Late last year, when I talked with television producer Dan Jones, he had nothing but positive memories to recall when working on a special project.
"It is certainly one of the finest projects I have ever been involved with," said Jones, who served as host and executive producer "Wisconsin Remembers John F. Kennedy."
"I’m very proud of it."
The documentary commemorating the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination has been given the 2014 Governor’s Archives Award for Archival Innovation by the Wisconsin Historical Society.
"Milwaukee Public Television … has been honored with this award, and serves as a prime example of MPTV’s ongoing commitment to present high-quality local history topics to its viewers." MPTV reported in a release.
The project revisited Kennedy’s campaign in Wisconsin, his presidency and his assassination. The documentary was produced by Jones, an award-winning producer and longtime host of MPTV’s "Interchange," and edited by Mark Bernhardt of MPTV.
Jones interviewed people who knew Kennedy, and others who simply admired him. He also uncovered archival film footage that included Kennedy’s arrival at Mitchell Airport, a walk down Wisconsin Avenue and giving a speech at the Milwaukee Arena.
Two former governors, a civil rights legend and an assassination expert are also featured in the program.
"I am indebted to the great staff and resources at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Library Archives Collection," Jones said. "These are just some of the local library treasures that MPTV and the general public can access to better understand our rich and wonderful history."
The Governor’s Award for Archival Innovation recognizes efforts that successfully experiment with new ways to demonstrate the significance or relevance of historical records for understanding the past, or that use historical records to reach new audiences. The Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board jointly sponsor the Governor's Archives Awards.
Jones will accept the award at the Historical Preservation Conference on Oct. 25 at the Osthoff Resort and Conference Center in Elkhart Lake.
MIKE TYSON TAKES SWING AT CARTOONS: Adult Swim will air a new animated adult comedy series, "Mike Tyson Mysteries," at 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 27. The series from Warner Bros. Animation stars Tyson as himself and as the network puts it, "the show is poised to knock out the Monday night competition."
In the show, Tyson is taking a TV formula staple and making it his own by solving mysteries. With the Mike Tyson Mystery Team — the Ghost of the Marquess of Queensberry, Tyson’s adopted Korean daughter, Yung Hee, and a pigeon who was once a man — he will take the team on the road in his van and answer pleas for help in the 15-minute show.
"Mike Tyson will answer any plea sent to him. If you have a problem that needs solving, Iron Mike is in your corner. The gloves come off in this quarter-hour series as the former heavyweight champ and his team gears up for weekly adventures as they put unsolved mysteries down for the count," the release from Adult Swim stated.
"Mike Tyson Mysteries" stars Mike Tyson, Norm Macdonald (Saturday Night Live), Rachel Ramras (MAD) and Oscar-winner Jim Rash (The Way Way Back, Community), and is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!, MAD, The Looney Tunes Show) serves as executive producer with Hugh Davidson (MAD, The Looney Tunes Show, Robot Chicken) as producer.
Adult Swim launched in 2001, running from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the Cartoon Network. The Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s network offers original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Adult Swim is basic cable’s No. 1-rated network with people ages 18-34 and 18-49, and is watched in 99 million homes in the U.S.
Media is bombarding us everywhere.
Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.
The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.