WXXI TV

A one-hour special documentary that follows the actor, author, humorist, and renowned performer as he goes back to school, to demonstrate the transformative power of arts education. 

Art Happens Here with John Lithgow airs Friday, April 26 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV. It repeats Sunday, April 28 at 5 p.m.

John immerses himself with teachers and students to explore four arts disciplines: dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing and vocal jazz ensemble. Art Happens Here with John Lithgow celebrates arts education as a tool to nurture and inspire the hearts and minds of students of all ages. 

Downloadable Discussion Guide

• "Art Happens Here" Discussion Guide

Tells the dramatic and inspiring story of the ordinary women who fought against overwhelming odds for the health and safety of their families.

American Experience “Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy of Love Canal” airs Sunday, April 28, at 1 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

 In the late 1970s, residents of Love Canal, a working-class neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York, discovered that their homes, schools and playgrounds were built on top of a former chemical waste dump, which was now leaking toxic substances and wreaking havoc on their health. Through interviews with many of the extraordinary housewives turned activists, the film shows how they effectively challenged those in power, forced America to reckon with the human cost of unregulated industry, and created a grassroots movement that galvanized the landmark Superfund Bill.

The story of Love Canal began in the late 19th century, when William T. Love, hoping to harness the power of Niagara Falls, began to dig, but later abandoned, an enormous canal. Decades later, in the late 1940s, local company Hooker Chemical decided that Love’s Canal was the perfect site for a waste dump. For nearly a decade, Hooker dumped roughly 22,000 tons of dangerous chemical waste into the defunct waterway, a common disposal practice and one largely unregulated by the local government.

Photo caption:

 Surrounded by the media, Lois Gibbs waits outside the Love Canal Homeowners Association for a phone call from the White House. May 1980.
Credit: Mickey H. Osterreicher

Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, American Masters continues its quest to examine influencers and disruptors of American political thought with Thought Leaders, its strand of programming that focuses on changemakers in politics, law, and music.

American Masters: The Incomparable Mr. Buckley airs Friday, April 5 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

The Incomparable Mr. Buckley follows the personal and political journey of conservative writer, strategist, candidate and provocateur William F. Buckley, Jr. See how one of the architects of the modern conservative movement rose to prominence as a public intellectual and influenced generations of politicians — including Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater. As founder of the National Review and host of the public affairs program Firing Line for over 30 years, Buckley created new spaces for civic discourse that were accessible to the public. Interviewees in the film include Buckley’s son Christopher Buckley; Richard Brookhiser, senior editor for National Review; Jeff Greenfield, journalist and Firing Line moderator; Sam Tanenhaus, former editor of The New York Times Book Review and William F. Buckley  biographer; Jay Nordlinger, senior editor of National Review and more. 

Photo:  William F. Buckley
Credit: Provided by PBS

This new six-part documentary series that explores innovative ways to think about the future.

A Brief History of the Future airs Wednesdays, April 3 – May 8 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

A Brief History of the Future will help you imagine – and work toward – a better tomorrow. Hosted by futurist Ari Wallach, the series challenges the dystopian framework embraced by popular culture by offering a refreshing take on the future exploring potential solutions to our existential threats. The program invites viewers to imagine a world that is full of discovery, hope, and possibility – inspiring each of us to understand our power to shape the future that future generations need us to so they can flourish. 

The series weaves together history, science, and unexpected storytelling to expand our understanding about the impact that the choices we make today will have on our tomorrows. Each episode follows those who are working to solve our greatest challenges. The series also features valuable insights from a wide range of thinkers, scientists, developers and storytellers including French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur, musician Grimes, architect Bjarke Ingels, climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, legendary soccer player Kylian Mbappé, and more.

Episodes and air dates:

“Beyond the Now” Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. (Series Premiere) Join Ari Wallach on his journey to seek the individuals and ideas that can shape a better, more sustainable future for each generation to build upon. 

“Chaos & Complexity” Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. Why are many of us feeling overwhelmed and afraid in this historically transformational moment in time? Ari Wallach explores how it offers unprecedented possibilities for new and needed futures we can create together. 

“Once Upon a Time” Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. How do stories shape the boundaries of belief about what is possible? Ari Wallach dives into the fundamental role storytelling plays in our lives and their potential to unleash the power of human imagination and creativity moving forward. 

“Human” Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. Ari Wallach investigates the human ability to increase empathy and compassion, what values we are instilling into artificial intelligence technologies, and creating a better world for human life to flourish on this planet. 

“Together” Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. Throughout history, humans’ unique capacity for cooperation has set us apart. Ari Wallach explores the internal changes we enact that have the potential to impact those around us, our broader communities, and societies. 

“Tomorrows” Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. Ari Wallach examines the ways we often see the concept of the future, the crucial need to think much, much bigger about what could come next, and how we all have more personal agency than we realize.

Explore each season in the Finger Lakes region visiting each lake with stunning aerial videography.

Journeys Through the Finger Lakes airs Saturday, June 7 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

From Susan B. Anthony and the women’s rights movement, to Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad, to spotlighting a proud and resilient Native American culture, Journeys Through the Finger Lakes takes you on a journey through the vibrant history, lush topography, and seminal moments that make up this extraordinary place.

How was the region created and defined?  What effects did the landscape and weather have on the industry, agriculture, and community development? Who were the historical figures that influenced national issues in critical ways? And, who is continuing to create an innovative and diverse cultural landscape that has become synonymous with the region?  

These lakes form a broader region rich in meaningful history and unique culture. We journey through lush topography, singular institutions and meet the visionary icons that make up the rich tapestry of this extraordinary place.

Journeys Through the Finger Lakes is dedicated to John Adamski, who worked tirelessly on behalf of the Finger Lakes and the Finger Lakes Museum. Produced by WXXI in partnership with Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance with support from Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance and I Love NY; Saunders Foundation; Nocon & Associates, an Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. private wealth advisory practice; and The Jane K. and Robert C. Stevens Fund for New Programming.

To learn more, click here.

A crew of 12 Mexican tree planters travel the United States re-growing America’s forests.

Independent Lens: A Thousand Pines premieres Monday, April 1 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Over the course of a grueling eight months, a crew of Oaxacan guest workers plant trees throughout the United States. This intimate portrait shows how hard it is to balance the physical demands of reforestation and extreme isolation while staying connected to the family back home.

Caption: Planter at work during the “golden hour”
Credit: Noam Osband