Public television is in the spotlight after what’s now being dubbed “The Big Bird Debate” between President Obama and Mitt Romney.
So here’s some news relating to public TV.
“American Masters: Inventing David Geffen,” makes its US premiere this Monday, Oct. 8 at the Hamptons International Film Festival (Regal/UA East Hampton Theater). The TV angle comes in when the documentary premieres Nov. 20 on PBS. Included are interviews with Geffen, Cher, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Elton John, Neil Young, Mike Nichols and many other A-listers.
Tomorrow, meanwhile, Ch. 21 will air “Going Blind: Coming out of the Dark About Vision Loss” in recognition of October being World Blindness Awareness Month and National Disability Awareness Month. “Going Blind” airs at 3 p.m. and follows award-winning director Joseph Lovett as he adapts to life with low vision caused by glaucoma.
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TV on the Web: The first episode of the five-part live-action series, “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn,” airs today on YouTube’s Machinima Prime channel. It’s directed by Stewart Hendler and stars Daniel Cudmore (“X Men”).
And “MyMusic,” which also streams on YouTube, has reached the 100-episode milestone after first premiering last April. “MyMusic” airs four shows a week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and currently has over 220,000 subscribers and 14 million viewers (youtube.com/mymusicshow).
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Last, but not least:
* “Good Morning America” beat “Today” by nearly 1 million total viewers and in adults 25-54 last week — the first time in 20 and 21 years, respectively, that it won premiere week in those two demos . . . The Al Roker/C. Russell Muth-produced series, “Coast Guard Florida,” premieres next Wednesday, Oct. 10, on Weather Channel (9 p.m.) . . . You in? The original Netflix series, “House of Cards” (Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara) will be available for members Feb. 1.