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Monday, May 25 – Sunday, May 31

Hello!

Mark your calendar and settle in! The PBS Pledge Drive runs from May 29 to June 7, and it’s packed with programs you love. Watch the full season of Masterpiece's The Count of Monte Cristo, find inspiration with uplifting self-help specials, enjoy unforgettable recorded live music performances, and stay informed with PBS NewsHour. Tune in, enjoy great television, and help keep trusted public media strong for everyone.



We hope you're enjoying our weekly highlights from Ball State PBS, Indiana Public Radio, and 89.5 The Note! Keep an eye on your inbox every Monday for a quick way to see the best of the public media you love.

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Independent Lens "Third Act"

Generations call Robert A. Nakamura the godfather of Asian American film. Tadashi Nakamura calls him Dad. Tadashi turns the camera on his father as they confront art, activism, and aging. From WWII incarceration to cultural awakening and a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Third Act is a tender portrait of legacy, inherited trauma, and the final chapter of a shared creative life.

Monday, May 25 at 10 p.m. on Ball State PBS

FRONTLINE "The War Cabinet"

The key players behind President Trump's expansive use of the U.S. military. From clashes with allies, to taking out foreign leaders, to waging war in the Middle East, examining the inner circle of advisors and officials trying to project U.S. power.

Tuesday, May 26 at 10 p.m. on Ball State PBS

Secrets of the Dead "China's Bronze Kingdom"

A mysterious ancient city lies hidden in the mountains of Sichuan, remnants of a kingdom consigned to oblivion for thousands of years, until the chance discovery of a jade artifact in 1986.

Wednesday, May 27 at 10 p.m. on Ball State PBS

The Puzzle Lady "Episode 2"

Bakerbury’s Graveyard Killer is still on the loose. The Puzzle Lady is keeping tabs on her prime suspects while the police fail to make a breakthrough. When the motive behind the murders becomes clear, Cora must hatch a plan and trap the murderer before it’s too late.

Thursday, May 28 at 10 p.m. on Ball State PBS

PBS PLEDGE DRIVE PROGRAM

Great Performances "Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy"

Narrated by Broadway legend Joel Grey, this documentary explores the role of Jewish composers and lyricists in the creation of the modern American musical and showcases the work of some of the nation’s preeminent creators of musical theater including Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, and more.

Friday, May 29 at 9 p.m. on Ball State PBS

Pop of Culture

This week on Pop of Culture, Indianapolis-based fashion designer Jerry Lee Atwood tells us how he went from embroidering behind the bar at a coffee shop to seeing his looks on the red carpet. He has a new exhibition at the Eiteljorg Museum titled "Cowboy Couture: The Fashion of Jerry Lee Atwood."

Jerry Lee Atwood at embroidery machine in Union Western Clothing. Photo by Michael Durr.

Also: we get tips from 2025 "DWNTWN Idol" winner (and returning guest) India Potter ahead of this years competition, and LaShanta Vaughn (President and CEO of Horizon Convention Center) and Carl Schafer (co-owner of Gordy Fine Art and Framing) talk about their project to fill Muncie's convention center with art. And after all that, we say goodbye to a member of the Pop team.

Catch up on all episodes here.

Fridays and Saturdays at noon on IPR

PBS PLEDGE DRIVE PROGRAM

Great Performances "Josh Groban: An Evening at Union Chapel"

Josh Groban returns to PBS in a special, personal concert staged in the intimate and historic setting of London’s Union Chapel. Recorded in October 2025, the concert captures the acclaimed vocalist showcasing his most beloved songs alongside new material, all reimagined within the chapel’s acoustics.

Saturday, May 30 at 10 p.m. on Ball State PBS

PBS PLEDGE DRIVE PROGRAM

Our Favorite Things About Grantchester

Unpack favorite moments that made this MASTERPIECE series and its many beloved characters such a hit.

Sunday, May 31 at 7 p.m. on Ball State PBS

Defunded, Not Defeated.

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