Edie Falco to Host New Season of PBS's Emmy Award-Winning Series Independent Lens

Edie Falco to Host New Season of PBS's Emmy Award-Winning Series Independent Lens

Season Premieres on October 11 With Parliament Funkadelic: One Nation Under a Groove

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Independent Television Service (ITVS) announced today that Edie Falco, Emmy Award-winning star of The Sopranos, will be the host of the 2005-2006 season of the critically acclaimed PBS series Independent Lens. The series airs on Tuesday nights at 10 PM (check local listings).

"I'm thrilled to be hosting Independent Lens because I'm a fan. Every week, this series illustrates the importance of PBS. It's essential that there is a place on TV where we can see films that explore important issues and introduce us to exceptional people and unique stories," Falco said.

Falco follows in the footsteps of past series hosts Angela Bassett, Don Cheadle and Susan Sarandon. Series producer & co-curator of Independent Lens, Lois Vossen said, "I can't think of anyone we'd rather have as our host. Not only is Edie one of the most honored actresses on TV, loved by both critics and viewers, she's also an actress who has always been committed to taking chances artistically, whether it's on stage or in the films of such maverick directors as Hal Hartley, Abel Ferrara or John Sayles. She's been a passionate advocate for true independent filmmaking, a spirit embodied every week on Independent Lens."

The 2004-2005 season of Independent Lens was a knockout, with unprecedented attention from the press, audiences and stations alike. "We have received two Best Documentary Emmy Nominations, for AFGHANISTAN UNVEILED and THE DAY MY GOD DIED, which we aired last season. I think it proves Independent Lens is the place to go for unique and important stories," Vossen said. This season of Independent Lens features another great lineup of independent documentaries and dramatic shorts.

The fall season premieres on October 11th with the broadcast of Yvonne Smith's portrait of funk legend George Clinton, PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC: One Nation Under a Groove, in conjunction with the release of Clinton's latest CD and a national tour.

More information about the upcoming season and Edie Falco is available at http://www.itvs.org/pressroom/.

Program companion website: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens

Source: The Independent Television Service

CONTACT: Cara White, +1-843-881-1480, or carapub@aol.com , for The
Independent Television Service

Web site: http://www.itvs.org/pressroom
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens

NOTE TO EDITORS: Pressroom for more information and/or downloadable images: http://www.itvs.org/pressroom

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