Culture

From Carole King and the cast of a Broadway musical about her life to Sesame Street Muppets to Colbie Caillat, this year's A Capitol Fourth features the old and new across various genres. Meet the performers here.  

Twenty years ago, "Cows on Parade" generated boundless enthusiasm, extraordinary tourism, millions of dollars, innumerable imitation exhibitions, and endless bovine puns. Now some of the original cows are returning to the public eye to celebrate the twentieth anniversary. 

June 1 is the birthday of not one but two beloved Sesame Street characters: Oscar the Grouch and the more recently introduced Rudy. Celebrate by taking a look at some of the best-known Muppets and the issues each is meant to address for children. 

A favorite mystery series returns while several documentaries reveal little-known or understood history, tackling everything from political repression in China to sexual assault. Plus, a performance by Prince!

Stream a stranger-than-fiction story of a wife who discovers her former intelligence officer husband had hidden lives. Revisit an infamous miscarriage of justice with Ken Burns. Map family histories with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. And enlighten yourself with NOVA. 

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Sesame Street is coming to Chicago for a free family festival that includes live performances, fun kid-friendly activities, and much more! 

Cassie and Sunny try to find evidence to conclusively prove their suspect is Hayley Reid's murderer, and discover a dark, large history that is more than they reckoned with, causing Cassie to question her career.

Mother's Day is May 12, and if you're realizing that you forgot all about it or just want a quirky way to celebrate your mother, Sesame Street is here to help, with five fun cards for the holiday.

Mother Mildred becomes interested in working conditions when she comes to Poplar and tends to a family with three generations of dockworkers. Lucille's romance hits a rough patch, while she tries to help a young single mother intent on keeping her daughter despite her parents' wishes.

A musical spectacle in celebration of an annual prize, a fascinating journey along the volatile India-Pakistan border, a documentary about a pioneering Asian American politician as well as a local documentary, and a beloved annual PBS tradition.

Chicago has long been a center of African American business, from Johnson Publishing Co. to the hair-care company Johnson Products. Meet three black entrepreneurs of a younger generation, who have utilized digital savvy to grow their businesses.

Spring brings not just nice weather but new shows, returning favorites, and more! From a magisterial new Henry Louis Gates, Jr. survey to a three-night live Nature event to a stunning epic historical drama, there's a lot to catch in April!

Phyllida Lloyd's production of Julius Caesar, which you can watch through Great Performances, takes place in a women's prison, with women playing all the roles. We discussed the production, the effectiveness of the setting, and the gender casting with a Shakespeare scholar. 

In honor of Sesame Street's 50th anniversary, the United States Postal Service is issuing sixteen stamps with some of the most beloved characters from the show, including Big Bird, Julia, Bert and Ernie, Abby Cadabby, and more!