AceShowbiz - In response to recent federal funding cuts impacting public media, PBS SoCal has announced a significant fundraising initiative: the live, three-hour telethon, We ❤ Public Television. This star-studded event aims to galvanize viewer support and help bridge the financial gap faced by public broadcasting. Scheduled to air on Saturday, November 8, from 4-7 pm across the Southern California area on PBS SoCal, the special will also be broadcast nationwide on PBS stations on Thanksgiving night, ensuring a broad reach for its vital message.

The telethon boasts an impressive roster of celebrities and cultural figures lending their voices to the cause. Viewers can expect appearances from acclaimed artists such as Josh Groban, Hollywood icon Jamie Lee Curtis, celebrated documentarian Ken Burns, reggae star Ziggy Marley, and comedic legend Lily Tomlin. The lineup further includes esteemed scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin, actor Nicholas Ralph, music legend Noel Paul Stookey, travel guru Rick Steves, musical power couple David Foster and Katharine McPhee, actor Adam Arkin, Emmy-winner Courtney Vance, actress Martha Plimpton, blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, vocalist Sheléa, guitarist Jesse Cook, beloved author Judy Blume, the enchanting Celtic Woman, comedian Sarah Silverman, influencer Mychal the Librarian, and violinist Lindsey Stirling, among many others.

This monumental effort underscores the critical role public television plays in delivering unbiased news, educational programming, and diverse cultural content to communities across the nation. By inviting such a distinguished array of talent, We ❤ Public Television seeks to highlight the invaluable contributions of public media and encourage viewers to invest in its future. "The support of our audience is more crucial now than ever," a representative from PBS SoCal stated, emphasizing the direct impact viewer donations will have on maintaining high-quality programming. This telethon is not just a fundraiser; it's a testament to the enduring power and importance of public broadcasting in the American media landscape.