Almanac (TV series)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Almanac is a public affairs television series produced by Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) in St. Paul, Minnesota and distributed to other channels around the state via Minnesota Public Television (MPTV). It has aired weekly for more than 20 years. Longtime hosts Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer are married—considered the most visible couple in Minnesota journalism, they have also spent time at other area stations. Eskola currently contributes political reports to WCCO radio, and Wurzer hosts the regional portion of Morning Edition at Minnesota Public Radio. Eskola is noted for his fondness for scarves, wearing a different one each week on Almanac, mainly during the winter. A special extra political report hosted by Mary Lahammer (daughter of longtime Associated Press political writer Gene Lahammer, now retired) has been airing for a few years during the time when the Minnesota State Legislature is in session.
A 90-second monologue is presented near the beginning of each edition of the show, typically by a local humorist. Some "monologists" that have made many appearances include Dr. Mark DePaolis, James Lileks, Dominic Papatola, Carol Falkowski, and J.G. Preston (an employee of the show until his departure in 2005). Members of the leadership in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate frequently appear during their tenures. Guest political analysts include educators, lobbyists, and former legislators. Frequent panelists of recent years include David Strom from the Minnesota Free Market Institute, former Minnesota State Senator Fritz Knaak, Republican lobbyist Sarah Janecek, former press secretary for Senator Norm Coleman Andy Brehm, Democrat lobbyist-turned-educator Wy Spano, former Democratic legislator Ember Reichgott Junge, and University of Minnesota professors Hy Berman (history) and Larry S. Jacobs (political science).
The end of the show often features an "Index File" trivia question to viewers, though it often gets cut when the show runs long. Credits run over show-ending music, sometimes live but often pulled from TPT's library of previous musical recordings running back to the 1970s.
A live broadcast to celebrate the series' 20th anniversary in April 2005 was transmitted in HDTV. TPT claimed it was the first live high-definition broadcast in the area. The series first aired on December 7, 1984.
