Television

Freddie Mercury: The Tribute Concert • WXXI-TV

Honoring one of the most influential, storied and beloved country music icons in history.

Freddie Mercury: The Tribute Concert airs Saturday, October 19 at 10 p .m. on WXXI-TV.

On April 20, 1992, Roger Taylor, Brian May, and John Deacon – the surviving members of Queen – took the stage of London’s legendary Wembley Stadium to announce the start of one of the biggest events in rock history: a tribute to the incomparable Freddie Mercury with a glittering array of guests, including Elton John, Robert Plant, Annie Lennox, Liza Minnelli, David Bowie, George Michael and many more. Freddie Mercury: The Tribute Concert captures this historic event, which aimed to celebrate the singer’s life and work and increase public awareness of AIDS – the disease that prematurely ended his life. Songs include “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “We Are the Champions.”

Photo: Title card • Credit: American Public Television

Great Performances – George Jones: Still Playin’ Possum • WXXI-TV

Honoring one of the most influential, storied and beloved country music icons in history.

Great Performances – George Jones: Still Playin’ Possum airs Friday, February 23 at 9 p .m. on WXXI-TV.

George Jones’ hits including “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair,” “The Race Is On,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and many more are performed by Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Brad Paisley, Jelly Roll, Dierks Bentley, Sam Moore, Wynona, Jamey Johnson, Uncle Kracker, Trace Adkins, Lorrie Morgan, Joe Nichols and other country stars accompanied by a band of Nashville’s top players. Recorded April 25, 2023, from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the tribute marked the 10th anniversary of Jones’ passing.

In his lifetime, George Jones sold over 20 million albums, was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, a Kennedy Center Honoree, National Medal of the Arts recipient and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award recipient.

Photo: Stage shot • Credit: PBS

American Experience: Fly With Me • WXXI-TV

The story of the pioneering young women who became flight attendants at a time when single women were unable to order a drink, eat alone in a restaurant, own a credit card or get a prescription for birth control.

American Experience: Fly With Me airs Tuesday, February 20 at 9 p .m. on WXXI-TV.

Becoming a “stewardess,” as they were called, offered unheard-of opportunities for travel, glamor, adventure and independence. Although often maligned as feminist sellouts, these women were on the frontlines of the battle to assert gender equality and transform the workplace. Featuring firsthand accounts, personal stories and a rich archival record, the film tells the lively and important but neglected history of the women who changed the world while flying it.

Photo: Title art • Credit: PBS

Super Drama Sunday • WXXI-TV

For those who don’t enjoy watching the big game, WXXI-TV offers a dramatic alternative – a marathon of Masterpiece programming.

Super Drama Sunday kicks off Sunday, February 11 at 12 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Beginning at 12 p.m. enjoy eight episodes from season 1 of Victoria on Masterpiece. In Victoria, Jenna Coleman stars as her fearless Majesty Queen Victoria. Follow the queen’s remarkable and emotional story, from her giddy ascension to the British throne at age 18, infatuation with dashing mentor Lord Melbourne, passionate romance and early marriage to Germany’s Prince Albert, and the growth into her royal role.

At 8 p.m. it’s Miss Scarlet and the Duke, at its usual broadcast spot. In the season finale of season four, entitled The Fugitive, Eliza is on the trail of a fugitive who is charged with murder. She must find him before the police do or risk losing everything.

All Creatures Great and Small follows Miss Scarlet and the Duke at 9 p.m. with episode six of season four entitled The Home Front. When Richard Alderson needs some help, Helen returns to Heston Grange. Buried family secrets threaten to tear their relationship apart as Richard refuses to let her muck in on the farm. Gerald’s beloved dog, Rock, needs veterinary help, but he is too worried about the operation. Mrs. Hall pushes him to do the right thing.

Photo: Jenna Coleman as Majesty Queen Victoria • Credit: PBS

GOSPEL Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. • WXXI-TV

From the blues to hip-hop, African Americans have been the driving force of sonic innovation for over a century.

GOSPEL Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. airs Tuesday, June 4 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Musical styles come and go, but there is one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage, and wisdom from the pulpit to the choir lofts on any given Sunday: the gospel. The gospel concert special, produced by McGee Media, Done + Dusted, and Friends at Work, celebrates gospel music and its extraordinary impact on culture and pop music. Featuring the biggest names in gospel music together with the biggest stars from the world of pop, R&B and beyond, the concert will be recorded in Los Angeles in front of a live audience, hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. This one-hour PBS special, from showrunner Kristen V. Carter, will both be inspired by and build excitement for the landmark four-hour history series, GOSPEL.

Photo: Lena Byrd Miles • Credit: PBS

GOSPEL • WXXI-WORLD

Explores the rich history of Black spirituality through sermon and song.

GOSPEL airs Saturday, December 14 at 9 a.m. on WXXI-WORLD

From executive producer, host, and writer Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., GOSPEL reunites with directors Stacey L. Holman and Shayla Harris after recently teaming up on Making Black America: Through the Grapevine.

Gates, the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard University and director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, speaks with dozens of clergymen, singers and scholars about their connection to the music that has transcended its origins and now spreads “the good word” all around the world. The series features interviews with notable names including Dionne Warwick, U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, Rev. Otis Moss III, professor Michael Eric Dyson, and awe-inspiring musical performances of Gospel favorites “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus,” “Total Praise,” and others from talents including The Belle Singers, Cory Henry, Celisse, and more. Throughout its four hours, GOSPEL gives a look at the history of Black religious music and preaching, showcasing the symbiotic relationship of words and song present in any Black church. The series examines the origin of Black gospel music, which blended the sacred spirituals with the blues tradition and soared to new heights during the Great Migration. This music served as an outlet for the anger and frustration of living as a Black person in America, which remains true today. The series also explores the evolution of preaching styles over time, and the impact of class, gender, cultural innovations, and consumer technologies shaped the development of gospel since its conception.

Photo: Tyrell Bell and the Belle Singers, featuring Ian Johnson, perform “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus”, for GOSPEL. • Credit: McGee Media

History with David Rubenstein • Sundays at 7 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD

David Rubenstein’s skillful questioning of acclaimed writers takes us behind the scenes.

History with David Rubenstein airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD

David Rubenstein’s skillful questioning of acclaimed writers like Robert A. Caro, Ron Chernow, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and many others effectively takes us behind the scenes, enabling a rare insight into the American story and a real sense of how history gets made.

In August David interviews the following writers:
8/4 — Author Richard Haass
8/11 — Author Craig L. Symonds

Energy Switch • Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD

Energy and climate point-counterpoint talk show, featuring America’s leading experts.

Energy Switch airs Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD.

Energy and climate point-counterpoint talk show, featuring America’s leading experts, moderated by energy scientist and television host Dr. Scott Tinker. Lively, balanced but at times conflicting discussions. Non-partisan, researched and vetted. Tightly edited, fast paced, and rich with content.