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EXPLORE GBH
Editor Katrina Ávila Munichiello
Contributors Emily Abi-Kheirs, Ron Bachman, Mary Crotty
Designers Tong-Mei Chan, Amy Saidens
Photo Research Leah Weisse
Production Manager Heidi Lewis
Associate Creative Director
Senior Creative Director Piper Rankine
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
Barbara Ayotte
Chief Marketing Officer Tina Cassidy
December 2024 Volume 34, Number 12 (ISSN 2152-7458) (USPS 0008-188). Copyright 2024. WGBH Educational Foundation. One Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135. All rights reserved.
EXPLORE GBH is published monthly by the WGBH Educational Foundation. Subscription is by membership contribution of $60 or more to GBH. Preferred periodicals postage paid at Boston, MA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to EXPLORE GBH, GBH, One Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135. Printed in USA. 25CR12584 openvault.wgbh.org
Visit The Linda and Andrew Egendorf Masterpiece Theatre Alistair Cooke Collection
and her early fame shaped her musical journey in American Masters: Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around
LIVING
Ring in the New Year with a performance celebrating the works of acclaimed performer Sara Bareilles
MASTERPIECE’s All Creatures Great and Small, Season Five
In this award-winning mystery series, Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen) investigates cases in the English coastal town of Hastings during World War II. At the start of Season Four, a murder occurs just as American soldiers arrive to construct a new airbase. DCI Foyle is then faced with a biological warfare accident, a death in a munitions factory, and illegal gambling. Seasons Four and Five Mon (12/9, 12/16, 12/23, 12/30) at 9pm
HIDDEN GEM
Middlemarch
Adapted from George Eliot’s classic novel, this miniseries chronicles the lives of residents of the rural community of Middlemarch as they face relationship challenges and social change in the late 1820s. When this six-episode adaptation first aired, it put the novel back on the bestseller list for the first time since the 19th century. Viewers can stream the full series on Passport until February. Streaming only.
The midwives prepare to celebrate Christmas 1969 in this much anticipated annual holiday special. A traveling fair visits Poplar and a carol concert brightens the season, but the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by fears about the spread of influenza and the presence of an escaped prisoner in the community.
Wed (12/25) at 8pm on GBH 2 Repeats: Fri (12/27) at 3pm on GBH 2 Fri (12/27) at 5pm on GBH 44 Mon (12/30) at 5pm on GBH 44
more drama
Nina Sundays at 11pm on GBH 2
Miss Scarlet
Did you know that GBH has a Drama newsletter?
Sign up here to get more recommendations and drama updates: gbh.org/newsletters
Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) is Victorian London’s first-ever female detective. With William “The Duke” Wellington now in New York, Eliza is forced to make a difficult decision and must navigate building a relationship with Scotland Yard’s new Detective Inspector, Alexander Blake (Tom Durant Pritchard). Without this connection, she will lose critical access to police resources.
Season Five Streaming now. Broadcast premiere in Jan.
Hope Street Thu (12/12, 12/19, 12/26) at 8pm on GBH 44
Repeats: Fri (12/20, 12/27) at 4pm on GBH 44
Whitechapel Thu (12/12, 12/19, 12/26) at 9pm on GBH 44
MASTERPIECE/ All Creatures Great and Small Sun (12/15, 12/22, 12/29) at 9pm, 10pm on GBH 2 Repeats: Tue (12/17, 12/24, 12/31) at 9pm, 10pm on GBH 44 Sat (12/21, 12/28) at 9pm, 10pm on GBH 2
Call the Midwife Mon–Thu (12/23–12/26) at 3pm, 4pm on GBH 2 Repeats: Mon–Thu (12/23–12/26) at 5pm, 6pm on GBH 44
journalism
LOCAL LENS
Anyuka
Anyuka, Hungarian for “mother,” presents a story of intergenerational trauma and religious identity through a tale of three generations. This unique documentary blends Super 8 family films and experimental animation as a granddaughter looks at the remarkable life of her grandmother, who was a writer, World War II refugee, and a survivor of the Holocaust. Presented as part of GBH’s Local Lens series. Thu (12/19) at 9pm on GBH 2
Repeats:
Sun (12/22) at 7:30pm on GBH 2 Thu (12/26) at 12pm on GBH 44
A Walk Down the Block
Hosted and created by Paris Alston, this GBH News original, award-winning multiplatform series gets to the heart of underreported stories in Boston.
Mondays–Fridays at 11pm on GBH 2
Repeats:
Mondays–Fridays at 6am on GBH 44 Sundays at 9:30am on GBH 44
Washington Week with The Atlantic Fri (12/13, 12/20, 12/27) at 8pm on GBH 44
Repeats: Sundays at 9am on GBH 44
POV/The Song of the Butterflies Thu (12/19) at 10pm on GBH 2
Repeat: Sun (12/22) at 6pm on GBH 2
PBS News Weekend Sat (12/21, 12/28) at 5:30pm on GBH 2 Sun (12/22, 12/29) at 5:30pm on GBH 2
Through collaborations with community organizations, this program connects citizens with the changemakers in their neighborhoods. Topics covered to date include how big events for Boston’s Black communities resonated in Roxbury’s Nubian Square, LGBTQ+ Pride past and present in the South End, and plans to reimagine the Charles River Esplanade.
Find A Walk Down the Block segments here.
HIDDEN GEM
Who I Am Not
A South African beauty queen comes to terms with her identity after discovering that she is intersex. With the help of a masculine-presenting intersex activist, she faces the challenges of society’s stigma and her own internal struggle. Follow Sharon-Rose Khumalo’s quest toward acceptance in a world defined by binary gender norms.
Mon (12/30) at 10pm on GBH 2
FRONTLINE
Breakdown
in Maine
With the Portland Press Herald and Maine Public, FRONTLINE investigates the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history and the missed opportunities to prevent it. This documentary examines the breakdowns with police, military, and mental health care that preceded the 2023 Lewiston shooting that resulted in the deaths of 18 people and dozens of injuries.
Wed (12/11) at 9pm on GBH WORLD Also stream the companion six-part podcast “Breakdown.”
The Earthshot Report
Hosted by Hannah Waddingham and with remarks from Prince William, this program highlights the progress made toward protecting and restoring our planet over the past year. These goodnews stories focus on solutions and trends that show progress toward a stable and thriving future. Take a deep dive into Earthshot finalist stories and their global impacts.
Wed (12/18) at 8pm on GBH 2
Repeats:
Sat (12/21) at 12pm on GBH 44
Sun (12/22) at 1pm on GBH 2
Sun (12/22) at 8pm on GBH 44
Wed (12/25) at 12pm on GBH 44
NOVA
Lost Tombs of Notre Dame
After the devastating 2019 fire at Notre Dame, two mysterious coffins were discovered under the cathedral’s stone floor. Follow a team of archaeologists and historians as they attempt to solve centuries-old mysteries using the latest scientific investigation techniques. What can forensic analysis of the remains reveal about one of the world's most famous cathedrals?
Wed (12/18) at 9pm on GBH 2
Repeats:
Sat (12/21) at 1pm on GBH 44
Sun (12/22) at 2pm on GBH 2
Sun (12/22) at 9pm on GBH 44
Wed (12/25) at 1pm on GBH 44
The Alps
Learn how plants and animals, such as crocuses, Alpine lynx, and marmots, survive extreme seasonal changes in Europe’s highest mountain range. From summer’s thunderstorms and landslides to winter’s avalanches and freezing temperatures, discover their amazing survival techniques on the ice-covered slopes and craggy ridges and in the river valleys, forests, and meadows.
Sun (12/22) at 6pm, 7pm on GBH 44
HIDDEN GEM CRAFT IN AMERICA
Science
This episode reveals the unexpected intersections between art and the sciences as creators explore the worlds of biology, engineering, math, and technology. From potters at the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico to a glass and paper artist at MIT’s computer science labs to a NASA astronaut and quilter, artists are using nature, space, algorithms, and more as inspiration for their works.
Fri (12/27) at 9pm on GBH 2
Repeats: Sun (12/29) at 3pm on GBH 2
Tue (12/31) at 12pm on GBH 44
more science
NOVA/The Planets: Jupiter
Tue (12/3) at 7pm on GBH WORLD
NATURE/ Attenborough’s Life Journey Sun (12/8) at 8pm on GBH WORLD
8 Days: To the Moon and Back Tue (12/10) at 8:30pm on GBH WORLD
Earth’s Natural Wonders: Life at the Extremes
Mon–Wed (12/16–12/18) at 1pm on GBH 44
Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science Tue (12/31) at 8pm, 9pm on GBH WORLD
living
history & culture
UNVEILED:
Joyce Tenneson and the Heroine’s Journey
Explore the life of Joyce Tenneson (below), a groundbreaking portrait photographer originally from Weston, Massachusetts. Her work has been featured in publications such as Time, Entertainment Weekly, and The New York Times Magazine. This artist and mother fights to express her artistic voice and to promote women in the arts while also coping with the fallout of a 45-year-old secret. Thu (12/12) at 8pm on GBH WORLD Repeats: Sat (12/14) at 10pm on GBH WORLD Sun (12/29) at 6pm on GBH 2
Lucy Worsley’s
Holmes vs. Doyle
AMERICAN MASTERS
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around
Brenda Lee was just 13 years old when she recorded her most famous song, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Learn how her life of poverty and early fame shaped her life as a star of pop, rock ‘n’ roll, and country music, and discover the story behind her iconic songs. This film includes interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, and more.
Mon (12/16) at 10pm on GBH 2
Repeats: Sat (12/21) at 3pm on GBH 44
Sun (12/22) at 11pm on GBH 44
Sherlock Holmes has intrigued and excited fans for more than a century. His creation made author Arthur Conan Doyle famous, but the relationship between the author and his fictional detective was fraught. Lucy Worsley explores how Doyle’s feelings about Holmes changed during the writing of these stories and as the Victorian era gave way to the Edwardian age. Sun (12/8, 12/15, 12/22) at 8pm on GBH 2
Repeats: Tue (12/10, 12/17, 12/24) at 8pm on GBH 44 Sat (12/21, 12/28) at 8pm on GBH 2
HIDDEN GEM
LOCAL, USA
With Peter Bradley
Peter Bradley (below right) was a first
more history & culture
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
Mon (12/16, 12/23, 12/30) at 8pm on GBH 2 Mon (12/16, 12/30) at 9pm on GBH 2
Repeats: Mon (12/30) at 12pm on GBH 44 Mon (12/30) at 4pm on GBH 2
Tue (12/31) at 5pm, 6pm on GBH 44
10 Parks That Changed America Tue (12/17) at 12pm on GBH 44
Secrets of the Dead/ Eiffel’s Race to the Top Wed (12/18) at 10pm on GBH 2
Repeats: Sat (12/21) at 2pm on GBH 44 Sun (12/22) at 10pm on GBH 44
Fri (12/27) at 1pm on GBH 44
10 Towns That Changed America Thu (12/19) at 12pm on GBH 44
Secrets of the Dead/ Death in Britannia Fri (12/20) at 1pm on GBH 44
Lucy Worsley’s Royal Myths & Secrets: Queen Anne Sun (12/29) at 8pm
primetime
2 Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle Episode One Member Favorites
44 (11am) Member Favorites
World Nature Attenborough’s Life Journey
The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song Part Two
Create (7:30pm) Supercharge Your Brain: Maximizing Your Cognitive… Rick Steves: Why We Travel Rick Steves’ European Christmas
2 (7:30pm) Member Favorites
44 Midsomer Murders Season Five, Market for Murder, Part One Foyle’s War Season Four, Episode One Antiques Roadshow Recut World (7pm) Dante: Inferno to Paradise Part One Local, USA Fire Tender Stories from the Stage PBS News Hour
Create America’s Test Kitchen Dooky Chase Kitchen Sara’s Weeknight Meals American Woodshop Rick Steves’ Europe Seeing Canada
2 (7:30pm) Member Favorites
44 Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle Episode One Member Favorites World (7pm) First Contact: An Alien… 8 Days: To the Moon and Back
News Hour
Create Milk Street Television Dooky Chase Kitchen Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting American Woodshop Rick Steves’ Europe J. Rosendo’s
Sacred Matter
(7:30pm) Member Favorites
44 Hope Street Season Three, Episode
Breakdown in Maine
primetime
➤ ➤
➤ Come join us
GBH invites you to participate in virtual or in-person events where you can engage with experts to learn something new, enjoy a reading with an exciting author, or talk with other top-notch talent. Don’t forget: You can also visit our GBH Boston Public Library Studio to see a live taping or attend other community happenings. GBH will keep you informed and entertained with a full calendar of upcoming events.
Beyond
the Page with Kate Quinn
Tue (12/10) at 7pm ET (Virtual)
Go beyond the page with author and lifelong history buff, Kate Quinn
Known for her books including Network, The Rose Code, and The Diamond Eye, Quinn will talk about her writing process, history, and her new novel, The Briar Club, which focuses on female friendships and secrets in a Washington, D.C., boardinghouse during the McCarthy era. Register here.
GBH Music Holiday
Wed (12/11) at 7:30pm ET (In-person and Virtual)
Get into the holiday spirit by joining GBH Music for a festive evening, live from GBH’s Calderwood Studio in Brighton! This year’s event feature Puerto Rican cuatro player Fabiola Méndez, Voices Boston, vibraphonist Rich Greenblatt, BSO principal harpist Jessica Zhou
Sticky Bun School with Chef Joanne Chang and Flour Bakery
Sat (1/11) at 11am ET (Virtual)
Sweeten your weekend with an interactive baking event. Your ticket includes a baking kit with the ingredients to make eight signature sticky buns and a one-hour virtual baking class led by Joanne Chang, renowned pastry chef and founder of Flour Bakery. Register here by Dec. 20 (Dec. 13 for Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii).
To learn more or to register for any of our events, visit gbh.org/ events
GBH Jazz Nights
Thu (12/12) at 5:30pm ET (In-person)
GBH Music and JazzBoston are hosting this new series to showcase the breadth of incredible jazz talent in the Greater Boston area. Perfomances will be held on the second Thursday of every month through February. The December concert will feature Puerto Rican composer and cuartista Fabiola Méndez
Learn more.
GBH Amplifies
This community conversation amplifies local voices from Boston and beyond. Held monthly at the GBH Boston Public Library Studio, this live program will feature a cast of rotating hosts from local media, community organizations, and more.
