ANNOUNCER: Coming up next, join us for a celebration of your favorite shows in We Heart Public Television.

Featuring appearances by... Jamie Lee Curtis, Ken Burns, Josh Groban, Nicholas Ralph, Jesse Cook, Rick Steves, Lily Tomlin, Martha Plimpton, Judy Blume, Molly Tuttle and Ketch Secor, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Willie Nelson, Noel Paul Stookey, Marlee Matlin, Celtic Woman, Kathy Mattea, Lindsey Stirling, Brandi Carlile, Bill Nye, Mychal the Librarian, Lynda Carter, Courtney B. Vance, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Brian Cheney, Sierra Hull, Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett, Joe Bonamassa, Pati Jinich, Lauryn Hill, Ziggy Marley, Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster, And Sheléa.

Plus, classic clips from Sesame Street, Masterpiece and Mr.

Rogers' Neighborhood.

Its all coming up on We Heart Public Television!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ JAMIE: Hi, everyone.

I'm Jamie Lee Curtis, and I am so excited to kick things off for the We Heart Public Television Telethon.

Because for over five decades, viewers of all ages have enjoyed programs like Mr.

Rogers' Neighborhood, Masterpiece, NOVA, Great Performances, NATURE, and the PBS NewsHour for free on their local PBS stations.

And many PBS viewers have supported their local stations over the years by becoming members.

But this year, that support is more important than ever after the loss of all of the federal funding for public broadcasting.

So we hope this telethon will encourage you to make a generous gift.

So, when the telethon producers asked me if I had a favorite PBS show that I wanted to introduce, it was hard to pick just one, but I chose Sesame Street because for generations of children, the characters on Sesame Street have not only taught kids their numbers and letters, but they have been their friends.

Like my friend, Elmo.

I got to be on the show with Elmo, and it was one of my favorite things I've ever done.

I love him.

So here is one of my favorite clips from the 1970s.

I hope you enjoy it, and please give generously.

Thanks.

(Ernie mumbling) BERT: Hey, Ernie.

(Ernie continues mumbling) Hey, Ern.

ERNIE: Oh, hi, Bert.

BERT: Yeah, hey, Ernie, do you know that you have a banana in your ear?

ERNIE: What was that, Bert?

BERT: I said you have a banana in your ear, Ernie.

Bananas are food they are to eat, not to put in your ear, Ernie.

ERNIE: What'd you say, Bert?

BERT: Will you just take that banana out of your ear?

ERNIE: I'm sorry, you'll have to speak a little louder, Bert.

I can't hear you.

I have a banana in my ear.

♪ ADAM: Hi there.

This is Adam Arkin.

And over the years, it's been my privilege to appear in over a dozen of Ken Burns' productions.

Ken is a true educator, an absolutely brilliant filmmaker and storyteller, and an inspiration.

I'm also proud to call him a friend.

I believe he's a national treasure, and it's a testimony to PBS that Ken has worked exclusively with Public Television over 40 years now.

It's why I support PBS and why I urge you to join me in supporting your local station.

Thanks very much.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ KEN: Hi, I'm Ken Burns, and I'm so happy to join you today for this important effort to raise much-needed funds for local stations.

PBS has been the home for my documentaries for more than 40 years, just as it has been the home for countless programs for people of all ages.

Please consider making a contribution to your station today.

The support is now more important than ever.

Thank you.

FRED: What an amazing tribute to Ken Burns and his collection of work.

Hi, I'm Fred Nahhat here with BaBette Davidson.

BABETTE: And we are thrilled to be part of We Heart Public Television.

Aren't Rickey Minor and his band incredible?

Well, there is so much more to come, including three special performances from Nashville.

FRED: But before we hear more music, we want to invite you to support your local public television station right now.

We have phone operators waiting to talk with you.

BABETTE: Whether you're a longtime supporter of your PBS station or you're considering making a gift for the very first time, well done, you, know that your donation is more important this year than ever.

FRED: Now, you may have heard that Congress stopped all federal funding for public media in July, and so we are relying on our loyal viewers to help fill that gap.

And if you are a sustainer already, consider increasing your monthly gift by, say, $5 or $10.

BABETTE: Whatever level you choose, your donation will help bring you the programs you love, all the programs that we're celebrating right now in We Heart Public Television.

Now, coming up in a few minutes, is one of my favorite performances by Josh Groban.

FRED: And after that, Nicholas Ralph will introduce a sneak peek at the brand new season of All Creatures Great & Small, which starts in January.

But first, let's look at some of the very special thank-you gifts we have put together for this telethon.

♪ ANNOUNCER: Become a $5 monthly sustainer or give $60 right now, and you can show off your love of quality programs everywhere you go.

We'll send you this We Heart Public Television car magnet.

Start your ongoing $8-a-month donation or donate $96, and we'll thank you with this brand new We Heart Public Television t-shirt.

This shirt is sure to bring smiles every time you wear it.

Become a $12 monthly sustainer or invest $144 in this public television station and we'll thank you with this Keeping the Music Alive tote bag.

Or ask for all three gifts.

Start your $20-a-month sustaining donation or give $240 right now and we'll send you the shirt, the magnet, and the tote bag.

And remember, when you make a qualifying donation, you'll also enjoy PBS Passport, our most popular member benefit.

With Passport, you'll be able to explore a deep library of incredible PBS shows that you can watch right on your television.

So don't wait.

Do your part now.

Give online or call or text the number on your screen.

And thank you.

♪ Because I'm happy ♪ ♪ Clap along if you feel JOSH: Hey, it's Josh Groban, and I'm so proud to support all of the programs on PBS, but especially the arts.

As an artist, PBS has given me an incredible platform to express myself.

And as a viewer, I have learned about the world through the amazing arts programs that PBS gives us every day.

I implore you, especially in these times, to support your local PBS station and support all the incredible arts programming that they provide.

Thank you so much.

(audience cheering) ♪ ♪ I sit and wait ♪ Does an angel ♪ Contemplate my fate?

♪ And do they know ♪ The places where we go ♪ When we're gray and old?

♪ ♪ 'Cause I have been told ♪ That salvation lets their wings unfold ♪ ♪ ♪ So when I'm lying in my bed ♪ Thoughts running through my head ♪ ♪ And feel the love is dead ♪ I'm loving angels instead ♪ Through it all ♪ She offers me protection ♪ A lot of love and affection ♪ Whether I'm right or wrong ♪ And down the waterfall ♪ Wherever it may take me ♪ I know that life won't break me ♪ ♪ When I come to call ♪ She won't forsake me ♪ ♪ I'm loving angels instead ♪ When I'm feeling weak ♪ And my pain walks down ♪ A one way street ♪ Oh, I look above ♪ And I know I'll always be ♪ Blessed with love ♪ And as the feeling grows ♪ She breathes flesh into my bones ♪ ♪ And when the love is dead ♪ I'm loving angels instead ♪ Through it all ♪ She offers me protection ♪ A lot of love and affection ♪ Whether I'm right or wrong ♪ Down the waterfall ♪ Wherever it may take me ♪ I know that life won't break me ♪ ♪ When I come to call ♪ She won't forsake me ♪ ♪ I'm loving angels instead ♪ (Josh vocalizing) ♪ (Josh vocalizing) ♪ Through it all ♪ She offers me protection ♪ A lot of love and affection ♪ Whether I'm right or wrong ♪ Down the waterfall ♪ Wherever it may take me ♪ I know that life won't break me ♪ ♪ When I come to call ♪ She won't forsake me ♪ I'm loving angels instead (audience cheering and applauding) JOSH: Thank you very much.

NICOLAS: Hello, my name is Nicolas Ralph and I play James Herriot in All Creatures Great & Small.

We have such a good time making the show and over these past six years, the crew and the cast have become a family and we consider Masterpiece and PBS viewers as part of that family.

So please support your local station right now.

It's so important.

Thank you so much for letting us know how much you love the show.

And here is a sneak peek of season six, airing January the 11th.

♪ (laughing) ♪ - James!

Tristan!

Ah!

- The world has changed.

We need to change with it.

♪ - Goodness me.

- I love you, James Herriot.

♪ - It's good to see you again.

- You too.

♪ ♪ JESSE: Hi, I'm Jesse Cook, and I have been part of the PBS family for over 15 years.

It has been a privilege to share my music with public television viewers for five fundraising specials.

I've also had a chance to visit a lot of public television stations all over the country, so I have a lot of friends here at PBS, and that is why I am really happy to be here today to support We Heart Public Television.

Right now, Jose and the band and I, we're going to play a little song of mine called "Mario Takes a Walk."

I hope you enjoy it.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ RICK: Hey, I'm Rick Steves, and I love public broadcasting.

This station is your oasis of thoughtfulness, where you can enjoy programming that respects your intellect, that's driven by a passion not for keeping advertisers happy, but by a passion for embracing life and celebrating our world in all its diversity.

But we're navigating some troubled waters these days, and we need to take this seriously.

Considering the challenges facing our nation today and the impact of media on our citizenry, I believe this station is more important than ever for the fabric of our society.

In fact, for the fabric of our democracy.

Talk about timely.

If you agree with that, then you understand that supporting public broadcasting is flat-out good citizenship.

We need media that's independent, media that inspires us to be smarter, media that doesn't make us afraid, but that encourages us, that engages us.

And that's what this station is all about.

And that's what we're celebrating today.

Your help is critical right now.

If you're looking for a way to raise your voice effectively, I can't think of a better way to help out than by supporting public media.

And with your help, public broadcasting can keep on educating, keep on inspiring, and keep on traveling.

Merci beaucoup.

Grazie.

And danke schön.

Ciao.

BABETTE: Don't we all love Rick Steves?

And you know, he's been taking us to Europe for nearly 35 years, providing us with travel tips and techniques, all while entertaining us with his weekly travel show.

We hope you're enjoying this We Heart Public Television Telethon.

Stay with us.

There is so much more to come.

And as you can tell, Rick is really passionate about public television, as much as he is about traveling.

And we hope you'll join him in supporting this station.

Right now, we would love for you to use the number or website on your screen and make a generous gift to your PBS station.

You know, with the recent elimination of federal funds for public television, your financial gift to this station now is more important than ever.

Support from viewers like you are vital to the future of the programs you love.

That's the impact you have when you make a gift to this station.

And remember we have those great exclusive gifts we'd love to send you with our thanks for your generous donation.

And this is such a wonderful time for you to make that call.

So thank you if you've already done so.

Now, we have a very special treat.

It's the incomparable, amazing, legendary, "one ringy dingy," Lily Tomlin.

She's been a part of the PBS family for decades, and she recently stopped by our studio to tell us what it was like to work on Sesame Street.

LILY: Well, Sesame Street was just, it was such a hit, and it was so- and I loved the Muppets so much.

I always wanted to see how the puppets were figured around the set, you know, and then I'd- I'd get so involved, I- I would forget to remind- to remember where the baby had come up from or where some other creature had come up from.

So it was just great fun.

It was great fun to go in, and you're always kind of nervous, and you want to- you want to be good at it.

LILY (in the voice of Ernestine): A gracious hello.

(snorts) Have I reached the party of whom I am speaking?

Oh, how lovely.

What a lovely name you have.

What is that?

How is that last name spelled?

Is- is that- pardon me?

Say it again.

Uh-huh.

I don't have a pencil.

I'll have to re- repose it in my brain matter.

(snorts) But I'm very good at doing that.

Anyway, why don't you cough up a few bucks and send them here to... this studio, PBS.

Well, is that so?

You've- How much have you given?

Don't tell me you've sent me more than five bucks because I've got your envelope right here.

And I- yes, your phone number is attached to it.

(snorts) You're not going to get away from me.

I'm going to catch you eventually.

Bernard Boswak.

Bernard Boswak, from the big Boswak family?

Well, I think your wife sent us $45.

Oh, that's so good of her.

Hello?

Hello?

Don't forget that I have your phone number, and I will call you again.

(phone slams) Plastic.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ MARTHA: Hello, I'm Martha Plimpton, and of course, that was the gorgeous theme music written by John Williams for Great Performances.

I've been honored to appear on Great Performances twice, but more importantly, I'm a fan of the series.

Whether it's a Broadway play, a concert from the Hollywood Bowl, or the Vienna Philharmonic on a Summer night at Schönbrunn Palace, Great Performances gives us a front-row seat.

For over 50 years, PBS and Great Performances have brought the arts, music, and culture to every home in America for free.

So, I hope you will consider making a contribution to keep this tradition alive.

Your donation right now to your local PBS station will help them bring you more Great Performances for years to come.

Thank you.

♪ ANNOUNCER: Looking for the best seat in the house?

♪ SINGER: Wow!

ANNOUNCER: You found it.

And now it's a new season of the best of the performing arts.

♪ ♪ Here we come back to start of the dance ♪ ♪ We ain't holdin' back ♪ Here we go, we're right on track ♪ ♪ ♪ Here we go again ♪ You better recognize ♪ You better hold on tight ♪ Here we... go, go ♪ We came to fight ♪ Here we go ♪ Here we go ♪ Here we go For 50 years, it feels good to be great.

♪ Here we go ♪ Here we go ♪ WOMAN: Let's go.

♪ JUDY: Hi, I'm Judy Blume.

I'm so excited to be part of We Heart Public Television.

Children's education is, well, it's real essential, isn't it?

Not just to individual kids, but to the future of our country.

There won't be any future if our kids don't get a good education.

And nobody does it like public television.

Think about all the programs they've brought us over the years, from Reading Rainbow, to Magic School Bus, to Super Why, and, of course, to Sesame Street.

When my grandson, who's now grown, was a toddler in his high chair clutching Elmo, my husband and I used to dance around and improvise in our best Bert and Ernie voices.

This tickled him so much, he laughed and laughed.

He loved it.

We loved it.

And these shows don't only teach kids to read, they make it fun, because reading is fun.

Learning is fun.

And all of this is possible because of viewers like you.

Please show your love for your public television station.

Make your contribution right now.

Thank you.

FRED: Ah, Judy Blume reminding us that education has always been at the very heart of what we do in public television.

It connects every program, every story, and every generation of viewers.

For more than five decades, education has been our foundation and it will continue to guide us for many years to come.

If you've already made a gift during this We Heart Public Television Telethon, thank you for being part of that tradition.

If not, this is the perfect moment.

In fact, about half of the volunteers not on the phone, so you can get an operator if you call right now and talk to someone here in our studio.

That's really the most fun way to do it.

Think about what public television means to you, to your family, to this entire community.

The phone number and website right there on your screen.

Take a moment, make a gift, and know you're making a real difference.

And remember, we have some wonderful exclusive thank-you gifts waiting for you, including this beautiful Keeping the Music Alive canvas tote and other We Heart Public Television exclusives you will not find anywhere else.

Well, it's been a challenging year with the loss of federal funding, so your support matters now more than ever.

Now we have a special treat.

Our friends at Nashville PBS have opened up their studio and invited some incredible artists to join us in this telethon.

First up, Molly Tuttle and Ketch Secor.

KETCH: Well, howdy, and welcome to Nashville, Tennessee, y'all, to the studios of Nashville PBS.

I'm Ketch Secor.

MOLLY: And I'm Molly Tuttle.

We are so happy to be here on PBS.

I personally love PBS.

I grew up watching PBS every single night in the Bay Area.

My local station was KQED.

Now I live in Nashville, and I've gotten to play on PBS many times, which is always a huge honor.

So I love any time I get to work with the local PBS here in Nashville, Tennessee, and around the country.

And so should we play a song?

KETCH: Let's give them a tune.

MOLLY: All right.

♪ ♪ ♪ Headed down south to the land of the pine ♪ ♪ Thumbing my way to North Caroline ♪ ♪ Staring up the road I pray to God I see headlights ♪ ♪ ♪ And I made it down my coast in 17 hours ♪ ♪ I'm picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowers ♪ ♪ Well I'm hoping for Raleigh I can see my baby tonight ♪ ♪ So rock me mama like a wagon wheel ♪ ♪ Rock me mama any way you feel ♪ ♪ Hey mama rock me ♪ ♪ Rock me mama like the wind and the rain ♪ ♪ Rock me mama like a southbound train ♪ ♪ Hey mama rock me ♪ KETCH: Take one Molly!

♪ ♪ ♪ Running from the cold up in New England ♪ ♪ I was born to be a fiddler in an old time string band ♪ ♪ My baby plays the guitar, I pick a banjo now ♪ ♪ ♪ Well the North Country winners keep a getting me ♪ ♪ I lost my money playing poker so I had to up and leave ♪ ♪ But I ain't turning back to living that old life no more ♪ ♪ So rock me mama like a wagon wheel ♪ ♪ Rock me mama any way you feel ♪ ♪ Hey mama rock me ♪ ♪ Rock me mama like the wind and the rain ♪ ♪ Rock me mama like a southbound train ♪ ♪ Hey mama rock me ♪ ♪ ♪ I'm walking due south out of Roanoke ♪ ♪ I caught a trucker out of Philly ♪ ♪ Had a nice long toke ♪ But he's headed west From the Cumberland Gap ♪ ♪ To Johnson City, Tennessee ♪ ♪ And I gotta get a move on before the Sun ♪ ♪ I hear my baby calling my name ♪ ♪ And I know that she's the only one ♪ ♪ And if I die in Raleigh ♪ At least I will die free ♪ So rock me mama like a wagon wheel ♪ ♪ Rock me mama any way you feel ♪ ♪ Hey mama rock me ♪ ♪ Rock me mama like the wind and the rain ♪ ♪ Rock me mama like a southbound train ♪ ♪ Hey mama rock me ♪ KETCH: Thank you so much, PBS.

We just love you.

We love for- we love you for what you stand for, what you do to connect people all across these United States.

I first watched you on WVPT back in my home state in the Old Dominion, and now I get to see you every day on Nashville PBS.

So keep up all the great work, and thanks for the love and support that you're showing all across the nation for public broadcasting.

BABETTE: Love that.

Coast to coast.

Everyone in here was singing along.

We hope you are, too.

FRED: More to come from Nashville.

Do not go anywhere.

We hope that you're enjoying this We Heart Public Television Telethon.

BABETTE: This telethon has me, and I hope you too, remembering all the things that you love about public television and why it's so important to keep this public service available to all of us, as Ketch Secor said, from coast to coast and in this community.

FRED: For sure, and these phone volunteers behind us, just waiting to hear from you.

Use that number on your screen and make your donation.

Do it right now.

BABETTE: Or you can visit us online on our website to make your gift.

But the most important thing, Fred, is to act, to become that financial supporter, that heart of public television is you.

FRED: Well, we want to say thank you when you make a gift.

We have some exclusive thank-you gifts around this telethon.

Starting out for as little as $5 a month or $60 annually, this is the I Heart Public Television car magnet.

BABETTE: Where is it?

You left it on the car, Fred.

FRED: There it is.

BABETTE: Okay, there it is.

FRED: We are public television, $5 a month ongoing as a monthly sustainer or $60 as an annual gift.

BABETTE: I love it.

And then we also have the t-shirt.

FRED: The t-shirt is terrific.

BABETTE: Stylin', you're stylin' it.

FRED: $8 a month ongoing as a monthly or $96 all at once.

BABETTE: Looks good with your eyes.

FRED: Oh yeah, awesome.

BABETTE I like this, you know you're gonna see somebody in the supermarket with that on or with this fabulous, we just talked about the music, right?

All kinds of music kept alive on public television.

We are the stage for American music, and we love it.

You're going to have this, and you're going to be at the grocery store, and someone's going to say, "I love public television too."

FRED: Yeah, showcasing your support to everyone in this community that you are making it happen.

$12 a month ongoing as a monthly sustainer or as a $144 annual gift.

We also have, for folks who can't decide, BABETTE: Everything.

FRED: $20 a month ongoing as a monthly sustainer, we want to say thank you with all of it, the exclusive collection, We Heart Public Television.

BABETTE: You know, one of the things that has been great in this difficult year is all the voices from everywhere calling and supporting local public television stations and saying, "Yeah, you matter.

"We love you.

We want you to know."

And your support means more than ever before.

This is the year.

This is the time to make that call.

FRED: Well, if you believe, let us know where you stand.

Call that number on the screen.

Go online to make that all-important gift, your voluntary gift of support.

Make it all happen, empowering this station to do so many wonderful things right here in your community.

BABETTE: Oh, I love it.

And you know, coming up, more great music.

David Foster and Katharine McPhee.

Regina King and Willie Nelson.

That's just an example of all the variety of all our friends who are showing up from coast to coast and showing that they heart public television.

If you do, we want to hear from you as well.

♪ DAVID: Hi, everyone.

I'm David Foster.

KATHARINE: And I'm Katharine McPhee.

We have been part of the PBS family for a very long time.

DAVID: My first PBS special, Hitman, aired way back in 2008.

You were part of the show.

It was amazing.

Since then, I've done over a dozen other shows with Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, and, of course, Katharine.

KATHARINE: And now our 4-year-old son really loves PBS Kids Show.

His favorite is Daniel Tiger.

DAVID: And the no-brainer, Sesame Street.

KATHARINE: Of course, it's a staple.

That's why we wanted to be here to celebrate public television and encourage you to support your local PBS station.

DAVID: You know, I've said this a thousand times, but I'll say it again.

When you watch public television, PBS, you can sit your grandparents down, you can sit yourselves down, you can sit your children down, you can sit your grandchildren down.

You know that they're always going to get quality programming.

We love PBS.

It's for all ages.

But for now, I think we should do a song.

KATHARINE: I think we should.

DAVID: What should we do?

KATHARINE: You- you're the maestro.

You figure it out.

DAVID: Uh, "Holiday."

KATHARINE: Okay.

♪ KATHARINE: You can snap at home like this.

♪ ♪ Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock ♪ ♪ Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring ♪ ♪ Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun ♪ ♪ Now the jingle hop has begun ♪ ♪ Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock ♪ ♪ Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time ♪ ♪ Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square ♪ ♪ In the frosty air ♪ What a bright time, it's the right time ♪ ♪ To rock the night away ♪ Jingle bell time it's a swell time ♪ ♪ To go ridin' in a one-horse sleigh ♪ ♪ Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet ♪ ♪ Jingle around the clock ♪ A-mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet ♪ ♪ That's the jingle bell rock ♪ ♪ ♪ What a bright time, it's the right time ♪ ♪ To rock the night away ♪ Jingle bell time it's a swell time ♪ ♪ To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh, oh ♪ ♪ Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet ♪ ♪ Jingle around the clock ♪ A-mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet ♪ ♪ That's the jingle bell ♪ ♪ That's the jingle bell ♪ ♪ That's the jingle bell ♪ ♪ That's the jingle bell rock ♪ DAVID: That was good.

KATHARINE: Thank you.

DAVID: What are you waiting for?

That was incredible.

Call now.

REGINA: Hi, I'm Regina King and I am so happy to be a part of the We Heart Public Television Telethon.

I'm going to introduce a clip from one of my favorite shows on PBS, Austin City Limits.

This clip has America's favorite uncle Willie Nelson singing "Whiskey River."

I'm a proud supporter of PBS and I hope you'll become a proud supporter of your station too.

Don't forget to get one of those cool tote bags.

They come in handy.

♪ ♪ Whiskey River take my mind ♪ Don't let a mem'ry torture me ♪ ♪ ♪ Whiskey River don't run dry ♪ You're all I got take care of me ♪ ♪ ♪ Whiskey River take my mind ♪ Don't let a mem'ry torture me ♪ ♪ ♪ Whiskey River don't run dry ♪ You're all I got take care of me ♪ ♪ ♪ I'm drowning in a whiskey river ♪ ♪ ♪ Bathing my mem'ried mind in the wetness of its soul ♪ ♪ ♪ Feeling the amber current flowin' from my mind ♪ ♪ ♪ And warm and empty heart he left so cold ♪ ♪ ♪ Whiskey River take my mind ♪ And don't let a mem'ry torture me ♪ ♪ ♪ Whiskey River don't run dry ♪ You're all I got take care of me ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Whiskey River take my mind ♪ Don't let a mem'ry torture me ♪ ♪ ♪ Whiskey River don't run dry ♪ You're all I got take care of me ♪ ♪ ♪ Whiskey River take my mind ♪ Don't let a mem'ry torture me ♪ ♪ ♪ Whiskey River don't run dry ♪ You're all I got take care of me ♪ ♪ (audience cheering and applauding) ♪ ♪ ♪ RICKEY: Hi, I'm Rickey Minor and I'm happy to be here to support public television for all of the great musical performances that I've enjoyed on PBS over the years.

And for all of the great Kids shows.

I grew up with Sesame Street and Mr.

Rogers' Neighborhood, and now my daughter is watching and learning from the PBS Kids shows.

And speaking of PBS Kids shows, if you remember Arthur, then we have a real treat for you next.

The theme song "Believe in Yourself" is an absolute classic and here to sing it with us is the artist who originally recorded it for the Arthur theme, Ziggy Marley.

♪ ♪ Every day when you're walking down the street ♪ ♪ And everybody that you meet ♪ Has an original point of view ♪ ♪ And I say hey!

♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ We can learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ ♪ You got to listen to your heart ♪ ♪ Listen to the beat, listen to the rhythm ♪ ♪ The rhythm of the street ♪ Open up your eyes, open up your ears ♪ ♪ Get together and make things better ♪ ♪ By working together ♪ Well, it's a simple message ♪ And it comes from the heart ♪ Oh, believe in yourself ♪ Believe in yourself ♪ For that's the place to start ♪ ♪ And I say hey!

♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ If you can learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other, hey ♪ ♪ You got to listen to your heart ♪ ♪ Listen to the beat, listen to the rhythm ♪ ♪ The rhythm of the street ♪ Open up your eyes, open up your ears ♪ ♪ Get together and make things better ♪ ♪ By working together ♪ Now, it's a simple message ♪ And it comes from the heart ♪ Oh, believe in yourself ♪ Believe in yourself ♪ 'Cause that's the place to start ♪ ♪ And I say hey!

♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ You can learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ ♪ If you can learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ Hey!

♪ ANNOUNCER: Your public television station has never needed you more than this year after the loss of all of our federal funding.

All we ask is that you pick the level of support that is appropriate for you and give us a call.

When you give just $5 a month as an ongoing sustainer, we would be happy to send you the We Heart Public Television Car Magnet.

Or if you prefer to wear your love for public television right on your chest, ask for one of our exclusive limited edition t-shirts.

You can give $96 right now or sign up as an $8-a-month sustaining member.

And of course, we have a tote bag because we're a PBS station.

This one is exclusive and especially for music lovers, and it can be yours when you give $144 or sign up as a $12-a-month ongoing sustainer.

Finally, you can spread the PBS love around to family and friends and get all three gifts when you contribute $240 right now or $20 a month.

And if you're in a position to give more, consider an investment in your local public television station of $1,200 annually or $100 a month.

Now is the time to step up for public television.

Thank you.

♪ That's what friends are for ♪ For good times Coming up next on We Heart Public Television, appearances by Noel Paul Stookey, Marlee Matlin, Celtic Woman, Kathy Mattea, Lindsey Stirling, Brandi Carlile, Bill Nye, Mychal the Librarian, Lynda Carter, Sir David Attenborough, Courtney B. Vance, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and Brian Cheney.

(exhales) (Noel Paul whistles "Puff the Magic Dragon") ♪ ♪ Oh, Puff the magic dragon lives... ♪ NOEL PAUL: I bet you know that song.

I bet if I did that song, you could sing every word.

I bet I wouldn't even have to sing.

You could just fill in on.

And why?

Because you watch public television.

That's where Peter, Mary and I spent over 60 years bringing music from, well, all parts of the world and all parts of history, some of which made their own history.

The fact is, you probably know this one too.

♪ ♪ Oh, and what's to be the reason ♪ ♪ For becoming a man and wife?

♪ ♪ Is it love that brings you here ♪ ♪ Or love that brings you life?

♪ ♪ For if loving is the answer ♪ Then who's the giving for?

♪ Do you believe in something ♪ ♪ That you've never seen before?

♪ ♪ All is love ♪ Do you believe in something that you've never seen before?

There is love, and that is a faith.

And it is faith in this television network that you have brought, that you have supported for so many years.

I'm going to do one more Peter, Paul and Mary-centric tune.

I just want you to know that I, Peter and Mary, bless their departed souls, love public television.

♪ ♪ If I had a hammer ♪ I'd hammer in the morning ♪ Hammer in the evening ♪ ♪ All over this land ♪ I'd hammer out danger ♪ I'd hammer out a warning ♪ I'd hammer out love between ♪ ♪ My brothers and my sisters ♪ All over this land OK, you can sing it.

(laughs) ♪ If I had a bell, if I had a bell ♪ ♪ I'd ring it in the morning ♪ ♪ I'd ring it in the evening ♪ ♪ All over this land ♪ I'd ring out danger ♪ Oh, I'd ring out warning ♪ And I'd ring out the love between ♪ ♪ My brothers and my sisters ♪ ♪ All over this land Yes, and if I had a song, here it comes... ♪ If I had a song ♪ I'd sing it in the morning ♪ ♪ I'd sing it in the evening ♪ ♪ All over this land ♪ And I'd sing out danger ♪ ♪ Yeah, I'd sing out a warning ♪ ♪ And I'd sing out the love between ♪ ♪ My brothers and my sisters ♪ ♪ All over this land Okay, let's sing this as we got... ♪ Well we got a hammer ♪ And we got a bell ♪ And we got a song ♪ To sing all over this land ♪ ♪ It's the hammer of justice ♪ ♪ It's a bell of freedom ♪ It's a song about love between ♪ ♪ My brothers and my sisters ♪ ♪ All, all over this land ♪ It's a hammer of justice ♪ ♪ It's the bell of freedom ♪ It's a song about love between ♪ ♪ My brothers and my sisters ♪ ♪ All over this land All right.

Carry on, public television.

We love you.

BABETTE: Thank you, Noel Paul.

What a moment.

We have a song to sing, and we sing that song because of you.

You know, folk music has always been more than just the songs.

It's really the sound of a generation finding its voice.

It's in our very fiber, isn't it?

It's a part of our American consciousness.

And no one captured that spirit quite like Peter, Paul and Mary.

Well, we are celebrating their legacy and the timeless power of music to inspire change and hope and connection right here on your public television station.

And if you have been inspired by all the wonderful music that you have enjoyed on this station, you need to know we say bravo to you.

You sing out for us with your financial support and you keep the wonderful music of Peter, Paul and Mary.

You keep wonderful Broadway music, country music.

You saw Willie Nelson there in the very first Austin City Limits.

We are all about keeping the American songbook, treasuring the songs that make us who we are as Americans.

And that's really the heart of public television, making sure that everybody's song is sung and that we can all share that together, that we're stronger when we're singing from the same songbook, so to speak.

So if you appreciate the music that you've enjoyed for decades on your public television station, there has never, never been a better time than for you to raise your voice in support of PBS than right now.

You are making a difference.

You're joining that chorus of support.

And if you're like me, I am not a great singer.

I'm a chorus singer to the max.

I'm never going to sing a solo.

But you can do something that's really important and inspirational.

Make that call.

Speaking of inspirational, Marlee Matlin has a story to tell and a song to sing with her support and inspiration as well.

MARLEE (in ASL): Hello, I'm Marlee Matlin, and I'm happy to be here for We Heart Public Television.

I'm a fan of PBS, and especially the Great British Baking Show.

You know, I was honored recently to be featured on the American Masters series in a film documentary called Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, and it was an amazing experience.

But one of the other reasons I'm so thankful to PBS is because they were instrumental in developing the technology for closed captioning to make television accessible for deaf and hard-of- hearing audiences.

In fact, The French Chef with Julia Child on WGBH was the first show in the country to provide open captions in 1972.

And Masterpiece Theatre was the first series to provide captions that you could turn on or off.

So if you're watching TV right now with your captions on, you have PBS to thank.

So for all those reasons, I hope you will join me and support your local public television station right now.

Thank you.

LISA: Hi, my name is Lisa Kelly, and I am a proud original member of Celtic Woman.

For over 20 years, PBS has been the home of Celtic Woman, and we are so excited to celebrate it here with you tonight.

Because we love public television, and we know you do too, and we hope you will support us.

Let's take a look at a song from our 20th Anniversary, Live from Dublin.

(audience applauding) TARA: Well, it's nearly time to say goodbye, but before we do, we would love to acknowledge all of the incredibly talented women who have performed with Celtic Woman over its 20 years.

(audience cheering and applauding) This next one is for you.

(audience applauding) ♪ ♪ When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary ♪ ♪ When troubles come and my heart burdened be ♪ ♪ Then, I am still and wait here in the silence ♪ ♪ Until you come and sit awhile with me ♪ ♪ You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains ♪ ♪ You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas ♪ ♪ I am strong, when I am on your shoulders ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ ♪ (audience applauding) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains ♪ ♪ You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas ♪ ♪ I am strong, when I am on your shoulders ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ ♪ ♪ You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains ♪ ♪ You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas ♪ ♪ I am strong, when I am on your shoulders ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ ♪ You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains ♪ ♪ You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas ♪ ♪ I am strong, when I am on your shoulders ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ ♪ You raise me up to more than I can be ♪ (audience cheering and applauding) CHLOË: Thank you so much!

(audience cheering and applauding) CHLOË: Thank you so much.

SHERYL: Hi, everybody.

It's Sheryl Lee Ralph.

You know, I've always believed that the- the stories we grow up with help shape who we become.

Mm-hmm.

And for me, PBS was part of that story.

PBS was where I- I learned where I dreamed and where I started to see a world beyond my own backyard.

Oh, my God.

It just opened it all up.

Years later, you know, when I sat down with Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

on Finding Your Roots, I discovered parts of my own family history, parts I never knew.

And it reminded me how our personal stories are deeply connected to the larger story of this country and how powerful it is when we take the time to look back, look back and learn.

And that's what makes me so happy about public television.

Public television is truly very special.

And I mean, it's where the truth meets curiosity.

It's where a child discovers something new.

A student finds inspiration.

And a family shares a moment that sparks conversations long after the credits roll.

Mm-hmm.

PBS.

PBS doesn't just tell stories.

It connects them.

It helps turn curiosity into understanding, and understanding, well, into something even greater.

A sense of belonging.

Yeah.

PBS.

PBS doesn't just tell America's story, it reminds us that we're all part of it.

We're all part of the story.

And that's why I support PBS.

And I really hope that you will too.

Just go on, make a donation right now.

Because we love public television.

♪ FRED: You know, it's the generosity of viewers like you that keeps public television strong and vibrant.

And today, during We Heart Public Television, we want to say thank you in a special way.

We have some wonderful exclusive gifts for you, starting with our car magnet.

A small way for you to show your support on the road.

You can get it with a gift of just $5 a month as a sustainer or a $60 annual gift.

Next, We Heart Public Television T-shirt.

You see, I'm donning mine right now.

Perfect for showing your pride and supporting the station, $8 a month as a sustainer, or $96 all at once.

And for music lovers, we have something truly special.

Our Keeping the Music Alive tote bag, a beautiful canvas bag perfect for groceries, books, or anything you love, just $12 a month, or $144 all at once.

And of course, if you want them all, we've made that easy.

Get the magnet, the t-shirt, and the tote together for one gift of $20 a month for public television.

It is a great way to show your support and take home all three of these exclusive gifts.

Your support today makes all of your favorite programs possible, inspiring, entertaining, and connecting our community.

We love to offer you these gifts.

We certainly do.

But think about what public television offers every week, every day in your life.

Lifelong learning.

You may have learned something new this week or even today on this public television station.

Accessibility.

Everybody deserves access to this, and your gift makes that possible.

And, of course, varying perspectives.

Ever wonder what life is like somewhere else?

Well, tune into public television, you can see the world through someone else's eyes, only here.

And of course, there's the music, the art and the culture.

And to celebrate that music that brings all of us together, our friends at Nashville PBS, here's Kathy Mattea on We Heart Public Television.

KATHY: Hi, I'm here at Nashville PBS.

Hello to everybody out there.

I am Kathy Mattea, and I've been watching PBS my whole life.

And I- I have to say, I think the thing that's most special about PBS that I've come to appreciate more and more as time goes on is that it engages you.

It doesn't just entertain you.

With PBS, you are allowed the luxury of taking your time to dig into a subject.

And people trust that you have the attention span to do that.

And they keep it so interesting that you do stay engaged.

All of Ken Burns' work, obviously.

Austin City Limits, just a complete hour, half hour, hour of someone's live show.

People that you might not have a chance to see otherwise or that you might not discover otherwise.

So I'm always challenged and I'm always, I'm always, my mind is always opened by PBS.

So please pledge money to help us stay alive and afloat because it's very, very important to keep this thread of our culture moving forward.

So I'm going to sing a song I've done for years and years now.

Nanci Griffith wrote this song, and I recorded it when I was very young, and it's lived very, very well for me.

♪ ♪ Rita was sixteen years ♪ Hazel eyes and chestnut hair ♪ ♪ She made the Woolworth counter shine ♪ ♪ ♪ And Eddie was a sweet romancer ♪ ♪ And a darn good dancer ♪ And they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime ♪ ♪ ♪ Now, Eddie played the steel guitar ♪ ♪ And his mama cried 'cause he played in the bars ♪ ♪ He kept young Rita out late at night ♪ ♪ ♪ So they married up in Abilene ♪ ♪ Lost a child in Tennessee ♪ Oh, and still that love survived ♪ ♪ ♪ 'Cause they'd sing ♪ Dance a little closer to me ♪ Dance a little closer now ♪ Dance a little closer tonight ♪ ♪ ♪ Dance a little closer to me ♪ 'Cause it's closing time ♪ And love's on sale tonight ♪ At this five and dime ♪ ♪ Now, one of the boys in Eddie's band ♪ ♪ Took a shine to Rita's hand ♪ ♪ So Eddie ran off with the bass man's wife ♪ ♪ ♪ Oh, but he was back by June ♪ Singin' a different tune ♪ And sportin' Miss Rita back by his side ♪ ♪ ♪ And he sang ♪ Dance a little closer to me ♪ Dance a little closer now ♪ Dance a little closer tonight ♪ ♪ ♪ Dance a little closer to me ♪ 'Cause it's closing time ♪ And love's on sale tonight ♪ At this five and dime ♪ ♪ Eddie traveled with the barroom bands ♪ ♪ Till arthritis took his hands ♪ ♪ And now he sells insurance on the side ♪ ♪ ♪ And Rita's got a house to keep ♪ ♪ Dimestore novels and a love so sweet ♪ ♪ They dance to the radio late at night ♪ ♪ ♪ And they sing ♪ Dance a little closer to me ♪ Dance a little closer now ♪ Dance a little closer tonight ♪ ♪ ♪ Dance a little closer to me ♪ 'Cause it's closing time ♪ And love's on sale tonight ♪ At this five and dime ♪ ♪ Dance a little closer to me ♪ Dance a little closer now ♪ Dance a little closer tonight ♪ ♪ ♪ Dance a little closer to me ♪ 'Cause it's closing time ♪ And love's on sale tonight ♪ At this five and dime ♪ Oh, love's on sale tonight ♪ At this five and dime ♪ Ooh ♪ Ooh ♪ RICKEY: Our next performer is a multi-talented phenomenon.

I mean, she appeared on PBS in a Capital Fourth from Washington, DC, and had her own public television special.

She's been a part of the family for a decade.

Lindsey Stirling is a violinist and a dancer, and she's here to perform for us live.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (applause) RICKEY: There are only a handful of singers in every generation who have voices that are instantly recognizable and totally their own.

Brandi Carlile is one of them.

I've worked with her on several concerts over the years and she is an amazing talent.

She has also been a frequent guest on Austin City Limits over the years.

So let's take a trip down to Texas for Brandi's performance of "Right on Time."

(audience cheering and applauding) ♪ ♪ Come back now, even if you call me out ♪ ♪ You might be angry now, of course you are ♪ ♪ ♪ I'm scared too, didn't mean to take it out on you ♪ ♪ I know I always do ♪ You're the strongest person in the room ♪ ♪ Turn back time ♪ Help me to rewind and we can find ourselves again ♪ ♪ It's not too late ♪ Either way I lose you in these silent days ♪ ♪ It wasn't right (audience cheering and applauding) ♪ But it was right on time ♪ (audience cheering and applauding) ♪ ♪ Don't look down ♪ I can feel it when your heart starts pounding ♪ ♪ It's beyond your control ♪ You know it is ♪ ♪ It's getting to the point where I can't carry on ♪ ♪ I never held my breath for quite this long ♪ ♪ And I don't take it back, I did what I had to do ♪ ♪ It's not too late ♪ Either way I lose you in these silent days ♪ ♪ It wasn't right ♪ But it was right on time ♪ ♪ ♪ It's not too late ♪ Either way I lose you in these silent days ♪ ♪ It wasn't right (audience cheering and applauding) ♪ But it was right on time (audience cheering and applauding) ANNETTE: Hi, I'm Annette O'Toole.

MICHAEL: I'm Michael McKean.

ANNETTE: This is?

MICHAEL: Barry.

ANNETTE: Barry O'Toole-McKean.

And we love public television.

We watch it so much.

We recently saw the three-episode series on NOVA called Becoming Human.

MICHAEL: Fantastic.

Who knew that we had to become human?

I thought we started out that way.

ANNETTE: Mmm... MICHAEL: Mmm... ANNETTE: And Barry particularly liked the whole interaction with dogs and how wolves became domesticated.

That was fantastic.

MICHAEL: Yeah, it was kind of a turning point, wasn't it?

ANNETTE: Yeah.

MICHAEL: Speaking of which, this is the time to support your local public television stations.

ANNETTE: Yeah.

We love public television.

We need public television.

MICHAEL: If only for Monty Python.

ANNETTE: That's right.

First time we were introduced to Monty Python was through public television.

Thank you, PBS.

♪ MR.

ROGERS: What do you want to do?

JOE: I think we ought to do something that we do in the neighborhood.

Tree, tree, tree.

MR.

ROGERS: Good.

♪ ♪ ♪ We love you ♪ Yes we do, yes we do, we love you ♪ ♪ Tree, tree, tree ♪ Tree, tree, tree ♪ Tree, tree, tree ♪ Tree, tree, tree ♪ MR.

ROGERS: Nicholas is so fortunate to have you for his dad.

Well, I mean, your girls are fortunate to have you for their dad.

JOE: Thank you.

MR.

ROGERS: You know, I noticed sometimes when you were playing, you would close your eyes.

YO-YO MA: Yes.

MR.

ROGERS: Just as if you are making another place.

YO-YO MA: Well, I think when I close my eyes, I can think better.

I can feel more what I want to say through the instrument.

JOE: I think I can agree with you on that.

When I close my eyes, it sort of- it puts you into a... YO-YO MA: Puts you into a different world.

JOE: It's a different world.

YO-YO MA: Yeah, yeah.

MR.

ROGERS: Well, I know that you have a lot of rehearsing to do, and I'm very grateful that you'd let us be part of your day.

YO-YO MA: Thank you.

MR.

ROGERS: See you later.

YO-YO MA: Okay, take care, bye, bye.

JOE: See you later, Yo.

MR.

ROGERS: See you, Joe.

JOE: What a fabulous musician.

MR.

ROGERS: Isn't he that?

JOE: Isn't he something?

MR.

ROGERS: You know, he touches something.

He and his music touch something that's so deep inside.

JOE: Yeah, music can do that.

I know.

MR.

ROGERS: You know, don't you?

Thanks, Joe.

See you later.

Come on.

BABETTE: My gosh, wasn't that sweet?

We need that kindness from Mr.

Rogers.

He touches something inside of us, that kindness, that compassion.

And, you know, you think about the impact that Mr.

Rogers had and the impact of PBS Kids on America's children, my children, my grandchildren, all raised on PBS Kids.

If you feel the same way, this is the perfect time for you to make that call.

We all need a little more Mr.

Rogers right now.

And if you think about the impact, I love this.

PBS looks at children not as little targets of advertising, but as the future of our country.

This is our legacy to make sure that our young children are raised with kindness like Mr.

Rogers, the education of Sesame Street, and the love and emotional intelligence of Arthur.

That is the legacy that your support right now to this station makes sure it will continue, that our youngest, our most vulnerable are taken care of and respected on public television.

That is an incredible opportunity for you to be a part of.

And if you have already called, we are so grateful for you to add your voice to that kindness of Mr.

Rogers.

You're making sure that our greatest treasure, our children, have a future that will be kind and smart and engaged.

Well, there's another young voice that got his start right here on public television.

You saw that young Yo-Yo Ma, and it is amazing how many artists began right here on public television.

Andrea Bocelli is another one of those.

So if you love Andrea Bocelli, you're going to love this.

And don't forget, the number is on your screen, or you can go to our website.

But sing out for PBS right now.

ANDREA: Dear friend, I'm very happy to be again in America, and above all, to be next to PBS, because PBS has been always very close to me.

And I'm very happy to sing again for you as soon as possible.

(singing in a foreign language) (singing in a foreign language) (singing in a foreign language) (singing in a foreign language) (singing in a foreign language) (singing in a foreign language) (audience cheering and applauding) Thank you very much.

(audience cheering and applauding) BILL: Greetings.

Bill Nye here.

You may know me from my show on public broadcasting called Bill Nye the Science Guy.

I've been asked to do a classic science demonstration, a science demonstration that I found very compelling as a young man.

It involves a glass milk jar, which- milk bottle, which are making a big comeback.

It involved- if you are of a certain age, it may have involved a hard-boiled egg.

Certain cultures do not want you to use food without eating it to waste food, so we'll use a water balloon.

And to make it a little more challenging, we'll use a bigger one.

And what we'll do here is take a swatch of paper.

Oh, this one?

This one got wet while we were setting up.

That's all right.

If this were a cooking show, I would say, don't worry, here's one I prepared earlier.

So what we'll do is we will set this swatch of paper on fire.

Fire!

Fire!

Yes, just be careful with it, people.

There's fire around you all the time, every time you operate most motor vehicles at this time.

So what we're going to do, we're going to light this piece of paper, we're going to drop it in the milk jug, and then we're going to put this oversized water balloon on top.

And I think it's fascinating.

All right, here we go.

Whoops, steady.

Burning match, swatch of paper, burning.

Into the bottle, water balloon on top.

Whoa, the balloon is pulled in as if by magic.

But it's not magic, it's... (slams table) It's science, people!

So if it had been a hard-boiled egg, the egg disintegrates.

But now, using a water balloon, one can shake it and orient it so that you get hold of the knot and then you'll see that the knot of the balloon rather- the shape of is strong enough to lift the bottle because air cannot get behind it.

The reason the balloon was drawn in, I've heard none other than a famous astrophysicist thought it was because the oxygen was used up that's not it.

When you have the fire going it drives all the gases out of the bottle and then when the- the moment that fire stops it cools off and the balloon is driven into the bottle by the giant mass of Earth's atmosphere.

So now it's stuck in the bottle but if you take a straw- a straw that's rigid enough to pull this off, you can put it so that it goes- it allows air to get behind the balloon and then, as if by- okay, yes, okay, yes, that's sure, yes, it's going to work it's live television, yeah, mm-hmm, yeah, nobody's in any hurry- there we go, woo!

And so it's not magic people, it's science, so don't come running to me, support public broadcasting because working together we can raise everybody's understanding of nature and our place within it and we can, dare I say it, dare I say it: change the world!

Thank you all very much.

Try it!

MYCHAL: My name is Mychal Threets.

I love PBS, I love public media, I am who I am because of it and all the wonderful programs and shows and characters.

I grew up on Reading Rainbow with LeVar Burton, I'm a Reading Rainbow kid.

I love Mr.

Rogers.

I've almost never had a conversation in my life without talking about the wonderful kindness of Fred Rogers.

I grew up on Wishbone discovering the classics alongside that lovable dog.

I'm a big fan of Dragon Tales, dragons are one of my favorite creatures of all times.

All those zany adventures with Emmy and Max, oh, my goodness, I could go on and on.

Bill Nye the Science Guy, Big Comfy Couch, all of the shows, I'm so thankful for everything that PBS has given to every single one of us, but the best thing is, they taught us every step of the way.

They taught us kindness, they taught us empathy.

It means so much, I am who I am because of PBS, you are probably who you are because of PBS.

But what they did is they made education, they made learning fun.

They got us to lock in day after day, episode after episode, show after show to keep on returning for more treasures, for more joy.

I can't say enough about PBS.

I happen to be PBS' resident librarian but I would love PBS and PBS Kids even if I wasn't.

I love it so very much, in fact, I hope somebody else gets the title soon to see how much joy I've been having.

Please support your local PBS stations, support public media.

It is everything good, it's not just for kids, it's for adults too.

It is all of us, who are we, what is humanity, what is goodness, what is kindness, what is joy without PBS, without public media.

All those favorite shows, all those heroes of wholesomeness and kindness.

Thank you PBS for making us who we are.

I am alive today because of PBS and I will forever be thankful, yes.

FRED: We are definitely feeling that joy, we hope that you are as well.

Andrea Bocelli, the all-new Reading Rainbow, Bill Nye the Science Guy.

What a terrific reminder that public television brings us such an incredible range of stories experts and, BaBette, inspiring teachers.

BABETTE: Oh my goodness it's so amazing, Fred, and it's all made possible by viewers like you, who love and feel joy about public television and are inspired to help create something truly special, a community supported by public television.

FRED: Well, we were talking about kids earlier I am an original Sesame Street kid, I was four years old when I came on the air and I just count myself among generations of our American kids who watch these programs and started school into the classroom ready to learn.

BABETTE: I'm a little bit older than you but my kids watch Sesame Street and my grandchildren watch Sesame Street and that legacy is really important.

I love seeing Bill Nye the Science Guy didn't you love that?

You can all do the song, right?

♪ Bill Bill Anyway I won't sing it, but we need science education.

FRED: Yes.

BABETTE: And we need reading and so how exciting to have that legacy of an all-new Reading Rainbow coming.

So many lives impacted and you know what Fred, NOVA is the most used program in classrooms, so it's not just the kids programming, even NOVA and things like that.

FRED: Here on public television, learning is an all-ages show and you know what, when you make a gift of support right now and get these phone volunteers busy, some operators ready to take your call, so do that and when you do we have some wonderful ways to say thank you when you make that gift of support, do it right now.

BABETTE: Oh, we do, we have the car magnet so you can drive around town and everyone will honk at you and say thanks, hopefully honk in a good way, and Fred you're kind of wearing the shirt.

FRED: Yeah I've joined up here this is $8 a month as a sustainer make that gift of support, right now.

$96 all at one once, showcase your support We Heart Public Television wherever you go.

BABETTE: This is kind of my vibe, it's the canvas tote, I always need to take those into the grocery store.

It lets people know what you support, what you're all about and we've heard a lot of music today.

This is keeping the music alive, you're also keeping educational programming for children alive, these are thank-you gifts.

They're a way of us saying well done, but the most important thing is making that call of support.

FRED: The music and the education when we think about these incredible voices we share on this public television station, none of those voices as important as yours let us hear it right now here on the phone banks ready to take your phone call or you could do it online make a safe and secure gift and if you cannot decide which thank-you gift you want.

BABETTE: Oh yeah.

FRED: We've got you set up, for all of them make a gift of support right now.

Join us as a sustainer, $20 a month your commitment to this public television station.

BABETTE: And I love that because the most important thing is that everybody you've been seeing all through the telethon, people's comments from around the country about why they were impacted or why they heart public television.

That could be your name up there, you feel that way, you've been impacted by your public television station it has never been more important than now to call the number on your screen or go online with your support and thank you.

♪ LEA: Hello, I'm Lea Salonga.

For decades, PBS has served as an incredible platform for sharing stories, music, and culture with audiences across the country.

I've had the honor of calling myself a member of the PBS family for many years now.

From the 10th and 25th anniversaries of Les Miserables, to Finding Your Roots, to Lea Salonga Live from Sydney Opera House, which holds a very special place in my heart.

Each experience reminds me just how powerful public television is in connecting us all.

But none of this happens without your support.

By donating to PBS, you're helping to ensure that future generations can experience the same inspiring content that has touched so many of us.

So please join me in supporting PBS today.

Every contribution, big or small, makes a world of difference.

♪ ♪ Somewhere over the rainbow way up high ♪ ♪ There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby ♪ ♪ ♪ Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue ♪ ♪ And the dreams that you dare to dream ♪ ♪ Really do come true ♪ Someday I'll wish upon a star ♪ ♪ And wake up where the clouds are far ♪ ♪ Behind me ♪ Where troubles melt like lemon drops ♪ ♪ A-way above the chimney tops ♪ ♪ That's where you'll find me ♪ Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly ♪ ♪ Birds fly over the rainbow ♪ Why then, oh, why can't I ♪ If all those little bluebirds fly ♪ ♪ Beyond the rainbow ♪ Why, oh, why can't ♪ I ♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Your public television station has never needed you more than this year after the loss of all of our federal funding.

All we ask is that you pick the level of support that is appropriate for you and give us a call.

When you give just $5 a month as an ongoing sustainer, we would be happy to send you the We Heart Public Television Car Magnet.

Or if you prefer to wear your love for public television right on your chest, ask for one of our exclusive limited edition t-shirts.

You can give $96 right now or sign up as an $8-a-month sustaining member.

And of course, we have a tote bag because we're a PBS station.

This one is exclusive and especially for music lovers, and it can be yours when you give $144 or sign up as a $12-a-month ongoing sustainer.

Finally, you can spread the PBS love around to family and friends and get all three gifts when you contribute $240 right now or $20 a month.

And if you're in a position to give more, consider an investment in your local public television station of $1,200 annually or $100 a month.

Now is the time to step up for public television.

Thank you.

♪ That's what friends are for ♪ For good times ♪ And bad times ♪ I'll be on your side ♪ Forever more ♪ That's what friends are for LYNDA: Hi, I'm Lynda Carter.

And for more than 40 years, NATURE on PBS has brought extraordinary moments into our homes.

You better believe it.

The way a bird takes flight, the rhythm of the crashing waves, the strength and grace of life in all its forms.

It's reminded us that we're not separate from the natural world.

We are a part of it.

We should never lose that sense of curiosity and wonder.

Nobody embodies curiosity better than Sir David Attenborough, who I've learned so much from over the past years.

I'll watch anything and everything he does because he's created some of the most memorable episodes of NATURE throughout the history of this series.

I hope you'll call and make a donation because we love public television.

I'll make my donation as well.

Thank you so much and thank you, Sir David Attenborough, for all the love you give to the planet and to me.

Thank you.

MARTIN: Lonesome George was an icon of our time.

He was representative of everything the Galapagos stood for.

He was the last one left of his species, the rest of his kind driven to extinction by the pressures of living in the age of man.

DAVID: Nobody went to the Galapagos without visiting Lonesome George.

I'd met him before on earlier trips to the Galapagos, but we asked to go and see him again.

And the authorities were very properly protective of him.

We could only do it before the gardens opened, and we could only be allowed with him for just a very few minutes.

So we all got up in the dark, and Lonesome George was asleep.

So we got the camera in position, and I called in and waited for Lonesome George to wake up.

(footsteps crunching) And I waited a long time.

And I thought maybe- maybe we've come too late.

And he isn't going to wake up at all.

But eventually he did.

MAN: Action!

DAVID: He's about 80 years old.

And he's getting a bit creaky in his joints.

As indeed am I. He is arguably the rarest animal in the world.

Certainly there can be none rarer, for he is the last of his kind.

When he dies, the pinta species of Galapagos tortoise will be extinct.

But he is a very important animal.

Probably more than any other single creature.

He's focused the attention of the world on the fragility of our environment.

I delivered my piece to camera, and then just at the right moment, Lonesome George, he lift himself up and just moved slowly away, and that was that.

My interview was over.

♪ Just 14 days after we filmed Lonesome, he died in his sleep.

ANTHONY: It was just one of those moments filming in natural history, because there was David and Lonesome George, and that was Lonesome George's last big appearance.

It was really extraordinary.

♪ When you feel so mad that you wanna roar ♪ ♪ Take a deep breath and count to four ♪ ♪ One, two, three, four ♪ Sometimes it's just not a very good day ♪ ♪ And things don't seem to go your way ♪ ♪ But you got the power, yeah, you are strong ♪ ♪ So when you're feeling mad, just sing this song ♪ ♪ When you feel so mad that you wanna roar ♪ ♪ Take a deep breath and count to four ♪ ♪ One, two, three, four ♪ Sometimes things go from good to bad ♪ ♪ And it can really make you mad ♪ ♪ Just take a deep breath when things go wrong ♪ ♪ You can feel do better, you can chose to be calm ♪ ♪ When you feel so mad that you wanna roar ♪ ♪ Take a deep breath and count to four ♪ ♪ One, two, three, four ♪ COURTNEY: The word inspiration doesn't even begin to describe the impact of Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who we lovingly call Skip.

From the African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross, to Finding Your Roots, his groundbreaking work has given us more than just history.

He's given us mirrors.

He reminds us that every name, every story, every journey is part of the fabric that makes us who we are.

Connecting our past to our present, Skip turns scholarship into storytelling.

When you watch his programs, you feel seen, you feel proud.

You realize that our past isn't something distant.

It's alive.

It's breathing through the people we are today.

That history belongs to everyone and every family story.

Every struggle and every triumph isn't a separate chapter, but part of one shared story.

And my wife, Angela Bassett, and I can attest to those shared stories as Skip and his team so vividly revealed our family stories to us on his transformative show, Finding Your Roots.

It was truly a life-changing experience.

And that's what makes his work on PBS so powerful.

It's where truth meets storytelling and heart meets history.

I'm proud to be part of that legacy.

Skip reminds us that history isn't something we look back on.

It's something we carry forward.

It shows us where we come from and lights the way to where we can go together.

Because of Skip, we don't just see history, we feel it.

I hope you will support Skip's legacy and make a contribution to your local public television station right now.

Thank you, Skip.

And thank you all for your generous support.

HENRY: Hi, I'm Henry Louis Gates, Jr., executive producer and host of PBS programs such as Finding Your Roots, The Black Church, Gospel, Great Migrations, and many more.

I'm proud to have been part of the PBS family for more than 30 years.

PBS is unlike any other network.

It's given me the time, the space, and the trust to share stories and histories that might otherwise never have been told.

And beyond being the home of my work, PBS has also been a constant in my own life.

Whether it was watching Sesame Street with my two daughters, or marveling at the latest documentary series of my brilliant friend Ken Burns, PBS has had a profound impact upon my life.

If you value PBS as much as I do, I hope you'll join me in supporting it.

Please make a contribution to your local PBS station today and help keep public television strong for generations to come.

Thank you so very much.

BRIAN: Hello, I'm Brian Cheney.

For over 20 years, the Salute to Vienna New Year's concert has been a holiday tradition on PBS stations across the country.

I'm one of the performers in this year's Salute to Vienna tour, and I'm going to sing one of my favorites from the show.

"Dein ist mein ganzes Herz," or "You are my heart's delight," from "The Land of Smiles" by Franz Lehár.

My character, the prince, sings to Countess Lisa and tells her that his heart belongs entirely to her.

I hope you enjoy it.

♪ ♪ Dein ist mein ganzes Herz!

♪ ♪ Wo du nicht bist, kann ich nicht sein ♪ ♪ So, wie die Blume welkt ♪ Wenn sie nicht küsst der Sonnenschein!

♪ ♪ Dein ist mein schönstes Lied ♪ ♪ Weil es allein aus der Liebe erblüht ♪ ♪ Sag mir noch einmal, mein einzig Lieb ♪ ♪ Oh sag noch einmal mir ♪ Ich hab dich lieb!

♪ ♪ Wohin ich immer gehe ♪ Ich fühle deine Nähe ♪ Ich möchte deinen Atem trinken ♪ ♪ Und betend dir zu Füssen sinken ♪ ♪ Dir, dir allein!

Wie wunderbar ♪ ♪ Ist dein leuchtendes Haar!

♪ Traumschön und sehnsuchtsbang ♪ ♪ Ist dein strahlender Blick ♪ Hör ich der Stimme Klang ♪ Ist es so wie Musik ♪ Dein ist mein ganzes Herz!

♪ Wo du nicht bist, kann ich nicht sein ♪ ♪ So, wie die Blume welkt ♪ Wenn sie nicht küsst der Sonnenschein!

♪ ♪ Dein ist mein schönstes Lied ♪ ♪ Weil es allein aus der Liebe erblüht ♪ ♪ Sag mir noch einmal, mein einzig Lieb ♪ ♪ Oh sag noch einmal mir ♪ Ich hab dich lieb!

♪ ♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Still to come on We Heart Public Television: Sierra Hull, Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett, Joe Bonamassa, Pati Jinich, Lauryn Hill, Lily Tomlin, Ziggy Marley, Julia Collin Davison, and Bridget Lancaster, Sheléa, and friends from Sesame Street.

It's all coming up on We Heart Public Television.

FRED: Well, as we roll along with the We Heart Public Television Telethon, we hope you're calling the number or visiting the website on your screen to join the fun and support this PBS station.

Volunteers here inside the studio waiting for your call.

What an event, a true who's who of public television artists all here to celebrate the impact that this station has had on their lives and the lives of all of us.

Today reminds us just how many memories we've shared through public television, from the sweeping storytelling of Ken Burns to the travels of Rick Steves.

This station has always been the home of the curious, the home of the dreamers, and the lifelong learners, and the future is just as bright with your support.

That future only happens with you, so before we roll into the next segment, take a moment.

Call, text, or go online and make the most generous gift that you can because your support now is what creates tomorrow's memories.

And speaking of unforgettable experiences, our next performer is one of the brightest rising stars in country music.

You've seen her on Austin City Limits with Billy Strings, Bluegrass Underground, and in PBS specials with Béla Fleck and Rhonda Vincent.

But before we get to that, encouraging you to make that call right now.

We would love to say thank you.

$5 a month ongoing as a monthly sustainer or $60 all at once, The car magnet, We Heart Public Television.

Of course, I was wearing it earlier, and it's still close to my heart.

The t-shirt as well, $8 or $96 all at once.

We'd love to send this our way of saying thank you, you've done your part, or perhaps, there's that wonderful We Heart Public Television t-shirt that I have close to my heart.

All right, let's head down to one of America's great music cities, home of Nashville PBS for another incredible performance from Sierra Hull.

SIERRA: Hey, y'all.

I'm Sierra Hull.

Welcome to Nashville.

I'm so glad to get to be part of this evening's program.

As a young bluegrass musician that grew up in Byrdstown, Tennessee, a couple hours northeast of Nashville, actually Tennessee's most rural area, the smallest county in Tennessee, public television was always huge for me growing up.

It's one of the places I first remember seeing bluegrass music on TV for the first time.

I actually also made my first TV appearance at the local Cookeville station at WCTE when I was about 10 years old as a young mandolin player.

Grew up watching the Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree, all hugely influential moments for me as a young musician.

So it means the world just to be part of the program.

So I thought it would be fun to share some music for you, a little bit of a throwback to the past and also something current, a little medley of one of my favorite old tunes, the Tennessee Waltz, and one of my songs called "Boom."

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Who turned down ♪ The light in your heart ♪ Flipped the switch, left you lonely ♪ ♪ Sitting in the dark ♪ Lucky for you ♪ All you need is one spark ♪ And then boom ♪ Live to love again ♪ ♪ Promises break like little figurines ♪ ♪ We slip up, they get busted all to smithereens ♪ ♪ Take some time to cry, but make some time to clean ♪ ♪ And then boom, live to love again ♪ ♪ But you gotta open up the windows ♪ ♪ You gotta let some sunlight in ♪ ♪ 'Cause it's a beautiful day ♪ So let the shadows have the shade ♪ ♪ And then boom, live to love again ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Boom, your heart starts beating, boom ♪ ♪ You get that feeling like falling ♪ ♪ All the way up to the ceiling ♪ ♪ But you gotta open up the windows ♪ ♪ You gotta let some sunlight in ♪ ♪ 'Cause it's a beautiful day ♪ So let the shadows fade away ♪ And then boom, live to love again ♪ ♪ Mmm, live to love again ♪ ♪ Boom, boom, boom ♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Become a $5 monthly sustainer or give $60 right now, and you can show off your love of quality programs everywhere you go.

We'll send you this We Heart Public Television car magnet.

Start your ongoing $8-a-month donation or donate $96, and we'll thank you with this brand new We Heart Public Television t-shirt.

This shirt is sure to bring smiles every time you wear it.

Become a $12 monthly sustainer or invest $144 in this public television station and we'll thank you with this Keeping the Music Alive tote bag.

Or ask for all three gifts.

Start your $20-a-month sustaining donation or give $240 right now and we'll send you the shirt, the magnet, and the tote bag.

And remember, when you make a qualifying donation, you'll also enjoy PBS Passport, our most popular member benefit.

With Passport, you'll be able to explore a deep library of incredible PBS shows that you can watch right on your television.

So don't wait.

Do your part now.

Give online or call or text the number on your screen.

And thank you.

♪ Because I'm happy ♪ ♪ Clap along if you feel like AMNA: Hello, I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF: And I'm Geoff Bennett.

In October of this year, the PBS NewsHour celebrated its 50th anniversary.

As its co-anchors and managing editors, we've been reflecting on what makes the NewsHour special.

And at our core is viewers like you.

AMNA: Your belief in the power of public broadcasting helps sustain our work, and your loyalty, especially now, fuels it.

We are profoundly grateful, and we will continue to do this work without fear or favor.

GEOFF: Thank you for standing with us and appreciating the principles that have defined this program from the very start.

You'll find all the same values in the years ahead.

AMNA: Your support of your local public television station helps to keep programs like PBS NewsHour on the air and is now more important than ever.

BABETTE: What would we do without the PBS NewsHour?

How long have you been watching?

For me, it's more than four decades.

Do you remember the MacNeil/Lehrer Report?

It became the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour.

And then, of course, now the PBS NewsHour all started, maybe one of the good things that came out of Watergate was that wonderful coverage from Jim and Rob.

And it's a legacy that's been passed on from generation to generation, that commitment to journalism, fiercely, fiercely independent, covering all the sides of an issue.

And this is the time when we need news that we can trust.

So if you are dependent, you, like me, watch the PBS NewsHour on a regular basis, you remember Robin and Jim and Judy and Gwen, and now, of course, taking the torch, Amna and Geoff.

This is a legacy that you make possible.

They mentioned that.

They said the difference in the PBS NewsHour is your involvement.

It's not advertiser friendly.

It's more about you and getting the story covered.

I love what Amna said.

It is really about being fearless and without favor.

That's important.

And that's what you make possible when you call the number on your screen or go online right now.

You are making a difference to make sure that legacy of journalism, that fairness, that we have some trusted source that we can turn to for what's going on in the world.

So we're so excited about your support on that.

Now, coming up, there is a whole lot more love for public television.

This has been great.

All the people speaking out.

But have you spoken out yet?

If you have, we want to thank you.

If not, now is the time to make that call because right now we're going to give you a sneak peek for what's going to be the biggest Masterpiece since Downton Abbey.

I promise.

Stay with us.

OTIS: Hi, I'm Dr.

Otis Williams of The Temptations and we heart public television.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ WOMAN: What it a Forsyte?

A Forsyte is someone who knows the value of family and loyalty.

MAN: We have been preeminent among London's stockbroking elite.

Has the time come to pass over the reins to my son, Joe?

MAN: Do I think I'd be the better chair?

Of course.

Do I need to stoop to scheming to achieve it?

MAN: So here we are.

MAN: Here we are.

Let battle commence.

MAN: A man needs an ambitious wife if he's to scale the heights.

MAN: It's high time you were seeking an advantageous marriage.

WOMAN: Marvelous sport.

I've long been a fan.

WOMAN: She knows a dozen girls who'd make Soames a splendid wife.

WOMAN: You're expected to shine.

To profess no controversial opinions.

WOMAN: Am I committed to mind of my own?

WOMAN: What would you be if you could choose?

WOMAN: Free.

To go where I like, meet who I want.

WOMAN: You believe you have no voice.

Change is possible.

WOMAN: Young people should follow their hearts.

WOMAN: Oh, I wholly agree.

MAN: All I ask is to be considered a friend.

Will you allow that?

MAN: Louisa!

WOMAN: I was a lady's maid.

You would be heir to a dynasty.

You would not have been allowed to love me.

MAN: Scandalous.

MAN: Inexcusable.

MAN: Your succession is about to be challenged.

MAN: We can't afford to be sentimental.

MAN: Can we afford to be human?

WOMAN: Why have you come?

MAN: To see the only person who ever completely understood me.

MAN: You haven't led me astray.

You've set me free.

WOMAN: We all deserve our moments of madness.

And then we grow up.

MAN: It is a golden opportunity.

WOMAN: To love and be loved.

To trust and be trusted.

To dance.

WOMAN: It will be a dance.

MAN: And it will be all that you've dreamed of.

And more.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Who killed John Henry ♪ ♪ In the battle of sinners and saints ♪ ♪ ♪ Who killed John Henry ♪ ♪ In the battle of sinners and saints ♪ JOE: Hi, this is Joe Bonamassa, and I'm excited to be part of the We Heart Public Television Telethon.

As an avid guitar collector, I like nothing more than sitting on Saturday evenings watching public television, Antiques Roadshow, and of course, everybody's favorite, Austin City Limits.

♪ And you can hear a song from my latest PBS special, Live at the Hollywood Bowl.

This one is called "Twenty-Four Hour Blues."

♪ ♪ Every morning when I wake up ♪ ♪ Lord, I cry a pool of tears ♪ ♪ Seven days now, since you left me ♪ ♪ Well it seems like seven years ♪ ♪ ♪ Loneliness keeps hanging around my door ♪ ♪ ♪ An unwanted friend I can't lose ♪ ♪ ♪ Everyday the same dark day ♪ The twenty-four hour blues ♪ ♪ Lonely minutes turn into hours ♪ ♪ I keep waiting by the telephone ♪ ♪ ♪ But you don't call me ♪ I guess I'll be ♪ Spending another sleepless night alone ♪ ♪ ♪ Oh I can't get myself together ♪ ♪ Without you it's all bad news ♪ ♪ ♪ Every day the same dog-gone thing ♪ ♪ Twenty-four hour blues ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Oh, if you don't hurry on back to me ♪ ♪ Then I have nothing left to lose ♪ ♪ Just these four gray walls ♪ The twenty-four hour blues Yea-yeah!

♪ ♪ Every day's the same damn thing ♪ ♪ The twenty-four hour blues ♪ ♪ Twenty-four hour blues ♪ ♪ ♪ Twenty-four hour blues ♪ ♪ ♪ Twenty-four hour blues ♪ ♪ ♪ Twenty-four hour blues ♪ ♪ ♪ Twenty-four hour blues ♪ ♪ ♪ Twenty-four hour blues ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Twenty-four hour blues ♪ Thank you for keeping the blues alive through this We Heart Public Television Telethon.

Tune into this station in March for my upcoming special, paying tribute to the great Rory Gallagher from Ireland.

This is gonna be great.

Don't keep your volunteers waiting, call now.

Thank you for your support.

♪ ♪ ♪ PATI: PBS has been the best media partner to share my work and my stories.

Through Pati's Mexican Table, La Frontera, and now Pati Jinich Explores PanAmericana, I've been able to share fascinating stories, meet inspiring people, and go to incredible places that I couldn't have visited otherwise.

PBS is all about educating, entertaining, and really sparking the conversation and opening our minds to new ideas, new stories, new people.

And so it's been humbling and enriching and I just love working with PBS.

MICHAEL: Hi, my name is Michael McKean.

I'm a big fan of PBS, of public broadcasting in general.

And to be very specific, I love Austin City Limits.

I've been watching Austin City Limits for 51 years.

How is that possible?

But listen, even if it's just a delivery system for Bonnie Raitt and Leon Redbone, and- I could go on and on- Asleep at the Wheel, Rye Cooter.

Everybody's been on that show except me.

But please, support public television.

They could make this kind of mistake any time.

♪ Ooh LAURYN: Drop that, Michelle.

♪ Let's go.

Let's go.

Bring those keys out.

♪ (vocalizing) Austin, if you feel real good, put your hands in the air.

♪ (indistinct) ♪ ♪ It's been three weeks ♪ Since you were looking for your friend ♪ ♪ The one you let hit it and never called you again ♪ ♪ 'Member when he told you he was 'bout the Benjamins?

♪ ♪ You act like you ain't hear him ♪ ♪ Then give him a little trim ♪ ♪ To begin, how you think you really gon' pretend ♪ ♪ Like you wasn't down, then you called him again?

♪ ♪ Plus, when you give it up so easy ♪ ♪ You ain't even foolin' him ♪ If you did it then, then you'd probably **** again ♪ ♪ Talking out your neck, sayin' you're a Christian ♪ ♪ A Muslim, sleeping with the gin ♪ ♪ Now that was the sin that did Jezebel in ♪ ♪ Who you gon' tell when the repercussions spin?

♪ ♪ Showing off your *** 'cause you're thinking it's a trend ♪ ♪ Girlfriend, let me break it down for you again ♪ ♪ You know I only say it 'cause I'm truly genuine ♪ ♪ Don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem ♪ ♪ Baby girl, respect is just a minimum ♪ ♪ He messed up ♪ Now, Lauryn is only human ♪ Don't think I haven't been through the same predicament ♪ ♪ Let it sit inside your head ♪ Like a million women in Philly, Penn ♪ ♪ It's silly when girls sell their soul because it's in ♪ ♪ Look at where you be in, hair weaves like Europeans ♪ ♪ Fake nails done by Koreans ♪ Come again ♪ Wait, wait, come again ♪ Wait, wait, come again ♪ Wait, wait, come again ♪ Girls, you know you'd better watch out ♪ ♪ Because some guys, some guys are only about ♪ ♪ That thing, that thing, that thing ♪ ♪ That thing, that thing, that thing ♪ ♪ The second verse is dedicated to the men ♪ ♪ More concerned with his rims and his Timbs than his women ♪ ♪ Him and his men, come in the club like hooligans ♪ ♪ Don't care who they offend, poppin' yang, like you got yen ♪ ♪ Let's not pretend, they wanna pack pistols by they waist men ♪ ♪ Cristal by the case men, still in they mother's basement ♪ ♪ The pretty face men claiming that they did a bid men ♪ ♪ Need to take care of they three or four kids men ♪ ♪ They facing court case when the child's support late ♪ ♪ Money taking, heart breaking ♪ Now you wonder why women hate men ♪ ♪ The sneaky, silent men ♪ The punk domestic violence men ♪ ♪ Quick to shoot the *****, stop acting like boys and be men ♪ ♪ How you gonna win when you ain't right ♪ ♪ How you gonna win when you ain't right ♪ ♪ How you gonna win when you ain't right ♪ ♪ Come again ♪ Yo yo come again ♪ Come again ♪ Come again ♪ Watch out, watch out ♪ Look out, look out ♪ Watch out, watch out ♪ Look out, look out ♪ Watch out, watch out ♪ Look out, look out ♪ Watch out, watch out ♪ Look out, look out ♪ Guys, you know you'd better watch out ♪ ♪ Because some girls, some girls are only about ♪ ♪ That thing, that thing, that thing ♪ ♪ That thing, that thing, that thing ♪ ♪ Guys, you know you'd better watch out ♪ ♪ Because some girls, some girls are only about ♪ ♪ That thing, that thing, that thing ♪ ♪ That thing, that thing, that thing ♪ ♪ (vocalizing) ♪ (vocalizing) Thank you so much Austin, thank you very much!

Austin City Limits we love you!

(audience cheering and applauding) I say yeah, yeah yeah.

Oh, yeah, yeah yeah.

Oh, yeah, yeah yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah.

Oh, yeah, yeah yeah.

Oh, yeah, yeah yeah.

Oh, yeah, yeah yeah.

(vocalizing) (vocalizing) Good night, you guys.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for your patience.

Thank you for your patience.

Thank you.

Been a wonderful audience.

Please make some noise for my band!

(audience cheering and applauding) And make some noise for Austin!

(audience cheering and applauding) ♪ (vocalizing) ♪ (vocalizing) ♪ (vocalizing) ♪ (vocalizing) (audience cheering and applauding) ZIGGY: Are you guys ready to hear this book?

KIDS: Yeah!

ZIGGY: Yes!

It's called Pajammin'.

It's written by me, Ziggy Marley, and illustrated by Letícia Moreno.

All right, let's do it.

It started in the day, way before sleepy time.

The excitement was building for a very jamming- filled occasion.

The plans were made, the invites sent.

Today is here, tonight is next.

The perfect time to do this thing.

It's an old tradition, pajammin'.

There's no when, there's no how.

We can start the party now.

I sit waiting for the Sun to set.

Then I take a bath and get all dressed.

Mix and matching colors.

We can help each other through.

Polka dots or stripes, you can wear whatever you like.

Superhero dolls, soccer balls, it doesn't matter.

'Cause we're pajammin'.

I'm pajammin' with you, we're pajammin', and I hope you like pajammin' too.

Be ready for a night of fluffy soft pillow fights.

We will do it right to everyone's delight.

Playing flashlight tag, hunting with my scavenger bag.

The hotter you are, the closer the goal.

It's a game.

It's called hot or cold.

Just bare feet are in your socks.

It doesn't matter how you rock.

A musical jam with pots and pans.

That's when the place goes crazy.

Everybody's playing, it's crazy.

We're pajammin'!

Pajammin' till the break of dawn.

We're pajammin', pajammin'.

Ain't no time to yawn.

The moon has arrived with its crescent shape, but slumber can wait for another date.

'Cause now it's for playing while the Sun is asleep.

We stay awake and let our imagination speak.

A game playing, storytelling, song singing, fun having, pajammin'.

We're pajammin'.

I'll go pajammin' with you.

We're pajammin' and I hope you like pajammin' too.

We're pajammin'.

Hey, they thought pajammin' was a thing of the past.

We're pajammin' and they know pajammin's gonna last.

New rules to remember.

Beds are for jumping.

Sheets are for tents.

You can stay up past 10.

We hope it never ends.

Okay, now it's time to crash after a late night snack.

Lie in the sleeping bag, chill and relax.

One more book before lights out.

One more time, let's scream and shout.

We're pajammin'.

I'm pajammin' with you, we're pajammin' and I know you like pajammin' too.

Telling stories, everything's alright.

Last one awake, turns off the light.

After a while we hit the Zs, and later than sooner we're fast asleep.

Dreaming of the next time we meet, when we will dance to the pajammin' beat.

Tomorrow the Sun will rise again, we will smile again, laughter will fill the air again, from joyful voices singing, pajammin'!

Good job guys.

(laughing and clapping) Thank you.

(laughing) ♪ ♪ BABETTE: I loved that.

FRED: Mm-hmm.

BABETTE: A little Reading Rainbow going on there, our very own version of that.

FRED: Yeah.

BABETTE: And think about, Fred, all those cute faces, all those young people being impacted, not just by reading one book, but all the educational programs on PBS Kids.

FRED: It's amazing.

I mean, it all started for kids like me in the late 1960s.

Sesame Street, Mr.

Rogers teaching us numbers and colors and how to be a good neighbor.

BABETTE: I know.

FRED: And all these years later, I think this is even more important for kids today than it's ever been.

And you can make that difference.

Please, the phone volunteers are here waiting for you.

Take advantage of this moment to activate with the phone volunteers.

Make that gift of support and keep this legacy for kids and for everyone growing strong.

BABETTE: Oh, my goodness.

Really, the gold standard for kids, but also all the programs that you love.

NATURE, Masterpiece.

There's been a wide variety.

This has been an unbelievable event right to this point, and there's more to come.

And we want to thank each and every one of you that are a part of the PBS family by calling with your support.

FRED: The ultimate thanks is, of course, more programs, more services for an entire year thanks to you.

But we do have some fun exclusive thank-you gifts with the We Heart Public Television event.

So join us.

$5 a month ongoing is a monthly sustainer or $60 right now, the car magnet.

Grab one.

BABETTE: The car, not a car, but a car magnet.

I want to be clear about that.

FRED: The car magnet.

BABETTE: There we go.

There we go.

We've got the great exclusive t-shirt that will tell everybody that you are a supporter of public television.

And the tote bag, perfect to take to the grocery store or to the library, maybe.

That would be great.

And if you can't decide, like me, we have an option as a $20-a-month sustainer or a $240 all at once.

The t-shirt, the car magnet, and the tote bag, they're all exclusive.

And you know what, Fred?

One of the things we haven't talked about is one of my favorite member benefits with a qualifying donation and that's Passport.

FRED: It is incredible.

So much additional content.

Listen, we have the free PBS app.

That's free to all Americans.

That's what we do.

But when you join us as a member, you do have access once you log in to Passport to so, so much more.

It's amazing.

BABETTE: We showed a little clip of the Forsytes coming in March on your PBS station, and you will be able to binge all of that.

That's what I love about Passport.

One of the things also about public television is- it is just like, you know, Ziggy Marley.

Public television creates a space for powerful new voices.

FRED: Yeah.

BABETTE: Well, at one point, Andrea Bocelli was new, and our next guest is definitely one of those voices.

Everybody has a space here on public television, and Lena Waithe has been in front of and behind the camera and it made an impact.

She has a message for you about how you can make an impact as well.

LENA: Public television is a big reason why I'm sitting here talking to you right now.

I grew up watching it.

It helped shape me.

It affirmed me.

It educated me.

It made me feel seen.

And public television needs us.

It has always needed us.

It wouldn't exist without viewers like what?

Like you, like me.

And it needs us now more than ever.

So let's please lean in, donate, raise our voices, and make sure that public television is something that never goes away.

Because every generation needs to be seen, affirmed, educated, lifted up, and loved on.

And that's what public television is all about.

So let's continue to make sure we do our part to keep it around forever.

Thank you.

MARTIN: Hello, I'm Martin Sheen, and I have been a proud supporter of PBS literally all my adult life.

Our children and grandchildren grew up on Sesame Street, America's address.

Unfortunately, as many of you know, all federal funding for public media was eliminated just this past year, but that does not mean that PBS is going away.

On the contrary, what it does mean is that your local PBS stations are now depending on you more than ever.

So, if you're like me and you're already a PBS supporter, I hope you will use this occasion to make a very generous contribution to your local PBS station, like immediately, and thank you.

Oh, by the way, don't forget to ask for one of their very cool tote bags, and thank you again.

♪ ANNOUNCER: Your public television station has never needed you more than this year after the loss of all of our federal funding.

All we ask is that you pick the level of support that is appropriate for you and give us a call.

When you give just $5 a month as an ongoing sustainer, we would be happy to send you the We Heart Public Television Car Magnet.

Or if you prefer to wear your love for public television right on your chest, ask for one of our exclusive limited edition t-shirts.

You can give $96 right now or sign up as an $8-a-month sustaining member.

And of course, we have a tote bag because we're a PBS station.

This one is exclusive and especially for music lovers, and it can be yours when you give $144 or sign up as a $12-a-month ongoing sustainer.

Finally, you can spread the PBS love around to family and friends and get all three gifts when you contribute $240 right now or $20 a month.

And if you're in a position to give more, consider an investment in your local public television station of $1,200 annually or $100 a month.

Now is the time to step up for public television.

Thank you.

♪ That's what friends are for ♪ For good times ♪ And bad times ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ BABETTE: Well, we can all sing along with that beautiful rendition.

We know "Sunny Days" and that is a wonderful thing.

It's a legacy for Sesame Street on your PBS station.

For decades Sesame Street has been committed to making sure that our children have a safe place to learn and grow.

And the research is phenomenal.

Children who watch Sesame Street are better prepared to enter school.

That's incredible, and that's what you make possible with your support right now.

You know, Sesame Street has provided generations of learning since the 1960s, and their mission has never changed.

They just want to make sure things are better for our most important viewers, our children.

And you're a part of that legacy when you make the call.

So if you've already done so, if you're a parent or a grandparent who really appreciates having PBS Kids in your home, we want to thank you for making that call, for being a part of the legacy, to make sure our children always have a safe harbor where they can learn and grow and be their best selves.

And to that end, we have a sneak peek from the newest season of Sesame Street, just for you.

So while you're watching and singing along, you know the way to Sesame Street, but you have an important part to play.

Make that call right now.

ELMO: Elmo's so happy you're here on Sesame Street!

♪ Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away ♪ COOKIE MONSTER: Hi!

GROVER: Ta-da!

Get ready to laugh, my friend!

COOKIE MONSTER: Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

♪ Just imagine what could happen ♪ ♪ Just imagine woo ho woo ho ♪ ♪ LILY (in the voice of Ernestine): Mr.

Boswak, I'm- I'm telling you for the last time, we need some money to fall into our coffers here.

PBS has been defunded.

It's just a gross error in bookkeeping.

Please, please send it to us.

Send it to us now.

I'll come to your place and believe me, I'll rip it out of wherever it's reposed at the moment.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

I'm watching you.

(hangs up phone) BRIDGET: Hi, I'm Bridget Lancaster.

JULIA: And I'm Julia Collin Davison.

BRIDGET: For 25 years, public television has been the home of America's Test Kitchen, a place where people come to learn something new, including how to cook.

JULIA: And we love that spirit of discovery, because whether you're mastering a new recipe or trying out a new ingredient, cooking is all about learning.

BRIDGET: PBS has always believed that learning should be for everyone, right at home and right in your own kitchen.

JULIA: That's why we're so proud to be a part of the PBS family.

We love public television.

RICK: Thanks so much for being on our team, for celebrating the public in public television.

It's important for our families, it's important for our neighborhoods, and it's important for our democracy.

And that's why we heart public television.

JACQUES: Hi, I'm Jacques Pepin.

CLAUDINE: And I'm Claudine Pepin.

JACQUES: I've been on public television for over 40 years, mostly with KQED.

It's really my second home.

I'm a big public television man, along with Julia, of course.

We did so many wonderful shows together.

And it's all thanks to the support of viewers like you.

Now, more than ever, PBS needs your support.

Please take this opportunity to make your donation.

Let's toast to it.

We heart public television.

CLAUDINE: We heart public television.

JACQUES: Now we have a very special treat, a classic moment with Julia Child.

Enjoy and happy cooking.

JULIA: Welcome to the French Chef (indistinct).

Shouldn't have been so violent, but anyway.

Here are two famous chicken stews.

In this corner, we have Coq au vin, and in this corner, Fricassée de Poulet à l'Ancienne.

And the first one is a dark stew because it's cooked in red wine, and the second one is a white stew because it's cooked in white wine.

And both of them are garnished with little onions and mushrooms, and I'm going to make both of them at exactly the same time because the- because you're going to see how things in cooking are related and that really these two recipes are practically the same.

And that once you know how to make these two chicken stews, the dark one and the light one, you can make any kind of a chicken stew.

SHELÉA: Hi, I'm Sheléa, and PBS has been a part of my life pretty much my whole life.

In the beginning, it was Sesame Street, Mr.

Rogers, and Reading Rainbow.

But now that I'm a big girl, it's In Performance and all of those Masterpiece series.

PBS has given me so much.

PBS has given us so much.

And your generous donation makes sure we never have to imagine a world without PBS.

So the next clip you're going to see is from my 10th PBS special, Aretha with Sheléa and the Pacific Symphony.

I would not be the artist I am today without PBS.

So let's make sure we dig deep to make sure that the next generation and all the future generations to come will be able to stand here and say, thank you, PBS.

♪ ♪ Lookin' out on the morning rain ♪ ♪ Howoo ♪ I used to feel so uninspired ♪ ♪ Howoo ♪ And when I knew I had to face another day ♪ ♪ Howoo ♪ Lord, it made me feel so tired ♪ ♪ Before the day I met you ♪ ♪ Life was so unkind ♪ But you're the key to my peace of mind ♪ Come on!

♪ You make me feel ♪ You make me feel ♪ You make me feel like a natural woman ♪ ♪ And when my soul was in the lost and found ♪ ♪ Howoo ♪ You came along to claim it ♪ ♪ Howoo ♪ I didn't know just what was wrong with me ♪ ♪ Howoo ♪ 'Til your kiss helped me name it ♪ ♪ Now I'm no longer doubtful ♪ ♪ Of what I'm living for ♪ And if I make you happy I don't need to do more ♪ ♪ 'Cause you make me feel Come on!

♪ You make me feel ♪ You make me feel like a natural woman ♪ Here we go.

♪ Oh baby, what you done to me ♪ ♪ Done to me ♪ Oh, you make me feel so good inside ♪ ♪ Good inside ♪ Hey ♪ And I just, I just wanna be ♪ ♪ Wanna be ♪ Close to you, you make me feel so alive ♪ ♪ You make me feel ♪ You make me feel, baby ♪ You make me feel ♪ You make me feel like ♪ Like a woman ♪ Hey ♪ You make me feel ♪ You make me feel ♪ Feel like, like a woman ♪ You make me feel Sing y'all!

♪ Feel like I feel ♪ You make me feel ♪ Like I feel ♪ Oh, like a woman ♪ You make me feel like a woman ♪ ♪ Oh, you make me feel ♪ Oh, you make me feel, you make me feel ♪ ♪ You make me feel, I said you make me feel ♪ ♪ You make me feel, you make me feel ♪ ♪ Like a woman ♪ ♪ What you want ♪ Baby I got ♪ What you need ♪ You know I got ♪ ♪ All I'm asking ♪ Is for a little respect when you come home ♪ ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Hey baby, when you get home ♪ ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Hey, bring it ♪ Just a little bit ♪ I ain't gonna do you wrong ♪ ♪ While you gone ♪ I ain't gonna do you wrong ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't want it ♪ ♪ All I'm asking ♪ Is for a little respect when you come home ♪ ♪ Hey, baby ♪ Just a little bit ♪ When you get home ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Hey ♪ Just a little bit ♪ I'm about to give you all my money ♪ ♪ And all I'm asking in return, honey ♪ ♪ Is to give me my propers ♪ ♪ When you get home ♪ ♪ Just a, just a, just a ♪ Hey, baby, when you get home ♪ ♪ Just a little bit ♪ ♪ Hey Come on, take it to the bridge.

♪ ♪ ♪ Ooh, your kiss is ♪ Sweeter than honey ♪ And guess what ♪ So is my money ♪ All I want you to do for me ♪ ♪ Is give it to me when you come home ♪ ♪ Hey baby, when you get home ♪ ♪ Just a little bit Now I want everybody to sing this song with me.

♪ Say, R-E-S-P-E-C-T ♪ Find out what it means to me ♪ ♪ R-E-S-P-E-C-T ♪ Take care, TCB ♪ Ow!

♪ Sock it to me, sock it to me ♪ ♪ A little respect ♪ Sock it to me, sock it to me ♪ ♪ Just a little bit ♪ A little respect ♪ Just a little bit ♪ You're runnin' out of foolin' ♪ ♪ I ain't lyin' ♪ Sock it to me, sock it to me ♪ ♪ Hey, I ain't lyin' ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Re, re, re, re, re, re, re, respect ♪ ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Oh, baby ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Re, re, re, re, re, re, re, respect ♪ ♪ Give me my respect, hey, ho, hey ♪ ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Just a little bit ♪ I said just a little bit ♪ ♪ Just a little bit ♪ I said just a little bit ♪ ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Oh, give it to me ♪ Just a little bit Hey!

♪ Just a little bit (vocalizing) ♪ ♪ I said give it to me ♪ ♪ I said give it to me ♪ ♪ I said give it to me ♪ (vocalizing) (vocalizing) ♪ Re ♪ Spect ♪ (audience cheering and applauding) (audience cheering) RICKEY: Thanks for joining us for We Heart Public Television, and thanks to my incredible band.

And if you haven't made a contribution to your local PBS station yet, what are you waiting for?

I mean, give us a call right now.

Here's one last song to remind you about why we heart public television.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ FRED: An amazing, inspiring, heartfelt embrace.

We Heart Public Television and a reminder of how much this station means so much to so many in our hometown and all across the country.

BABETTE: And it all happens one person at a time, one family at a time, one voice joining another, creating something truly remarkable and essential for our world.

If you have already called with your support and joined the public television family, we want to thank you.

FRED: Well, as we come to the end of our time together, it reminds me how valuable time is.

Take advantage while our volunteers are here, taking your gifts of support.

And, BaBette, music is one of my favorite things that we have on this public television station.

And after all, it's music that makes you feel so good so fast, and it's music that marks the time.

BABETTE: Well, it is the music, but we've also had the kids programming, the PBS NewsHour, NATURE, all the Ken Burns and the Skip Gates.

Everyone from every genre on public television has gotten together to encourage you to go to the phone or go online with your support.

FRED: And if past is prologue, everything we've done in our history, this legacy, all of that is possible into the future and more with your gift of support.

So do not wait.

BABETTE: That's right.

We do have those exclusive thank-you gifts.

But the most important part is that you let us know that you heart public television, that you become a part of the we, because that's how we do this.

We work together in our community to make sure that public media, programs that enlighten and inspire, will always have a place in your heart.

FRED: Viewers like you making the impossible possible.

An amazing station, thanks to viewers like you.

BABETTE: Thank you.

ANNOUNCER: Become a $5 monthly sustainer or give $60 right now, and you can show off your love of quality programs everywhere you go.

We'll send you this We Heart Public Television car magnet.

Start your ongoing $8-a-month donation or donate $96, and we'll thank you with this brand new We Heart Public Television t-shirt.

This shirt is sure to bring smiles every time you wear it.

Become a $12 monthly sustainer or invest $144 in this public television station and we'll thank you with this Keeping the Music Alive tote bag.

Or ask for all three gifts.

Start your $20-a-month sustaining donation or give $240 right now and we'll send you the shirt, the magnet, and the tote bag.

And remember, when you make a qualifying donation, you'll also enjoy PBS Passport, our most popular member benefit.

With Passport, you'll be able to explore a deep library of incredible PBS shows that you can watch right on your television.

So don't wait.

Do your part now.

Give online or call or text the number on your screen.

And thank you.

♪ Because I'm happy ♪ ♪ Clap along if you feel like ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪