Viewers like you were shook back in December when it was revealed that Milwaukee PBS would not be renewing popular travel show Around The Corner With John McGivern. “We understand Around The Corner With John McGivern is a beloved tradition and escape for many Wisconsin families,” Milwaukee PBS vice president and general manager Bohdan Zachary said in a statement. “In light of the economic realities stemming from the pandemic and the substantial costs of the series, we are unable to continue production of Around The Corner With John McGivern. We are encouraged by Mr. McGivern’s intent to find funding for his series so he can produce the show independently.”

Zachary went on to say that “Milwaukee PBS will increase its focus in 2021 on the impact of COVID-19, racial injustice, and economic disparity on southeast Wisconsin.” Indeed, some just-released Milwaukee PBS production plans for 2021 bear that out.

In a press release, Milwaukee PBS lists some new specials that will air in January and February:

• On January 21, 2021, (7:30 PM), 10thirtysix (hosted by Portia Young) completes a year-long collaboration with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examining Wisconsin’s dairyland crisis. The project has been part of a FRONTLINE (PBS) local projects initiative. Milwaukee PBS was one of only five media entities selected from the first year’s proposals. The concluding special is titled “America’s Dairyland: The Next Generation.” It will air on Milwaukee PBS and stream on the FRONTLINE website. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel will publish reporter Rick Barrett’s article about the next generation of Wisconsin’s farmers who may hold the key to the dairy industry’s survival.

• On January 27, 2021 (7:00 PM), Black Nouveau presents “Understanding Implicit Bias.” The 90-minute interactive webinar will be facilitated by Dasha Kelly Hamilton (Wisconsin’s poet laureate) and her husband Kima Hamilton. The Zoom webinar will be live on January 27th and then re-broadcast as a 90-minute TV special on February 11 at 7:00pm.

• On February 4, 2021 (7:00 PM) Milwaukee PBS will broadcast an hour-long live special from the producers and hosts of Adelante!, Black Nouveau and 10thirtysix. “The Vaccine: A Milwaukee PBS Special” will provide stories and resources about the vaccine distribution challenges, the misinformation and distrust of the vaccine in communities of color, and a look at the impact of the 1918 Spanish flu on the state of Wisconsin. The hosts are: Portia Young (10thirtysix), Patricia Gomez (Adelante!), and Earl Arms (Black Nouveau).

• In late February, 2021, Black Nouveau presents “Milwaukee’s Black Churches,” with historian Reggie Jackson, Black Nouveau host Earl Arms, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter James Causey, and Milwaukee PBS producer Alexandria Mack.

As for Around The Corner, it appears McGivern will not produce the show himself. But never fear, because the show will live on in reruns. According to the press release:

After considering other options from Milwaukee PBS including independent production of the series or waiting until the pandemic subsides to resume Milwaukee PBS production of a funded season 10, John McGivern has chosen not to host the production of a new season of Around The Corner With John McGivern. Episodes from the previous nine seasons of Around The Corner With John McGivern will continue to air in its regular Thursday time slot. Milwaukee PBS will be discussing how we cover local places and spaces once conditions related to COVID-19 subside.

So there you go. Here’s the full press release, preceded by that time McGivern went to Mayville:


Milwaukee PBS announces its 2021 production plans

In a new year that continues to be dominated by COVID-19 as well as issues of racial injustice and economic disparity, Milwaukee PBS renews its commitment to provide information and resources to its viewers on these issues and other critically relevant subjects. Milwaukee PBS, a licensee of Milwaukee Area Technical College, will utilize its three award-winning news and public affairs series – Black Nouveau, Adelante!, and 10thirtysix – and the editorial strengths of its frequent collaborators – the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WUWM Radio to continue to tell important stories about the impact of these issues on our Milwaukee community.

In the first quarter of 2021, Milwaukee PBS will present these specials:

• On January 21, 2021, (7:30 PM), 10thirtysix (hosted by Portia Young) completes a year-long collaboration with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examining Wisconsin’s dairyland crisis. The project has been part of a FRONTLINE (PBS) local projects initiative. Milwaukee PBS was one of only five media entities selected from the first year’s proposals. The concluding special is titled “America’s Dairyland: The Next Generation.” It will air on Milwaukee PBS and stream on the FRONTLINE website. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel will publish reporter Rick Barrett’s article about the next generation of Wisconsin’s farmers who may hold the key to the dairy industry’s survival.

• On January 27, 2021 (7:00 PM), Black Nouveau presents “Understanding Implicit Bias.” The 90-minute interactive webinar will be facilitated by Dasha Kelly Hamilton (Wisconsin’s poet laureate) and her husband Kima Hamilton. The Zoom webinar will be live on January 27th and then re-broadcast as a 90-minute TV special on February 11 at 7:00pm.

• On February 4, 2021 (7:00 PM) Milwaukee PBS will broadcast an hour-long live special from the producers and hosts of Adelante!, Black Nouveau and 10thirtysix. “The Vaccine: A Milwaukee PBS Special” will provide stories and resources about the vaccine distribution challenges, the misinformation and distrust of the vaccine in communities of color, and a look at the impact of the 1918 Spanish flu on the state of Wisconsin. The hosts are: Portia Young (10thirtysix), Patricia Gomez (Adelante!), and Earl Arms (Black Nouveau).

• In late February, 2021, Black Nouveau presents “Milwaukee’s Black Churches,” with historian Reggie Jackson, Black Nouveau host Earl Arms, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter James Causey, and Milwaukee PBS producer Alexandria Mack.

Additionally, in partnership with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WUWM 89.7, and the Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee PBS will continue to collaborate, stream and broadcast ListenMKE specials. These half-hour issues-themed shows are recorded virtually, stream at milwaukeepbs.org, and content is broadcast on Milwaukee PBS.

Later this year, Milwaukee PBS will live-broadcast a performance by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in its new concert hall, the Bradley Symphony Center. This special was originally planned for October, 2020 but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. PBS has expressed interest in airing the MSO concert special nationally in 2022.

Milwaukee PBS will cover Milwaukee’s impacted arts community on its news and public affairs series. And once the pandemic eases Milwaukee PBS intends to relaunch The Arts Page.

In addition to this useful, timely special coverage, we encourage viewers and Milwaukee PBS fans to continue to tune in to their favorite shows, which will air regularly at the following dates and times:

Second Thursday of the month 7:30 p.m. Black Nouveau (Earl Arms, host)

Third Thursday of the month 7:30 p.m. 10thirtysix (Portia Young, host)

Fourth Thursday of the month 7:30 p.m. Adelante! (Patricia Gomez, host)

Thursdays 7:00 p.m. Around the Corner with John McGivern

After considering other options from Milwaukee PBS including independent production of the series or waiting until the pandemic subsides to resume Milwaukee PBS production of a funded season 10, John McGivern has chosen not to host the production of a new season of Around The Corner With John McGivern. Episodes from the previous nine seasons of Around The Corner With John McGivern will continue to air in its regular Thursday time slot. Milwaukee PBS will be discussing how we cover local places and spaces once conditions related to COVID-19 subside.

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Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.