Program Highlights - May 2008
(Visit What's On for the latest airdates and times).

Our State - Season Premiere!
Thursday, May 1, at 8 PM
As Our State magazine celebrates its 75th anniversary, UNC-TV’s Emmy® Award winning on-air magazine Our State kicks off its fourth season premiere—Thursday, May 1, at 8 PM—with a new adventure down the Intracoastal Waterway hosted by Bland Simpson. Stops include Oriental, the “Sailing Capital of North Carolina,” historic Beaufort and Belhaven, the pristine beaches and estuaries of Hammocks Beach State Park, as well as the Alligator and Pungo rivers.

North Carolina Visions - Season Premiere!
Saturday, May 3, at 11 PM
There’s no need to head down to the crowded super-cineplex or even your local art house, because the most exciting and innovative Tar Heel films are as close and convenient as your own television set. Grab some snacks and settle in for the 13thseason premiere of UNC-TV’s own independent fi lm series North Carolina Visions, Saturday, May 3, at 11 PM! The series’ all-new line-up features talented independent filmmakers from around our state showcasing their diverse celluloid subjects in powerful narratives, compelling documentaries and innovative experimental films.

Masterpiece Classic
Cranford
Sunday, May 4, at 9 PM
Cranford, a sleepy 1840s English village, comes to life with gossip, parties, romances, sudden death, bankruptcy and an encroaching railway in this early-Victorian Steel Magnolias-style drama. Based on the beloved writings of Elizabeth Gaskell, this three-part series stars an illustrious cast including Francesca Annis, Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Michael Gambon, Imelda Staunton and more.

Election 2008: NC Primary - A North Carolina Now Special
Tuesday, May 6, at 10 PM
In addition to our state wielding influence on the national stage for the fi rst time in more than two decades with the Democratic presidential primary, voters will also choose candidates to run in races for Governor, the Council of State, the General Assembly and Congress, among many others. You can count on UNC-TV to cover it all with voting returns and a panel of experts putting results into perspective on Election 2008: NC Primary—A North Carolina Now Special, Tuesday, May 6, at 10 PM.

American Experience: The Presidents
Wednesday, May 7, at 8 PM
As a pivotal presidential election approaches, learn from the past on American Experience: The Presidents. This award-winning series offers an intimate and compelling look at those men who defined and re-defined the modern presidency, and who led the country through some of the most turbulent and consequential moments in our history. The series premieres with George H. W. Bush, Wednesday, May 7, at 8 PM. In this first in-depth assessment of the 41st US president, new scholarship and unparalleled access to key figures reveal a pivotal player during a critical moment in American and world history—and in a powerful political dynasty. Bush’s personal letters and insights from his closest advisors and prominent critics inform the film, which features interviews with First Lady Barbara Bush, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Mikhail Gorbachev and others.

Taking Initiative: A Look Inside Guilford County Schools
Premiering Thursday, May 8, at 9:30 PM
Imagine trying to educate a small city comprised entirely of diverse kindergartners to high school students. Guilford County Schools, North Carolina’s third largest school district, teaches more than 70,000 students annually. Each child’s individual needs inspire educators there to create new initiatives to help students and teachers succeed. Taking Initiative: A Look Inside Guilford County Schools, premiering Thursday, May 8, at 9:30 PM, highlights some of Guilford County’s reform efforts—including school choice, teacher incentives and other ways educators help students find safe, nurturing schools. This special, hosted by UNC-TV’s Shannon Vickery and produced by Elizabeth Wilder, shares these strategies in a very personal way by sharing the stories of parents, students, teachers and community leaders.

Legislative Week in Review
Returns Friday, May 16, at 10 PM
The General Assembly convenes its short session Tuesday May 13, and UNC-TV covers all the action. Once again, UNC-TV’s legislative correspondents Eszter Vajda and Kelly McCullen will attend the major debates on the chamber floor and in committee and bring you highlights Friday evenings, at 7:30, on North Carolina Now Legislative Review and, at 10, on Legislative Week in Review.

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