Museum of the Moving Image Presents TV Party: A Panorama of Public Access TV In NY

Long before YouTube, public access cable television was an electronic hotline between amateur creators and the masses. From February 11 through 20, 2011, Museum of the Moving Image presents the first museum retrospective devoted to public access cable. The series, "TV Party: A Panorama of Public Access Television in New York City" will commemorate the 40th anniversary of cable access in this city, featuring dispatches from the fringe spanning four decades of "user generated," do-it-yourself television.

Guest-curated by Leah Churner and Nicolas Rapold, the series begins on Saturday, February 11, with a live event featuring luminaries of the medium, including veteran filmmaker and "godfather of public access" George Stoney along with the producers of "Glenn O'Brien's TV Party," "Anton Perich Presents," "Paul Tschinkel's Inner-Tube," "The Live! Show," "The Rapid T. Rabbit Show," "Tomorrow's Television Tonight," "The Scott & Gary Show" and "Wild Record Collection" and more. TV Party continues on February 12, 13, 19 and 20 with screening programs devoted to the "genres" of public access: "interactive" call-in talk shows, rock ‘n' roll showcases, avant-garde variety programs, plain old teenage anarchy, and late-night "blue" fare that skirted FCC decency regulations.

"New York's public access channels harnessed mysteries of human nature never before seen on television," said Ms. Churner and Mr. Rapold. "Public access was off-off-off-off-Broadway, uncensored, unmediated, and unencumbered by production values. It attracted radicals, reactionaries, artists, smut peddlers, teenage puppeteers, quack doctors, book clubs, church choirs, backyard wrestlers, and naked talk-show hosts. This series celebrates the oddball integrity of those extroverted amateurs who participated in the obscure venture of cable access for the sake of self-expression."

Schedule for "TV Party: A Panorama of Public Access Television in New York"
February 11-20, 2011

Public Access Reunion 2011
Friday, February 11, 7:00 p.m.
It's the first-ever NYC Public Access Reunion! Live and in person, see the ever-expanding galaxy of access stars. Personalities from "The Scott and Gary Show," "Wild Record Collection," "The Live! Show," "Glenn O' Brien's TV Party," "The Vole Show" and Metro Access Studios will take the stage along with surprise guests.

Phones, Cheap, and Out of Control
Saturday, February 12, 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 13, 3:00 p.m.
Live TV + viewer call-ins = magic, or something like it. Long before CNN's "Larry King Live," public access programs invited audiences to talk back and join the show. This medley of "interactive television" excerpts is packed with punkish put-downs, left-field expertise, and Warholian dead air.

Shindig
Saturday, February 12, 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 13, 5:00 p.m.
Calling all big boppers and vinyl connoisseurs! This irresistible musical showcase celebrates "The Scott and Gary Show," the legendarily loud anti-MTV after-school bandstand, and "Wild Record Collection," your weekly deep-cut genius DJ set-hosted by Snuffles the Bear and his dancing zoo revue!

Soho Television Presents
Saturday, February 19, 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 20, 3:00 p.m.
In 1976, the artists' collective Cable Soho convinced the cable company to extend service south of Houston Street. What followed was a homegrown electronic Cabaret Voltaire. From Jaime Davidovich's block party on Wooster Street to Bob Hope's views on Nam June Paik, Soho produced absurd artistic entertainment for the home.

After Hours
Saturday, February 19, 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 20, 5:00 p.m.
Downtown had its own late-night talk-show circuit in the 1980s, with sexy-stoner hosts like Coca Crystal ("If I Can't Dance, You Can Keep Your Revolution") and "Glenn O'Brien's ("TV Party") offering an avant-garde alternative to the networks Meanwhile, "blue" programs enjoyed immunity to FCC decency laws. "I think our show is less prurient than Johnny Carson," said Al Goldstein. Come judge for yourself! (Note: This program is not suitable for children.)

MUSEUM INFORMATION

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, 10:30 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Holiday Opening: Monday, February 21 (Washington's Birthday), 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closed on Monday except for holiday openings).
Film Screenings: See schedule above for schedule and also check http://movingimage.us/films for a full calendar of upcoming screenings and events.
Museum Admission: $10.00 for adults; $7.50 for persons over 65 and for students with ID; $5.00 for children ages 3-18. Children under 3 and Museum members are admitted free. Admission to the galleries is free on Fridays, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Paid admission includes film screenings (except for special ticketed events and Friday evenings) Tickets for special screenings and events may be purchased in advance online at movingimage.us or by phone at 718.777.6800.
Location: 35 Avenue at 37 Street in Astoria.
Subway: R or M trains (R on weekends) to Steinway Street. N or Q trains to 36 Avenue.
Program Information: Telephone: 718.777.6888; Website: http://movingimage.us

The Museum is housed in a building owned by the City of New York and its operations are made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Natural Heritage Trust (administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation). The Museum also receives generous support from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. For more information, please visit http://movingimage.us.