Getting Ahead

Watch Getting Ahead

  • TV-PG
  • 2016
  • 1 Season

Getting Ahead was a groundbreaking television show that aired on PBS from 1969 to 1972. Hosted by the charismatic and knowledgeable John Wilson, the program aimed to provide viewers with practical advice, inspiration, and guidance on various aspects of personal and professional growth. With its innovative format and captivating storytelling, Getting Ahead quickly became a beloved and influential show during its time.

Each episode of Getting Ahead focused on a specific theme or topic that resonated with its audience, tackling subjects ranging from career development and money management to relationships and personal development. The show blended insightful interviews, expert advice, and real-life success stories to create a truly engaging and informative viewing experience.

One of the show's notable strengths was its ability to feature a diverse range of guests, including entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and even renowned experts in various fields. This eclectic mix of personalities and perspectives allowed viewers to explore different paths to success and find inspiration in unexpected places. Moreover, Getting Ahead showcased individuals who had overcome significant obstacles or made unconventional choices, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and thinking outside the box.

To enhance the program's educational value, each episode also featured practical tips and strategies that viewers could apply directly to their lives. From learning effective communication techniques to setting achievable goals, Getting Ahead aimed to empower its audience with actionable advice and tools for personal growth. The show recognized that personal development is a lifelong journey and emphasized the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement.

What truly set Getting Ahead apart was its storytelling prowess and ability to connect with viewers on an emotional level. The show often presented viewers with relatable stories that touched upon universal themes of hope, resilience, and personal transformation. By featuring individuals who had turned their dreams into realities or reinvented themselves, Getting Ahead encouraged viewers to reflect on their own aspirations and take bold steps towards achieving them.

Furthermore, Getting Ahead didn't shy away from discussing difficult topics or societal challenges. The show fearlessly tackled issues such as racial and gender discrimination, personal setbacks, and adversity. By addressing these issues in a compassionate and thought-provoking manner, Getting Ahead aimed to foster understanding and drive positive change in society.

The production value of Getting Ahead was top-notch for its time. The show utilized a variety of innovative techniques, including on-location shoots, creative editing, and captivating visual aids, to enhance viewers' engagement with the content. The set design was simple yet inviting, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encouraged viewers to feel connected to the show's host and guests.

Throughout its three-year run, Getting Ahead amassed a loyal fan base that actively engaged with the show through letters and phone calls. This interaction with the audience allowed the program to address viewers' concerns and tailor future episodes to their needs. As a result, Getting Ahead became more than just a show – it became a trusted source of guidance and support for those seeking personal and professional growth.

In conclusion, Getting Ahead was a groundbreaking and influential show that aired on PBS from 1969 to 1972. With its diverse range of guests, practical advice, and captivating storytelling, the program provided viewers with invaluable insights and guidance on personal and professional growth. Although decades have passed since its original airing, the legacy of Getting Ahead continues to inspire and empower individuals to this day.

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Getting Ahead
1. Getting Ahead
October 7, 2016
This election year, one of the hot button issues is the minimum wage. The "Fight for Fifteen," as it is called, began in New York City on November 29, 2012, when over 100 hundred fast food workers walked off their jobs, going out on strike, for a $15 hourly wage and union rights. Since then, the "Fight for Fifteen" has become a national initiative, a plank in the Democratic Party Platform, and an issue Republicans would like to see handled on the state and local level. Only a handful of cities have already put in place significant wage increases. Getting Ahead, a one-hour documentary from Tavis Smiley and WNET, reports on the real consequences of the "Fight for Fifteen" for both wage earners and small business owners in California, the first state to raise the minimum wage. The documentary takes a discerning look at how increasing the minimum wage is playing out in four Northern California cities - San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville - where pay increases have been in place for at least two years, pre-dating the 2016 statewide mandated minimum wage increases. To understand what it means for workers trying to make a livable wage and for business owners trying to make payroll, Getting Ahead weaves real-life stories with observations by two economic experts - Ken Jacobs, chair of the UC Berkeley Labor Center and Christopher Thornberg, PhD, founder of Beacon Economics - who look at the same set of circumstances but come to very different conclusions. Tavis Smiley meets small business owners like Danny Huang, in Oakland's Chinatown, who is concerned that he cannot raise his prices enough to keep pace with paying mandated increases in wages. He profiles low-wage earners like Maria Martinez and Jamie Gaucin, trying to raise three children on minimum wage jobs, but who are forced to seek public assistance to make ends meet. Getting Ahead demonstrates that there's no single answer in the debate over the minimum wage.
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  • Premiere Date
    October 7, 2016