Tune in to WKAR’s upcoming fall season, full of new original and meaningful television
"This fall brings a great mix of original programming that includes something for everyone," said WKAR-TV Station Manager Susi Elkins.
Viewers can enjoy science, music and game shows from Curious Crew, Forte and QuizBusters while keeping up on politics and sports with Off the Record and Current Sports with Al Martin.
WKAR production crews employ a number of students from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, giving those students an opportunity to support their education while building critical professional experience.
“Our vision is for WKAR to serve as a training ground that offers hands-on experience for our students,” said Prabu David, dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Forte
Tune in to the heartwarming stories of Michigan high school performing groups and experience the thrill as students prepare for elite competition on Forte.
For each episode of Forte, WKAR video crews visited schools to talk with students and capture scenes of rehearsal, and recorded behind the scenes action at Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association festival competitions in the spring of 2015. Each high school group then came to WKAR Studio A in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building on MSU's campus to record their performance selections for each episode.
Hosted by WKAR’s Peter Whorf, the second season of Forte will air Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. starting Oct. 3.
This season will feature 10 new episodes with bands and orchestras from Grand Ledge, East Lansing, Manchester, Chelsea, Jackson Northwest, St. Johns, Morrice as well as jazz bands from Jackson, Ann Arbor Huron and Anchor Bay.
Quizbusters
Quizbusters will also be premiering its 27th season on Oct. 3. The season will kickoff with QuizBusters Special Editions featuring local community leaders and personalities as well as one edition focusing on music.
Fans can watch as students from more than 60 mid-Michigan high schools compete in this fast-paced question and answer game to earn a spot in the championship series that concludes each season.
Throwing out challenging questions for the contestants since the show began in 1989 is none other than Matt Ottinger. Each week from October to May, two new episodes will air back‐to‐back at 6 and 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Curious Crew
Take a hands-on approach to scientific exploration with award-winning educator Rob Stephenson and a cast of inquisitive kids when Curious Crew returns for its second season on Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m.
The Curious Crew members are 8-14-year-old explorers from across mid-Michigan who investigate the principles of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) in fun and appealing ways.
The new Curious Crew cast for season two was selected from more than 100 aspiring actors/scientists who attended an open casting call held in May at WKAR.
Tune in this season to see host Stephenson and his Curious Crew of kids explore the science behind vision, the digestive system, plate tectonics and more.
Other WKAR Originals
Other programs to keep up with include Current Sports with Al Martin Thursdays at 10:30 p.m., and Off the Record Fridays at 8:30 p.m. for coverage of the governor’s office, state legislature, the political campaign trail and state government.
Don't forget to tune in weekdays to 90.5 FM at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for Current State, to AM 870 at 8:30 a.m. for Radio Reader and 1 p.m. for Current Sports.
For more information on other programs, news and events, plus on-demand playback of WKAR original programs, please visit wkar.org.