Susan Lucci Hosts 'Favorite Love Songs (My Music)' Starting This Weekend on PBS

Susan Lucci - PRNewsFoto/TJL Productions

Actress Susan Lucci, best-known for 40 year portrayal of Erica Kane on All My Children, hosts Favorite Love Songs (My Music), a heartwarming special devoted to sentimental standards of the 1970s and 1980s that were staples on the radio and remain enshrined in the hearts of listeners and lovers. These are ballads still in style including "Through The Years," "I Honestly Love You," "If You Leave Me Now," "Always On My Mind" and "I'll Never Love This Way Again." Grammy-winning songwriter Paul Williams also offers insights on the emotional appeal of these hits that have spanned generations.

Viewers who pledge support to their local PBS stations will receive an exclusive 5 CD set featuring dozens of digitally-remastered romantic hits from the 1960s-1980s by the original artists including ballads by the Bee Gees.

Favorite Love Songs (My Music), from TJL Productions, begins airing nationwide on PBS stations this weekend. The special includes these selections:

• “Lady” – Kenny Rogers
• “I Honestly Love You” - Olivia Newton-John
• “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” – The Hollies
• “Do You Know Where You’re Going To” – Diana Ross
• “Release Me” – Engelbert Humperdinck
• “You & Me Against The World” – Helen Reddy
• “If” – Bread
• “Danny’s Song” – Anne Murray
• “Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet” – Henry Mancini
• “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” - Dionne Warwick
• “Your Song” – Elton John
• “Do That To Me One More Time” – The Captain & Tennille
• “Always On My Mind” – Willie Nelson
• “If You Leave Me Now” – Chicago
• “Feelings” – Morris Albert
• “Through The Years” – Kenny Rogers

Here in New York City, it premieres tonight at 8 p.m. Check your local listings for the time in your area.

Final Season 'Downton Abbey' Premieres Tonight on PBS

The cast of Downton Abbey.

Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning hit drama Downton Abbey returns for a sixth and final season on PBS starting tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Making their bittersweet farewell are members of the beloved cast, including Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Brendan Coyle, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Kevin Doyle, Samantha Bond, David Robb, Raquel Cassidy and Michael Fox.

Below is a preview of this season's episodes.

"Episode 1" premieres January 3, 2016
Extortion and downsizing threaten Downton Abbey. Change is afoot at the hospital. Mrs. Hughes poses a delicate question. Daisy speaks her mind, and Anna and Bates wait for the word.

"Episode 2" premieres January 10, 2016
Wedding plans hit a snag. Pigs lead to trouble for Edith and Marigold. Thomas gets a hint. Anna has a secret appointment. Violet and Isobel lock horns over health care.

'Downton Abbey' Final Season premieres January 3 on PBS; Series Finale to Air March 6

Michelle Dockery stars as Lady Mary Crawley.

The top PBS drama of all time approaches its climactic chapter when the final season of Downton Abbey premieres January 3, 2016, on Masterpiece.

The year is 1925. Momentous changes threaten the great house, and its owners and its servants, while past scandals loom. The beloved ensemble is back for the farewell season, closing the book on a television legend.

Downton Abbey will air Sundays, January 3 - February 21 at 9 p.m. ET. The series finale will air March 6 at 9 p.m. ET.

Watch a preview of the sixth and final season below:

'Downton Abbey' Final Season Trailer Released

Maggie Smith stars in Downton Abbey as Violet Crawley,
Dowager Countess of Grantham.

Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama Downton Abbey returns to PBS for a sixth and final season of intimately interlaced stories centered on an English country estate in January 2015. The show, which the highest-rated drama in PBS history, premieres on September 20 in the UK.

Making their bittersweet farewell are members of the beloved cast, including Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Brendan Coyle, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Kevin Doyle, Samantha Bond, David Robb, Raquel Cassidy and Michael Fox.

The UK's ITV network has released a trailer for the final season. Watch it below:

'Downton Abbey' Season 5 Premiere on PBS Averages 10.1 Million Viewers

Downton Abbey Season 5 premiered to a huge audience on PBS.

Sunday’s Season 5 premiere of Downton Abbey on PBS' Masterpiece delivered an average audience of 10.1 million viewers tuned in for Sunday’s premiere (Nielsen Fast National data, 6.1 household rating). Downton Abbey on Masterpiece remains the highest-rated drama in PBS history.

The fifth season premiere of the Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award-winning series, a Carnival Films/Masterpiece co-production, is the second-highest rated episode of the series to date, nearly even with the Season 4 premiere (10.2 million viewers, 6.2 household rating – Nielsen Fast National, Live+Same Day). Between 9:00-10:15 p.m., PBS was the second most-watched network on Sunday (based on weighted metered market program averages).

Viewership for the premiere remained solid throughout the episode’s one-hour, 15-minute duration. Many of these viewers stayed to watch THE MANNERS OF DOWNTON ABBEY, a one-hour documentary exploring the world of English etiquette with host Alastair Bruce, historical advisor to “Downton Abbey.” Viewership for the program was 250 percent above the season-to-date time period average for Sunday nights from 10:15-11:15 p.m.

'Downton Abbey' Season 5 Premieres Tonight on PBS

Downton Abbey Season 5 premieres Sunday,  January 4 on PBS.

New loves, new secrets, new Downton Abbey! Season 5 of the international hit series from writer and creator Julian Fellowes returns to Masterpiece on PBS tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Downton Abbey returns for an epic fifth season featuring returning stars Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Laura Carmichael, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Robert James-Collier, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Lily James, Brendan Coyle, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Samantha Bond, Ed Speleers, Kevin Doyle, Raquel Cassidy, David Robb, Tom Cullen, Julian Ovenden, Daisy Lewis, Douglas Reith, Jeremy Swift, and Andrew Scarborough.

This acclaimed ensemble is joined by guest stars Harriet Walter (Atonement), reprising her role as Lady Shackleton, and Peter Egan (Death at a Funeral), who returns as Lord Flintshire, together with completely new characters played by Richard E. Grant (Girls), Anna Chancellor (The Hour), and Rade Sherbedgia (24).

Watch a scene from tonight's premiere episode below:

PBS Announces Fall 2014 Season Lineup

PBS announced today an expansive fall primetime lineup that launches with the premiere of Ken Burns’s seven-part series THE ROOSEVELTS: AN INTIMATE HISTORY, introduces HOW WE GOT TO NOW, a new “Think Wednesday” series hosted by the popular American science author and media theorist Steven Johnson, and presents the compelling new documentary THE PILGRIMS from AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. Fall also marks the second seasons of the popular series FINDING YOUR ROOTS with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and MAKERS, as well as expanded entries from the PBS Arts Fall Festival, which features new specials, including LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER’s “Sweeney Todd” starring Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel, and “The Nance” starring Nathan Lane.

THE ROOSEVELTS kicks off PBS’ fall season Sunday, September 14, with an epic seven-night premiere. The 14-hour documentary airs nightly at 8 p.m. through Saturday, September 20 with a repeat at 10 p.m., and for the first time on television weaves the stories of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of one of the most prominent and influential families in American politics.

“The PBS fall schedule is remarkable for its variety and quality – from an epic, binge-worthy serving of Ken Burns’s new documentary THE ROOSEVELTS – to a star-studded lineup of drama and performance. We’re incredibly proud of the strength of our line-up and our commitment to bring viewers the best content available in history, science, drama, documentary, the arts and performance and much more,” said Beth Hoppe, PBS Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming.

DOWNTON ABBEY Season 4 Finale Preview

Shirley MacLaine returns to DOWNTON ABBEY.

The finale of DOWNTON ABBEY Season 4 airs on PBS' MASTERPIECE on Sunday, February 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.,

Six months after the bazaar, the Crawleys head to London for Rose's presentation before the king. Mary's suitors await them, the Levinsons join them, and a potentially explosive scandal threatens to embroil them.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

DOWNTON ABBEY Preview: Estate Management, Anna's Secret and a New Ally for Thomas

Anna (Joanne Froggatt) tries to keep her secret.

Season 4 of DOWNTON ABBEY continues on PBS' MASTERPIECE on Sunday, January 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Questions of estate management pit Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Tom against Robert, while Bates' questions about Anna's (Joanne Froggatt) suffering pressure Mrs. Hughes. Thomas installs a new ally, Violet hires a new gardener, and Alfred (Matt Milne) cooks up some ambition.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

DOWNTON ABBEY Preview: Mary, Edith, Tom and Anna Each Struggle With A Dilemma

Gary Carr debuts on DOWNTON ABBEY as Jack Ross.

Season 4 of DOWNTON ABBEY continues on PBS' MASTERPIECE on Sunday, January 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Love is in the air at Downton Abbey and darker emotions too, as Mary (Michelle Dockery), Edith (Laura Carmichael), Tom (Allen Leech), and Anna (Joanne Froggatt) each struggle with a dilemma. Things are cooking for Ivy (Cara Theobold) and Alfred (Matt Milne) , and heating up in London.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

Two-Hour Premiere of DOWNTON ABBEY Season 4 Highest Rated Drama Premiere in PBS History

PBS and WGBH announced today that the premiere of "DOWNTON ABBEY, Season 4" on MASTERPIECE enchanted viewers nationwide as the Crawley family faced changes in the wake of last season's shocking finale. An average audience of 10.2 million viewers tuned in for Sunday's premiere. (Nielsen Fast National data, 6.2 household rating.)

The fourth season premiere of the Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award-winning series, a Carnival Films/MASTERPIECE co-production, improved upon the average rating of the third season premiere of DOWNTON ABBEY by 22 percent (based on Fast Nationals, both seasons). Between 9:00-11:00 p.m., PBS tied with CBS as the most watched network on Sunday (based on weighted metered market averages).

DOWNTON ABBEY Returns to PBS Tonight (January Spoilers)

Season 4 of DOWNTON ABBEY premieres on MASTERPIECE, Sunday, January 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on PBS.

Six months after Downton Abbey's great tragedy, Mary is mired in grief and the estate is engulfed in death taxes. As the family struggles to lift their financial and emotional woes, clashes arise, sparks fly, and it is up to the older generation to bring Mary back to life, and Robert to his senses – no easy task in either respect. Another departure leaves no tears in its wake, but rather opportunity for new faces – and drama, alliances, and sparks of an entirely different sort – below stairs.

As London draws Downton's youth with its glamorous jazz clubs and sparkling literary scene, social change sweeps its way up to the venerable estate, bringing with it a threat to the continued relevance and very existence of Dowton Abbey. But neither the Crawley family nor its servants can anticipate a dire new threat
that penetrates the Abbey's ancestral walls, buttressed as they are by loyalty and love.

Amidst dark secrets, budding romances and surprising revelations, DOWNTON ABBEY returns with a gripping fourth season starring Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Shirley MacLaine, Paul Giamatti and the rest of stellar cast in the award-winning series from Julian Fellowes.

Check out January spoilers and a sneak peek scene from the premiere below:

Visiting The DOWNTON ABBEY Tea Truck

Ahead of the January 5th U.S. premiere of award-winning drama DOWNTON ABBEY Season 4 on MASTERPIECE, PBS is bringing one of the characters' favorite pastimes to life in New York City with a mobile tea truck this week.

Complete with costumed servers, the truck is stationed at a different location every day from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., giving out free tea and biscuits to fans and an opportunity to take photos against the backdrop of Highclere Castle.

Today the truck is just a few blocks away from We Love Soaps headquarters so we just had to visit.

Here's the schedule for today and the rest of the week:

* Wednesday, December 11
50th St. between 6th & 7th Ave. (Northside)

* Thursday, December 12
The New York Times Center, 41st St. between 7th & 8th Ave.

* Friday, December 13
Broadway between 66th and 67th St. (Westside)
You can stop by the Tisch WNET Studios (66th St. & Broadway) between 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. for an all-day marathon screening of Downton Abbey Season 3. Get caught up on all the drama before Season 4's January premiere.

It's (Downton Abbey) Tea Time in New York!

Ahead of the January 5th U.S. premiere of Season 4 of the award-winning drama DOWNTON ABBEY on MASTERPIECE, PBS will bring one of the characters' favorite pastimes to life in New York City with a mobile tea truck the week of December 9th.

Complete with costumed servers, the truck will be stationed at a different location every day, giving out free tea and biscuits to fans and an opportunity to take photos against the backdrop of Highclere Castle.

Follow along and post your pictures on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #TeaTruck.

Monday, December 9 – Friday, December 13
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. each day

(click to enlarge)

* Monday, December 9
East 14th St. at University Place (Southwest corner)

* Tuesday, December 10
6th Avenue between 40th & 41st St.

* Wednesday, December 11
50th St. between 6th & 7th Ave. (Northside)

* Thursday, December 12
The New York Times Center, 41st St. between 7th & 8th Ave.

* Friday, December 13
Broadway between 66th and 67th St. (Westside)
You can stop by the Tisch WNET Studios (66th St. & Broadway) between 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. for an all-day marathon screening of Downton Abbey Season 3. Get caught up on all the drama before Season 4's January premiere.

Fifth Season of DOWNTON ABBEY To Air on PBS

DOWNTON ABBEY will return to MASTERPIECE on PBS for a fifth season.

"As American audiences ready themselves for the January 5th premiere of Season 4, our devoted DOWNTON fans will rest easy knowing that a fifth season is on the way," says MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton.

DOWNTON ABBEY Season 4 recently completed its run in the UK, where it drew 11.8 million average viewers - making it Britain's highest-rated television drama in 2013. Earlier this year, more than 24 million viewers watched the third season of the series in the U.S., making it the most-watched drama in PBS history.

DOWNTON ABBEY Season 4 Trailer Released by PBS

PBS has released a new trailer for Season 4 of DOWNTON ABBEY that features both your favorite characters and some new additions. Will Mary move on? What's in store for Edith? Who is Cousin Rose kissing? What new secrets and scandals are on the horizon? Tune in to PBS on January 5, 2014 to find out. Meanwhile, check out the trailer below:

PBS Announces Winter/Spring 2014 Season

PBS announced today its slate of Winter/Spring 2014 programs, including the long-awaited return of MASTERPIECE "Sherlock, Season 3" starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the legendary British sleuth, on Sunday, January 19 at 10 p.m. ET. The highly acclaimed "Sherlock" follows Season 4 of "Downton Abbey," which debuts with eight new episodes January 5 on MASTERPIECE. The two shows bolster Sunday night as a hallmark of British drama on PBS, whose ratings that night have grown 26 percent (8-11 p.m., 2011-12 season: 9/19/2011-9/23/2012 to 2012-13 season: 9/24/2012-9/22/2013) season over season. The schedule also reinforces PBS' move into 10 p.m. programming on several key nights.

PBS Fall Arts Festival Premieres Tonight

Actress Anna Deavere Smith. Photo Credit: Robert Severi

The 2013 PBS Arts Fall Festival returns in October with seven weekly programs that highlight Broadway classics, music from around the country, and legendary superstar Barbra Streisand.

Underscoring PBS’ ongoing commitment to giving audiences a front row seat and a backstage pass to the best of the arts on-air and online, the series will be hosted by award-winning television, film and stage star Anna Deavere Smith (NURSE JACKIE, THE WEST WING) starting Friday, October 18, 2013 at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).

RETURN TO DOWNTON ABBEY Special Coming To PBS On December 1

A welcome treat for millions of viewers eagerly awaiting the debut of the new season of DOWNTON ABBEY on MASTERPIECE on PBS on January 5, 2014, RETURN TO DOWNTON ABBEY savors fond memories from the past three seasons and offers a tantalizing taste of Season 4 from the series The New York Times called "an instant classic." Hosted by Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon - a devoted fan of the series who especially admires the writing of fellow Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes - the program includes a mix of behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with creators and cast members, and video clips of favorite moments. RETURN TO DOWNTON ABBEY premieres Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

PBS Announces "Superheroes Night" on October 15th

Photo Credit: PBS

PBS announced today that Tuesday, October 15, 2013, is "Superheroes Night," featuring a three-hour block dedicated to the groundbreaking program SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE. The newest film from Emmy Award-winning producer/director Michael Kantor (BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL; MAKE 'EM LAUGH: THE FUNNY BUSINESS OF AMERICA) will premiere at 8:00 p.m. ET and include insightful interviews from Stan Lee; actors Adam West (TV's BATMAN) and Lynda Carter (WONDER WOMAN); Geoff Johns (chief creative officer, DC Comics), Jeph Loeb (head of television for Marvel Entertainment); Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) and cartoonist/author Jules Feiffer (the long-running strip "Feiffer"), as well as appearances by the late comic book icons Joe Simon (co-creator of Captain America) and Jerry Robinson (who helped create the Joker). A full list of interviewees who appear in the show is located at the end of the release.