or


[12/11/15 - 11:36 AM]
Elizabeth McGovern Returns to Host Season Two of Acclaimed Series "Million Dollar American Princesses"
Premiering on Sunday, January 3, the new season picks up the story in a tumultuous era in which women's lives and expectations are completely transformed.

[via press release from Smithsonian Channel]

ELIZABETH MCGOVERN RETURNS TO HOST SEASON TWO OF ACCLAIMED SERIES

"MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES"

FOUR-EPISODE SEASON PREMIERES SUNDAY, JANUARY 3rd AT 8PM ET/PT ON SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM)

Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Gloria Swanson, Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy Among Those Profiled

NEW YORK - December 11, 2015 - Oscar(R), Golden Globe(R) and Emmy(R) nominee Elizabeth McGovern returns to host the second season of Smithsonian Channel's MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES, the acclaimed series whose first season chronicled the fascinating in-depth stories of real-life American heiresses who inspired the TV drama Downton Abbey. Premiering on Sunday, January 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the new season picks up the story in a tumultuous era in which women's lives and expectations are completely transformed.

From the Belle époque in Paris at the turn of the century to Nancy Astor's mansion, Cliveden, to the sun-soaked coast of Monaco in the 1950s and '60s, viewers will see the heroines of MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES step out of their mansions and stately homes to play an increasingly vital part in the cultural and political life of Europe, blazing a trail for future generations. The new season focuses on the lives of women who are not just heiresses but also have the drive, talent and originality to make lasting contributions to art, culture and style. It explores the compromises and ultimate choices these legendary women must make between career, family and their newfound nobility.

Through vivid re-enactments, dramatic on-location filming, historical documents, interviews with notable family members, contributors and experts, MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES brings to life the stories of these extraordinary women, including the romance, the heartbreak, the secrets, the scandals, and their enduring legacy.

MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES: QUEENS OF THE SCREEN Premieres Sunday, January 3rd at 8 p.m. ET/PT In the season premiere, Elizabeth McGovern profiles Hollywood princesses who became real aristocrats by marrying into nobility. At the height of her career, Hollywood star Gloria Swanson married European aristocrat Henri, Marquis de la Falaise de la Coudraye. On her wedding day, Gloria hid a terrible secret from Henri and she later had an affair with a famous American businessman that will destroy her marriage. Brooklyn-born Rita Hayworth was the first Hollywood star to become a true royal, marrying Prince Aly Khan, son of the Aga Khan. Six years later, she left the prince to return to her career. Then, of course, there was Grace Kelly, who turned her back on Hollywood when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco and embraced her new role as princess. She was adored by the people of Monaco, to which she brought a newfound glamour, but her tragic early death in a car crash sent shockwaves around the world.

MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES: QUEENS OF CULTURE Premieres Sunday, January 10th at 8 p.m. ET/PT This episode looks at three women who blazed a trail through the arts world, inspiring and supporting some of the most innovative creative artists of the 20th Century. Winnaretta Singer, child of sewing machine magnate Isaac Singer, found a great platonic love with Edmond, Prince de Polignac, who, like her, was gay. The princess became a key figure in the salons of Paris and became one of the 20th century's most significant patrons of contemporary music. Sara Murphy was presented as a debutante at the Royal court in London and married Gerald Murphy, heir to the Mark Cross leather goods business. At the height of the Jazz Age, the Murphys headed for Paris and the French Riviera, where Sara became a muse to Pablo Picasso and an obsession of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald would base the characters of Dick and Nicole Diver in his novel Tender is the Night on the Murphys. Peggy Guggenheim became one of the most important patrons and collectors of modern art the world had ever seen. Mentored by Marcel Duchamp, she collected works by unknown artists who would later become famous. On the eve of WWII, she purchased all the modern art in Paris she could find to save them from the invading Nazis.

MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES: BEAUTIFUL AND THE DOOMED Premieres Sunday, January 17th at 8 p.m. ET/PT This episode tells the bittersweet stories of three very different women who looked for love but found tragedy. Chicago-born heiress Clara Ward, expelled from two finishing schools, married at the age of sixteen the twice-her-age Prince de Caraman-Chimay of Belgium. She then scandalized her adopted home by dumping him for a Hungarian Gypsy violinist. The former princess later shocked society by distributing erotic photos of herself. Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy, daughter of Joe Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Britain, was a princess in America's own royal family. Against strong religious opposition from the staunchly Catholic Kennedys, Kick married William "Billy" Cavendish, the Marquess of Hartington, heir to the Dukedom of one of Britain's grandest families: the Devonshires. Billy is killed on the German front less than five months after they marry. Kick is killed in the most tragic of circumstances just four year later. Her story is brought to life through the family memories of Kick's namesake, Kick Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Lastly, this episode recounts the extraordinary highs and lows of Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, who became world famous as the "Poor Little Rich Girl". Barbara married seven times - including an Eastern European prince and Hollywood legend Cary Grant -- but never found true happiness.

MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES: LEADING LADIES Premieres Sunday, January 24th at 8 p.m. ET/PT In the season finale, Elizabeth McGovern follows the journeys of three extraordinary women who transformed their lives and blazed a trail for future generations. Nancy Astor's place in history as the first woman to take her seat in the British Parliament is all the more extraordinary because she was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Following a disastrous first marriage she met the Anglo American Waldorf Astor, the son of one of the richest men in the world and settled in the Waldorfs' magnificent English country estate, Cliveden. In 1919, Nancy campaigned successfully for her husband's former parliamentary seat in Plymouth. She held her own in male-dominated Westminster, particularly in legendary clashes with Winston Churchill and even in a confrontation with the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin. Nancy Astor's niece, Nancy Lancaster, would also have a huge effect on Britain, but in the field of design. She created what is still known today as the "English Country House Look" and, in doing so, crafted a reputation as one of the great designers of the 20th century. Pauline de Rothschild, born Pauline Potter to Americans living in Paris, became an international style icon and the wife of playboy Baron Philippe de Rothschild, owner of the world-famous Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Her first fashion house was a disaster, but she became a much sought after fashion stylist and one of the best paid women in New York.

MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES (http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/princesses) is produced by Finestripe Productions for Smithsonian Channel. The series producer and director is Michael Burke. Executive Producer for Finestripe is Sue Summers. David Royle and Charles Poe serve as executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, Million Dollar American Princesses, Boomtowners, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Civil War 360, 9/11: The Heartland Tapes; MLK: The Assassination Tapes and The Day Kennedy Died. Find out more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.





  [december 2015]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES (SMITH)





[11/01/24 - 02:01 PM]
HBO Orders Original Limited Drama "DTF ST. Louis" to Series
The limited series stars and is executive produced by Jason Bateman and David Harbour.

[11/01/24 - 02:00 PM]
Disney Branded Television Greenlights "How We Became the Biggest Band in the World" and "Vampirina" (Working Titles) for Disney Channel and Disney+
The Latter series is based on the books written by Anne Marie Pace and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, and inspired by the Disney Jr. animated series "Vampirina" from Chris Nee.

[11/01/24 - 12:48 PM]
Peacock Renews Long-Running Soap "Days of Our Lives" for 61st Season
The renewal comes on the eve of "Day of Days," the annual fan event at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles being held on Saturday, November 2, where the show's 60th season will be celebrated.

[11/01/24 - 12:01 PM]
Video: "Rhythm + Flow" Season 2 - Cast Announcement - Netflix
The search for the next face of hip-hop moves to Atlanta as global hitmakers Ludacris, Latto and DJ Khaled join the judging panel to mentor fresh talent.

[11/01/24 - 12:00 PM]
60 Years After Debuting on the Network, Christmas Classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" Returns to NBC for a Special 75-Minute Telecast on Friday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Said date was the same it premiered in 1964 as part of the "General Electric Fantasy Hour."

[11/01/24 - 11:54 AM]
"High Potential" Continues Linear Dominance as ABC Wins Tuesday 10 p.m. Hour in Total Viewers for First Time in 4 Years
Season to date through week five, "High Potential" stands as ABC's most-watched (10.42 million) new series in six years - since the 2018-2019 season with "The Conners."

[11/01/24 - 10:31 AM]
Video: AMC/AMC+ Debut Riveting First-Look at Season 3 of the Hit Noir Thriller "Dark Winds"
The series will return with all new episodes exclusively on AMC and AMC+ on Sunday, March 9 at 9pm ET/PT.

[11/01/24 - 10:05 AM]
TBS "All I Watch for Christmas" and TNT "Christmas Maximus" Kick Off Holiday Programming on Saturday, November 2
With countless blockbuster films airing over 8-weeks, TNT "Christmas Maximus" takes holiday movies to the next level, serving as a hub for endless seasonal offerings and high-energy classics.

[11/01/24 - 10:03 AM]
'Tis the Season for Holiday Cheer on ABC
Highlights include a new season of "The Great Christmas Light Fight," along with news of a season 13 pickup for 2025.

[11/01/24 - 10:00 AM]
FOX and Gordon Ramsay Count Down to the Super Bowl with "Kitchen Nightmares: Road to Super Bowl LIX"
Gordon Ramsay's iconic series returns with a supercharged two-hour episode, Wednesday, January 1 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), with regular episodes airing on Wednesdays from 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT, beginning January 8 on FOX.

[11/01/24 - 09:30 AM]
Prime Video Reveals "Pimpinero: Blood and Oil" will Premiere Exclusively on November 22
The film is set in the desert bordering Colombia and Venezuela, where gasoline smugglers known as "pimpineros" risk their lives transporting illegal fuel from one country to another.

[11/01/24 - 09:06 AM]
Freeform's "25 Days of Christmas" Returns with Yuletide Cheer This December
A delightful collection of Christmas favorites is being offered to make spirits bright, including "Home Alone," "The Santa Clause" trilogy and "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2000).

[11/01/24 - 09:00 AM]
Watch CBS News and Stations' "America Decides: Election '24" Team Coverage Across Broadcast, Streaming and Digital
Primetime election night coverage on CBS and CBS News 24/7 will begin at 7:00 PM, ET, anchored by Norah O'Donnell from CBS News' election headquarters in New York City.

[11/01/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Miss Scarlet" Season 5 Preview
Criminals have never stumped Eliza Scarlet, but a new Detective Inspector...? She's on the case!

[11/01/24 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was..." - Date Announcement - Netflix
Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning actor. Grammy-winning singer. Beloved comedian. Jamie Foxx returns to the stage to set the record straight.