TV News: Ovation TV's Cultural Spring Break -- The "Ovation Staycation"

Too Old for Spring Break? Gas Prices too high?

Why fight the traffic and crowded airports?

Ovation TV invites you to travel with them in their ongoing fight to "Make Life Creative" by presenting a week-long programming event taking you around the world for a Global Art & Culture Tour the network is dubbing the "Ovation Staycation."

Visit the Website to Get Your Itinerary

Check Out the Video Below for Details

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Beginning tonight, the "Staycation" will include US premiere series, specials and the channel's beloved original series including the following titles with summaries provided by Ovation:

"This is Civilisation" -- US premiere series. Four episodes runs Sunday, March 8 to Wednesday, March 11, every night at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Artist and critic Matthew Collings embarks on an epic journey to stunning locations across Europe, Egypt, China and the United States, to explore the changing ways in which cultures of the past have shaped our civilization. Look for the "This is Civilisation" marathon Sunday, March 15 when all four episodes run back to back beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

"The Art of Spain" -- Three episodes runs Sunday, March 8 to Tuesday, March 10, every night at 9:00 p.m ET/PT. In this absorbing and original series, Spanish art gains center stage as art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon goes on the road to reveal the fabulous art treasures of the country. Traveling from the south to the north, he explores some of the most important artists from the Renaissance to modernist, including Goya, Picasso, Dali, El Greco and Velasquez. He also goes off the beaten track your deal insights into a culture and people. On Saturday, March 14 beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT all three episodes will run back to back all night.

"Art & the City" -- Ovation TV original series. Six episodes run Sunday, March 8 to Tuesday, March 10 with two episodes each night beginning at 10 of clock p.m. ET/PT. Hosted by Los Angeles Times reporter David A. Keeps, "Art & the City" leads cultural tourists on discoveries of arts architecture and design in the galleries, hotels, museums and artistic hotspots of destinations throughout the US and Europe, including London, the York, New Orleans, Paris, Chicago, and Los Angeles. All six episodes will run back to back on Thursday, March 12 beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

"Paris" -- Three episodes run back to back on Friday, March 13 starting at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. An Ovation TV favorite, this series follows art historian Sandrine Voillet as she reveals the tempestuous history, immortal beauty and bohemian soul of the city she adores. Taking viewers through several centuries of Paris' cultural history, she celebrates the art, literature, music, films and design that have combined to create the spectacular "City of Lights."

TV News: Ovation TV Presents the World Premiere Original Special "Brilliant Green" on January 30 @ 8p.m. ET/PT

Rounding out their week-long programming event
"Everything is Art," which included both
Adventures in Architecture and Designer People,
Ovation TV debuts the extraordinary
Brilliant Green.

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"Creativeness comes out of solving a problem in an intelligent way," architect Ray Kappe announces in Brilliant Green while responding not only to the demanding challenge to lessen our carbon footprint in our effort to become a more environmentally responsible and eco-friendly society but also in a way that seems to tie in directly with Ovation TV's ultimate goal to "Make Like Creative."

Sponsored by Subaru, the hour long special introduces viewers to innovative technology, new approaches, and imaginative thinking employed by professionals and designers at Patagonia, Subaru, LivingHomes, along with focusing on the individual efforts of designers and artists like Chris Jordan, Joel Tauber, and Amanda Shi (Avita).

By featuring surprising and staggering statistics that reveal our extraordinary global waste, we discover the horrific impact of consumerism that goes into excess of everything including the 30,000 breast augmentations completed per month, 2,000,000 plastic bottles that are used every five minutes, 11,000 flights which take off every eight hours, and 1,140,000 paper bags used every single hour. And while these revelations are terrifying to say the least, we learn inspiring ways in which the individuals and corporations highlighted are trying to help.

From fashion label Patagonia's decision to take full responsibility for their products that they want back in order to recycle when the consumer is finished to Subaru's goal to create O% landfill waste via several proactive solutions, overall all included repeatedly inspire and state that it's their ethical responsibility as artists to work together whether in the fashion industry or architectural design to help get the message out about this eco-movement and make big changes to reverse the astounding damage that's already been done.

The special will premiere on January 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and below, you can see three segments from Brilliant Green.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

TV News: Ovation TV Launches a Week of "Tall, Dark & Classic" Programming Premiering 1/11/09

“Jane Austen wrote: ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ With apologies to Ms. Austen, it is also a universal truth that such a man -- especially if he happens to be tall, dark and brooding -- makes a great hero for a romantic movie, miniseries or television show,” said Kris Slava, SVP, Programming and Production, Ovation TV.

Beginning with the US Premiere of the four-part Pride and Prejudice inspired fantastical miniseries Lost in Austen starring Jemima Rooper which finds a modern day British woman transported to Elizabeth Bennet's Longborn, the channel continues their dedication to film versions of classic romances throughout the week.

Featuring the cable premiere of screenwriter Andrew Davies' adaptation of Dr. Zhivago starring Keira Knightley and Sam Neill in a two part miniseries, Ovation is also slated to run the Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons version of The French Lieutenant's Woman, Colin Firth and Annette Bening's Valmont (based on the novel Dangerous Liasions) and the magic realism epic Like Water for Chocolate during its "Tall, Dark & Classic" event.

From Ovation TV:

“Tall, Dark & Classic” will include the following titles on these days and times:

-- Lost in Austen (US Premiere) - Parts 1 & 2, Sunday, January 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Parts 3 & 4, Monday, January 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Jemima Rooper stars as Amanda Price - a frustrated romantic who lives for reading and adores the characters in her Jane Austen books. One fateful day she discovers a gateway in her apartment to the world of her favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice. When she trades places with Elizabeth Bennet, the story gets thrown off track by her presence. Unexpected twists and turns will delight fans of Pride and Prejudice as Amanda tries to set the “true” story back to right.

Check Out a Video Clip From Part 1 of the Series Below:



-- Dr. Zhivago (Cable Premiere) – Part 1, Tuesday, January 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Part 2, Wednesday, January 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Boris Pasternak's epic love story set against the turmoil of the Russian Revolution is adapted into a new mini-series by celebrated screenwriter Andrew Davies ("Pride and Prejudice", "Bridget Jones' Diary"). Starring Kiera Knightley, Sam Neill and Hans Matheson ("The Tudors").


-- The French Lieutenant's Woman – Thursday, January 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons star in this sweeping romantic drama about two actors whose lives parallel those of the doomed lovers they play in a film. Streep was nominated for her first Best Actress Oscar for the role.


--Valmont – Friday, January 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Two scheming aristocrats with a penchant for manipulation find themselves victims of their own games when Valmont, a notorious womanizer, falls in love with an honorable, married woman. Stars Colin Firth and Oscar-nominated actress Annette Bening in her first dramatic feature film. This is Milos Forman’s adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons)."

-- Like Water For Chocolate – Saturday, January 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Based on Laura Esquivel's best-selling book, this is the erotic and magical tale of forbidden love that seduced both critics and audiences nationwide. Lovelorn Tita expresses her feelings for Pedro through delectable dishes where ordinary spices become a recipe for passion.

For in-depth analysis of three of Pride and Prejudice's film adaptations and Like Water for Chocolate, be sure to visit the Film Intuition Articles & Essays Archive.

TV News: Ovation TV's Second Annual "Battle of the Nutcrackers"

This Holiday Season...

"The Toe-Shoes Are Gonna Hit the Fan in an All Out Smack-Down."

Forget the WWF-- this year it's Balanchine vs. The Bolshoi Ballet, Matthew Bourne vs. Mark Morris and Nutcracker: The Motion Picture vs. Maurice Bejart's reimagined version.

Returning once again with last year's wildly popular "Battle of the Nutcrackers" programming on Ovation TV, this year they're raising the stakes to the level of a "Grudge Match," by taking "one of the most beloved holiday traditions and turn[ing] it into a tongue-in-cheek battle," as Ovation TV's Kris Slava, the Senior Vice President of Programming and Production noted in the press release. Viewers can check out exclusive clips (including those posted below), photos, facts, and vote online, learning more about their favorites on the program's official website which you can visit by clicking here.

Hosted by the choreographer Mark Morris, whose audience favorite from last year Hard Nut is in contention once again-- Morris will lead viewers through not only his production but host the rest of the five diverse and wildly inventive stagings ranging from the classical style we've come to expect through others that go out of their way to crack that impossible nut.

Here's the Line-Up & Program Descriptions:

(From the Press Release)

• Mark Morris’s Hard Nut – Sunday, November 30, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Last year’s reigning champ in “The Battle of the Nutcrackers” takes on the challenge once again, leading the pack of worthy contenders.



• George Balanchine’s Nutcracker - Monday, December 1, 8 p.m. ET/PT
This is one of the most beloved stagings of the holiday classic. A young girl’s love turns a toy soldier into a handsome prince. Starring Darci Kistler, Macaulay Culkin, narrated by Kevin Kline and featuring the New York City Ballet.



• Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! – Tuesday, December 2, 8 p.m. ET/PT
This delicious production is full of pathos and theatrical magic. From a hilariously bleak Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage, to the spectacular candy folk of Sweetieland, Clara’s journey passes through Oliver Twist, the Icecapades and the kaleidoscopic fantasy of Busby Berkeley musicals.



• Bolshoi Ballet: The Nutcracker – Wednesday, December 3, 8 p.m. ET/PT
The legendary holiday ballet performed by the Bolshoi Ballet. Featuring Natalya Arkhipova and Irek Mukhamedov. Choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich.



• Béjart’s Nutcracker – Ovation TV Premiere, Thursday, December 4, 8 p.m. ET/PT.
A radically innovative reimagining of The Nutcracker, this staging by acclaimed choreographer Maurice Béjart departs from the traditional Nutcracker story in virtually every way but the music. And even the score is adjusted to include French popular music, which is performed onstage by accordion legend Yvette Horner. Béjart, who passed away just before Christmas last year, uses the Nutcracker as a vehicle to explore his personal story.



• Nutcracker: The Motion Picture – Ovation TV Premiere, Friday, December 5, 8 p.m. ET/PT.
A very traditional staging with sets and costumes designed by children’s book writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, best known for the classic Where The Wild Things Are. Performed by The Pacific Northwest Ballet, this Nutcracker is one of the most beloved contemporary versions. It closely refers to the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, which adds a darker feel than the standard version. Directed by noted cinematographer Carroll Ballard this film is sophisticated and elegant with graceful dancing and vibrant sets.

TV News: Andy Warhol's Factory People

Typically when you think of Thanksgiving, visions of endless grocery lists, Presidential turkey pardons, guys getting together to watch football, and eager shoppers clutching ads awaiting bargains at 4 in the morning on Black Friday fill your head. And while some traditions should never be broken whether it's pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes (hold the gravy), or my mom's delicious fruit filled side dish I like to call "Pink Stuff," not to mention watching Steve Martin and John Candy in the John Hughes Turkey Day classic Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, leave it to the hip folks over at Ovation TV to add a little bit of culture to our lives.

In their undying effort to "Make Life Creative," the eleven year old channel which "was relaunched on June 20, 2007 to a national audience" via DIRECTV has reached such a diverse and loyal following, it's now been added onto DISH Network, cable systems, and made available via video-on-demand to deliver high quality programming to showcase the network's commitment to "the world's greatest artists in theater, dance, opera, literature, film, visual and fine art, music, design, photography and architecture."

With alternating themes from musical concerts to intimate profiles or innovative films (whether it's Kurosawa, Fellini, or the AFI cinematography documentary Visions of Light), this week they're launching an exclusive world premiere of a three part documentary from Emmy Award winning director Catherine O'Sullivan Shorr as part of their "Warhol's World" weekly programming event running November 24 through the 30th.

In Shorr's film, Andy Warhol's Factory People, we're taken behind the scenes of the infamous Silver Factory located on East 47th Street in Manhattan from 1962 to 1968. The film, which was derived from more than fifty hours of exclusive interviews with those who knew Warhol best, also is comprised of never before seen and newly discovered archival footage, and access to thousands of photos from Warhol's friend and Factory manager Billy Name.

Produced by Planet Group Entertainment in association with Zarafa Films and France Television 4, the series offers, as the press release reveals "the most extraordinarily vivid portrait to date of what Warhol himself was really like."



Following the consecutive evening premieres on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each installment, the episodes will air again as an encore back-to-back presentation on Thanksgiving Day. So this year, add a little art (along with some vicarious sex, drugs, rock 'n roll, Campbell's Soup cans, Velvet Underground tunes, Edie Sedgwick, Nico, and "fifteen minutes of fame") to your holiday tradition.

"Warhol's World" Promo



Andy Warhol's Factory People:
Promo Spot

The Series

Episode One: "Welcome to the Silver Factory"
(Monday, Nov. 24 @ 8 p.m. ET/PT)



Episode Two: "Speeding Into the Future"
(Tuesday, Nov. 25 @ 8 p.m. ET/PT)



Episode Three: "Your 15 Minutes Are Up"
(Wednesday, Nov. 26. @ 8 p.m. ET/PT)

Learn more by visiting Ovation's "Warhol's World" programming page to explore added videos, blogs, photos, fun-facts, wallpapers, official links to the Warhol Museum and much more.