THIRTEEN
Visionary Behind Brazil, 12 Monkeys & Monty Python | THIRTEEN
- Title
- Visionary Behind Brazil, 12 Monkeys & Monty Python | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 25:35
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Terry Gilliam describes himself as half Hollywood director, half European filmmaker. From Monty Python animator to visionary director of "Brazil," "12 Monkeys," and "The Fisher King," the unconventional director opens up about his legendary battles with studio executives, managing the wild energy of Robin Williams, working with Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, and why he chose an unconventional career over the Hollywood system.
THIRTEEN presents "Hollywood's Best Film Directors." Discover the journeys of leading Hollywood directors, from their early influences and first films to the blockbuster projects that made their reputations. Through behind-the-scenes insights, they reveal the challenges of filmmaking, from developing scripts and securing funding to casting talent and working with major stars and share the secrets behind great movies.
Subscribe to THIRTEEN newsletters to stay informed: https://www.thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=...
- Title
- Director Behind 31 Oscar Nominations
- Runtime
- 1:02
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Director William Wyler and his son, David Wyler, reflect on the balance of directing actors, building trust on set, and inspiring Oscar-winning performances. From Bette Davis to Barbra Streisand, Hollywood's greatest stars were both scared and excited to work with Wyler.
#Shorts #WilliamWyler #ClassicHollywood #FilmHistory #AcademyAwards #Oscars #BetteDavis #BarbraStreisand #Directing #CinemaHistory #Filmmaking #BehindTheScenes #PBS #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- From Studio Floor Sweeper to Hollywood’s Greatest Director | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 53:00
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- He’s the most Oscar-nominated director in Hollywood history. From "Ben-Hur" and "Roman Holiday" to "Jezebel," William Wyler didn't just direct classics — he succeeded in every single film genre he touched.
Raised in then-German Alsace-Lorraine, Wyler was a rebellious teenager and had become a young man adrift when a distant cousin — Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle — offered him a ticket to America. Carrying film cans across New York, sweeping studio floors in Los Angeles, and grinding through every set job on the lot, Wyler learned the movie business from the ground up.
Discover how a young immigrant who arrived with nothing became Hollywood's legendary "captain of the ship," guiding a record 31 actors to Academy Award nominations. Featuring exclusive family archives, personal transcripts, and rare reflections from his children, THIRTEEN highlights the legacy of a perfectionist filmmaker, cinematic visionary, and WWII veteran.
Subs...
- Title
- Investing in Chips. Potato Chips.
- Runtime
- 0:40
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Who would've thought potatoes could get even better?
Michigan State University has perfected the crunch of your favorite snack by genetically engineering five brand-new potatoes.
#MikesBites #PotatoChips #FoodScience #Snacks #Agriculture #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- His Hit Films Delivered Laughs & Enlightenment
- Runtime
- 0:38
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Hollywood Legend Garry Marshall — known for "Pretty Woman," "The Princess Diaries" franchise, and co-creator of "Happy Days" — opens up about his philosophy as a storyteller. For Marshall, a great comedy can balance laughter, poignancy, and enlightenment to give people comfort when they need it most.
#GarryMarshall #Filmmaking #DirectorQuotes #Inspiration #MovieMaking #HollywoodHistory #Comedy #PBS #Shorts
- Title
- Man Behind Pretty Woman & The Princess Diaries | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 25:06
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Go behind the scenes with director and producer Garry Marshall as he reflects on his legendary career in television and film. From creating TV classics like "Happy Days," "Mork & Mindy," and "The Odd Couple" to directing Hollywood hits like "Pretty Woman," "Beaches," and "The Princess Diaries" franchise, Marshall shares candid stories from his decades in Hollywood. He dives into his early life in the Bronx, how he gave stars like Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, and Robin Williams their big breaks, how to turn a dark script into a romantic comedy, and why making audiences laugh is so important to him.
THIRTEEN presents "Hollywood's Best Film Directors." Discover the journeys of leading Hollywood directors, from their early influences and first films to the blockbuster projects that made their reputations. Through behind-the-scenes insights, they reveal the challenges of filmmaking, from developing scripts and securing funding to casting talent and working with major stars and...
- Title
- Charles & Ray Eames Animate Indian Fable
- Runtime
- 2:58
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Famous for the iconic Eames Lounge Chair, husband-and-wife design duo Charles and Ray Eames made 125 short films to explain complex ideas and processes. They animated an ancient Indian tale involving grains wheat and a chessboard to demonstrate exponential growth.
#Eames #DesignHistory #CharlesAndRayEames #ShortFilms #ExponentialGrowth #Architecture #Furniture #Documentary #PBS #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET #Math #MathProblem #CharlesEames #RayEames #IndianFable
- Title
- Charles & Ray Eames, Modern Architecture and Design Icons: Retro Documentary | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 1:25:36
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Step inside the extraordinary world of Charles and Ray Eames, the iconic husband-wife duo who redefined mid-century modern furniture, architecture, and visual media. In 1973, they welcome cameras into their innovative "1949 Eames House" of prefabricated materials in Pacific Palisades, now a National Historic Landmark. From their revolutionary molded plywood chairs to ground-breaking short films like "Powers of Ten" and "Toccata for Toy Trains," THIRTEEN explores how their creative partnership transformed standard industrial materials into timeless art.
Featuring insights from architects Peter Blake and R. Buckminster Fuller, physicist Philip Morrison, composer Elmer Bernstein, and interviews with Charles and Ray Eames themselves.
Subscribe to THIRTEEN newsletters to stay informed: https://www.thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=description&utm_id=description
This 1973 documentary "An Eames Celebration...
- Title
- Why Casting Can Make or Break a Movie
- Runtime
- 1:42
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Three-time Oscar winner James L. Brooks — director of "Terms of Endearment" and "Broadcast News" — shares a crucial aspect of filmmaking: actors are truly the "co-authors" of every film, and the cast can make or break a project. He recalls the eight-month search for Holly Hunter in "Broadcast News" and how Garry Marshall's recommendation led to casting Greg Kinnear in "As Good As It Gets."
#JamesLBrooks #Filmmaking #Casting #HollyHunter #GregKinnear #AsGoodAsItGets #BroadcastNews #MovieMaking #DirectorAdvice #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- Do You Know This "Simpsons" Co-Creator?
- Runtime
- 0:52
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Three-time Oscar-winning director James L. Brooks co-created "The Simpsons" alongside Matt Groening in 1989. Brooks describes why working on the series is "the dream date that never ends"—and how kids who grew up watching the show are now writing it. Brooks is known for his films "Terms of Endearment," "Broadcast News," and "As Good As It Gets."
#TheSimpsons #JamesLBrooks #Animation #TVHistory #Screenwriting #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- Working with Jack Nicholson, Finding Holly Hunter, & Creating The Simpsons: James L. Brooks
- Runtime
- 26:03
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Go behind the scenes to examine the distinct voice that defined James L. Brooks' legendary career, focusing on his groundbreaking transition from television to feature film. This episode explores his celebrated directing style, showcasing his signature mix of character-driven comedy and powerful emotional moments in the box office hits like "Terms of Endearment," "Broadcast News," and "As Good As It Gets."
Filmed at his home in West Los Angeles, Brooks offers a candid look at his trajectory from a self-described "high school outcast" in New Jersey to a three-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker. He shares stories from his early days as a CBS page boy, the high-stakes battle to finance his directorial debut, his collaborative process with actors like Jack Nicholson, Shirley MacLaine, and Holly Hunter, and touches on his role developing "The Simpsons" — the longest-running comedy series in television history.
THIRTEEN presents "Hollywood's Best Film Directors....
- Title
- Are Marigolds the Next Plant-Based Protein Trend?
- Runtime
- 0:47
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Scientists have discovered that marigolds, the popular garden flower, are packed with protein and ideal for a protein substitute. They’re perfect for baking and heavy-duty emulsifying, especially in vegan recipes.
#MikesBites #ProteinHacks #FoodScience #EdibleFlowers #HealthTrends #WeirdFood #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- Psychic Predictions vs. Actual Outcomes (1976)
- Runtime
- 1:30
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Appearing on "Black Journal" in 1976, psychic Lillian Cosby looks back at her 1974 appearance predicting banking system warnings and looks ahead to the 1976 election, claiming Ted Kennedy could win "without a shadow of a doubt" — if he joined the race, while historian Dr. Edward Peters explains why political prophecy used to be illegal.
#BlackJournal #1976 #PsychicPredictions #History #Shorts #PublicTelevision #TonyBrown #LillianCosby #EdwardPeters #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- Black Psychic, History, & Predicting America’s Future on Black Journal (1976) | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 27:40
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- "Black Journal" host Tony Brown explores the history and future of psychic predictions in America. Historian Dr. Edward Peters — author of "Witchcraft in Europe" — traces how the concept of "psychics," "seers," and political prophecy evolved from the 18th century to the 1970s. Then, psychic Lillian Cosby revisits her past predictions—including Watergate, Richard Nixon's resignation, and Gerald Ford's rise—while offering predictions for America's future during the 1976 Bicentennial year.
"Black Journal" was a monthly series of one-hour interconnected programs produced for, about, and — to a large extent — by Black Americans. The series reports on the achievements, concerns, and the attitudes of the nation’s Black citizens.
National Psychic Day is observed on the first Sunday in August. This episode from our archive is part of THIRTEEN's ongoing America 250 coverage.
Subscribe to THIRTEEN newsletters to stay informed: https://www.thirt...
- Title
- How Marlon Brando Invented The Godfather's Vito Corleone
- Runtime
- 1:12
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Film director Francis Ford Coppola describes the exact moment Marlon Brando turned into Don Vito Corleone of "The Godfather."
Marlon Brando looked nothing like an aging Mafia don—he was 47 years old, with long blonde hair. Using dark shoe polish for his hair, rolled-up tissues in his cheeks, and a raspy mumble for his voice, Brando transformed into Don Vito Corleone right in front of Francis Ford Coppola's camera.
#TheGodfather #MarlonBrando #FrancisFordCoppola #CinemaHistory #Shorts #Filmmaking #ActorTransformation #BehindTheScenes
- Title
- 1975: US Patriotism vs Love of Home
- Runtime
- 1:29
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Columnist George Will, poet Maya Angelou, author Studs Terkel, and historian Doris Kearns argue over the "American identity." From identifying patriotism versus "love of home" to comparing how American and French textbooks teach children about their nations, the panel debates a fundamental question: "Does America still work?"
#MayaAngelou #DorisKearns #GeorgeWill #AmericanHistory #Debate #Civics #Shorts #Patriotism #PublicTelevision #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- Francis Ford Coppola on Directing
- Runtime
- 1:29
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola reflects on the delicate balance of directing—being too controlling versus letting a film run wild—how actors judge a director, and the true meaning of success, and working with family and their Oscar wins.
#Shorts #FrancisFordCoppola #Filmmaking #Directing #TheGodfather #Cinema #Oscars #MovieDirector #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- Francis Ford Coppola Breaks Down His Greatest Movies & Career Lessons | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 26:38
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Legendary five-time Academy Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola sits down in Napa Valley at the American Zortrobe Research Library to reflect on his extraordinary career. From his early days working under horror icon Roger Corman and winning an Oscar for "Patton," to making cinematic masterpieces like "The Godfather" trilogy, "Apocalypse Now," and "The Conversation," Coppola breaks down his personal writing process, working with Marlon Brando, overcoming Hollywood resistance, and his best advice for future filmmakers.
THIRTEEN presents "Hollywood's Best Film Directors." Discover the journeys of leading Hollywood directors, from their early influences and first films to the blockbuster projects that made their reputations. Through behind-the-scenes insights, they reveal the challenges of filmmaking, from developing scripts and securing funding to casting talent and working with major stars and share the secrets behind great movies.
Subscribe to THIRTEEN...
- Title
- Why Did ICE Deport These Two Long Island Brothers?
- Runtime
- 1:29
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa traveled to El Salvador to find out what happened after two Long Island-based brothers were deported. After fleeing El Salvador due to gang violence in 2016 when they were children, they spent years pursuing their American dreams—until ICE knocked on their door.
#Shorts #Immigration #Newsday #LongIsland #Deportation #ICE #ElSalvador
- Title
- Bar Talk That Built Billion-Dollar Brand
- Runtime
- 0:50
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- In 2003, a casual conversation in a Manhattan bar sparked a brilliant business idea. Two Brazilian women shared what they missed most about home: coconut water. This led to a small startup in Brooklyn that became a global brand with a billion-dollar valuation.
#MikesBites #VitaCoco #BusinessStory #Entrepreneurship #BrandHistory #SuccessStory #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- Trapped in the U.S. Immigration System: Facing Court or Forced Out | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 26:42
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- This edition of Newsday Investigates explores immigrants caught in America’s deportation system. In Manhattan, Ecuadorian father Julio Zambrano faces an immigration judge, navigating a three-year court backlog while struggling to keep his family together. Meanwhile, brothers Josue and Jose Trejo Lopez — raised in Georgia and Long Island, NY — are deported to El Salvador and fight to return to the only home they’ve known.
Subscribe to the WLIW newsletter to stay informed: https://www.wliw.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=description&utm_id=description
0:00 - Teaser: "We Grew Up As Americans"
0:23 - Intro: 3 Years Investigating Long Island Immigration
2:05 - Seeking Asylum & Facing a 3-Year Court Backlog
13:26 - Intro: Long Island Brothers Deported to El Salvador
14:25 - Detained at Routine Check-In & Sent to San Salvador
26:06 - Human Impact of U.S. Immigration Laws
#New...
- Title
- Black Perspectives on 1976 Bicentennial
- Runtime
- 1:11
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- In 1976, "Black Journal" host Tony Brown brought in Lerone Bennett Jr., senior editor of "Ebony" magazine and author of "The Shaping of Black America," and John Calhoun, Special Assistant to President Gerald Ford, to answer the fiercely contested question: should Black Americans celebrate two centuries of a nation that kept them oppressed, or use the moment to demand true equality and honor their contributions?
#Shorts #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #Bicentennial #CivilRights #Archive #BlackPerspectives #1976 #BlackJournal #TonyBrown #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- Anthony Mason on 'Alchemy,' Paul Simon, and the Creative Process | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 1:30:20
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- What makes an artist tick? Is there a craft that can be honed or is there something bigger than us that gives a creative their spark? These are the questions CBS News’ Senior Culture Correspondent Anthony Mason asks of some of the greatest artists alive today. With his new independent YouTube series Alchemy (@AlchemywithAnthonyMason), he’s inviting the audience into his apartment to hear in depth conversations about the creative process. The show debuted in May 2026 with icons Paul Simon, Hozier, Nile Rogers, Brittany Howard, and others, with more guests joining the lineup in future episodes. Mason speaks with Brian Cosgrove in the WLIW-FM studio, sharing insights and stories.
Hosted by Brian Cosgrove, The Afternoon Ramble and The Overnight Ramble is a unique mix of music custom-made for Long Island. Listen to the complete archive on the NPR One app, and find special interviews on all major streaming platforms.
Subscribe to the WLIW newsletter to stay info...
- Title
- Should Black Americans Celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial? (1976) | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 19:36
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Should Black citizens participate in celebrating 200 years of American independence when true freedom, equality and economic justice remain unfulfilled? Host Tony Brown poses this question in a 1976 episode of "Black Journal.”
Featuring Lerone Bennett Jr., senior editor of Ebony magazine and author of "The Shaping of Black America," and John Calhoun, Special Assistant to President Gerald Ford, they discuss the tension between honoring Black contributions to the nation and resisting the celebration of systemic oppression.
The discussion also features a reading of Frederick Douglass’s famous 1852 address, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"
"Black Journal" was a monthly series of one-hour interconnected programs produced for, about, and — to a large extent — by Black Americans. The series reports on the achievements, concerns, and the attitudes of the nation’s Black citizens.
Subscribe to THIRTEEN newsletters to stay in...
- Title
- Hardest Part of Making a Movie Musical
- Runtime
- 0:50
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Oscar-winning director Rob Marshall — known for "Chicago" and "Into the Woods" — breaks down the hardest rule of adapting a musical for the big screen: answering the question of why the characters are singing. He explains how Federico Fellini’s works inspired the "surreal" style of jumping between "reality" and "un-reality" in his film "Nine" to blend music and storytelling seamlessly.
#Shorts #RobMarshall #Filmmaking #MovieMusicals #Cinema #DirectorLife #BehindTheScenes #THIRTEEN
- Title
- Rob Marshall's Directing Career: From Broadway to Oscar-Winning Films | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 26:29
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Go behind the scenes with Academy Award-winning director Rob Marshall as he shares his journey from being a Broadway dancer and choreographer to one of Hollywood’s best directors. From his Manhattan offices, Marshall dives into his career and reveals the hidden challenge of transitioning from the stage to directing his first feature films. Learn about his approach to managing star-studded A-list casts, directing through interpreters on "Memoirs of a Geisha," and tackling massive 3D action environments for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." He also shares what it was like to win Best Picture at the Oscars and his philosophy on creating a supportive, fun environment on set.
THIRTEEN presents "Hollywood's Best Film Directors." Discover the journeys of leading Hollywood directors, from their early influences and first films to the blockbuster projects that made their reputations. Through behind-the-scenes insights, they reveal the challenges of filmmaking, from d...
- Title
- Alaskan Plumber Accidentally Invented Ranch
- Runtime
- 0:33
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- America’s favorite salad dressing wasn't invented by a gourmet chef—it was created by an Alaskan plumber trying to feed his construction crew in the 1950s. He moved to California, bought a little place called Hidden Valley, and later sold the recipe for $8 million.
#MikesBites #RanchDressing #HiddenValley #FoodHistory #FunFacts #AmericanFood #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- Thomas Jefferson’s Definition of Equality
- Runtime
- 2:01
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- What did Thomas Jefferson actually mean by "all men are created equal"? Jefferson believed everyone is born with an equal "moral sense"—the basic ability to know right from wrong and do good. Historian Garry Wills and Bill Moyers discuss how the founding father lived with the contradiction of enslaving people he believed were born equal.
#Shorts #THIRTEEN #ThomasJefferson #AmericanHistory #Philosophy #Enlightenment #BillMoyers #GarryWills #America250
- Title
- Tony Brown and Black Journal: Groundbreaking TV
- Runtime
- 1:29
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- THIRTEEN mourns the loss of the pioneering, courageous, and legendary TV journalist Tony Brown, who died on June 17, 2026 at age 93. In his own words, Tony Brown — host and executive producer of "Tony Brown's Journal," formerly "Black Journal" — shares his passion and vision for the first national Black public affairs program in American television that showcased Black Americans as a vital part of the human experience.
#TonyBrown #BlackJournal #THIRTEEN #PublicTelevision #MediaHistory #Representation #Inclusivity #Black History #Shorts
- Title
- What Did "All Men Are Created Equal" Originally Mean? | Bill Moyers' Journal | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 33:44
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- From the true meaning of the "pursuit of happiness" to the philosophies that guided Thomas Jefferson. Historian Garry Wills and journalist Bill Moyers sit within Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home in Charlottesville, Virginia to discuss the radical and flawed ideas that shaped early America. They dig into the "lost world" of Jefferson's studies as a young man — and the Scottish Enlightenment's influence on the founding father.
Wills explains how Scottish philosophers shaped Jefferson's belief in an innate "moral sense"—a universal understanding of right and wrong—that pushed back against John Locke’s individualism and put human kindness at the center of politics and society. Moyers and Wills confront the stark contradiction of Jefferson's life: how a man who believed in this shared moral sense could personally enslave hundreds of people.
This 1979 episode titled “Inventing America: A Conversation with Garry Wills” was broadcast on “Bill Moyers'...
- Title
- James Mangold’s Secret to Longevity in Hollywood
- Runtime
- 1:00
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Acclaimed director James Mangold, known for films like "Walk the Line" and "3:10 to Yuma," explains why he refuses to be pigeonholed into a single film genre, instead choosing to follow the tradition of classic Hollywood directors.
#JamesMangold #Filmmaking #DirectorLife #HollywoodHistory #BehindTheScenes #Cinema #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET
- Title
- What Links Us All?
- Runtime
- 1:30
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- From birth to end-of-life and the milestones in-between, explore stories told by over 40 filmmakers across the globe as people share their explorations of faith and spiritual practices.
#Traditions #Faith #Humanity #Spirituality #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET #Documentary
- Title
- How James Mangold Directs Hollywood’s Biggest Icons | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 25:54
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Acclaimed filmmaker James Mangold reflects on his three-decade career. From studying under master filmmakers Alexander Mackendrick and Milos Forman to his early breakthrough, and his distinct cinematic style, Mangold shares his experiences and directing methods. He takes viewers behind the scenes of major successes like the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line" and the Western action-drama "3:10 to Yuma," alongside his celebrated early films "Heavy," "Copland," and "Girl, Interrupted." Discover how he navigates shifting genres, commands a set while rolling through scenes with Hollywood icons, and why he believes authenticity of character is the ultimate way to ensure that films are remembered.
THIRTEEN presents "Hollywood's Best Film Directors." Discover the journeys of leading Hollywood directors, from their early influences and first films to the blockbuster projects that made their reputations. Through behind-the-scenes insights, they reveal the challenges of filmmaking, f...
- Title
- The REAL Winner of the 2026 World Cup
- Runtime
- 0:34
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Messi, Mbappe, and Ronaldo—Who? The breakout star of the 2026 World Cup was a bottle of ranch! International soccer fans discovered ranch dressing for the first time this summer and absolutely lost their minds—to the point where Kraft had to make a TSA-conforming container.
#WorldCup2026 #RanchDressing #TSA #Soccer #Football #AmericanFood #Shorts #WorldCup #THIRTEEN #WNET #MikeColameco #MikesBites
- Title
- Tony Brown: Television Civil Rights Champion Who Changed Broadcasting | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 12:15
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- THIRTEEN mourns the loss of the pioneering, courageous, and legendary TV journalist Tony Brown, who died on June 17, 2026 at age 93.
Brown joined THIRTEEN in 1970 as the executive producer of Black Journal, the first and only national Black public affairs series in American television history. The program's original executive producer and hosts were William Greaves and Lou House.
Brown also began hosting in 1971 and the show evolved into Tony Brown’s Journal, the longest-running series in the history of the PBS network. Brown became a central figure in American broadcasting history, with groundbreaking work that elevated Black voices on television for more than 40 years.
Black Journal was known for thoughtful interviews, including with the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Nina Simone, Lena Horne and Angela Davis. Guest hosts included Nikki Giovanni and Diahann Carroll.
Black Journal was publicly funded in response to the Kerner Commission (...
- Title
- Legendary Theater Director Hated "Sloppy" Diction
- Runtime
- 1:23
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- When speaking to college students in 1967, theatrical director Sir Tyrone Guthrie shared his thoughts on why actors should always strive for clear and precise diction. He believes artistic genius comes from practiced skills, not inspiration.
#TyroneGuthrie #ActingTips #TheaterLife #VoiceActing #Creativity #Masterclass #Shorts #Broadway #THIRTEEN
- Title
- 1975 TV Debate Still Resonates
- Runtime
- 1:28
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- In 1975, Maya Angelou, George Will, Studs Terkel, and Doris Kearns engaged in an intense debate to answer, “Does America still work?” Their responses show a divide about history, what it means to succeed, and the American dream that still resonate today.
#AssignmentAmerica #AmericanHistory #MayaAngelou #GeorgeWill #ArchivalFootage #Debate #Shorts #America250 #THIRTEEN #WNET #Roundtable
- Title
- Different Cultures, Shared Rituals
- Runtime
- 1:16
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Preparing for prayer or walking down the aisle: witness the beautiful, universal milestones of life, from China to the Netherlands and beyond.
#Traditions #Faith #Humanity #Spirituality #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET #Documentary
- Title
- Does America Still Work? (1975) | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 19:22
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Does the American Dream actually work—and who does it work for?
In this 1975 episode of "Assignment America," columnist George Will, poet Maya Angelou, populist chronicler Studs Terkel, and historian Doris Kearns debate a question that is also incredibly important to ask in 2026: Does America still work?
In the 1970s, soaring unemployment, skyrocketing inflation, systemic inequality, and deep political distrust after the Watergate scandal created a sharp divide between "patriotic optimism" and the lives of everyday Americans.
These renowned thinkers clash over whether the American dream is a unifying promise or a selective myth.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: https://www.thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=HonoringOurStories&utm_id=HonoringOurStories
This 1975 episode," Does America Still Work?" from the THIRTEEN Vault is part of "Assignment Americ...
- Title
- SACRED: Documentary on Faith That Might Change Your Perspective | Full Film | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 1:23:37
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- At a time when global headlines can feel dominated by division and conflict, the documentary "Sacred" steps back to explore faith as a primary universal human experience. Directed by Academy Award-winner Thomas Lennon and shot by more than 40 filmmaking teams worldwide, this film travels through 25 countries to show how people around the world find comfort in rituals and prayer as they face life’s biggest challenges, but also celebratory moments. The film dives into the personal lives of ordinary people, from the joys of birth and growing up to the struggles of adulthood and honoring the dead.
Subscribe to the WLIW newsletter to stay informed: https://www.wliw.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=description&utm_id=description
Sacred is a WLIW LLC production for WNET in co-production with Japan’s WOWOW.
Director and Producer: Thomas Lennon
Co-Producer: Jessica Wolfson
Executive Producer: Julie Anderson...
- Title
- The Astronaut Who Doubted Tom Hanks
- Runtime
- 1:26
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- When Ron Howard cast Tom Hanks in the true space survival story of Apollo 13, many people, including Jim Lovell, the real-life NASA astronaut who commanded the mission, were skeptical and worried the Forrest Gump star could turn the biopic into a comedy. Howard recounts a meeting that changed everything, the challenges of filming inactual weightlessness, and being surprised that his movies are commercial successes.
#Apollo13 #TomHanks #RonHoward #Filmmaking #BehindTheScenes #Movies #HollywoodHistory #THIRTEEN #WNET #Shorts
- Title
- Ron Howard Breaks Down His Career | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 26:26
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Ron Howard made a remarkable transition from beloved child actor and "Happy Days" star to an Academy Award-winning director of blockbusters, comedies, thrillers, documentaries and biographical dramas. Discover the storytelling techniques behind his blockbuster hit Apollo 13 and for A Beautiful Mind, which starred Russell Crowe and won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. Howard shares his creative instincts, and what it's like to work alongside massive talents like Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, Jim Carrey, Michael Sheen, and Frank Langella.
THIRTEEN presents "Hollywood's Best Film Directors." Discover the journeys of leading Hollywood directors, from their early influences and first films to the blockbuster projects that made their reputations. Through behind-the-scenes insights, they reveal the challenges of filmmaking, from developing scripts and securing funding to casting talent and working with major stars and share the secrets behind great movies.
Subs...
- Title
- Has America Completed Goals of the Revolution?
- Runtime
- 1:30
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- In 1976, America celebrated its Bicentennial with fireworks and parades, but journalist Bill Moyers and top historians asked a heavy question: what happened to the actual revolution?
As the nation approaches America 250, this clip from "Bill Moyers' Journal" highlights the American story isn't set in stone—it’s a revolutionary memory that citizens still have to fight for today.
#America250 #Shorts #History #AmericanRevolution #BillMoyers #THIRTEENVault #USHistory #AmericanDream #THIRTEEN #Bicentennial #July4th #4thOfJuly #IndependenceDay
- Title
- Bicentennial Broadcast Everyone Should Watch Before America 250 | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 22:53
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- In 1976 America celebrated its Bicentennial with fireworks and parades. Journalist Bill Moyers asked a hard question: what happened to the revolution itself?
Fifty years ago, Moyers gave THIRTEEN viewers a raw look at the American Bicentennial — a country still recovering from the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon’s resignation, and devastating losses in the Vietnam War. Instead of painting a happy illusion, Moyers captured "baffled and bored" Americans dealing with unemployment, inequality, materialism, and the gap between the promises of 1776 and the reality of the 1970s.
Blending archival footage and man-on-the-street reporting with sharp commentary from historians and analysts, this report exposes a harsh truth: our democracy says "equal rights," but our economic system delivers profoundly unequal outcomes. Decades later, the same battles are still ongoing. Moyers' reporting raises a heavy question for the modern day: can the American spirit be rekindle...
- Title
- Racing in the Wienermobile?
- Runtime
- 0:45
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- While you wait for the Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island this 4th of July, food industry insider Mike Colameco shares another quirky frankfurter tradition: the Weenie 500! Enjoy this quick bite of hilarious racing news to kick off your Independence Day!
The Hot Dog Eating Contest at Nathan's includes the women's competition at 10:45am, the main event at noon, and the men’s competition at 12:30pm.
#MikesBites #FourthOfJuly #HotDogEatingContest #ConeyIsland #Wienermobile #NathansFamous #FoodieNews #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET #4thofJuly #July4th
- Title
- Painting That Portrays America's Founding
- Runtime
- 1:35
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- What does one of the most famous paintings in American history reveal about the country's founding?
As the nation counts down to America 250, THIRTEEN highlights a 1979 conversation between Bill Moyers and Garry Wills where they examine John Trumbull’s painting of the Declaration of Independence. Wills explores the symbolism and the immense risk taken by the Founding Fathers in creating a new nation.
#America250 #BillMoyers #GarryWills #ThomasJefferson #AmericanHistory #DeclarationOfIndependence #ArtHistory #PBS #Shorts #July4th #4thofJuly #IndependenceDay #THIRTEEN #WNET #CommitteeOfFive
- Title
- Founding Father Said Virtue is Required
- Runtime
- 1:22
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- As Americans prepare to celebrate the 4th of July and count down to "America 250," the democratic republic is facing a critical turning point. David Blankenhorn, the co-founder and former president of Braver Angels — a grassroots movement with over 12,000 members offering workshops and discussions to bridge political divides — quotes Founding Father James Madison to remind citizens that self-government demands a higher degree of morals than any other political system. True citizenship requires more than just casting a ballot—it means stepping up publicly to find common ground face-to-face.
#America250 #July4th #PreservingDemocracy #JamesMadison #BraverAngels #CommonGround #USHistory #Shorts #Democrat #Republican #Independent #THIRTEEN #WNET #IndependenceDay
- Title
- What Thomas Jefferson’s House Reveals About the Man | THIRTEEN
- Runtime
- 14:45
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- As America marks 250 years of independence, THIRTEEN revisits this 1979 "Bill Moyers' Journal" conversation with historian Garry Wills, author of "Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence."
Moyers and Wills meet at Monticello — Jefferson's Charlottesville, Virginia home — to examine the ideas, views, and design choices that shaped both the house and the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Walking the grounds of Monticello, Wills explains its specific location and layout, and what Jefferson meant when he talked about 'inventing' America.
This 1979 episode titled “Inventing America: A Conversation with Garry Wills” was broadcast on “Bill Moyers' Journal," a weekly current affairs program covering economics, history, literature, religion, philosophy, science, and politics.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: https://www.thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=y...
- Title
- Values and Challenges That Built America
- Runtime
- 2:18
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Celebrate the spirit of American democracy this 4th of July as the country counts down to "America 250!"
THIRTEEN's feel-good live-action animated short brings to life America's founding principles that "We the People" are the ultimate source of the government's power. Everyday Americans recite powerful quotes from great figures like Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, and James Baldwin, to serve as a reminder of the hard work and different perspectives that keep the American Spirit alive.
Original animation by Ace & Son Moving Picture Co. (@aceandson) for THIRTEEN's A Citizens Guide to Preserving Democracy: The Series.
#America250 #July4th #WeThePeople #Democracy #AmericanHistory #Shorts #OneNation #Liberty #THIRTEEN #WNET #History #IndependenceDay #Animation #FrederickDouglass #EleanorRoosevelt #JamesBaldwin #BenjaminFranklin #DeclarationOfIndependence
- Title
- Why Shakespeare in Central Park is Completely Free
- Runtime
- 1:30
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- In 1979, theater producer Joseph Papp spoke with Beverly Sills to explain his radical idea that launched the New York Shakespeare Festival and Shakespeare in the Park. Papp reveals why he rejected "elitist theater" to treat art as a vital public service for all New Yorkers. THIRTEEN highlights clips of Meryl Streep and Raúl Juliá to capture the founding spirit of a New York tradition that is happening right now in Central Park—be sure to check The Public Theater's website for the latest schedule!
#ShakespeareInThePark #CentralPark #ThePublicTheater #NewYorkCity #MerylStreep #RaulJulia #JosephPapp #NYC #Shorts #THIRTEEN #WNET #Broadway
