Saints, Jaguars, LSU preseason specials ahead

LPB campaign drive under way

FILE - This July 29, 2012 file photo shows Michael Chiklis participating in the CBS "Vegas" TCA panel in Beverly Hills, Calif. The Television Critics Association brought casts and executives before the nation's TV reporters to get them stoked about the new fall series. They had to be excited that soon their show would reach the public and, just maybe, catch fire and run seven or eight seasons, then forever in syndicated reruns _ a show that might win them new or boosted fame and untold wealth, even a place in the annals of great TV. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

WAFB, Channel 9 is gearing up for football season with three specials, the first on Southern University, the second on the New Orleans Saints, and last but not least, LSU.

Southern’s preseason special, “Back in the Hunt,” will air at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

The show will look ahead at Southern’s season and which players are expected to excel. A preview of the Jaguars’ schedule, including which opponents present the biggest threat, will be featured.

The Saints’ special, “The Road Home,” will air at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, just prior to the New Orleans-Houston preseason game. The show will cover what the future holds for the Saints this upcoming season, which are the players to watch, and whether there is another Super Bowl victory within reach.

“Miles to Miami” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, will explore what’s in store for LSU this football season — which players to watch and who is expected to excel. Head coach Les Miles also weighs in on his expectations for the season.

WAFB, Channel 9 is on cable Channel 7.

LPB drive under way

Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s August membership campaign began last week.

All of the money raised during the campaign goes to purchase and create the programs which air throughout the year on the statewide public television network.

“The British Beat” will mix live and archive performances by the Zombies, the Animals, and Chad and Jeremy at 6 p.m. Sunday. At 8 p.m., “Pegi & Neil Young’s Concert for the Bridge School” features performances by Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Neil Young.

Hosted by New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr., “Louisiana: 200 Years of Statehood,” airing at 7 p.m. Monday and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, chronicles Louisiana’s history from 1812 to the present.

“Dr. Fuhrman’s Immunity Solution” shows how one can improve his health by improving his immune system at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Teenage singing sensation Jackie Evancho sings the great theme songs from movies in her new “Great Performances” special at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“Elvis ’56,” airing at 7 p.m. Thursday, tells the story of how Elvis Presley went from being a relatively unknown singer to “The King” in 1956.

Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow, Pat Monahan of Train, Ronnie Dunn, and Louisiana native Lucinda Williams perform the songs of “The Man in Black” when “Celebrating The Music Of Johnny Cash: We Walk The Line” premieres at 9 p.m. Friday.

“Mel Brooks & Carl Reiner: Excavating The 2000 Year Old Man” tells the story of how their classic comedy routine originated in the late 1950s. The show airs at 10 p.m. Saturday.

At 7 p.m. Aug. 19, “Introducing Nathan Pacheco” offers the American singer performing original compositions and his own renditions of opera and pop classics.

“Morris Lessmore & The Amazing World of Moonbot,” airing at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 20, features Moonbot Studios’ Academy Award-winning animated film, plus behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Moonbot Studio co-founders William Joyce and Brandon Oldenberg.

Cajun history, food and culture are celebrated in encore showings of “Cajun Food Traditions” at 7 p.m. Aug. 21, followed by “Against the Tide: The Story of the Cajun People of Louisiana” at 8:30 p.m.

At 8 p.m. Aug. 23, “Doc Martin: The Movie” will show how the Doc Martin series got started.

Former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant sings his own composition and Zeppelin favorites at 9 p.m. Aug. 24, followed at 10 p.m. by acoustic guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel on “Center Stage.”

Tickets will be available for his September concert in Baton Rouge for viewers who pledge during the program.

“Frank Sinatra: Concert for the Americas” starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 25, followed by “Oscar Hammerstein II — Out of My Dreams” at 8:30 p.m. featuring the work of the legendary composer.

At 8 p.m. Aug. 26, LPB has a special showing of “Poirot: Murder on the Orient Express” featuring David Suchet as Agatha Christie’s Belgian sleuth.

WLPB, Channel 27, is on cable Channel 12.

WAFB and Louisiana Public Broadcasting provided items for this report. Television stations with news about programming, on-air reporters or personalities should fax information to Judy Bergeron, [phone], or email [e-mail].