#kteh

Salutations, anime fans. I am Gabriel Ramos, DJ and broadcaster of Toon Time Theater. October 19 will be a special day, because KQED Plus (KQEH) will turn 60 this year, and I wanted to showcase the programs of the Science Fiction Night that aired between 1996 and 2003. When I was born in Hayward, California, I had access to the network back when they were known as KTEH. However, I didn't know they aired science fiction anime on Sunday nights until I read about how Tenchi Universe aired on American TV networks for the first time. My brother got into Neon Genesis Evangelion because of KTEH, and since then, he watched the series from time to time.

On October 19 at 9 PM PDT, join me for a 7-series Spotlight Show showcasing select animated programs that aired on the KQED Plus Science Fiction Night back in the day. Plus, there will be a sneak peek of the New Gabe Order's special Toon Time Theater edition of Key the Metal Idol, which will reach the 30 year milestone this year.

Anyways, here are the lineups that will be played on October 19, but you don't have to take my word for it.

2024.10.19 / 191024

E/I: Educational and Informational

6.0A - Bartender (2006 series, Episode 2, rerun. E/I)

6.5A - HAIKYU!! (Season 2, Episode 41, E/I)

"Journey To Your Heart"

7.0A - Pokémon Master Journeys

7.5A - Laid-Back Camp (Season 1, Episode 3)

Loved By Americans

8.0A - Rick And Morty: The Anime (2024 series, Episode 10)

Series Finale

8.5A - SONIC X (Season 2, Episode 29)

Killed By The Architects

9.0A – TSUBASA: Reservoir Chronicle (Season 2, Episode 52)

Series Finale

9.5A - PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (Episode 12)

Series Finale

Vampire Killers and Ninjas

10.0A - CASTLEVANIA (Season 1, Episode 4)

Season Finale

10.5A - BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS (Episode 5)

SHONEN JUMP

11.0A - DRAGON BALL Z KAI

11.5A - HAIKYU!! (Season 2, Episode 42, E/I)

KQED Plus Spotlight Show (All Times Pacific)

Peepshow: Sat 8.5 PM PDT / Sat 11.5 PM EDT / Sun 0.5 PM JST

Spotlight Show: Sat 9.0 PM PDT / Sun 12.0 AM EDT / Sun 1.0 PM JST

9.0P - ROBOTECH: THE MACROSS SAGA (Season 1, Episode 1)

9.5P - Generator Gawl (Episode 1)

10.0P - SAKURA WARS: The Animated Series (2000 series, Episode 1)

10.5P - All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku: The Series (Episode 1)

11.0P - CITY HUNTER (Episode 1, subtitled)

11.5P - KEY THE METAL IDOL (Episode 1, edited)

201024

12.0A - Neon Genesis EVANGELION (Episode 1)

Do you want it back? Please let me know, or just e-mail KQED, KQEH, or any of the KQED e-mails that are involved with the San Jose-based KQED Plus (KQEH) station.

(CONTRIBUTED SCREENGRAB COURTESY via VHS Tape)

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Google Maps)

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA -- In a serendipitous turn of events, San Jose's KTEH-TV 54 (now known as KQEH+ TV: PBS), made television history in the 1990s by launching the 'Sunday Science Fiction' anime programming block, catering exclusively to local residents of Californian viewers in America. The block became an unexpected hit, drawing attention for its unique programming choices, including the debut of the enigmatic anime series, 'Serial Experiments Lain'.

'Sunday Science Fiction' aimed to captivate the imagination of televised viewers with a diverse selection of anime series, bringing a taste of Japanese culture to the San Jose community. Among these shows (either subtitled or dubbed in selected anime programmes), 'Serial Experiments Lain' stood out as a cerebral and cryptic masterpiece that delved into the realms of virtual reality, identity, and technology.

(POSTER PHOTO COURTESY: JOTX-TV 7's TV Tokyo and Google Images)

The aforesaid Japanese anime series was created by Yasuyuki Ueda and directed by Ryutaro Nakamura. It portrayed an adolescent young lady named Lain Iwakura, who will become immersed in a mysterious virtual world. The anime series is renowned for its conceptional scary subject matters and unique visual presentation, which applied a mix of surreal imagery and philosophical narratives to explore the dark side of the internet and a personal identity.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: OtakuD50 via Internet Archive VIDEO / During the anime OP of Serial Experiments Lain, a scrolled text issued an alert for the tragedy of 9/11 in Manhattan, New York, United States of America)

On that particular 2nd week of September 2001 (which almost either the reruns or the new episodes), during the airing of Episode 7 of 'Serial Experiments Lain', an unforeseen and sketchy issue were completely unfolded. The above scrolling textual content at the start of the episode -- carried an alarming message, drawing attention to the tragic events on Tuesday afternoon (September 11th, 2001 -- New York local time).

(ART PHOTO COURTESY: Cartoon Movement via Google Images)

The World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York had collapsed in a terrorist attack; and Washington, District of Columbia was also hit at the Pentagon by what appeared to be a coordinated act of terrorism.

(STOCK PHOTO COURTESY: Google Images)

This abrupt interruption was due to a programming postponement. The initially scheduled program 'The Travel Auction', was deferred, leaving viewers puzzled. This programming decision inadvertently drew local viewers' attention to a significant historical event, amplifying the impact of 9/11.

(CONTRIBUTED CLASSIC PHOTO COURTESY: Legacy website)

The late Program Director of KTEH-TV 54's PBS: San Jose named Karen Roberts is responsible for distributing licensed classic anime from Japanese imports during the 'Sunday Science Fiction' anime programming block, was instrumental in securing a diverse lineup of anime series for the said local PBS station. She was known for her passion and dedication to bringing unique and culturally enriching content to local audiences. Her legacy continued to shape the station's programming, even after her untimely passing in 2007.

(FILE SCREENGRAB COURTESY via VHS Tape / Old U.S. numbers showned on screen to fund in your donations to KTEH-TV 54: PBS San Jose)

The success of the 'Sunday Science Fiction' anime block and the debut of 'Serial Experiments Lain' on a local PBS station were attributable to the station's consistent funding of broadcasting and licensing anime rights. Unlike many free-to-air and cable TV stations that struggled to secure niche content before the internet era, KTEH-TV 54 had garnered a strong and supportive local viewership. The station's membership model allowed it to invest in unique programming choices, catering to the tastes and interests of its dedicated audience.

(FILE PHOTO COURTESY: Felipe Buitrago)

This accidental sketchy discovery during the 'Sunday Science Fiction' anime programming block would become a notable moment in the history of San Jose Public Television's KTEH-TV 54 (now becomes KQEH+ TV: PBS), exemplifying the station's commitment to offering engaging and diverse content to its local community. 'Serial Experiments Lain' and the scrolling text of 9/11 served as a testament to the power of public broadcasting, reminding viewers of the critical role local stations play in connecting communities to the world's most significant events, whether intentional or accidental.

CONTRIBUTED SCREENGRAB COURTESY via VHS Tape BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: Tegna

SOURCE: *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQjWWQE0Jt8 [Referenced YT Video via TVC Studios] *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhLkxOgdqZ0 [Referenced YT Video via Screen Takes] *http://missmediajunkie.blogspot.com/2018/06/anime-on-pbs.html [Referenced Classic Editorial Article via Miss Media Junkie] *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KQEH#Programming *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Experiments_Lain *https://archive.org/details/lain-7 [Referenced Video Item via Internet Archive] *https://www.houmatoday.com/story/news/2001/09/11/terror-world-trade-center-collapses-terrorist-attack-washington-hit-by-apparently-coordinated-attack/26795303007/ [Referenced Classic News Article via Houma Today] *https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/06/01/respected-kteh-executive-dies-at-60/ [Referenced Classic News Article via Mercury News] *https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/karen-roberts-obituary?id=25578507 [Referenced Funeral Biography #1 via Legacy website] and *https://obits.syracuse.com/us/obituaries/syracuse/name/thomas-fanella-obituary?id=29479627 [Referenced Funeral Biography #2f via Legacy website]

Doctor Who Patrick Troughton Interview (KTEH)