US
Remember when Forbes Field was the world’s greatest ballpark? When the Dips roller coaster at West View Park came out to Route 19? When everyone went to the Allegheny County Fair? When streetcars ran all over town? They’re all parts of this warm and winsome program about Pittsburgh’s past, this heartfelt tribute to great and old places where people used to go to have fun.
May 1990
The decades-long debate surrounding reparations is fraught, mired in racial tension and the semantics of restorative justice. While the national conversation remains stalled due to legislative inaction, communities across the country examine their histories and take it upon themselves to arrange their own form of reparations. This detailed investigation of restitution presents accounts of everyday people confronting the past and exploring the possibilities of wealth transfer.
Nov 2023
Seen only once in 1981, this is a live national broadcast of the 10th anniversary production of MASS. Directed for the stage by Tom O’Horgan of “Hair” fame, the cameras were directed by Emile Ardolino. The work that opened the Kennedy Center is conducted by John Mauceri and produced for PBS by WQED, Pittsburgh.
Sep 1981
Journey back in time for a musical event that's as close to time travel as television will allow. Your living room becomes the stage as Little Anthony and the Original Imperials, The Fleetwoods, Little Richard and more shake, rattle and roll for this once in a lifetime performance. Join hosts Frankie Valli, Jerry "The Iceman" Butler and Lloyd Price for an unforgettable evening that you'll watch over and over. ~Filmed May 15 and 16, 2001
Aug 2001
A celebration of market houses, market places and farmers' markets across the United States. Rick Sebak checks out crab cakes in Baltimore's Lexington Market, shops with a chef in Pittsburgh's East Liberty Farmers' Market and attends a tomato tasting in Asheville, North Carolina. This program looks at the joys of talking to people who grow our food and the fresh opportunities that are found in markets.
Aug 2007
Enjoy an all-American celebration of what may be the country's most popular fast food. From Connecticut to South Carolina to California, Rick Sebak visits some of the nation's coolest hot dog places, taking viewers inside a giant hot dog-shaped building, stopping at some crazy late-night stands, and looking at how hot dogs are made. Wonder how and when hot dogs became so popular-or what toppings are tops these days? Tune in and find out.
Aug 1999
After her husband's death, Mrs. Hata desperately needs help on her cucumber farm. Rinko' mother wants her to spend the summer helping Mrs. Hata, her life-long friend. But 12-year-old Rinko sees Mrs. Hata's traditional Japanese ways as being backward and "crazy." When she gives in to her mother's request, she discovers Mrs. Hata is kind and courageous, fighting to save her farm. Before summer ends, RInko comes to appreciate and defend "crazy" Mrs. Hata.
May 1997
This show brings together legendary artists of the 1960s and 1970s for a once-in-a-lifetime event: Ben E. King and The Drifters, Jerry Butler reuniting with The Impressions for the first time since 1958, as well as The Isley Brothers, Percy Sledge, Eddie Holman, Little Anthony & The Imperials, The Chi-Lites and many more performers singing their most memorable hits, rhythm & blues and soul classics from the '60s and '70s. In salute to several more of the greatest artists of the time, Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular also broadcasts rarely seen footage of Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, James Brown, and others, performing some of their most unforgettable hits. The program is co-hosted by Dionne Warwick, Jerry "The Iceman" Butler,Sam Moore of Sam and Dave, each of whom also performs, and Richard "Shaft" Roundtree.
Dec 2001
A travelogue featuring oddly-shaped buildings (and the folks who live in, work in, own and admire them) located along USA highways.
Jul 2004
Writer, producer, puppeteer, songwriter--America's Favorite Neighbor takes a thorough look at the career of legendary children's television host Fred Rogers. Produced for Pittsburgh's WQED, this informative documentary tracks his rise as floor manager for various NBC programs, such as Your Hit Parade, to the major awards he received later in life, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Along the way, he's seen launching public TV programs The Children's Corner, which featured a soon-to-be-famous puppet named King Friday, and Canada's MisteRogers. The latter, naturally, was followed by Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which made its national debut in 1968, and would eventually became the longest running program in PBS history. Hosted by fellow Pennsylvania native Michael Keaton (Batman), who worked on his show in the early days, America's Favorite Neighbor is suitable for all ages, but is geared more towards adults, particularly parents and educators.
Jan 2004
Featuring stunning autumn colors and the fresh greens of spring, the much-anticipated Pittsburgh From The Air II takes you on an unforgettable sightseeing tour of Western Pennsylvania. Our helicopter and production crew used the latest technology in HD aerial photography as they swooped over mountains, valleys, rivers, gorges, skyscrapers, and towns to showcase the beauty of the region. Highlights include spectacular views of the Pittsburgh Marathon, the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail, historic covered bridges, Youghiogheny River Lake, Friday night football and much more.
Dec 2012
It's a giant sort-of-Victorian holiday village covered in candy! It's an astounding work of folk art. It's Gingerbread Lane. We follow its creator, chef Jon Lovitch, from icing in February to assembling in November at Station Square. Sweet stuff!
Jan 2013
Join host Jerry Butler and some of history's greatest doo-wop performers from the '50's and '60's as they celebrate five decades of vocal magic. Recorded live May 11 and 12, 1999 at The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.
Sep 2000
Take a big bite of an Oram's Donut. Go for a refreshing swim at Ligonier Beach. Sit and stare at the dinosaur bones at Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Oakland. Then you might start to understand some of the enduring charms of western Pennsylvania. The area around Pittsburgh is full of intriguing old places, unusual family-owned businesses, a wacky set of colored "belts" that sometimes circle the city, and lots of other unexpected pieces of our past. In this delightful documentary, Rick Sebak celebrates some interesting old buildings, classic artifacts like Fiesta dinnerware, hand-painted movie posters and assorted other things that have survived in spite of our local civilization. Find out about ancient evidence of human habitation at Meadowcroft Rockshelter. Learn about hidden luxuries in Braddock's Carnegie Library, and discover surprises like the Warner Brothers' first movie theater, the old Sewickley Train Station and the Calder mobile hanging at the Pittsburgh airport.
Dec 1999
The Lincoln Highway was established in 1913 as America’s first coast-to-coast paved highway. It connected New York City with San Francisco and passed through towns and cities in 13 states. It was an adventure for early motorists, and drivers today still love its hidden charms and all the stuff along its several paths. A RIDE ALONG THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY considers some of the history of the road and shows some of the joys of finding and riding along the various alignments of the highway today. Along the way, we meet highway historians and enthusiasts from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Evanston, Wyoming, and many places in between. We check out the cottages at the Lincoln Motor Court near Bedford, PA, stop for lunch in Mount Vernon, Iowa, meet some folks in Eureka, Nevada, and even walk out to the end of the Berkeley pier in California. It's a great trip.
Oct 2008
Rick Sebak is a Pittsburgh treasure whose award-winning documentaries have entertained and educated local and national viewers for 25 years. As he celebrates this anniversary at WQED, we look back at Rick's memorable programs and hear about the stories behind them. Rick talks about his inspiration as a filmmaker, while colleagues and fans share their thoughts on Rick's appealing and timeless body of work.
A Flea Market Documentary is a new PBS special and an all-American celebration of open-air shopping across the country. On any weekend, there may be no better place to find out what makes America great than at a flea market. A Flea Market Documentary is an unabashed celebration of the unusual people and the enticing things that can be found in parking lots, fairgrounds, drive-ins, sidewalks, and wherever else someone has posted a sign saying "Flea Market." It's capitalism mixed with craziness. It's amazing old stuff, great salespeople, the ancient tradition of the open-air market, and the possibility of finding a bargain, all uniting shoppers across the nation. Produced by WQED Pittsburgh, A Flea Market Documentary travels from the gigantic Rose Bowl Market in Pasadena, California, to the busy but modest- sized Eastern Market in Washington, DC, talking with organizers, vendors, food merchants and shoppers.
Jul 2001
This documentary from PBS travels throughout America in search of the best breakfast places the country has to offer. Along the way, the patrons, employees, and owners of such establishments give their take on what makes for great breakfast fare, and what keeps a customer coming back for more.
Jul 2010
Maybe it's Pittsburgh's chipped-beef "Slammer" you're craving. Or Iowa's Maid Rite "loosemeat"? Louisville's "Hot Brown"? Escape fast-food sameness on a mouth-watering tour through America's distinctive sandwich landscape. Let veteran guide Rick Sebak (A Hot Dog Program, An Ice Cream Show) take you across the country to New Orleans for muffaletta, to Chicago for Italian beef, and New York City for pastrami on rye.
Jun 2002
Rick Sebak's documentary explores the history and some of the wonderful surprises you can find in Millvale! It's an unassuming borough on the Allegheny River, not far from Downtown Pittsburgh, but it's got Jean-Marc's French Bakery, Yetter's Candy Store, Grant Bar, Lincoln Pharmacy, Pamela's P&G Diner, Attic Records and much much more.