The CLASSIC PBS Thread!

[walker7]

It is always interesting to go on YouTube and find a lot of old PBS stuff. This thread will be used to post our findings of classic PBS footage, whether it be shows, promos, logos, etc.


First, here is the PBS logo history (including NET logos):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7ey1Sl5Wk8

The full version (almost three minutes) of the old classic Sesame Street closing theme, by Toots Thielmans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1dU31XCJUI

Seven full episodes of Square One TV:
#101: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E07owREetJU
#102: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XST1vZi4YCo
#336: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ6KGKCjJaU
#337: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTGjwjp1Rhc
#338: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQXR5sRUqQc
#339: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIsTWRn7VvM
#340: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QqxzZbrl0I
#101 is obviously a rerun, because it has the 1989 PBS logo at the end instead of the "And on..." version of the 1984 PBS logo.

A set of 1972 PBS Promos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cshc9GRl64U

The full "TV Worth Watching" promo from the '80s (it starts at 0:26):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNBVr-lEKz4

A full episode (in B&W) of The Electric Company from 1971 (#130):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYnBGMjD1xU

A few KTCA promos from 1983:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKPLWiszPSg

All the different openings of NOVA (this includes a white/red version of the zooming WGBH logo):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx_bMk-_3GA

A sign-off from WNET from 1984 (the background music is Claude Debussy's "Reverie"):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IPQHQsWl8c

A KTEH sign-off from the mid-'80s (Can anyone identify the music?):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdWAw1zcxZ0

This is rare: A space-themed sign-off from KTPS, from the early '70s. Note the very primitive graphics. At 1:17, as the "Big 4" promo begins, you can hear the music from the rare KQED "skyline" logo, minus the wind-blowing sound at the beginning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-oouKxirik

From Learn to Read:
Opening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHSyI2rykBE
Closing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAzcpfV6uPc

Of course, when it comes to PBS, you can't forget the funding credits. Here is one hour of PBS funding credits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMeXbMkHar4

The funding credits for a 1981 show called Odyssey:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx7YS3yINys

1982 opening funding credits for NOVA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oClySkhtTo

If anyone finds some rare vintage PBS footage, feel free to post it here.

[CardSharks8689]

There are tons of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? episodes on YouTube and on DailyMotion.

[walker7]

More episodes of Square One TV:
#103: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EORcTnZ3Ab0
#139: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcrjJKKlVqA
#140: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiIBpceAWgQ

Part of a PBS promo from 1977:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTWy21PaySA

Also from 1977, a closing of NOVA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYQ-C9SY6Lg

A closing of The MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour from late 1991, along with its funding credits, the 1989 PBS logo, then Star Hustler, and a sign-off from WENH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03weGBKlYho


Three rare PBS station logos in clips:

At the beginning of a Heart concert called "The Second Ending," check out the mid-'70s KWSU logo from 0:16 to 0:26:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmolhqGeA68

And at the start of the New Orleans televised musical "Rumplestiltskin," even though it is cut off at the beginning, here is the mid-'70s WYES-TV logo. Believe it or not, the "WYES-TV" text (which is black) is in the same font as the "PBS" letters in the 1971 logo. Check it out from 0:07 to 0:12.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyr6Vfsjtcw

In this clip, check out the 1982 New Jersey Network logo from 3:01 to 3:10:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3oMzK7sS6I

[PTH123]

Anybody want to talk about "The Puzzle Place"?

[walker7]

Three more Square One TV episodes:
#234: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEGFCWx_v-Q
#235: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zghRTW3jpx0
#237: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJe3xmeO3ow

[CardSharks8689]

Anybody want to talk about "The Puzzle Place"?

The Puzzle Place used Sesame Street-style characters - only difference is, they are multi-cultural.

There was one episode where Greg Lee and the late Lynne Thigpen appeared on The Puzzle Place to promote Where In The World is Carmen Sandiego?, which was declining in ratings. Correct me if I'm wrong.

And let us not forget that Arthur is likely in danger of cancellation. I learned from someone from Cookie Jar Entertainment that Season 14 will (possibly) be the final season. After all, I read a comment on YouTube (the episode that featured "Nerves of Steal") that PBS is only airing select episodes of Arthur as of lately (the same way they did with Bill Nye The Science Guy from 1996 right to the final airing on September 3, 1999 (I think?)).

Season 14 of Arthur has twice as many new episodes than normal (they had 10 episodes in a season since Season 4, if I recall). The first half of Season 14 was already aired, and it's possible that the last half of the season is set to air during the 2011-12 TV season. Season 14 may already be 75% aired thus far.

Also, I remember there being an extensive thread back in 2008 about Mister Rogers' Neighborhood being cancelled, and one user created an online petition to try to save the show. Not surprisingly, the petition was a flop. Though Detroit Public TV did continue airing reruns of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for a while longer, but now it is gone completely.

BTW, here is a clip of the original Reading Rainbow opening theme:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6j8EiWIVZs

And here is a full episode of a New Year's Episode of The Lawrence Welk Show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uGaHTcsNZc

I would post links to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood clips or episodes, but Family Entertainment busted one user for uploading such clips and/or episodes in October 2009. He currently uploads game shows under another username.

As for Sesame Street clips, I will not be posting such clips due to my ban from watching the show since October 1984.

[BarkerisEvil]

Some of the Arthur fans claimed that two of the most controversial episodes ("Arthur's Big Hit" and "Bleep", the former being the source of many YouTube poops) were pulled from rotation. But in fact, they still air.

[walker7]

Two more Square One TV episodes:
#305: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIIRSzfyskA
#316: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irw9JL5WEHk

1990 PBS Promo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10RC6xULOiE

[PTH123]

The Puzzle Place used Sesame Street-style characters - only difference is, they are multi-cultural.

There was one episode where Greg Lee and the late Lynne Thigpen appeared on The Puzzle Place to promote Where In The World is Carmen Sandiego?, which was declining in ratings. Correct me if I'm wrong.

And let us not forget that Arthur is likely in danger of cancellation. I learned from someone from Cookie Jar Entertainment that Season 14 will (possibly) be the final season. After all, I read a comment on YouTube (the episode that featured "Nerves of Steal") that PBS is only airing select episodes of Arthur as of lately (the same way they did with Bill Nye The Science Guy from 1996 right to the final airing on September 3, 1999 (I think?)).

Season 14 of Arthur has twice as many new episodes than normal (they had 10 episodes in a season since Season 4, if I recall). The first half of Season 14 was already aired, and it's possible that the last half of the season is set to air during the 2011-12 TV season. Season 14 may already be 75% aired thus far.

Also, I remember there being an extensive thread back in 2008 about Mister Rogers' Neighborhood being cancelled, and one user created an online petition to try to save the show. Not surprisingly, the petition was a flop. Though Detroit Public TV did continue airing reruns of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for a while longer, but now it is gone completely.

BTW, here is a clip of the original Reading Rainbow opening theme:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6j8EiWIVZs

And here is a full episode of a New Year's Episode of The Lawrence Welk Show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uGaHTcsNZc

I would post links to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood clips or episodes, but Family Entertainment busted one user for uploading such clips and/or episodes in October 2009. He currently uploads game shows under another username.

As for Sesame Street clips, I will not be posting such clips due to my ban from watching the show since October 1984.

But, will "The Puzzle Place" come back to TV in the future?

[CardSharks8689]

But, will "The Puzzle Place" come back to TV in the future?

Very doubtful. The show lasted only 2 seasons, and PBS reran those same 2 seasons over and over again like there was no tomorrow. It was nice to see it leave the schedule.

[walker7]

Seven more episodes of Square One TV:
#126: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYPSGitAr0Q
#130: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDdAm0PzMyk
#131: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rIaqzofQng
#132: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulOxwIwzxzo
#309: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ1TIHAYnjc
#318: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trBVub93HAQ
#431: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLzS8R_FwyI

[PTH123]

Very doubtful. The show lasted only 2 seasons, and PBS reran those same 2 seasons over and over again like there was no tomorrow. It was nice to see it leave the schedule.

Actually, only 3 seasons. But I Imagine "The Puzzle Place" will rerun on a different TV channel soon.

[walker7]

This is the 1995 spin-off from Square One TV, called Math Talk, episode #115:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VFPwsCxV8g

[CardSharks8689]

Some of the Arthur fans claimed that two of the most controversial episodes ("Arthur's Big Hit" and "Bleep", the former being the source of many YouTube poops) were pulled from rotation. But in fact, they still air.

People could say the same thing about "Buster and the Daredevils", where in one scene Buster was dared to kiss Francine Frensky, and succeeded. Makes me wonder if that would promote sexual harassment?

And the "Nerves of Steal" episode - I wonder if that would encourage kids to shoplift?

Anyways, here is a clip from Joy Of Painting with Bob Ross:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MghiBW3r65M

[walker7]

This is the last episode of Square One TV, #535:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ET7HOWKlms