Premieres Tuesday, December 22 at at 7:30 pm on WLIW21

Watch a preview:

From New York’s heavy-hitters and influencers to emerging talent, WLIW21 spotlights the people who make our region the epicenter of politics and arts & culture. Metrofocus – a new local series that will offer in-depth discussions about politics, arts & culture and the history of New York – premieres this Friday, featuring interviews with Eliot Spitzer, Rick Lazio and Anne Heller. Spitzer offers his perspective on New York’s current political climate; Lazio discusses his bid for governor; and Anne Heller discusses her new biography on Ayn Rand. Future episodes will feature Sir Harold Evans, Cy Vance, Norman Podhoretz, TJ Stiles, and many others.

Season Six has arrived! Watch the previews…

Don’t miss the long-awaited U.S. broadcast premiere of MI-5 season five Mondays at 9:50 p.m. beginning December 14 on WLIW21. Known in the U.K. as Spooks, the action-packed spy drama takes us into the thrilling world of Britain’s clandestine security service, MI-5, and the people who make up the elite team. Season five kicks off the season with an explosive two-part special that finds Britain left reeling after a series of terrorist attacks. Combined with chronic fuel shortages, the attacks plunge the country into crisis. As a chronically weakened Prime Minister fights to hold onto power, the public mood turns increasingly anarchic. MI-5 supremo Harry Pearce (Peter Firth) and team leader Adam Carter (Rupert Penry-Jones) begin to face the horrifying possibility that the country is under attack from sinister forces right at the heart of the establishment. So begins a dangerous game of bluff and counter-bluff as the team struggles to preserve the status quo. In the premiere, Anna Chancellor (Suburban Shootout; Fortysomething) resumes her role as Juliet Shaw, National Security Coordinator, while season five also sees the welcome return of Tim McInnerny (Blackadder), resuming his role as Oliver Mace, Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and Harry’s sometime friend and adversary.

Preview part one, premiering Monday, December 14 at 9:50 p.m.

In part one of the season five premiere, a terror attack on a gas and oil depot has led to energy rationing and people are dying of cold. The media are blaming weak leadership and one media group in particular is peddling anti-Government propaganda. As a team of conspirators deliberately tries to destabilize Britain, the MI-5 team struggles to preserve the status quo.

Preview part two, premiering Monday, December 21 at 9:50 p.m.

In part two, the conspirators gain an advantage and have direct control over a terrified and weakened Prime Minister, who is ready to announce the introduction of “special measures to protect democracy” essentially turning Britain into a dictatorship.

Watch or set your DVR to WLIW21 Mondays at 9:50 p.m. to continue following the new adventures of MI-5. Visit the schedule page for information on future episodes.

Here’s a handy round-up of seasonal programming to get you in the holiday spirit, be it Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or New Year’s. Below you will find a day-by-day listing of December shows, including cartoons, cooking shows and musical performances that the whole family will enjoy. Click on the program title to learn more and get recipes or related gifts.

Still have holiday shopping to do? Consider giving the gift that gives twice! Holiday gifts from WLIW21 help support future programming. For gift ideas, visit WLIW21’s donation page, Shop21 for classic programs, or WLIW21’s events page for tickets to upcoming concerts and seminars.

Monday, December 14

1 – 2 p.m.
A CHANUKAH CELEBRATION

8 – 9 p.m.
LIGHTS! CELEBRATE HANUKKAH LIVE IN CONCERT

Tuesday, December 15

1 – 1:30 p.m.
CHANUKAH STORIES

1:30 – 2 p.m.
THE HOLIDAY TABLE WITH CHRIS FENNIMORE AND EMILY LUCHE “CHANUKAH: LATKES THREE WAYS”

Wednesday, December 16

1 – 2 p.m.
RICK STEVES’ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 18

9 – 9:30 p.m.
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES CHRISTMAS SPECIALS: 1991

Saturday, December 19

8 – 9 p.m.
ARTHUR’S PERFECT CHRISTMAS

11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
THE HOLIDAY TABLE WITH CHRIS FENNIMORE AND EMILY LUCHETTI “GIFTS FROM THE KITCHEN”

12 – 12:30 p.m.
THE HOLIDAY TABLE WITH CHRIS FENNIMORE AND EMILY LUCHETTI “BEST-EVER HOLIDAY COOKIES”

4 – 5 p.m.
ANÚNA: CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

5 – 6 p.m.
RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR STARRING THE ROCKETTES

6 – 7 p.m.
THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW “CHRISTMAS REUNION”

10 – 11 p.m.
A HOLLY JOLLY POPS HOLIDAY WITH THE BARENAKED LADIES

Sunday, December 20

8 – 9 a.m.
CURIOUS GEORGE: A VERY MONKEY CHRISTMAS **NEW**
Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat enjoy their Christmas preparations. Watch as the two try to figure out the best gifts to demonstrate how much they love each other. Along the way, we see how the perfect gift comes from the heart.

1:30 – 2 p.m.
THE HOLIDAY TABLE WITH CHRIS FENNIMORE AND EMILY LUCHETTI “JOYCE WHITE ON KWAANZA”

9 – 10 p.m.
NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING 2009 **NEW**
Celebrate the lighting ceremony of the National Christmas Tree displayed each year on the Ellipse (located south of the White House grounds), along with 56 smaller trees, one for each state, five territories and the District of Columbia. The special will feature performances by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, hip-hop artist, actor and author Common, folk and railroad blues artist Ray LaMontagne, American Idol Jordin Sparks, international Irish music phenomenon Celtic Woman, and others.

11 – 12 midnight
RICK STEVES’ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS

Monday, December 21

1 – 2 p.m.
NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING 2009

8 – 8:30 p.m.
THE HOLIDAY TABLE WITH CHRIS FENNIMORE AND EMILY LUCHETTI “FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES”

8:30 – 9:00 p.m.
THE HOLIDAY TABLE WITH CHRIS FENNIMORE AND EMILY LUCHETTI “A TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY FEAST”

Tuesday, December 22

1 – 2 p.m.
CRICKET ON THE HEARTH

10 – 11 p.m.
PICTURING MARY

Wednesday, December 23

9 – 10 p.m.
RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR STARRING THE ROCKETTES

10 – 11 p.m.
APOLLO 8: CHRISTMAS AT THE MOON

Thursday, December 24

8 – 9 p.m.
NATURE “CHRISTMAS IN YELLOWSTONE”

Friday, December 25

1 – 7 p.m.
MERRY “CHRISTIE-MAS” – AGATHA CHRISTIE’S POIROT MARATHON
Based on the world-famous detective novels, Agatha Christie’s Poirot is brought lovingly to life in this stunning collection of murder mysteries. From England to the Mediterranean, Poirot pits his wits against killers and kidnappers, murderers and plotters, and thieves and traitors in a compelling compendium of crime.

9 – 10 p.m.
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES CHRISTMAS SPECIALS: 1993

Saturday, December 26

3:30 – 6 a.m.
MERRY “CHRISTIE-MAS” – AGATHA CHRISTIE’S POIROT MARATHON CONTINUES

Sunday, December 27

1:30 – 2 p.m.
THE HOLIDAY TABLE WITH CHRIS FENNIMORE AND EMILY LUCHETTI “UPTOWN BRUNCH FOR NEW YEAR’S”

Monday, December 28

1 – 2 p.m.
NATURE “CHRISTMAS IN YELLOWSTONE”

Tuesday, December 29

1 – 2 p.m.
APOLLO 8: CHRISTMAS AT THE MOON

Thursday, December 31

“RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR LAUGHING” – NEW YEAR’S COMEDY MARATHON

8 – 9 p.m.
BOB HOPE: HOLLYWOOD’S BRIGHTEST STAR

9 – 10 p.m.
JACK BENNY: COMEDY IN BLOOM

10 – 11 p.m.
HERE HE IS…THE ONE, THE ONLY…GROUCHO

11 p.m. – 12 midnight
JACKIE GLEASON – GENIUS AT WORK **NEW**
This one-hour special features a collection of Jackie Gleason’s most memorable characters and skits from his long-running network television series, insightful commentary from Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and a special appearance by his wife, Marilyn Gleason.

12 midnight – 1:30 a.m.
BILL COSBY: THE MARK TWAIN PRIZE

1:30 – 3 a.m.
BILLY CRYSTAL: THE MARK TWAIN PRIZE

3 – 4 a.m.
THE BEST OF RED SKELTON

4 – 5 a.m.
JACK BENNY: COMEDY IN BLOOM

5 – 6 a.m.
JACKIE GLEASON – GENIUS AT WORK

Happy New Year!

PBS NewsHour premieres Monday, December 7 at 6pm on WLIW21

This week sees a flurry of changes at The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer — the broadcast program and website are relaunching as the PBS NewsHour. NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer previews the changes to the program in the video below, and answers questions about what these changes mean to the way NewsHour does business.

Q. How does the new PBS NewsHour fit into what you and Robert MacNeil originally envisioned?
The goal of “MacNeil Lehrer journalism” has always been to give our audience the news beyond the headlines – more in-depth reporting, thought-provoking analysis, engaging newsmaker interviews and more international news.

We plan to continue that mission, only expand it. Originally, the program was created to supplement the evening network news programs. Now, each week night we will be a key on air and online destination for a deeper dive into the most important news of the day presented in a thoughtful and objective way. Our goal is to be THE source for the best journalism available anywhere, anytime – on line, on air, morning, noon or night.

Q. So, why change? And why change now?
The explosive growth of cable news, the internet and a 24-hour news cycle has led to huge changes in the media industry. Newspapers are going out of business, blogs and talks shows proliferate. Serious news is on the decline. Our change is a coordinated response from The NewsHour and PBS to lead the way in providing Americans with the serious news and information they need. We have both an opportunity and an obligation to respond.

The new program title reflects our expanded mission — to be the hub of public affairs programming on PBS. In addition to our own reporting, the PBS NewsHour will showcase the best reporting in public television both online and on air.
Read More …

WLIW21 presents the exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere of An Evening With Il Divo – Live in Barcelona Thursday, December 3 at 8 p.m. with American tenor David Miller in the studio! During the broadcast Miller will discuss Il Divo’s whirlwind year on the road supporting 2008’s The Promise, and current “Celebrate Christmas With Il Divo” tour coming to the Beacon Theatre December 16 and 17.

Donate now to meet Il Divo and see them live in concert!

Preview video and check out the set list for An Evening With Il Divo – Live in Barcelona here.

Premieres Wednesday, December 2 at 9:30 p.m. on WLIW21

Renowned violinist, conductor and composer André Rieu performs a musical confection that is both a concert and a real wedding party in Dresden at the grandiose Semper, one of the world’s most beautiful opera houses. The charming bride and groom, part of the famous “Vienna Debutantes,” are joined by 40 pairs of dancers from the Elmayer Dance School in Vienna, as well as sopranos Mirusia Louwerse and Carmen Monarcha, the Platinum Tenors, baritone Morschi Franz, and the Johann Strauss Orchestra and Choir under Rieu’s direction.

Mendelssohn’s famous “Wedding March” greets the newlyweds, Louwerse and Monarcha sing the paean to love, “Plaisir d’amour” (“The Pleasure of Love”), and The Platinum Tenors perform “E lucevan le stelle” (“And the stars were shining”) from Puccini’s Tosca. Among the treasures in André Rieu Live in Dresden: Wedding at the Opera are Franz and Louwerse’s performance of “All I Ask of You” from The Phantom of the Opera; and popular Strauss selections, including “The Beautiful Blue Danube,” “Radetzky March” and “Du und Du” (“You and You Waltz”).

Tune in for details on how to get exclusive tickets to see André Rieu at Nassau Coliseum next spring. For details on WLIW21’s exclusive “Day with André” VIP concert package, featuring sound check access, three-course meal and champagne, seats in the first two rows, meet & greet and after-party with Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra, and more, donate now.

Premieres Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. on WLIW21

Frank Sinatra may have been born in Hoboken, New Jersey, but the “Chairman of the Board” always held a special place in his heart for the city that never sleeps — New York or “The Apple,” as he called it. In 1980, the legendary singer performed a two-week engagement at Carnegie Hall, which, at the time, set a record for the venue by selling out each show in just one day. The performances followed the release of 1980’s Trilogy, Sinatra’s ambitious triple-album comeback that featured “The Theme from New York, New York.”

Recorded on June 25, 1980, this concert special captures “Ol’ Blue Eyes” at his best with timeless classics including “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Summer Me, Winter Me,” and “The Gal That Got Away”/“It Never Entered My Mind,” a medley that would appear on She Shot Me Down in 1981. The nostalgic performance is sure to remind you why Sinatra’s celebrated baritone has been hailed as “The Voice.”

Watch Frank Sinatra perform “The Lady is a Tramp” from that concert.

Donate now and get a DVD of Sinatra – New York – Live at Carnegie Hall 1980.

Premieres Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. on WLIW21

Watch a preview:

Celtic Woman vocalists Lisa Kelly, Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary and Alex Sharpe, with violinist Máiréad Nesbitt, return with a new concert filmed July 2009 at Ireland’s historic Powerscourt House and Gardens in Enniskerry, County Wicklow. Fans gathered at the 13th century castle to witness the beloved group perform a diverse repertoire: from spirited Celtic fiddle and bodhrán pieces to lush arrangements of Irish classics, contemporary covers and original compositions. Popular songs include Jimmy Webb’s “The Moon’s a Harsh Mistress,” Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Pie Jesu,” Sting’s “Fields of Gold,” Billy Joel’s “Good Night My Angel,” Bing Crosby’s “Galway Bay,” Mariah Carey’s “When You Believe,” as well as “My Lagan Love,” “Danny Boy,” “The Call,” “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears.” A rousing rendition of the group’s latest hit single, “O, America!” features a fireworks display in the Irish sky. For this special performance, Celtic Woman augmented its six-piece band with the 12-member Aontas Choir, 27-piece film orchestra, the 20-member Discovery Gospel Choir, 10-member Extreme Rhythm Drummers, and an 11-piece bagpipe ensemble, in order to bring musical director and composer David Downes’ musical vision to life.

During WLIW21’s premiere, Máiréad and Lisa will be live in the studio with details on Celtic Woman’s new tour – coming to Radio City Music Hall in February – how to get tickets and attend an exclusive meet & greet!

Premieres Sunday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. on WLIW21

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world-famous Rockettes, has become America’s number-one holiday show over its storied 77-year history. This multifaceted show includes dynamic Rockette performances that showcase the dancers’ signature precision dance style. Traditional fan favorites such as the “Living Nativity” scene and “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” which have been in the show since its inception in 1933, remain a vital part of the show’s core.

Donate now for tickets to see the Rockettes live, plus attend an exclusive meet & greet and NYC bus tour!

Thanksgiving allows us to look at the glass half full and reflect on the positive things in our lives, no matter how big or small, just like Moment of Luxury, which invites us to discover the beauty around us and find excellence in the everyday. Host and award-winning interior designer Bill Stubbs specializes in “affordable luxury” and shares his tips, along with secrets from top designers, in every episode – Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on WLIW21 and nationwide on public television (check local listings). You can also watch full episodes on WLIW21’s new video portal.

Here are a few of Bill Stubbs’s Thanksgiving decorating tips to spice up your dinner table arrangements this holiday:

As we’re all out preparing for Thanksgiving, I just wanted to pass along some last minute luxurious table setting ideas. And remember our motto at Moment of Luxury, “Luxury does not have to be expensive.” These ideas will create personal, memorable Thanksgiving traditions for years to come, and in some cases cost no money and do not require a trip to the store.

Table 1 – “A table full of memories”
Start with a shoe box in the middle of the table; take a remnant of fabric from around the house, i.e. a bedspread, pillow case, Hawaiian shirt, whatever you have that will get your color scheme going. Cover the shoe box and gather up the extra fabric in an opulent way. Set a potted plant or fern, or some kind of live thing in a serving bowl, on top of the shoe box. Search around your house and find photographs within a certain theme. It could be pictures from family Thanksgivings; it might even be pictures of the family pets. This table could have a cat theme, a dog theme, or a holiday theme. Frame the pictures using frames from around the house and nestle them into the crevices of the fabric. Set your table as usual, but the end result will have a luxurious and personal touch.

Table 2 – “The cornucopia table”
Thanksgiving is a time where we pay homage to the abundance in our lives. How about creating a table filled with local produce. Once again, start with the shoe box, put a remnant of fabric over the shoe box, and put a nice serving bowl filled with fruit, such as apples, pears, peaches or whatever is locally available on it. Decorate the rest of the table with colorful fruit and vegetables, such as squash and bell peppers, asparagus or broccoli, until the table feels like homage to the abundance we have in our life. The nice thing about this table decoration is that when you’re done with the beautiful meal, it’s time to make soup out of the table decorations.

Table 3 – “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”
So let’s do a table that gives thanks to our health. Once again start with the shoe box, cover it with a white sheet or a piece of fabric bunched up around the base of the shoe box. Fill a nice bowl with red apples, and then gather them in the crevices of the fabric. Take six apples and core the center out, turning them into beautiful, fresh candlesticks by placing white candles in the center of each. With white dishes and plain clear glasses, this is a table with a stunning effect.

My Thanksgiving wish is that each of you will find your moment of luxury today.

Bill Stubbs
Host, Moment of Luxury