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May 13, 2021
It has been wonderful to see events returning to our area, albeit at reduced capacity and safely distanced. I know our family is anticipating the return of the Norfolk Tides as well as the Peninsula Pilots which leads me to tour the first pick. American Masters: Ted Williams, Williams lost a total of five seasons serving his country during World War II and the Korean War during the athletic prime of his life, his hitting technique is considered a science, and he is recognized as one of the greatest hitters, if not the greatest hitter of all time. His life story is fascinating. Human is brand new to Passport and is a biological deep dive, presented in a captivating fashion. We also share two stories of perseverance, Eyes on the Prize and Harbor from the Holocaust. Two programs that take an honest look at history and showcase the extraordinary actions of ordinary men and women and their courage.
- Heather Mazzoni, Chief Content Officer
Now on to the shows
Human: The World Within
Take a deep dive into the universe that’s inside every one of us, by exploring shared biology that we often don’t take the time to appreciate, or understand. Heart, brain, eyes, blood, tears; Human uncovers not only the science behind how our bodies work but how what’s inside powers every moment of what we do out in the world. Watch Now
American Masters: Ted Williams
Watch the biography of the Boston Red Sox player who may have been the greatest hitter who ever lived. Features Bob Costas, Wade Boggs, Roger Angell & Joey Votto. Narrated by Jon Hamm. Watch Now
Eyes on the Prize
Eyes on the Prize is a six-part series that tells the definitive story of the civil rights era from the point of view of the ordinary men and women whose extraordinary actions launched a movement that changed the fabric of American life and embodied a struggle whose reverberations continue to be felt today. Narrated by political leader and civil rights activist Julian Bond. Watch Now
Harbor from the Holocaust
Harbor from the Holocaust is the story of nearly 20,000 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II, to the Chinese port city of Shanghai. Explore the extraordinary relationship of these Jews and their adopted city of Shanghai, even though the bitter years of Japanese occupation 1937-1945 and the Chinese civil war that followed. Watch Now
Mark Your Calendar
Walter’s Choice: Professor T, Season 3
Fans of Professor T rejoice! Season 3 premieres on Passport May 27. We join Professor T, whose first few days in a tough and unfamiliar new environment are a disaster, but will he cooperate with the efforts of his friends and family to help him? From Walter Presents, in Flemish with English subtitles. Best of all seasons 1 & 2 are available now. Binge starting May 27, 2021. Watch the Preview
Staff Favorite
The Durrell’s in Corfu
"As much as I enjoy taking in the sweeping Cornish vistas and broodingly handsome title character in Poldark, or following the highs and lows of the Crawley family and their staff set against the grandeur of Downton Abbey, or being thrilled by the chase and comforted by the camaraderie in Grantchester and Endeavour… my heart keeps coming back to The Durrells in Corfu. Maybe it’s my longing to experience the sun-drenched beaches and crystal clear sea of this Greek island, but something about the misadventures shared by this ragtag English family brings me indescribable joy. Despite their near-constant quarreling and characteristic unwitting hijinks, at the end of the day, they’re riotously funny and deeply lovable. Whenever I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed, as I often have this past year, this blissful period-piece has soothed my nerves and made me eager to reenter the world in the sunnier times to come. If you’ve felt the same, join me as I visit (and then revisit) The Durrells in Corfu."
Sydney Felker
Administrative Assistant, Williamsburg Office
May 27, 2021
I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful spring weather. As a reminder, you can enjoy Passport on any mobile device, so feel free to watch these programs while you appreciate the outdoors. Professor T returns and season 3 is available today. If you are a fan of the program House, this is a series you will enjoy. This program is adored around the world, so much so that PBS is creating an English version which will debut later this year. We also share a Passport exclusive this month with That Way Madness Lies. This documentary showcases the effects of mental illness on the family as a whole and provides an intimate look at current systems in place that continue to fail many families grappling with this issue.
- Heather Mazzoni, Chief Content Officer
Now on to the shows
Walter’s Choice: Professor T: Season 3
Fans of Professor T rejoice! Season 3 premieres on Passport today! We join Professor T, whose first few days in a tough and unfamiliar new environment are a disaster, but will he cooperate with the efforts of his friends and family to help him? From Walter Presents, in Flemish with English subtitles. Watch Now
American Masters: Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir
The story of the author whose first novel, The Joy Luck Club, was published to great commercial and critical success. With the blockbuster film adaptation that followed as well as several additional best-selling novels, Tan firmly established herself as one of the most prominent and respected American literary voices working today. Watch Now
That Way Madness Lies
Award-winning filmmaker Sandra Luckow unflinchingly turns her camera on her own family as they attempt to navigate the broken mental health system in an effort to save her brother, whose iPhone video diary ultimately becomes an unfiltered look at the mind of a man with untreated schizophrenia as well as an indictment of how the system failed. This is a Passport exclusive. Watch Now
The Food Flirts
Meet the Brass sisters a.k.a. the Food Flirts. Two passionate food explorers of a certain age on a mission to tackle their culinary bucket list, one bite at a time. In each episode, the ladies ‘flirt’ their way into chefs’ kitchens to discover two ethnically unique and delicious delights, then head home to experiment and create cross-cultural culinary mashups to the best of their ability. Watch Now
Mark Your Calendar
Halifax Retribution
A suspenseful mystery in eight parts, Halifax: Retribution brings Professor of Forensic Psychiatry, Jane Halifax back on the case when she’s approached by Commander Tom Saracen to help find the sniper that is terrorizing Melbourne. This series is a continuation of the popular series Halifax, which aired from 1994-2002. Premieres June 1. Watch the Preview
WHRO Member Pick
Ken Burns National Parks
“Ken Burns' astonishingly gorgeous masterpiece is a love letter to our National Parks. Both a great work of history and an intimate portrait of the experience each of us has with our favorite Park, it feeds the wanderlust that I know I've felt over the last year or so during the pandemic. Watch it and be transported to any number of places of surpassing natural beauty or national importance–and then learn the history of the place, and how it entered into our common ownership. One of my favorite things is how Burns reminds us through the course of the entire series that, like public media, our National Parks are a gift we give to each other, and to future generations–and their protection and preservation is just as reliant on each of us taking that responsibility seriously.”
Chris O'Brien
WHRO Community Advisory Board Member
