September Premieres on OETA

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The Return of Riverdance and All-New Episodes of Gallery America and Back in Time

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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The September lineup coming to the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) offers considerable variety. From PBS KIDS programming to local documentaries, viewers of all backgrounds will be able to find something to enjoy.

“Our talented team of producers, writers and editors have worked hard through this pandemic to continue production of OETA’s awardwinning local programs,” says Polly Anderson, OETA executive director. “We’re back this month with all-new episodes of Gallery America with a story from Ada, OK, and our Oklahoma history program, Back in Time: Roadside History. We also have a great slate of new specials from Frontline to educate voters as we near the general election.”

Week of August 30

Riverdance: 25th Anniversary Show – Tuesday, September 1, 7:00 p.m.

Celebrate the magic in this powerful and stirring reinvention of the groundbreaking show. Catapulting Riverdance into the 21st century, this new cinematic experience immerses viewers in the extraordinary energy and passion of Irish music and dance.

Abba Forever: A Celebration – Friday, September 4, 8:00 p.m.

Celebrate the supergroup with Neil Sedaka, Donny Osmond, Tim Rice and the band members themselves. Featuring a greatest hits soundtrack including “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia!,” the program includes original interviews and rare archival footage.

Week of September 6

Elinor Wonders Why – Monday, September 7, 9:30 a.m.

This all-new animated series for preschoolers aims to encourage children to follow their curiosity, ask questions when they don’t understand and find answers using science inquiry skills. The main character Elinor, the most observant and curious bunny rabbit in Animal Town, introduces kids ages 3-5 to science, nature and community through adventures with her friends Ari, a funny and imaginative bat, and Olive, a perceptive and warm elephant. The series airs weekdays at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Frontline: Growing Up Poor in America – Tuesday, September 8, 8:00 p.m.

The experience of child poverty against the backdrop of the pandemic and increasing racial tensions. Set in Ohio, the film follows children and their families navigating issues of poverty, homelessness, race and new challenges due to COVID-19.

NOVA: Human Nature – Wednesday, September 9, 7:00 p.m.

DNA can determine attributes from eye color to medical predispositions. An extraordinary technology called CRISPR allows for the editing of human DNA, possibly eliminating genetic diseases or choosing our children’s features. But how far is too far?

Gallery America: Plein View – Thursday, September 10, 7:00 p.m.

Ada painter Kelly Pennington loves the outside so much she’s made it her “office.” Most mornings the former teacher goes with her dog, Oakley, to typical Oklahoma settings— pastures with copses of trees she’s spotted—and paints “plein air,” or outdoors. The program repeats Thursday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. Gallery America is OETA’s award-winnings arts and culture series.

Back in Time: Roadside History – Thursday, September 10, 7:30 p.m.

Host Robert Burch and the Back in Time crew take a (safe) road trip to visit the many historic sites across the state. Green historical markers dot the state highways and backroads, telling the tales of Oklahoma’s rich history, from an armed confrontation between the Oklahoma National Guard and Texas Rangers to world famous ballerinas, Indian massacres and even the grave of the famous Mr. Ed. The program repeats Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. Back in Time is OETA’s awardwinning Oklahoma history documentary series.

Week of September 13

Lucy Worsley’s Royal Palace Secrets – Sunday, September 13, 7 p.m.

Join the popular royal historian for an exclusive tour of London’s most extraordinary palaces. From the forbidding Tower of London to glorious Hampton Court to treasurefilled Kensington Palace, Lucy takes viewers behind the velvet ropes into each building’s most secret places.

Van der Valk on Masterpiece – Sundays, September 13-27, 8:00 p.m.

Brilliant but cynical commissaris Piet Van der Valk solves baffling crimes in 21st-century Amsterdam, which is more prosperous, cosmopolitan and crimeprone than ever.

Frontline: Policing the Police – Tuesday, September 15, 8 p.m.

How do you transform a troubled department? This follow-up documentary includes updates on the theme of policing in America as police brutality remains a hot-button issue across the nation.

Islands of Wonder – Wednesday, September 16- 30, 7:00 p.m.

Journey to three of the most exotic, mysterious and remote islands on the planet: Madagascar, Borneo and Hawaii. Isolated from the rest of the world, they harbor remarkable wildlife and pioneering human communities found nowhere else on Earth.

Week of September 20

Frontline: The Choice 2020 - Trump vs. Biden – Tuesday, September 22, 8:00 p.m.

In the midst of a historic pandemic, economic hardship and a reckoning with racism, this November Americans will decide who will lead the nation for the next four years: President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden. And before the votes are cast, as it has for every election since 1988, Frontline presents The Choice—its critically acclaimed election year special offering interwoven investigative biographies of both major-party candidates.

NOVA: How Writing Changed the World – Wednesdays, September 23 & 30, 8:00 p.m.

Just as handwritten records changed how societies work, the printing press transformed the spread of information, igniting the Industrial Revolution. How did technologies—from pen to paper to printing press— make it all possible?

Week of September 27

POV: Our Time Machine

/ Negative Space – Monday, September 28, 9:00 p.m.

When artist Maleonn realizes that his father is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, he creates “Papa’s Time Machine,” a magical, autobiographical stage performance featuring life-size mechanical puppets.

PBS NewsHour Presidential Debate – Tuesday, September 29, 8:00 p.m.

Judy Woodruff and the PBS NewsHour team cover the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.

Programs are subject to change. Please check OETA. tv for the latest programming information.

About OETA

OETA provides essential educational content and services that inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans to ideas and information that enrich our quality of life. We do this by consistently engaging Oklahomans with educational and public television programming, providing educational training and curriculum, outreach initiatives and online features that collectively encourage lifelong learning. For more information about education curriculum and programs, local productions, digital television, community resources and show schedules explore OETA.tv.