WNET Up Next: American Masters 2017, Michael Kantor, Exec. Prod.

WNET UP Next

Michael Kantor, Executive Producer of the acclaimed PBS series American Masters sits down with WNET Up Next to talk about the new season. A highlight of this years’ programs is the Chefs Flight, a grouping of stories about four of Americas’ most outstanding culinary figures of the 20th and 21st centuries: James Beard, Julia Child, Jacques Pepin and Alice Waters. (Airing on PBS on Friday evenings, May 19th and May 26th).

Michael also talks about the creation of American Masters Pictures, designed to showcase films for theatrical release. Earlier this year AM premiered Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise which led to year long initiative called #Inspiring WomanPBS which invites viewers to post their own stores of women who have inspired them. In another area, Michael talks about his role as host of the American Masters Podcast , as well news about In Their Own Words: The American Masters Digital Archive featuing previously unreleased interviews originally filmed for the documentary series.

Michael shares with host Tom Stewart his thoughts about presenting more living masters, which this season will include violinist Itzak Perlman and filmmaker Richard Linklater. This year will also showcase films devoted to Lorraine Hansberry, Chinese-American artist Tyrus Wong, Edgar Allan Poe and Bob Hope.

Celebrating its 31st year, American Masters has been the winner of 28 Emmy awards, 12 Peabodys, an Oscar, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards and many other honors. The American Masters website is at pbs.org/americanmasters.

WNET Up Next is a presentation of the Promotion and On Air Promotion Department

WNET New York Public Media

Recorded at WNET’s Audio C on April 20 2017

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