NEWS FROM
ETV ENDOWMENT OF
SOUTH CAROLINA
MAY/JUNE
2 01 7
The Story of China
C
hina is home to more than a billion people, and its influence is
rapidly growing throughout the world. The Story of China, written
and presented by historian Michael Wood, takes you on an incredible
adventure that reveals the mysteries of China from its ancient roots
to the present day. In this groundbreaking six-part series, you’ll learn
startling facts about how the oldest state in the world developed and
how its history is impacting the present and future.
Wood presents much more than a linear picture — he looks at
themes and explores the historical events that contributed to shaping
who the Chinese people are today.
{
Your journey starts at the shrine of the prehistoric Goddess Nüwa, who
is believed to have made the first people from the yellow mud of the
The Qin family — all 300
Yellow River. Following the ancient myths, Wood looks for the origins
of them — are gathering in
of the Chinese state at the excavations at Erlitou, in the wheat fields of
Wuxi at the grave of their
Henan, where he sees a turquoise dragon scepter from 2000 BC.
ancestor, Qin Guan, a poet
You’ll meet some of the great characters of Chinese history —
who lived 1,000 years ago.
emperors, scientists, rebels and novelists — including China’s
They have come from all
Shakespeare, Du Fu, and discover the wisdom in a book published in
over China to commemorate 1085, How to Live Happy, Healthy Lives for Old People, which is still
their ancestors on Tombin print today.
Wood brings to life the key dynasties from its first empire, the
Sweeping Day. They report
on how their values still live Shang, dating from 1500 BC, to the Tang Dynasty, which lasted from
on. The family story mirrors 618-907 and was China’s first great international age. You’ll travel along
the Silk Road to the bazaars and into India to learn more about the
the story of the nation.
Chinese monk who brought Buddhism back to China.
The Song Dynasty (960–1279) was China’s most creative and a
great era for scientific inventions. The last Chinese empire, the Qing (1644–1911), began with war as
the Manchus swept down from the north, and the nation doubled in size, creating the shape of China
today. The series concludes with the great rebellions of the 19th century, the rise of Mao Zedong and
the vibrant people and culture that are the hallmarks of China today.
The Story of China is the first television series to deliver comprehensive insights into a country that
once was the greatest civilization on earth and is now a superpower that is changing the course of
history. Not to be missed, it will greatly increase your understanding of China and pique your interest
in this fascinating country.
Check your Scene magazine for date and time.
{
Credits: Mick Duffield; Nick Foxall Productions; Michael Wood.
2 The Endowment Insider
Gather with family and friends to honor
our men and women in uniform and celebrate an American tradition. The spectacular 28th annual National Memorial Day
Concert will air live from the West Lawn of
the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, May 28.
Cohosted by Tony Award-winner Joe
Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary
Sinise, this extravaganza features an allstar lineup of musicians, singers and actors.
In addition to the audience in Washington
and millions of home viewers, the concert
will be beamed to troops around the world
on the American Forces Network.
You’ll hear touching stories of service
and sacrifice from men and women who
have spent many years far from home
fighting for our freedom... a mother or
father who has lost a child... spouses and
children left behind... people wounded in
body and soul. The concert commemorates
and reaches out to all of them.
“Join us for a night to remember,” said
Mantegna.
Airs Sunday, May 28 at 8 p.m. on SCETV.
Membership
ETV Endowment
864-591-0046
[email protected]
www.etvendowment.org
ETV Endowment of SC
401 E. Kennedy St., Suite B-1
Spartanburg, SC 29302
Programming
SCETV and SC Public Radio:
803-737-3200 or 800-922-5437
[email protected]
www.scetv.org and www.scpublicradio.org
A Word from … COBY HENNECY
Dear ETV Endowment Member,
I love spring! No matter what we endure
through the winter months, we know we can
count on the return of the things that delight
and encourage us. Like a welcome visit from an
old friend, the leaves reappear on the trees, the
flower gardens show off their colors, the birds
fill the air with song and the teams take to the
ball fields.
On SCETV you’ll enjoy the return of some old
friends to the screen as well. Historian Michael
Wood, who has been enlightening us on the cultures of the world for decades, brings us a new
and timely six-part series about China. If you’re
a fan of Masterpiece — and who isn’t? — you’ll
recognize the familiar faces of Joanne Froggatt
(Anna in Downton Abbey) and Tim Pigott-Smith
(Police Superintendent Ronald Merrick in The
Jewel in the Crown) taking on new roles as a
serial killer and as Prince Charles. And we’ll
have return visits with James Beard, Jacques
Pépin and Julia Child on Chefs Flight.
THE TONYNOMINATED
BROADWAY
PLAY COMES
INTO YOUR
HOME!
Of course, spring also
means Spoleto Festival USA,
and SC Public Radio once
again brings you the highlights from the 17 days of
performances that you won’t
want to miss!
For the 14th year running, PBS and member
stations were voted by a nationwide survey
as “The Most Trusted Institution in the United
States.” And we’re grateful to be able to trust
our members year after year for their ongoing
confidence and support. Thank you!
Coby C. Hennecy, CPA, CFRE
Executive Director
ETV Endowment of South Carolina
Masterpiece presents King Charles III, the television adaptation of the play
that was a smash-hit in London and on Broadway. Tim Pigott-Smith, who
starred in the theater performance, also stars in the adaptation.
The drama imagines what would happen if Prince Charles
were to ascend the throne after the death of his mother, Queen
Elizabeth. Prince Charles, now 68, is the longest serving heir
apparent in British history. Mike Bartlett, who wrote both versions,
crafted the play in verse and iambic pentameter.
As the program begins, Elizabeth II has died, and
Charles is in charge. Rather quickly, he is drawn into
a conflict over a bill that would severely regulate
the press. Charles, concerned that the law is too
restrictive, asks for changes. When the Prime
Minister refuses, the country and royal family are
thrown into chaos.
“King Charles III is an ingenious play that
promises to be as riveting on television as it
was onstage,” said Rebecca Eaton, executive
producer, Masterpiece. “It’s a play set in the
near future, but with Shakespeare never far away.”
Airs Sunday, May 21 at 9 p.m. on SCETV.
Credit: Johan Persson © Almeida Theatre
Victorian Slum House
In the heart of London’s East End, a Victorian slum has been recreated and a group of people has
moved in to experience the life their ancestors led from the 1860s through the 1900s. Joined by
Michael Mosley as commentator, this five-part series, Victorian Slum House, tells the extraordinary
story of how residents eked out a living, educated their children and met the challenges they faced.
When we first see them, they are living in sparse rooms, sharing a water pump and using
outdoor privies. They struggle with the vicious cycle of poverty and debt.
The programs show them living through the economic depression and high unemployment of
the 1870s and 1880s. In the 1890s, the group experiences slight improvement with the arrival of
mass-manufactured goods, but not everyone can afford them. In the 1900s, they can finally benefit
from programs designed to help the poor.
During each episode, participants comment on what they are going through, and Mosley adds
narrative to give us a deeper understanding of the plight of the poor and the lessons we can learn
for the future.
Credit: BBC2
Begins Tuesday, May 2 at 8 p.m. on SCETV.
CHEFS FLIGHT
Credits: Dan Wynn; Amanda Marsalis; Kevin Berne
Four of the great culinary masters share their cooking secrets and life stories
as American Masters presents Chefs Flight — new documentaries on James Beard
and Jacques Pépin and encore presentations about Julia Child and Alice Waters.
“James Beard: America’s
First Foodie” takes you into
the kitchen of the “Dean of
American Cookery,” who
stressed the importance of
localism and sustainability
long before it became
popular. Beard championed what America had
to bring to the table, wrote 20 books and was
the first chef to go on television to teach both
women and men how to cook.
“Julia! America’s Favorite Chef” tells two love
stories: one between Julia
and Paul Child, the other
between Julia and French
food. She introduced French
cuisine to American home
cooks through her pioneering PBS television series,
The French Chef, and her
cookbooks.
“Alice Waters and Her
Delicious Revolution”
follows this activist and
owner of the famous Chez
Panisse as she shops,
cooks and explains the
importance of eating locally
and healthfully. She has taken her gift for food
and turned it into consciousness about the
environment, nutrition and social change.
“Jacques Pépin — The Art
of Craft” brings you into the
world of a young man who
was not content cooking for
French presidents, and thus
came to America. With his
landmark television shows
and cookbooks, he ushered
in a new era in American food culture.
Chefs Flight airs Friday,
May 19 & 26 at 9 p.m. on SCETV.
The Endowment Insider 3
Dark Angel
Can someone
so charming be so evil...?
“Can I pour you a cup of tea?” Dispensing death from a teapot, Mary Ann Cotton
poisoned at least 13 people. Dark Angel, a
two-part drama on Masterpiece, is based
on a true story and is inspired by David
Wilson’s book, Mary Ann Cotton: Britain’s
First Female Serial Killer.
Dark Angel paints a revealing portrait of
a troubled woman who spent more than
20 years killing people, many of whom
were her husbands, children and friends.
Joanne Froggatt, the actress who played
Anna on Downtown Abbey, stars as Cotton.
Born in England in 1832, Cotton grew up
in poverty and dreamed of escaping the
hard life of a miner’s family. She worked
as a Sunday school teacher and nurse, but
she wanted more and hit on a successful
strategy: keep moving, be charming and
exude self-confidence. She was married
four times and had 13 children.
Why did she kill? Many say she was
motivated by money — Cotton took out
insurance policies on a number of her
victims. She was finally
caught and convicted
for killing the son of
her fourth husband.
Airs Sunday,
May 14 at 9 p.m.
on SCETV.
Credit ©Justin Slee
Photography 2015 and
ITV for Masterpiece
SCETVNL0517
4 The Endowment Insider
S P OL E TO COVE R A G E
Returns to SC Public Radio
As part of an ongoing commitment to public affairs coverage and
transparency in government, SCETV is delighted to present This
Week in South Carolina, produced in association with the University
of South Carolina College of Information and Communications.
Charles Bierbauer, dean of the college and former CNN and ABC
news reporter, hosts the program, which is broadcast from the
Kennedy Greenhouse Studio on the university campus.
The weekly, half-hour show will focus on issues in the Legislature and government that impact South Carolina, highlighting one
topic each week with interviews with political leaders, news makers
and policy makers. This Week in South Carolina will air new episodes each Friday on SCETV at 7:30 p.m. and will be rebroadcast
on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on ETV World and Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.
on the SC Channel. The programs will also be available online at
scetv.org following each broadcast.
The Spoleto Festival USA
returns to Charleston,
opening on May 26, and
South Carolina Public Radio will once again bring
listeners the highlights. Listen for performances
and reports from Charleston including the latest
happenings, along with guest interviews and
previews of upcoming shows. Highlights of Spoleto Festival USA
include the opera Eugene Onegin, Waiting for Godot, music with Della
Mae, dance by Ayodele Casel and jazz with Dee Dee Bridgewater.
Tune in for Spoleto Festival USA coverage throughout the day
May 26-June 11 on SC Public Radio.
“This is America’s greatest
untold story,” says Robert Redford, who is one of the executive
producers of American Epic, a
three-part historical documentary
that will be aired along with the
feature-length film, The American
Epic Sessions.
The story takes you through
the trailblazing era of the late
1920s, when record company talent scouts toured America with a
recording machine and for the first time captured the raw expression
of an emerging musical culture that led to the development of blues,
country, gospel, Hawaiian, Cajun and folk music. The remarkable lives
of these seminal musicians are revealed through previously unseen
film footage, photographs and exclusive interviews.
For The American Epic Sessions, the filmmakers reassembled the
recording machine and replicated the atmosphere of the 1920s field
recordings down to the smallest detail, with top American artists
recording straight to wax, using original microphones, amplifiers and
other equipment from that era. The documentary features performances by Alabama Shakes, Merle Haggard, Elton John, Pokey
LaFarge and many others.
It’s a wonderful trip down memory lane that celebrates musical
greats and American technological innovation.
Airs Tuesday, May 16 at 9 p.m.
N O P LE DGE DRIV E P LE DG E D R I VE
Springtime is perfect for clearing out things that have piled up
all winter, including the car that you no longer need. Whether it is
the family vehicle, a classic car that you’ll never get around to
working on or even a boat, motorcycle or RV, you can support the
programming you love on SCETV and SC Public Radio by donating
it to the ETV Endowment. It’s easy! Call 877-227-2388 and we’ll
make arrangements to have your vehicle picked up and take care
of all of the paperwork.
The No Pledge Drive Pledge Drive is designed
Thank
to give listeners every minute of the radio programs
on which they rely and still raise the money needed
You!
to keep that programming on air. It’s a different kind
of fundraising campaign, and for the third time our
members really responded!
Thank you! Together we exceeded our $300,000 fundraising goal. Because of members like you, we are able to
continue to bring you the quality programming you love —
without interruption. And, as we promised, there was no
pledge drive in April!