Nostalgia Nights

9:00pm - This is a portrait of the film star that began her career as a child actor and grew up to star in such noted films as “Rebel Without a Cause”, “Bob and Ted and Carol and Alice”, and “West Side Story”. Her life tragically ended at the age of forty-three when she drowned off the coast of Catalina under mysterious circumstances. Interviews with friends and fellow actors, as well as one with Ms. Wood herself, presents a revealing look at one of the major film actresses of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

10:00pm - The petite star of such classics as “Roman Holiday”, “Funny Face”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, and “My Fair Lady” is profiled in this film that includes remembrances from many of her friends and colleagues, as well as clips from her many films.

11:00pm - Academy Award-winning actress, singer, and dancer Shirley MacLaine is certainly one of Hollywood’s most colorful figures. This biography discusses her life and career, and includes clips from many of her films, such as “The Apartment” and “Irma LaDouce”. Never a shrinking violet, MacLaine herself explains many of her political and mystical interests.

Known as one of the coolest entertainers that ever lived, Dean Martin had a long and successful career as a singer/actor. This documentary takes a look at his early days as a boxer, then as a crooner that caught a break when he joined up with a young comedian named Jerry Lewis and formed one of the most notable comedy teams of all time. It also covers the team’s breakup, Martin’s subsequent success in the movies and television.

8:00pm - In this special, the greatest stars of Broadway tell their stories of how they came to New York and created great theatre. Interviews and archival footage paint a portrait of the magical history of the Great White Way and the many famous shows whose titles were up in lights.

9:30pm - This is a collection of Tony Award musical numbers from the past, and includes performances from Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet, Gwen Verdon, and others, from the days before they were household names.

11:00pm - This program explores the portrayals of Asian men in American cinema, chronicling the experiences of actors who have had to struggle against ethnic stereotyping. Included are interviews with actors and directors, as well as a parade of 50 film clips spanning a century.

8:00pm - Marvin Gaye was one of the great figures of American music, producing hits in the 1960’s and 70’s, peaking with the anthem “What’s Going On” in 1971. This documentary profiles the man that combined gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, and jazz to create his own intimate style, and includes his battles with demons, which ultimately led to his death at the hanks of his own father.

9:00pm - This concert features the Steve Miller Band, which has been making music and recording hits since the early 1970’s. Among the songs performed are “Take the Money and Run”, “Fly like an Eagle”, and “The Joker”.

9:00pm - This is a revealing portrait of a man considered by many to be the greatest entertainer in the history of American pop culture. From his boyhood days in New Jersey and spanning though his 60 year career, this biography covers his teen-idol days with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra, his rise in 1940’s Hollywood, his decline in the 1950’s, and his Rat Pack days of the 1960’s. Included are clips from his acting career, as well as his acceptance speech at the Academy Awards for the film that started his comeback, “From Here to Eternity”. Also included are concert clips, archival footage, and a look at his many notable romances.

10:00pm - A biography of the versatile singer/actor/performer considered by many to have been the greatest entertainer of all time. Spanning from his childhood to his early struggles with race issues to his “Rat Pack” days and beyond, this special includes rare performance footage of Davis singing such songs as “What Kind of Fool am I”, “Candy Man”, and “Mr. Bojangles”.

10:30pm - This year’s winner of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is actor, comedian, and writer Billy Crystal. Featured are highlights from Crystal’s career in television (Soap/Saturday Night Live) and film (When Harry Met Sally/City Slickers), as well as comic performances and tributes from a star-studded cast of Crystal’s friends and colleagues. Guests include Robin Williams, Whoppi Goldberg, and Martin Short.

8:00pm - This documentary salutes one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading men, James Stewart. Stewart’s claim to fame was his portrayal of ordinary men, and that quality provided him with a long career that included roles in a number of well-known classics, including “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Mr. Smith goes to Washington”, “The Philadelphia Story”, “Rear Window”, and “Vertigo”. Film clips and interviews provide an intimate portrait.

9:30pm - This is a portrait of the film star that began her career as a child actor and grew up to star in such noted films as “Rebel Without a Cause”, “Bob and Ted and Carol and Alice”, and “West Side Story”. Her life tragically ended at the age of forty-three when she drowned off the coast of Catalina under mysterious circumstances. Interviews with friends and fellow actors, as well as one with Ms. Wood herself, presents a revealing look at one of the major film actresses of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

10:30pm - This biography looks at the life of one of Hollywood’s most famous leading men, from his arrival in Tinseltown in 1945 to his death from AIDS in 1985. Hudson was a screen idol in the 1950’s thru the 1970’s with roles in such films as “Giant”, ‘A Farewell to Arms”, and a number of comedies with Doris Day, such as “Pillow Talk”. In his later years, he became a television star with “McMillan and Wife” and “Dynasty”. Included are clips from Hudson’s hit films and footage from his private home-movie collection, as well as interviews with fellow actors and a tearful tribute from Doris Day.

10:00pm - Springsteen performs favorites from his “The Seeger Sessions”, as well as other tunes from the large Springsteen songbook, in this 2006 concert.

11:00pm - This documentary film consists of clips from concert and studio performances and never-before-seen interviews from the groundbreaking British band that defined punk rock in the late 1970’s and early 80’s. It covers their six-year career, which produced five albums whose elements included a mix of reggae, funk, and rock. They were considered to be such an influential band that, despite their short career, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

11:00pm - No rock band has ever had a bigger cultural impact than the Beatles. This special takes a look at the boys from Liverpool through tons of rare interview footage from 1963 to 1969, and concentrates on the last year in which they toured by providing a month-by-month calendar of their activities. It is a fascinating profile of what it was like to be the most famous band on earth.

8:00pm - This is a fascinating five-part British series that focuses on one year from each decade from the 1940’s thorough the 1980’s and recalls the news events, music, television programs, movies, and lifestyle that represented each of the selected years. It provides a great way to rekindle precious memories and to put the various years of 1946, 1956, 1966, 1976, and 1981 into perspective.

8:00pm - This is a fascinating five-part British series that focuses on one year from each decade from the 1940’s thorough the 1980’s and recalls the news events, music, television programs, movies, and lifestyle that represented each of the selected years. It provides a great way to rekindle precious memories and to put the various years of 1946, 1956, 1966, 1976, and 1981 into perspective.

8:00pm- Country star Hank Williams remains as one of the most iconic figures in American music despite a relatively short career in the limelight. From 1947 to his death at the age of 29 in 1952, he recorded only 66 songs…with an astonishing 37 of them becoming hits, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry”. His life and music are profiled in this documentary, including his health and alcohol problems, which eventually resulted in his dismissal from the Grand Ole Opry not long before his death.

9:00pm - Hank Williams is considered by many to be the greatest country songwriter of all time, despite the fact that his life ended at the age of 29. This is the remarkable story of William’s early career years told through rare interviews with members of his early bands, who recount how he rose to stardom with such classics as “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”.

10:00pm - This documentary profiles the famous musical family from Virginia that drew upon the rich traditions of the Appalachians to create songs that would lay the foundation for folk, country, and bluegrass. Rare photos and archival footage help tell the tale of these musical pioneers.

11:00pm - The long career of Kenny Rogers is explored through concert footage spanning decades, as well as through interviews with Rogers, his family, and friends. Also featured is a recent concert in which Rogers performs such hits as “Ruby, Don’t Take your Love to Town”, “Lucille”, and “The Gambler”.

8:00pm - A look at the Oscar-winning film actress that became the wife of Prince Rainier III of Monaco, thus becoming a real-life princess. Until her tragic death in an automobile accident, she lived a life reserved for someone you would see in the movies.

9:00pm - The petite star of such classics as “Roman Holiday”, “Funny Face”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, and “My Fair Lady” is profiled in this film that includes remembrances from many of her friends and colleagues, as well as clips from her many films.

10:00pm - Film clips from Marilyn’s greatest moments on film, interviews with those who knew her best, and home movies combine to paint a portrait of one of Hollywood’s greatest sex symbols. Included are scenes from “Some Like it Hot”, “The Seven-Year Itch”, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, and “The Misfits”, as well as clips from some of her earlier less-known films.

Frank Sinatra: The Man and the Myth

8:00pm - This is a revealing portrait of a man considered by many to be the greatest entertainer in the history of American pop culture. From his boyhood days in New Jersey and spanning though his 60 year career, this biography covers his teen-idol days with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra, his rise in 1940’s Hollywood, his decline in the 1950’s, and his Rat Pack days of the 1960’s. Included are clips from his acting career, as well as his acceptance speech at the Academy Awards for the film that started his comeback, “From Here to Eternity”. Also included are concert clips, archival footage, and a look at his many notable romances.

Dean Martin: The One and Only

9:00pm - Known as one of the coolest entertainers that ever lived, Dean Martin had a long and successful career as a singer/actor. This documentary takes a look at his early days as a boxer, then as a crooner that caught a break when he joined up with a young comedian named Jerry Lewis and formed one of the most notable comedy teams of all time. It also covers the team’s breakup, Martin’s subsequent success in the movies and television.

Sammy Davis Jr. “One Cool Cat”

10:00pm - A biography of the versatile singer/actor/performer considered by many to have been the greatest entertainer of all time. Spanning from his childhood to his early struggles with race issues to his “Rat Pack” days and beyond, this special includes rare performance footage of Davis singing such songs as “What Kind of Fool am I”, “Candy Man”, and “Mr. Bojangles”.

American Masters — “The World of Nat King Cole”

11:00pm - Nat King Cole was the singer of such popular songs as “Mona Lisa” and “Unforgettable” and was known for a silky voice that was very unique in its sound. Cole also was a pioneer in breaking through racial barriers in the entertainment industry by becoming the first African-American to host his own national radio and television shows. Through archival footage and interviews with family and friends, Cole’s extraordinary life is chronicled.

9:00pm- This special is a profile of one of television’s funniest ladies, Carol Burnett. For eleven years, America tuned in on Saturday nights to watch Carol and her cast perform some of the funniest sketches on TV, and to see Carole herself create some of comedy’s most enduring characters, as well as yell like Tarzan. Examined are Carol’s difficult childhood and her entire career, including the years following her variety show.

10:30pm - A portrait of one of our greatest comedians, probably known best for his long-running television shows. It includes rare tape of his earliest comedy routines, as well as interviews with many of his entertainment friends and co-stars. A long-overdue tribute to an overlooked comedy genius.

American Masters Judy Garland: By Myself

9:00pm - A portrait of the famous entertainer, which includes never-before-seen footage, rare movie outtakes, and intimate home movies of a young Judy and daughter Liza Minnelli.

Judy Garland — Duets

11:00pm - This special features thirty years worth of Garland’s television performances with other musical giants, such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, and daughter Liza Minnelli. Showcased is her incredible talent.

On Stage at the Kennedy Center — “The 2004 Mark Twain Prize”

9:00pm - The 2004 recipient of this American Humor award was Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels. An all-star array salutes him, including many of his former and present SNL cast members. Friday January 18th 9-10:30p

Bachman Cummings Songbook: American Woman and More

10:30pm - The songwriting and recording partnership of Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings have produced some of rock’s most memorable songs, including “American Woman”, “These Eyes”, and “Takin’ Care of Business”. In this concert taped in 2006, the duo perform 15 of their hits from their early days with the Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive, as well as from solo projects.

Kennedy Center Presents the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor 2006

9:00pm -The 2006 recipient of this honor goes to playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon, known for such works as “The Odd Couple”, “The Goodbye Girl”, “Biloxi Blues”, “Barefoot in the Park” and a host of others. The Simon tribute includes appearances from an all-star cast of his friends and colleagues, as well as classic clips from his film and TV career.

Paul Simon: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

10:30pm - Singer/songwriter Paul Simon is this year’s recipient of the Gershwin award, which is bestowed upon someone whose lifetime body of work has had an enormous impact upon popular music. A star-studded cast of Simon’s friends and colleagues perform and take part in this tribute.

William Holden: Golden Boy

8:00pm - “Sunset Boulevard”, “Stalag 17”, “Love is a Many Splendored Thing”, “The Wild Bunch”, and “Network” are just a few of the films that starred the Hollywood legend. This portrait looks at his life and long movie career.

Gregory Peck: His Own Man

9:00pm - A look at Peck’s life and long movie career, which included such classics as “To Kill a Mockingbird”, “Roman Holiday”, and “The Guns of Naverone”. Friday January 4th 9-10p

Steve McQueen: Man on the Edge

10:00pm - A portrait of the actor known for his cool demeanor and for his many hit films, including “The Great Escape”, “The Magnificent Seven”, ‘Bullitt”, and “The Thomas Crown Affair”.

Alan Ladd- The True Quiet Man

11:00pm - In 1954, Photoplay magazine named Alan Ladd the world’s most popular male film star. This biography looks at the life and career of the actor whose films included “Shane”, “This Gun for Hire”, and “The Great Gatsby”.

Slaphappy: The Movie

The Silent Movie era included such slapstick comedy stars as Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplain, Buster Keaton, The Keystone Cops, and Harold Lloyd. This movie is a compilation of some of silent film’s funniest moments, comprised of clips from the TV series “Slaphappy”.

*8:00 pm

Pioneers of Primetime

In the early days of television, the stars were performers like Milton Berle, Sid Ceasar, Red Skelton, Bob Hope, and Steve Allen. Many of these entertainers made the move from radio to TV and their influence in the creation of this new medium was invaluable. This special contains never-before-seen interviews with some of these comedy geniuses, as well as rare clips from early shows.

9:30 pm

On Stage at the Kennedy Center — “The 2004 Mark Twain Prize”

The 2004 recipient of this American Humor award was Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels. An all-star array salutes him, including many of his former and present SNL cast members.

10:30 pm

Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her

Mae West was the first “blonde bombshell” of Hollywood in the 1930’s, and her bawdy on-screen behavior changed the nation’s views of women and sex. Through interviews, archival footage, and clips from her films, the interesting life of this actress that challenged the censorship laws of that time is brought into focus.

8:00 pm

Ingrid Bergman Remembered

Ms. Bergman was one of the most famous actresses of her time, and her body of work included such classics as “Casablanca”, “Gaslight”, and “Anastasia”. This portrait examines her life and career, including the scandalous love affair with director Roberto Rossellini that plagued her for the rest of her days.

9:00 pm

Shirley MacLaine: Kicking up her Heels

Academy Award-winning actress, singer, and dancer Shirley MacLaine is certainly one of Hollywood’s most colorful figures. This biography discusses her life and career, and includes clips from many of her films, such as “The Apartment” and “Irma LaDouce”. Never a shrinking violet, MacLaine herself explains many of her political and mystical interests.

10:00 pm

Great Performances — “My Name is Barbra”

This is the first of the solo Barbra Streisand television specials, recorded in 1965. It went on to win five Emmys, and basically introduced a national audience to her remarkable talent. Included in the song list are such favorites as “People” and “Don’t Rain on my Parade”.

11:00pm

Great Performances- “Beverly Sills: Made in America”

One of America’s most well-known opera talents was Beverly Sills, who, until her retirement in 1980, had achieved her childhood dream to be an “opera star”. This portrait looks at her three-decade career of international fame and critical acclaim. Included are clips of her performances in some of the world’s best-known operas, as well as appearances on talk-shows, such as the Tonight Show, that accent her engaging personality and sense of humor.

9:00 pm

Great Performances- “Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Chicago”

Clapton joins leading guitarists on stage for a musical extravaganza in Chicago. Performers include Jeff Beck, Alvin Lee, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, John Mayer, and Sheryl Crow.

10:30 pm

Fawlty Towers Revisited

Fawlty Towers made its debut on the BBC nearly 30 years ago, and is considered one of the comedy icons of television history. This special, through clips and interviews with cast members, takes an in-depth look at the series, including how it was created by John Cleese, and the process it went though to get on the air.

9:30pm

Monty Python’s Personal Best

Monty Python’s Flying Circus originally ran from 1969 to 1974 and is considered to be one of the classic comedy programs of all time. Their mixture of insane British humor took the world by storm and their popularity continued through such feature films as “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “Life of Brian”. This episode highlights of best of John Cleese.

11:00pm

This year’s winner of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is actor, comedian, and writer Billy Crystal. Featured are highlights from Crystal’s career in television (Soap/Saturday Night Live) and film (When Harry Met Sally/City Slickers), as well as comic performances and tributes from a star-studded cast of Crystal’s friends and colleagues. Guests include Robin Williams, Whoppi Goldberg, and Martin Short.

American Masters- “Carol Burnett”

This special is a profile of one of television’s funniest ladies, Carol Burnett. For eleven years, America tuned in on Saturday nights to watch Carol and her cast perform some of the funniest sketches on TV, and to see Carole herself create some of comedy’s most enduring characters, as well as yell like Tarzan. Examined are Carol’s difficult childhood and her entire career, including the years following her variety show.

8:00pm

Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy

This documentary looks at the life of television’s first female superstar. When “I Love Lucy” premiered in 1951, Ball was a minor film star. But she and her husband, Desi Arnaz, created the series that would define the TV sit-com. Besides interviews with family and friends, this film also showcases the most extensive set of film and television clips from the comic icon’s career, thanks to an arrangement between American Masters and the Ball estate. Included is the little-seen “I Love Lucy” pilot.

9:30pm

Bing Crosby: Voice of the Century

Crooner and actor Bing Crosby was one of the nation’s most famous celebrities in the thirties thru the sixties. This special profiles his life and career and contains some rare original footage from his concerts, movies, and television appearances, as well as interviews with his family and friends. From his recording of “White Christmas” to his “road” pictures with buddy Bob Hope, Crosby was a true entertainment icon.

8:00pm

American Masters- Charles Schulz

This documentary profiles the man that created Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and Snoopy, and redefined the comic art form. Cartoonist Schulz was an unassuming man whose genius lay in depicting the daily collisions of insiders and outsiders by assigning different aspects of his personality to his Peanuts cast, thus expressing his perspectives about 20th Century America.

9:00pm
encores Monday November 5 at 10:30pm

American Masters- Bob Newhart: Unbuttoned”

A portrait of one of our greatest comedians, probably known best for his long-running television shows. It includes rare tape of his earliest comedy routines, as well as interviews with many of his entertainment friends and co-stars. A long-overdue tribute to an overlooked comedy genius.

10:30pm

Great Performances — “Broadway’s Lost Treasures”

8:00pm

This program is a compilation of Tony Award showstopping performances from theatre actors and actresses, many of them at the beginnings of their careers. Included is Patti LaPone singing “Anything Goes”, Jerry Orbach as the original Billy Flynn in “Chicago”, and Gregory Hines doing a number from “Jelly’s Last Jam”.

Broadways’ Lost Treasures:The Best of the Tony Awards

9:30pm

This is a collection of Tony Award musical numbers from the past, and includes performances from Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet, Gwen Verdon, and others, from the days before they were household names.

Great Performances — “Michael Buble: Caught in the Act”

11:00pm

Buble has been compared to a young Frank Sinatra and this special showcases not only his talent, but a musical style that harkens back to the big band era. Whether you like the standards, pop, or rock, Buble’s voice, charisma, and stage presence will reveal why he has become one of today’s most popular entertainers.

The Doris Day Special with Perry Como

8:00pm

This classic TV special has not been seen since its original broadcast in 1971 and features these two great musical superstars at the top of their careers. Each performs some of their individual hits as well as a number of duets. Included is Day singing “Secret Love” and “Sentimental Journey” and Como performing “Everybody Loves a Lover”.

Neil Sedaka: The Show Goes On

8:40pm

Singer, songwriter, and pianist Sedaka has been entertaining the world for over fifty years, from early hits such as “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen” and “Calendar Girl”, to later smashes like “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”, “Solitaire”, and “Laughter in the Rain”. This concert special was recorded in London in 2006, and features Sedaka at the piano performing all his hits.

Paul Anka Live

9:40pm

This concert was taped at the Montreal Jazz Festival and captures the recording and songwriting legend at his best. Included are his greatest hits, including “Diana”, “Times of Your Life”, and “You are my Destiny”. This special shows why this 1950’s teen idol can still attract new fans.

On Stage at the Kennedy Center — “The 2004 Mark Twain Prize”

10:30pm

The 2004 recipient of this American Humor award was Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels. An all-star array salutes him, including many of his former and present SNL cast members.

8:00pm

This three-part documentary is a comprehensive look at the 1940’s, with an emphasis on its most defining element, World War II. Photos, archival footage, and interviews help describe the personalities, politics, music, and lifestyle of this turbulent decade.

American Masters- “Walter Cronkite”

8:00pm

It is difficult to separate Walter Cronkite and history, as he covered thousands of news events during his 19 years as anchor of the CBS Evening News. This documentary looks at his life and career, and shows why Cronkite was one of the most trusted figures of our lifetime. It also goes beyond his biography, and tells the story of television news from its infancy.

American Masters- “Edward R. Murrow: This Reporter”

9:30pm

Edward R. Murrow was a true pioneer in the field of radio and television journalism. During his tenure on CBS, Murrow set a standard for network news that would be emulated for generations. He became a star through his World War II overseas reports, and became an icon through his ground-breaking weekly television series, “See It Now”. This documentary profiles Murrow’s life and career, including his famous battle with Senator Joseph McCarthy over McCarthy’s dogged mission to expose Communist sympathizers.

Great Performances- “Beverly Sills: Made in America”

8:00pm

One of America’s most well-known opera talents was Beverly Sills, who, until her retirement in 1980, had achieved her childhood dream to be an “opera star”. This portrait looks at her three-decade career of international fame and critical acclaim. Included are clips of her performances in some of the world’s best-known operas, as well as appearances on talk-shows, such as the Tonight Show, that accent her engaging personality and sense of humor.

Great Performances- “Nureyev: The Russian Years”

9:30pm

This documentary chronicles the career of Rudolf Nureyev, who changed the face of ballet dancing with his unique style and presence. It includes interviews with Russian friends and colleagues and contains archival performance footage never before seen in the U.S.A. The program traces his meteoric climb and reveals why he felt compelled to defect in 1961. Also included is footage of his painful homecoming many years later under the hostile eye of the KGB.

Hank Williams Sr.: Along for the Ride

8:00pm

Hank Williams is considered by many to be the greatest country songwriter of all time, despite the fact that his life ended at the age of 29. This is the remarkable story of William’s early career years told through rare interviews with members of his early bands, who recount how he rose to stardom with such classics as “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”.

Last of the Breed

9:00pm

Country legends Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price recently conducted a tour to promote their hit album, Last of the Breed”, and this taped concert from Chicago was the final performance of that sold-out tour. The threesome delivers rousing renditions of their greatest hits.

The Cream Reunion Concert

10:00pm

After just three years and four albums together, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker broke up Cream, one of the most popular bands of the late sixties. Songs like “Sunshine of Your Love”, “White Room”, and “Crossroads”, and a style that combined blues and psychedelic, provided them acclaim that would translate into a berth in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite such a short tenure as a band. Thirty-seven years after their last performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the three returned to that same venue to give the fans what they had long been waiting for…a reunion concert.