PBS Announces Winter/Spring 2011 Lineup Celebrating Those Who Dared to Be First

NOVA Moves to New Wednesday Night Slot Debuting With David Pogue's "Making Stuff" on January 19

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 1, 2010 -- This Winter/Spring 2011 season, PBS celebrates True Originals - innovators, artists, scientists, political leaders and ordinary citizens who dared to advance, challenge, improve, invent and explore. From the inspiring stories of those who risked their lives for a cause to the early television pioneers to the innovators who seek to make things better, PBS presents a new season of original programs that enrich lives and expand horizons.

For true originals - how about AMERICAN MASTERS "Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides" (Wednesday, January 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET)? Or PIONEERS OF TELEVISION (Tuesdays, January 18-February 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET), which looks at the inception of four popular genres: science fiction, crime dramas, local kids' TV and westerns.

Science takes a starring role this season on PBS with NOVA "Making Stuff" (Wednesdays, January 19-February 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET), hosted by New York Times technology columnist David Pogue. NOVA scienceNOW tries to answer some really big questions like "Can We Live Forever?" and "How Smart Are Animals?" (Wednesdays, January 19-February 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET). And on February 9, PBS presents a special three-hour block dubbed "The Smartest Night on Television," when NOVA "Smartest Machine on Earth" joins the lineup at 10:00 p.m.

If drama is your cup of tea, then PBS offers three new MASTERPIECE CLASSICS hosted by Laura Linney. "Downton Abbey" (Sundays, January 9-30 at 9:00 p.m. ET), set in an Edwardian country house in 1912, features an all-star cast including Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith and Elizabeth McGovern. Or go below stairs with an updated version of the beloved "Upstairs Downstairs" (Sundays, April 10-24 at 9:00 p.m. ET) with Jean Marsh reprising her Emmy-winning role as Rose along with a cast of new characters. "Any Human Heart" (Sundays, February 13-27 at 9:00 p.m. ET), William Boyd's adaptation of his acclaimed 2002 novel, stars Matthew MacFadyen, Gillian Anderson, Hayley Atwell, Kim Cattrall and Jim Broadbent.

Three American masters plus three great performers add up to one amazing night of stories and music on AMERICAN MASTERS "Troubadours: James Taylor, Carole King and the California Scene" and GREAT PERFORMANCES "Harry Connick Jr. in Concert on Broadway" (Wednesday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET).

For profiles in courage, watch Stanley Nelson's acclaimed film FREEDOM RIDERS (Monday, May 16 at 9:00 p.m. ET). The powerful and inspirational story of the more than 400 black and white men and women who risked their lives to challenge segregated travel facilities in the South in 1961, debuts on AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. Or INDEPENDENT LENS "Bhutto" (Tuesday, May 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET), the incredible life story of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who evolved from pampered princess to polarizing politician only to be struck down by assassins in 2007.

Henry Louis Gates returns with BLACK IN LATIN AMERICA (Tuesdays, April 19-May 10, 8:00 p.m. ET), an exploration of what happens when African and Hispanic worlds meet.

Programs premiering on nature include a brand-new series hosted by the energetic and enthusiastic creature exploring brothers, Martin and Chris Kratt in the new PBS KIDS GO! series WILD KRATTS (January 3) and NATURE "Bears of the Last Frontier" (Sundays, May 8-22 at 8:00 p.m. ET).

Finally, on the 150th anniversary of the beginning of America's Civil War, PBS presents an encore presentation of Ken Burns's entire landmark 1990 series THE CIVIL WAR (Sunday-Thursday, April 3-7 at 8:00 p.m. ET).

Additional information on PBS Winter/Spring 2011 lineup:

WILD KRATTS
Premieres January 3, 2011
Pack a snack, grab a compass and head out for adventure with the energetic and enthusiastic creature exploring brothers, Martin and Chris Kratt in the new PBS KIDS GO! series WILD KRATTS.

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC "Downton Abbey"
Sundays, January 9-30, 2011, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
The miniseries that took the UK by storm comes to PBS. Described by the Brit press as "...more scandal and costume envy than an episode of 'Gossip Girl'" (Marie Claire UK) and "makes almost everything else... seem bland and two-dimensional" (The Times of London). Created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park), "Downton Abbey" depicts the lives of the noble Crawley family and the staff who serve them, set at their Edwardian country house in 1912. Featuring an all-star cast including Hugh Bonneville (MASTERPIECE CLASSIC "Miss Austen Regrets"), Dame Maggie Smith and Elizabeth McGovern. Laura Linney hosts.

AMERICAN MASTERS "Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides"
Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET
Meet the man who pulls off a movie where his character is simply known as "The Dude." Called "the most natural and least self-conscious screen actor that has ever lived" by �ber-critic Pauline Kael, this film profiles Jeff Bridges, an Oscar-winner who embodies traits far beyond brilliance as an actor.

PIONEERS OF TELEVISION
Tuesdays, January 18-February 8, 2011, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Where would TV be without "Star Trek," "Columbo," "Romper Room" or "Gunsmoke"? The series returns for a look at the inception of four popular genres: science fiction, crime dramas, local kids' TV and westerns.

NOVA "Making Stuff"
*NEW NIGHT* Wednesdays, January 19-February 9, 2011, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
NOVA kicks off its new night on Wednesdays with the premiere of the four-part miniseries, "Making Stuff." What's in the lab today could be in your life tomorrow. Join The New York Times technology columnist David Pogue as he discovers how the "stuff" in our world is becoming stronger, smaller, cleaner and smarter.

NOVA scienceNOW
Wednesdays, January 19-February 23, 2011, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Leading into NOVA, each episode of the upcoming season of NOVA scienceNOW explores one of six "big" science questions: "Can We Make It to Mars?"; "Can We Live Forever?"; "How Does the Brain Work?"; "How Smart are Animals?"; "Where did I Come From?"; and "What's the Next Big Thing?"

NOVA "Smartest Machine on Earth"
Wednesday, February 9, 2011, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET
NOVA investigates the world of artificial intelligence and profiles the computer that could be the "Smartest Machine on Earth." Known as "Watson," this IBM supercomputer is so advanced it's pursuing the first-of-its-kind challenge competing against "Jeopardy!" champions to prove its uncanny ability to mimic the human thought process. This program is the culmination of a special NOVA three-hour primetime block on February 9 dubbed as "The Smartest Night on TV": NOVA scienceNOW's "How Smart Are Animals?" at 8:00 pm ET, followed by NOVA's "Making Stuff Smarter" at 9:00 pm ET, concluding with NOVA's "Smartest Machine on Earth" at 10:00 pm ET.

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC "Any Human Heart"
Sundays, February 13-27, 2011, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET
William Boyd adapts his acclaimed 2002 novel about a man - at various times a writer, lover, prisoner of war and spy - making his often precarious way through the 20th century. Matthew MacFadyen, Gillian Anderson, Hayley Atwell, Kim Cattrall and Jim Broadbent star. Laura Linney hosts.

AMERICAN MASTERS "Troubadours: James Taylor, Carole King and the California Scene" and GREAT PERFORMANCES "Harry Connick Jr. in Concert on Broadway"
Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET and 9:30-11:00 p.m. ET
Join three American masters and three great performers for a night of amazing stories and music. James Taylor and Carole King are the subjects of an all new AMERICAN MASTERS and Harry Connick Jr. graces the stage for GREAT PERFORMANCES.

THE CIVIL WAR
*ENCORE PRESENTATION* Sunday-Thursday, April 3-7, 2011, 8:00 p.m. ET
On the 150th anniversary of the beginning of America's Civil War, PBS re-broadcasts Ken Burns's entire landmark 1990 series. Burns's epic documentary brings to life America's most destructive - and defining - conflict.

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC "Upstairs Downstairs"
Sundays, April 10-24, 2011, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
An updated version of one of the most-loved and most-honored series in television history, with a new cast of characters and Jean Marsh reprising her Emmy-winning role as Rose. The cast also includes the original series co-creator Dame Eileen Atkins (MASTERPIECE CLASSIC "Cranford"), Keeley Hawes ("MI-5"), Ed Stoppard and Art Malik ("The Jewel in the Crown"). The script is by Emmy-nominee Heidi Thomas (MASTERPIECE CLASSIC "Cranford"). Laura Linney hosts.

BLACK IN LATIN AMERICA
Tuesdays, April 19-May 10, 2011, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Travel with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. across Latin America to explore what happens when African and Hispanic worlds meet. Four-part series.

NATURE "Bears of the Last Frontier" (w.t.)
Sundays, May 8-22, 2011, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Take a spin with adventurer and bear biologist Chris Morgan as he motorcycles deep into the Alaskan wild to explore the amazing resiliency and adaptability of bears through five dramatic ecosystems.

INDEPENDENT LENS "Bhutto"
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 10:00 p.m-12:00 a.m. ET
She evolved from pampered princess to polarizing politician in the most dangerous country on earth. Accused of rampant corruption, imprisoned, then exiled abroad, Benazir Bhutto was called back to Pakistan in 2007 as her country's best hope for democracy only to be struck down by assassins. Witness this amazing true story of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto by Duane Baughman.

FREEDOM RIDERS: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
Monday, May 16, 2011, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET
Acclaimed filmmaker Stanley Nelson's powerful and inspirational story of the more than 400 black and white men and women who, using non-violent tactics, risked their lives to challenge segregated travel facilities in the South in 1961.

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