From INSIDE SADDAM’S IRAQ to VIRGINIA’S LEWIS & CLARK: ROOTS OF A LEGACY American Public Television offers stations an exciting variety of program titles for fall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2004
Contact: Donna Hardwick
617-338-4455, ext. 129
donna_hardwick@aptonline.org

March 30, 2004 (Boston, Mass.) American Public Television will hold its spring teleconference on April 7-8, 2004 and will offer public television stations several exciting new titles options for summer and fall 2004, including; BURT WOLF: TRAVELS & TRADITIONS V, THE COLLEGE TRACK, GETTYSBURG: THE BOYS IN BLUE & GRAY, INSIDE SADDAM’S IRAQ, JACQUES PEPIN: FAST FOOD MY WAY, JAPAN’S WAR IN COLOR, LIFE LAUNDRY, MARTIN YAN QUICK & EASY, QUEST FOR THE SEA, RICK STEVES’ EUROPE III, ROYALS AND THEIR PETS, SERVANTS and VIRGINIA’S LEWIS & CLARK: ROOTS OF A LEGACY. Contract confirmation for these titles is pending voting by Public Television stations – all votes are due back to APT by April 23, 2004.

BURT WOLF: TRAVELS & TRADITIONS V, from APT Exchange, returns for a fifth season. In this latest installment, shot entirely on location in cities throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, the Caribbean and Asia, host Burt Wolf travels the world to examine the history, culture, customs, foods, festivals and tourist attractions.

THE COLLEGE TRACK, also from APT Exchange, is a thoughtful and provocative look at America’s commitment to equal access in education. It articulates a new reality: high school is no longer enough. The three-part series explores the struggles and barriers faced by students who hope to be the first in their families to attend college.

GETTYSBURG: THE BOYS IN BLUE & GRAY, another Exchange offer, is the sweeping epic story of the Battle of Gettysburg as experienced by the soldiers who were there. In July of 1863, General Robert E. Lee’s 75,000-strong army of Northern Virginia and the 97,000-man Union Army of the Potomac under General George G. Meade met in a momentous battle. This documentary includes seven full-scale reenactments, dramatic scenes, archival material and a stirring original score, transporting viewers back to the summer of 1863.

INSIDE SADDAM’S IRAQ, from APT Syndication, charts the course of Saddam Hussein, the man – from his humble background to his assumption of power and the subsequent development of his personality and cult status. It is a penetrating psychological profile of how a person becomes a dictator.

JACQUES PEPIN: FAST FOOD MY WAY, from APT Exchange, brings Jacques Pepin back to public television with 26 new episodes designed to appeal to accomplished chefs and amateurs alike. With his signature charm, Jacques presents quick, easy and delicious recipes for today’s busy lifestyle.

JAPAN’S WAR IN COLOR, from APT Syndication, is an extraordinary two-part series that uses never-before-seen footage to tell a story not previously attempted. It had been assumed that no color material existed in Japan until victorious United States forces arrived in 1945. That assumption was incorrect. After years, a team of committed international partners unearthed the material found in this documentary. This is the first color record of Japan ranging from Imperial Japanese troops in Manchuria in 1931 to domestic scenes of Japan in the 1930s; from preparations for war in 1939 to images of occupation troops in Shanghai in 1940.

LIFE LAUNDRY, also from APT Syndication, is a combination of Bargain Hunt, Mission Organization, Clean Sweep and Dr. Phil. Home consultant Dawna Walter and antiques expert Mark Franks visit the homes of self-confessed clutterbugs. After getting to the root of why a person or couple is so disorganized, Dawna and Mark flush out the jumble and disorder. Along the way, they often unearth emotional components that explain one’s attachment to possessions.

MARTIN YAN QUICK & EASY, from APT Exchange, brings back one of the world’s most honored masters of Asian cuisine, Martin Yan. In a fresh new format, Martin Yan returns from the supermarket, groceries in hand, to his studio kitchen and a lively audience. By the end of each of the 26 episodes, he has convinced everyone that cooking Asian meals at home can be quick, inexpensive and delicious – ideal for today’s lifestyle.

QUEST FOR THE SEA, from APT Syndication, is a new, reality mini-series from the producers of such APT hits as Quest for the Bay and Pioneer Quest. Hay Cove on the east coast of Newfoundland is converted into the quintessential 1930s fishing community and becomes the backdrop and new home of 10 adventurous souls who travel back in time to experience life as it was once lived in a Newfoundland outport community.

RICK STEVES’ EUROPE III, from APT Exchange, is the seventh series from the engaging travel host of this hit APT travel series and several pledge specials. The third season of RICK STEVES’ EUROPE offers a fresh perspective on the best travel advice, including where to stay, what to see and how to get around.

ROYALS AND THEIR PETS, also from APT Syndication, traces the trends created by these influential animal lovers. Narrated by Penelope Keith, the program includes insider commentary from Royal biographer Ingrid Seward and Katharine McDonogh, author of Reigning Cats and Dogs. Their testimony includes fun recollections of Royal pet misbehavior and mayhem through the ages from Queen Victoria’s Pomeranians, Dachshunds and Collies; King George’s pet parrot, Charlotte; to Queen Elizabeth II’s superb breed of Sandringham Labradors, and her cherished dynasty of Corgis and “Dorgis” – half Dachshund, half Corgi.

SERVANTS, another APT Syndication offer, is an engaging six-part drama series that focuses on the hopes, dreams and ambitions of those who make a great household work. Set in a country house in 1850s England, life “below stairs” is a hive of activity – home to a boisterous crowd of servants who thrive in a hidden community where intrigue, rivalry, secrets, laughter and love abound.

VIRGINIA’S LEWIS & CLARK: ROOTS OF A LEGACY, from APT Exchange, focuses on the history and legacy of the two famous explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They grew up in a time when dreams of western exploration became reality. Now, 200 years later, our nation commemorates their extraordinary westward journey.

For a complete list of programs due to begin airing this summer and fall, please log on to aptonline.org or contact Donna Hardwick for more information.

About American Public Television

For 42 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation’s public television stations. APT has more than 10,000 hours of available programming including Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter, Globe Trekker, Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World, Rick Steves’ Europe, Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home, Ballykissangel, Brian Jacques’ Redwall and Sinatra: The Classic Duets. APT is known for identifying innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers. In more than four decades, it has established a tradition of providing public television stations nationwide with program choices that enable them to strengthen and customize their schedules.

Press should contact Donna Hardwick at 617-338-4455 ext. 129 or via email to donna_hardwick@aptonline.org. For more information about APT's programs and services, log on to aptonline.org.