PBS Exclusive: Tavis Smiley To Host Joint Interview With African American Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) And Tim Scott (R-S.C.)

PBS Exclusive: Tavis Smiley To Host Joint Interview With African American Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) And Tim Scott (R-S.C.)

Season 12 of Tavis Smiley begins Monday, January 12

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tavis Smiley on PBS, returning for its 12(th) season on Monday, Jan. 12, will feature a two-part, exclusive joint interview during its premiere week with the only two African Americans in the U.S. Senate - New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker, and South Carolina Republican Tim Scott.

Conducted at the studios of WHUT at Howard University in Washington, D.C., the conversation touches on a wide range of subjects. Among other topics, Senator Scott breaks down his four-part Opportunity Agenda -- the SKILLS Act (the SEA Jobs Act, the CHOICE Act, and the LEAP Act). Senator Booker talks at length about our broken criminal justice system and the urgent need for reform. Both reflect on their similarities and differences and their genuine interest in understanding and collaborating with one another.

Cory Booker and Tim Scott are the first African Americans since Reconstruction to serve simultaneously in the Senate. While they represent opposing political parties, Smiley said the joint interview is "an example of the kind of bipartisanship you don't often see in Washington." Their ability to speak thoughtfully and civilly to one another despite their divergent points of view, Smiley said, should serve as a lesson to both Democrats and Republicans that conversations free of partisan sniping and vitriol are possible across the political aisle.

The conversation with Senators Booker and Scott will air on PBS stations on Tuesday, Jan. 13 and Wednesday, Jan. 14. Check local listings for time and channel.

Tavis Smiley on PBS has more exciting programming planned for its 12(th) season premiere week.

The opening show, on Monday, Jan. 12, will feature a look at Haiti on the fifth anniversary of the 2010 earthquake that devastated the island nation, and a conversation with Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard, who was just honored as best actor by the New York Critics Film Circle for her performance in the 2014 film, Two Days, One Night.

Others scheduled to appear on the show in the days ahead include: Patrick Stewart of Star Trek: The Next Generation and X-Men fame; filmmaker Laura Poitras, the creative force behind Citizenfour, the acclaimed documentary about NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden; Benedict Cumberbatch, star of the new film The Imitation Game; Academy Award winner Kevin Costner; superstar rapper Lupe Fiasco; and crime novelist Michael Connelly.

ABOUT Tavis Smiley
Tavis Smiley is host of the nightly talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS, produced by TS Media, Inc., and of The Tavis Smiley Show from Public Radio International (PRI). His latest book, Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year, is a New YorkTimes bestseller. His previous bestsellers include Covenant with Black America, What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America, and The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto. In 2009, TIME named him one of the World's Most Influential People. For more information, visit www.tavistalks.com.

About PBS
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 123 million people through television and more than 21 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.

SOURCE Tavis Smiley

Tavis Smiley

CONTACT: Kimberly Mcfarland, 323-290-4690

Web Site: http://www.tavistalks.com


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