JOAN RIVERS GUESTS ON PBS KIDS HIT SHOW

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TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP TELEVISION

JOAN RIVERS GUESTS ON PBS KIDS 'ARTHUR'

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Joan Rivers On Arthur

Joan Rivers

Legendary comedienne and television personality Joan Rivers returns to PBS KIDS GO!'s popular ARTHUR series in her Emmy nominated role of Francine's grandmother Bubbe to help kids learn about coping with memory loss. In "Grandpa Dave's Memory Album," premiering Friday, June 15, 2012 (check local listings), Grandpa Dave is moving closer to the family and Arthur and D.W. are thrilled. But something isn't quite right; he's forgetting all sorts of things. Joan Rivers, as Bubbe, is on hand to help the kids understand that Grandpa Dave loves them just as much as he always has, even if he has trouble with his memory.

"Working on my second ARTHUR episode was a lot of fun," says Rivers. "I am proud to be associated with an organization like WGBH that works hard to educate children on trying social issues and family challenges such as a loved one's memory loss."

Joan Rivers is an internationally renowned comedienne, Tony-nominated actress, best-selling author, and Emmy Award-winning television talk show host. Additionally, she is an accomplished playwright, screenwriter, motion picture director, columnist, lecturer, syndicated radio host, jewelry designer and cosmetic company entrepreneur, red carpet fashion laureate, businesswoman -- and most importantly, a proud mother and grandmother.

"We are thrilled to have Joan Rivers back on ARTHUR as Bubbe," says Senior Executive Producer Carol Greenwald. "It's especially wonderful to watch her help Arthur and DW cope with Grandpa Dave's declining memory. We know this will be very meaningful to other children who are in similar situations."

Celebrate Father's Day weekend by tuning into "Grandpa Dave's Memory Album" Friday, June 15th on PBS KIDS GO! (check local listings). To see when the episode airs in your area, visit the PBS Station Finder.

ARTHUR Online

In celebration of ARTHUR's 15th season, the ARTHUR website has an all-new look and fabulous new features! On the site, you can watch your favorite ARTHUR videos and sing along to classic ARTHUR songs with the new karaoke feature. Also, you can join the all- new poetry and dance clubs at PBSKIDSGO.org/arthur/clubs.

The ARTHUR website is also home to most of the series educational materials including resources, lesson plans, and activities and has features to help kids understand their neighbors, near and far, and gain a better appreciation for the world around them.

D.W.'s Unicorn Adventure

Earlier this year, PBS KIDS GO! and WGBH released ARTHUR's first app - D.W.'s Unicorn Adventure for iPhone and iPod touch. Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and produced by WGBH, D.W.'s Unicorn Adventure encourages nutritious snacking in kids ages 4-6, and ARTHUR fans of all ages. In the app, players have the opportunity to help Arthur's little sister D.W. save a lost unicorn using the power of healthy foods. The app is available in the iTunes store at itunes.apple.com.

About ARTHUR

ARTHUR, based on the best-selling books from Marc Brown, is the longest running kids animated series on television. Over the past 15 seasons, ARTHUR has remained one of the highest rated weekday children's series on PBS among children 6-11. ARTHUR has won numerous awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award, a BAFTA and six Daytime Emmys®-four for Outstanding Children's Animated Program. ARTHUR is produced by WGBH Boston and Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. Executive producers are Carol Greenwald (WGBH), Toper Taylor (Cookie Jar), and Marc Brown (Marc Brown Studios). Directed by Greg Bailey. Funding for ARTHUR is provided by public television viewers. Corporate funding is provided by Chuck E. Cheese's®.

About WGBH Boston

WGBH Boston is the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including such innovative, entertaining, curriculum-based children's media as Arthur, Curious George (the number one show on television for preschoolers), Postcards from Buster, Between the Lions, Design Squad Nation, Martha Speaks (and its Dog Party mobile app, with proven impact on kids' vocabulary), and Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards, and two Oscars. Find more information at www.wgbh.org.

About Cookie Jar Group

Cookie Jar Group develops, produces, distributes and markets quality products to children, their caregivers, parents and teachers. Cookie Jar Group's products reflect its commitment to providing the best in children's published content, animated and live action programming and innovative educational and entertainment-driven products worldwide. The group of companies consists of Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. and Cookie Jar Education Inc. Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc., Cookie Jar Group's entertainment operation, is a leading, global, independent producer, marketing and brand manager of such renowned children's properties as "The Doodlebops," "Caillou," "Arthur," "Spider Riders" and "Johnny Test." Combining globally renowned intellectual properties with an industry-recognized management team, Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. is a market-driven, brand building company that is committed to children first and foremost and is dedicated to the development and production of quality programming that embraces the whole child, with animated and live-action series that entertain, inspire and enlighten children and family audiences worldwide.

About PBS KIDS GO!

PBS KIDS GO! offers early elementary children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. For more information on specific PBS KIDS GO! content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit , PBSKIDSGO.org.

Photo By: Sara De Boer/Retna