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KQED On Q: Web Exclusives
Find out more about the people and programs that make public media so special. Check back often for more exclusive Web-only interviews and stories.
New Host, New Sound for TED Radio Hour
When On Q's editor spoke to Guy Raz in February, he and his team were working feverishly to finish the first episode of the TED Radio Hour (which aired on KQED Public Radio on March 1), drinking 5-Hour Energy and not getting enough sleep. "It's like being at a startup," he said. "What I imagine a startup must be like."
Leading Lady Detective
Get ready to immerse yourself in the opulent, exciting world of Australia's leading lady detective, Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis), in the drama series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Phryne (pronounced FRY-nee) is a glamorous and thoroughly modern woman of the 1920s operating in a mostly male world.
Meet Mr. Selfridge
Jeremy Piven stars as the upstart American who taught the English how to shop on Mr. Selfridge, a new eight-part Masterpiece Classic series created by award-winning writer Andrew Davies, premiering March 31, 2013 on KQED 9. Piven recently talked about his first television stint since his Golden Globe– and Emmy–award winning role as Ari Gold in Entourage.
Below Stairs
The characters above stairs at Downton Abbey often seem to get much of the attention — the women certainly get the better costumes. How about hearing from someone who spends most of her time below stairs? Actress Lesley Nicols spoke candidly to KQED about how she came to get the role of Downton’s bossy cook, how she prepared for the role, her (lack of) home cooking skills and about being recognized at Starbucks in Los Angeles.
The End of an Era — Belva Davis Retires from KQED
Belva Davis finally has some time to breathe as she sits down to talk at the KQED studios. She's recently returned from the 2012 national political conventions and is looking ahead to her final broadcast as host of This Week in Northern California on November 9, 2012. Belva smiles, "I hope it turns out to be interesting and not a teary messy muddle."
A Look Inside The California Report
Ingrid Becker is the senior producer for KQED Public Radio's statewide news service The California Report, which can be heard on 29 radio stations across the state. She spoke to On Q about her career path, what makes a good story and how her job has changed over the past decade.
Frederica von Stade and the Power of Music
Opera star Frederica von Stade hosts the third season of KQED's co-productions with San Francisco Opera. This year's operas — The Magic Flute, Salome, Il Trittico and Otello — air Thursdays at 8pm, September 20–October 11, 2012. The mezzo-soprano spoke to On Q's editor about her career and her involvement in Bay Area youth music education programs.
Cheuse Reviews
Alan Cheuse wears a number of professional hats. Trained as a literary scholar, he's been reviewing books on All Things Considered since the 1980s and splits his time between the coasts. He spends nine months of the year in Washington, D.C., where he teaches writing at George Mason University, and writing during the summers in Santa Cruz. He graciously offered himself up as an interview subject
The Lowdown from Downton Abbey
In August 2011, as filming of Downton Abbey's second season was wrapping up, Dan Stevens, Elizabeth McGovern, and Michelle Dockery spent several days visiting the West Coast. During their whirlwind trip to San Francisco, they spoke with On Q's editor about their experiences filming the series. Find out what they did to prepare for their roles, which is their favorite room in the Downton house, and which question they're most tired of being asked.
A New Telling of a Classic Tale
San Francisco Ballet received choreographer/director John Neumeier's rare permission to present the American premiere of The Little Mermaid in March 2010. The ballet—as much theater as it is dance—takes the performers and the audience into deep emotional terrain. It premieres on public television stations across the country in December 2011. San Francisco Ballet prima ballerina Yuan Yuan Tan spoke to KQED about her experience as the Mermaid.
The Untold Story of a Great American Rock Band
Coming to public television in October 2011, Pearl Jam Twenty is a definitive portrait of the seminal rock band, created by award-winning director and music journalist Cameron Crowe. In a recent interview, band members discussed their early musical influences.
MindShift: Exploring the Future of Education
As students and teachers return to school, some will be in the classroom reading from books and writing on blackboards (true, it's more likely white boards these days) as educators and children have done for generations. Others, however, will be sharing information on iPads, watching instructional videos on YouTube, and studying using apps on their smartphones—often using technology developed by companies in Silicon Valley
The Opera Returns to KQED
Celebrated sopranos, renowned tenors, and beloved baritones return to KQED for a second run of San Francisco Opera productions, recorded live in high definition at the War Memorial Opera House. The 2011 series features Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème and Tosca and Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia de Lammermoor and The Elixir of Love.
We spoke to David Gockley, general director of San Francisco Opera, about changes that have come to opera since filming began and about the series.
KQED News Partnerships Bring You More Bay Area Coverage
KQED News is participating in Networked Journalism, a national program connecting established news organizations with blogs in their communities. KQED community news coordinator Molly Samuel took some time to discuss the program and how it will help keep you informed about what's happening in all corners of the Bay Area.
Keeping Watch on News in California
The investigative team at California Watch has partnered with KQED for several insightful reports, and continues to shed light on issues that are at times overlooked by other media outlets. Michael Montgomery, a producer-reporter for KQED News and California Watch, recently answered some questions about the organization and its work.
American Experience
Mark Samels has been the executive producer of American Experience since 2003. Produced by WGBH/Boston, American Experience is television's most-watched and longest running history series. During a visit to San Francisco, Mark took time to talk about the series and its current (23rd) season.
From City Hall to KQED
Scott Shafer is a trusted voice of the news on KQED Radio. He provides insightful analysis and in-depth coverage of important issues as host and reporter for weekly newsmagazine The California Report. But Scott hasn't always been a radio host. Learn about his path to radio and what he does when he's not behind the mic.
Get Your News Fix
News Fix is KQED’s weekday blog about events and stories impacting the Bay Area and beyond. It draws from the growing number of websites, blogs, and online resources covering Northern California and adds the expert reporting and analysis of KQED journalists.
Jon Brooks is News Fix’s editor, host, chief blogger, and Bay Area newshound, searching for what’s news in the region. He took time from a busy day to answer a few questions.
The Hidden World of Girls
The Kitchen Sisters, Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva, are award-winning independent producers who have been working together in the Bay Area for more than 25 years. They are now hard at work on a new year-long multimedia series exploring the hidden world of girls. Find out more in a conversation with Davia.
Earth Days
Earth Days—acclaimed documentary director Robert Stone's latest project—premieres on KQED at 9pm on Thursday, April 22, 2010. Stone talked to KQED about the making of the film and his hopes for the future.
The New NewsHour
On December 7, 2009 The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer will re-launch
with a new look, a new correspondent, and a new program title: PBS
NewsHour.
Jim Lehrer recently shared his thoughts about the upcoming changes in a short
question and answer session.
View from the Director's Chair
Robert Stone has developed an international reputation over the last 20 years, with a range of unique and critically acclaimed feature documentaries about American history, pop culture, and the mass media. He spoke to KQED about his career path, Civilian Conservation Corps—his newest film for American Experience, and the modern environmental movement.
Either You're In or You're in the Way
Logan and Noah Miller were working-class twentysomethings chasing big baseball dreams when their homeless, alcoholic father died in Marin County Jail. Against considerable odds, the tenacious twins parlayed their grief into a film, and now the book Either You're In or You're in the Way. They open up about their hard-won success and the personal events that led them to it.
On the Road with Doug McConnell
KQED is proud to welcome Doug McConnell to the public television family with OpenRoad, a new weekly series focusing on the entire West—from Alaska to Mexico and the Rockies to Hawaii. Learn more about Doug's early travels, his favorite park and his biggest honor. (Hint: It involves an official ranger hat.)
In Conversation with Wayne Thiebaud
His iconic still lifes pay homage to America's favorite foods, and his insights into the theory of painting have influenced generations of students. At age 88, Wayne Thiebaud still paints every day.
A conversation with Kristi Yamaguchi, host of "Great Performances Dance in America: San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker"
Kristi Yamaguchi speaks about her own family holiday traditions, her experience on Dancing with the Stars, and her Always Dream Foundation. Watch Kristi host the television premiere of the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker on December 17, 8pm on KQED TV 9.
One on One with Jacques Pépin
Jacques Pépin, one of today's most respected chefs and teachers, returns to public television with Jacques Pépin: More Fast Food My Way. Find out what Jacques had to say about current and future projects, cooking at home and more.
Exhuming History with "The Judge and The General"
With The Judge and the General, Bay Area filmmaker Elizabeth Farnsworth and co-director Patricio Lanfranco vividly portray the kind of character transformation that alters not just an individual's life, but the course of history. Read an interview with Elizabeth Farnsworth.
