Special Report (http://www.cetconnect.org/focus/scpa.asp)
-Amanda

Steve Says:
February 2, 2008 at 3:36 pm   edit I thought when WCET started simulcating the analog signal on the main digital channel that existing HD shows would still be shown in HD. This morning I saw Motor week which is available in HD on other PBS stations shown with “barn door” black bars on all 4 sides of the picture. The signal was sent out 4:3 and then letterboxed.

———————————————-

Steve, You are right.  “Motor Week” is available in HD but the HD version is not available to CET until Saturday @ 4:30PM.  The standard definition version of the program is fed to CET on Friday afternoons.  Since we air “Motor Week” each Saturday at 8:30 AM we would have to record the HD version and then play it back the following Saturday morning. This would result in a one week delay for each of the programs in the series.  The national listings etc. would be wrong. In February 2009, most of these anomalies should go away. 

Thanks for your comment.

Jack Dominic