GBH Programmers' Choice: What To Watch In February

As GBH’s Senior Director of Programming, Ron Bachman oversees programming for the Boston station’s slate of six public television channels.

In a world of seemingly unlimited TV choices, finding the programs that matter to our viewers is what I love most about my job as Senior Programming Manager. Working with GBH’s Senior Director of Programming, we acquire, curate and schedule shows and films across GBH’s channels and for Passport.

February 01, 2021

Updated August 08, 2023

Every month, the duo that puts together GBH's programming schedule offers up insights into the best programs on GBH in the coming weeks. Read on to see what Ron Bachman, Senior Director of Programming, and Devin Karambelas, Programming Manager, have to offer this month.

NOVA: Beyond The Elements

Wednesday, February 3 at 9pm on GBH 2
Science journalist David Pogue has a knack for explaining complex scientific concepts with clarity and humor, and that’s as true as ever in this new, three-part mini-series — a follow-up to his 2012 special, Hunting the Elements — that explores the chemical reactions that transform our world. Think that sounds a bit pedantic? Wait until you see him learn the difference between poisons and venoms while an enormous tarantula crawls up his arm! —Ron

Watch a preview of Beyond The Elements:

View previous episodes of NOVA.

Lidia Celebrates America: A Salute To First Responders

Friday, February 12 at 10pm on GBH 2
Emmy award-winning public television host, cookbook author, restaurateur and Eataly USA partner Lidia Bastianich is back for her latest installment of Lidia Celebrates America, a national celebration of culture though the culinary. In this special, Lidia spends time — virtually, given obvious travel constraints — with the courageous men and women who serve on the frontlines, from firefighters in California battling wildfires to medical staff fighting the coronavirus pandemic in New York. You can learn more about Lidia’s first responder guests and the role that food plays in their lives by visiting here. This celebration is long overdue! —Devin

Watch the extended preview:

View previous episodes of Lidia Celebrates America.

Love Me As I Am

Sunday, February 14 at 8pm on GBH 44
Finding love is tricky stuff in the best of times, but for young people with intellectual or learning disabilities, navigating the world of dating and relationships brings a unique set of challenges. Enter straight-talking relationship coach Liz Dore, who is on a mission to help six young adults find love and acceptance on their own terms. Liz runs workshops that cover dating etiquette, conversation starters and sex education, and answers all the vital questions about how to avoid an awkward first date and manage a budding relationship (some things I’m still learning, mind you). Watching her unflinchingly honest students find unexpected joy is the real delight of this one-hour special and makes for perfect Valentine’s Day viewing. This is a special presentation from Australia’s public broadcaster SBS and Screen Australia. —Devin

Watch a preview:

American Experience: Voice Of Freedom

Monday, February 15 at 9pm on GBH 2
Opera singer Marian Anderson is best known for an incident in 1939 when, barred by the Daughters of the American Revolution from performing at an integrated concert in Washington, DC’s Constitution Hall, she ended up singing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (at the instigation of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt) to a crowd of more than 75,000 people. It’s an iconic moment in American race relations, but there’s more to her story than that. She performed with renowned orchestras in concert halls throughout the United States and Europe for 40 years beginning in 1925, and became an inspiration to subsequent Black classical singers like Leontyne Price and Jessye Norman. In that sense, her voice can still be heard around the world. —Ron

Watch the extended trailer:

Watch previous episodes of American Experience.

The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song

Tuesday and Wednesday, February 16 and 17 at 9pm on GBH 2
When Harvard’s own Henry Louis Gates, Jr. rolls out a new series, it’s time to sit up and pay attention. His television work never fails to address substantive topics that give historical context to contemporary issues — and the man has charisma to burn, enlightening us not just with erudition, but with humor and warmth. This time, he’s taking on the 400-year history of the Black church in America, exploring its role as the site of African American organizing, resilience, autonomy, freedom and solidarity. Preach it, Brother Gates. —Ron

Watch the extended trailer: