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The Open Mind (TV series)

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The Open Mind
The Open Mind logo
The Open Mind logo
GenreInterview
Created byRichard Heffner
Presented byAlexander Heffner
Country of originUnited States
Production
Running time30 minutes
Production companyThe Open Mind Legacy Project
Original release
NetworkNational Educational Television
ReleaseMay 1956 (1956-05) –
present

The Open Mind is a nationally broadcast public affairs interview program. It is the longest running program in the history of American public television and was first broadcast in May 1956.[1] Its creator, Richard Heffner, engaged in a "thoughtful excursion into the world of ideas" across politics, media, technology, the arts and realms of civic life, and was host until his death on December 17, 2013.[2]

Alexander Heffner, Richard Heffner's grandson, took over as the program's host in 2014.[3] The program is currently filmed at CUNY TV studios and airs on public television stations.

History

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The Open Mind was conceived to elicit meaningful insights into the challenges that society faces in contemporary areas of public concern. The program's title is attributed to a quote of Barnard College dean Virginia Gildersleeve (1877–1965), "Have an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out."[4] The theme music chosen by Heffner, "World Without Time," is by the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra from their LP Adventures in Time.

In 2023, the producer of The Open Mind released a special series of conversations with elected officials over meals in their home states, Breaking Bread with Alexander, that premiered on Bloomberg TV and are now available on The Open Mind.[5][6] Season 2 launched on July 4, 2024 and was released on Bloomberg Originals and The Open Mind.[7]

Guests

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Thousands of guests have appeared on the program, including:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ellefson, Lindsey (2020-09-01). "How PBS' 'The Open Mind' Plans to Thwart Disinformation Ahead of Election: 'There Are Not Two Sets of Facts'". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  2. ^ "Richard Heffner, Historian, Teacher, Pioneer of Public Television, is Dead at 88", Rutgers University, December 19, 2013.
  3. ^ Cohen, Noam, "'Open Mind' Host Continues Grandfather’s Vision for New Generation", The New York Times, September 28, 2014.
  4. ^ Heffner, Richard, The Closing of the American Mind (interview/video/transcript; 1st min's of 29), interview with Allan Bloom, 1987.
  5. ^ Johnson, Ted (2023-06-27). "Political Figures Have In-Depth Chats Over Their Favorite Meals In New 'Breaking Bread' Series On Bloomberg Originals". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  6. ^ "Breaking Bread Archives". The Open Mind, Hosted by Alexander Heffner. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  7. ^ Kurtz, Judy (June 26, 2024). "'Breaking Bread' series aims to show the 'disarming effect' food can have on political talk". The Hill. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Official Website, Archive.
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