PBS cryptic about nude 'King Lear' at TCA

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By April MacIntyre Jul 13, 2008, 17:48 GMT

Television Critics Association meeting (TCA) Saturday saw PBS' panel present, with the looming question awaiting of Ian McKellen's 'will he or won't he' be naked on PBS? British actor Sir Ian McKellen arrives at the British premiere of Larry and Andy Wachowski's new film Speed Racer, held at the Empire Leicester Square in central London, 29 April 2008. Speed Racer is a largely computer generated movie about car racing aimed at younger audiences. EPA/DANIEL DEME

British actor Sir Ian McKellen arrives at the British premiere of Larry and Andy Wachowski's new film Speed Racer, held at the Empire Leicester Square in central London, 29 April 2008. Speed Racer is a largely computer generated movie about car racing aimed at younger audiences. EPA/DANIEL DEMEPaula Kerger, president of PBS, spoke to everyone and lauded the network's achievements over the last year. Discussed were the ratings for Ken Burns’ “The War,” the fact that PBS.org has grown to be a hugely active website and that viewers dig the new “Masterpiece.” Kerger notes that its Jane Austen series doubled “Masterpiece’s” audience, and brought 50% more men to the program than used to watch “Masterpiece Theatre.”She reiterated the network's priority focus: "My goal is to bring theater, dance and the arts back to PBS."Ian McKellen's performance in "King Lear" is coming to PBS, but no confirmation was given regarding his on-stage nude scene making the air.Kerger said she was impressed by the production and noted: "This is the kind of thing people should have a chance to see."The play will air next season, and the full-frontal nudity that is in the play will be a guessing game for TV until air date is closer, according to Kerger."We'll talk about this in January," Kerger said of the "powerful" performance of McKellen. "It's what I think about it and what the FCC will allow."Others highlights she mentioned were the 12-hour miniseries on America's national parks from Ken Burns in the fall - and a four-hour series on Latin music, "Latin Music USA," including interviews and performances with stars in that field starting Jan. 21.The Burns' miniseries will air over six nights. "Latin Music USA," from WGBH Boston, will take us from mambo, samba to Spanish rap and reggaeton.Also mentioned: Sesame Workshop will roll out my old childhood favorite show, "The Electric Company," which ended in 1985. The new show begins in January.

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PBS cryptic about nude 'King Lear' at TCA

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