UNC-TV Presents Programs & Specials About North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms

"No American politician is more controversial, beloved in some quarters and hated in others, than Jesse Helms," wrote the Almanac of American Politics. This week, UNC-TV pre-empts regular programming to explore the life and legacy of Senator Jesse Helms, who died Friday at the age of 86.

Tonight, Monday, July 7, at 7:30 PM, UNC-TV’s weeknightly public affairs program North Carolina Now offers extended coverage of Senator Helms’ life and career. Segments include encore broadcasts of a career retrospective, that initially aired when Helms retired from the US Senate, and an interview with independent filmmaker John Wilson (Senator No: Jesse Helms).

Tuesday, July 8, at 7:30 PM, North Carolina Now devotes its entire program to coverage of Tuesday afternoon’s funeral and memorial service for Jesse Helms, along with insights into Helms and his mark on society.

At 8 PM, UNC-TV presents a one-hour edited version of its production Biographical Conversations with…Jesse Helms. Culled from the three-hour documentary, this version presents highlights—celebrated and controversial—from the senator’s storied life and career in public service in his own words.

UNC-TV also offers uninterrupted coverage of Senator Helms’ funeral Tuesday, at 2 PM, on its UNC-NC broadcast service (available through cable systems, including Time Warner Cable). The Memorial Service for Former North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms will air again that night at 9, on UNC-NC.

Thursday, July 10, at 10 PM, UNC-TV brings back the critically acclaimed documentary Senator No: Jesse Helms. Hailed by Helms’ supporters and opponents for its objectivity, Senator No: Jesse Helms studies the politician’s personality and politics and examines his impact on policy throughout North Carolina, the United States and the world. Independent filmmaker John Wilson explores the origins of Helms’ politics, from his Jim Crow South roots to his political baptism in NC’s racially charged 1950 US Senate race. Trumpeting Old South values as an editorialist and politician, Helms crashed headlong into virtually every major issue of his time. Wilson augmented his unique access to Helms with vast archives spanning the senator’s six decades in media and politics, along with observations from a diverse group, from Jerry Falwell to Bono.

For more information, visit UNC-TV online at www.unctv.org. UNC-TV’s 11 stations comprise North Carolina’s only statewide television network, made possible through a unique partnership of public investment and private support. UNC-TV is committed to producing and broadcasting programs for and about North Carolina, making it the state’s most important source of information about North Carolina.

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