Coming Soon to Public Broadcasting . . .

The Current Pipeline is a treasure-trove of informtion on upcoming programs that represent your tax dollars at work. Here are some listings that stand out:

Stand Up: Muslim-American Comics Come of Age (w.t.)
Producing organization: Azimuth Media. Episodes: 1 x 60. Status: fundraising. Major funder: CPB. Producer/director: Glenn Baker. Co-director: Omar Naim. Co-producer/writer: Lauren Cardillo. Contact: Glenn Baker, glenn@azimuthmedia.org, 202-797-5265. Showcases Arab- and Muslim-American comedians in the wake of 9/11 and chronicles their struggle to enter the American comic mainstream. A project backed by CPB’s America at the Crossroads Initiative.

Islam and African-America
Producing organization: Chamba Mediaworks Inc. Episodes: 1 x 90. Status: R&D, scripting, fundraising. Budget: $721,000. Major funder: CPB. Producer/director: St.Clair Bourne. Supervising producer: Michelle Gahee. Co-producer/co-writer: Tom Miller. Writer/story editor: Lou Potter. Script consultant: Robert Gardner. Contact: St.Clair Bourne, chambanotes@earthlink.net. Probes the reactions of the African-American community to the events of 9/11, as well as the past and present relationship between African-Americans and Muslims, both immigrant and domestic. A project backed by CPB’s America at the Crossroads Initiative. Web: www.chambamedia.com.

Muslim Spain: Three Faiths in One Land (w.t.)
Producing organization: Unity Productions Foundation, Gardner Films. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: production. Executive producers: Alex Kronemer, Michael Wolfe. Director: Rob Gardner. Contact: Alex Kronemer, alexatupf.tv. Explores the eight centuries (700-1492) during which Muslims, Jews and Christians formed a society in Western Europe that influenced and enriched the world. Planned outreach includes interfaith dialogue, public screenings, topical symposia.

American General: Benedict Arnold
Producing organizations: Talon Films, WETA and Essex Television Group. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: fundraising. WETA executive producers: Dalton Delan, Karen Kenton. Producers: Anthony Vertucci, Tom Mercer, Steve Lettieri. Director: Chris Stearns. Contact: Dewey Blanton, dblantonatweta.com. Examines the complicated life of one of America’s most notorious and misunderstood figures, a man whose name is synonymous with treason who nevertheless contributed mightily to the winning of the Revolution.

Herbert Hoover: Tragedy and Triumph (w.t.)
Producing organization: Stamats Communications Inc. Presenting station: Iowa PTV. Episodes: 1 x 60. Status: fundraising. Exexutive producers: Tom Hedges, Stevie Ballard. Manager of local productions: Wayne Bruns. Contact: Wayne Bruns, 515-242-3100. A new look at Hoover, examining his life, work and presidency.

WWJD 2.1: What Would Jesus Do ...in the 21st Century?
Producing station: KTWU, Topeka, Kan. Distributor: APT. Episodes: 6 x 30. Status: production. Budget: $250,000. Major funder: Shumaker Family Foundation. Executive producer: Eugene Williams. Series producer: Dave Kendall. Contact: Kevin Goodman, kevin.goodmanatwashburn.edu. Tracing the origins of the question "What Would Jesus Do?" to an 1896 publication titled In His Steps, this series brings the question into the 21st century. Religious scholars and theologians consider how the basic ethical issues raised by such a question may be perceived in light of changing cultural landscapes and worldviews.

As Jack Paar used to say, I kid you not...