Health coaches (clockwise from top left) are ready with advice for pledge broadcasts: Howard Murad on aging skin, Brenda Watson on digestion, Neal Barnard on memory loss and JJ Virgin on weight loss.
December ’12
Buddy Holly: Listen to Me — The Ultimate Buddy Party
Producing organization: Songmasters LLC. Distributor: PBS. Length: 90 minutes (HD 16:9). Status: complete. Executive producers: Jennifer Cohen, Regan McCarthy. Music supervisor/producer/host: Peter Asher. Music director: Waddy Wachtel. Contact: Adam Kerner, [email protected]. ¶ Concert stars three generations of top recording artists — Stevie Nicks, Graham Nash, Lyle Lovett, Chris Isaak, Cobra Starship and more — performing updates of Buddy Holly’s best-known songs. Premiums include program DVD.
A Celtic Awakening with Faith Marion Robinson
Producer and presenting station: Detroit Public Television. Distributor: APT. Length: Three-part, 60-minute pledge program and 90-minute pledge event (HD 16:9). Status: postproduction. Executive producer: Jamie Westrick. Producer: Josette Marano. Associate producers: Lauren Smith, Aimee Gudme. Director: Jeff Forster. Contact: Lauren Smith, [email protected], 248-305-3791. ¶ On location in Ireland, Faith Marion Robinson sings of family relationships, love, the spirit of Ireland and hopes for a peaceful world, with lyrics from Irish standards, Broadway and pop songs. Premiums include program DVD and two CDs.
Drop 7 Foods, Feel Better Fast with JJ Virgin
Producing organization: Glass Onion Productions. Distributor: EPS. Length: Three-part, 60-minute pledge program and 90-pledge event (HD 16:9). Status: production. Producer: Ellyne Lonergan. Contact: Alan Foster, [email protected], 540-483-4767. ¶ Health and fitness expert JJ Virgin explains how many foods considered to be healthy can stop weight loss, add punds, and create joint pain, brain fog and gastrointestinal problems. Premiums include program DVD, companion book and related merchandise.
He Touched Me: The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley
Producing organization: Gaither Music. Distributor: NETA. Presenting station: WKNO, Memphis. Length: 90 minutes in three segments (HD 16:9). Status: completed. Producer: Michael Merriman. Executive producers for Gaither Organization: Bill Carter, Barry Jennings. Narrator: Sander Vanocur. Contact: Carrie Stanley, [email protected], 765-724-8263. ¶ Newly created HD pledge event featuring guest Joe Moscheo, of the Elvis Imperials backup group, charts Elvis’ gospel career with vintage photos, interviews and video footage of impromptu offstage performances. Premiums include performance DVDs, CDs and related merchandise.
The Heart of Perfect Health with Brenda Watson
Producing organization: Glass Onion Productions. Distributor: EPS. Length: Three-part, 60-minute pledge program and 90-pledge event (HD 16:9). Status: complete. Producer: Ellyne Lonergan. Contact: Alan Foster, [email protected], 540-483-4767. ¶ Following up her successful 2010 program “The Road to Perfect Health,” digestive care expert Brenda Watson shares compelling evidence of connection between digestive health and heart health, and describes easy ways to protect the heart by balancing the gut to achieve healthy digestion. Premiums include program DVD, companion book and related merchandise.
Il Volo Takes Flight at Christmas
Producing organization and presenting station: Detroit Public Television. Distributor: PBS. Length: 60-minute pledge program and 90-minute pledge event (HD 16:9). Status: postproduction. Producer: Ken Ehrlich. Director: Ron de Moraes. Contact: Lauren Smith, [email protected], 248-305-3791. ¶ Il Volo blends their favorite Christmas songs with tunes from their original concert special. Premiums include program DVD and related CDs.
Jesse Cook: Live in Concert
Producing organization and distributor: Santa Fe Productions. Presenting station: KVCR, San Bernardino, Calif. Length: 30-, 60- and 90-minute pledge editions (HD 16:9). Status: complete. Budget: $250,000. Producer: Paul Mercs. Contact: Dione Dirito, [email protected], 925-457-5261. ¶ Filmed in May at Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ontario, platinum-selling guitarist Jesse Cook performs blend of rumba, flamenco and salsa music. Premiums include program DVD, event tickets and related merchandise.
Mario Frangoulis: Beautiful Things
Producing organization and distributor: Santa Fe Productions. Presenting station: KVCR, San Bernardino, Calif. Length: 90 minutes in three acts (HD 16:9). Status: complete. Budget: $300,000. Conductor: Keith Lockhart. Contact: Heidi Brown, [email protected], 505-264-1783. ¶ Tenor Frangoulis and the Boston Pops perform contemporary, classical-crossover and world music with guests Hayley Westenra, Alkistis Protopsalti, George Perris. Premiums include DVD, event tickets and related merchandise.
Pieces of Light
Producing organization: Santa Fe Productions. Length: 60 minutes (HD 16:9). Status: postproduction. Budget: $150,000. E.p.: Anthony Tiano. Contact: Heidi Brown, [email protected], 505-264-1783. ¶ Special by producer of “Brain Fitness” programs shows how to make a stained-glass work of art from concept to cutting materials, leading and strengthening the assemblage. Premiums include program DVD, companion book and related merchandise.
Rhythm of the Dance
Producing organizations: Terrel Cass Productions/Desert C.A.M. Length: 60 minutes in three acts (HD 16:9). Status: postproduction. Budget: $500,000. Co-producer: Terrel Cass. Co-producer/director: Chip Miller. Contact: Terrel Cass, [email protected], 830-693-5294. ¶ Irish traditional dance performance shot in theater-style features dancers leaping from the stage into gorgeous Irish countryside locations. Premiums include program DVD, event tickets and related merchandise.
Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas, Baby (w.t.)
Producing organizations: Verve Music Group in association with Thirteen for WNET. A presentation of Great Performances. Distributor: PBS. Presenting station: WNET. Length: 60 minutes (HD 16:9). Status: preproduction. Executive producers: David Horn, Robert Smith. Producer: Ann Kim. Director: Jim Gable. Contact: David Ernst, [email protected], 212-560-2946. ¶ Concert features 13 classic songs from Rod Stewart’s first holiday album, including duets with Michael Bublé, Cee Lo Green, Mary J. Blige and even Ella Fitzgerald. Premiums include program DVD and other CDs.
Tamar Geller’s The Loved Dog
Producing organizations: Terrel Cass Productions/Kim Rubin-KOCE, Los Angeles. Length: 60 minutes in three acts (HD 16:9). Budget: $225,000. Status: fundraising, preproduction. Co-producer: Kim Rubin. Associate producer: Brenda Brkusic. Contact: Terrel Cass, [email protected], 830-693-5294. ¶ Tamar Geller, an ex-Israeli Intelligence officer and developer of the “Loved Dog” training method, helps dogs and their people (mostly Hollywood stars) learn how to live with each other. Premiums include program DVD, companion book and related merchandise.
March ’13
Tackling Memory Loss with Dr. Neal Barnard
Producing organization and presenting station: Detroit Public Television. Distributor: PBS. Length: 60-minute pledge program and 90-minute pledge event (HD 16:9). Status: scripting. Executive producer: Jamie Westrick. Producer: Lauren Smith. Contact: Lauren Smith, [email protected], 248-305-3791. ¶ Learn how to prevent memory loss and protect your brain in three simple steps, with new research and action steps from Dr. Barnard, a leading advocate for health, nutrition and higher standards in research, and host of past pledge programs “Tackling Diabetes” and “Kickstart Your Health.” Premiums include program DVD, companion book and related DVDs.
The Texas Tenors
Producing organization: Terrel Cass Productions. Length: 60 minutes in three acts (HD 16:9). Status: preproduction. Budget: $600,000. Executive producer: Terrel Cass. Contact: Terrel Cass, [email protected], 830-693-5294. ¶ The Texas Tenors, of America’s Got Talent fame, perform an intriguing mix of classical, folk, and country music classics — everything from “O Sole Mio” to “Mountain Morning.” Guests include Lee Greenwood and others. Premiums include program DVD, event tickets and related merchandise.
Tribute to Freddy Fender (w.t.)
Producing organizations: Terrel Cass Productions/Terry Lickona Productions. Distributor: PBS. Presenting station: KLRU, Austin, Texas. Length: 60 minutes in three acts (HD 16:9). Status: fundraising, preproduction. Budget: $500,000. Producers: Terrel Cass, Terry Lickona, Jeff Peterson. Contact: Terrel Cass, [email protected], 830-693-5294. ¶ Tribute to the late Freddy Fender features his songs performed by friends and stars who loved his music, including Fender’s old band, the Texas Tornados. To be shot in the Austin City Limits studio. Premiums include program DVDs and related merchandise.
Unleash the Power of the Female Brain with Dr. Daniel Amen
Producing organization: Mindworks Productions. Distributor: EPS. Length: Three-part 60-minute pledge program and 90-pledge event (HD 16:9). Status: preproduction, scripting. Contact: Alan Foster, [email protected], 540-483-4767. ¶ Dr. Amen, host of six previous pledge specials, tells how to harness strengths of the female brain — intuition, collaboration, self-control and empathy — and overcome anxiety and depression. Premiums include program DVD and companion book.
A Younger You with Dr. Howard Murad (w.t.)
Producing organization: Lightbridge Media. Distributor: EPS. Episodes: Three-part, 60-minute pledge program and 90-minute pledge event (HD 16:9). Status: preproduction. Executive producers: Roy Walkenhorst, Judy Brooks. Contact: Alan Foster, [email protected], 540-483-4767. ¶ Dermatologist Dr. Murad draws on three decades of research to present his breakthrough “Inclusive Health” approach to controlling aging and help patients look younger, feel healthier and live happier. Premiums include program DVD, companion book and related merchandise. n
Might Season Three of “Downton Abbey” be run as a pledge event?